The day finally arrived, and the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. All around me, senior students were bustling about, clad in their dazzling jerseys as they boarded the bus. Earlier, I had confided in my team about my decision not to play, and they had shown understanding and support.

As I made my way onto the bus, I paused to take in the familiar sights of our school environment, feeling a tug of nostalgia and uncertainty. Memories of the event at Janet's mansion played back in my mind like a vivid movie, causing my heart to flutter with unease. Taking a deep breath, I reassured myself that whatever lay ahead, I was not alone.

The journey to Madonna was a long one, and I couldn't shake off a strange feeling as I noticed that ten of our school buses were joining us on this trip. I couldn't help but think that it would have been easier if only the players had gone, but I knew that not attending would only complicate matters further.

As the familiar signpost of the school came into view, signaling our arrival, the bus turned onto a quiet path, gradually revealing the imposing gates of Madonna High School. The gates swung open, ushering us into the vast school compound. I took a moment to survey the surroundings, noting the expansive but somewhat treeless compound. Despite the lack of natural elements, the school's architectural design was striking. The glassy building emitted a warm glow, and artificial flowers adorned the area. I found myself searching for security personnel, only to realize with surprise that there were none in sight. "A big school like this without security measures – it seems risky," I mused to myself.

After our ten buses were parked in the lot, we were escorted by the school's coordinator, a short and dark woman in her late forties. Her warm smile put us at ease as we quietly followed her to the school pitch. As we filed in, the members of the host school sat silently in their seats, creating an eerie atmosphere devoid of the usual hum of human activity.

From a distance, I could see the school's players looking stunning in their red jerseys with black stripes. The fabric looked so vibrant and crisp even from where I stood. I mused when I recognized the match in their club name and their jerseys. "Red Tigers indeed."

The players of our team - Young City, were separated from the rest of us and went straight to the field to give their best. As they strode across the green turf, the sound of their cleats tapping against the ground filled the air. The rest of us made our way to the seats reserved for us. I took a seat quite secluded from others, but there, I could get a clearer view. The smell of freshly cut grass wafted through the air, adding to the excitement of the moment.

After a brief lecture on peace by the principal of Madonna, the game started in earnest. The shouts of support from the two teams created a lively backdrop, and the sound of the whistle and trumpet filled the air, adding to the electric atmosphere. I took a good look at the players; they weren't the same ones we played with in the inter-school sports. The blend of adrenaline and nervous energy was palpable as the game unfolded. I gave an alarmed look when I saw Titus. He scanned our whole teammates with just a glance and gave a disappointed look. I grinned sheepishly. "That idiot must be looking for me but here I am," I thought.

The first half was intense yet friendly. The smell of freshly cut grass filled the air as I watched the game. I seemed to love this new set of the Red Tigers. Their bright red jerseys stood out against the green field. There weren't any fouls from them. "Quite impressive", I thought. The sounds of cheering and shouting from the stands added to the excitement of the game. My suspicions were slowly fading away when our team scored and the Red Tigers ran to congratulate them. I felt foolish for not playing. "Don't judge a book by its cover", Janet's words rang in my head. Maybe I judged Titus wrongly. Who knows? He must've reflected on his actions and brought up this plan genuinely to make things up. But here I am, judging him from his past mistakes.

I had a strong urge to meet him when the first half ended. As his teammates were heading inside for a break, I ran up to him and complimented his performance on the pitch. When he turned to me, I noticed a sudden shift in his expression as our eyes met. His solemn face transformed into a bright smile as he responded, "Sam, I thought you weren't coming. Why didn't you play?"

I could sense the sincerity in his words, but there was something more behind his smile. It lingered longer than expected. I couldn't help but wonder if he was genuinely trying to make amends. I was lost in thought when he interrupted, asking if everything was okay. I quickly remembered his earlier question and lied, saying I had a headache and didn't want to risk jeopardizing the team's victory. He remarked on my thoughtfulness and returned my smile, but I couldn't shake the sudden unease creeping in.

I had been holding it in for a while but didn't want to miss any action on the field. I asked Titus for directions to the restroom. He assured me that someone would guide me and called for Kane to assist. "Why make a big deal out of just giving me directions?" I thought, feeling puzzled.

As Kane led me to the restroom, I couldn't help but feel that something was off, but I was helpless to do anything about it. Suddenly, a sense of déjà vu washed over me as I recalled a dream I had earlier - "Slowly and steadily, the lamb moves to the slaughterhouse." "What if he was taking me somewhere else?", I thought.