It's Just A Game

Chapter 36 Paul's Death

The clock keeps on ticking and my mind is flying somewhere else. I've finished my assignments in no time. I'm looking at the screen of my laptop and it's on Facebook with nothing but a bunch of nonsense posts and updates. I went to Youtube looking for new music but not a single bit intrigued me. I turned it off and huffed a breath of boredom.

I changed my mind after thirty minutes of staring at my room's ceiling. I don on my fave faded black Converse shirt and tattered pants. And wore sneakers on my feet, got my snapback hanging from the vanity mirror. I smiled in front of the mirror. Running down the stairs while fishing for my own keys of the house.

I'm taking a cab to the Dunhill High gymnasium so that I can still catch up with the game. I gave the driver directions to reach the location and he was quick to catch up that I'm in a hurry.

Actually, I'm okay if I won't be able to watch the Sentinels because I'm confident they will win against their current opponent. I just want to hang around the team after the game rather than doing nothing at home. It only took me less than fifteen minutes to reach the place. I gave the driver the fare, thanked him and exited the cab.

It looked like the game was done already but the audience did not disperse. I was thinking of a possible fight happening but when I made my way into the crowd, I heard whispers and murmurs that I couldn't even understand. There was no ongoing skirmish between supporters but they were just standing around there.

My body's reaction was a triple threat of goosebumps all over from head to toes and coldness followed instantaneously. I managed to wrap my arms around me as I kept on moving towards the Sentinels assigned dugout. I'm feeling this unseen force that I'm going against. It isn't wanting me to reach my brother's locker. The people standing in the hallway was just eyeing me strangely.

I was getting annoyed more and more upon seeing lots of people blocking the door of the Sentinel's dugout. They were trying to peer or look for something. I craned my neck and spotted Phil and Randell. They both were shaking their heads and red from crying.

"Phil!Randell!Over here!"I shouted to get their attention.

Phil was the first one to see me and pushed his way to meet me in the midst of the crowd. "What are you doing here?" He asked with hands on my shoulders.

"I changed my mind and came to watch the game but it seems like I'm too late for it." I kept on craning my neck to get to the door of the dugout. "What's the commotion all about? Where's my brother? I want to see Paul."

Randell was whispering into Coach Stibbs and pointed towards my direction. I waved at them but Coach bowed his head. His feature was hidden under the cap he was wearing with the Sentinels logo in front of it.

I didn't like the restraint on Phil's hold. I push his arms away from me and advances to where Coach was standing.

"I don't think it's wise for you to get in there, sunshine." Phil's voice a little bit shaky as he tried to catch up with me.

"Whatever!" I bit back and pulled away at Phil's attempt at gripping my hand."Get away from me!"

Finally, I was near Coach Stibbs. He has this sad and helpless look on his face that I didn't understand what it was for.

"Coach, what's going on here?"I almost screamed in Coach's face."Where's my brother? Is he okay?"

"Myah, calm down. Paul's inside."The coach's voice resonated in my ears. I dashed inside the dugout without a word and couple of hands stopped me from getting in. I pushed them away with all might. I just want to make sure Paul is doing fine.

I emerged from the constant push and the block I received from the other guys on the team and officiating body. I stood there in front of a pool of blood. I felt sick to the bone. I want to throw up. And I saw Paul's lifeless body slouched on the corner of the locker room.

His eyes closed and face contorted in pain. Blood dripping on the side of his mouth. His jersey covered in blood. I stood there. I felt all my strength left me.

"Paul!"

I screamed at the top of my lungs. I ran to his side, touched his face. He was becoming icy cold. I touched his arms and started shaking him off.

"Paulie, wake up!" Tears started streaming down my eyes uncontrollably. "This isn't a good prank."

"Paul, wake up, big bro! It's me, Myah! I came to watch the game." I gripped his shoulders, his head tilted to the side effortlessly.

"Paul, I'm here. Open your eyes." I wiped the blood from his mouth with my hand and cradled his head in both hands trying to memorize his face. Waiting for him to open his eyes. Waiting for him to smile at me and shout in surprise that I got punked.

I sat on the floor, pulled his body to mine and hugged him tightly afraid to let go of my older brother. I didn't mind the blood on the arms,on my shirt. I just hugged him like I used to when I get scared.

"Paulie, big bro, wake up! This joke of yours is hurting me. This is no fun at all!" I screamed in the air around me. I kept rocking our bodies back and forth while sobbing hard.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Luke crying as well. "Who did this to Paul? Who killed my brother?"

"I have no idea, sunshine." Luke said as he knelt and stayed beside me.