What did I know about better? Obviously, everything I had done—despite the growing numbers of hits and comments and questions—was wrong. I’d led a girl down the wrong path and now she’d suffer that consequence for the rest of her life.

My stomach twisted where I sat.

Torch it.

The solution whispered from the back of my racing mind.

Torch it.

It said it again.

Hit the delete button and pretend none of it ever happened.

I stared at the email, my knee bouncing uncontrollably under my desk, my hands interlocked in front of me.

No one would ever know.

No.

I couldn’t. Wouldn’t.

There was no running away from what I’d done, the beast I’d created. I’d have to figure out a way to help. To make amends with the girl, and then do one final post. A goodbye post with an apology.

Running is easier.

It would be, but I couldn’t do that.

What if they catch you before you end it?

The traitorous paranoid voice in my head had me chewing on my lip, visions of Tanner pressing charges on me for emotional damage to his students.

Shit.

I’d been careless in more ways than one, apparently. I had no contingency plan in place—nothing to save me from whatever Tanner would do if he found out the truth.

Maybe I deserved whatever I had coming to me.

Maybe I didn’t.

I needed to talk to someone about it. Sort my chaotic mind out before I did anything drastic.

Dean.

He would help me work this out. Help me understand what to do. He’d already done so much for me, and he never judged.

DC.

I exited out of the email, knowing I’d have to think on what to say before replying, and pulled up a chat box.

PixieBurn: I need a favor

I only had to wait a few seconds before Dean responded.

NightLocker: I’m good at favors

NightLocker: What’s up?

Hope bloomed in my heart with his immediate support. The sourness in my stomach was almost enough to kill the good vibes connecting with Dean gave me. I hurried before I could lose my nerve.

PixieBurn: If the need came about...

PixieBurn: would you be willing to torch some things for me

NightLocker: ...

NightLocker: talking contingency plans here?

PixieBurn: Yes

NightLocker: Who are we hiding from?

NightLocker: Parents?

PixieBurn: No

I sucked in a deep breath, the decision to tell him everything the only solid thing I could hold on to. I contemplated typing it all out but knew in person would be better. Safer.

PixieBurn: Can we meet tonight?

NightLocker: Of course

PixieBurn: I’ll explain everything then

PixieBurn: I promise

NightLocker: Ok

PixieBurn: I’ll send you everything you need to bury my stuff

PixieBurn: Just...promise you won’t look until we talk tonight?