Any info on Single parents rights in NC?

I need some info on single parents custody rights in NC. My boyfriend and I had a child almost two years ago. For about a year I have been suffering mental abuse and decided to leave and go to my parents. They live out of state. In the state I now live single mothers have custody without any order, and the non custodial parent must go to court to prove paternity. He is threatening me, telling me I have to come back to NC for mediation. I need some advice. There is no way I will let hi take this child out of state with him without a custody order in place if I wont be able to get him back. We were never married.