destroy reputation.

Billy's silence, James' refusal to testify, and Charles' scheming plans are slowly igniting into a slow-burning fire, a bomb that will explode in the face of whoever is the last involved.

Rumors are like threads in the dark, starting to wrap around their victims, allowing them to walk with tranquility and ignorance. They entwine numerous layers in people to the point where their bodies are completely bound to a vine which makes it impossible to break free. The more one tries, the more problematic the situation becomes.

"Tell me, kid, why did you hit young Pablo Moraz yesterday?" said the security guard on Charles' payroll. The room felt like an interrogation chamber, illuminated by harsh white light. In the bare room, there was only a metal desk and a few scattered white chairs. Professor Beins, with his square glasses, didn't believe the situation but dismissed the case because of the kind of children in the correctional facility.

"I didn't hit him," Billy stated for the third time. "I haven't done anything, and I don't know what I'm accused of. Check the cameras. This is a setup and a blatant lie," he continued, rejecting any notion of guilt presented by Guard Walter.

"Ha, that's what all kids say. Bring in Pablo," ordered Rico, the guard standing behind, who, despite not being officially on Carson's payroll, had heard some rumors. In the recent search, the drug package found under the bed marked a point, and the claim that he was a gang leader further tainted Carson's image. Pablo entered the room with a swollen face, still shedding tears as if an actor had entered the body of the young boy. Upon seeing Billy, he started crying loudly.

"It was him! It was him! He's a demon," Pablo sobbed uncontrollably.

Billy first heard rumors that he had attacked Pablo. The poor kid even claimed that Billy had slammed him against the wall for laughing at him.

"What do you have to say to that, young Carson?" said Rico, pointing accusingly at Billy.

"Check the cameras. I haven't crossed paths with Pablo at any time in the last week, and Pablo is lying. I haven't hit him at all," Billy defended himself.

Walter's face turned red with anger. Indignation showed in his clenched jaw and bulging eyes, indicating the fury he harbored in his heart. "You're a liar. I saw the cameras myself and filed the reports. We have everything documented. You take us for fools, you think you're smarter than us. Cameras don't lie," the security guard said.

Billy was hit with a metaphorical bucket of cold water. This guy is a liar, perhaps one of Charles' cronies? He could only lower his head in defeat. No matter what he said or did, this guy would be the one to judge him.

"At what time did I supposedly perform this feat?" Billy asked.

"Yesterday at 4:00 PM," replied Walter slowly.

Billy raised his head, reinvigorated. The first time Walter stumbled, falling silent amidst his tirade of scolding and blame. "I was with Spencer playing the piano at that time. I'm sticking to my position. We finished lunch at 2:00 PM. If you track it, you'll see it wasn't me. I left the music room with Professor Spencer at 5:30 straight to the dining hall. I'm always in the music room when I can. How can I be in two places at once? The cameras lie. Let's watch it again," said Billy.

"We'll wait for Superintendent Charles," said Professor Beins.

"I want you to call Spencer. He'll tell the truth; there's no doubt about it. Why wait until tomorrow? It's obvious I have no part in any of these charades," said Billy.

"Don't interrupt, kid. The Superintendent will take care of everything," Professor Beins said.

Billy ended up returning to the classroom behind Professor Beins, who gripped him tightly by the neck. With a hint of annoyance, they went to the second floor to take notes. Once again, the discomfort, now orchestrated by the teachers, was directed at Billy. But he had a goal in his heart—to get out as soon as possible. Two months were left, and he could return to his normal life with just a reprimand on his record.

"Be careful, kid. Your silly smile is fading away," Beins whispered in Billy's ear, intensifying his thoughts. The accusatory tones people had adopted were affecting Billy's mental health, something he had never endured anywhere else.

Billy veía todo en cámara lenta, speculating about others' words. Everyone talked behind his back, even the slightest hint or lost look, and even those coincidences generated discomfort in Billy. His mind was clouded, and he only found peace in the music room. He couldn't sleep, constantly scolded and blamed in class. Every question asked of him seemed like an attempt to ridicule him, and the situation was spiraling out of control.

Three days passed in this situation. Billy left class after a severe reprimand, breathing heavily. He splashed water on his face, trying to wipe away the tears streaming down his cheeks. He hated this prison with all his heart and didn't know what to do.

He continued to wet his face. His eyes were red from crying, and he didn't want to have lunch, embarrassed that everyone would notice him with tear-streaked eyes.

"What a childish attitude," Billy said aloud.

To his surprise, three members of Austin's gang were there—Cole, Scott, and Andrew. Scott had taken the place of the former gang leader, the one they called "Alcanina" or "White Gang" by the other gangs.

"This is how we wanted to see you," said Andrew, the most vicious of the kids.

"How so, jerk?" Billy said, out of control.

"Ha, jerk. Big words for a dead man," Scott said.

The following events were forgotten in Billy's mind. In a fever of anger, he forgot decency and the fact that he would be out in two months.

"Well, if you want to kill me, then kill me, Scott. If you have the mouth to talk, you must have fists to hit. I'm fed up with you cockroaches hiding in the dark, planning like jerks. You only have balls when you're in a pack. I'm glad you cover your ass with your two bodyguards, but you're still just a copy of Austin," Billy said.

"To hell with the snitch," Andrew said and lunged at Billy to throw a punch, which landed on Billy's left ear. Scott started kicking, and Cole was stunned by the violence. Billy took three punches and an unknown number of kicks. He didn't have time to retaliate, but at some point, the blows stopped, and the kids left, slamming the door behind them. The pain and headache were worse, much worse. He tried to get up, but his head hurt too much. His mouth was full of blood, his nose was shattered, one eyebrow was completely broken, his hand was swollen, and he felt a sharp pain in his back.

[Ding, the life of a lunatic, 'Enemy' by Imagine Dragons,]

Billy muttered.

"To hell with the system, stupid," Billy said, feeling overwhelmed and desperate, the song "Enemy" by Imagine Dragons resonating with his tumultuous emotions.