Author's Note: Thanks to kitty, Midnight Dove, lotr-and-potc-rule, Ivory Novelist, and chickensoup3 for reviewing! This means a lot, especially in these early chapters, and I appreciate you taking the time to review. Since the reaction has been positive, I'll keep going with this. I do have a question though! Does anyone know where Welton is supposed to be located? Upstate NY, New England, somewhere else? Any help would be greatly appreciated. And now, back to the story...

Mr. Nolan was angrier than Todd had ever seen him, including the time when Charlie had received a "phone call from God" during assembly. He was an ancient tower of rage behind the podium that morning. "This morning it was discovered that one of our students, Neil Perry, has gone missing," he announced to the young men of Welton Academy. "His parents woke to find him and some of his belongings gone. If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts Neil Perry, he is obligated to come forward." Pausing for a moment, Mr. Nolan drew a sharp breath and seemed to stand straighter, if that were possible. "If it is discovered that anyone at Welton is helping to hide Neil Perry or to otherwise aid his escape, that person will be severely punished."

It might have been Todd's imagination, but he felt as though Mr. Nolan's last sentence had been spoken specifically for his benefit. Not that he should have been surprised. At the moment at least a hundred pairs of eyes were on him, watching for the slightest reaction.

He had woken up that morning with a bundle of nerves in his stomach. Neil hadn't come back from the show that evening. Had his father taken him out of Welton for disobeying him? Did he beat Neil? Had he done something to Neil, or Neil to his father? Or was Neil simply going to show up in class that morning, having argued with and finally given into the wishes of his parents? Todd didn't know what was worse.

And I still don't know, Todd reminded himself, even though everyone expects me to. Todd rose along with the other Welton students and shuffled his way to class.

"Hey, Todd. Todd!" Charlie pushed several underclassmen out of the way to catch up with him on the stairs. "Pretty crazy, huh?"

"Yeah," Todd mumbled.

"Where do you think he could be?"

"I don't know." He honestly didn't. Todd knew that he shouldn't be angry, that he should only be concerned with the welfare of his friend, but he couldn't ignore this growing edge. Everyone expects me to know where he is—why don't I? Why couldn't he have sent word? He's my best friend.

"Do you think he could be at the cave?"

Todd shook his head. "Not in the snow."

Charlie's eyes were flashing with admiration. "To just take off like that—I didn't really expect it. His dad was being an absolute jerk, but to say screw you to the old man, run off, try to make it on your own—who's ever tried that at Welton?"

The novelty of the action was not only impressed upon Charlie. All day, the only thing boys could talk about was Neil's disappearance. The youngest students claimed that he had joined a traveling circus and was now dancing on the high wires or sticking his head inside the mouths of lions. Some swore they had seen him hitchhiking to Mexico. The most cynical said that he was probably hiding out in the town's library and would show up once he got hungry and tired. Aside from Todd and Charlie's brief conversation on the stairs, the Dead Poets Society did not speak of Neil's flight, knowing that they could be overheard by any number of teachers and finks. While they had no useful information that could be taken to Mr. Nolan, they agreed to keep as low a profile as possible for a while.

In English class that afternoon, Mr. Keating continued his lesson as though nothing had happened. Todd had half-hoped for an encouraging remark, a knowing smile, something to assure the boys that Neil was fine and everything would be all right. Maybe he's playing it safe, too, Todd thought as he stared at 'The Tyger'. I bet the school and Mr. Perry have brought him into this somehow. They really should be talking to Mr. Perry and asking him why he thinks his son ran away.

"...finish Blake's 'Songs of Experience' for next time," Keating was telling the class as they closed their books, "which, I'm sure, will be a new theme for all of you."

Amidst soft chuckles, Mr. Keating caught Todd's eye. "Mr. Anderson, may I have a word?" When Todd nodded and paled slightly in nervousness, Mr. Keating gave him a small smile. "I won't keep you long. Save a place for him at lunch, will you, fellas?" he asked the other Dead Poets.

Todd heard replies of "Aye, aye, Captain," as he stood beside Keating's desk.

Mr. Keating waited for the rest of the class to leave before frowning soberly. "I'm sure you're concerned about Neil's departure, as we all are. You're probably wishing everyone would stop assuming that you're the man to talk to about this, and I'm not going to badger you for details or theories or any of it. I just wanted to tell you that if you hear anything about Neil or his whereabouts, please don't be afraid to come to me. We'll work something out that's best for all of you."

"Right, Mr. Keating" Todd mumbled. While he appreciated Keating's offer of help, he was embarrassed that he didn't have any information to offer the teacher. "Thanks." He turned to go, but Keating stopped him.

"Todd." His voice dropped to a low murmur. "Another thing—watch your step for a while. You boys should all be careful about certain gatherings. You don't need any more attention from the administration than they're already giving you."

Todd nodded. "Thanks, Captain."

Keating frowned as he watched Todd gather his books and slip out of the classroom, the faint traces of the dining hall din echoed from the halls. Perhaps it had been too much, Keating thought as he shuffled through his papers. Perhaps Nolan had been right when he had said the boys were too young to learn about nonconformity. Perhaps Charlie Dalton's stunt involving the phone call from God had been a hint that he wasn't approaching this in the right way. Would the boys have been better off if he had taught them rhyme and meter and left passion out of it entirely? Then Keating thought of Neil Perry shining on the stage, Knox Overstreet beaming at the lovely young woman on his arm at the theater, and even Todd Anderson suddenly finding his voice as a poet.

A slow smile spread across his face. So this was his verse was to be.

To be continued...please review!