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He laughs and rubs his chin. “Well, that’s something, I guess. And your room? Is it satisfactory?”

“It’s wonderful, thanks.”

“Your roommates? Ben and Laura are two of our best and brightest.”

“They’re popular. That’s clear.”

His brow lifts, and I force more enthusiasm into my expression.

“I heard your group session was colorful. I hope you’re not as discouraged by your start as your instructor made it sound.”

My pulse pounds in anger. “She talks about what we discuss?”

He covers his slip with a patient smile. “Only with me, my dear. Don’t worry. And I’m not here to judge you for your opinions. I’m only worried about you and want to make sure we get off on the right foot.”

“I see. Well, I’m fine. I was just being honest, like she wanted.”

He rests his elbows on his desk and leans forward. “Look, I’ll be honest with you too. It’s only fair since we ask it of our students. I hesitated to put you in Birchwood, but, in the end, it was the only opening in a senior room, and I thought you’d get along with Ben and Laura.”

I remain silent, waiting for the inevitable warning that’s become an anthem at this school. When he hesitates, I continue for him. “You’re worried about Daniel Mueller.”

The director shifts uncomfortably. “Yes. Unfortunately not all of our students are as enthusiastic about their enrollment here as they should be.”

“So why is he here? Why doesn’t he leave if he hates it so much?”

“Well, it’s more complicated than that.”

Surprised, I straighten a bit in my chair. “He’s not here voluntarily?”

“Not entirely, no. But I’m not at liberty to discuss specific details about other students, especially our mandated ones.”

Mandated? No details allowed—except that one for some reason. I recast Daniel’s situation in a whole new light, also while distrusting Clausen even more.

“Daniel has an accent. It sounds German or something.”

Even the director’s nod seems calculated now. Funny how different this interview feels from the session with Anna just minutes ago. “You have a good ear. He was born in Germany and spent half his life there.”

“How long has he been here?”

“A long time.” More tantalizing half-truths.

Is he trying to hook me or deflect me? “Look, there’s a reason he keeps to himself.

It’s best for everyone if you all just attend your classes and enjoy everything our lovely school has to offer separate from him as much as possible.

If we could move Daniel to another room, we would, but unfortunately, he’s had the most success in the isolated Birchwood Suite. ”

“He’s not there much anyway,” I say, watching his face for more clues. “Where does he go all the time? This is a closed campus.”

He must be on to me because his smile only looks sincere this time. “Like I said, his situation doesn’t concern anyone else and we’re dealing with him as best we can.”

“You didn’t say that.”

“Didn’t I? I suppose not. It was just an expression.”

“Who is he, Director? He’s not just a regular student.”

Clausen clears his throat and pulls off his glasses. After carefully folding the arms, he places them on the desk and clasps his hands. “I haven’t been entirely honest with you.”

Duh. I try to keep the irritation from my face.

“Part of why I called you here was to review something I should have told you yesterday. I just wasn’t expecting you to meet so soon.

I don’t want to warn in explicit terms, but I will for your protection.

Daniel’s gift is a liability to all of us.

You, me, the other students, and especially himself.

He poses a threat to everyone he comes in contact with. ”

“I see. So what’s his gift?”

“You know I can’t share that.”

I fight to suppress my frustration, but fear I fail when he sighs.

“I’m sorry, but understand that it’s a matter of confidentiality and it will benefit you just as much.”

“It’s not that,” I cut in. “It’s this whole situation that doesn’t make sense.”

Maybe I’m pushing my luck, but I’m so tired of this.

“You’ve created an enigma with all of this ‘stay away from him’ and ‘watch out for Daniel’ nonsense.

And then you expect us not to be interested in his story?

Everyone keeps warning me to stay away from him, and yet you give him hell for not participating with the rest of us when he tries to avoid us.

How can you tell me he’s dangerous one minute and then force him into our lives at every turn?

That seems irresponsible at best. Criminally negligent at worst. It makes no sense. ”

If he’s upset by my outburst, he doesn’t show it. “We have rules. He needs to know he can’t break them.”

I bite my tongue, afraid the accusations will fly, and I’m determined to conceal what I’ve seen. “Is this really why you called me in here? Another warning, yet again, to stay away from the very person you’re shoving in my face?”

I don’t know what he’s thinking as he studies me in silence, but I don’t regret my attack.

I’ve only been here a day and I’m tired of the hypocrisy.

Honestly, I’m just tired, exhausted from this constant navigation.

When it becomes clear I won’t get an open response, I lean back in disgust. “You know, the irony is I probably wouldn’t have thought twice about him if you didn’t give me reason to. You created him.”

“Have you touched him, Rebecca?”

My heart stops. “Of course not.”

His eyes dig into me. “I don’t believe you. What did you see?”

“Why are you so worried? What does it matter even if I did? What are you afraid of?”

“I’m not afraid for me, only for you. His world is a dangerous one that I don’t want to see you part of.”

There it is again. Dangerous. The word everyone loves to throw around but no one wants to define.

He sighs and takes on a sincere expression.

“Look, this is coming across all wrong. Can we just rewind for a minute? We need to protect you, and to do that, I can’t be everyone’s friend all the time.

I’m okay with playing the bad guy for your safety.

I can read it on your face, in everything you’ve said.

You think you know something. Something that will get you hurt, and I can’t let that happen. ”

I glare at him and cross my arms. “I told you, I didn’t see anything.”

“No?” he says. “Well then, I hate to even ask this, but if you’re truly not happy here, would you like me to call your mother to come pick you up?”

“Is that a threat?”

He looks hurt. I don’t buy it. At least, I don’t think I do. What do I really know? I’m fighting him over something, and I have no idea what.

“Not at all. Of course we want you to stay, but if you won’t be honest and let us help you, we have no choice but to remove you from the danger. You made an excellent point earlier. We thought we could do a lot of good for each other, but now I’m concerned.”

“Because I’m not a gullible fangirl who can be manipulated by Ben’s charm? That’s why you pair Ben and Laura with Daniel, isn’t it? They’re able to influence newcomers to shun him like everyone else.”

“Rebecca, please. This is exactly what I was afraid of. Now you’re fishing for conspiracy theories.

Just tell me what you saw when you touched Daniel and we can work through it.

Otherwise…” He picks up the phone, and my heart slams against my ribs.

I hate being extorted but what choice do I have?

I lose either way. Maybe he really does want to help.

Maybe he’s manipulating me. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter because going home isn’t an option if it means leaving Daniel to the fate I witnessed.

Not until I have confirmation I’m wrong.

“This feels like a threat,” I mutter.

“I’m sorry you feel that way, but that tells me I’m making the right call.” He sighs and reaches for the buttons on his phone.

“Wait! Okay,” I say, cursing to myself. “I saw a woman. I don’t know who she was.”

He lowers the receiver. “What did she look like?”

“She…” My mind races, searching for details. “It’s blurry—it was brief. She was beautiful. Dark hair, same striking eyes. She looked a lot like him.”

“Who do you think she was?”

“I don’t know. I only see images. I don’t get any special clues for interpretation. His mother maybe? Does she ever visit him?”

He ignores my question. “And that’s all you saw?”

I nod and hold my breath, forcing my gaze to his.

After an agonizing moment, he smiles. “I’m sorry for this episode, Rebecca.

I know it must have been difficult for you.

I hope you can understand the risk we take in managing a building full of special students like you.

If we don’t monitor everything, people get hurt. ”

“I understand.” That he’s full of bullshit.

“Good. Again, I’m sorry for the hard tactics. I hope you don’t see me as a bully, but if you do, know that I’m the only one. The rest of the staff is here to love you, and they do.” He claps his hands together. “Well, I won’t keep you any longer. Thank you for coming to see me.”

I avoid his eyes as I mumble a goodbye and push up from my chair.

I slip from the room, half-expecting a violent call back or security guards to descend on me SWAT-team-style.

I have no idea what to make of him and our strange encounter, but I know I messed up by revealing my interest in Daniel’s fate.

I’ve given them incredible power over me and my future at this school, and until I can let go of the visions, I’ve made myself a prisoner.

I need answers, anything, to help me move on and put things back to the way they’re supposed to be.

“Rebecca! Where’ve you been?” Ben’s voice echoes from down the hall, and I groan to myself. His drama and constant parade of companions is the last thing I need right now. “Have you met Jake and Clara yet?” he asks, approaching.

I force a tight smile. “Nice to meet you.”

“So, where were you?” Ben continues, falling into step with me.

“Clausen wanted to make sure I was adjusting okay.”