Chapter 21 Zoey felt nothing but ache for Maxwell . She didn't want him to die . For days , she stayed away from his dreams . All those fragile , fleeting memories faded into emptiness . All she wanted ... was for him to keep living in this world . Maxwell tried everything . Every method , every trick he could think of . None of it worked . In the end , he collapsed to his knees , completely shattered Tilting his head back , he gulped down bottle after bottle of liquor , his face pale as paper . " Please ... please ... just let me see you in my dreams one more time ... just once ... " Zoey's heart softened . She gave in . That night ... she entered his dream again . But this time , he was older . Dressed in his international high school uniform , looking handsome - ridiculously handsome . The moment he saw her , he instinctively raised his arm in defense . His face was covered in bruises and scratches . " Who are you ? " His voice was guarded and sharp . " I don't know you . Are you here to hit me too ? " Zoey's chest tightened . She had left for school overseas in high school - she had no idea he'd been bullied like this . Her fingers trembled as she reached out , trying to touch the wounds on his face . Looking at him - all bristling thorns like a little hedgehog - she whispered , " I'm ... your sister . " Maxwell's eyes narrowed , his suspicion deep and cutting . " Get lost . I don't remember ever having a sister . " He spun around and bolted . Zoey chased after him , passing a flashing billboard . It told her exactly where they were in time - he was fifteen . The year he never spoke about . The year ... everything was the worst . The year the bullying nearly destroyed him . Sure enough , he didn't even make it two blocks before a group of thugs cornered him at the school gate . One of them grabbed his collar , grinning viciously as he jerked his chin toward Maxwell's pocket . " Look who's pretending to be a saint now . You used to hang with us . What , think you're too good for us now ? " " You think you're still some perfect little student ? " Maxwell clenched his teeth , eyes burning . His voice shot out , " I thought you were decent people . Didn't know you were scum doing disgusting crap behind everyone's backs . Get your filthy hands off me . " The thug let out a furious laugh . Then he slammed his palm straight across Maxwell's face . The sound echoed . A bright red mark immediately bloomed across his cheek . " Still got an attitude , huh ? You think being some rich boy means anything here ? " ' C'mon , let's go have a little ... fun . " They dragged him forward And that's when Zoey snapped . She stormed out like a wild animal unleashed , screaming , " Get your damn hands off him ! Touch him , and I swear I'll kill you ! " 1/2 Chapter 2 +25 BONUS The thugs flinched at first but then , realizing she was just a girl , their sneers came back . " Well , well ... a pretty little thing , huh ? " " Come on , babe , you can join us too . Bet we can show you something real exciting . " Grinning , they lunged toward her . Zoey's instinct was to run , but hands yanked her wrists tight . The pain she expected never came . Because Maxwell - like a wild , cornered beast - threw himself in front of her . His eyes were bloodshot and terrifying . His voice ripped through the air . " GET AWAY FROM HER ! GET THE HELL AWAY ! " He swung a pocket knife wildly , slashing at the air , trying desperately to shield her . Seeing him like this shattered something in Zoey / Th She never knew . Never understood . The past he shrugged off like it was nothing ... was actually pure hell . " Maxwell ... are you okay ? " Maxwell staggered to his feet , spit a mouthful of blood , then turned and bolted . As he ran , he shouted without looking back , " Stay out of it . You're just here to laugh at me too , aren't you ? " But Zoey followed , arms stretched out , calling softly behind him , " No ... I'm here to save you . " His steps faltered . He slowed , shoulders trembling , until finally , he stopped . Zoey caught up , threw her arms around him , and held him tight . And only then did he finally break . " I'm scared ... I'm so scared ... " His voice cracked as he sobbed , choking on the words . " Why did you take so long ... Why couldn't you come sooner ? " Zoey had no answer . None at all . All she could do was sit there with him until the sun finally came up . When Maxwell woke , his face still carried the quiet , fragile satisfaction of someone who had finally been allowed to breathe . He turned to Dr. Willow , his smile dazed and childlike . " I saw her ... She is still here with me . "