CHAPTER EIGHT

Miller

27th October 2019

The whistle blows, a frustrated coach slams down his playbook. He marches onto the football field. Miller stands uncaring. The coach grabs Miller under is protective gear "Jesus Miller stop getting sacked. Jenkins had a clear route, do not hold onto that ball for longer then needed, got it?," the coach exclaims. Miller nods his head, he takes a deep breath as the coach leaves the field.

The players regroup, the ball is snapped, Miller steps back, loads up the ball. The route is clear, but once again holds on to long, he's sacked once again. The coach with a furious temper slams his playbook onto the ground, his face as red as a ripe cherry. His fists balled that shake uncontrollably. Miller's effort is simply not good enough. He haves him off of the field. Miller drags his feet as he trots off of the field.

Miller places his helmet onto the seat beside him. He takes a large gulp of water before squirting the top if his head. He stares at the coaching staff, his head bowed in thought. He grips his helmet tightly. Miller takes his faults in his stride. He approaches the coaches with vindication on his mind "Coach, put me back in. You won't be disappointed," Miller exclaims. His coach looks him up and down, nodding his head. Miller places his helmet back onto his head, rushing onto the field.

Miller takes his position in the team. The ball is snapped, Miller drops back two steps once again. The defence tackler breaks through the wall of defence, Miller adjusts his footing slightly as he spins on the defence. He looks up once again, his arm cocked and loaded. He fakes the throw duking another member of the defence. His eyes laser focused. His target on site, Miller realises the ball perfectly. The players glance as the ball travels over their heads. The sound of the elated coach's cheers as the wide receiver catches the ball and falls into the in zone. Miller smiles through his mouth guard of his helmet with his hand still in the throwing position.

The coaching staff whisper into one another's ears as Miller continues looking straight. The coach approaches him "Okay, where did that come from?, asks the coach smiling. Miller pulls his mouth guard from between his teeth, still smiling "Good coaching, he replies. He coach rubs his helmet turning away laughing. Miller shouts to the coach "Again!?," he asks. The coach nods his head "Again."

The practice draws to a close. The teammates are heading back to the changing room. The team is sharp, ready and willing to do whatever it takes for the win. Miller grabs his bag and walks across campus. The sun has set, the once beautiful colours of the sky are now a dark and gloomy night.

Miller walks slowly, kicking stones as he passes. He continues walking for five minutes before reaching his dorm. He climbs the stairs all the to the top. He enters into his room to find his roommate looking at himself in the mirror. Miller throws his bag beside his bed as he lays down on it. His roommate looks as Miller sprawls out on the bed. He approaches eagerly "Come on get up, we're going out," he says as he presses on Miller's chest.

Miller pushes his roommate away smiling "Where are we going?," he says excitedly. The roommate smiles as Miller looks on intuitively "We are going to Brady's bar." Miller smiles as he jumps from h8d bed. He rushes to his small closet as he pulls out a pair of black jeans, a black t-shirt and a light blue shirt. With the friends ready to go they exit the dorm and on the way to Brady's bar for a night out.

They reach the bar in no time. It' a quiet night, barely any students, even less townies. Miller's roommate scans the room for girls. It's a quiet night, the guys stand around, still scanning the room as two beers are passed to them by the bartender. They clink the drinks together as they take a swig. Miller leans against the bar as his roommate looks disappointed "Where's all the females?", he wonders as he takes another long swig of cheap beer. Miller's roommate looks up, spotting two young, beautiful girls walk into the bar. He grabs Miller by the shoulder, leaning his bottle their way asking "Who is that fine woman?," asks the roommate.

Miller with his head down, staring at his feet he says "That is Whitney Brookes. We went to high school together."

"Is she single?," asks the roommate excitedly.

Miller shrugs his shoulders "I don't know, I mean I think she is seeing someone."

"Man she looks good, okay, I'm going to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back," says Millers roommate as he posts his beer on the bar. Miller stands alone, he see's Whitney sitting alone at her table. He approaches slowly, taking multiple swigs as he gets closer. His palms sweaty, his forehead trickles down with sweat, before he wipes quickly. He reaches the table, Whitney stares at him. He grows more nervous. After a brief conversation Miller walks back to his side of the bar, resting his elbow.

Julian, Miller's roommate walks back to the bar, he notices Miller isn't carrying the same attitude as earlier. He rests is hand on Miller's shoulder as he asks "Hey man, you doing alright?." Miller tries to smile to hide the awkward conversation he just had with Whitney.

"Yeah man, I'm good," he says trying to smile through clenched teeth. Miller continues "Actually man, I'm going to back to the dorm room, I'm not feeling to good."

Julian looks confused as Miller leaves the bar. Julian quickly swigs the last of his beer, following him out of the bar. He runs to catch up with him, as he see's someone walk fast down the street turning onto the campus. Julian rushes to him, placing his hand on his shoulder and spinning him around.

"Hey man, why'd you leave so sudden?." He spins the person around, but it's not Miller. Julian apologises to the person and continues walking down the path. He walks quickly, the small trees on either side of him, hardly compare to the massive buildings of the campus. Julian suddenly hears a branch snap, he turns quickly. His heart beats faster and faster. His breath visible in the cold air. He zips up his jacket and continues walking.

Suddenly he hears what sounds like a object scraping along the wall. Julian stops turning suddenly. He looks around nervously "Hey is someone there?." With no answer and only the whistle of the wind, he turns quickly into the arms of a masked man. Julian jumps and screams as the man screams "Boo!." Julian grabs the man up against the wall, pulling off the mask and balling his fist. The man who is now a student cowers against the wall with both hands covering his face.

Julian looks at the student closely, he loosens his grip on the student and tells him "Go home, before I kick your ass." The student runs down the path as Julian walks away. He stumbles upon a set of steep steps that reach down to a shortcut to his dorm. He walks slowly kicking the stones as he passes. Julian reaches the end of the steps, he see's a man standing at the end of the path.

He looks cautiously, he comes to the conclusion it's another student trying to scare him. Julian shouts "Hey asshole. You don't scare me, I already made tour buddy piss his pants." The figure turns slowly as Julian approaches him angrily "What you didn't hear me?. I'll kick your ass." Julian balls his fists ready to swing, suddenly the figure takes a hook from their long raincoat and slashes Julian in the back of the knee, pulling the hook out the other side. Julian screams in pain as the crazed attacker drives the hook into Julian's neck causing him to shoot blood from his veins. The killer looks as Julian passes away on the cold ground.

Miller reaches his dorm, his phone suddenly rings. He answers "Hello, who is this?. What do you mean she's dead." Millers eyes widen as he hangs up, placing the phone back into his pocket. He sits on the bench outside his dorm. He runs his hands through his face "Oh my god," he says faintly.