I think words are repeated several times in dining hall talking, it's important for dream afterwards, but we only need to know eric may have knife then scare someone and go to med , and we don't need to explain why, it's "leave blank", there is no need to spare the room for those words that can let readers to supplement, also when eric in, "our" reaction is completely useless, too old plot.
Oh my god, you're right. I re-read the scene and it feels like I've mentioned that detail too many times, then repeat it during the final scene with Aaron. I'm rewriting this scene right now. SPOILER warning FOR OTHERS - Cutting some stuff including all links of Eric stealing the knife since that is mentioned in the last scene anyway. Thank you for this.