Location: Oak Hill Academy – Indoor Gym
Time: 4:10 PM – The Day After the Shooting
The gym was quiet.
Not silent the hum of lights above, the faint squeak of a shoe against polished hardwood but not filled with the usual shouting, the rhythm of drills, or the laughter of boys chasing their dream.
Just a team... broken. Trying to breathe again.
Lucas Graves stood at the edge of the court, facing the rest of the Vorpal Basket team. His hands were clenched at his sides, his hoodie soaked through the back with sweat — not from practice, but from pressure. From the weight.
They were all there.
Evan Cooper, leaning against the wall, arms folded, but his usual spark was missing.
Ryan Taylor, staring down at the court like it had betrayed them.
Brandon Young, his eyes red, saying nothing.
Kai, Jeremy, Josh, Aiden, Coonie, all gathered… but it wasn't the same.
