Chapter One  (Cont'd)

     As Merlin spoke, Michael closed his eyes, hoping the story wouldn't be too long, but glad to have his mind taken off Trevor and the boy.
   "One day," Merlin continued, "some kids were waiting for me. They were holding hands in a chain that stretched across the sidewalk and the road."
   Michael, his eyes still closed, imagined he could see the chain of children. He imagined every living link glowering at him. He tried to understand what was happening, what he had done, what he was supposed to do. For some reason, these children hated him, wanted to hurt him.
   In his mind, Michael picked the weakest link and tried to break through the arms, but the hands seemed clasped in iron. He tried another link. Equally unbreakable.
   As Merlin continued his story, Michael imagined the children pinching him, picking little holes in his clothing, calling him names.
   Finally, Michael imagined one of the links breaking; he imagined himself starting to run. His heart raced. He'd never felt like this. He was angry, hurt, ashamed, and most of all, scared.
   Michael's ears started to ring. A wailing sound grew and grew, filling his mind, pushing the bad feelings away and making him dizzy.
   Michael opened his eyes and tried to catch his breath. All around him, kids were running toward the school. Somewhere, a bell was ringing.
   Michael looked up at Mr. M. and realized it had only been a story. "Wow, the way you told that -- I felt like I was really there."
   "I told you words had power." Merlin turned and headed back toward the school.
   Michael didn't follow. He needed a minute to clear his head. He looked over to the fence and saw that Benjamin was being gently led away by Mrs. Pearson, the shorter of the two short cafeteria ladies. Michael winced. Why did it have to be a cafeteria lady? Mr. M. was right. Tomorrow would be worse.
   Michael picked up his back pack and hurried to class.