After more than a year of disappearance, Dylan Penders suddenly reappears in Emmerdale in a state that shocks everyone.

His shirt is torn, his face is bruised, his eyes are panicked, Dylan only has time to say “I’m fine” and then avoid all questions.

Viewers quickly realize: he is not only physically injured, but also carrying something heavier – a secret.

Dylan used to be a good boy, but lost his way after getting involved with Ray Walters – a notorious drug dealer.

The last time Dylan was seen was when he ran away from Ray, leaving behind a promise to return to “start over”. Now, he is back, but carrying a tattered old bag and his eyes are always darting around as if afraid someone is following him.

April Windsor – the girl who used to love Dylan – is the first person to discover him. She intended to help, but when she opened Dylan’s bag, what she saw horrified her: some bloodstained notes, a small knife, and a piece of paper with someone’s name on it in the village. April knew Dylan was more than just a victim.

The whole of Emmerdale was in an uproar. Paddy worried he was hiding serious injuries. Marlon believed Dylan was being hunted by Ray. But Cain Dingle said bluntly: “He’s brought trouble back here.” The words were prophetic – because that very night, a stranger appeared in the shadows, watching Dylan from afar.

Dylan told April that he “had to end this”, but no one knew what “this” was. Maybe it was a debt to Ray, maybe it was an old grudge. But one thing was certain: Dylan’s return was not the beginning of peace, but the signal for a storm.