The stench of sweat and anticipation hung heavy in the hallway as the team gathered for one final pep talk from their coach before the game. Kenzie pushed her way through the suited team members, searching for Zack.
"Clear eyes, full hearts, can''t lose!" Coach Reynolds bellowed, reciting his favorite speech from the film Friday Night Lights with all the conviction of a true believer. He paced back and forth in front of the team, his face beet-red with passion as he explained why it was the best sports movie ever made.
Rob caught Kenzie as she pushed past him, explaining the significance of the speech. "He does this every game," he whispered, smirking. "The man worships this movie."
As the coach concluded his speech, the players erupted into cheers and applause. It was then that Pablo sauntered up to Coach Reynolds, his predatory gaze scanning the team. Kenzie instinctively shrunk back behind Rob, her heart pounding in her chest. Pablo sneered at the enthusiastic scene before him.
"Winning isn''t enough, boys. I want you to kill them out there. Never show the enemy mercy," he commanded, his voice cold and menacing.
"Right but be sure to have fun out there too," the coach interjected, trying to maintain authority in the face of Pablo''s chilling presence. "Except for you Zack" The coach points at him from his perch, "You''re benched. If you pass those exams, maybe we''ll see you on the court next year."
-----
Meanwhile, at the remains of Kyle''s old home, Ethel stood scanning the area, she still didn''t know how he escaped the prison they had made for him. As she stepped through the threshold of the home, she could feel Gluttony''s weakened aura. She stepped into the kitchen to find Kyle leaning over the charred island as if he had been waiting for her.
"That took longer than expected, Ethel," he taunted, as he crossed the room toward her. "I suppose you are trying to put it all together? Trying to figure out how I made my daring escape."
Ethel gritted her teeth, her anger flaring. "Shut up, we both know you couldn''t have done it on your own!" she snapped, her voice cracking with the weight of her own doubt.
"Does it really matter now?" Kyle pressed on, his eyes boring into hers. "I''m free and I''ve hidden the stone so I am not going back. I offer still stand though, I am more than willing to join your covenant and share all my knowledge of sins with you."
Ethel knew that in his weakened state Kyle wasn''t a threat to her, she also knew that he had a scheme and was most likely trying to use her to complete it. Maybe, she thought she could use that to her advantage.
-----
The gymnasium erupted with anticipation as the players took their positions on the court. The atmosphere was electric, and Zack could feel the weight of Pablo''s ultimatum pressing down on him as he sat on the bench beside Rob. He tried to focus on the game, but his mind kept wandering back to how he could protect everyone from Pablo''s vengeful game.
"Hey," Rob nudged him gently. "You alright, man?"
Zack sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just... I feel so helpless, you know? After what happened with Lindsey and Sarah, I can''t shake the feeling that we''re losing our grip on this whole situation."
Rob nodded solemnly, his eyes clouded with concern. "Yeah, I get it. I''m beginning to think we are trying to play checkers in a game of three-dimensional chess."
"Right," Zack agreed, his mind wandering back to how he could save Kenzie without giving up Ethel.
"Alright, listen up!" Coach Reynolds barked, calling their attention. "Gorth, you''re out. Harris, you''re in." He pointed at Rob, who looked shocked.
"Why?" Rob stammered.
"Because Gorth sucks, and you suck slightly less," the coach replied bluntly. "Now get out there and don''t totally screw this up for us!"
As Rob jogged onto the court, the crowd cheered wildly. Among them, Lindsey and Kenzie were jumping up and down, shouting words of encouragement. Their excitement brought a small smile to Zack''s face, but it quickly faded when he noticed Pablo sitting on the bleachers, his eyes locked on him. His phone buzzed with Pablo''s call.
"Tick-tock, Dawson," Pablo whispered, his voice barely audible yet somehow reaching Zack''s ears. "My patience is wearing thin, I wonder how many people Boon could kill at this game before you stop him. If only Ethel had come tonight, maybe this tragedy could have been avoided."
"Leave innocent people out of this," Zack muttered under his breath, clenching his fist.
"I wonder who to start with?" Pablo replied coldly. "The redhead, the cop, and or perhaps our new arrival." He glanced over at Ahmed, who had taken a seat next to Kenzie in the stands. "Oh, and let''s not forget your ridiculous Coach Reynolds. You have until the end of the game to get Ethel and her covenant here or someone is going to die."
Zack felt fury boiling inside him as he watched Rob dribble the ball down the court, his every move fueled by determination. Zack knew he couldn''t give up Ethel, but the thought of putting his friends in danger was unbearable. His mind raced, frantically searching for a solution.
"Come on, Zack," he muttered to himself, his eyes darting between Pablo and his friends. "Think. There has to be a way out of this."
-----
In the shadowy woods, Deb, Jessica, and another exorcist moved with purpose, their flashlights cutting through the darkness as they set up trip-wire traps. They stopped every so often to place synthetic aura devices along the forest floor, hidden from view.
"Remember," Jessica instructed, her voice low and steady, "these devices will draw the vessels in but they aren''t stupid, they will figure out they have been tricked once they get here."
"Right," Deb replied, eyes narrowed as she surveyed their handiwork. "We''ll have to make our move quickly then. There is some good coverage over there, they won''t see us coming." She smirked, confidence brimming in her every move.
Unbeknownst to the exorcists, Kristian and Olivia crouched behind a cluster of trees, their breaths shallow and hearts pounding. They had been tracking the strange auras in the woods for days and knew they knew the truth behind it. They knew they were in trouble, the slightest motion could alert the exorcists of their location. The pair exchanged anxious looks, their eyes wide with terror.
"Wh-what do we do? If they find us we''re dead," Olivia whispered, her voice trembling.
"Stay quiet and stay down," Kristian advised, his own uncertainty masked by a firm tone. "We have to wait for the right time to make our move."
-----
Meanwhile, Ethel had Kyle by the throat. Sweat glistened on her face, as she tried to decide what to do with him. Kyle''s gaze flickered between determination and vulnerability as he spoke.
"Look at me, Ethel," he implored, as he gasped for air. "I''m too weak to challenge you. My resurrection came at a price."
Ethel regarded him warily, her eyes narrowing as she weighed his words.
"Even so," she countered, "why should I trust you? What do you get out of all of this?"
"I get protection," Kyle insisted, his voice taking on a note of desperation, "we need each other. I need a covenant to protect me from my enemies, and you need someone who knows who is really pulling Boon''s strings."
"I already know who is in control of Boon," Ethel scoffed, strengthening her grip. "I''ll find Sarah and finish her off when I do."
"You can''t seriously be that stupid?" Kyle challenged, arching an eyebrow. "You felt it, didn''t you? The sensation of a mass darkness leaving the Earth, the feeling of a sin dying. Sarah isn''t your problem, not anymore. But I know who is."
Ethel hesitated, the truth of his words sinking in like a stone to the pit of her stomach. Her silence spoke volumes, and Kyle seized the opportunity.
"Join forces with me," he urged, his voice softening. "Let me help you ensure the safety of your covenant, and if it happens to ensure my safety as well then that is a bonus."
-----
Rob''s heart thundered in his chest as he dribbled the ball down the court, sweat pouring down his face. His teammates darted around him, their sneakers squeaking against the polished floor. The opposing team closed in like a pack of wolves, and Rob''s grip on the ball faltered. Once again, it was snatched from his grasp, sending a wave of groans through the crowd.
"Come on, Rob!" Zack called out from the sidelines, clapping his hands together encouragingly. "Focus!"
But focus seemed impossible for Rob, who felt more like a clown than an athlete. Every movement was clumsy, every decision a misstep. The scoreboard loomed above them, a glaring reminder they were losing: 14-6.
A figure slipped into the gym unnoticed, his eyes scanning the chaos. It was John, in search of Zack once again. Pablo traced his movements as he made his way over to the bench.
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"Hey," Zack whispered to John as John sat down behind him. "It''s not safe for you to be here right now."
"We have to talk, Olivia and Kristian still haven''t come back tonight and I can''t find Ethel," John explained, worry in his eyes.
"Ok, but Pablo is here and he wants you dead," Zack explained. "You need to leave now, I''ll meet you at my place after the game. We will them don''t worry."
"OK," John agreed, getting up and making his way out of the gym. Zack watched him go before the sound of someone calling out in pain drew his attention back to the court.
The gym echoed with the sharp sound of a whistle as coaches rushed over the dangled-up boys on the court. Two players were taken out, leaving gaping holes in the lineup. The coach''s eyes narrowed as he assessed his remaining options. Then, without much choice, he beckoned Zack to join the game.
"Get in there, Dawson. We need you." The coach instructed. As Zack stepped onto the court, he realized Boon was nowhere to be found.
John had made his way to the dark parking lot, and then an unseen force tackled him to the ground, delivering a small bite that left him partially paralyzed. John tried to pull himself along the gravel to his car but two exorcists flanked him on either side. They lifted him to his feet and guided him back into the building.
-----
Kristian and Olivia had stumbled into a trap of their own, they sprinted through the underbrush as they attempted to outrun the exorcists. But in their haste, they didn''t see Deb perched up in the trees. She leaped out of hiding and with a swift motion, she threw a blade at Olivia, sinking it into her leg. Olivia screamed before collapsing to the forest floor in pain.
"Run, Kristian!" Olivia cried, clutching her wound and gritting her teeth. "Just go!"
Kristian hesitated, his heart heavy with fear and loyalty. But ultimately, he dashed away, leaving Olivia behind. As Deb advanced on her prey, knife at the ready, Kristian burst through the trees just in time to catch her arm.
"Stop!" he growled, Deb dropped the knife to her free hand and sunk it into Kristian''s side. He released her arm letting out a cry of pain.
Deb grinned wickedly, preparing to throw another knife at the injured boy. But before she could, Jessica appeared, shooting the blade from her hand. This unexpected interference left both Kristian and Olivia confused as they gasped for breath.
"What was that for?" Deb said flippantly, her eyes narrowing at Jessica.
"What the hell do you think you''re doing?" Jessica shot back. "You nearly killed them! That''s not how we operate."
"Because the way we operate saves lives?" Deb retorted, her voice dripping with defiance. "Why don''t you tell that to Father Bill, things always turn out so well when you follow the rules."
"Deb, you don''t know what you are talking about." Jessica started.
Rolling her eyes, she held up a hand silencing Jessica, and dialed Pablo''s number, leaving him a voicemail message. "Pablo," she began, smirking, "I''ve caught two of Ethel''s vessels, I am sure she will come to save them."
-----
The whistle blew, signaling halftime as Zack stepped off the court. Kenzie raced towards him, her eyes wide with concern. "I need to talk to you," she whispered urgently.
"Kenzie, you need to leave," Zack warned, his voice tense. But she shook her head stubbornly.
"I''m sorry, I let fear cloud my judgment," she said, determination in her deep blue eyes. "I may not understand everything that is going on but I know you, I know you are trying to help everyone and are willing to put your life on the line for them. I just want to let you know that I have been thinking about everything and I don''t want to live my life in fear, so if I can help in any way to get rid of that monster, you let me know."
For the first time in a long time, Zack felt a little lighter hearing Kenzie''s words. "Thank you, after this game I am going to tell you everything." He promised her but as he looked past her, he noticed that Pablo was no longer watching the game from the sidelines. Instead, he could sense an aura of fear coming from the direction of the changing rooms, then he realized it was John''s aura.
"I have to go take care of something," Zack said to Kenzie stepping away. "Just meet me after the game, and thank you for forgiving me." He turned and raced toward the locker room.
-----
In the locker room, John was crawling helplessly along the floor, trying to escape the looming threat of Pablo and two other exorcists. Pablo held a small blade, taunting the injured boy. "Just one more and I will have the whole set," he sneered, aiming the blade at John.
John managed to use the sink for support as he staggered to his feet. Pablo prepared to strike when a smile crossed John''s face. The exorcist''s eyes widened in surprise when he saw Zack''s reflection in the mirror, pink eyes glowing with power.
"Our deals off," Zack informed him, his voice cold.
"Ah, so the hero in you finally wins out," Pablo laughed, but there was an edge of uncertainty in his voice.
"I won''t help you kill anyone, so let him go!" Zack demanded, his eyes never leaving the exorcist''s face.
"Or what?" Pablo challenged, tightening his grip on the dagger. "You''ll kill me? You don''t have it in you."
"Maybe not," Zack admitted, he knew Pablo had him pegged. "But I don''t have to kill you to teach you a lesson."
"You are such a waste of potential," Pablo sighed, turning to face Zack. "The saddest part is it never mattered what you did, in the end, I was always going to come out on top."
"We''ll just see about that," Zack replied, taking a deep breath and summoning all the courage he could muster. "I''m done talking." extending his arms sent out a blast of telekinetic energy that sent the two exorcists flying into the lockers behind them. Their bodies crumbled to the floor and Pablo sensed a shift in Zack''s power, causing his confidence to waver.
-----
The gymnasium echoed with the cheers and chanting of the spectators as it entered the fourth quarter. The game was close now, but one person was missing that could ensure their victory: Zack Dawson. Coach Reynolds paced the sidelines, his brow furrowed in frustration as he scanned the crowd for any sign of his star player.
"Where is that boy?" he muttered under his breath, clenching his clipboard until his knuckles turned white.
Meanwhile, on the court, the ball shot through the air like a cannonball, ricocheting off the backboard in a dizzying display of confusion. As if by some stroke of luck or divine intervention, it rolled directly to Rob''s feet. His eyes widened as he realized that, somehow, all the other players had lost track of the ball.
"Go, Rob! Go!" screamed the throng of spectators in the stands.
In an instant, adrenaline coursed through Rob''s veins, propelling him into action. He scooped up the ball and stutter-stepped toward the basket as if on autopilot. As he neared his goal, he stopped short, staring down the opposing team''s defense, who seemed equally stunned by the turn of events.
"Come on, Rob!" shouted Kenzie from the sideline, her face flushed with excitement.
With a deep breath and a silent prayer, Rob let the ball fly – and watched in amazement as it sailed past the defenders and straight into the net. The crowd erupted into cheers, drowning out everything else.
"Rob, you did it!" yelled Lindsey, jumping to her feet in the stands. the whole crowd erupted in cheers and Rob stood in the key, clearly still in shock that he actually scored the basket that put their team in the lead.
The applause could be heard from the locker room where a chaotic battle between Zack and the exorcists was taking place. The duo had gotten back up and shot at Zack, who narrowly dodged their gunfire. With a surge of telekinetic force, Zack flung larger of the pair into a row of lockers, before twisting the metal around them to ensure they wouldn''t be getting back up. He then sent the other slender man flying across the room, smashing through a bench before hitting the ground in a heap. As he turned to face Pablo, he discovered the cunning exorcist had vanished without a trace.
"Damn you, Pablo," Zack muttered under his breath, as he raced to John''s side. He let John use him for support as they left the locker room before anyone could blame the mess on them.
----
"I''m glad you could see reason," Kyle said, now free from Ethel''s death grip. "Pablo is winning because your covenant isn''t strong enough and now he controls Boon too."
"But how?" Ethel scoffed, crossing her arms defensively. "I mean with Sloth gone shouldn''t Boon have reverted to being human?"
"You don''t know anything about Familiars do you?" Kyle almost laughed. "There''s a myth – an old legend – that says you can only cure a Familiar if you can get it to see its true self. They don''t operate by vessel rules. Boon''s identity is buried beneath the Familiar, but he could be brought back if someone can remind him of who he really is."
"So until that happens Boon will what? Just keep getting passed between masters forever?" Ethel retorted skeptically, raising an eyebrow. "I don''t know if you noticed this but Boon has never let anyone get close enough to know who he really is."
"Ah, but that''s where you''re wrong," Kyle countered, leaning in closer. "He has one person who would never give up on him – a deep connection that you could use to save him. Trust me, Ethel. We can end this Familiar problem."
"Even if that were true," Ethel began, uncertainty creeping into her voice, "How do I know this isn''t just a ploy so you can take control of Boon next?"
"Honestly I''m offended, I would never stoop to using a Familiar," Kyle replied softly, his gaze never wavering, "Even a sin has standards. Those creatures are knocking on death''s doors, and they make for truly terrible conversation."
"Alright you can join my covenant," she whispered, steeling herself for the battle ahead. "But if you try anything at all, I''ll kill you on the spot."
"I wouldn''t expect anything less from you," Kyle said with a grin.
-----
Back at the game, Rob dribbled the ball across the court, his eyes locked on the prize. The game had reached its final minutes, and Rob was determined to make one final basket. With a burst of speed, he charged toward the basket, on a high from his previous success. He leaped into the air, releasing the ball just as a towering defender lunged at him. The ball soared through the air, spinning gracefully before it sank through the hoop, adding another two points to their score.
"54 to 48, University of Waterloo!" the announcer shouted, his voice booming through the gymnasium. The crowd roared in approval, their cheers deafening. As Rob landed back on the court, he caught sight of Ahmed in the stands, smiling and cheering for him. He could feel himself blush, knowing that his crush was there to witness his best game ever.
After making sure John was safe, Zack returned to the court, his eyes scanning the scene for any sign of danger. Boon stood away from the rest of the team, as they hoisted Rob into the air in celebration. Zack watched the sheer joy on Rob''s face as everyone chanted his name.
Suddenly, the lights went out, plunging the gymnasium into darkness. Screams pierced the air, followed by the sound of panicked footsteps and terrified whispers. "Shit, what''s happening?" Zack swore, fear tightening his throat.
"Someone''s hurt!" a voice rang out from somewhere nearby. "We need help!"
Just as abruptly as they had gone out, the lights flickered back on, revealing the extent of the chaos. People were frozen in place, their faces pale with fear. A large crowd had gathered around something at the far side of the court and Zack''s heart sank with the thought of Pablo having made good on his threat. He pushed his way through the crowd to discover Boon. His eyes had turned a cloudy white, and there were fang marks deep in his neck as if a venomous snake had bitten him.
"Boon!" Ahmed cried out, rushing to his friend''s side. Kenzie was already there, trying to coax a response from the injured boy, her eyes filled with concern. "He''s not responding," she said, her voice shaking. "Someone call 911. We need to get him to a hospital, now!"
"Ahmed, call an ambulance!" Zack ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. Ahmed snapped out of his fear spiral and dug his phone out of his pocket to make the call. Kenzie worked to clear the panicked crowd away from Boon, creating enough space for medical help to arrive. She felt for a pulse, finding it weakly beating beneath her fingertips.
"Zack, look at this," John called out, motioning for Zack to join him by the trash can. Zack made his way over and noticed the two syringes at the top of the trash.
Both he and John could sense Pablo''s aura on them, leaving them with little doubt as to who was responsible. "What do you think was in these?"
"Whatever it is, it''s bad news for Boon," John muttered grimly.
"But it doesn''t make sense, why would Pablo attack Boon? Boon was under his control. Before John could answer a familiar voice calling out drew their attention.
"Rob! Where''s Rob?" Linsey shouted, running onto the court with panic in her eyes. Her gaze swept across the chaos as she searched for her missing friend, fear gnawing at her insides.
"Rob!" Zack looked over to John. The realization that something terrible might have happened to him too filled them with cold dread, as Zack realized Boon may have only been a distraction.