The sun was setting on the horizon casting dancing shadows on the emerald-green pitch but William felt no warmth as he sat alone on the hard wood of the stadium bench. His right leg stretched out in front of him and a big ice pack was wrapped around his thigh, sending a thousand needles of painful cold into his skin. While the rest of his team burst and shouted around the field as they played their morning match William sat watching and worrying about his own game against Brentford, a feeling of dread curling in his chest and up to his head.
As the game finally ended the players began heading towards the tunnel, their shirts damp with sweat and their faces red from the heat of the afternoon. Coach Lincoln, who was watching the boys with his usual steely intensity, turned away from the group and began walking to where William was sitting on the bench. The coach had been walking for a while as he approached William, his pace steady and purposeful, for which the boy was grateful as he knew that the words the man was about to speak would decide whether he would play for Brentford or not. Lincoln stopped in front of William and gave him a long look before tucking his whistle into his pocket. "How do you feel, William?" The coach asked, his gravelly voice low and calm as he studied the boy's expression. William exhaled and stood up, testing his weight on his right leg, checking if the searing pain had returned. To his immense relief the only discomfort was a dull ache that had taken over the leg due to the ice pack, which the medical staff had applied to reduce the inflammation. "Coach, it feels much better than it did after I tried the step-over," William said, his voice growing stronger as he realized that the pain and swelling were both down to the match. The quick treatment had soothed the angry red spot that had appeared on his thigh after the step-over, and replaced it with a dull feeling of pain. "I believe I will be fit to play tomorrow if I get some rest."
Coach Lincoln said nothing as he crossed his arms over his chest, considering the risk of having an injured player on the field. He would miss the creativity that William brought to the game, but Lincoln also knew that forcing the boy to return too soon would cause an even more severe injury than the one he had now. "We will see how you feel in the morning, William," Coach Lincoln said finally, giving the boy a nod of encouragement. "Go home and take care of that leg and if it feels better by tomorrow then we will decide if you will be fit to play. For now, your only duty is to get well again." As they talked, Fernandes, the team captain, approached the coach and William, his confidence radiating off him in waves. The man gave Lincoln a firm nod before regarding William. The captain seemed concerned by the look on the boy's face.
"Come now, don't look so glum, William," Fernandes said, smiling warmly enough to brighten the room. "I think you should go home now and since you can't use that leg I will take you in my bicycle."
William was stunned by how considerate the captain was being and was about to object as it would mean a long walk back to their residence, but William's reluctance was short lived as the captain began leading him to the bike. Fernandes led William to where the bicycle was placed and William climbed on the metal rack at the back as the captain took his place at the front. As they rode off into the streets of Blackpool the cool air of the afternoon blew past William's face, but his expression was still troubled.
Fernandes saw the look and knew what was going through William's head as he had often found himself in the same situation as the boy. "You are worrying about the match, aren't you?"
Fernandes asked William as he and the captain climbed a hill. "You think this injury has ruined your chances, don't you? William, a minor strain is but a hurdle to an elite player such as you. You have the skill and talent to overcome this obstacle, all I ask is to trust your body and take care of it."
William looked down at his leg, watching the muscles move as he spoke. "I just don't have anyone to help me take care of it," William said quietly. "The medical team has given me the spray but I don't know how to get rid of this stiffness in my leg before tomorrow so I can play."
Fernandes slowed the bicycle as they drew level with a row of brick buildings, all of which looked clean and well-kept. "Well then," Fernandes said in a tone that allowed no arguing, "follow me to my house and I will show you how to get rid of this stiffness in your leg. Besides, it is a captain's responsibility to show care to his team." They rode for a few more minutes and soon enough, William found himself outside the captain's apartment in the city. Stepping inside, William looked around in awe at how well-kept and fit-friendly the place was. Everything was just right for someone to keep their focus on the game. There were posters around the room with pictures of football matches and a small room was dedicated for stretching and other physical activities. Realizing how well William Blackpool FC took care of their players made him want to win for this team even more as he knew they genuinely cared for him.
Fernandes pointed to the couch and told William to sit and raise his leg. "You see, our club makes sure that we get everything we need to be fit," Fernandes said as he took a bottle of oil from a small cupboard. "We get these apartments to make sure that we can focus on the game." Fernandes began applying the oil to William's leg and massaging the muscles. At first, William had to grit his teeth because of the force Fernandes was using on his leg, it felt as if the man was trying to iron out a thick knotted rope. Then the tension began to loosen and the ache in William's leg began to subside.
It was a battle between William and his injury as he pushed through the agony. The worry that had kept him trapped for two hours was lifted as he realized that he could really play against Brentford tomorrow. "There, there, there..." Fernandes said, stepping back and wiping his hands with a towel. "Your muscle is loosening already. If you keep it elevated tonight then you will be fit enough to do your magic tricks with the ball tomorrow." William stood up and smiled as he realized that, this time, there was no pain. Only a slight feeling of warmth in his leg as Fernandes told him to rest for a while before leaving. Before he left, however, Fernandes told William that he should not leave until tomorrow as he could give him a massage before the match. William loved the idea and decided to stay, lying on the couch and thinking about the test match ahead. He would continue to fight the pain because he was no longer fighting for his own sake, but for the sake of the team and for his own pride. He would keep going despite the injury and fight his way through the pain, playing the way the coach wanted him to. William would show the people at Blackpool FC that he belonged on that team.