Kids in the Dark

Chapter 49

Ryder's P.O.V

By the time the sun was at its peak, there had still been no sign of Theo- usually, his sessions with Harry only lasted about an hour or so- and I was beginning to wonder where he'd ended up. Not much had come to light until we'd all gone into lunch. I'd just sat down at our usual table when a warden approached me, calling me over.

"Um yes?" I was unsure what to make of the situation.

"Come with me, please. He said quite formally, setting off, leaving me to follow behind him. We exited the cafeteria through one of the sets of internal doors and we were received on the other side be Officer Parker. I felt my eyes widen in shock as I caught sight of her.

"This way Ryder."She gestured for me to follow her. We made our way down a winding set of corridors before coming to a halt outside a generic looking door, only adding to my confusion. Upon opening it, Parker indicated for me to take a seat in a chair on one side of a table. She did the same on the opposite side to me; I noted how she winced as she lowered herself into the seat. She had just opened her mouth to speak but I cut her off.

"Where's Theo?" I asked, eager to find out where my brother had gone.

"Your brother is currently in solitary confinement due to a matter very much related to why you are here," Parker explained, shifting her position, wincing again in the process. She grabbed a laptop from down on the floor and opened it up, angling it so that I could see. On the screen was what looked like a paused clip of CCTV footage. "This occurred 3 hours ago," Parker said before hitting play.

I watched in shock as I saw my brother explode in the interrogation room, very much acting the part of the violent murderer he was convicted of being. My jaw dropped slightly as he rammed the table up against Parker, pinning her to the wall; that at least explained why she was wincing as she moved. Parker then reached forwards and shut the laptop, placing it back on the floor at her feet. I was silent in a kind of horrified shock as she spoke again.

"Now, you're probably wondering why you're here and what that video has to do with you," Parker began, and I nodded. "Well Ryder, I was wondering if you could give us some insight," She started to explain. "I want Theo to have the best chance in the courtroom, but first we need to understand just what's going on in his head. That's where you coming in. You know more about what goes on in there than any of the specialists he's seen. All I want from you is the truth." She smiled kindly.

"Um, okay," I said, unsure where to begin. Parker gave me an encouraging nod and I continued. "Well, everything sort of started after mom died, though not because she died," I explained, choosing my words very carefully. "Our dad became an alcoholic and kind of lost control. Theo did what he could to keep me safe, but that meant he ended up taking more of the beatings. As a result, Theo sort of began to slip into this depressive state."

"Yes, we have the Ash Tree reports. From the first time and the second." Parker added.

"I wouldn't believe all you read in those," I scoffed slightly. When Parker gave me a confused look I continued. "Theo isn't stupid. He knew what to say to get people to think he was perfectly fine. Yes, he most likely was depressed, but well, um-" I paused, unsure if I should, or even could, go on. I glanced up at Parker who seemed to understand, for she spoke again.

"You aren't betraying your brother by telling me this you know. If anything you're helping him." She smiled warmly, giving a little nod. I took a deep breath before continuing.

"He never mentioned these 'voices' has, at least that's what he calls them. I get the impression that they sort of take over. He shuts off and lets them run the show if he finds things too difficult. He claims they're why he cuts himself and things." I said, sadly, watching as Parker jotted down a few notes.

"So these- these voices link to his behavior?" She questioned.

"Um yeah, I think so. I can usually tell which Theo I'm talking to, but these voices seem to have been in control more frequently since our dad died." I muttered, glancing at my hands

"Back to what you mentioned previously, about your dad, Theo mentioned something about having to take you to hospital. Care to elaborate?" She continued pen poised to take notes.

"Well, one night, dad came home, more drunk than usual and he just comes at me with a knife. I tried getting away, but he managed to cut me 3 times before the alcohol got to him and he passed out. I made it to my room and texted Theo for help before blacking out. Theo was the one who took me to hospital." I explained.

"Why isn't it in your medical records then?" Parker raised her eyebrow.

"It is, look for the one which mentions the barbed wire," I said, shifting in my seat.

"Thank you for that information," Parker said. "But how have you been Ryder?"

"I've never been better," I let out a hollow laugh. Parker looked at me in a disbelieving manner prompting me to speak more truthfully. "I've not slept more than ten hours this past week. I'm exhausted out of my mind" I sighed.

"Not sleeping?" Parker asked, sounding concerned.

"I've gotten night terrors since I was a kid. They've just been worse lately." I explained. "They kind of make sleeping hard."

"Is there anything that helps or prevents them?"

I shook my head. "The only thing that has ever helped is that dog that you found us with. I had very few when he was around."

"That is interesting. I'd have to pull a few strings but I may be able to get him assigned to you as a therapy dog." Parker suggested, smiling in a motherly way.

"Yeah, Adam mentioned that," I muttered

"So the others know about your nightmares?" I could hear the curiosity in Parker's voice even as she tried to hide it.

"Um, yeah I think so," I said, unsure about Jace and Adam.

"And do they all know about Theo?" She then asked.

"No. Adam knows most things. The others have just learned not to question it I guess. They've never really asked about it." I explained.

"Interesting." Parker mused, making several more notes.

"What are you going to do with Theo?" I then asked, wanting to know more about the fate of my brother.

"Are you aware that the charges he faces are punishable by the death penalty?" Parker asked in a solemn tone. I felt the color drain from my face and my heartbeat quicken, pounding against my ribs. "But Ryder, I promise you that I won't let that happen." Parker tried to reassure me.

"Don't make promises you can't keep." I then said, locking my eyes with hers.

"Ryder, whatever happened to the optimistic boy I met all those years ago?" Parker then asked, placing a sympathetic hand on my wrist. I pulled my wrist from her grip before replying.

"I stopped being that kid a long time ago. Optimism and hope don't fix things like they do in Disney films." 

Hey Guys, Sorry it has taken so long for chapter 49 to come out. I would blame it on my busy life but let's face it, it was just me being a lazy writer. I do promise that there are more chapters on the way so stay tuned for that. If you enjoyed, please hit that vote button. - Flo