King of the Jungle

Training Ground – Late Afternoon

The basketball bounced with an almost hypnotic rhythm on the concrete of the training court. The sun, still high, cast long shadows as sweat already beaded on Hugo's forehead. He fired shot after shot like a machine. Three-pointer. Another one. Then another. He dribbled, ducked, dodged an imaginary opponent before spinning and releasing a perfect shot. The net snapped, again and again.

Then he ran, jumped, and slammed a dunk with an ease that made a few passing students turn their heads. Even alone, Hugo was fierce. Determined to prove he wasn't just the "new kid" back from nowhere. He had been their captain, their damn captain, for Christ's sake. But now? He had to start all over.

That's when they arrived. Alan and five other guys, all members of the boys' team. Veterans. Regulars. Echoes of his past.

Alan stepped forward, a smirk on his lips, arms crossed over his chest, tight in his jersey.