dialogue - #E5AB09 | dialogue - #003B32
thought - #C68174 | thought - 7CBDC9
Alejandro could feel the sun on his back and quickly wiped away the sweat from his eyes before beginning to jog across the field, his eyes following the movement of the ball as white and red shirts blurred together, fighting for control. Since the end of the first half, he had felt himself struggling to breathe. However, with the game currently 0-1 against them, Alejandro had decided to not say anything, attributing it to the weather and concluding that the rest of the players must be feeling the say way.
The last three weeks had taken a toll on Alejandro as he prepared for class and championship finals. He had relied on several all-nighters and caffeine tablets to get him through them. With exams over, there was only one thing left, and the only thing standing between now and victory was one goal. The team had to at least tie or else they would lose the whole championship. With victory so close, it wasn't even an option for him to consider failure.
"Over here!" Alejandro called out.
One of his teammates got control of the ball and kicked it in his direction. Seeing an opportunity, Alejandro moved to get control of the ball. As soon as his feet made contact, he began to run full speed. Part of the crowd on the bleachers cheered, their white jerseys and accessories glaring under the sun.
Alejandro maneuvered around one of the opposing team players. As another opposing player came in front of him, he kicked the ball over to one of his teammates and, when the coast was clear again, received it. Ahead, he saw the short stretch left, the goal area waiting for him, unprotected aside from the goalie. He felt blood rushing to his ears. He loved the feeling of the grass below him, the soccer ball in his control, and the moments right before a goal. He had to score. There was simply no other option and he was already so close.
His feet skillfully moving the soccer ball, the people in the background cheered, and the heat rose from the ground. As Alejandro felt the usual rush, his vision began to look cloudy and he felt a loss of balance. He tripped and fell, making hard contact with the ground, the ball moving out of the field.
His team players screamed as the whistle was blown. The opposing team began to cheer and part of the bleaches went wild, blowing horns and jumping.
At first, no one worried much about Alejandro, who was not moving, his teammates shaking their heads. Two of them went up to help him get up, knowing how he got after losing and assuming that he was just upset.
"Man, what the heck happened?" One of his teammates said.
"Excuse me!"
A young woman pushed past them, moving to Alejandro's side and dropping to her knees. Her eyes were wide as she placed two fingers against his neck, trying to get a hold of his pulse. What's happening?
Laila couldn't understand. One minute, he had been fine and the next, the state of his soul had changed.
"Alejandro?" Her voice was silvery but there was clear worry in her tone.
"Hey, you can't-"
"He's dying!" She screamed, looking over her shoulder, "Get someone!"