Mystery Hunt (Complete - Under Major Editing)

16. The Whole Truth

After making sure David is asleep, Clive goes to Dylan. He knows he won't be sleeping tonight.

"I don't know what came over me," Dylan says, burying his head into Clive's shoulders. "I don't know why I said that but I did trust him."

Clive pats his back, understanding the situation. "I know you did. But have you thought there must be some reason behind all of this? Also, not to sound dramatic..." He pulls away from the hug and holds him by his shoulders, "If he wanted to hide it, why would he keep it out in the open for everyone to see it?"

"I don't know.....I don't know.....I knew about the relation between King Walter and him but this...." He buries his head in his hands now.

"You knew about it? Then he trusted you to tell you about it. He must want to tell you about this too. Think about it in this way. It hasn't even been a week since we got here. We came and we started working. Next thing you know, he is also going through some nightmares. He must have forgotten about it or was waiting to tell you later. "

Just as Clive stops talking, they hear a knock on Dylan's door.

"Talk of the devil and he is here." Clive gets up to open it and is greeted by a very sullen looking James.

"I...came here.....to talk to Dylan..." he fiddles with his fingers.

"I know. He has been waiting for you." Clive chuckles.

"Hey! I wasn't waiting for anyone!" Dylan protests but Clive just shushes him.

"Now I'll leave you both to sort it out. Remember James you have a lot of explaining to do to us too, okay?" James nods and Clive leaves the room, closing the door behind him.

"The thing you said...." James starts but Dylan interrupts him.

"Just so you know, whatever I said was just out of context. I don't know what came over me; I don't know how and why I said it." Dylan says looking straight in his eyes.

"It is what King Rufus said in my dream," James says. Dylan gulps a little but doesn't show it on his face.

"Do you think that matters to me now?" Dylan asks in a challenging tone.

"Uh...yeah sorry. I....will tell you everything. Just.....believe me...."

FLASHBACK

"You are nothing but a disappointment." James's father is sitting on the couch, near the fireplace. He was near his death and coughing. But he still had the energy to scold James.

"I gave you one job."

James just stands there with his head down.

"I had told dad not to hand it over to you. But he was just as stubborn as you are. Now, look at what it has brought us to." James's father continues.

"But Dad, I don't really think we should. It is a beautiful castle, our heritage. Imagine the profits it will bear once we make it a historical site. The government cannot impose anything on it." James argues. He doesn't understand his father's obsession with demolishing the castle. It was him being stubborn, not his son.

"Who makes the decisions in this house?" James's father roars and his voice echoes through the hall. James shudders at this voice.

"I never stopped you from following your stupid dreams. You have no intention of keeping our family name, then be it. Do whatever you want to do with your life. But once, for once in your life listen to me. Demolish that castle." It seems as he was pleading.

"Do it as my last wish." He asserts this.

"Dad! Don't say that!" James looks close to tears. He has lost most of his family members in a fire and the last one left was his dad. It was true that his dad was disappointed when he refused to join their business and become a director. But he never stopped him.

He kneels in front of his dad, pleading, "Dad, what is it about a castle? Why is it so important?"

"Don't ask questions to which you don't have the courage to find the answers." He gets up on his wobbling legs to go back to bed. "Do what I say or don't bother coming back home."

FLASHBACK ENDS

"I made those papers before coming here and showed it to him. He was very happy. But I said there were some complications so I need to go there and handle the work." James takes a deep breath.

"He still thinks I am here to demolish it. Even the cops are from him, who are here to keep an eye on me."

"What are you here for then?" Dylan asks sympathetically. His story was sad but he was still angry.

"I am here to prove my dad wrong. I am here to put some worth in this castle. My grandfather was the one who told me about the ancestors when he gave me the ownership rights."

"I planned this whole thing. I planned to invite you guys here so that I would have a reason to stay here and research. The cops don't know that I am the one who brought you here. They think you are from a government order. They think I am here to demolish it but can't because you are investigating the castle."

"Once we get enough material for investigation and once the shooting for the documentary starts, my dad won't be able to pressurize me anymore."

Dylan looks at him with soft eyes. "You could have told me about it. It wouldn't have blown up like this." He pats his back gently.

"I thought if I would tell you guys, you would think I am using you. It really is fun working with you guys. I wasn't lying when I said I was a fan of your channel. But this was the only way I could save both my dad and the castle." James hung his head low.

"Don't worry. I am sure the other members will understand." Dylan assures him.

"And you? Do you understand?" James looks at him with expectant eyes.

"I do understand you. But I am hurt that you lied to me. Not once but many times. I would need some time to cope up with that." Dylan removes his hand from his back.

"I understand. Please just don't hate me. I really meant no harm. I would never demolish the castle." James pleads him.

"What was the dream you were talking about?" Dylan ignores his request.

James was a bit taken aback but describes everything.

"That is when King Rufus said 'If I knew it was going to hurt this much, I wish I had never laid my eyes on you'. I did not know what he was talking about but I could see the sadness in his eyes. I could feel his emotions. And...." James stopped mid-sentence.

"And what?" Dylan asks.

"And when today you said the same thing, you had the same eyes. You had the same vibe."

"Even I could feel as if I was someone else. I felt as if I was bound by a spell." Dylan looks at him with thought. Should he trust him and tell him about his dream too?

"I know it is hard to trust me again, but I will wait. I will wait until you are comfortable to share everything, your dreams, and nightmares with me.' James nods at Dylan as if he read his mind.

"Yes. Now go and sleep. You have a long day tomorrow and a bunch of angry people to explain." Dylan shoves him out of the room.

"Goodnight!" he bangs the door on his face.

James feels a little light. He actually feels all his burden has been taken care of. At least Dylan isn't angry at him anymore. He can sleep peacefully and handle the other guys tomorrow.