cross my heart and hope to die (stick a needle in my eye)

“A debt is owed.” His Uncle’s voice rattled amongst the halls. People stared at him, their eyes making him feel twelve inches tall as he stood, unable to say anything.
What could he possibly say to that?
It was that moment he realised: perhaps a debt was owed. That was what had been crushing him all these years, pressing on his chest. What kept him awake at night, staring the ceiling.
or, lucerys does the hardest thing.