The Message

After the celebration, Daniel slipped away and found Elena waiting for him.

"You're running out of time," she said. "They know what you can do."

Daniel tensed. "Who are they?"

"You'll find out soon," she said. "But you need to leave Igualada. They're coming for you."

Daniel's pulse raced. He had just won a tournament, but now, it felt like his life was truly beginning—or ending.

Daniel tried to act normal the next day, but he knew he couldn't ignore this anymore.

At school, he overheard two teachers speaking in Catalan.

"Sí, la policía está investigando a alguien en la ciudad."

(Yes, the police are investigating someone in town.)

His stomach dropped.

Was it him?

That night, as he walked home, a car pulled up beside him.

The door opened.

And a voice spoke.

"Get in, Daniel. We need to talk."

Daniel hesitated at the open car door. The voice inside was calm but firm.

"Daniel, get in. If you want to live."

He glanced around the empty street. No witnesses. No one to help him. His instincts screamed danger, but something in the man's tone told him he had no choice.

Slowly, he stepped inside.

The driver, a middle-aged man in a black suit, pulled away from the curb. Beside him sat Elena, her expression unreadable.

"You won the tournament," the man said. "Congratulations."

Daniel said nothing.

"You don't recognize me, do you?" The man's sharp blue eyes studied him through the rearview mirror. "That's good. It means they haven't told you everything."

"Told me what?" Daniel demanded.

Elena sighed. "That you're part of something much bigger than football."

The man handed him a folder. Inside were photos of Daniel—some from the tournament, others from months ago, in England.

"They've been watching you for a long time," the man said.

Daniel's heart pounded.