Cold dread swept over me like a storm when I saw Tobias standing in front of the class, casually smiling like we didn't know each other. I should have averted my eyes as soon as I walked inside, but I couldn't. That would be like facing a shark and looking the other way to ignore the danger.

Tyra nudged me, urging me to walk to our regular seats. My legs started moving on their own. We sat down and I did my best to keep calm. I was perfectly aware that I gave him power over me. I granted it, and as much as I hated the fact, it was something I had to deal with. The only solution was to break away, and since he wasn't going to ease up by the looks of things, I had to do everything myself.

Throughout the class, Tobias kept firing me questions in front of the other students, intentionally keeping me on edge. Those around me seemed to pick up on the fact that something was odd. I received more than one questioning glance from students I had barely talked to before. I answered everything, but when one question that was unrelated to what we had been studying so far damp down in my lap, I protested by not saying anything at all.

Tobias squared his shoulders, grinning to show that he finally scored. "Time for a trip to the Principal's office, Dylan."

Tyra grumbled beside me. I, on the other hand, thought it was a great idea. He hadn't provided me with any ammunition to kick his ass, yet, but perhaps I could alert the head of the school that something was going on with his new teacher.

I smiled, stood up and headed toward the door. Tobias appeared peeved by my reaction, which was another thing to be proud of. Obviously, I hadn't acted the way he anticipated, and he hated that beyond anything. He liked to know exactly where he had me. Guess what, I'm not the same person anymore, I wanted to tell him, but I remained silent as I walked out. He wasn't worth my attention.

That boost of confidence followed me to the Principal's office. However, as soon as I stood in front of the secretary, I deflated.

"Dylan O'Connor, what are you doing here so early in the day?" It was the lady who had greeted Lily and me when we first arrived. I still didn't like her. The smile she wore was too fake.

"Ma'am, I failed to answer a question in class, so I was sent here."

She looked puzzled, arching here eyebrows slightly. "Fine, just sit down and I'll let the principal know that you're here to see him."

I took a seat and retrieved my phone from my jeans to kill some time, but I had barely time to open a game before the secretary called for me to enter. Perhaps I should have prepared for this meeting with more care; however, I didn't have the focus for that.

The principal was a man in his forties, looking the part dressed in a tweed blazer. I had seen him around but never spoken to him directly.

"Dylan, have a seat, please."

"Thank you, Mr. Taylor."

"So, what brings you here today?"

I took a deep breath. "I'm going to tell you something, and you might not believe me, but I have to say something. I'm doing this for my friends and family." I paused, swallowing down the unease lodged in my throat.

He pushed his glasses up to the bridge of his nose. "Go on."

"The reason I moved here, why my entire family moved here, was because I ended up in a bad situation back at my old school."

Mr. Taylor held up his hand to pause me. "Dylan, your mom called this morning. I know what this is about."

I didn't know how to respond.

"The problem is that we have very little to go on, and these are severe accusations."

Clenching my jaw, I recalled the words spoken by another principal half a year ago. My leg started hopping beneath the desk.

"Do you have anything to back this up, Dylan?"

I should have prepared better. Inhaling another deep breath, I brought out my phone and opened the latest message. "I know it's not inconclusive or anything, but he sent me this, and I have more messages. I know it's from him, but I also know that the number won't lead anywhere. He knows how to get away, and that's why we had to move."

Mr. Taylor read the message and shook his head. I was afraid it meant he didn't believe me. "Here's what I'm going to do. I'll call your old school and see what they have to say about it. The references he got from there were good, but perhaps if I dig a little deeper, someone will help me sort this out." He paused. "Dylan, I know this might not be what you wanted to hear, but I have to be pragmatic. These messages aren't enough, which I know you're aware of, but I won't neglect this issue. We will be vigilant, and hopefully, we can get to the bottom of this." He pushed up his glasses again. "I have one last question, however. Do you believe that you are in immediate danger because of this situation."

I could easily have lied. I could have told him that Tobias had threatened to hurt me or worse, but I didn't want to exaggerate. It was difficult to explain the agony of mental abuse. People simply didn't understand. It was far easier to deal with physical abuse where the victims could show their bruises. Tobias was smarted than that. He left no traces.

"He's never hurt me physically, but he still did enough damage to uproot my entire family." With that, I stood up and made my way to the door even if I hadn't been dismissed. I didn't care. I wanted nothing more than to get away.

"Dylan!" I heard him call behind me, but I was already outside of his office.

I stalked down the corridor without direction or aim. The walls of my prison slowly grew around me, brick by brick. Tobias oversaw the progress, applying the mortar with a bright smile on his face. He was the architect. He was my warden.

Feeling the panic rise within me, I ducked away into one of the restrooms, placing my hands on a sink for support. Fuck this, I thought. The problem was that I didn't know how.

"Dylan?" I recognized that voice. Something was different, but I was certain that it couldn't be anyone else.

I looked up and saw Zach in the mirror's reflection. "Let's get out of here," I said, not entirely sure where that came from.

"Where?"

"Just out."

He shrugged. Not taking a no for an answer, I took his hand and walked out, finally knowing where I was headed. The building was too cramped with Tobias inside. I needed air.

As I opened the double doors leading outside, a breeze ruffled my hair as if welcoming me back to life. It was as if it begged me to let it all go. At least for now. I smiled and tugged Zach toward the parking lot. He followed behind without a word. He stopped without a word. He snatched his hand back without a word.

His shoulders tensed and his eyes turned colder than I thought possible. Not one single flicker of emotion, but I knew better. I knew rage boiled within him. It couldn't be anything else. Following his gaze, mine landed on a group of guys standing around Zach's car.

One of them smirked and keyed the entire side.

Zach's eyes flashed, and I thought he would run towards them; I thought he would let out his rage, taking them down one after another. I could see how he did it in his mind. I could see how he mentally shredded them to pieces, but he didn't move. He just stood there, keeping it all inside. I took his hand, squeezing it lightly, but he didn't react. He just stared at the guys, their eyes locked with ours, their scowls threatening.

My body went rigid with adrenaline as I saw the guys wave us over. I really didn't want to go there, but I wouldn't leave Zach to meet them alone, no way.

Taking hold of his hand again, I could feel just how tense he was. He was ready to jump, I could feel it. Then he was off. I wanted to pull him back, I wanted to stop him, but I knew it would be a feeble attempt. I might as well just show him that I was there for him, so I followed. It was just a tiny little step, and yet, Zach turned around, looking at me with wild eyes.

"Get lost!" he hissed.

"No," I answered, using my now well-known response to his requests. He drove his free hand through his hair. Then I felt him weave his fingers between mine, squeezing them lightly as he looked into my eyes, pleading for me to listen.

"Just go, Dylan, go... I don't want you here," he said, sounding far from his usual self.

"I'm not leaving you with these guys, hell they look like bad ass thugs, real ones!" I continued, fighting the urge to just run away with the guy in front of me, forcing him to leave.

I saw his eyes soften, a tiny little bit, but enough to melt all that anger away. I couldn't be angry when he looked at me like that, it was impossible. He tugged me toward him, and I landed in his arms, against his chest. He kissed my hair, hugged me closer and whispered, "Please Dylan, I don't want you to get involved."

"I'm not leaving," I said again, but with less determination.

"Then go stay by that tree. I just don't want you to be close."

I looked up, and nodded. We didn't know each other very well yet, so I had no rights to his secrets, I had no right to stop him from doing anything, but at least I could watch. I could make sure that nothing happened to him without the entire school and police knowing of it. They would have a witness.

I let him go, I let him leave and I let him walk into the clutches of five guys I knew absolutely nothing about. My own problems long forgotten.