(Part 3)

There he was—the person who had once build his world yet in the next moment crushed it into pieces under his feet. Tall and lean, the figure's posture was too calm, too controlled. Though his face was hidden, the grin held a story of malice. His presence radiated a quiet menace that sent a chill through the air.

"No need to be so impatient…" Alan growled, his fists trembling, "I will find you, no matter where you hide. And when I do, I'll engrave the lesson I've prepared for years into your bones!"

"Haha! You're still angry, I see," the figure chuckled, stepping forward as Alan instinctively moved back.

"Angry? I'm beyond that. I feel like tearing you apart," Alan snarled, "Whether it's with my fists, kicks, bat or whatever I can get my hands on."

The figure once again let out an amused laugh, clutching his stomach, but suddenly stopped, his demeanor shifting. From under the hoodie, a crazed purple glint appeared in his eyes as he frowned at Alan. "Aren't you being a bit too harsh?" he asked, his tone cold.

Alan froze. His body refused to move. Every muscle locked up as he stared blankly ahead.

"That's more like it," the figure sneered. "I prefer you this way. Quiet. Submissive. And not breaking promises." He walked past Alan with a smug air of superiority. "Remember, I warned you before, Alain. You weren't doing yourself or anyone else any favors, but you didn't listen. And because of that, you lost. Just like all the others who thought they were invincible. Even Liam." 

Alan's anger flared, his eyes narrowing into a searing glare. "You bastard! It was really you!" he snarled.

"Bastard? Really?" The figure taunted, as if merely his presence was enough to provoke Alan. "This is just the beginning, Alain. Rauf, Kazuna, Isa, and everyone you care about, including those middle schoolers now… what were their names again?" He paused, pretending to think, "Ah, Seraph Awan, Xavier Ibn Zain, Helios Zadeh… Kenzo ShahJahan."

"SHUT UP!" Alan roared, lunging toward him, trying to grab him by the collar. But the figure merely grinned and vanished, dissolving into the shadows before Alan could reach him.

"SHUT THE HELL UP ALREADY!" Alan crouched down, shutting his ears in both hands, "You won't touch them! Not a single hair on their heads. Do you hear me?!"

The figure's voice echoed one last time, mocking, "Then protect them well, Alain. The game's just beginning. Let's see how deep your friendship runs, and who'll be the first to suffer because of you…"

Alan suddenly looked up, stunned.

"After all... isn't that what you do? You make others suffer. You lie, you hide, you betray while expecting kindness in return. But just being near you drags them into agony. The world's not your dollhouse, silly girl. Until we meet again."

And just like that, the voice faded, the figure faded and so did the darkness.

_______

Alan shot up with a sharp gasp, his breath ragged, chest heaving as sweat dripped down his forehead in thick beads. His heart pounded violently. "A dream..." he muttered, eyes dropping to the blanket tangled around him, the figure's taunting words still replaying in his mind.

"Then protect them well, Alain. The game's just beginning. Let's see how deep your friendships run, and who'll be the first to suffer because of you."

A heavy wave of helplessness washed over him as he raised his trembling hand to his forehead, leaning aside against the couch's headrest, groaning as frustration and despair grew. "How dare you... how dare you..." His thoughts spiraled, "Who the hell do you think you are to toy with me like? Darn it… why can't I sleep peacefully for once?" 

The sky remained dark.

After calming himself, Alan pushed his hairs back and looked up. "Not yet, Alan. It's too soon to fall apart," he reminded himself, slipping his mask of composure back on.

Soon, his gaze drifted over the high schoolers scattered around him, each snoring in their own quirky way. Some laid on the sofa, others slumped against the floor, a few still sitting upright. Alan blinked, surprised. "Huh? What happened here?"

Quietly, he tiptoed off the couch, carefully crossing the sea of sleeping figures, a quiet chuckle barely escaping his lips. His eyes fell on the papers strewn across the room, filled with their plans, strategies, and tactics. He picked up his phone from the table and snapped a few pictures. "To think they've been working on this all night? I'll go over it later," he thought, stretching himself.

Before leaving, Alan took the blanket that had been draped over him and gently placed it over Elias, Orion, and Lou Wang. "That's better," he whispered with a soft smile, his gaze shifting towards the room where the middle schoolers slept. 

Narrowing his eyes, his expression hardened. "You're wrong…" he muttered under his breath, "I'll protect them all. Even if they hate me for it or resent me. I won't let them suffer. I won't even let your shadow near them. No matter what," he vowed resolutely.

Suddenly his alarm went off, causing Alan to flinch as he quickly turned it off and glanced at the screen. "5:00…" he whispered, looking out the window.

Moving towards the room where the middle schoolers rested, he unlocked it quietly, making sure not to make any noise. As the door opened, he peeked inside. The darkness made it hard to see at first, but his vision soon adjusted, as he noticed something off.

"It's too quiet…" he thought, moving closer to Ezekiel's bed, only to find it empty. The sheets were scattered everywhere. But Ezekiel wasn't the only one missing—every bed was empty.

"Huh? Where are they…?" he wondered alarmed. Grabbing his jersey from the coat rack, Alan rushed downstairs, the dream replaying in his head as he bit his lip. "It's too early. Where could they have gone?" He stopped in his tracks halfway down the stairs.

"No, looking for them like this is pointless. Who can I ask?" His mind quickly landed on someone—

"Seles!" Alan sprinted back upstairs, climbing two more floors. Breathless, he dashed past the coach's room, reaching the infirmary and knocking urgently.

"Who's there?" Seles called out, "Come in."

Alan rushed inside, still gasping, "Seles!"

Startled, Seles turned around from his work, rushing to Alan. "Alan? Easy there. Take a deep breath and calm down," he urged, holding Alan by the arm.

Alan's face was a mess of panic and exhaustion, "The middle schoolers! They're not there!" he gripped Seles' arm, his voice distressed.

Seles, equally surprised, reassured him, "Calm down. I know where they are. Just breathe, okay?" He knelt before Alan and gently rubbed his arms.

Relief washed over Alan, and his tense expression softened.

"Sit here for a moment," Seles said, leading Alan to a chair and pouring a glass of water. "Take small sips, and don't overthink." He ruffled Alan's hair gently.

Alan took a sip and set the glass down, burying his face in his hand as Seles watched him concerned.

"Come, I'll show you where they are." Seles soon walked to the balcony, where Alan followed silently.

Standing by the railing, Alan took a deep breath. "Look, they're over there," Seles pointed out. Alan followed his gaze and spotted the middle schoolers running laps around the practice ground, with Yousuf keeping watch. Alan's lashes lowered as he stared.

Seles smiled, recalling, "They came to me at 3:30, all of them looking depressed and unable to sleep. They said they needed something to do, so we talked about their concerns and thoughts on the match. They weren't happy with how they performed, feeling like they'd been outdone by Islamabad." Seles continued, "Later, the call to prayer began, and they headed to the mosque. Coach Nidou asked Yousuf to keep an eye on them, and they've been running laps ever since they returned."

Alan nodded and turned back toward the room. Settling quietly in a rotating chair, Alan spun it absentmindedly.

Seles followed. "How about I give you a quick check-up?" he asked.

"Okay…" Alan agreed unusually cooperative.

Seles took his stethoscope and heartbeat monitor, setting up beside Alan, who was still lost in thought.

After a moment, Seles glanced at Alan's face. As he reached for Alan's wrist to check his pulse, Seles sighed, his expression serious. "Did you have another nightmare, Alan?" he asked, setting the stethoscope aside.

Alan started to respond, but Seles interrupted, "If you're thinking of making excuses, don't bother. Your pulse is all over the place, your complexion is pale, and how you reacted earlier combined with your silence now, clearly shows you're frightened and overthinking."

Alan, defeated, leaned back in the chair, spinning slowly.

"Was it about the World Cup, when you lost your abilities? Or was it the middle schoolers? Or... was it 'him' again?" Seles asked, watching Alan closely.

Alan's brows furrowed at the mention of "him," his expression darkening.

"Ah, right on the mark," Seles mused. "Take this." he handed Alan some medicines.

"Take this and go lie down. I don't want to see you out of bed until 10." Seles returned to his work, but Alan protested, "But—"

"No buts!" Seles ordered, glancing back firmly.

Alan sighed, took the pill, and went to lie down on one of the patient beds.