Read the excerpt from The Land."Cassie, you know 'bout Mitchell?" I asked her."Course I know about Mitchell," she answered. "Why're you letting him beat up on you?""I'm not letting him!" I exclaimed in outrage. "You thinking I'm liking him beating up on me?""Well, if you're not, you'd better make him stop.""Well, I'm trying.""Well, you'd better try harder.""I've tried fighting back, but he's too strong. Thing is, I don't know how to stop him."