Chapter 4 — Behind the Smile

Raiden

The whistle blew, sharp and unforgiving, cutting through the late afternoon haze that clung to the football field. My lungs burned as I sprinted toward the end zone, the ball tucked close to my side. The rhythm of my feet pounding against the turf matched the relentless drum of my heart. The crowd of teammates standing on the sidelines blurred into muted faces and scattered voices, their cheers distant and hollow.