Chapter 3

My mind raced. What could I do? Announce a bomb threat? Pull the fire alarm? They'd think I was crazy.

But doing nothing meant blindness, meant that life of quiet desperation, meant Vic Stone getting away with whatever he did.

"Attention!" My voice was louder than I intended, cracking with urgency. "Students, proctors! Listen to me!"

Heads snapped up. Pencils clattered. The other proctor, Sarah, a young woman with kind eyes, stared at me, bewildered.

"There is a potential threat in this room!" I announced, my voice trembling slightly. "I have reason to believe a student may attempt to harm a proctor, specifically, to cause sudden blindness!"

A murmur rippled through the students. Vic Stone snickered. David Miller looked at me, his expression unreadable.

Sarah stepped towards me. "Michael, what are you talking about?"

"I can't explain right now," I said, my eyes darting around, "but we need to be vigilant. Someone here might try something."

The door at the back of the room opened. Two uniformed security guards entered, their expressions grim. The head administrator, Mr. Henderson, was with them.

"Mr. Davies," Henderson said, his voice tight. "What is the meaning of this disruption?"

"Sir, I believe there's a danger-"

"You're causing a disturbance, Mr. Davies. You're upsetting the students. You need to come with us."

They didn't listen. They grabbed my arms.

"But the exam! My sight!" I protested, a wave of despair washing over me. This wasn't how I imagined it.

"The exam will be supervised by Ms. Hayes and a replacement," Henderson said curtly. "You are suspended, pending an investigation."

Relief, strangely, mingled with the frustration. I was out of the room. I wouldn't go blind here, today. But I was also blacklisted, my career as a proctor likely over before it even truly began again.

They escorted me to Henderson' s office. He grilled me, his face a mask of stern disapproval.

"Sudden blindness? A student attacking a proctor? Mr. Davies, these are wild, unsubstantiated claims."

I tried to explain, vaguely mentioning a "strong premonition" and "overheard whispers," careful not to sound completely insane.

He wasn't buying it. "You've caused a serious disruption to a federally mandated exam. The school district will be informed. I suggest you seek some professional help, Mr. Davies."

Dismissed, I walked out of the school, the October air feeling crisp and new. My eyes drank in the colors, the sharpness of the world. I was safe, for now.

First thing I did was call an ophthalmologist. An emergency appointment.

"Your eyes are perfectly healthy, Mr. Davies," Dr. Ramirez said an hour later, peering through her instruments. "Twenty-twenty vision. No signs of any impending issues."

A small weight lifted. I had changed my fate. The price was my job, but my sight was worth it.