Once done, Caleb slumped back into the chair. He was glad that the tears didn't come this time and that he was in a chair instead of against cold, iron rails. He rejoiced in the silence that existed between his song finishing and Mr. Cavanaugh speaking. His eyes opened - slowly, as if a weight was on his lashes - but once they found the professor's, they stayed open.
"Potency in my race leads to an early death. As far as I know, my demonstration just now took years off my life. I want to live, sir."