There's More to Soccer Then That

Chapter 14

.: Hope :.

We made it out of the building, once we realized the others were running right behind us. I held the door open, making sure everyone was out before I followed them onto the bus, that was already starting to roll off. Everyone was glued to the windows, watching the building fall as we got away from it. I prayed quietly that everyone made it out safely, Carli standing in the seat just in front of me, both of us watching the building finish falling. "Holy...." I whispered, thinking that just a couple minutes ago I was in there playing soccer. And now, the building is in remnants and I'm back on the bus with my team. As I was about to turn to ask Carli if she was okay, seeing that her kneecap was in bandages, Ali called out from the middle of the bus. "Um.... Guys? Where's Morgan?" I stood up, looking around the bus. Sure enough, Bean was missing, along with- "And Scarlet." I say, then glance at Carli. The two of us sprint to the front of the bus, screaming for the driver to stop and open the door. Once the doors open, the two of us leaped to the ground then began sprinting back to the ash and dust covered terrorist scene. I turned slightly, seeing most of the team following after us. There were police officers and firefighters everywhere, and we were blocked off by a few officers. "Woah woah woah ladies, I can't let you in there." One of the officers said, as the rest of us skidded to a stop. "We have to! Two of our teammates are in there!" I yelled, pointing at the massive amount of ruble. "Not just teammates. They're family." Carli added, and I could sense the passionate side of our calm captain rear it's horns. "I'm sorry, but there's no way I can let you near there. The ground is uneven, it's far too dangerous. As to your friends, we'll do our best to try and find them." I could feel the burning of tears beginning to form in my eyes as Alex and Julie grabbed onto my jersey to pull me back. I kept staring at what remained of the stadium, not being able to form words. "No- you don't- you don't understand! That's like my two little sisters in there!" Carli yelled, whom was being pulled back by Krieger and Pinoe. My eyes then focused on the tall brunette whom stood just a bit away from the rest of us. Tobin's eyes were glued to the smoking ruble, her fists clinched at her sides, so tightly the veins in her forearms showed. I was about to call out to her, but before I could, number 17 took off in a full sprint into the smoking debris. "TOBIN NO!" I heard Kelley yell as she ran after her, and all of us stared wide eyed as the two of them gave no shits.

.: Kelley :.

"TOBIN NO!" I screamed, then sprinted after the midfielder. I continued to follow her, jumping over pieces of stone and metal while holding a hand over my eyes to try and shield them from the smoke. "I've got to find them.... Morgan is one of my best friends, and Scarlet-.... Scarlet just... She-" "I know Tobin. It's hard to imagine not meeting her." I finished, continuing to follow her through the now thickening ash. We began lifting up some pieces of the stadium that were small enough for us to move. I heard Tobin coughing as she was rushing around, trying to lift anything and everything. I stood for a second, covering my mouth with my shirt as I watched her panic, as she continued to grow frantic of the situation. I watched as she cut open her hand lifting a large piece of metal, then figured it was time to step in as she wasn't stopping. "Tobs. Tobin hey, hey!" I began to yell, grabbing the brunette's arms as I looked into her reddened eyes. Tears began to form and I felt her arms shaking, then within seconds her face was buried in the crook of my neck, sobbing. I rested a hand on her head and simply held her as she cried. Tears filled my own eyes, as I came to realize I've never seen Tobin express her emotions like this. Usually she's happy, laughing, goofing off, being sarcastic, and making everyone smile. Not cracking and showing this side. To be honest, it made me a bit happy to see that she was able to let this out. After a few moments, she sat up and wiped the tears from her tanned face. I let out a few coughs, as I took her wounded hand. "We need to get back to the others." I said, and she hesitantly nodded before we began to walk back. Our once white jerseys were covered in dirt and suet, the back of mine with a slight blood stain from where Tobin had rested her injured palm during our hug.

.: Hope :.

The rest of the team and I stood wide-eyed, staring into the dark clouded scene before us that two of our teammates just disappeared in. I glanced at Alex, then to Julie and Carli. "We've gotta go after them." Carli said, as the officers simply stood there. "Carls.... I think it's best we let them handle it." Julie said, a sorrowful tone to her words. I then realized all of us were teary eyed, as Carli nodded before limping closer to me, laying her face against the front of my right shoulder. I wrapped my arms around my best friend, holding her as long as she needed me to. The feeling of mourning and sorrow filled the air as everyone hugged the other, tissues being passed around, as we could only pray that now the 4 of our teammates made it back. About 10 minutes later, Tobin and Kelley walked out side by side, their heads down and their bodies covered in dirt and grime from the demolished stadium. A small smile grew on my face as we welcomed them back, giving them hugs and offering support. We had decided to head back on the bus to go and wait out to hear what the officials would say on whether or not the other two had been found or not.