Chương 25: noose around the neck.

The physical and social struggle for the kids at Twin Tower can be deadly, and the neglected can only turn a blind eye to everything that happens. Over five days, there were fourteen fights, twelve altercations, and numerous assaults.

The oblivious Billy found himself in a storm he didn't create, a storm brewing from the south like a hurricane, waiting for the perfect moment to unleash its wind, rain, and dangers without fear, anyone caught unawares would meet the worst fate.

That was Billy's case.

Three control agents were sent from the central office to take note of all irregularities and to clean the prison of the weeds, all those weeds corroding the prison. Sergeant Johnson's detailed report was clear: the white gang was hit, along with the black gang.

-Billy Carson is the mastermind behind all of this, - Charles said.

Rico and Professor Beins nodded, Spencer was lecturing, and only a few were part of the meeting.

-The evidence, - Gallagher asked, an Irish-American man.

-We have numerous reports,- Charles said, displaying the numerous complaints uploaded to the system in the last 3 months, there were photos of Pablo, photos of Scott, completely beaten and on a stretcher, from yesterday.

-Is that true, James? - Gallere asked.

-That's not the important part. What's important is knowing that he, -- James pointed at Charles, --is the one motivating them, he's the one smuggling and inciting the gangs like moths, - James said.

Before the inspectors spoke, Charles spoke.

-The evidence suggests that Billy is the one who provided details of these inventions of Sergeant Johnson, the gang leader. Let's call any kid; this kid is a plague. He was brought here for assaulting the law, he's dangerous and deadly. In a short time, the kids fear him, and he's caused discomfort among security guards and teachers, - Charles said, standing up from his desk, examining the faces of the people, seeing what he could use to his advantage.

-This young gang member is James's source of information. And it's a crusade against me for some imagined snub by the sergeant who doesn't care about the kids; he only cares about being right and doing things as if he were a king, - Charles said.

James Johnson knew about Charles's acts and how he, like a slithering snake, always set traps. -Here's a note that was passed to me recently. It says that Mr. Carson didn't commit acts of violence against the kids Pablo Marson and Scott Denver. The first was debunked by the institution's music teacher, and the second was debunked by the school dismissal time at 1:39 pm, while the acts of violence against Scott Denver occurred at 3:10 pm. Additionally, I have the camera footage and records, - James Jonson said.

The inspectors reviewed the records that had some irregularities and Charles's fervent speech. The man himself understood that they had struck a dagger, and he sat down in defeat. For such a thorough review, they made four key errors: firstly, they didn't keep a concise written record of the meeting and only had a recording that got lost among many recordings; secondly, they didn't correct the false accusations made against Billy; the charge added to the poor boy's year as an extra in the correctional facility heading to Arizona; thirdly, James Johnson's insistence on blaming James without caring who fell behind his steps, and fourth and lastly, nobody cared about the children's education; it was a game of power, favors, and alliances. Superintendent Charles was relegated to a three-month suspension and desk work (administrative)

-Very concise, Mr. Johnson. We have the reports ready. I believe you'll have a lot to answer for. The commission will make the arrangements. However, Mr. Charles, you are prohibited from conducting any further proceedings as the institution's director until further notice. In a week, we will issue the findings of the visit, -Gallagher said.

James nodded, the records of misconduct, violence, and gang leader were etched into Billy's file. James Johnson only cared about outplaying Charles.

***************************

As Billy entered, those exiting ignored him. One of them glanced at the young man but dismissed him; the punishment was already in place, and Billy carried the burden of the violet cross on his reputation.

-I'll take you to the classroom, kid, - Walter said, escorting him, this time with more respect.

-Thanks, - Billy replied, not paying attention to what was happening. He had a bad feeling in his stomach. As he entered the classroom, whispers began, children shouted, and Professor Beins was nowhere to be seen.

-Where's your teacher? - Walter shouted.

-In a meeting, he'll be back in half an hour, - a boy near Walter said.

-Very well, quiet down and do what you need to do, - Walter said, walking to the guard's room to inquire about what was happening. Billy was about to take a seat, but Cole gestured to him, slicing his neck with his finger, a sign indicating he was in deep trouble and didn't have much time left. Billy sighed deeply.

The song "Enemy" kept playing in his head. Walter's gaping mouth was evident, the terror on his face was a clear sign of what had happened, and Billy believed that if he improved his singing, he could evoke more emotions. The adrenaline injections he felt while singing made him addicted. Connecting with the audience was already a fact for Billy, but connecting made him strong; it imbued him with a realization he hadn't found anywhere else. Feeling the audience giving him emotions as if he were in an emotion store picking the ones he liked the most, he created them and stored them in his soul, and in the souls of those who listened to him.

The looks were no longer mocking, Billy thought.

Professor Beins arrived thirty minutes later, this time he stopped ridiculing Billy and ignored him, even treating him with some respect. This only fueled more rumors about what Billy had done to make them not hate him.

-Damn fools, - Billy muttered, leaving the room behind. He didn't know what to think; he just wanted to dedicate himself to music without thinking about anything else. Music was everything to Billy, and the rest were just recurring, stupid, and silly ideas that didn't give Billy the pleasure of following what Billy wanted to continue being famous. The superstar's path fell short with all the things happening at the moment.

Replaying the emotions of his main songs, the album was taking shape in his mind. A powerful name, "Strong," for this disappointing moment, the boy mused as he jotted down his ideas in the notebook, unaware that the proceedings were being filed and that he would be transferred to Arizona in a few weeks. But his luck was both very good and very bad at the same time.

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