Bruiser

Brewster returns home and hides in the bathroom from his uncle so he does not see the new cut on his hand. He thinks of his classmates and how they are all the same, and they look at him with disgust because he is distant—not realizing that he does so for his own protection. He also thinks of Brontë, and how she came into his life “radiating warmth” (110).

Brewster’s uncle comes into the bathroom and confronts him about the cut on his hand. Uncle Hoyt knows about Brewster’s ability, but all it does is create fear in Hoyt. His uncle asks repeatedly about the cut, but Brewster refuses to tell him the truth, instead saying he accidentally cut himself.

As he lies on his bed and looks at his wound, he thinks of it like a “blood oath” of his secret with Brontë (114). He notes how this is the first time he has seen his gift as something good—as he was able to use it out of love and for joy, instead of out of obligation for Cody or Hoyt.