I didn't make the mistake of going into the bathroom again that day. I stayed as much around people as I possibly could. I even spent the lunch period with Lindsey, although I know I kept looking over my shoulder to make sure those senior girls weren't hanging around. But what I really worked hard at was trying to seem happy. And I was, kind of. I mean, I had Lindsey! I loved her, I loved being with her. That made me happier than anything. But I was afraid of my school, and afraid of my home. Between the two places, I didn't really feel safe anywhere. And believe me, it's a lot of stress to be terrified.

By the time the day was over, I was almost looking forward to getting home. Well, almost anyway. But I lucked out, because even though Ash and Lindsey were busy with a project for school, Craig wasn't busy, so he invited me over.

We got in his house, and headed into his living room. Angela headed into the room, and sat on my lap. I loved the kid, but all of a sudden, I felt trapped. The little girl looked up at my face, gently stroked it with her little fingers, and asked me if the same dinosaur had hurt me that had hurt Craig before.

"No, it was a different dinosaur," I told her. "A big, mean, evil, scary dinosaur. He doesn't like me being friends with Lindsey."

"But I like Lindsey. She's nice. Will the dinosaur hurt me too?" Angela asked, fear creeping into her voice.

"Of course not. You have Craig to protect you! And your Daddy too."

"But whose going to protect you? Your Daddy?" she suggested.

"No," I said sadly. "My Daddy likes the dinosaur."

"Craig's Daddy used to like his dinosaur too. But he told me that it wasn't really a dinosaur hurting him. He said it was his Daddy."

"Craig was very brave to tell you that, Ang."

"My Daddy doesn't like dinosaurs."

"No, I don't imagine he would."

"But if you're Daddy likes dinosaurs, and Craig's Daddy liked dinosaurs, but then turned out to be the dinosaur," Angela said, getting a little mixed up. "Wouldn't your Daddy be the dinosaur? You should come live with me, if he is. My Daddy will protect you like he protected Craig."

A tear ran down my cheek. Angela wiped it away.

"Aww, don't cry Ellie. There aren't any dinosaurs here."

"Hey Ang, why don't you head upstairs, and clean your room. Maybe later tonight we'll play a game, okay?"

"Ok. But only if you promise to play a game with me. Ellie, will you play too?"

"I have to be home for dinner on time. But maybe another day, okay?"

"Ok. And remember what I said about the dinosaur."

"Thanks Ang."

Once Craig heard Angela's door close, he hugged me. "You know, El…" he began.

"I know, I know. A little kid gets it, so why can't I. Is that what you were going to say?"

"Nah. I was going to tell you that Ang's escape plan is always open. Joey may not take you on forever, but he will for a while, until you find something else."

"I can't do that." I checked the clock on the wall. 5:45. "I have to get home for dinner or…"

Craig cut me off. "Or the dinosaur will hurt you again. I know. I'll walk you back."

We headed back to my house. When we got there, Craig told me, "If things get…well, if things get bad, you can come to my house at any hour. No questions asked, I swear. The offer's always open Ok?"

"Thanks. I'd better get in." I turned around, and headed inside. I headed into the kitchen, and noticed right away that my parents were cleaning up dinner, not setting it out. Then my dad noticed me.

"We decided we'd start eating earlier, so you missed dinner. From now on, you're to be home by five o'clock. You can go upstairs now, and start your homework," he said, matter-of-factly.

"But…"

"Don't talk back. Go upstairs."

"Yes sir." Slowly I headed upstairs. Then I turned around. "I have some questions about my math homework. Would it be alright if I called Craig for help?"

"Just Craig, right?"

"Yes."

"Alright. Just don't be up too late."

I turned around, and headed upstairs again. Once in my room, I pulled out my math book and notebook. I started problem 16, where I had left off in class. The assignment was pitifully easy; I was good at math. But I picked up the phone and called Craig anyway.

"Hello?" Craig answered.

"Hi Craig. It's El. I, er, I need some help with my, um, math homework."

"Is anyone else there helping you?" he asked.

"No, my dad's downstairs."

"What's the problem?"

"I'm hungry."

"Huh?"

"I was late for dinner."

"No you weren't. You were home at five to six. Plenty of time for dinner."

"Not if dinner's at five o'clock."

"He pushed up the time?"

"Yeah. I haven't eaten since, um, well, since breakfast yesterday. I missed dinner yesterday, and skipped breakfast and lunch today. I didn't figure on missing dinner."

"Want to come over? We could feed you," Craig offered.

I heard the click of someone at my house picking up the phone. "Um, I'm really not understanding these problems."

Craig picked up on the hint. "They're hard to explain over the phone. Could you come over to work on them?"

"I don't know, let me go ask my dad." I set down the phone, and headed downstairs.

"Dad? I'm having trouble with my math still, and Craig's having a hard time explaining it over the phone. Could I go over there for an hour or so?"

"One hour, no more. Be home by 8 o'clock."

I ran upstairs, and told Craig. I packed up my math stuff, and headed over there.