Charlotte's Law

"What if I end up just like 'im?"

Camden was forbidden from telling anyone about the time travel. Of course, he didn't really think anyone would believe him if he did try to tell, and Kenn was convinced that anyone other than him and Camden would be driven insane with the knowledge of time on their shoulders.

Over the next two weeks, Camden had to juggle his studies, his time training, and his social life all at the same time. His grades began to slip, and his teachers were concerned, but Kenn waved them off and insisted that time was more important. Camden grew distant from Landyn, and he nearly ceased talking to all his other friends. He felt awful, and the perpetual bags under his eyes got deeper every day. He wasn't eating properly, and he knew his health was failing, but Kenn continued to push him and he felt the man may hurt him if he ever refused to continue his training.

Camden felt like he lived in fear again. It was his father all over again, and he resented Kenn more and more every day because of it. By the third week, he grew irritable and snappy anytime Kenn was even mentioned, and his training was getting no where because the man was so relentless.

"Cam, I'm really worried about you," Landyn sighed, laying down beside him on the roof. It was the only place he could escape Kenn anymore.

"No need to be," Camden's voice was stiff and hoarse, and it was obvious he'd been crying before Landyn got there. His eyes were rimmed in dark circles and bloodshot, and his skin was abnormally pale.

"There obviously is," Landyn retorted. "You've lost about fifty pounds in the last three weeks, and you didn't really have a healthy fifty pounds to lose. You've always been thin, but at least you used to eat. Now, you hardly eat anything, and you ignore me half the time. You don't sleep either; I know you've been sneaking out in the night. I'm not as oblivious as you think, and those dark circles make you look dead."

Camden turned over on his side, facing away from Landyn. "I'm so scared, Landyn." He didn't know what else to say, but he felt as if he needed to say something, and that was the truth.

"Scared of what?" Landyn asked. "Listen, your parents aren't coming to the next visitors day, and that isn't even for another month. You've nothing to worry about."

"I can't tell you what I'm truly worried about," Camden sighed sadly. "Kenn forbade it."

"Kenn?" Landyn's eyes widened. "He's seemed awful chipper lately. That's where you've been going, isn't it? You've been seeing Kenn. What did he do? If he laid one hand on you, I swear I'll rip his teeth out and puncture his eyes with them."

"Kenn 'asn't done anythin', yet," Camden interrupted. "I've been 'avin' private lessons with 'im. 'E just, 'e's so relentless, and all 'e does is push."

"Well, why are you scared of him?" Landyn sounded confused. "Just ask for a break. Has he done anything to make you afraid?"

Camden shrugged slightly. "'E just gets this look in 'is eyes sometime. It's offputtin', and it reminds me o' my dad."

He said the last bit so softly that it was a wonder his friend could hear it at all. Landyn's expression softened and he put a hand on Camden's waist reassuringly.

"Do you want me to go with you next time?" Landyn asked softly. Camden simply shook his head without saying anything. "Listen, Cam, I'm your friend, okay? Don't bottle this up. I'm here for you."

"That's what I'm 'fraid of, as well," Camden muttered, more to himself than Landyn.

"What?" Landyn asked, hurt and confused. He thought Camden meant he was afraid of him, but that wasn't quite correct.

"I've been e'sposed to it all me life," Camden replied hesitantly, finally turning to face Landyn. "What if I lose me temper one day? What if I snap and, and I can't 'andle it. What if I can't stop meself? What if I end up just like 'im?"