Chapter 12: Between the Lines

Ryan didn’t reply to Langley’s email.

Not immediately.

He stared at it for hours. First on his phone, then on his laptop, as if the size of the screen might make the words sound less… off.

“Let’s meet off-campus. I know a place where we can talk freely.”

It was probably harmless.

But so were a lot of things until they weren’t.

Daniel wasn’t home when Ryan stopped by that night.

Instead, his sketchpad was lying on the table, still open to the drawing he’d been working on: a figure with Ryan’s posture, standing tall on a cliff’s edge, arms open to the wind.

For a moment, Ryan traced the outline with his eyes. There was strength there the kind Daniel kept seeing in him even when he didn’t believe it himself.

And maybe that’s why he made the decision he did.

He met Langley the next afternoon.

In public.

A coffee shop in town, close enough to campus to feel safe but far enough to avoid running into classmates.

Langley was already there, seated in the corner, wearing a sweater just slightly too tight and an expression that belonged more in a casting call than a faculty lounge.

“Ryan,” he said, standing to greet him with a handshake that lingered half a second too long. “I’m glad you came.”

Ryan slid into the seat across from him, already regretting it.

The first half of the conversation was innocent.

Talk about writing. Voice. Trauma narratives. Publishers who wanted “real stories with teeth.”

Ryan nodded along, took sips of his latte, tried to stay grounded.

But the shift happened quietly.

Too smoothly.

Langley leaned in closer.

“Writers like you,” he said, “don’t come along often. You don’t just write pain you live it. That makes you dangerous. In a good way.”

Ryan offered a polite smile.

Langley continued. “I could get your story in front of people who matter. But it’s not just about talent it’s about trust. Chemistry. You understand?”

Ryan tensed. “I think so.”

“I want to mentor you personally,” Langley said. “Not just academically. There’s a lot I can teach you… beyond the page.”

And there it was.

The line. Crossed so casually.

Ryan stood up.

“I appreciate the offer,” he said, keeping his voice even, “but I’m not interested.”

Langley blinked. “Ryan”

“I’ll stick to submitting through the school system. Professionally. Thanks.”

He left the shop without finishing his drink.

He didn’t stop walking until he reached Daniel’s building.

Didn’t knock  just walked in, heart hammering.

Daniel was on the couch, barefoot, grading papers.

Ryan didn’t say anything at first. Just crossed the room and hugged him.

Tight.

Hard.

Daniel held him back instantly. “What happened?”

“Langley,” Ryan said against his chest. “He crossed a line.”

Daniel’s arms went stone still. Then flexed tighter.

“Did he touch you?”

“No. Just said things. Pushed too far.”

“Did you record it?”

“No.”

Daniel sighed through his nose. “Then we will report him anyway.”

“He’s faculty.”

“I don’t care. You report predators. No matter how well they hide behind syllabi.”

They filed the report the next day.

It wasn’t just Ryan.

Turns out, three other students had filed similar concerns.

No one had spoken up.

Until now.

And suddenly, the department couldn’t look away anymore.

Langley was put on temporary leave within a week.

It wasn’t justice.

But it was something.

That night, Ryan couldn’t stop shaking.

Not from fear.

From relief.

He didn’t even realize he was crying until Daniel pulled him close and whispered, “You did it. You said no. You walked out. That’s everything.”

Ryan nodded into his shoulder. “I’m tired of being quiet.”

Daniel kissed the top of his head. “Then don’t be.”

But peace didn’t last long.

Because the next day, a package arrived at Ryan’s dorm.

No return address.

Inside was a flash drive.

And a note:

“Since you’re feeling brave let’s play fair. Here’s what he never told you.”

Ryan plugged it into his laptop, pulse racing.

There were photos.

Screenshots. Messages.

Conversations between Jake… and Thomas Bryant.

And one file titled:

“Payment Agreement Daniel Hayes.”

Ryan’s heart stopped.

He clicked.

And what he saw changed everything.