Toxin

CHAPTER 11 - Kick off.

It was the next day. After yesterday's events, Iris has strictly banned Atlas from coming to my room, let alone, my house. Effie slept over at mine, gossiping about the new and the old stories from our school. Effie knew she was going to have to come with me early in the morning for my football game, yet she still stayed over. Honestly, I wouldn't blame her. Atlas stole me from her grasp almost everyday since we met, and that was enough to make Effie bored. Dwayne offered to pick us up, and Iris agreed whilst Atlas over-heard. I quickly got changed into my gear, shinpads, boots and all. Effie filled up my drink bottle for me and gave me a quick snack, just to fuel me up even though I wasn't particularly hungry. Dwayne had finally arrived in his dad's big monster of a truck and pulled up into the driveway. I got in on the right back seat behind Dwayne who was driving, and Effie hopped on the passenger seat next to him. He quickly kissed her cheek and leaned back, his arm over the back of Effie's seat before reversing out onto the road. I swear, I'm not ever going to get another brake again... I thought, smiling as I looked out the car window. Through the heavy bushland next to the car, I was able to spot a swift shadow following us. It look like it was floating. I blinked and squinted. "Oh my god... That's Vapour." I gulped silently, cursing quietly under my breath. Effie turned towards me, raising an eyebrow and frowning. "Atlas." I mouthed quickly, turning away to face the bush again. Effie froze, then sighed as she turned to face the front again. Dwayne and Effie started babbling on about something, which I wasn't interested in. I scanned the fading bushland once more for Vapour, but he was nowhere to be seen.

After what seemed like a lifetime (the car trip was noticeably slower than Atlas's driving), we finally pulled into our school's car park. Dwayne was lucky, as we got a spot right up front to where the fields were. What he didn't know, and Effie didn't notice, was that Atlas's ford mustang happened to be right next to his car. I sighed smiling. What a clingy jerk you are... I pondered, opening the car door and stepping out casually. I carried my phone and water bottle over towards the football fields, hopping over the log which stopped cars from crossing onto the field. I looked over to see my team, my eyes finding his almost in an instant. I furrowed my brows smiling, and walked up to Atlas. "You definitely didn't drive here." I said almost instantly, crossing my arms. He grinned and shrugged. "Yeah, Iris took the car. She didn't want Vapour to carry her during daylight. Though once she finds me, I'm going to have to prepare for a lecture." He'd snort. I looked up and down at him, realising. "Hang on, you're in my team, aren't you?" I exclaimed, blinking quickly. "I'm glad you finally noticed, sweetheart." he winked, kissing me on the cheek. For a split second, I saw Dwayne with his buff arm around Effie's shoulders, glaring at me- no, he was glaring at Atlas. Ohhh, right. He still doesn't like Atlas. Miss Jones blew her whistle, signalling us to come over for a pre-team meet up. Atlas turned away from me, heading over to our coach. I glanced over one last time at my friend and her boyfriend, before following Atlas back. "OK guys, we're playing Sandies again, so you lot all need to be on your game." Miss Jones huffed, crossing her arms tightly. We were playing Sand Dunes High, the winners of our school competition last season. They were full of pushy, arrogant and sexist boys as their school didn't allow the girls to play in their team. In fact, the girls weren't allowed to play football at all, whatsoever! "We know that their goalie, number 23, can boot the ball well beyond halfway. So defenders, get prepared when he kicks." she started, crouching down and planting her hand firmly into the hard soil. "And we also know that their team is carried by their attacking midfielder, number 7. He's a rough, quick kid with a lot of handy tricks up his socks." Miss Jones gritted her teeth. She didn't like that player, simply because he was her least favourite cousin. His name was Henry, and everytime he scored, he'd cheer, grinning devilishly at Miss Jones. I silently scowled. "So today, since it's our first game of the season, I want you guys to play more defensively so you can soak up more information about the players in this team and use it to our advantage this game. Though, if you get an opening to score, don't hesitate. Just go for it." She nodded to me. I smirked quickly, proud that I'm always the one she notices. Atlas chuckled lowly from beside me, and I knew it was directed towards me. I'd pout, turning my attention back to Miss Jones. "Lastly, if a goal goes in, don't blame Fernando for it. It's your fault since you allowed the other team to go through all ten of you on the field. Fernando is the last player between the attacker and goal. So if they do score, use that anger to fuel you, and show those bastard kids what skill is." Miss Jones exclaimed, slamming her hands onto the floor again. This is what I like about Miss Jones. She's not afraid to swear to us, and she's always somehow positive. The referee blew the whistle, and we made our way over to the center of the oval. "AALY! You're captain!" shouted Miss Jones from the sideline. I nodded, turning around and putting my thumbs up, before swiveling back towards the referee. Me and Henry shook hands, he having an extremely tight grip on my fingers that would usually hurt me. Practically invincible or not, I never showed any strain on my face. I gripped his hand tighter, making him flinch. I smirked, retrieving my hand. The referee asked us heads or tails. Pick tails. Toxin hissed quickly in my ear. "Tails." I replied swiftly. "Then I'll go heads." chuckled Henry, making the hint that he didn't really care. The referee flipped the coin, and sure enough, it landed on tails. I heard Henry curse under his breath, making me smile smally, yet somewhat victoriously. "Gahra's kick off." the referee announced. I nodded a fell back, standing behind Atlas, who was playing as the attacking midfielder. I was playing the eight position, which was the main midfielder who would midfield as an attacking player, or a defensive player. The referee blew the whistle. The game has finally started.

Ben, our lead striker sprinted off with the ball, passing it in front and to his right, which was greeted by George who was our right winger. George ran up with the ball, glancing to his left to look for a pass. He caught Ben's eyes, who was continuing to sprint up the middle. Poor choice. I heard Toxin sigh, me smiling and agreeing with her. George passed the ball to the side, only inches from Ben's feet. Number 17, a defender on the other team, caught the ball first though, between his legs. He flung it up and into the air, jumping up and booting the ball over our heads. I wasn't concentrating, letting Henry get the ball. He dodged easily past our defenders, who were stumbling over their feet trying to catch up to him. I hissed and pounded after him. He was quick on his feet, using his lower foot to kick the ball up and over Oscar's feet and useless attempts at kicking. Let me take control for this, OK? Toxin said hurriedly. I sighed, closing my eyes. When I opened them, I still saw myself through my eyes, I felt as if I were in VR. But I couldn't control my limbs or movements. "This feels weird..." I muttered out loud. I blinked. "I didn't say anything! My mouth didn't move and I didn't feel the rumble of sound through my chest!" I exclaimed. Of course not, you dimwit. Have you noticed that I'm in control now? Snorted Toxin, her sweet voice intoxicating me. "Well, that would make sense." I mumbled, chuckling. I then turned my attention to watch. Henry was about to take the kick when suddenly, my body reached his, and he stumbled over. Toxin stole the ball of of him and booted it up to Atlas, who was prepared to run. The sensations filled my body again as Toxin's eyes closed, reopening them to find me back in my body. I need to let you keep on doing that again. I thought over the cheering crowds bunched up on the sideline. Toxin giggled, Anytime. "Woah... Thanks Aaly!" Fernando patted my shoulder. I smiled, "No problem." and jogged back up to the opposite side. I glanced back at the scowling, mud-covered Henry. I snorted, turning back with a ready face on. Atlas skimmed past the defenders swiftly, a small grin being shown on his face other than concentration. He ran in from the left side, quickly finding Ben somehow through the thick crowds of Sandies defenders. He speedily passed the ball to him and Ben took a shot. Atlas kept running towards, and I knew why. Ben's kick rebounded off of the goalkeeper's hand. The goalie dived forward, about to cover the ball with his body, but Atlas was quicker. He flung the ball softly to the side, the goalkeeper landing with a heavy thud on the hard, muddy floor. Atlas then swiftly booted the ball into the top right corner, making the goal net wave and flow with the force of the ball. The sideline cheered loudly with joy and excitement, Atlas smiling and patting Ben's back, thanking him for his opportunity. Ben nudged Atlas back proudly, the boys on our team surrounding them both and rubbing Atlas's head roughly. We caught each other's eyes, and so I grinning back at him, silently applauding him. The referee blew the whistle again, and so the crowd of boys congratulating Atlas scurried off back into their original positions. This was going to be a fun day.

"Eff, I'm going to get some fresh air away from this crowd, alright?" murmured Dwayne into Effie's ear. She turned towards him, startled and confused. "A-Alright then. I'll be here." she retorted, smiling uncomfortably at him before turning back to cheer her friend on. Dwayne smiled, nodding, and headed off beside the car park and towards the bush. With his hands in his ocean blue jeans, he wandered unknowingly into deeper bushland. It was around 5 minutes later when he suddenly stopped. He swiftly turned his head around again and again. He braced himself for an animal to jump out, his knees bent and arms at the ready. But instead a frail, tall man who looked to be in his late 80s stepped out from behind him. His skin sagged heavily, especially under his dark, black eyes. "U-Uh sir, what are you doing out here? It urm- could be dangerous!" Dwayne exclaimed, facing his full body towards the old man. The man chuckled lowly, closing his wrinkly eyes slowly. "Son, only worry about you right now." The man muttered, opening his eyes again in a flash. The black of his eyes swirled, almost as if it were a liquidy substance. Dwayne furrowed his brow in confused. The tall man chuckled a deep, heavy laugh, which made Dwayne think that he was going to splutter everywhere. Dwayne tensed, suddenly feeling uneasy. "Young Dwayne, I think you'll be the perfect vessel to latch onto." The man said suddenly, stepping towards Dwayne quickly, almost as if he flashed over. Dwayne scrunched his eyes and fluttered them open in disbelief. He fell on his knees as soon as the old man had touched him. Dwayne writhed in pain on the dry-leafed floor, a quick tear being sheathed. "Who... Who are... You?" he choked, gazing unwillingly into the man's eyes. "I guess you can call me... Veninos."