Dying Embers

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen: Dream

"Get back to base, Nimbus!" Henry shouted, voice sharp as he watched Nimbus sprinting toward third base. But Nimbus didn't listen. He kept running, determined to make it, until the pitcher suddenly whipped a fast throw to the third baseman, aiming to catch Nimbus off guard and tag him out. Nimbus froze, his breath hitching as he noticed the second baseman closing in on him with quick, calculated steps.

"Great! Now you're fucking surrounded! What now, Nimbus?" Inis na sigaw ni Henry sa kaniya na kasalukuyang nasa first base.

"Seriously, ang ingay mo! Hindi ka nakakatulong!" Sigaw rin ni Nimbus pabalik.

Chance chuckled quietly from the sidelines, stretching his arms as he prepared himself. He was up next, right after the current batter. His gaze was focused, but there was a hint of excitement in his eyes. You could see him shifting his weight from one foot to the other, loosening his grip on the bat and taking a deep breath, readying himself for his turn.

Pinagpapasaan nila ang bola mula sa third baseman at sa second baseman. Nimbus was cornered, his options dwindling as the field closed in around him. But instead of panicking, he came to a sudden halt, a mischievous smirk tugging at his lips. The second baseman held the ball, ready to throw, but Nimbus had other plans.

"Hari! Run, man!" Nimbus's voice rang out, loud and clear.

Henry's eyes went wide with realization, and he took off like a bullet toward second base. The second baseman, startled by Henry's unexpected sprint, instinctively gave chase. It was a costly mistake—a setup by Nimbus, and the poor guy had fallen for it, hook, line, and sinker.

"Jackson! The fuck?" Sigaw ng third baseman sa kasamahan nito. Nakita ko ang pagtawa ni Nimbus at kaagad itong tumakbo papunta sa third base hanggang sa makarating siya sa home plate. Bago pa man makuha ng catcher ang bola ay nakatapak na si Nimbus sa home plate at kaagad na nakipag-apir sa batter at kay Chance.

"Damn you, Nimbus! My butt hurts!" Nagsisigaw si Henry mula sa second base. Sa bilis kasi niyang tumakbo, napa-slide siya para lang makatapak sa base at para hindi ito matag-out. The impact of the fall must've been hard; dirt was smeared all over his back, and his uniform was completely covered in dust. The way he hit the ground looked painful, making it clear that both his lower back and his legs probably took a heavy hit.

Habang ang mga fielding team ay nagsisisihan dahil sa nangyari.

"Henry, you really need to work on those trust issues..." Chance said, his voice low and teasing, a light chuckle escaping his lips.

Then he faced me. "Wala ba akong good luck dyan?" He said with a hint of smile on his lips.

I smiled at him too. "Good luck." I mouthed.

He chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he leaned in closer. With a playful grin, he puckered his lips in my direction, crafting a teasing kiss in the air. Naiiling na natatawa ako sa ginawa niya.

"Baliw." I suddenly commented.

"Ha? Sino?"

Natigilan ako nang bumaling sa akin si Jilliana at nagtanong.

"Ha?" Of course, I played dumb.

"You were saying something kanina." Sabi niya.