Blood on the Pitch

Chapter Twenty Two

Madison shuts her locker, making her way to the locker room for practice.
A cold hand grasps at her wrist, Madison jumps, but it eases when it's just Sophie.
"Hey, can we talk for a minute?"
Madison tilts her head, seeing as the girl's arms are rimmed with red.
"Yeah, yeah of course,"
Sophie drags her to the girls bathroom close to the locker room.
"Are you okay?"
Sophie shakes her head, dropping her bag, hugging Madison, burying her face in Madison's shoulder.
"Wow, hey, what happened?"
"I fucking hate people," she mumbles.
Madison sighs, running her hands through her hair,
"I'm so sorry, Love,"
Sophie sniffles, "I hate that everyone knows. Everyone keeps fucking insulting me about it and shit. It's so fucked up,"
Madison sighs, "I know. But I'm here for you,"
"I know," she mumbles, pulling away, "Thank you,"
Madison nods, "Now, we have practice,"
Sophie groans, but picks her bag off the floor, the couple make their way to the locker room.

"Okay girls! Take a knee!"

Madison sighs, feeling the grass tickle her knee.
Coach Brian clears his throat. "Now, as we all know, we have been faced with the unfortunate loss of three of our players, including our goalie, Veronica,"
Madison tenses hearing the name of her dead best friend, she swallows thickly, avoiding everyone's gaze.
"However," he begins again, "The season has just begun, and I know our seniors would love to keep playing for their final year of high school. So, we have a game in a couple weeks, and I need all of you to be at your best potential,"
Madison scoffs, shaking her head.
"Something you would like to add, Walker?"
Madison looks up, "Yeah. This is bullshit,"
"Excuse me?"
Madison stands, looking at the remainder of the team.
"So what, we are just going to keep going? Pretend like nothing is going on?"

"Madison-"
"No! What happens if the killer continues to strike, are you just going to keep replacing us like you did with Liz and Laura, and what you're planning on doing with Veronica?"
"I recommend if you want to keep your captain spot-"
"I'm doing exactly what a good captain would do!" She snaps. "In no scenario is this a good idea," Madison waves her arms around, trying to make her point clear.
Sophie nods, "She has a point. Why would we continue when the team is dropping like flies? We could all die"

Jill shakes her head, "No, you guys can't ruin our chance at Nationals,"
"Is that seriously what you're worried about?" Madison squints her eyes, "Fucking nationals? People are dying Jill,"
"I know," Jill rolls her eyes. "I live in this town too,"
"I agree with the girls," Coach Spencer looks at Coach Brian, "We need to wait this out, give them time,"
"Spencer-"
"We can't expect them to have their heads in it when their teammates are dying and these guys aren't caught,"
Casey shakes her head, "So, how about who want to go, go, we'll continue and replace the others,"

Madison scoffs, "What is wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you?"
Madison's eyes narrow, "Are you serious?"
Jill nods, "Fuck, Madison, you've been so mopy and you haven't been putting the team first-"
"Her best friend just fucking died," Sophie snaps, standing up. "Give her a fucking break,"
"Guys-" Talia tries to mediate, but is interrupted.
"Yeah, you guys need to go easy on Maddie, she's trying her best," Joanna stands.
"Oh fuck off, Joanna," Madison glares, "I don't need you to defend me," she hisses.
"Girls!" Coach Brian snaps, but Jill gets closer to Madison's face.
"I wonder what Veronica would think about all this,"
"Don't fucking go there," Madison warns.
Jill shrugs, "I mean, soccer was her life, right?"
Madison has a firm glare on her face, her fists clenched.
"Jill-"

Jill gets closer, only a few inches away from Madison's face.
"You weren't even there for her. You were a horrible friend to her,"
"Shut up," Madison hates that she feels tears welling up in her eyes.
"You didn't even call her after her boyfriend died. Her boyfriend died defending you,"
"Shut up,"
"You're the root of all of this," Jill tilts her head.
"It's your fucking fault Veronica is dead. She's probably-"
Jill doesn't get to finish her sentence.
She was interrupted by Madison's fist launching straight into her nose, a loud crack ringing through the field.
Sophie's eyes widen, she's quick to rush over, holding Madison back when she goes to swing again.