Love, Basketball and Demons

Chapter 4: First Game

The gymnasium echoed with the screech of sneakers on polished hardwood as Boon, like a predator stalking its prey, closed in on Zack. Sweat dripped from their brows, muscles tensed with determination. The competitive fire burned fiercely in Boon's eyes, reflecting Zack's growing unease with just how aggressive Boon was playing.

"Come on, Zack! Is that all you got?" taunted Boon, shoving him roughly.

Zack gritted his teeth, trying to ignore the provocation. He knew Boon was just trying to show off because he thought he should be the rookie star, but he couldn't shake the nagging fear that if Boon kept this up he could lose control. With an uneasy glance at his own hands, he recalled how his powers had manifested - claws, telekinesis, and those unsettling pink-tinged eyes.

"Stay focused," he muttered under his breath, attempting to regain his composure.

But Boon, letting his envy get the better of him, shoved Zack again – harder this time. Zack lost his focus for only a moment, but that was all it took. In a split second, a telekinetic pulse burst from Zack's palm, as he tried to push Boon away, and the sound of Boon's pained cry filled the air as he clutched his elbow.

"Boon!" Zack gasped, horrified by what he'd done, his heart pounding wildly in his chest.

"Coach!" called one of the teammates, gesturing frantically for assistance.

As the coach rushed over, Zack hung back, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He couldn't let this happen again. He couldn't risk hurting someone else. "Coach," he said, forcing a cough, "I don't think I can play tonight. I'm not feeling well."

The coach eyed him skeptically but eventually relented. "Alright, take it easy. But remember I only allow five sick days so use them wisely." Zack nodded and left the scene as quickly as he could.

Later that day, Zack found himself partnered with Ahmed in biology class. He should have known better than to think he could fool his perceptive partner.

"Come on, Zack," Ahmed whispered as they huddled over their lab assignment. "You seriously expect me to believe you're too sick to play tonight?"

"How did you..." Caught off guard, Zack hesitated unable to create a valid response. "I... I just don't think it's a good idea, alright?"

Ahmed furrowed his brow, concern etched across his face. "You know the team will suffer without you and Boon both playing. We might lose, and if you think Boon is angry now just wait till he loses."

"Boon could use the lesson in humility," Zack muttered, avoiding eye contact.

"Zack, why won't you just tell me what's going on?" Ahmed pleaded, frustration evident in his voice.

"Please, Ahmed," Zack said, his voice barely audible. "Just...trust me on this one, it is better for everyone if I am not at the game."

Ahmed sighed, recognizing that he wasn't going to get any answers from Zack at the moment. But he couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong. And as much as he wanted to respect Zack's wishes, he couldn't help but worry about the consequences of Zack's silence – for both the team and Zack himself.

"Fine," he conceded reluctantly. "But if you ever need someone to talk to, you know where to find me."

"Thanks, Ahmed," Zack replied, his voice heavy with the weight of secrets. As they returned to their lab work, he couldn't help but wonder how much longer he could keep up this charade.

Rob paced the hallway, his eyes scanning for Lindsey. He had tried to shake off his concern for Ethel, but the nagging in the back of his mind wouldn't relent. She was involved in what happened to Zack somehow, he just knew it. Spotting Lindsey reviewing some case files near her office, he approached her with a determined stride.