by C. J. Lau
Chapter 34
“Oh crap,” I mutter to Cat. Our group stopping short of a field that’s meant to be empty by now. The third place playoff going to a Penalty shootout.
The morning of the State Final and everything is ready. A Hockeyroo, and a master Coach in my corner. Everyone promising to come up and support us. My voice healed and ready for shouting, make-up covering what’s left of the bruising.
We move forward to the field’s edge. The scoreboard saying Wollongong and Newcastle finished two all. But Newcastle stands ahead on Penalties.
Ready to warm up as soon as they’re done. Across the way the blue and red uniforms of Murwillumbah wait to do the same.
“Hang tight girls,” I call out, looking around.
Although a crowd of a few hundred is still good for a high school final, the stadium dwarfs the turnout.
Even at a distance, Murwillumbah look tall, strong, and confident. We have our work cut out for us today. But we’re ready. Our morning team meeting has every warrior clear on her role.
The red team score another penalty at the far end to take their lead to 3-1. But my eyes focus on Candace, sitting beside Zara on the bench.
“Heya, Maggie.” Solo’s voice catches my attention for a moment, small suitcase in tow. I plant a kiss on his lips to another woo from the girls.
“Candace must be suspended,” I say, focus on the girl moving from the sideline, but not to the field.
“Yep,” Cat answers, “for punching you.”
Candace spots me looking. Her eyes burning holes, with her finger pointing in fury. I don’t need to lip read to interpret the stream of profanity she shouts before disappearing with her bag.
Her fury and insults freeze me for a moment.
“Forget her.” Solo puts his arm around me.
Newcastle score again.
“Hey look!” Sam shouts, pointing at Carol in the grandstand across from us. About fifty people around her, parents and relatives. Even Brooke’s dad is here.
“Let’s give them something to cheer about,” I say, waving at the group.
Wollongong score again, and the match falls to the last Newcastle player, walking up to the spot.
My eyes find Zara in the technical area. I’d expect a look of concern, with her team one Penalty away from losing third place. But something else preoccupies her, like she’s lost something.
The cheers from the red side tell me Newcastle have won the match, but my eyes don’t leave Zara, first moving to a discarded bag near the tunnel. Then quickly climbing the stairs and sprinting towards us. Screaming something that isn’t cussing but still, doesn’t make sense.
“No Candace! Don’t!”
A slither of confusion, then screaming behind me. “You slut!”
Candace. Sprinting. Rage on her face as she eats up metres between us. My body without time to tense at what’s in her hand.
The longest knife I‘ve ever seen.
Shock hits. But pain stays. A searing in my chest. White-hot, taking oxygen away in a gasp. Her fist rams into my chest, knocks me back.
Candace drowned out by Solo and Cat, both shouting. In slow motion
Solo tackles Candace. Wrestles her as far from me as he can get her. Empty handed now.
I’m falling.
Pain. Like fire.
“Maggie! Maggie, help’s on the way!” Cat, over me now, screaming in my face. “Stay with me! It’s going to be okay.”
Don’t worry, Cat.
My eyes feel heavy, I give the smallest of nods.
I love you.
I can still hear her screams when blackness crashes in.