That fateful evening would forever be seared into Eric's memory. The brutality he endured was a harsh reminder of the academy's twisted dynamics.
Five boys pinned him down, their grip unyielding. Two held his feet in place, two stretched his arms wide, and the fifth wrapped an arm around his neck, constricting his airway.
The Braun brothers, infamous for their ruthlessness, took turns landing vicious blows and kicks on Eric's torso. With each strike, they repeated their taunt: "How'd a nobody like you end up dating a goddess like Ashley? Say something!"
Eric's responses were met with scorn. "You've got it all wrong. We're not dating!" he protested, spitting blood from his battered lips. But the Braun brothers only intensified their assault, fueled by their own twisted sense of justice.
The other boys watched with morbid fascination, their faces aglow with a mixture of excitement and sadism. In this twisted world, dating Ashley was an unattainable dream, and Eric's supposed transgression was a cardinal sin.
As the beating continued, Eric's vision began to blur. He knew that in the eyes of his tormentors, his words were nothing more than a desperate attempt to deceive. The pain was excruciating, each blow feeling like a collision with a speeding car.
Eric's thoughts grew disjointed, his consciousness wavering. He knew that in this unforgiving environment, being friends with Ashley was a liability, not an excuse. The beating would continue until he was broken, a harsh reminder of the academy's twisted hierarchy.
The Braun brothers' sudden halt was followed by an unsettling silence. The dorm's inhabitants were frozen, their eyes brimming with tears. Karl Braun's hug was a poignant contrast to the brutality that had preceded it. His whispered question, "Why, brother? Why'd you betray us?" was laced with genuine pain.
Eric understood the unspoken message. This was a farewell, a sign of respect before the final blow. As Karl released him, Eric steeled himself for the inevitable. The boys, who had once considered him a brother, now gathered around, their faces etched with sorrow and anger.
Eric's thoughts raced as Karl's fist hurtled toward him. He wondered why befriending Ashley was considered a sin. The brotherhood system, once a harmless aspect of dorm life, had turned against him. Eric's mind flashed back to Ashley, the girl who wanted nothing more than to be treated normally.
As Karl's hook connected, Eric's world exploded in a cacophony of pain. His eyes widened, and his consciousness began to slip away, like a climber losing his grip on a slick tree trunk. The darkness closed in, and Eric's world went black.
In her dorm room, Ashley felt an inexplicable sense of unease. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Her thoughts drifted to Eric, and she hoped he was faring better than she was. Little did she know, Eric's night had taken a drastic turn, one that would change everything.
As Ashley navigated the crowded hallway, she stumbled upon a commotion outside the nurse's office. Students were huddled together, their faces a mixture of concern and curiosity. Ashley politely pushed her way through the crowd, searching for answers.
Matthew's neutral expression caught her attention. "What's going on?" Ashley asked, but Matthew remained silent, his eyes fixed on the nurse's office.
Ashley's skepticism grew. "Matthew, what's wrong? You're not exactly known for being quiet." But Matthew's silence was deafening.
Just as Ashley was about to press Matthew further, a gentle hand pulled her away from the crowd. It was Jenna, her classmate and friend, accompanied by a few other girls. As they walked down the hallway, Ashley's curiosity turned to concern.
"What's going on?" Ashley asked Jenna, her expression serious.
Jenna's face was somber. "None of the boys are going to talk about it, but my brother told me what happened. There was a Lincoln trial last night... for Eric."
Ashley's thoughts froze as Eric's face flashed in her mind. "Eric?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jenna's confirmation was like a punch to the gut. "Yes, Eric. My brother said he had brown hair, blue eyes, and orange stylized glasses."
Ashley's heart sank. She knew only one Eric who matched that description.
Ashley's friendly demeanor concealed a deep-seated resentment toward the boys in her grade. The brotherhood system, established in their first year, was a toxic web of trust and loyalty that demanded absolute obedience. Betrayal was met with brutal punishment, and Ashley knew the horrors of a Lincoln trial all too well.
Named after Lincoln Gray, the first boy to form a bond with Ashley, the Lincoln trial was a gruesome spectacle. A single boy, pinned down by his peers, would be beaten mercilessly until the brotherhood's satisfaction was achieved.
No other punishment, not the Johnson, not the Volley Special, not the Soccerball. None was as gruesome as the Lincoln Trial. The very thought sent shivers down Ashley's spine.
As she walked into her classroom, Ashley's composure began to crumble. She took her seat, rested her forehead on the table, and let silent tears fall. Her hands cushioned her face, hiding the anguish that threatened to consume her.
The brotherhood had struck again, tearing apart another bond she had formed. Eric, the boy who had shown her kindness and friendship, had been subjected to the same brutal punishment as Lincoln Gray. The pain and helplessness Ashley felt were overwhelming, and she wept silently, her heart heavy with sorrow.