Chapter 1.2: Faith amid darkness

As the evening sun started to set, I walked with determination towards Haydes Academy, relying on my own instincts to find the way.
However, my path led me into a bustling street, where the attention of people passing by instantly turned towards me. Whispers and murmurs filled the air, and I could feel the weight of their gazes upon me.

"Isn't that Jack Fling, the troubled cricketer?"
"Yeah, I saw him on the news. Expelled from his team and involved in some serious allegations."

Street shop handlers and onlookers couldn't resist pointing at me and discussing my presence openly.

"Look, it's him! The one who made the headlines!"
"I heard he attacked his own teammates. What a disgrace."

A mother and her children approached from the opposite direction, but as she caught sight of me, she hurriedly pushed her kids to the other side, shielding them from my presence. The child tugged at his mother's sleeve, pointing at me.

"Mum, that's the guy we saw on TV!"

The curiosity of others began to grow. People started snapping pictures and streaming live videos on social media, all aimed in my direction.
I tried to cover my face, my heart pounding as I tried to navigate through the crowd, desperate to escape the constant gaze and the piercing camera lenses.

A crowd had gathered, their phones raised, capturing every moment. Questions and accusations were thrown at me from all directions.

"Why do the police keep detaining you? Care to explain?"
"What about your teammates and manager? How could you betray their trust?"
"Gary says you tried to sexually harass his girlfriend. Is that true?"

Each word felt like a dagger, fueling the anger that boiled within me. But it was when I heard the name "Gary" that my patience snapped.
I grabbed hold of the person who had spoken and locked eyes with him, my own gaze widening with fury.

"How dare you mention that name!" I growled, my grip tightening on his neck.
"Don't fu*king talk, if you know nothing!"

But the incessant sound of camera shutters and the growing crowd forced me to let go and retreat.
I had to escape from the suffocating pressure and the judgmental stares. I ran, my hand still covering half of my face, desperately trying to shield myself from the relentless flashing lights and prying eyes.

Finally, I reached a quieter spot, a dull shed offering a momentary respite. I leaned against the wall, gasping for breath, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.
The realization sank in that no matter where I went, I couldn't escape the shadows of my past.

I stood there, my chest heaving as I tried to steady my racing heart. The noise of the crowd slowly faded into the background, and I was left with my own thoughts and doubts.

This was the world I had to navigate—a world that judged me based on headlines and rumors.

.....................................

I stood there in the quiet corner of the shabby construction site, trying to calm myself after the overwhelming encounter with the crowd. As I waited for them to disperse, a glimmer of curiosity tugged at me, urging me to take a look around my surroundings.

But before I could fully explore the area, a young boy, around seven or eight years old, suddenly appeared, rushing towards me with a backpack bouncing on his shoulders.
Instinctively, my first thought was to run, assuming that someone had revealed my location to the crowd. But upon closer inspection, I realized the boy was alone, approaching me with a wide grin on his face.

He reached me, attempting to hug me, but his short stature limited his reach, his arms wrapping around my legs.
I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm and decided to kneel down to his level. I asked him his name, and without uttering a word, he pulled out a notebook from his backpack and eagerly wrote his name, Evan.

I understood that Evan couldn't speak, but that didn't deter his excitement. He rummaged through his bag again, revealing a large, folded paper.
As he unfolded it, I was taken aback by what I saw—it was a poster of myself, celebrating my fastest 50 runs scored in just 17 balls, proudly displaying my bat towards the cheering audience.

Evan pointed to the center of the poster, indicating that he wanted me to sign it. It was an unimaginable request, considering the challenging times I was facing and the constant questioning and judgment from others. Yet here was a young boy, looking up to me, seeking my autograph.

I took a pen and signed the poster, handing it back to Evan.
But he wasn't done yet.
He opened his notebook once again and with a beaming smile, showed me what he had written.

"You are my hero, and I want to be like you someday."

As I read those words, my eyes glistened, and a mix of emotions washed over me.
With a gentle laugh, I pulled Evan into a tight hug, cherishing the purity of his admiration. It was a moment of respite, a reminder that amidst the doubts and criticism, there were still people who believed in me.

I took Evan's notebook and wrote a message in return, closing it and handing it back to him. His face lit up with joy as he received it, treasuring the exchange we had.

Standing up once again, I asked Evan if he knew the way to Haydes Academy.
He pointed to a path amidst the dirty off-roads, veering away from the main street. It led directly to the academy, visible in the distance. With a grateful smile, I began walking towards the path, waving goodbye to Evan.

As I walked further, the evening sunshine cast its golden glow upon me, and a sense of determination welled up inside.
In that moment, hope stirred within me.
The encounter with Evan served as a reminder that amidst the judgment and scrutiny, there were still those who saw the best in me.
With that thought, I continued walking towards Haydes Academy.

* * *

I walked into the office of Haydes Academy's Cricket Club, my heart racing with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.
Mr. Thompson, the manager of the club, had summoned me for a meeting, and I was eager to see what this opportunity held for me.
He sat alone behind his desk, his gaze fixed on me as I entered the room.

I approached him with a straight face, determined to make my requirements clear.
I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.
"Mr. Thompson, I received your message. You wanted to speak with me?"

He motioned for me to take a seat, his eyes assessing me carefully.
"Yes, Jack. I wanted to talk to you about an opportunity.
I've been following your cricket career, and despite your recent setback, I believe you have potential."

I nodded, my expression serious.
"I appreciate your faith in me, but let's get straight to the point. I have two requirements."

Mr. Thompson leaned forward, attentive to my words.
"Go ahead, Jack. Let me hear what you need."

I held his gaze, my voice unwavering.
"Firstly, I need a cost-free dorm from the school. Since I've been thrown out of my own home, I have nowhere to stay."

The manager's response was swift and understanding.
"Consider it done, Jack. We will make arrangements for a dorm room for you. You'll have a place to stay."

I felt a glimmer of hope ignite within me.
This was the first step towards rebuilding my life.
"Thank you, Mr. Thompson."

I continued, my voice resolute.
"Secondly, I require a full cricket kit. I lost everything when I left my previous team."

Mr. Thompson nodded, his expression serious.
"I understand the importance of having the right equipment. We will provide you with a complete cricket kit. You'll have everything you need to succeed."

However, his next words carried a weight of caution.
"But let me be clear, Jack. This is your last chance to prove yourself. If you fail to demonstrate improvement both on and off the field, there will be no second chances.
As for the incident that tarnished your name, I will personally address the truth in a press conference."

A surge of anger welled up within me, and I couldn't hold back any longer. I interrupted him abruptly, my voice laced with frustration.

"I don't need anyone to clear my name. I stand by my actions. What I did was justified given the circumstances. If you're thinking about making me apologize, you should forget about it."

Mr. Thompson paused, his eyes narrowing as he assessed my resolve. After a moment, he nodded slowly.
"I understand, Jack. Reputation is important, but I respect your conviction.
For now, I'll let it be. However, remember that this opportunity comes with the responsibility to prove yourself not just as a player, but as a person."

I stood up, a mixture of determination and defiance coursing through my veins.
"I won't let you down, Mr. Thompson. I'll show you and everyone else what I'm truly capable of."

As I prepared to leave, Mr. Thompson stopped me with a final request. "One more thing, Jack. Take this school uniform, and you can start attending the school from tomorrow."

I nodded, acknowledging his request.
"Got it"

Leaving the office, I felt a renewed sense of purpose.
This was my chance for redemption, an opportunity to prove my worth and overcome the mistakes of my past.
With my requirements met and a fire burning within me, I was determined to seize this second chance and rise above the challenges that lay ahead.