Fourth Down Dreams- Episode 5: Shadows Before Kickoff

Shadows before kickoff

Ayo hardly slept that night.

The photograph was on the small table beside his bed. He had turned it face down, but that did nothing to stop him from thinking about it.

Someone had taken that picture while he was training alone.

Someone had been watching him.

He picked it up again.

The photograph showed the training field just before sunrise. The grass was still wet, and Ayo could see himself in the distance, football in hand, preparing to throw.

He remembered that morning.

He had been completely alone.

Or at least, he had thought he was.

Ayo put the photograph down and stared at the ceiling.

Who are you? he whispered.

There was no answer.

By morning, he had made up his mind. He wasn't going to keep the matter to himself.

He placed the photograph and the two anonymous notes inside an envelope and headed for training.

Coach Musa was already in his office when he arrived.

The coach looked up from his desk.

You look like you fought with sleep and lost.

Ayo managed a weak smile.

I didn't sleep much, Coach.

"I can see that. What's wrong?"

Ayo placed the envelope on the desk.

These.

Coach Musa opened it and examined the contents one after another. His expression changed when he saw the photograph.

Where did you get this?

I found it in my bag yesterday.

And the notes?

I've kept them since the first one appeared.

Coach Musa leaned back in his chair.

For several seconds, he said nothing.

This has gone too far, he finally said.

That's what I thought.

Did you tell your mother?

Ayo shook his head.

Not yet.

You should.

I don't want her to worry.

Coach Musa gave him a serious look.

She'll worry more if something happens and she finds out you kept quiet.

Ayo lowered his eyes.

The coach gathered the papers.

I'll speak with the club management. Until then, don't confront anybody. Let me handle it.

Ayo nodded.

Okay, Coach.

He left the office feeling slightly better.

At least someone knew.

But the feeling didn't last long.

Training that morning was difficult.

Ayo kept looking over his shoulder.

He knew it wasn't helping, but he couldn't stop himself. Every time someone walked behind him, he wondered if they were the person who had been following him.

Tunde noticed.

During a short break, he walked over and handed Ayo a bottle of water.

Bro, what's going on with you?

I'm fine.

Tunde laughed.

You've been saying that since Monday. Even your 'I'm fine' doesn't sound fine anymore.

Ayo smiled.

Just have a lot on my mind.

Football?

Something like that.

Tunde studied his face but didn't press further.

Whatever it is, don't let it mess up your game.

Before Ayo could answer, Coach Musa's whistle cut through the conversation.

Back to work!

The players returned to the field.

They were preparing for the upcoming regional tournament, and everyone knew starting positions were still up for grabs.

Ayo wanted to prove that he deserved his place.

For the next hour, everything went smoothly.

Then, during a passing drill, something went wrong.

Ayo caught the snap, stepped back and prepared to throw.

The receiver broke toward the right.

Ayo raised his arm.

But the football slipped from his hand.

It fell to the ground.

The defenders quickly recovered it.

Ayo stared at his hands.

That had never happened to him before.

He looked at his gloves.

Something felt strange.

During the water break, he pulled them off and examined them carefully.

There was a greasy film on the inside.

Ayo frowned.

He rubbed his fingers together.

Oil.

Someone had put something on his gloves.

He immediately found Coach Musa.

Coach, look at this.

The coach examined the gloves.

His jaw tightened.

Where did you leave these before training?

In the equipment room.

Did anybody else have access to it?

I don't know.

Coach Musa looked around the field.

Don't say anything to the others yet,

alright?

Why?

Ayo asked.

Because if somebody did this deliberately, I want to know who.

That afternoon, Coach Musa and the equipment manager inspected the storage room.

Everything appeared normal.

The helmets were neatly arranged. The balls were in their usual places, and the players' equipment was where it should have been.

Then the equipment manager noticed something.

Coach here.

He pointed toward the security camera above the door.

The indicator light was off.

What's wrong with it?

Coach Musa asked.

It stopped working two days ago.

Coach Musa turned slowly.

Really?

Two days?

Yes, sir.

And you didn't report it?

I thought it was a power problem.

Coach Musa said nothing.

But Ayo knew what he was thinking.

Two days.

That was around the same time the first suspicious incident had happened.

Someone wasn't just trying to frighten him.

Someone was getting closer.

Two days later, the Warriors travelled to Abuja for the regional tournament.

For most of the team, the trip was exciting.

For Ayo, it was complicated.

He was excited too, but the messages and strange incidents kept coming back to his mind.

Still, when the bus entered Abuja, he couldn't help smiling.

The city was busy, bright and full of movement.

This was the biggest tournament of his young career.

Teams from different parts of Nigeria had arrived, and scouts were expected to attend the final games.

This could be the opportunity he had dreamed about.

That evening, Coach Musa gathered the team in the hotel conference room.

Tomorrow, everything we've worked for will be tested.

He looked around at the players.

Don't try to become heroes. Play your position. Trust your teammates. Respect your opponents.

Everyone applauded.

For the first time in days, Ayo felt genuinely excited.

After the meeting, he went outside to get some fresh air.

The Abuja night was calm. Cars moved along the road below, and the lights from nearby buildings shone across the city.

Then his phone vibrated.

Unknown Number.

Ayo opened the message.

His smile disappeared.

You shouldn't have come to Abuja.

He read it twice.

Then he looked toward the hotel entrance.

People were coming and going.

A taxi stopped.

Two men walked into the lobby.

A family stood near the entrance.

Nothing looked unusual.

But someone knew where he was.

Ayo quickly returned inside and found Coach Musa.

Coach.

The coach looked at him.

What happened?

Ayo handed him the phone.

Coach Musa read the message.

His face became serious.

From now on, you don't move around alone.

Ayo nodded.

Who do you think it is?

Honestly I am confused.

He replied.

Could it be someone from the team?

Coach Musa paused.

Don't accuse anybody without proof.

Coach Musa replied.

He handed the phone back to Ayo.

But remember something, Ayo. Not everyone who smiles at you is happy about your success.

Ayo looked toward the hallway.

Tomorrow, he would step onto the biggest field of his career so far.

Scouts would be watching.

Thousands of eyes could be on him.

And somewhere among them might be the person responsible for everything.

Ayo slipped his phone into his pocket.

For the first time, he understood something frightening.

The tournament hadn't even started yet.

But the real game already had.

You will get to know what happened in the next episode.

To be continued.