Chapter 140: A Test of Wills
Eric swallowed hard against the sudden tightness in his throat.
The sound was loud in his own ears in the crushing silence that had followed the Principal’s declaration.
A desperate silent scream of injustice echoed in the chaotic confines of his mind. But I didn’t even do it! I didn’t ask for any of this! I didn’t create a new group! And yet I’m the one who has to endure the consequences. I have to face the scrutiny the pressure! He felt a surge of profound helpless frustration.
It was a feeling of being a puppet in a play orchestrated by forces he couldn’t control let alone understand. He was being judged for the actions of a powerful being that wore his face but was not him.
With a monumental effort that felt like lifting a mountain Eric summoned a sliver of courage.
It came from the deepest most terrified corners of his soul. He forced his trembling muscles to obey.
He lifted his head slowly defiantly.
His gaze traveled upward across the sea of staring faces. It went until he met the Principal’s eyes. The old man’s gaze was like a physical weight in itself.
It was sharp and piercing ancient and wise. It was as if he were trying to peel back the layers of Eric’s being to see the truth hidden deep within.
The Principal had been observing Eric intently for some time now. He had watched him ever since the boy had first entered the auditorium.
To be perfectly honest the Principal hadn’t seen anything particularly special about him. There was no overwhelming aura of power. There was no simmering wellspring of untapped energy.