The Headmaster looked at Ambrose with an odd expression on his face.  His eyes continued their assault scouring his mind and soul and as he looked at Ambrose, Caleb looked between them.  There was silence in the room after Ambrose had asked why the Headmaster even cared.  He had a strong wall up, a defense mechanism that Caleb recognized because he used to do the same thing when he was younger.  Instead of saying anything, Caleb, Sam, and Ariana stood still and waited for the Headmaster to speak.

"Ambrose, I take it you don't think I should care for the well-being of my students?" the Headmaster asked as the Headmaster vanished and reappeared right next to Ambrose before speaking again.  "This wall you've put up, this barrier because someone you cared about died is no way to live.  You blame yourself constantly for it, don't you?  If only I were clean if only I had the strength to say no."

Caleb's eyes narrowed.  He was confused and it showed.  Sam's eyes widened as did Ariana.  The Headmaster was delving into Ambrose's past and it was scary to witness.  Caleb wanted to step in but as he took a step forward he was forcefully placed in the chair that had suddenly appeared behind him.  He had a shocked expression on his face knowing that the Headmaster wasn't done talking to Ambrose.

"Is this your way of creating distance?  Shutting out any possibility of affection, attempting to cover up the fact that you are lonely, and you've never forgiven yourself for what happened?  Do you know why you are standing in this spot before me now?  Because you are a fighter, Ambrose.  If you were not we would not be having this conversation now would we?"  The Headmaster was walking around Ambrose as if stalking him like a predator.  "Why do you lock yourself in this cage and pretend?  If you want to be truly free from your past Ambrose you must let go, and if you want any shot at building new relationships you must accept the fact that you can't control every aspect of your life.  Things happen, but it is how you respond that defines who you are.  Live day by day Ambrose, live day by day."

The Headmaster turned and looked at the others.

"I bid you all farewell for now, but you will see me again."

Caleb gasped as he felt the sheer power pressing against him leave.  He looked at Sam who looked at him then looked at Jeremy and Ariana.  Ariana had tears in her eyes and took a step towards Ambrose but stopped when Sam grabbed her shoulder.  Caleb looked at Ambrose feeling extremely sorry for him.  He wanted to be there for him, but he knew he'd just be pushed away.  Instead he stood up slowly and walked over to him.

"You okay?"

[@Catmint]