"Cameron's in Nolan’s office right now, probably saying exactly what they want to hear," Charlie muttered with a sharp scoff, raising a cigarette to his lips as he took a deep drag.

Everything had gone to shit, really. Mr. Keating was under investigation. Neil was dead. And now it was just the six of you—Charlie, Todd, Knox, Steven, Gerard, and you—sat on random things in the cramped storage closet at Welton, hidden from the rest of the school, smoking together, yet all of you feeling a hundred miles away from anyone.

"I can’t believe him," Knox murmured, his voice almost in disbelief. He stared at the sigarette in his hand, not daring to look up at the faces of the other Dead Poets members. "After everything we’ve been through… he just goes and turns on us."

The room grew silent again, save from the odd sniffle every so often. Suddenly, the sound of the door opening woke everyone from their thoughts and they all hurried to hide their cigarettes. Charlie didn't bother. He didn't care anymore.

Cameron walked around the shelf, his nervous gaze flicking from person to person.

"What's... what's up, guys?" he tried to keep his voice from wavering, but his hesitation seeped through like a sponge holding too much water. Charlie just scoffed, finally throwing his cigarette in the ashtray.

"'what's up' is that you told Nolan everything, didn't you, Cameron?" Charlie spat, standing up and taking two long strides to Cameron. Knox and Gerard also got to their feet, gently taking both of Charlie's arms to hold him back.

"Oh, come on. What did you expect to happen?" Cameron shot back, laughing nervously. "We have a honor code, Charlie! If a teacher asks me something, I have to answer truthfully! Besides, we're the victims here! Us... and Neil."

The room went quiet.

"What's that supposed to mean, Cameron? Who are they after?" Charlie asked expectantly. Cameron raised an eyebrow, glaring at Charlie.

"Mr. Keating, of course! What, did you think he wouldn't have to take responsibility for his actions? He put us up to this! He put Neil up to this! If he hadn't have done anything, Neil would be up in his room, studyin-"

"Keating didn't do anything, Cameron!" Todd snapped. His voice cracked a bit— obviously not used to talking so loudly.

"He didn't do anything? He did everything!"