Catalyst in the Halls

Zoey Ellis, a smart, independent senior, becomes a pariah after reporting Jake Parsons, a popular football player, for sexual harassment. Her refusal to stay silent in a football-obsessed Texas town upends the fragile social order. Instead of support, she's met with escalating bullying, vandalism, and isolation. The school's tribalism is exposed as classmates and even adults turn against her, branding her with cruel nicknames and ostracizing her. Zoey's sense of justice is unwavering, but the emotional toll is heavy. She's forced to navigate a hostile environment, clinging to her principles while her world shrinks. The chapter sets the tone for a story about power, reputation, and social currency, as Zoey's courage becomes the catalyst for a series of life-altering events.

The Classroom Incident

Zoey's worst fears materialize when Jake, accompanied by Carter Mahoney and Shayne, corners her in an empty classroom. The encounter quickly escalates from intimidation to sexual assault, with Zoey stripped and humiliated. Carter, the school's untouchable quarterback, reveals a predatory side, manipulating both Jake and Zoey. The boys' camaraderie and Carter's chilling detachment highlight the toxic masculinity and groupthink that enable their actions. Zoey's attempts to reason, plead, and fight are met with cruelty and indifference. The incident is a crucible, shattering Zoey's sense of safety and marking Carter as a dangerous, unpredictable force. The trauma lingers, setting up a complex, fraught relationship between victim and perpetrator.

Aftermath and Isolation

In the wake of the assault, Zoey is left to pick up the pieces in a town that refuses to acknowledge her pain. The bullying intensifies, and her support system dwindles. Even her mother, desperate for normalcy, urges her to keep quiet. Carter, meanwhile, begins a campaign of psychological manipulation, showing up at Zoey's home under the guise of concern, further blurring the lines between threat and twisted courtship. Zoey's world contracts as she avoids public spaces, haunted by memories and the knowledge that her tormentors remain unpunished. The emotional isolation is profound, and the chapter explores the insidious ways trauma can warp reality, trust, and self-worth.

Carter's Unsettling Interest

Carter's attention shifts from menace to a disturbing form of pursuit. He oscillates between threats and gifts, showing up at Zoey's work with his little sister, leaving her explicit notes, and offering her "protection" from further harm. His charisma and social power make him both irresistible and terrifying. Zoey, desperate for answers and control, finds herself drawn into Carter's orbit, trying to understand his motives and the darkness that drives him. Their interactions are charged with danger, fascination, and a perverse intimacy. The chapter delves into the psychology of abuser and victim, exploring how power, desire, and fear can become hopelessly entangled.

Reluctant Alliances

Circumstances force Zoey and Carter into a reluctant partnership. Carter's influence shields her from some of the worst bullying, but at a price—her autonomy and reputation. Their relationship becomes transactional, with Zoey bargaining for safety and Carter demanding submission, both sexual and emotional. The boundaries between coercion and consent blur as Zoey tries to reclaim agency in a world that offers her none. Meanwhile, Carter's own vulnerabilities and family dynamics begin to surface, hinting at the roots of his cruelty. The chapter explores the complexities of survival, complicity, and the ways trauma can breed unlikely, even toxic, connections.

Power Plays and Boundaries

As Zoey and Carter's relationship deepens, so does the psychological warfare. Carter tests Zoey's limits, pushing her to confront her own desires and fears. Their sexual encounters are fraught with dominance, submission, and the ever-present threat of violence. Yet, within this dangerous dance, moments of genuine connection and understanding emerge. Zoey, ever analytical, seeks to understand Carter's pathology, while Carter is both repelled and drawn to her strength. The chapter is a study in power—how it's wielded, surrendered, and sometimes, transformed. Both characters are forced to reckon with the parts of themselves they'd rather deny.

The Price of Protection

Carter's "protection" from the school's cruelty comes at a steep cost. Zoey is forced to navigate a minefield of social politics, rumors, and Carter's possessiveness. Her reputation is further tarnished as she becomes known as his "girl," and the bullying takes on new forms. Yet, the alternative—being alone and vulnerable—is worse. Zoey's moral compass is tested as she weighs the ethics of aligning with her abuser for survival. The chapter explores the compromises victims make, the allure of power, and the insidious ways abuse can masquerade as care. The emotional stakes are raised as Zoey is forced to choose between dignity and safety.

Lines Crossed

The relationship between Zoey and Carter becomes increasingly complex and fraught. Sexual encounters are laced with both pleasure and pain, consent and coercion. Zoey grapples with her own complicity, questioning whether her desire for Carter is a trauma response or something deeper. Carter, for his part, reveals flashes of vulnerability and need, complicating the narrative of villain and victim. The chapter does not shy away from the darkness, instead forcing both characters—and the reader—to confront uncomfortable truths about power, agency, and the human capacity for both harm and healing.

Unlikely Connections

Amidst the chaos, Zoey forges new connections—with her best friend Grace, with Carter's little sister Chloe, and even with Carter's family. These relationships offer moments of respite and clarity, reminding Zoey of her own worth and the possibility of a life beyond trauma. Carter's own backstory begins to emerge, revealing the wounds and abuses that shaped him. The chapter explores the redemptive power of empathy, the importance of chosen family, and the ways love can grow in even the most inhospitable soil.

The Game of Reputation

The battle for social dominance intensifies as rumors swirl, alliances shift, and reputations are made and broken. Carter uses his influence to manipulate outcomes, protect Zoey, and punish enemies—most notably Erika, his ex, who becomes collateral damage in their war. Zoey is forced to confront the cost of her association with Carter, as well as the limits of her own morality. The chapter is a microcosm of high school as a battleground, where power is currency and survival often means becoming what you hate.

Bargains and Blackmail

Zoey and Carter's relationship becomes increasingly transactional, with sex, protection, and favors exchanged like currency. Both are acutely aware of the power dynamics at play, and each tries to gain the upper hand. Blackmail, manipulation, and emotional brinkmanship become the language of their love. Yet, within this toxic framework, moments of genuine tenderness and understanding persist. The chapter explores the paradox of intimacy born from violence, and the ways people can become both jailer and savior to one another.

The Truth About Chloe

A major turning point arrives with the revelation of Carter's secret: Chloe, his "sister," is actually his daughter, the product of his own abuse at the hands of a predatory babysitter. This confession reframes Carter's pathology, casting his cruelty and need for control in a new, tragic light. Zoey is forced to confront the reality of generational trauma, the limits of empathy, and the possibility of redemption. The chapter is a raw, unflinching look at the ways abuse begets abuse, and the courage it takes to break the cycle.

Trust and Betrayal

With secrets exposed and wounds laid bare, Zoey and Carter must decide whether trust—and love—are possible after so much harm. Betrayals, both real and perceived, threaten to unravel their fragile bond. Zoey's struggle to forgive is mirrored by Carter's struggle to be worthy of forgiveness. The chapter is a meditation on the nature of trust, the difficulty of change, and the hope that even the most broken people can find healing in each other. The emotional stakes are at their highest, as both characters risk everything for a chance at something real.

The Cost of Survival

As graduation approaches, Zoey faces a new set of challenges: the cost of college, the limits of ambition, and the pull of Carter's world. Carter, for his part, uses his privilege and cunning to secure Zoey's future, pulling strings to get her into Columbia and offering her a life she never dared dream of. The chapter explores the tension between independence and interdependence, the sacrifices required for survival, and the ways love can both save and endanger us. Zoey must decide what she's willing to risk for a future with Carter—and what she's willing to lose.

The Queen's Crown

Against all odds, Zoey is crowned homecoming queen, a symbolic victory that marks her transformation from outcast to insider. The moment is both triumphant and bittersweet, as it comes at the cost of her innocence and the complicity of aligning with power. Carter's influence is undeniable, but so is Zoey's resilience. The chapter is a meditation on the meaning of recognition, the allure of belonging, and the price we pay for acceptance. Zoey stands at the threshold of a new life, forever changed by what she's endured.

New York, New Rules

Zoey and Carter's move to New York marks the start of a new chapter—one filled with hope, opportunity, and the lingering shadows of their shared trauma. The city offers anonymity and reinvention, but the patterns of the past are not so easily escaped. As they navigate the challenges of adulthood, parenthood, and partnership, Zoey and Carter must confront the ghosts that haunt them and the choices that brought them here. The chapter is a testament to the possibility of growth, the necessity of change, and the enduring power of love.

The Keys to the Kingdom

In the end, Zoey and Carter find a measure of peace—not in the erasure of their past, but in the acceptance of it. Their love is imperfect, forged in violence and pain, but it is also resilient, transformative, and fiercely their own. The final chapter is a celebration of survival, the reclamation of agency, and the hope that even the most damaged people can build something beautiful together. Zoey, once untouchable in her isolation, becomes untouchable in her strength, holding the keys to her own kingdom at last.

Characters

Zoey Ellis

Zoey is the heart of the story—a fiercely intelligent, principled young woman who refuses to be silenced, even when the cost is her own safety and social standing. Her journey is one of survival, adaptation, and reluctant compromise. Psychologically, Zoey is both analytical and empathetic, constantly seeking to understand the motives of those who harm her. Her relationship with Carter is fraught, oscillating between fear, fascination, and genuine connection. Over time, Zoey's trauma becomes a source of strength, allowing her to reclaim agency and redefine the terms of her own life. Her development is marked by a growing capacity for forgiveness, self-advocacy, and the recognition that healing is possible, even after profound harm.

Carter Mahoney

Carter is the story's most complex figure—a golden boy quarterback with a dark, predatory streak. His charm and social power mask deep wounds, including childhood sexual abuse and a desperate need for control. Carter's relationship with Zoey is both toxic and transformative, as he oscillates between abuser and lover, protector and destroyer. Psychologically, Carter is a study in trauma's legacy: his cruelty is both a defense mechanism and a cry for help. Over the course of the novel, Carter is forced to confront his own damage, reckon with the consequences of his actions, and risk vulnerability for the possibility of love. His development is uneven, but ultimately hopeful, as he learns to trust, to care, and to break the cycle of abuse.

Grace

Grace is Zoey's best friend and a source of unwavering support, even when she doesn't fully understand the darkness Zoey faces. Her optimism, faith, and kindness offer a counterpoint to the cynicism and cruelty of the world around them. Psychologically, Grace represents the possibility of goodness and the importance of chosen family. Her relationship with Zoey is tested by secrets and danger, but ultimately endures. Grace's development is subtle, marked by a growing awareness of the world's complexity and the limits of her own innocence.

Jake Parsons

Jake is the initial catalyst for Zoey's ordeal—a popular football player whose sense of entitlement and lack of accountability set the story in motion. Psychologically, Jake is both weak and dangerous, easily manipulated by stronger personalities like Carter. His inability to accept responsibility for his actions and his resentment toward Zoey make him a persistent threat. Over time, Jake becomes a symbol of the toxic culture that enables abuse and punishes those who speak out. His development is a warning about the dangers of unchecked privilege and the importance of accountability.

Erika Martin

Erika is Carter's ex-girlfriend and a formidable antagonist in her own right. Her jealousy, insecurity, and willingness to play dirty make her both a victim and a perpetrator. Psychologically, Erika is driven by a desperate need for validation and belonging, making her susceptible to Carter's manipulations. Her rivalry with Zoey is both personal and symbolic, representing the ways women are pitted against each other in patriarchal systems. Erika's downfall is both tragic and inevitable, a reminder of the costs of complicity and the dangers of internalized misogyny.

Chloe

Chloe, introduced as Carter's little sister but later revealed to be his daughter, is a poignant symbol of both innocence and the legacy of abuse. Her presence humanizes Carter, offering him a chance at redemption and a reason to break the cycle of harm. Psychologically, Chloe represents the possibility of healing, the importance of care, and the hope that the next generation can be spared the wounds of the past. Her relationship with both Carter and Zoey is tender, grounding the story in the possibility of family and love.

Brianna

Brianna is a member of Carter's inner circle, notable for her adaptability and emotional intelligence. She navigates the shifting alliances and dangers of the group with pragmatism, often serving as a buffer between more volatile personalities. Psychologically, Brianna is a survivor, skilled at reading the room and protecting herself. Her relationship with Zoey is initially wary but becomes more supportive as the story progresses. Brianna's development is a testament to the importance of resilience and the power of quiet strength.

Cartwright

Cartwright is one of Carter's closest friends, providing levity and a measure of humanity within the toxic group dynamic. While complicit in much of the group's behavior, Cartwright is less cruel than others, often serving as a sounding board and occasional voice of reason. Psychologically, he is a follower, more interested in belonging than in power. His relationship with Carter is marked by loyalty, but also by a growing awareness of the costs of that loyalty. Cartwright's development is subtle, hinting at the possibility of change and the importance of conscience.

Angela Mahoney

Angela is a complex figure—both a victim of her husband's cruelty and an enabler of Carter's. Her own traumas and compromises shape the family dynamic, offering insight into the generational patterns of harm. Psychologically, Angela is both strong and broken, capable of great care but also of denial and complicity. Her relationship with Carter is fraught, marked by both love and disappointment. Angela's development is a reminder of the ways families can both wound and heal, and the importance of breaking cycles.

Kevin Mahoney

Kevin is Carter's father, a wealthy, controlling figure whose values and actions set the tone for the family—and, by extension, the town. Psychologically, Kevin is a study in entitlement, cruelty, and the dangers of unchecked power. His relationship with Carter is adversarial, marked by both expectation and neglect. Kevin's presence looms over the story, a reminder of the systems that enable abuse and the difficulty of escaping their shadow.

Plot Devices

Power, Reputation, and Social Currency

The novel uses the setting of a small-town high school to explore the dynamics of power, reputation, and social currency. Football players are gods, and those who challenge them are punished. The narrative structure is cyclical, with power shifting between characters through acts of violence, manipulation, and alliance. Foreshadowing is used to hint at the dangers of complicity and the costs of speaking out. The story's events are both specific and universal, using the microcosm of high school to comment on broader societal issues.

Consent, Coercion, and the Blurring of Lines

A central plot device is the blurring of lines between consent and coercion, desire and violence. The story repeatedly forces characters—and readers—to confront uncomfortable questions about agency, complicity, and the ways trauma can shape desire. Sexual encounters are used as both weapons and salves, with power constantly shifting. The narrative structure mirrors this instability, with scenes of intimacy often giving way to scenes of violence, and vice versa.

Transactional Relationships and Bargaining

Much of the plot is driven by bargains, blackmail, and transactional relationships. Protection, sex, and social standing are exchanged like currency, with characters constantly negotiating for safety, power, or affection. This device highlights the ways survival can require compromise, and the ethical gray areas that emerge when agency is constrained. The structure of deals and debts also serves as a metaphor for the emotional economy of trauma and healing.

Secrets, Revelations, and the Past's Grip

The novel uses secrets and revelations as key plot devices, with characters' pasts gradually coming to light. Carter's abuse, Chloe's true parentage, and the hidden wounds of other characters are revealed through confession, confrontation, and crisis. Foreshadowing and misdirection are used to build tension, while the eventual unveiling of truth serves as both catharsis and a catalyst for change. The structure of revelation mirrors the process of healing—painful, necessary, and ultimately redemptive.

Cycles of Abuse and the Hope of Redemption

The story is structured around cycles—of abuse, of power, of survival. Characters are repeatedly forced to confront the ways the past shapes the present, and the difficulty of breaking free. Redemption is not easily won, and the hope of healing is always tempered by the reality of harm. The narrative uses repetition, escalation, and reversal to explore the possibility of change, both for individuals and for the systems that shape them.

Analysis

"Untouchable" is a provocative, deeply unsettling exploration of power, trauma, and the messy, often contradictory nature of desire. Sam Mariano's novel refuses easy answers, instead forcing readers to grapple with the uncomfortable realities of abuse, complicity, and survival. At its core, the book is a meditation on the ways systems—familial, social, institutional—enable harm and punish those who resist. Yet, within this darkness, there is also hope: the possibility of healing, the redemptive power of love, and the courage to reclaim agency. Zoey's journey is both a cautionary tale and a testament to resilience, showing that even in the most toxic environments, it is possible to survive, adapt, and ultimately, to thrive. The novel's refusal to sanitize or simplify its characters is its greatest strength, offering a nuanced, unflinching look at the costs and possibilities of being "untouchable"—not because of power, but because of hard-won strength.

Last updated: December 13, 2025