Conspiracy of The Silence

Aperire I

The other team was running full speed into the opponent’s court, one of them dribbling the ball, five versus five, one team wanting to extend the time the other wanting it to end. On the other hand, the audience who numbered up to 50,000 cheered.

The player having the ball looked up into the scoreboard and noted the score, 90 to 92. They were behind by two points, two points that could either make or break this championship for the summer league. “Come on guys! Fight!” the boy with the ball encouraged his teammates; all the other four answered a resounding “Yes Captain!” All of the five then took position, the other team defending them one on one. The ball was suddenly passed with the accuracy and swiftness developed from years of practice and an in-born talent. Two hands caught it with sureness, the gesture making the audience hush into silence, the clock continued to tick.

Ten- the person with the ball took a step behind the three-point line, his defender stepping forward. Nine- he bent his knees and raised his arms supporting the ball. Eight- he extended his legs up, his defender panicking jumped off to block the shot. Seven, six- he waited for the opponent to descend back then at the same time, jumped. Five- his momentum carried him backwards and he let go of the ball with a strong flick of the wrist. Four, three- the seconds flicked by while the ball traveled. Two- it found the basket and entered it ring less. One, zero- the buzzer sounded.

 Everyone looked at the digital scoreboard, and then the score changed 93 to 92! From where he has fallen to the floor, the shooter gave a joyous whoop and then everyone stood up and exploded with cheers. A three point shot, a fade-away and a buzzer beater at that, made the Demetrieff Academy Basketball Varsity win by a mere one point.

In the midst of that victory, a certain person heard a sound he was so accustomed to, it made him look up. By doing it, he alone saw a small white object flying straight over the audience head. He marveled at the velocity of the ball that he was not able to tell the person beside him about the sight. Unfortunately, before he can see the final destination of the object the persons behind him, in their revelry, pushed him forward and he lost track of the thing.

    

Hysteria replaced the spirit of rejoicing that has reigned inside the great dome of the Demetrieff Academy just moments ago. Miraculously, a group of young people was busy facilitating the crowd and showing them the exit. However, the placidness they bring was collectively shattered when finally the light fixture pulled down by its own weight fell to the court floor with a loud boom.

“Barricade the crime scene! People, calm yourselves!” if that statement did not made the stampede quiet down then the look on that person’s face did it. He grabbed rather forcefully an announcer’s mike and said, “Thank you! No one is hurt, I am sure.” When everyone has quieted and were looking at him in amazement, he said in a much calmer tone. “I am Gray Stahlberg, head of the Crime Investigatory Team of Demetrieff Academy. I hope all of you quietly and calmly find your way to the exits.” and with that Gray told the guards to facilitate the people leaving.

 All the Team gathered around closely after all the people vacated the dome. One member of the team, visibly wearing a basketball jersey with the number 2 who was seen playing for the varsity spoke out loudly, “I can say, Gray scared the people more than that of the fallen light; actually he more like freaked them out.”

“I would thank you to shut your mouth Godffried when you have nothing sensible to say.” Gray muttered harshly. Godffried was about to mutter something in return but stopped when two persons walked in.

“What do you gather about all of this, Mr. Stahlberg?” one of them asked Gray. In response, Gray made a short sigh, ran his hand through his hair and looked behind him that of the fallen light.