Chapter 4 – Settling In

Chapter 4 – Settling In

Sunlight poured through the living room window, catching dust motes in a golden glow.

Thijs sat cross-legged on the couch, his small fingers fidgeting with the seam of his pajama pants. The world felt too big for him sometimes — furniture towering over him, doorknobs out of reach, shadows stretching long across the walls.

I used to be fifteen. Now I'm four. And somehow… I'm alive again.

His mother moved around the room, folding laundry into neat stacks. She paused to smooth his ginger hair, her hand gentle and warm.

"You're very quiet today."

"I'm just thinking," Thijs murmured, his voice small.

She smiled and kissed the top of his head.

"Well, that's allowed. But don't think too hard. It's Saturday."

Thijs watched her as she worked, his chest tightening with something he couldn't quite name.

I had another mother once. A father. A life full of football and friends and dreams. Now it's like looking through frosted glass. I remember… but it's starting to feel far away.

A small plastic ball rolled across the floor and bumped gently against his foot. Thijs blinked at it.

He nudged it back with his toes, feeling a flicker of something warm and familiar spark inside his chest.

Football. I wonder if it would still feel the same.

Just then, his father appeared in the doorway, holding a mug of coffee.

"Hey, champ. You look serious. Everything okay?"

Thijs nodded. "Yeah. I'm okay."

His father studied him for a moment, then smiled and ruffled his hair.

"Good. Maybe we'll go outside later."

Thijs managed a small smile.

Outside… with a ball… maybe that's where it all begins again.

Outside, the sky was bright and crisp. A gentle breeze rattled the bare branches overhead as Thijs stepped into the small backyard.

He stood for a moment, breathing in the cool air. The grass felt soft under his feet.

Near the fence, the same plastic ball from earlier rested half-buried in the grass. Thijs walked over and nudged it with his foot, testing the weight and feel.

It's light. Too light. Not like a real football. But… it's still a ball.

He drew back his leg and tapped it forward. The ball rolled across the yard and bumped against the wooden fence.

He followed, touched it again, turned slightly on his heel. The motion felt clumsy in his small body, but a flicker of old muscle memory tugged at his movements.

My legs are short. My balance is off. But… I still know how to do this.

He tried a gentle pass to himself, stopping the ball under the sole of his foot. For a moment, he stood there, looking down, a tiny smile tugging at his lips.

It's not much. But it's a start.

From the sliding door, his father called out:

"Having fun out there?"

"Yeah."

Thijs hesitated, shifting from foot to foot.

"Dad… can I… play football? Like… with a team?"

His father blinked, a little surprised, then smiled.

"Of course you can. We'll see which club has room for you."

A warmth spread through Thijs' chest. He glanced down at the ball at his feet and gave it another soft kick.

The sun was higher now, warming the pavement and leaving bright patches on the houses. Thijs stepped out of the garden gate, holding the small plastic ball in his hands.

Up the street, a group of kids were kicking another ball back and forth, their voices echoing between the brick walls.

One of them, a boy with messy brown hair, spotted him and waved.

"Hey! Wanna play?"

Thijs hesitated for half a second. Then he hugged the ball tighter against his chest and nodded.

"Yeah. I've got my own ball too."

The kids surrounded him, peering at his ball.

"Cool. But come play with ours!"

The other ball rolled to his feet. Without thinking, Thijs stopped it with his instep, nudging it back toward the boy who'd passed it.

"Whoa!" one kid exclaimed. "That was good!"

Thijs felt heat rising in his face.

"Thanks."

The game picked up speed. Thijs joined in, running beside the others, his small legs pumping.

He kicked the ball forward, then chased it, laughter bubbling out of his chest.

His touches weren't perfect. Once, he misjudged a bounce and stumbled, nearly falling. But he caught himself, grinning, and kept going.

My legs are short. My steps are smaller. But… I still know how to move.

The kids cheered as he managed to slip the ball between one boy's legs.

"Nutmeg!" someone shouted, giggling.

Thijs laughed, a sound bright and full.

He felt free. Light. Like the weight pressing on his chest all these weeks had finally cracked open, letting air in.

Then, as he dribbled the ball down the narrow strip of pavement, a soft chime echoed faintly in his mind.

[System Activated. Access Level: Basic. Player Template: ???]

Thijs froze for a split second, his foot on the ball.

He glanced around. No one else seemed to hear it.

Did that… really just happen?

"Thijs! Over here!" one of the boys called.

Thijs blinked, then pushed the thought away.

Not now. Later.

He kicked the ball across to his teammate. It rolled smooth and straight, exactly where he wanted it.

The kids kept playing until their cheeks were pink and the sun hung lower in the sky.

Finally, Thijs stood breathless, sweat dampening his hair.

This feels right. Like it's supposed to.

He picked up his ball and waved goodbye to the others.

"See you tomorrow!"

"Bye, Thijs!"

As he walked home, the faint chime from earlier echoed in the back of his mind, like a secret only he knew.