Page 7 of Afflicted

The rest of the squad split in half as most of them rushed across the pitch towards Devlin who was being tended to by the medics. He still wasn't moving as far as I could tell from the glimpses I caught between the feet of the crowd that separated us.

"Are you all right?" someone asked nearby.

I craned my neck to try and catch a better glimpse of Devlin and Lacey elbowed me. I frowned at her questioningly and she inclined her head towards something behind me.

As I turned around, Ryan took hold of my shoulders and caught my gaze with his piercing blue eyes. "I asked if you're okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" I asked with a slight frown.

"The shock," he said, giving me a little shake.

"You might wanna be more concerned for Devlin," I replied, trying to shrug his grip off.

"I think I'd better walk you home," Ryan said as he pulled me into a hug.

"Honestly, I'm fine. You should be with the team," I insisted, my voice muffled against his chest as he held me tightly.

"No chance. I'm looking after you whether you like it or not. C'mon, do you need anything from your locker?"

"Really Ryan-" I tried one last time.

"You can have my jacket," he said as he started to steer me off of the pitch.

I sighed as I gave in to the inevitable and waved goodbye to Lacey.

Ryan didn't release me as we made it into the building and he led me towards the boys' locker room. I pulled up short as he tried to bring me inside with him and he frowned at me.

"I'm not allowed in there," I pointed out.

"I think under the circumstances-"

"I'll meet you by the water fountain," I said as I pulled away from him and headed down the corridor.

The door banged shut behind me as he went inside and I made my way down the deserted corridors. I'd always liked the feeling of the school at that time of night. The usually bustling corridors were

quiet and empty. The fluorescent lights switched off and just the dim emergency lighting illuminating the darkness.

I walked slowly, enjoying the peace after the madness.

By the time I made it back outside to the courtyard at the front of the school there were a few other people leaving too. I weaved between them and took a seat on the edge of the water fountain, listening to the gentle splashing.

"I thought you always travelled in packs?" my brother's voice travelled to me and I looked up as he approached. He hadn't bothered to change out of his football kit and the extra padding made him look huge.

"I'm not in the mood," I sighed.

Reese closed the distance between us and stood before me, towering above me where I sat. I craned my neck to frown up at him.

"Aren't you gunna ask how Devlin is?"

"Have you seen him?" I asked. "Is he okay?"

"They're taking him to hospital. We won't know any more until tomorrow." Reese ran his hand through his dark blonde hair and looked over his shoulder.

"Lost your shadow?" I asked scathingly.

Jason appeared beside him before he could reply and I smirked at my accurate guess. He was still wearing his red and white kit too, always following Reese’s lead.

"Hey Kaitlyn," Jason said, his cheeks reddening slightly like they always did when he spoke to a girl. He'd had his brown hair cut since I'd last seen him and I forced myself not to roll my eyes as I realised he'd gotten the same style as my brother.