Chapter 18: Cracks in the Golden Boy
The countdown to Nationals continued, but the buzz around Tyler Vaughn was starting to shift.
Whispers had begun circulating among rival schools, scouts, and even his own teammates.
"The Golden Boy doesn't look the same."
"Have you seen him lately? Guy's a machine—but something's off."
"He's pushing too hard. He's… different."
And Tyler?
He didn't care.
Because to him, Tom Bradfield's name haunted every corner of his mind.
The Change
The Crimson Valley practice field buzzed with activity as Tyler ran drills.
His throws were sharper than ever, blistering the hands of his receivers.
But each play ended the same way: shaky hands and a distant stare.
One of his linemen approached him during a water break.
"Yo, Tyler," the lineman said, a worried look on his face. "You good? You've been kinda… out of it lately."
Tyler snapped his head around, his bloodshot eyes narrowing.
"I'm fine."
The lineman raised his hands in defense. "Okay, man. Just asking."
But as the lineman jogged away, Tyler caught his reflection in the water cooler.
His face was pale, his jaw clenched.
And his hands wouldn't stop trembling.
Tom's Research – Digging for the Truth
Back at Jefferson High, Tom sat in the film room, but he wasn't watching game tape.
Instead, his laptop glowed with articles and message boards about Crimson Valley's training program.
He'd heard rumors. Private facilities. Extreme regimens. No limits.
And if Tyler Vaughn was the product of all that…
There had to be a price.
Speedy walked in, dropping a bag of chips on the table. "Yo, QB. You've been staring at that screen for hours. What's the deal?"
Tom leaned back, rubbing his temples. "Something's wrong with Vaughn."
Speedy raised an eyebrow. "Like what? Dude's a machine."
"Exactly," Tom muttered. "Nobody's that perfect—not without breaking."
He tapped a link on the screen.
"Crimson Valley's Secret: How Far Is Too Far?"
The article detailed grueling training programs, experimental techniques, and allegations of players being pushed beyond safe limits.
Speedy leaned over, reading the screen. "Damn. You think Vaughn's doing this stuff?"
Tom nodded. "He has to be. And if he keeps going… it's going to backfire."
A Glimpse of Vulnerability
Later that week, Tyler Vaughn faced his first scrimmage since the Elite Showcase loss.
The stands were full of scouts, eager to see if the Golden Boy had shaken off his defeat.
Crimson Valley dominated the first few drives.
Tyler's passes were pinpoint, his footwork flawless.
But by the second quarter, the cracks began to show.
First play: Tyler scrambled out of the pocket but overthrew his receiver by ten yards.
Second play: A miscommunication led to a near-interception.
Third play: He collapsed to the turf after a routine hit, clutching his chest as he gasped for air.
The crowd fell silent.
His coach rushed onto the field. "What the hell is wrong with you, Vaughn?"
"I'm fine," Tyler snapped, pushing himself up. But his body shook as he stood.
The coach frowned but didn't press.
Because he knew what was at stake.
Tyler Vaughn was Crimson Valley's ticket to Nationals.
If he couldn't play, they had no chance.
[GOAT SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Rival Update: Tyler Vaughn
• Performance declining. Signs of physical and mental strain detected.
• Warning: His desperation may lead to unpredictable actions.
The Warning
The next day, while Tom reviewed game film, his phone buzzed.
A message popped up from an unknown number.
Unknown:
"He's breaking. But he won't stop until one of you falls. Be ready."
Tom stared at the screen, his heart pounding.
Who had sent this?
And what did it mean?
Confrontation on the Horizon
As the days ticked down to Nationals, the tension between Tom and Tyler began to boil over.
Both players were locked in their own battles:
• Tom, sharpening his skills, determined to outplay the prodigy.
• Tyler, spiraling deeper into desperation, his mind and body at war.
But one thing was clear.
When they met again on the field, it wouldn't just be a game.
It would be a reckoning.
End of Chapter 18