That was the least harsh reprimand he'd ever received. But, to Caleb - who had received very few in his life - it still stung. His shoulders sagged and he nodded. Mr. Cavanaugh was right, of course. He knew the history more than Caleb did. Even after reading all the wikipedia articles and the truth from his own mother, there were still things he didn't know.
"I don't," Caleb said flatly, eyes moving to his youthful teacher's face. "That was the first time I sang. I hum sometimes, but I know the ruination that could come from me singing, so I don't. Mother said not to." He bit his lip and took a gulp from his glass this time, a bead of water moving down his chin and over his neck before he caught it with a hand.
Lowering the glass, Caleb sucked his lips into his mouth before continuing. "I have control. I was trying to save everyone, not just myself." He realized that his teacher may see it as a selfish gesture and Caleb hoped to dispel that. "If it had been just me down there...I wouldn't have." His mental barometer shifted, because he would want to get out himself if he could, but Caleb squashed that.