A Trio of Dark Tales!

Prologue

He looked over his playbook. He was convinced that the offense would work for the next game.

The opponent was going to be tough, but so were all the other opponents. He had faith in this team-this was one of the best he had had in a long time.

His one main concern was his cornerback-the one he usually used at right cornerback. He tended to melt under pressure late in the game.

He would talk to him before practice.

Chapter I

Coach Jim Tress was talking with the principal.

I know I can be tough on students, but I need to discuss things with him, ok?

Your discipline can go too far, Jim, Mr. Lester Vincent, the principal, informed him. If I hear about anything other than a severe lecture, there will be consequences. If you weren’t such a good football coach, we wouldn’t have let you here this long.

Coach Tress then left the office. He had been coaching football at Walsh High School for ten years and won three state titles. He had also earned a reputation as a bit of a stern disciplinarian on the verge of going too far while earning the respect of his students and peers alike with his revolutionary use of the I-option offense.

He still needed to figure out how to prepare for the upcoming game against Washington High School. They had a terrific team.

As he snapped out of his thought, a dark shadow dashed across the hallway in front of him from one classroom door to another. It seemed to smirk at him.

Just my imagination, he thought. I’ve got too much imagination. Too much on my mind. Football team and family.

He knew he would talk with cornerback Jeff Jackson without being too tough. This would be new, but he was sure he could do it. He knew that Jeff had a history of problems at school and at home.

Tress was having problems at home too. He would use his philosophical discussions with Jeff. Hopefully they would work.

Jeff was one of his star players, and he didn’t want to lose him for such an important game, but he also knew that character was paramount for his team. He wouldn’t want a bad influence to be a burden on the team.

Another dark shadow seemed to jump out in front of him.

Is my imagination intertwining with my life again? Tress thought. I sure hope not.

He hoped these would help him figure out the best way to talk with Jeff.

The meeting was right after school-he was sure he would figure it all out by then. He had had discussions like this with his players before, so he was used to it.

He approached his office and drew up a game plan for the meeting. He promised himself he would be firm, but not horrible.

Meeting time finally arrived. Jeff showed up at his door.

A shadow dashed by the hallway. Perhaps it was an omen-or a warning.

Jeff, sit down. It’s about your performance in the games, the coach said. It is simply not acceptable.

Why not? Jeff asked. What am I doing wrong?

You tend to melt under pressure late in the game, especially when it comes to pass coverage. You know that teams will throw deep late in the game when they are deep and need to score. Football is a team sport, and I need you to work with the other defensive players, especially the other backs. You know I like to use the Cover 2 zone defense late in the games in ‘crunch time.’ If you are having trouble with this type of defense, and that is what is causing your ‘meltdown,’ don’t hesitate to ask me or the other coaches about it, especially me or the defensive backs coach. That’s what we’re here for. Got that?

I think so. I will ask Coach Williams about it too. I will also talk to my teammates.

Thanks. That was what I wanted to hear. Dismissed!

Jeff then left the room. Coach Tress felt satisfied that he was able to talk with a player without raising his voice.

Coach Arnold Williams was the defensive backs coach. He would talk with him later and check up to see if Jeff had talked with him. Just procedure.

As he left his office, he could have sworn he saw one of those shadows. It seemed a little less ominous.

He wondered what they represented. They had to stand for something.

Coach Tress?

The coach turned around. A very tall man was standing by him. He was wearing a black suit.

How can I help you? Coach Tress asked him.

I didn’t mean to startle you, but my name is Tom Graham Reynolds. I was sent here to assist you a little bit.

How can you assist me? I don’t know you or where you came from. Are you a teacher here or from the school district? Do you coach football?

None of the above, Tom said. Let’s just say associates know me. Do you know Arnold Williams?

My defensive backs coach?

I know him a little bit. I wanted to say something:play that kid Jeff tonight-he will heed what you said. But whatever you do, limit the play of Carter Carver.

With that, he walked away.

Carter Carver-he was one of his star linebackers. Why would he limit his play?

He was coach, and it was his gameplan.

Still, he would keep it in mind, however strange it seemed.

Chapter II

Okay, boys, are you ready for tonight’s game?

The Walsh Beavers were in the locker room, about to head out to the field. Coach Tress was about to lead them.

Ready, willing, and able! The team shouted out in unison.

Let’s demolish those Washington Walruses! The coach then ordered.

The coach then led the team onto the field, and they busted through the paper to cheers from the crowd. Walsh won the coin toss and elected to receive, meaning Washington would have their defense on the field to start.

After a good kickoff return, the Walruses were on the 30 yard line. Coach Tress implemented his Cover 2 Zone Defense to guard against what he knew was a good passing attack.

He had both Jackson and Carver on the field. He was confident that Jackson had listened to what he had said in their meeting, but he was suddenly a little nervous.

That guy in the hallway was probably just trying to scare him

A shadow skipped in front of him. How could he have seen that at night?

This is getting scary.

The first play from the Walruses was a short pass from their quarterback, intended to their tight end. This made the coach nervous because he knew that they were a little susceptible to the short stuff underneath. Jeff Jackson read it perfectly, however, and intercepted it, returning it ten yards before being knocked down by the other team’s fullback.

Way to go, Jeff! The coach said as he slammed him on the back in congratulations. That was a great play!

Thanks, coach! Jeff said in response.

Now we’ll see what offense can do, Tress thought. Hopefully something good.

He had them in a Power-I formation. He intended for a few running plays to start off with due to the outstanding field position.

Quarterback Stan Jay handed off to running back Ernie Black. A two-yard gain. Same play again. A three-yard gain.

Tress switched to a regular I formation and tried for a passing attack. After two incomplete passes, he decided for a field goal attempt. Kicker Wade Lee was successful for three points.

They kicked off to Walsh, and Tress put his same defensive players back on the field again. As the play was about to start, Tress heard a voice over his headset.

Coach Tress? My name is Trey Gordon Ramsey, and I am with the other team. Evidently you don’t pay attention.

The other voice then signed off.

Blitz! Tress called over his microphone. No voice was going to dictate him. He knew the other team’s game plan-he had scouted them.

As the other team’s quarterback dropped back to pass, Carver and Jackson charged through the line of scrimmage. As the quarterback tried to dodge them, Carver pounced on him, and their helmets collided. Carver crumpled to the ground as the quarterback continued to try to evade Jackson and locate a receiver downfield. Jackson finally caught up with him and sacked him.

After the play, players and coaches approached Carver. He hadn’t moved since the play ended.

PARAMEDICS!!!!! Tress screamed.

Paramedics arrived on the scene and carted Carver into an ambulance, rushing him off to the nearest hospital. One stayed behind.

Keep me updated on his progress, Tress ordered. This is a very serious situation. I hate it when one of my players becomes severely injured like this. I hope it’s not too serious, but I am prepared for the worst.

Aye-aye, the paramedic said with a salute.

After a few moments of silence, the game resumed. Another linebacker, Jason Herbie, was inserted in Carver’s place. Tress heard another voice over his headset.

Tony Gary Rivets here, the voice said. Evidently you didn’t listen to my friend’s warning about not playing your linebacker.

What the- The coach felt his jaw drop. Where all these voices coming from?

Who are you and how did you get my headset extension? Tress demanded.

That doesn’t matter, Rivets replied.

What the hell are you talking about? Tress shot back. Of course it does.

What matters is that you listen to us, Rivets continued. If you listen to us, we might spare your player.

This is weird, Tress thought. No weirder than some of the things I’ve seen happen at my school, though.

Okay, Mr. Rivets, you’ve got my attention. What’s the game plan?

Just pay attention to us. Then he was gone.

Well, that was something, Tress thought. He then turned his focus back to coaching the game and would also worry about Carter Carver.

He did not receive any more contact from the alleged people for the remainder of the game, which he executed perfectly over his opponent. He used his signature defense to shut down the other team’s offense, which he spotted flaws in constantly, and made ingenious