Love, Basketball and Demons

Chapter 19: Tested

The gymnasium buzzed with excitement after the final whistle blew, signaling the end of the game. The University of Waterloo had won, and Zack's teammates cheered in celebration. Coach Reynolds, ran his hands through his salt-and-pepper hair and beamed with pride as he delivered an impassioned speech about teamwork and determination.

As the crowd began to disperse, Zack started to scan the masses hoping to find Rob amongst the sea of faces. He couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. His gaze darted around the room, landing on familiar faces but never finding the one he sought. What could be holding Rob up, did Lindsey catch him? or was it something worse? A tap on his back broke his train of thought.

"Great game, Zack!" Deb had emerged from the crowd, her cheeks flushed, and her glasses askew from the excitement. Her smile was genuine, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I cheered so hard for you. I forgot how exciting your games can be."

"Thanks, Deb," Zack replied, trying to hide his concern about Rob's absence. "It means a lot." As they embraced, he felt a warmth spread through him, a spark of hope amidst his dark thoughts.

"I really miss you and I have been doing a lot of thinking, I still don't know why you have to keep things from us, but I know you and I know you would never do anything to hurt anyone. I want to be friends again, just friends," Deb suggested, pulling away from the hug. Zack nodded in agreement, he had missed her more than she realized.

"Thank you," Zack said, a few small tears escaping the corner of his eyes. "I promise I am going to tell you everything, but first I need to find Rob, he isn't answering his texts and was supposed to be at the game tonight."

Deb looked concerned, "I am sure he is ok, he could talk himself out of any situation he finds himself in, maybe we can ask Lindsay, I saw her in the stands tonight?"

"Oh I don't think it is that serious," Zack backpedaled, feeling worried about getting police involved. "Just let me change and we can work together to find him." Deb nodded in agreement.

Inside the locker room, Kristian approached Zack with an outstretched hand. "I accept your apology for that elbow during the game a few weeks ago," he said gruffly.

"Apology?" Zack raised an eyebrow, confused. "I didn't apologize." Zack thought back to the game, all he really remembered doing was getting the ball to Kristian more than he normally did.

Kristian shrugged, "We made a good team tonight, and that is good enough for me." clapping Zack on the back before leaving the locker room.

With his teammates gone, Zack continued his search for Rob, texting Deb that he would check the locker room first. As he peered into the dark corners of the room, the overhead lights flickered and died, plunging the space into darkness. A chill ran right through him as he sensed the malevolent presence lurking in the shadows.

"Zack," a voice whispered from the darkness, and Ethel stepped forward, her eyes glowing dim green. She was joined by Kyle, his grey eyes now burning bright orange with an eerie intensity. "We've been waiting for you."

"Kyle you're Gluttony," Zack breathed, his heart pounding even faster, the realization of Gluttony's true identity clouding his mind. He fought to keep his fear at bay, knowing that showing weakness would only make things worse. "What do you want?"

"Join his covenant," Ethel urged, her voice soft but insistent. "Together, we can end the exorcists."

"Never," Zack spat, his hands balling into fists. "He's a murderer."

"That is a rather naive point of view isn't it, Zack?" Kyle said, his voice silky and persuasive. "In our world, it is kill or be killed. Once they figure out what you really are, they will not stop until they have a reason to end you." As his clawed hand reached for Zack's shoulder, a sudden burst of telekinetic energy pushed him away.