Resilience - Ackley Bridge Fic

Chapter 10

Dyln's heart raced as she stepped out of the school building, the weight of the recent confrontation still pressing heavily on her shoulders. The walls felt like they were closing in, and she couldn't bear the thought of spending another minute in that suffocating environment. Without a second thought, she veered away from the school gates, her feet carrying her toward the bike rack.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she unlocked her BMX, a gift from her uncle for her birthday. The bike had always been her escape, her ticket to freedom when life became overwhelming. She swung her leg over the saddle, her grip on the handlebars tight as she pedalled away from the school and into the open road.

The wind on her face was refreshing, and the rhythmic motion of her legs pushing the pedals helped ease the turmoil in her mind. She cycled past houses and streets, each turn distancing her from the reality she desperately needed a break from. Soon, the urban landscape gave way to fields and greenery, and Dyln found herself on a quiet country road, the only sound the soft hum of her bike tires on the pavement.

As she pedalled, she saw a group of alpacas grazing in a nearby field. Their gentle presence brought a small smile to her lips, a momentary distraction from the chaos that had taken over her life. Dyln slowed down, watching the curious animals momentarily before resuming her journey.

The road led her further into the countryside, and eventually, she arrived at a familiar spot. A wooden fence lined the edge of a field, offering a panoramic view of Ackley in the distance. Dyln parked her BMX against the fence, her legs dangling over the edge as she gazed out at the town she called home.

Just as she was beginning to feel a glimmer of peace, the burner phone hidden in her pocket vibrated. Her heart skipped a beat as she retrieved the device. The text displayed an address, and her curiosity mingled with trepidation. She knew she shouldn't be involved with whoever was on the other end of this line, but a part of her yearned for a way out of her predicament.

With a deep breath, she dialled the number, her voice shaky as she spoke into the phone. "Hello?"

Darren's gravelly voice responded on the other end, "Why are you calling me?"

Dyln hesitated, her words catching in her throat. "I... I lost the weed."

There was a pregnant pause, followed by a chuckle that sent shivers down her spine. "Lost the weed, huh? I was hoping you'd be less useless than your uncle. Maybe I can come up with another way for you to pay back the money I'm owed..."

His words oozed with something sinister, something that made Dyln's stomach churn. Panic rose within her, and she quickly interjected, "No, no! I can do it, I promise. I'm sorry, it won't happen again."

The man on the other end seemed to consider her words before finally agreeing. "Fine. You've got one more chance. Don't screw it up."

Dyln's fingers trembled as she lowered the burner phone, her heart racing from the unsettling conversation. A sigh escaped her lips; she had to find a way out of this mess, but for now, all she could do was pay off the debt as quickly as she could. 

With a heavy heart, she slipped the burner phone back into her pocket and pulled out her actual phone. The screen lit up, showing missed calls and voicemail notifications.

Her thumb hovered over the voicemail button, a mix of apprehension and guilt swirling within her. She pressed the button, listening to the first message from her uncle. His voice was laced with anger and frustration, an uncomfortable mix that made Dyln's stomach churn.

"I've just had a call from the school. What on earth are you playing at, Dyln? Weed in school? This isn't some game. Your actions could put us all in danger, especially if you screw Darren over," her uncle's voice crackled through the phone. His concern for her well-being was nonexistent; he was more worried about protecting his own skin.