(Part 8)

Two runs taken on Gabriel's next delivery, Nile once again took the batting crease, "It won't work Gabriel. I know you and your play style like an open book. Even if you have some new tricks up your sleeves. It won't make a difference, I'll figure them out in no time."

"Won't make a difference…?" Elias whispered from behind.

Walking past him he patted Gabriel's back who got ready for the next delivery. "Gabriel, mind listening to me for bit?" Elias asked.

"Yes, I do." Gabriel immediately rejected him, going away. A slap of embarrassment on a highschoolers face… Kenzo and Azazel chuckled enjoying the scene.

"That's fine, though." Elias had realized his reason for that certain behavior.

Gabriel glanced back at Elias only to find his hand gesturing a certain type of a balling grip. "Hope you understand. The rest depends on you and the chance which you take or lose." Elias wore his helmet, standing behind the wickets.

Gabriel staring at the white cock ball, clicked his tongue irritated. The 3rd delivery of the 17th over. Gabriel stepped on the popping crease leaving the ball.

A standard off-spin pitched outside the off stump spun into Nile's leg side. Nile grinned leaving the crease and smashing the ball hard towards the deep off side. Gabriel immediately turned around to look.

"Huge! But, will it make its way to the stands…?" the commentators exclaimed.

"There's a fielder their…" Maaz pointed.

Elias and Senri too gasped, "Feng!" their gazes narrowed.

Feng guarding the deep off side stared at the shot. "It's very high. I might not even make it for a catch…" he thought nervous. However, his eyes fixated on the ball, he whispered, "Nonetheless at the same time I want to grab it… I don't want to be afraid anymore. I don't want him to score his fifty. I might be a self-centered devilish devil at this moment but not this time. All I know is that I am not just a fielder and I won't miss this chance!"

And with this he pressured his toes, leaping high over the ground. His arm reaching beyond his limit he whispered, his grey eyes glistening, "Iron Clad Defense… Zoom out!" A silver light surrounding the entire boundary line and above. The ball slowed in midair before crossing the stands, came down within Feng's grasp.

Alan gasped, his expression widened.

All eyes on him and moment, Nile gulped while Gabriel stared.

Only his fingers reaching the ball, Feng pushed it back up away from the boundary, high inside the ground falling down. Looking back up, his eyes still on the ball he dived and caught it back in his hands.

At that very moment, tides had changed, the mood had changed, belief had come and a light had shone as the boys cheered. "It's gone!!" the commentators went wild. "WOOHOO!"

Feng too at that moment left the ball and sat on the ground mystified in disbelief of what had happened. Every single limb of his body trembled with excitement and he felt his heart throbbing out of his chest. "I-I-I did i-t…? I- caught i-it…" he stared at his hands soon hiding his face with pure joy.

"And given! What in the heavens name was that?! First it was struck, then it was pushed back up and later on caught with a stunning dive! Oh, Feng you beauty, you've won hearts today!" Jones remarked thrilled.

"Nile Dawood losing his fifty with just a single run…" Wasim continued.

"Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!" the middleschoolers surrounded Feng who laughed nonstop. "That was so cool!" Azazel and Cassiel embraced him as Kenzo and Seraph ruffled his hairs proud.

"I- also don't believe it. I-It just happened," Feng failed to explain how he felt. Even words felt so minute at that moment.

Xavier patted his back pleased.

Gabriel on the balling crease spoke up, "You're right, you know me like the back of your palm Nile, we played together ever since we were kids. When you left the academy, left the team without a word. Did you realize what you had done?"

Nile remained stiff.

Gabriel smirked, "No, you didn't and you don't realize it even now. You said you know me however, you don't know others at all. The other 10 players including Feng, you don't them at all."

Nile stared at the ground in incredulity of what had happened, "No… no, no…" he whispered, "This can't be happening. I was so close… so close to winning…" he grabbed his forehead sinking low, "Why is last year repeating this way?"

Feng looking at him and Gabriel on the pitch, glanced at the ball in his hands. A soft, yet a compelled smile escaping his lips, with his brow downcast his hairs swayed with the breeze, "I am sorry I had to do this Nile… No matter whatever you did to me. I really don't feel happy ending things this way at all. Maybe… all this could have been different…?" he recalled.

An Year ago [Inter-academy matches (Aitcheson Academy VS Roots Millennium academy)]

Last five overs of the match remaining. Feng took the batting crease with Mikael on the non-striker's end. "Are you alright, Feng?" he asked troubled.

Feng wiping his forehead gasped, soon gulping, "I-I am Senior Mikael. Don't w-orry…" he assured.

"You don't look so. Should I call the doctor?" Mikael urged as Feng shook his head interrupting with a No.

"We have to win this match. It's no time to be getting worried. We need 46 more runs in last 30 deliveries right? No big deal." Feng took his position.

Gabriel conversing with Nile on the baller's end glanced at him slightly concerned.

Nile grinning, delivered the third ball of the over as Feng once again evaded the high bouncer aiming for his head. Going to the wicketkeeper to get the ball, Nile stood before Feng smirking maliciously. "What was it, brat? You wanted a fifty? Go ahead and take it. Hit high, hit low. Do you think you have any use now that you can't score? Good thing I called you out last night." he grinned.

Feng shuddered under his words.

"Till you are under my skill you better think to get out now. You have played 23 deliveries and scored just 6 runs. Amusing hun, to see a run scorer begging the ground for runs." Nile scorned heading back.

Trapped in Arachnid trap which restricted all his movement, fear took over Feng at the worst point of the game. Unable to score and impractically wasting balls. He gasped for breath completely puzzled thinking, "What do I do…? What do I do…? What do I do…? Why can't I hit high? Why don't I hit high? Why am I trembling? What's wrong with me?"

Nile delivering a sharp leg cutter next. Feng gritted swinging his bat without looking high towards the long on. Only to hear a disdainful chuckle next, "Pfft! Such a fool. Let's see if you can play cricket again, power player of Aitcheson academy."

The ball slightly short, in front of Feng widened gaze, travelled into the hands of the long on fielder as the crowd cheered. His soul shattering and tears trembling down his cheeks, the crowd went wild in cheers.

Xavier from the pavilion rushed down as Hadi, Ryan, Theo and Hugo along with the rest of their team members followed.

"Feng…?" Mikael removed his helmet, rushing towards him and grabbing him by his shoulders.

Light hiccups escaping between his cries, Feng gritted.

"Feng, what's wrong? If it's about the wicket its fine don't worry. Luth is next in line. We'll win. Don't let it get to you. You did your best." he consoled however Feng still cried clasping his bat tight.

"Hey, are you alright?" Christopher, Jonah and Farran surrounded the two.

Gabriel concerned went over to them as Nile rolled his eyes from behind.

"Feng." Gabriel called however, before he could say more, Feng ran back to the pavilion.

Xavier tracing his sight called, "Feng…" however, Feng rather than listening, tossed his bat and gloves aside rushing outside the stadium. Crossing the staircase and through the backstage he dashed out.

"Wait a minute, brother Feng." Ryan said.

"Feng!" Hugo's call followed however, Feng had already left. 

"I am going behind him." Xavier told.

"Nobody is leaving anywhere." Hugo ordered.

"What…? Why?!" Xavier retorted bothered. However, grasping Hugo's serious gaze, he remained quiet looking low frustrated.

"How about I go then?" Ryan asked, "I am neither a captain nor a vice-captain and I got out before. Not a proud thing to say though…"

Hugo pondering for a while nodded lightly, "Go."

A breath of relief escaped Xavier's lips.

"Don't worry." Hugo assured.