The Neighbor

14.

"I see you've kept the long hair, it looks good on you. But it gets in the way of your eyes."

This is... impossible, how could this happen. I think I was about to have a panic attack. "Th- this is... I don't underst- why?" He was just smiling at me. I didn't realize how fast my heart was going. I started to feel dizzy and next thing I knew I fainted.

"Hey John... John... wake up."

I started to open my eyes and the first thing I see is Nick looking down at me. My eyes widened, I looked around and saw the school nurse grabbing something off of a table. I was about to tell her who this maniac was until he put his hand on my mouth. He leaned next to my ear.

"If you say anything, I'll gladly invite you to my new and improved home. I'm sure you'll find it welcoming."

I just laid there not being able to move, he let go and I kept my mouth shut. The nurse came over.

"Oh you're awake. I'm Marianne, nice to meet you John. Now would you like to tell me what happened, Professor Dawson brought you here."

Dawson? He changed his name? I sat up in disbelief.

"So what happened?"

I could feel Nicks glare without even looking at him. "I um, I... I didn't really eat much today and I felt sick so I probably didn't have enough um nutrients in me, yah."

"Actually Marianne, I believe he was sick today because he couldn't keep his head up in class and he looked a little pale."

"Oh I see, well John you have to eat even if you don't feel like it. We don't want you blacking out everyday now do we."

I chuckled a little. "No ma'am." She gave me a bottle of vitamins.

"You can take these, it'll help, but not as much as real food."

I nodded with a smile.

"Actually, Professor Dawson, could you maybe get this student something to eat."

My heart sank, "No, that won't be nec-."

"Of course, I'd love to. It's my duty as a teacher to protect my students."

"Perfect, well I have to go run some errands so have a good day you two."

I begged her to stay, in my mind obviously. I didn't want to be left alone... with him again. She shut the door and the room was silent. No no no no no, this can't be happening. There's hardly anybody near us at this hour.

"So, what do you want to eat Rider?"

I didn't answer him, actually I didn't need to. We weren't in the same situation, this is school, I'm not trapped at his house in a basement... right? I can leave if I want to, yah that's right. I got up hesitantly and started to walk to the door.

"RIDER!"

I stopped, his voice still makes me shake.

"Are you going to ignore me?"

He walked over to me and grabbed my left hand making me turn in his direction.

"It seems to have healed up nicely. Perhaps I should... reopen the wound."

It was hard to breathe, "Please let me go, I won't say anything. I swear. Just let me live my life..." we stood there for what felt like hours.

"We'll see. Perhaps I will, perhaps I won't. You won't know until then. But for now let me get you something to eat, okay."

I nodded.

"What do you want to eat?"

He let go of my hand. "It doesn't matter..." I didn't know what to say. I just didn't want to look at him.

"Okay well then let's drive somewhere."

"NO!" I didn't even realize what came out of my mouth. I just knew that if I got in a car with him then I wouldn't know where he'd take me.

"Didn't you say it didn't matter..."

"Well I- I um..."

"And didn't I tell you not to raise your voice."

A sudden burst of confidence went through me. "Well, professor Dawson, this isn't your house so I don't have to follow your rules anymore. Also, I'm never getting in a car with you again because I don't know if you'll feel an itch to play archery. Finally, I would appreciate it if you just let me be and didn't bother me because if not then I won't hesitate to expose you."

I didn't realize it but when I said that, I was looking him in the eyes. I quickly turned around, opened the door and left.
•••
Wow you go Rider, sticking up for yourself. Wonder what's going to happen, maybe nothings going to happen. Maybe it'll just be left as that, who knows.