Now he began to be aware of the dreadful responsibility that would be his, even though he had not asked for it, and his legs began to tremble with fear. He no longer wanted this gift that had made him so potent in the classroom. It had become a burden, like a huge boulder pressing down on his back, and he longed for the strength to be able to cast it away.

He felt compelled to read on, although the words swam before his eyes, which were suddenly moist:

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save that he had the mark, or the name of the Beast, or the number of his name. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds and tongues, and nations!

Damien's heart was beating wildly. What he wanted now more than anything in all the world was to stop reading, to forget what he had just read, to take the foul book back, to throw it away, to burn it.

He hurled the Bible across the room. It bounced against the opposite wall, and landed on the floor. The cadet in the next room pounded on the wall for quiet.

Damien stood very, very still and stared at the book. It drew him like a fire. Although he felt it would burn him if he touched it, it was so alluring, so tantalizing, he could not help himself. He knew he was only inches away from the heart of the mystery, and he had to know what came next, even if it cost him his soul.

He picked up the book gingerly, and opened once again to the Book of Revelation. The pages were bent and crumpled where the open book had hit the wall.

A shudder ran through his body like a fever. His hands trembled as he found the place where he had stopped reading, and, with the greatest effort of will he had ever made in his life, he read on:

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the Beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six.

Damien slammed the book shut. So there was proof, a mark! And if he didn't have it, he would be safe and free! Clutching the Bible to his chest, although he loathed it and would have liked to tear it apart page by page, he rushed out of the room, kicking aside his sheets-and-blankets barricade. Not caring who saw him now, he rushed down the hall to the washroom.