I walked down the empty hallway of the college building, my boots echoing off the walls. It was late afternoon, and most students had already left for the day. My heart pounded a little as I headed to Mr. Atkins' office. He was my history professor, this strict guy in his forties with glasses and a neat beard. I'd been thinking about him a lot lately, not just about his lectures, but about how I'd make him bend to me. I had this plan, simple but bold. I knew he was single, lived alone, and I'd overheard him talking about money troubles once. That was my in.

I knocked on...