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Previous: "The Manhunt"
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Next: to be released
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Series 13 Episode 4
"Xbox"
Smoothening out the creases in the duvet one final time, Freddie wanted everything to be perfect. His childhood bedroom finally had a new occupant, and every inch of the room needed to be just right. Freddie wanted the day to run entirely to script.
Jonah had already made the room his own. Any time he’d stayed the night, he’d decorated the room a little more, from selecting which colour to paint the walls, to bringing a new poster every time to add to the growing display on all four walls. It was already set up just the way Jonah wanted it, but Freddie still wanted to check it was fresh and clean, ready for the big day.
“He’s here!” Sammi called from downstairs. Freddie inhaled a deep, composing breath. He glanced around the bedroom one final time, verifying what he’d already verified multiple times over.
After another couple of measured deep breaths, Freddie bounced downstairs with a smile on his face, creating the impression of someone completely in control. It was at odds with the state of the hallway at the bottom of the stairs, though, which had grown increasingly claustrophobic with the suitcases and bags packed with stuff Jonah had somehow accumulated since living with George and Lily. He hadn’t kept many of his belongings from when he lived with their father, but they were all guilty of spoiling him a little.
“Need a hand?” Freddie checked as George heaved another suitcase through the front door.
“All good, this is the last one. I could have done with your strength five minutes ago,” George panted, closing the door behind him.
“Not too loud, remember,” Freddie warned, not wanting any shred of his secret to slip into Jonah’s ears.
“I know, I know,” George assured, “He said he needed the bathroom, but I think he’s already turned the Xbox on.”
“I did promise him a round of Fortnite,” Freddie conceived, “Time to join?”
“I shouldn’t, I’m meeting Lily in town at half one, and it’s my last day before I start work so I could really do with chilling,” George shrugged.
“That’s almost an hour away, dude,” Freddie wasn’t giving in, “Come on, one game, then I promise I’ll stop annoying you.”
“That’ll be the day,” George chuckled, “Okay, one game.”
Freddie beamed and led the way into the living room were, sure enough, there Jonah was. He laid horizontally across the sofa, his feet angled upwards above the armrest, with the controller in his hands. His comfort was obvious, but after so many hours spent gaming there, Freddie wasn’t surprised. Sammi called it “antisocial,”, but for Freddie, it was where he’d made the best memories with his brother.
“Come on then, make some room,” Freddie requested, collapsing onto the space on Jonah’s right where his head was previously resting. George followed suit on Jonah’s left, the sofa just wide enough to fit the three of them without it feeling too cramped.
“Are we playing or what?” George prompted, hyping Jonah’s relaxed demeanour.
“Sure, but don’t think you two are teaming up against me again,” Jonah’s posture straightened, clarifying that he meant business.
“Sure. We’ll just team up against George instead,” Freddie laughed, and Jonah giggled too. The warm sensation in Freddie’s stomach was a reassurance. Nothing about the Ruben family was normal, even without the parts Freddie didn’t want Jonah to know, but they still had each other above all else. In the same way George did for Freddie, Freddie now wanted to step up for Jonah.
Jonah had already made the room his own. Any time he’d stayed the night, he’d decorated the room a little more, from selecting which colour to paint the walls, to bringing a new poster every time to add to the growing display on all four walls. It was already set up just the way Jonah wanted it, but Freddie still wanted to check it was fresh and clean, ready for the big day.
“He’s here!” Sammi called from downstairs. Freddie inhaled a deep, composing breath. He glanced around the bedroom one final time, verifying what he’d already verified multiple times over.
After another couple of measured deep breaths, Freddie bounced downstairs with a smile on his face, creating the impression of someone completely in control. It was at odds with the state of the hallway at the bottom of the stairs, though, which had grown increasingly claustrophobic with the suitcases and bags packed with stuff Jonah had somehow accumulated since living with George and Lily. He hadn’t kept many of his belongings from when he lived with their father, but they were all guilty of spoiling him a little.
“Need a hand?” Freddie checked as George heaved another suitcase through the front door.
“All good, this is the last one. I could have done with your strength five minutes ago,” George panted, closing the door behind him.
“Not too loud, remember,” Freddie warned, not wanting any shred of his secret to slip into Jonah’s ears.
“I know, I know,” George assured, “He said he needed the bathroom, but I think he’s already turned the Xbox on.”
“I did promise him a round of Fortnite,” Freddie conceived, “Time to join?”
“I shouldn’t, I’m meeting Lily in town at half one, and it’s my last day before I start work so I could really do with chilling,” George shrugged.
“That’s almost an hour away, dude,” Freddie wasn’t giving in, “Come on, one game, then I promise I’ll stop annoying you.”
“That’ll be the day,” George chuckled, “Okay, one game.”
Freddie beamed and led the way into the living room were, sure enough, there Jonah was. He laid horizontally across the sofa, his feet angled upwards above the armrest, with the controller in his hands. His comfort was obvious, but after so many hours spent gaming there, Freddie wasn’t surprised. Sammi called it “antisocial,”, but for Freddie, it was where he’d made the best memories with his brother.
“Come on then, make some room,” Freddie requested, collapsing onto the space on Jonah’s right where his head was previously resting. George followed suit on Jonah’s left, the sofa just wide enough to fit the three of them without it feeling too cramped.
“Are we playing or what?” George prompted, hyping Jonah’s relaxed demeanour.
“Sure, but don’t think you two are teaming up against me again,” Jonah’s posture straightened, clarifying that he meant business.
“Sure. We’ll just team up against George instead,” Freddie laughed, and Jonah giggled too. The warm sensation in Freddie’s stomach was a reassurance. Nothing about the Ruben family was normal, even without the parts Freddie didn’t want Jonah to know, but they still had each other above all else. In the same way George did for Freddie, Freddie now wanted to step up for Jonah.
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Silence.
Nobody had said a word to each other. Nobody knew what to say even if they wanted to speak, or so Dylan assumed. There was no way of softening the blow of what they had all seen, and Dylan wasn’t going to pretend they could.
Every time Dylan closed his eyes, he was transported back there. Back to that warehouse. Visions of that horrific sight replayed like a broken VHS player, accompanied by the broken expression on Jonah and Leah’s faces. Dylan didn’t need to have known Ashton all that well to feel upset; any person with a heart would have felt much the same.
Dylan knew he had a responsibility, though. He was the alpha, and the pack were relying on him, whether they knew it or not. Dylan had to set the tone, and before they planned their next step, they had to regroup and support each other.
Opting to divide and conquer, Dylan had situated himself, Jono and Josh at the sheriff station. Freddie, Sammi, Lily and George needed to be there for Jonah, while Yasmin had talked Ed into allowing her and Jeremy to complete Ashton’s autopsy. This allowed Dylan to focus on Edmund; amongst everything, he couldn’t allow Edmund to fall through the cracks.
The only thing keeping Dylan motivated was the gentle stroking of Jono’s finger on his hand, and the comfort of Jono’s arm around his back, keeping their bodies close together. Knowing he had Jono by his side was always enough, not to mention Josh too.
“Dylan,” Ed broke their silence, emerging from the corridor behind the security lock. Dylan respected that Ed had a job to do – and in his position, doing everything by the book was a necessity – but he hadn’t seen Edmund since he was brought in for questioning. Though he wasn’t under arrest, none of them could deny how much of a flight risk Edmund was.
“How is he?” Dylan blurted out, desperate for Ed to get to the point.
“He’s fine, he’s co-operating. Hasn’t said much, and we haven’t interviewed him yet,” Ed explained, “He’s not a suspect of anything, but social services will need to be informed that he’s here.”
“I know,” Dylan accepted, “But I can’t give up on him. We can’t give up.”
“I wouldn’t have asked you to, Dylan. In fact, I was counting on you, because he could do with a little guidance from someone like you,” Ed proudly smiled, “Look, we need to talk to him and get a statement, but he needs an appropriate adult. He’s asked for you.”
“Me?” Dylan was pleasantly surprised.
“You don’t need to say anything. Just be there for him, in his corner. It’s what you do best,” Ed clarified.
“Ed’s right,” Jono validated with a proud smile on his face, “We’ll be right here.”
“Although, make it quick, I’m so bored,” Josh groaned, poorly concealing the smirk on his face. Dylan chuckled. Sarcasm was Josh’s love language, and understanding that was the key to their close relationship.
“Alright, let’s do it,” Dylan accepted. Edmund’s request was flattering, so Dylan didn’t want to let him down.
Desperate to help, Freddie felt like he’d sprinted straight into a dead end. The sullen expression on Jonah’s face was just the tip of an iceberg that was helplessly melting into a vast ocean. He wasn’t crying – not a tear had left his eyes since returning home the night before – but it didn’t take a genius to realise he was far from his normal self.
What Freddie hated the most was that there was nothing he could do to help. Jonah had to experience the grief to be able to move past it, but Freddie’s heart was breaking for him. He’d already lost too many people for a seventeen-year-old.
While Ashton’s death was so fresh, Freddie couldn’t even begin to talk to Jonah about his newly discovered powers. He had to squash any worries racing through his brain for the time being.
For the entire morning, Jonah had been glued to his Xbox. He’d slumped downstair in his pyjamas without a shower or breakfast and gravitated straight to his favourite spot in the centre of the sofa. He hadn’t responded to any greetings, but Freddie couldn’t blame him. He knew how it felt to lose a friend; Harry’s death was still depressingly recent.
Opting to give Jonah space, Freddie was keeping an eye on him from across the hallway. He, George, Sammi and Lily were all there to show a united front. Each of them meant something different to Jonah, so whatever he needed, between them, they could provide it.
“Should we talk to him?” Sammi thought aloud. All four of them were sat around the dining table to ensure Jonah didn’t feel claustrophobic.
“I don’t think he wants to talk. He knows where we are,” George considered.
“I just don’t want him to think we don’t care,” Sammi pondered.
“He knows we care. We’d all be at work if we didn’t care,” Lily reminded.
“I’ll get him a bowl of cereal, he can eat it whenever he wants and it won’t go cold,” Sammi decided. Freddie could tell she was desperate to feel useful. It was part of her kind nature; Sammi was gifted at putting smiles on faces, it was something she did without thinking, and that was a big part of why Freddie loved her so much.
“Hey, I’ve got an idea,” Freddie’s posture bolted upwards, “George, are you in?”
“Err, sure,” George tentatively replied.
Freddie led the way into the living room, and as per tradition, he sat to Jonah’s right, while George positioned himself on the left. It was a little tighter for space than when Jonah first moved in, but it still seated the three brothers snugly.
“Pick a game,” Freddie said to Jonah, skipping small talk and any need to dance around the situation, “Any game you want.”
Jonah paused, not making eye contact with either of them. Freddie shot George an encouraging glance, persuading him to be patient.
Sure enough, after a few seconds, Jonah selected Fortnite. Freddie’s heart felt warm as he grabbed a controller for himself and for George. This was the smallest of gestures, but it was just what Jonah needed.
Yasmin was no stranger to post-mortems. She had conducted many, and her methodical brain ensured she approached each one from a scientific standpoint, as opposed to letting her emotions get the better of her. After all, it was what she studied for.
This was different, though. This was someone she knew. A teenager, beaten and bruised to the point that even his inner wolf couldn’t find the strength to heal him. Whoever did this to Ashton was no amateur, and the post-mortem was the first step to proving it.
Given the wolf noises playing in the warehouse, and the amount of effort needed to kill a werewolf with nothing but brute force, Yasmin knew that she and Jeremy had to perform the post-mortem. They knew what to look for. Any and every detail they could find could lead them to whoever inflicted the cruellest act on the most unassuming boy.
“Are you sure about this?” Jeremy checked, fixing his hairnet over his soft mop of curls, “It’s not too late to back out. Nobody would blame you.”
“No, it’s okay, I promise,” Yasmin assured, slipping each of her hands in turn into a rubber glove, “Do you not want to be here? You don’t have to be.”
“No, I’m fine, but thanks,” Jeremy nodded, “I promised Sammi. Jonah is family, he’ll appreciate that it was us doing this.”
“We’re all family,” Yasmin affirmed, “Ashton included.”
Yasmin paused and took a seat on the stool behind her. The hospital morgue was a suffocating place to be at the best of times, but with the intensity of the preceding day on her shoulders, it was no wonder Yasmin was overwhelmed.
“Hey, take it easy,” Jeremy soothed, handing Yasmin her bottle of water.
“Sorry. It makes me sad. Heck, it makes me angry. That could have been any one of us. What we do every day is dangerous. I think I took it for granted for too long, but then we lost Harry, and now Ashton, and it feels more real than ever that we could die doing this,” Yasmin vented, before taking a large gulp of her water.
“Not one day of my life has been normal,” Jeremy confided, “My dad wasn’t always bad, for most of my childhood I felt safe, but not one moment was normal. I’ve been a werewolf since the day I was born, so this is my life, whether I want it or not. Neither of us asked to be involved in this, but we were, and we stayed because we can save lives. I guarantee that more people would have died if you hadn’t stayed with Dylan. Focus on the facts, and not the what ifs. What we do, it’s had a terrible cost, but it doesn’t change the number of lives we’ve saved.”
Yasmin nodded. As difficult as it was to think rationally in such a moment, she knew Jeremy was right. It was a welcome reminder of why she agreed to work with Dylan in the first place. They had faith and trust in each other, and that balance kept them, and others, alive.
“Alright, let’s do this,” Yasmin braced herself, taking a deep breath and one final sip of water. What happened to Ashton could not happen to anyone else.
Dylan had never felt so awkward. The interview room was always a daunting place, even to someone as ardently law-abiding as Dylan, and he wasn’t the one being interviewed. The room was so bleak, with plain grey walls and nothing else but a single table with two chairs either side, the one-way mirror against the back wall, and intimidatingly intense lighting that, alone, was enough to make anyone crack under the pressure.
Nobody else was in the room besides Dylan and Edmund, who was even more withdrawn than before. Despite specifically asking for Dylan to be present, he hadn’t responded to any of Dylan’s attempts at small talk, though admittedly, Dylan’s awkwardness was at its peak during those kinds of conversations.
Dylan kept reminding himself that his presence alone was all Edmund needed. Though Edmund had repeatedly insisted he didn’t need anyone’s help, Dylan knew he was putting on a front, possibly even to himself. Whatever Edmund had been through was undoubtedly traumatic, and Dylan wanted nothing more than to provide him with some support and stability. It was the least any human deserved.
“Listen, before Ed comes in, I meant I want I said before,” Dylan reiterated, “We’re here for you. I’m here for you. Anything you need, all you have to do is let me know.”
“I know,” Edmund finally spoke, “I promise.” He paused for a few seconds before adding, “You’ve been nice to me, and you didn’t have to be. Most people talk to me like I’m a kid, but you don’t.”
“Of course, you’re almost eighteen, dude, and you’ve survived longer on your own than I could have. You have my respect, and it would be insulting to pretend otherwise,” Dylan replied. He valued honesty and clarity, so he always endeavoured to provide that for others too.
“Will…” Edmund began to ask before pausing, catching himself as if to verify that he actually wanted to say it, “Will you help me?”
“Yes,” Dylan immediately assured.
“You don’t know what I need help with,” Edmund retorted.
“I know that if a werewolf needs help, I’ll do whatever I can,” Dylan replied, “It’s why Jono and I do what we do, so whatever help you need, we will provide it to the best of our abilities, and I can promise you that.”
“Thank you,” Edmund raised a smile for the first time since Dylan met him.
“So, if you want our help, does that mean you’re sticking around?” Dylan questioned hopefully.
“I suppose, for now. I’ll find somewhere to sleep,” Edmund shrugged. Dylan was relieved. Edmund had been a flight risk from the moment he arrived, but a little stability could have made all the difference to someone like him, especially being so new to the supernatural.
The door clicked open and Ed marched in. He was alone, much to Dylan’s relief; they could talk openly among the three of them.
“Edmund, thank you for co-operating. I just need a chat with you. You’re not under arrest and you haven’t done anything wrong, so what you say in here is not being recorded, and nobody else is listening,” Ed explained.
“Sheriff Taylor is my step-dad,” Dylan added, “He knows everything and I trust him with my life.”
“Okay,” Edmund sheepishly responded.
“Firstly, I wanted to ask why you ran away. You had a foster family, the Murrays, so why did you decide to leave?” Ed probed.
“I had to. I couldn’t be there any longer. It was like a prison. I had to stay in my room, not locked, but if I left, I got yelled at. The Murrays were cold and cruel, so I escaped when I could. I had to get out,” Edmund detailed.
“Did you tell anyone?” Ed continued.
“No. I was home schooled, well, I was supposed to be home schooled, so the only other person I saw was my social worker, and I never got to speak to her alone,” Edmund expanded.
“You must have been desperate. I’m sorry, kid,” Ed regretfully said.
“Can I ask something?” Dylan interjected sheepishly. Listening to Edmund’s story broke his heart. He knew he had to do right by Edmund, but he needed a few more details to fill in the blanks.
“Go ahead,” Ed smiled.
“Thanks,” Dylan nodded before turning to face Edmund beside him, “I know you weren’t bitten that long ago, but was it before or after you left your foster home?”
“After. It was only a couple of days ago,” Edmund answered, “I didn’t see what it was. It was dark, and I was running through a forest just outside Crystalshaw. Whatever it is, it chased me, and it’s still coming for me.”
“The alpha,” Dylan added, “An alpha, anyway. It wants you to be part of its pack.”
“It’s dangerous,” Edmund fretted, “Does that mean you’re dangerous too? I mean, you’re an alpha, right?”
“I am an alpha, yes, but I’m only dangerous to people who try to hurt my pack. You, Edmund, you’re a part of that pack now, and I give you my word that I will keep you safe,” Dylan vowed.
“Thank you,” Edmund raised another smile, “Can I go and see Jonah? I want to check how he is.”
“Just one more question and then we can take you there,” Ed accepted, “Riverisle’s sheriff went to speak to the Murrays, but the house was empty. Totally cleaned of any belongings, possessions or decorations. Do you know why, or where they could be?”
“No, but please, don’t send me back to them,” Edmund desperately pleaded.
“Don’t worry, you’re safe now,” Dylan reassured, though he knew he could only do so much to help. The social care system beyond Dylan’s control. Whatever happened to Edmund next wasn’t up to him.
“He’ll be okay,” Josh reassured, breaking the silence. It was a welcome reminder for Jono, who couldn’t help himself worrying about Dylan when he had to face uncertainty. Dylan was an adult and had more than proven himself on his own two feet, but Jono couldn’t stop himself wanting nothing but a peaceful life for his husband.
“I know, but I just want this to go well. He cares so much,” Jono confessed, keeping his voice low to avoid disrupting the deputies at work in the office.
“Dylan always cares, but I think he can see himself in Edmund. More than usual, he’s not going to let this go,” Josh admitted.
“Neither am I,” Jono affirmed. He knew how much support Edmund needed, and if he couldn’t get it anywhere else, he deserved to get it from them.
“How far are you willing to go?” Josh queried, “You don’t have to answer that, I’m just putting it out there, because we’re all behind you both, but we’d all fall apart if you and Dylan aren’t on the same page.”
Jono knew Josh was right. Dylan felt strongly about protecting Edmund, and there was only one way they could make absolutely certain he was safe, given the involvement of social services. Jono had a lot to consider, because if he couldn’t commit, it would impact more than just him and Dylan.
“There’s so much happening again. We had a quiet few months, well, quiet for Crystalshaw, but it all seems to restart eventually. Edmund, Jonah, Ashton, and me,” Jono vented, his words barely conveying the chaos inside his brain.
“You? Did I miss something?” Josh was confused.
“You know how I scratched Jonah on the bridge that day?” Jono admitted, “A cut on my arm healed yesterday. Like, super-fast. Werewolf fast.”
“But you’re human,” Josh pondered, “It’s like, I don’t know, some sort of reflex, maybe? Something your body adapted to for so many years. I don’t know, it’s not like anyone’s been cured before, right?”
“That we know of. I guess it’s not all bad, but if Jonah was turned by scratch, then it’s my fault,” Jono stressed, “And I feel like I’ve let Freddie down.”
“If we knew everything, life would be so easy. I wouldn’t be so fucked up,” Josh laughed, “Freddie will be fine, dude. Remember when it was you, me and Freddie having each other’s backs at school? That’s for life. Whatever’s going on, we’ll figure it out. We have to, right?”
“Yeah,” Jono trailed off, his thoughts continuing to spiral.
“Hey, Jono,” Ed called as the security door clicked open a couple of inches, “Can I borrow you for a second please?”
“Sure,” Jono tentatively replied, unsure of what was coming. All he knew was that he needed to talk to Dylan. Together, they could make sense of things.
Lily was relieved to be lounging on the sofa. The dining table chairs were not kind on her body after a few hours, and with the baby due any day, Lily needed as much comfort as possible.
The sofa had been occupied for much of the morning by Freddie and George keeping Jonah company. Now, it was the turn of Lily and Sammi. Two rounds of Fortnite had taken Lily back to the days when Jonah lived at the lakehouse with her and George. She had such fond memories of that time, and as such, she felt protective of Jonah.
Conversation had been largely absent, but Lily didn’t mind. Jonah had acknowledged their presence in his own way. Lily knew what grief felt like, and there was no instant fix.
“Alright, alright, I need a break,” Sammi laughed, conceding her defeat at the end of the round.
“Wimp,” Lily teased.
“Hey, I’ll return to thrash you both later. I was just warming up,” Sammi defended playfully.
“On Mario Kart, maybe,” Lily chuckled. She glanced to Jonah, hoping to include him in the humour, but the laughter ceased immediately when she saw Jonah’s tears. Finally, he’d let the tears flow.
“Hey,” Lily immediately pulled Jonah into her arms, squeezing him tightly, “It’s okay, we’re here.”
“Let it out, dude,” Sammi rested her head softly on Jonah’s arm, “We’ve got you.”
“He was my friend,” Jonah wept, his words muffled by both his tears and the tightness of the hug, “Everything’s changed. I want to go back to how things were a few days ago.”
“I know, and there’s nothing any of us can say to make you feel any better,” Lily attempted to soothe Jonah’s overwhelming emotions as best s she could, “Look, I know you won’t want to talk about this, but I need to check. You’re in control, right? I know it’s hard when everything’s so new.”
“I don’t know what control even feels like,” Jonah sighed.
“It’s okay, I know, I just had to be sure,” Lily reassured, her eyes widening at Sammi. Jonah did seem entirely in control, but any discussion had to wait. Jonah needed time and space to grieve first, and Lily had to be there for him for whatever he needed.
Rubbing his thumbs together as he frantically paced back and forth, Dylan felt unusually nervous about speaking to Jono. Their level of trust had never once waivered, and more often than not, they were on exactly the same page. Even when they disagreed, they knew better than to let it get between their relationship. Seven years apart had taught Dylan that he never wanted to risk losing Jono ever again.
Yet, what he wanted to ask Jono was huge. It was going to change their lives forever. It involved a commitment from both of them that had to be just as strong as their own shared bond. Dylan was all-in, but if Jono couldn’t share in that, he would accept it; losing Jono was not an option.
Ed had reserved them a private family meeting room next to the interview room, but Dylan was too anxious to appreciate the comfort of the cushions and the softer, friendlier lighting. Dylan tried fixing his long, thick hair which had grown increasingly frazzled throughout the day, but his hands were too sweaty to be any good.
“Hey, are you okay?” Jono greeted immediately as the door swung open, with Ed in tow behind. Jono wasted no time in wrapping his arms comfortingly around Dylan’s body, enveloping him in the place he felt safest.
“Yeah, I…” Dylan could barely get a word out. He sighed, trying and failing to re-centre his focus.
“Sit down,” Jono gently suggested, leading Dylan to the soft grey sofa against the wall, “I think I know what this is about. Edmund, right?”
“Right,” Dylan confirmed, his hands sealed tightly within Jono’s, “I wanted to ask, but I need you to know that there’s no pressure, and you can say no, and there’s money, and…”
“Yes,” Jono interrupted with a smile on his face.
“Yes to what?” Dylan raised an eyebrow.
“Yes to fostering Edmund,” Jono beamed.
“Wh…what? How did you know?” Dylan was baffled.
“I didn’t, but I know you, and I know you would never want to give up on this kid, and that’s why I love you,” Jono smiled, his eye contact unwavering.
“You have to want this too, Jon. We both have to be in this. If you don’t want this, I will never bring it up again,” Dylan needed to check.
“I want this, I promise, Dyl. He’s a good kid, and he deserves a loving home, not to mention a pack,” Jono confirmed, “We have to apply to be foster carers, right? I did a quick google search on my phone, but I don’t know much.”
“Yes. Ed told me we could apply to be emergency foster carers, given how complex Edmund is. It could only take a couple of weeks, Jon,” Dylan excitedly explained, “As long as they think we’re suitable.”
“And they will,” Jono assured.
“I’ll speak with Edmund’s social worker when she’s here,” Ed interjected, “He will probably need to stay at a home or with a registered foster carer temporarily, just until you’re approved, but given the vulnerable nature of his situation, I think this is the best option.”
“Let’s do it,” Jono confirmed once more.
“I love you,” Dylan beamed, unable to control the enormous smile on his face.
“I love you too,” Jono grinned back, moving in for a gentle, comforting kiss. They could conquer anything together, and Dylan’s heart had never felt fuller.
Pushing the metal container shut, Jeremy breathed a sigh of relief. Post-mortems were difficult regardless, particularly as Jeremy had rarely performed them before, but together, he and Yasmin had motivated each other to overcome their emotions.
“We need to tell Dylan,” Jeremy said, turning back to face Yasmin as she peeled her rubber gloves off.
“I know,” Yasmin nodded, “We just need to be careful it doesn’t open old wounds. He’s just settled with Jono.”
“Agreed, but hiding the truth from him won’t help,” Jeremy reminded, picking up the small jar from the desk beside him, “It’s our proof. Whoever did this must have known exactly what they were doing if they knew how to modify this shit.”
Jeremy shook the jar slightly, sloshing the watery purple liquid around. It had come from Ashton’s stomach, and even through the jar, Jeremy’s skin felt itchy and uncomfortable. Alone, such a concoction could have killed Ashton, without considering his physical injuries.
“It means the Callahans weren’t working alone,” Yasmin thought aloud, “The modified mountain ash, mixed with the wolfsbane, they knew they wanted to kill him. There’s something bigger going on here, Jeremy. There must be.”
The double doors crashed open. Armed soldiers wearing all black with helmet and, most worryingly, large guns, filtered into the morgue.
“Stand back, do not move,” a guard yelled as they all stationed their guns in the direction of Jeremy and Yasmin. Terrified, Jeremy held his hands up. What was happening?
A tall lady in a smart navy blazer and skirt, with a plain burgundy blouse, confidently strutted in behind them, the clicks of her high heels asserting her dominance. Jeremy had never seen her before, but he recognised the FBI lanyard on full display around her neck.
“Take the body,” she commanded.
“No,” Yasmin protested, the guards raising their guns higher, “We’re working for the sheriff.”
“The investigation is suspended. The body is our property,” she demanded as two of the guards lifted Ashton’s body out of the container and onto a trolley. Quickly, they all vacated, with the lady leading the way, and the gunmen remaining on Jeremy and Yasmin until everyone else had left.
Suddenly: silence.
“What the hell was that?” Jeremy was baffled, his eyes wandering to the jar on the desk beside him, unnoticed by the guards.
Despite not being under arrest, Edmund couldn’t help feeling trapped inside the sheriff station. Sheriff Taylor’s office was far cosier and more inviting than a cell, so Edmund couldn’t complain, but he knew leaving wasn’t something they would let him do without a fight.
With so much uncertainty, it was difficult for Edmund to calm himself down. He didn’t know where he would be spending the night, let alone where he’d live in the long term. Dylan’s promises resonated, but how much power he actually had, Edmund didn’t know.
Edmund glanced down at his hands. His nails were gone, replaced by the horrifying sight of enormous, razor-sharp claws. Control was difficult, and he couldn’t focus his mind. How was he expected to learn the inner workings of an animal?
The office door clicked open. Sheriff Taylor led Dylan and Jono inside. Panicked, Edmund checked his claws again, but they had subsided, his uneven, bitten nails looking just as they always had.
“I’ll leave you to it,” Sheriff Taylor nodded at Dylan and Jono, gently closing the door behind him.
“Hey,” Dylan smiled, “How are you feeling?”
“Claustrophobic,” Edmund scoffed.
“I know, I understand. Your social worker’s just arrived, and we spoke to her, but we wanted to talk to you about something ourselves,” Dylan acknowledged.
“About what?” Edmund cautiously queried.
“Take a seat,” Jono suggested, “Nothing bad, I promise.” Edmund slumped in the sheriff’s cosy desk chair while Dylan and Jono took the two standalone chairs opposite.
“We’ve been talking, with each other as well as Ed and your social worker,” Dylan explained, “And, if you want, once our foster licence comes through, we’d love for you to come and live with us.”
“Wait,” Edmund was stunned, “Live with you? For real?”
“We want to foster you, Edmund. We want you to have a home, and stability,” Jono continued.
“I…” Edmund was speechless. He always had something to say, but this level of kindness was new to him.
“You can think about it,” Jono eased.
“No, I don’t need to. Thank you so much,” Edmund accepted “Nobody has ever been this kind to me before.”
“Then it’s about time we start,” Dylan smiled, “Welcome to the family, kid.”
Edmund’s heart was full. Hearing those words made him feel soft and warm inside. Crystalshaw was only meant to be a pit stop, but somehow, he had found a family along the way.
Nobody had said a word to each other. Nobody knew what to say even if they wanted to speak, or so Dylan assumed. There was no way of softening the blow of what they had all seen, and Dylan wasn’t going to pretend they could.
Every time Dylan closed his eyes, he was transported back there. Back to that warehouse. Visions of that horrific sight replayed like a broken VHS player, accompanied by the broken expression on Jonah and Leah’s faces. Dylan didn’t need to have known Ashton all that well to feel upset; any person with a heart would have felt much the same.
Dylan knew he had a responsibility, though. He was the alpha, and the pack were relying on him, whether they knew it or not. Dylan had to set the tone, and before they planned their next step, they had to regroup and support each other.
Opting to divide and conquer, Dylan had situated himself, Jono and Josh at the sheriff station. Freddie, Sammi, Lily and George needed to be there for Jonah, while Yasmin had talked Ed into allowing her and Jeremy to complete Ashton’s autopsy. This allowed Dylan to focus on Edmund; amongst everything, he couldn’t allow Edmund to fall through the cracks.
The only thing keeping Dylan motivated was the gentle stroking of Jono’s finger on his hand, and the comfort of Jono’s arm around his back, keeping their bodies close together. Knowing he had Jono by his side was always enough, not to mention Josh too.
“Dylan,” Ed broke their silence, emerging from the corridor behind the security lock. Dylan respected that Ed had a job to do – and in his position, doing everything by the book was a necessity – but he hadn’t seen Edmund since he was brought in for questioning. Though he wasn’t under arrest, none of them could deny how much of a flight risk Edmund was.
“How is he?” Dylan blurted out, desperate for Ed to get to the point.
“He’s fine, he’s co-operating. Hasn’t said much, and we haven’t interviewed him yet,” Ed explained, “He’s not a suspect of anything, but social services will need to be informed that he’s here.”
“I know,” Dylan accepted, “But I can’t give up on him. We can’t give up.”
“I wouldn’t have asked you to, Dylan. In fact, I was counting on you, because he could do with a little guidance from someone like you,” Ed proudly smiled, “Look, we need to talk to him and get a statement, but he needs an appropriate adult. He’s asked for you.”
“Me?” Dylan was pleasantly surprised.
“You don’t need to say anything. Just be there for him, in his corner. It’s what you do best,” Ed clarified.
“Ed’s right,” Jono validated with a proud smile on his face, “We’ll be right here.”
“Although, make it quick, I’m so bored,” Josh groaned, poorly concealing the smirk on his face. Dylan chuckled. Sarcasm was Josh’s love language, and understanding that was the key to their close relationship.
“Alright, let’s do it,” Dylan accepted. Edmund’s request was flattering, so Dylan didn’t want to let him down.
Desperate to help, Freddie felt like he’d sprinted straight into a dead end. The sullen expression on Jonah’s face was just the tip of an iceberg that was helplessly melting into a vast ocean. He wasn’t crying – not a tear had left his eyes since returning home the night before – but it didn’t take a genius to realise he was far from his normal self.
What Freddie hated the most was that there was nothing he could do to help. Jonah had to experience the grief to be able to move past it, but Freddie’s heart was breaking for him. He’d already lost too many people for a seventeen-year-old.
While Ashton’s death was so fresh, Freddie couldn’t even begin to talk to Jonah about his newly discovered powers. He had to squash any worries racing through his brain for the time being.
For the entire morning, Jonah had been glued to his Xbox. He’d slumped downstair in his pyjamas without a shower or breakfast and gravitated straight to his favourite spot in the centre of the sofa. He hadn’t responded to any greetings, but Freddie couldn’t blame him. He knew how it felt to lose a friend; Harry’s death was still depressingly recent.
Opting to give Jonah space, Freddie was keeping an eye on him from across the hallway. He, George, Sammi and Lily were all there to show a united front. Each of them meant something different to Jonah, so whatever he needed, between them, they could provide it.
“Should we talk to him?” Sammi thought aloud. All four of them were sat around the dining table to ensure Jonah didn’t feel claustrophobic.
“I don’t think he wants to talk. He knows where we are,” George considered.
“I just don’t want him to think we don’t care,” Sammi pondered.
“He knows we care. We’d all be at work if we didn’t care,” Lily reminded.
“I’ll get him a bowl of cereal, he can eat it whenever he wants and it won’t go cold,” Sammi decided. Freddie could tell she was desperate to feel useful. It was part of her kind nature; Sammi was gifted at putting smiles on faces, it was something she did without thinking, and that was a big part of why Freddie loved her so much.
“Hey, I’ve got an idea,” Freddie’s posture bolted upwards, “George, are you in?”
“Err, sure,” George tentatively replied.
Freddie led the way into the living room, and as per tradition, he sat to Jonah’s right, while George positioned himself on the left. It was a little tighter for space than when Jonah first moved in, but it still seated the three brothers snugly.
“Pick a game,” Freddie said to Jonah, skipping small talk and any need to dance around the situation, “Any game you want.”
Jonah paused, not making eye contact with either of them. Freddie shot George an encouraging glance, persuading him to be patient.
Sure enough, after a few seconds, Jonah selected Fortnite. Freddie’s heart felt warm as he grabbed a controller for himself and for George. This was the smallest of gestures, but it was just what Jonah needed.
Yasmin was no stranger to post-mortems. She had conducted many, and her methodical brain ensured she approached each one from a scientific standpoint, as opposed to letting her emotions get the better of her. After all, it was what she studied for.
This was different, though. This was someone she knew. A teenager, beaten and bruised to the point that even his inner wolf couldn’t find the strength to heal him. Whoever did this to Ashton was no amateur, and the post-mortem was the first step to proving it.
Given the wolf noises playing in the warehouse, and the amount of effort needed to kill a werewolf with nothing but brute force, Yasmin knew that she and Jeremy had to perform the post-mortem. They knew what to look for. Any and every detail they could find could lead them to whoever inflicted the cruellest act on the most unassuming boy.
“Are you sure about this?” Jeremy checked, fixing his hairnet over his soft mop of curls, “It’s not too late to back out. Nobody would blame you.”
“No, it’s okay, I promise,” Yasmin assured, slipping each of her hands in turn into a rubber glove, “Do you not want to be here? You don’t have to be.”
“No, I’m fine, but thanks,” Jeremy nodded, “I promised Sammi. Jonah is family, he’ll appreciate that it was us doing this.”
“We’re all family,” Yasmin affirmed, “Ashton included.”
Yasmin paused and took a seat on the stool behind her. The hospital morgue was a suffocating place to be at the best of times, but with the intensity of the preceding day on her shoulders, it was no wonder Yasmin was overwhelmed.
“Hey, take it easy,” Jeremy soothed, handing Yasmin her bottle of water.
“Sorry. It makes me sad. Heck, it makes me angry. That could have been any one of us. What we do every day is dangerous. I think I took it for granted for too long, but then we lost Harry, and now Ashton, and it feels more real than ever that we could die doing this,” Yasmin vented, before taking a large gulp of her water.
“Not one day of my life has been normal,” Jeremy confided, “My dad wasn’t always bad, for most of my childhood I felt safe, but not one moment was normal. I’ve been a werewolf since the day I was born, so this is my life, whether I want it or not. Neither of us asked to be involved in this, but we were, and we stayed because we can save lives. I guarantee that more people would have died if you hadn’t stayed with Dylan. Focus on the facts, and not the what ifs. What we do, it’s had a terrible cost, but it doesn’t change the number of lives we’ve saved.”
Yasmin nodded. As difficult as it was to think rationally in such a moment, she knew Jeremy was right. It was a welcome reminder of why she agreed to work with Dylan in the first place. They had faith and trust in each other, and that balance kept them, and others, alive.
“Alright, let’s do this,” Yasmin braced herself, taking a deep breath and one final sip of water. What happened to Ashton could not happen to anyone else.
Dylan had never felt so awkward. The interview room was always a daunting place, even to someone as ardently law-abiding as Dylan, and he wasn’t the one being interviewed. The room was so bleak, with plain grey walls and nothing else but a single table with two chairs either side, the one-way mirror against the back wall, and intimidatingly intense lighting that, alone, was enough to make anyone crack under the pressure.
Nobody else was in the room besides Dylan and Edmund, who was even more withdrawn than before. Despite specifically asking for Dylan to be present, he hadn’t responded to any of Dylan’s attempts at small talk, though admittedly, Dylan’s awkwardness was at its peak during those kinds of conversations.
Dylan kept reminding himself that his presence alone was all Edmund needed. Though Edmund had repeatedly insisted he didn’t need anyone’s help, Dylan knew he was putting on a front, possibly even to himself. Whatever Edmund had been through was undoubtedly traumatic, and Dylan wanted nothing more than to provide him with some support and stability. It was the least any human deserved.
“Listen, before Ed comes in, I meant I want I said before,” Dylan reiterated, “We’re here for you. I’m here for you. Anything you need, all you have to do is let me know.”
“I know,” Edmund finally spoke, “I promise.” He paused for a few seconds before adding, “You’ve been nice to me, and you didn’t have to be. Most people talk to me like I’m a kid, but you don’t.”
“Of course, you’re almost eighteen, dude, and you’ve survived longer on your own than I could have. You have my respect, and it would be insulting to pretend otherwise,” Dylan replied. He valued honesty and clarity, so he always endeavoured to provide that for others too.
“Will…” Edmund began to ask before pausing, catching himself as if to verify that he actually wanted to say it, “Will you help me?”
“Yes,” Dylan immediately assured.
“You don’t know what I need help with,” Edmund retorted.
“I know that if a werewolf needs help, I’ll do whatever I can,” Dylan replied, “It’s why Jono and I do what we do, so whatever help you need, we will provide it to the best of our abilities, and I can promise you that.”
“Thank you,” Edmund raised a smile for the first time since Dylan met him.
“So, if you want our help, does that mean you’re sticking around?” Dylan questioned hopefully.
“I suppose, for now. I’ll find somewhere to sleep,” Edmund shrugged. Dylan was relieved. Edmund had been a flight risk from the moment he arrived, but a little stability could have made all the difference to someone like him, especially being so new to the supernatural.
The door clicked open and Ed marched in. He was alone, much to Dylan’s relief; they could talk openly among the three of them.
“Edmund, thank you for co-operating. I just need a chat with you. You’re not under arrest and you haven’t done anything wrong, so what you say in here is not being recorded, and nobody else is listening,” Ed explained.
“Sheriff Taylor is my step-dad,” Dylan added, “He knows everything and I trust him with my life.”
“Okay,” Edmund sheepishly responded.
“Firstly, I wanted to ask why you ran away. You had a foster family, the Murrays, so why did you decide to leave?” Ed probed.
“I had to. I couldn’t be there any longer. It was like a prison. I had to stay in my room, not locked, but if I left, I got yelled at. The Murrays were cold and cruel, so I escaped when I could. I had to get out,” Edmund detailed.
“Did you tell anyone?” Ed continued.
“No. I was home schooled, well, I was supposed to be home schooled, so the only other person I saw was my social worker, and I never got to speak to her alone,” Edmund expanded.
“You must have been desperate. I’m sorry, kid,” Ed regretfully said.
“Can I ask something?” Dylan interjected sheepishly. Listening to Edmund’s story broke his heart. He knew he had to do right by Edmund, but he needed a few more details to fill in the blanks.
“Go ahead,” Ed smiled.
“Thanks,” Dylan nodded before turning to face Edmund beside him, “I know you weren’t bitten that long ago, but was it before or after you left your foster home?”
“After. It was only a couple of days ago,” Edmund answered, “I didn’t see what it was. It was dark, and I was running through a forest just outside Crystalshaw. Whatever it is, it chased me, and it’s still coming for me.”
“The alpha,” Dylan added, “An alpha, anyway. It wants you to be part of its pack.”
“It’s dangerous,” Edmund fretted, “Does that mean you’re dangerous too? I mean, you’re an alpha, right?”
“I am an alpha, yes, but I’m only dangerous to people who try to hurt my pack. You, Edmund, you’re a part of that pack now, and I give you my word that I will keep you safe,” Dylan vowed.
“Thank you,” Edmund raised another smile, “Can I go and see Jonah? I want to check how he is.”
“Just one more question and then we can take you there,” Ed accepted, “Riverisle’s sheriff went to speak to the Murrays, but the house was empty. Totally cleaned of any belongings, possessions or decorations. Do you know why, or where they could be?”
“No, but please, don’t send me back to them,” Edmund desperately pleaded.
“Don’t worry, you’re safe now,” Dylan reassured, though he knew he could only do so much to help. The social care system beyond Dylan’s control. Whatever happened to Edmund next wasn’t up to him.
“He’ll be okay,” Josh reassured, breaking the silence. It was a welcome reminder for Jono, who couldn’t help himself worrying about Dylan when he had to face uncertainty. Dylan was an adult and had more than proven himself on his own two feet, but Jono couldn’t stop himself wanting nothing but a peaceful life for his husband.
“I know, but I just want this to go well. He cares so much,” Jono confessed, keeping his voice low to avoid disrupting the deputies at work in the office.
“Dylan always cares, but I think he can see himself in Edmund. More than usual, he’s not going to let this go,” Josh admitted.
“Neither am I,” Jono affirmed. He knew how much support Edmund needed, and if he couldn’t get it anywhere else, he deserved to get it from them.
“How far are you willing to go?” Josh queried, “You don’t have to answer that, I’m just putting it out there, because we’re all behind you both, but we’d all fall apart if you and Dylan aren’t on the same page.”
Jono knew Josh was right. Dylan felt strongly about protecting Edmund, and there was only one way they could make absolutely certain he was safe, given the involvement of social services. Jono had a lot to consider, because if he couldn’t commit, it would impact more than just him and Dylan.
“There’s so much happening again. We had a quiet few months, well, quiet for Crystalshaw, but it all seems to restart eventually. Edmund, Jonah, Ashton, and me,” Jono vented, his words barely conveying the chaos inside his brain.
“You? Did I miss something?” Josh was confused.
“You know how I scratched Jonah on the bridge that day?” Jono admitted, “A cut on my arm healed yesterday. Like, super-fast. Werewolf fast.”
“But you’re human,” Josh pondered, “It’s like, I don’t know, some sort of reflex, maybe? Something your body adapted to for so many years. I don’t know, it’s not like anyone’s been cured before, right?”
“That we know of. I guess it’s not all bad, but if Jonah was turned by scratch, then it’s my fault,” Jono stressed, “And I feel like I’ve let Freddie down.”
“If we knew everything, life would be so easy. I wouldn’t be so fucked up,” Josh laughed, “Freddie will be fine, dude. Remember when it was you, me and Freddie having each other’s backs at school? That’s for life. Whatever’s going on, we’ll figure it out. We have to, right?”
“Yeah,” Jono trailed off, his thoughts continuing to spiral.
“Hey, Jono,” Ed called as the security door clicked open a couple of inches, “Can I borrow you for a second please?”
“Sure,” Jono tentatively replied, unsure of what was coming. All he knew was that he needed to talk to Dylan. Together, they could make sense of things.
Lily was relieved to be lounging on the sofa. The dining table chairs were not kind on her body after a few hours, and with the baby due any day, Lily needed as much comfort as possible.
The sofa had been occupied for much of the morning by Freddie and George keeping Jonah company. Now, it was the turn of Lily and Sammi. Two rounds of Fortnite had taken Lily back to the days when Jonah lived at the lakehouse with her and George. She had such fond memories of that time, and as such, she felt protective of Jonah.
Conversation had been largely absent, but Lily didn’t mind. Jonah had acknowledged their presence in his own way. Lily knew what grief felt like, and there was no instant fix.
“Alright, alright, I need a break,” Sammi laughed, conceding her defeat at the end of the round.
“Wimp,” Lily teased.
“Hey, I’ll return to thrash you both later. I was just warming up,” Sammi defended playfully.
“On Mario Kart, maybe,” Lily chuckled. She glanced to Jonah, hoping to include him in the humour, but the laughter ceased immediately when she saw Jonah’s tears. Finally, he’d let the tears flow.
“Hey,” Lily immediately pulled Jonah into her arms, squeezing him tightly, “It’s okay, we’re here.”
“Let it out, dude,” Sammi rested her head softly on Jonah’s arm, “We’ve got you.”
“He was my friend,” Jonah wept, his words muffled by both his tears and the tightness of the hug, “Everything’s changed. I want to go back to how things were a few days ago.”
“I know, and there’s nothing any of us can say to make you feel any better,” Lily attempted to soothe Jonah’s overwhelming emotions as best s she could, “Look, I know you won’t want to talk about this, but I need to check. You’re in control, right? I know it’s hard when everything’s so new.”
“I don’t know what control even feels like,” Jonah sighed.
“It’s okay, I know, I just had to be sure,” Lily reassured, her eyes widening at Sammi. Jonah did seem entirely in control, but any discussion had to wait. Jonah needed time and space to grieve first, and Lily had to be there for him for whatever he needed.
Rubbing his thumbs together as he frantically paced back and forth, Dylan felt unusually nervous about speaking to Jono. Their level of trust had never once waivered, and more often than not, they were on exactly the same page. Even when they disagreed, they knew better than to let it get between their relationship. Seven years apart had taught Dylan that he never wanted to risk losing Jono ever again.
Yet, what he wanted to ask Jono was huge. It was going to change their lives forever. It involved a commitment from both of them that had to be just as strong as their own shared bond. Dylan was all-in, but if Jono couldn’t share in that, he would accept it; losing Jono was not an option.
Ed had reserved them a private family meeting room next to the interview room, but Dylan was too anxious to appreciate the comfort of the cushions and the softer, friendlier lighting. Dylan tried fixing his long, thick hair which had grown increasingly frazzled throughout the day, but his hands were too sweaty to be any good.
“Hey, are you okay?” Jono greeted immediately as the door swung open, with Ed in tow behind. Jono wasted no time in wrapping his arms comfortingly around Dylan’s body, enveloping him in the place he felt safest.
“Yeah, I…” Dylan could barely get a word out. He sighed, trying and failing to re-centre his focus.
“Sit down,” Jono gently suggested, leading Dylan to the soft grey sofa against the wall, “I think I know what this is about. Edmund, right?”
“Right,” Dylan confirmed, his hands sealed tightly within Jono’s, “I wanted to ask, but I need you to know that there’s no pressure, and you can say no, and there’s money, and…”
“Yes,” Jono interrupted with a smile on his face.
“Yes to what?” Dylan raised an eyebrow.
“Yes to fostering Edmund,” Jono beamed.
“Wh…what? How did you know?” Dylan was baffled.
“I didn’t, but I know you, and I know you would never want to give up on this kid, and that’s why I love you,” Jono smiled, his eye contact unwavering.
“You have to want this too, Jon. We both have to be in this. If you don’t want this, I will never bring it up again,” Dylan needed to check.
“I want this, I promise, Dyl. He’s a good kid, and he deserves a loving home, not to mention a pack,” Jono confirmed, “We have to apply to be foster carers, right? I did a quick google search on my phone, but I don’t know much.”
“Yes. Ed told me we could apply to be emergency foster carers, given how complex Edmund is. It could only take a couple of weeks, Jon,” Dylan excitedly explained, “As long as they think we’re suitable.”
“And they will,” Jono assured.
“I’ll speak with Edmund’s social worker when she’s here,” Ed interjected, “He will probably need to stay at a home or with a registered foster carer temporarily, just until you’re approved, but given the vulnerable nature of his situation, I think this is the best option.”
“Let’s do it,” Jono confirmed once more.
“I love you,” Dylan beamed, unable to control the enormous smile on his face.
“I love you too,” Jono grinned back, moving in for a gentle, comforting kiss. They could conquer anything together, and Dylan’s heart had never felt fuller.
Pushing the metal container shut, Jeremy breathed a sigh of relief. Post-mortems were difficult regardless, particularly as Jeremy had rarely performed them before, but together, he and Yasmin had motivated each other to overcome their emotions.
“We need to tell Dylan,” Jeremy said, turning back to face Yasmin as she peeled her rubber gloves off.
“I know,” Yasmin nodded, “We just need to be careful it doesn’t open old wounds. He’s just settled with Jono.”
“Agreed, but hiding the truth from him won’t help,” Jeremy reminded, picking up the small jar from the desk beside him, “It’s our proof. Whoever did this must have known exactly what they were doing if they knew how to modify this shit.”
Jeremy shook the jar slightly, sloshing the watery purple liquid around. It had come from Ashton’s stomach, and even through the jar, Jeremy’s skin felt itchy and uncomfortable. Alone, such a concoction could have killed Ashton, without considering his physical injuries.
“It means the Callahans weren’t working alone,” Yasmin thought aloud, “The modified mountain ash, mixed with the wolfsbane, they knew they wanted to kill him. There’s something bigger going on here, Jeremy. There must be.”
The double doors crashed open. Armed soldiers wearing all black with helmet and, most worryingly, large guns, filtered into the morgue.
“Stand back, do not move,” a guard yelled as they all stationed their guns in the direction of Jeremy and Yasmin. Terrified, Jeremy held his hands up. What was happening?
A tall lady in a smart navy blazer and skirt, with a plain burgundy blouse, confidently strutted in behind them, the clicks of her high heels asserting her dominance. Jeremy had never seen her before, but he recognised the FBI lanyard on full display around her neck.
“Take the body,” she commanded.
“No,” Yasmin protested, the guards raising their guns higher, “We’re working for the sheriff.”
“The investigation is suspended. The body is our property,” she demanded as two of the guards lifted Ashton’s body out of the container and onto a trolley. Quickly, they all vacated, with the lady leading the way, and the gunmen remaining on Jeremy and Yasmin until everyone else had left.
Suddenly: silence.
“What the hell was that?” Jeremy was baffled, his eyes wandering to the jar on the desk beside him, unnoticed by the guards.
Despite not being under arrest, Edmund couldn’t help feeling trapped inside the sheriff station. Sheriff Taylor’s office was far cosier and more inviting than a cell, so Edmund couldn’t complain, but he knew leaving wasn’t something they would let him do without a fight.
With so much uncertainty, it was difficult for Edmund to calm himself down. He didn’t know where he would be spending the night, let alone where he’d live in the long term. Dylan’s promises resonated, but how much power he actually had, Edmund didn’t know.
Edmund glanced down at his hands. His nails were gone, replaced by the horrifying sight of enormous, razor-sharp claws. Control was difficult, and he couldn’t focus his mind. How was he expected to learn the inner workings of an animal?
The office door clicked open. Sheriff Taylor led Dylan and Jono inside. Panicked, Edmund checked his claws again, but they had subsided, his uneven, bitten nails looking just as they always had.
“I’ll leave you to it,” Sheriff Taylor nodded at Dylan and Jono, gently closing the door behind him.
“Hey,” Dylan smiled, “How are you feeling?”
“Claustrophobic,” Edmund scoffed.
“I know, I understand. Your social worker’s just arrived, and we spoke to her, but we wanted to talk to you about something ourselves,” Dylan acknowledged.
“About what?” Edmund cautiously queried.
“Take a seat,” Jono suggested, “Nothing bad, I promise.” Edmund slumped in the sheriff’s cosy desk chair while Dylan and Jono took the two standalone chairs opposite.
“We’ve been talking, with each other as well as Ed and your social worker,” Dylan explained, “And, if you want, once our foster licence comes through, we’d love for you to come and live with us.”
“Wait,” Edmund was stunned, “Live with you? For real?”
“We want to foster you, Edmund. We want you to have a home, and stability,” Jono continued.
“I…” Edmund was speechless. He always had something to say, but this level of kindness was new to him.
“You can think about it,” Jono eased.
“No, I don’t need to. Thank you so much,” Edmund accepted “Nobody has ever been this kind to me before.”
“Then it’s about time we start,” Dylan smiled, “Welcome to the family, kid.”
Edmund’s heart was full. Hearing those words made him feel soft and warm inside. Crystalshaw was only meant to be a pit stop, but somehow, he had found a family along the way.
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Next: to be released
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