Page 103 of Ruined Vows

He pulls something out of his pocket, and my breath catches when he flicks out a switchblade.

“Okay,” I say, my voice really trembling now. “I need you to close that up and then hand it to me.”

“Why, so you can narc on me? Fuck you, bitch. I can’t believe I thought you would actually help me.”

“I am here to help you, Phillip.”

Knife in hand, he suddenly clutches his head, wincing.

Is he hearing voices? It’s between the ages of nineteen and twenty-five that those prone to psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with hallucinations often start manifesting symptoms. Is that what I’m witnessing now?

“How long have you felt like this, Phillip?” I make my voice softer, trying a different tactic. “Do you feel down and depressed more often? Or confused about what’s going on in the world around you?”

He blinks at me, unsure. Then he drops the knife back to his side but doesn’t retract the blade.

“See, that’s why I want to talk to you. You’re the only person who willlisten.”

He walks toward the chair but doesn’t sit down. I dare to glance toward the door and quickly shoot my eyes back when he looks at me again.

I could maybe make it to the door before him, but the office is so small. He’d be on me in no time.

“You want a listening ear,” I say, “so talk to me. What’s going on, Phillip?”

If I can just keep him talking, Isaak will be back any minute.

“Well, my stepmom’s a real bitch, like I said. And she keeps trying to get Dad to kick me out. She says I smoke too much weed, but I only do that ’cause I’m trying to survive her narcissistic ass. I know, I know,” he waves the hand still holding the knife, “you don’t like it when we go around calling everybody a narcissist, but this bitch is. I was watching these videos online, and she fits every characteristic listed.”

I keep my face impassive. I doubt arguing the finer points of the DSM-5 will help in this particular case.

“Okay, so you want to talk about your stepmom?”

“What?” he barks, then laughs in a highly manic way before shaking his head. “No. No.”

He looks at me earnestly, pointing the knife at my direction as he sits in the chair he drags in front of the door. “I knew we had to wait for the end of the semester. I know you couldn’t have a relationship with a student because you’re one of the good ones. You would never be unethical.”

He scoots his chair closer to mine.

“But I’m in love with you, Professor Roberts. And with the way you look at me in class and the conversations we have, I know you love me, too.”

THIRTY-NINE

ISAAK

When I get backfrom the pisser, Red’s door is closed.

I left it open.

When I reach for it and find it locked, I’m slightly more reassured.Ishould’ve thought of locking her in while I was gone. I’m so goddamn tired, I’m off my game.

I scrub a hand down my face and then lift my hand to knock.

That’s when I hear voices inside.

What the fuck? Kira’s not alone?

Why the hell would she lock herself in there with somebody else when she knows I’m on my way back? Did her fiancé suddenly decide to show up?

I press my ear to the door. I can’t make out anything at first, just the muffled sound of voices. They’ve got some thick-ass doors at this college.

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