[... He'd felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickling, and here's the reason. The only person who can sneak up on him with no chance of being violently assaulted as a result]

... Hello Eriq.

[He entertains the other boy's dramatics, and he doesn't move his head, just flicks his eyes across to meet the other's]

I'd already surmised as much, but thank you for the information.