CHAPTER 7: Bound by His Darkness

Kai’s eyes snapped open.

His sheets were wet with sweat. His heart was beating too fast.

The dream again. The rain. The headlights. Victoria’s smile. Mr. Ashford’s voice telling him to choose.

His hands shook as he pushed the covers back. It was 4:47 in the morning.

“Why do you want the man who will ruin you?” he whispered to the dark room.

There was no answer.

He got up. His body ached. His ribs felt bruised, like something inside was broken.

Fear mixed with something else. A dark pull he didn’t have a name for.

He dressed slowly. His hands fumbled with the buttons. He dropped his phone twice.

He had to go to school today. He had to act normal.

His life would never be normal again.

The school halls were quiet when he arrived. Too early. The cleaner gave him a strange look but said nothing.

He walked to his first class. Maybe he could hide until other students came.

The classroom door was slightly open.

Mr. Ashford was at his desk. Papers were spread out. A single lamp was on.

He looked up. Their eyes met.

Kai’s feet stopped moving.

“Come in,” Mr. Ashford said.

“I was just—”

“Come. In.”

Kai walked in. The door clicked shut behind him.

The silence was heavy.

Mr. Ashford looked at Kai’s face. At the dark circles under his eyes. At his slightly shaking hands.

“Did you sleep?” Mr. Ashford asked.

“A little.”

“You’re lying.”

Kai’s jaw tightened. “What do you want me to say? That I can’t sleep without seeing you? Without hearing your voice?”

Something flashed in Mr. Ashford’s eyes. Something like pleasure.

“Sit down.”

“I should go before people—”

“Sit.”

Kai sat. His body was too tired to fight.

Mr. Ashford stood up. He walked around his desk. He moved slowly, with purpose.

He stopped in front of Kai. Too close.

“Did you get home safely?” His voice was softer now. “After Victoria left?”

The question surprised Kai. There was real concern in his cold eyes.

“Margaret picked me up,” Kai said. “You arranged it.”

“Of course I did.”

The softness was gone. The mask was back.

But Kai had seen it. The crack in the armor.

“There’s a new rule,” Mr. Ashford said. He leaned against his desk. “Starting today, you come to my office after school. Every day.”

“What? No, I can’t—”

“It’s not a request.”

“You can’t just tell me what to do—”

Mr. Ashford’s hand shot out and grabbed Kai’s wrist. It wasn’t rough, but it was firm. Unbreakable.

“I told you,” he said quietly. “You can’t run from me.”

His thumb rested on Kai’s wrist. He could feel the frantic pulse beating there.

“Your heart says you don’t want to run anyway.”

Kai tried to pull away. The grip tightened.

“Let go.”

“In a minute.” Mr. Ashford’s eyes searched his face. “I need to know you’re safe. That means keeping you close. Where I can see you.”

“This is crazy.”

“Maybe.” Mr. Ashford let go. “But it’s happening.”

Heat rose in Kai’s cheeks. From anger. From shame. From something else he wouldn’t name.

“Fine,” he snapped.

“Good boy.”

The words sent a shock down Kai’s spine.

He hated how his body reacted to this man’s praise.

Footsteps sounded in the hall. Students were arriving.

“Go,” Mr. Ashford said, his mask firmly in place. “We’ll continue this later.”

Kai escaped.

But he felt eyes on his back as he left. Someone was watching from the dark hallway.

The day passed slowly.

Every class dragged. The noise was too loud. Kai just watched the clock.

At lunch, Marcus muttered something to his friends. They looked at Kai and laughed.

But Marcus kept his distance. Whatever Ashford had done, it worked.

At 3:15, Kai stood outside Mr. Ashford’s office.

He hesitated, his hand near the doorknob. His legs felt weak.

Run. Now. Go somewhere he can’t find you.

But where? He was being watched. Everyone was.

Kai opened the door.

The office was dark. A single lamp cast shadows over the expensive furniture.

Mr. Ashford was in his leather chair. Waiting.

“Lock the door.”

Kai’s hands shook as he turned the lock. The click was too loud.

“Come here.”

Kai walked forward slowly. Each step felt like walking toward a cliff.

Mr. Ashford pointed to a stack of papers on his desk. “Your assignments from the last few days. Sit.”

Kai sat in the chair opposite. Their knees almost touched.

Mr. Ashford went through each page. He was sharp, focused. He circled mistakes. He explained difficult concepts.

But he kept leaning closer. Invading Kai’s space. His sharp, expensive scent filled every breath.

“Your writing is messy here.” Mr. Ashford pointed. “Rewrite this section.”

He stood up. He walked around to stand behind Kai’s chair.

Kai’s whole body went stiff.

Mr. Ashford put his hands on his shoulders, adjusting his posture.

“Sit up straight. You’ll hurt your back slouching like that.”

His breath was warm against Kai’s ear.

Kai gasped. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t breathe.

“Better,” Mr. Ashford said quietly. His hands lingered for a moment too long before pulling away.

He returned to his seat. He leaned back. He just watched Kai.

“Someone threatened you yesterday,” he said casually. “Before Victoria came. Do you know who?”

Kai looked up quickly. “How did you—”

“I know everything about you, Kai. Everyone who looks at you. Every threat that comes near you.” Mr. Ashford’s jaw tightened. “I’m tracking them all.”

“That’s…”

“Necessary.” Mr. Ashford leaned forward. “Someone wants to hurt you. And I need to know who.”

“I don’t know anything.”

“Liar.”

The word cut through the air.

Mr. Ashford stood. He came around the desk and knelt in front of Kai’s chair so they were eye to eye.

“No more lies,” he said softly. Dangerously. “I know everything about you. Every danger. Every weakness. Every fear.”

Kai’s breathing quickened.

“You’re not protecting me,” he said. “You’re obsessed.”

“Yes.” Mr. Ashford raised his hand, his fingers brushing Kai’s cheek. A light, burning touch. “But obsessions are what keep you alive.”

The touch lingered. Gentle. Close.

Then Mr. Ashford pulled back as if burned. A flash of raw emotion crossed his face. Hot. Uncontrolled.

“I almost lost you once,” he said. He stood. Turned away. “Eight years ago. In that car. I held your hand in the ambulance and promised I would never let anything hurt you again.”

Kai’s throat tightened. “You were there that long?”

“From the ambulance until they took you into surgery.” Mr. Ashford’s voice was rough. “You opened your eyes once. Just for a second. And you looked at me like I was the only real thing in your world.”

“I don’t remember that.”

“I do. Every detail.” Mr. Ashford turned back. His eyes were haunted. “And when you lived, I swore I would keep you alive. No matter what it cost.”

“Even if it destroys me?”

“Even then.”

The truth should have terrified him.

Instead, it felt like both a cage and a safety net.

“You can go,” Mr. Ashford said. “Tomorrow. Same time.”

Kai stood, his legs unsteady. He grabbed his bag and moved quickly toward the door.

He was almost out when Mr. Ashford spoke again.

“Kai?”

He turned.

“Don’t trust anyone. Not your classmates. Not the other teachers. Not even Margaret.” Mr. Ashford’s face was like stone. “Only me. Understand?”

Kai nodded. What other choice did he have?

He walked out of the office. The hall was empty. Most students had gone home.

Kai reached into his bag for his phone.

His fingers brushed against paper. Something that wasn’t his.

He pulled it out.

A small, folded note.

The handwriting was neat. Careful.

Kai unfolded it slowly, his hands shaking.

Five words stared back at him.

He can’t protect you forever. You’re next.

His blood ran cold.