August 10th, 2023
Johnson siblings residence
Roughly, a month passes. It was at 3 in the morning again when Zayn and Cassandra were alerted with the dark presence on their shoulders. Cassandra wakes up from her silent dream, her heart pounding in her chest.
Somehow, she couldn’t get used to the God of Death appearing in front of her eyes out of the blue. And at such a horrific timing as well.
With a shaky breath, she allows herself to get up from the bed and knock on his door. Zayn was in his room as well.
As he opens the door, both of them resume scratching the irritating itch that forms on their palms.
“17th August… I wonder.”
“It’s his match on that day, right?” Zayn asks as Cassandra confirms.
She walks inside after being invited by the male as they begin to plan their mission with the clues that come from the letter.
Cassandra feels a shudder down her spine when the God of Death leaves the room, taking the cold air away with a swoosh.
“Jeez. Can’t we have a friendlier version of a God of Death appearing?” Cassandra asks Zayn.
“We will see a human as a God of Death in that case. And somehow, it’s more terrifying.” As Zayn explains, Cassandra makes a sound of horror as she agrees with him completely.
“Okay, so here we have the clues. Uh…” the first clue read,
[Football ground, 12:34]
And the second clue was more precise as it read,
[Death by wind pipe damage]
However, the second clue was misleading. Zayn and Cassandra cannot predict how he died in this Era. They were crossing out all possibilities that could happen during a match which can lead to crushing of the wind pipe.
“I don’t even want to think about this. His death seemed gory.”
“I understand. But we have to save him.” Zayn says in a soft voice.
At around 6 in the morning, the duo divide themselves to find more clues about the match and whatever was a linkage to Alex’s death.
[15th August, 2023]
Cassandra felt incredibly overwhelmed with the task. She’s been visiting the match members and the faculty associated for the match everyday. They recognise her as a team by now, Alex was growing suspicious of their behavior.
Alex came back to the training ground in the evening when he sees Cassandra in a deep conversation with his teammates. He walks further towards them until he falls under their notice.
“Cassie? You’re here again? Don’t you have to study for your exams?” Alex says as he places the bag on the floor.
“Y-yeah, I mean… your friends are really nice. Unlike shitholes at college. Why don’t you join us-”
“Guys, we have practice.” Alex cuts her off as the boys stop smiling. They follow their team captain’s orders as they disperse on the ground to warm up. Occupying the space beside her once his teammates have dispersed, he leans forward into her face to ask.
“What are you planning to do, Cassie? You and Zayn are behaving so weird these days. Why are you guys so invested in the match? More so than me and my whole team.” Cassandra stares back into his eyes. She wasn’t prepared with an explanation. She regretted not listening to Zayn, because he gave her a reaction formula to respond to such questions.
‘Think! Think about what Zayn said, Cassie!’ She tried to recollect.
“I knew it.” Alex suddenly leans back.
“What about it? I just wanna participate in-”
“Stop being a control freak, Cassie. Everyone’s talking bad about you, saying you’re looking out to get laid. I’m subtly hinting you about this, I don’t wanna risk a shit show right before my match.” Says Alex.
Cassandra couldn’t believe her ears.
“Are you serious, Alex?” Shaking her head in disappointment, Cassandra walks away while Alex retraced back to find how harsh his words were. He couldn’t let those emotions get the best of him, so he ignores the conversation he had as he focuses on the game.
When Alex comes back home, Zayn and Cassandra glare at him while the others get defensive of their sister.
“What the fuck, Alex? I thought you were a good brother.” Dan pushes Alex by his chest.
“What did I-”
“Your teammates are douche bagging about your sister and you tell her to be quiet about it? What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Dan, I didn’t mean to say it like that-” Alex sighs as he says, but none of them were going to buy a single word from the male.
“Guys, please! I just want no commotion before the biggest career opportunities I have in plate, okay!? I just wanna keep shit at bay! I know I talked shit and it shouldn’t have come out like that, but that’s what they think! They think she’s a hoe and I tried to fight them, I’ll be deflected from being captain, or even expelled from the team! I’m sorry okay!? I’m sorry!” Yelling at his own brothers, Alex rushes out of the house.
A tense atmosphere settles in the house.
“Guys, let’s leave him be. We will see him at his best after the match I guess.”
“I hope he didn’t change his personality for this stupid game.” Zayn grumbles. Cassandra softly pats his thigh, telling him that it was alright.
The next day, the day before 17th, Cassandra and Zayn try to sneak into the empty, unopened stadium to learn everything about it.
“There will be a lot of audience, I heard.” Cassandra mentions, looking at the seat her family had booked for themselves. In the front seat, crossing the border.
“I heard it will be broadcasted on national TV too. It’s really big, for him too. No wonder he feels pressured tremendously. If I were him… I would’ve chickened out so quick if I felt like it.” Zayn’s words were funny as she chuckles at him.
“Anyway. Tomorrow’s a very big day. And he’s super pumped about it until…” Zayn hugs her by her side as they walk out of the stadium at night.
Tomorrow was a huge day in the lives of many.
And most importantly,
It will be a huge day for Alex.