Bystander

Eric replaces his brother Rudy’s missing twenty-seven dollars but doesn’t tell him who took the money in the first place. When Eric passes Griffin in the hallway, both boys act as if nothing happened. However, Eric now knows who Griffin is and thinks Griffin himself wants him to know: “Griffin had removed the mask; the wolf stepped out from beneath sheep’s clothing and revealed himself, gnashing his teeth, showing his claws” (119).

Eric runs into David Hallenback and tells him not to let Griffin get to him. Eric suggests that Hallenback talk to someone about Griffin’s bullying, but the latter responds that he is “no rat” (120) and will not go crying to teachers.

Eric asks Hallenback why he wants to be friends with Griffin’s group, but the latter responds with “I am friends with them” (122). Eric reminds him that Griffin’s group picks on him all the time. However, Hallenback insists the bullying does not happen all the time and that Griffin likes him. Eric insists that Griffin is a bad person; Hallenback responds with a silent nod, which Eric senses is not agreement.