I do not own The Dumping Ground or any of its characters. Everything you may recognize belongs to the CBBC.
Ryan's POV
Mike and I had just gotten back from the police station. I had kept my end to agreement and told the police the truth about what happened—that I was the one who broke into Mike's car and stole Carmen's case file. I got another talking to and then I found myself in Mike's car again on the awkwardly silent ride back to Ashdene Ridge. I didn't expect it, but it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders; I felt relieved with the truth being out—at least as far only Mike and the police were concerned. He wasn't going to press charges or kick me out. The others didn't need to know and now we could move past this entire thing. More than anything, I was grateful that he was giving me another chance. Mike was letting me stay here. Though, it was true that we had our issues—because of me—but I knew that I was wrong in jumping into those conclusions. No one had ever given me another chance before, especially when I knew how much I probably didn't deserve it. I knew that I couldn't blow it. I had to be better. I didn't want to get shipped off. I actually had some friends here—the few that don't hate me—and with everything considered, I felt the safer here; the last thing I wanted was to go anywhere like my old foster homes.
"Remember what we talked about Ryan." Mike said before I was able to get out of the car. "One last chance."
I nodded, "I understand." I wasn't going to mess this up. I went inside and straight into the kitchen. I was on dish duty and I knew I needed to get on that. And I wasn't going to put up any complaints or delays. As I was finishing up the last few dishes, I noticed May-Li approach.
"Keep that up Ryan." She commented, taking notice of getting on my chores. I wondered if Mike had told her what I had done. I wasn't sure, but I wasn't stupid enough to ask. Though Mike seemed to forgive me, I wasn't sure she would be so easy to; and Mike never said I had to mention it to anyone. "Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that you have a dentist appointment tomorrow."
I dropped the plate, feeling like my heart just skipped. "What?" I knew I had heard her right, but I didn't know what for. "Um why?" I rephrased, clearing my throat.
"Just a checkup. I was looking through your file and noticed it had been a while." May-Li explained and I nodded, forcing a grin. It had been a while, more than I would care to admit. And that had to do with his previous care workers not caring enough unless someone complained enough.
"Oh, well..." I wasn't sure how to reply. What would be the best way to reply? Was there even a right way to reply? "...great."
"Tomorrow morning at nine." May-Li added and then patted my shoulder. "And try not to worry too much." I sighed, hearing that comment.
Was it that obvious? Or was that something she just said to everyone? I doubted anyone would be enthusiastic about a dentist visit. And with the little experience I had with it, it wasn't something to be excited about. But I knew this was something I could not reason with her or Mike about. And given, what Mike and I had just discussed, the thought of being sent out of here was far worse than what could happen at the appointment. It's just a checkup, it probably won't be that bad.
"Hey Ryan, want to play football?" Harry approached me and I nodded, smiling genuinely. That probably could take my mind off things. "I'll go grab it." Harry went upstairs and I leaned against the railing of the stairs as I waited for him to return.
Then Tee and Sasha stood in front of me, "We couldn't help overhearing."
"And what of it?" I asked.
"Oh nothing, we just thought we'd make sure you're alright." Tee said, innocently. But I didn't completely buy it. Since when did she or Sasha care about me? Last time I checked they didn't like me. Even if they thought I was the reason Mike was still here. "You looked a bit worried."
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It was too obvious. It seemed they picked up on it like May-Li seemed to, but I could find a way to lie my way out of it. I certainly wasn't going to fess up. "I'm not." I insisted.
"Just keep telling yourself that." Tee didn't believe me.
"I'm not." I had to sound so believable that even I would believe it. "It's no big deal." I had to trust May-Li. There was no reason to get worked up about a checkup.
"Yeah that's what Johnny thought too." I looked at Tee. "Just went in for a checkup, wasn't in any pain..." Tee started to tell me.
"They always say it won't hurt a bit, but that's not true." Sasha added on.
I looked between them, suddenly feeling hot and sweaty. "They pull out the big long needle and then they get the drill out and well...you know how that goes." Tee continued. "Just a pinch, they say? Surely that's just what they say to keep you cooperating."
"And why are you telling me this?" I asked. A part of me wondered if they were just trying to scare me. I wouldn't put it past them given everything.
"We just thought we should warn you." Sasha claimed, but I didn't completely believe it.
"You're lying." I accused. This had to be a wind up.
"Fine, don't believe us." Tee and Sasha both put their hands up in defense. "But you just better hope there's nothing wrong or...well, you know."
As they walked away, I slowly brought my hand up and cupped my cheek gently, thinking about what they said. What if it wasn't a wind up? What if they were serious? I couldn't exactly ask Johnny with him being in the army now. I had been before and the very thought of going again and going through a similar experience brought chills down my spine. I brought my hand down and gripped my wrist as I noticed Harry come down the stairs with the football.
"Hey, ready?" Harry asked and then frowned. "Are you alright?" He asked. It seemed that my worries now were more obvious than they had been before.
"I'm actually not feeling too well." It wasn't a lie. Now with that prospect, I really felt ill. "Sorry mate." I then went upstairs to my room and shut the door. I laid on my bed, curling up and bringing my knees to my chest. I shut my eyes and tried to calm down. Maybe they would be wrong. There was a chance what they were saying had truth to it—hell, I know there could possibly be truth to it. Though it was a long time ago, I knew how painful it could be. But would Mike and May-Li really be willing to put me through that? I have done a lot but Mike forgave me didn't he? Of course, he might not know—I could see that. No one ever having the guts to tell him. I certainly never did before, even though there had been different circumstances in my previous homes. So it could very well but true. Stop it, Ryan! Nothing is going to happen. I tried to convince myself. Of course, it would be fine. As far as I knew, there was nothing wrong and nothing could go wrong at a checkup right? I am just getting over worked for nothing and I couldn't give the girls the possible satisfaction of working me up; I wouldn't give them their revenge. "Yeah, it will be fine. Nothing will happen." I spoke aloud, attempting further to convince myself of that; I had to believe it. Because if I didn't, that would just make going tomorrow more difficult.
I opened my eyes and I was sitting down in some strange place. It was dark and the only thing I managed to see around me as the few lights above flicked were a few empty chairs. They were old office chairs with red cushions. I looked up at the flicking lights and could see the dead bugs in them. I looked down at my feet. I felt cold—it was freezing in here. "Hello?" I said, barely audible. There was no one around but I wondered if there was anyone; but I also felt afraid to know. I didn't know where I was or how I got here? It smelled funny—and the smell was familiar but I couldn't put my finger on it. I inhaled the smell again and each time I did, it increased my nausea. I went for the door behind me and attempted to open it with no luck. Was it locked? Why? Where the hell am I?
