Secrecy

Chapter 4: A Life Saving Glimmer of Hope

   Jack couldn't believe he'd let himself get caught again. He made sure he was as inconspicuous as possible, wearing his torn jeans and a gray jacket over his golden jersey. He was wary enough to avoid their hangouts. He made certain he slyly slipped out of his house unseen, and even walking most of the journey across town through the dense woods. All of that work for nothing. They tracked him down and then corralled him into a deserted alley in the worst place possible.

   He knew his team would be waiting for him at Webster's basketball court, where the biggest game of his life was about to take place. As team captain of the Drones, he promised his team they were going put the East Side Seekers in their place. The Drones were the West Side neighborhood basket ball team. They hated the Seeker's egotistical demeanor because the Seekers lived in the lime light of East Side of town where everything they want is at their disposal. The rich side where they lived in large estates with manicured lawns or high above the clouds in contemporary city condos while most of his teammates lived in rundown apartments where the landlord threatens to evict them out or on the streets. They detested them almost as much as their hatred for the snobs at the Directional Academy. Almost.

   Jack was lucky; he lived in a middle class one story home which his brother pays. His brother pleaded to live with him but Jack couldn't stand living in the wealth his brother had. Jack wanted to live in the lap of luxury the conscientious and humble way, by earning it himself.

   Now he might as well say goodbye in winning a victory, to rub it in the Seekers faces. He might as well say goodbye in gaining a $500 reward the Seekers' conceited parents put up, that he was going to share with the team. The money they were so in dire need of. He wouldn't even get the chance now that he was in the clutches of the belligerent and cantankerous Jocks of Arrox City High. Jack was trapped in the football team's pernicious scheme to jump unsuspecting prey and torture them in a deserted alley; and Jack knew they never get caught.

   "Look who we got here," a voice ranged through the alley, "Looks to me we'll have fun tonight."

   "Nice jersey, punk!" a gruff voice derided. The dark silhouettes surrounded him, cutting off any chance of escape.

   "Hey Chase, come look at the freak show."

   Soon a dark shadow drew closer from the dark sky and loomed over him. Chase Williams, captain of the football team and master of the clandestine operation, was a twenty year old senior who repeated his sophomore year three times. His body was a massive heap of toned muscles which he got from spending a month in prison. He was a towering eight feet compared to Jack's measly five feet and three inches.

   "Well, well, we got ourselves a tryout reject," he maliciously glared, "Isn't that right... Jack Ridgemount."

   Jack didn't want to remember the humiliating first day of high school where he tried out for the football team. After seeing his live performance on the field and checking his football experience during middle school the coach said he was a great player but it ultimately came down to the Jocks. Before he knew it, he was beaten to a pulp and slammed into the dumpster in front of the whole school, ending the football tryouts.

   "At least I could play!" Jack yelled feeling more terrified than he portrayed, "Unlike you delinquents."

   "You're asking for it!" another Jock threatened as he slammed Jack against the wall.

   "Easy, Reggie," Chase said as he pushed him away from their prey.

   "Our little friend here just wanted to speak his mind, that's all."

   In an instant Chase landed a quick side punch to Jack's head. They soon laughed hysterically, their voices a cacophony of shrill voices as Jack desperately tried to clamber his way upright.