Léon FC medical facility. Week 8 of rehab.
Lucas is on the anti-gravity treadmill, jogging lightly. Dr. Moreau is monitoring his ankle mobility, taking notes.
MOREAU:"Good, Lucas. Your range of motion is improving. Another two weeks and we can start light ball work."
LUCAS: "Two weeks?"
MOREAU:"Yes. We need to be patient with the final stages—"
LUCAS: "But I feel good. I can do more."
MOREAU:"Lucas, we've discussed this. The ankle is healing, but the ligaments need time to fully strengthen. If we rush—"
LUCAS: "I'm not rushing. I'm ready."
Dr. Moreau sighs.
MOREAU:"Alright. Let's test your lateral movement. Cones. Side-to-side. Slow."
Lucas steps off the treadmill, eager.
They set up cones. Lucas begins the drill shuffling left, then right, then left again.
It feels good. Strong.
I'm back. I'm actually back.
Lucas speeds up, adding a burst of acceleration—
CRACK.
Not a loud sound. Just a sharp, sickening pop.
Lucas crumples to the ground, screaming.
LUCAS: "NO! NO NO NO!"
Dr. Moreau rushes over, already knowing what happened.
MOREAU:"Don't move. Stay still."
LUCAS (voice breaking): "Please tell me it's not—"
MOREAU:"We need to get you to imaging. Now."
Hospital. Two hours later.
Lucas sits on the examination table, leg elevated, face pale. Rico is beside him, hand on his shoulder.
Dr. Moreau enters with the results.
MOREAU:"Lucas... you've re-aggravated the ligament. It's not a complete tear, but it's significant."
Silence.
LUCAS: "How long?"
MOREAU:"Three months. Minimum. That puts you back in training around the start of next season."
LUCAS: "Three months... so I miss the rest of this season completely."
MOREAU:"Yes. I'm sorry, Lucas. But if you don't heal properly this time, you could have chronic issues for the rest of your career."
Lucas stares at the wall, eyes red, jaw trembling.
LUCAS: "I did everything you said. Everything."
MOREAU:"I know. But you pushed when I told you to slow down. Multiple times. The ankle wasn't ready."
LUCAS (voice cracking): "So this is my fault?"
MOREAU:"It's no one's fault. But you need to understandyour body has limits. And if you don't respect them, this will keep happening."
Dr. Moreau leaves them alone.
Lucas sits there, shaking.
Rico pulls him into a hug.
And Lucas breaks.
He sobs into his father's shoulder deep, heaving sobs.
LUCAS: "I ruined it, Dad. I ruined everything."
RICO: "No, you didn't—"
LUCAS: "YES, I DID! I had everything! Léon wanted me! I was scoring, I was playing well, and I threw it all away because I couldn't just I couldn't just wait!"
Rico holds him tighter.
RICO: "Listen to me. You didn't ruin anything. You're 17 years old. You have years ahead of you. This is a setback. Not the end."
LUCAS: "It feels like the end."
RICO: "I know. But it's not. You're going to heal. You're going to come back. And you're going to be better than before."
LUCAS: "What if I'm not? What if I come back and I'm not the same?"
RICO: "Then you'll adapt. But you're strong, Lucas. Stronger than you think."
Lucas pulls away, wiping his eyes.
LUCAS: "Klaus is in the Premier League. Playing. Fighting. And I'm... I'm stuck here. Again."
RICO: "Klaus is fighting too, son. You're not the only one fighting battles."
Klaus's apartment. Evening.
Klaus is watching game footage on his laptop when his phone buzzes.
Rico calling.
He answers immediately.
KLAUS: "Hey, Dad."
RICO: "Klaus. I need to tell you something."
Klaus hears the weight in Rico's voice.
KLAUS: "What happened?"
RICO: "Lucas... he re-injured his ankle. He's out for another three months. Won't be back until next season."
Klaus freezes.
KLAUS: "What?"
RICO: "He pushed too hard in rehab. The ligament didn't heal properly. He's devastated."
Klaus closes his eyes, guilt washing over him.
KLAUS: "Is he okay?"
RICO: "Physically, he will be. Mentally... he's struggling."
KLAUS: "Can I... can I talk to him?"
RICO: "I don't know if he's ready for that, Klaus."
Silence.
KLAUS: "Tell him... tell him I'm sorry. And that I hope he heals soon."
RICO: "I will."
KLAUS: "Dad?"
RICO: "Yeah?"
KLAUS: "I should've called him. Before all this. I should've reached out."
RICO: "You still can."
KLAUS: "I don't think he wants to hear from me."
RICO: "You'd be surprised."
They hang up.
Klaus sits there, staring at his phone.
Lucas's contact is right there.
But Klaus doesn't call.
What would I even say?
Léon FC medical facility. Month 1 of rehab (second attempt).
Lucas is in the pool, doing slow, controlled movements. Dr. Moreau is watching closely.
MOREAU:"Good, Lucas. Very good. You're listening this time."
LUCAS: "I don't have a choice."
MOREAU:"You always have a choice. But you're making the right one now."
Lucas nods, but his face is distant.
Léon FC gym. 11:00 PM. Week 3 of rehab.
The facility is empty. Dark. But one light is on in the gym.
Lucas is sitting on the floor, back against the wall, staring at his wrapped ankle.
His phone is beside him, screen showing Klaus's Instagram.
Klaus at training. Klaus scoring in matches. Klaus fighting.
Lucas locks his phone and throws it across the room.
LUCAS (voice breaking): "Why can't I just... why can't I just be like him?"
The door opens. Antoine walks in.
ANTOINE: "Still here?"
Lucas wipes his eyes quickly.
ANTOINE: "You know, sitting in the dark doesn't make the ankle heal faster."
Lucas doesn't respond.
Antoine sits beside him.
ANTOINE: "I see you watching your brother's highlights."
Lucas looks at him, surprised.
ANTOINE: "It's obvious, kid. You're comparing yourself to him. Torturing yourself."
LUCAS: "He's out there playing. I'm stuck here."
ANTOINE: "For now. But you'll be back. And when you are, you'll be stronger."
LUCAS: "What if I'm not? What if I come back and I'm not as good?"
ANTOINE: "Then you work until you are. But you can't do that if you don't heal properly first."
Lucas nods slowly.
ANTOINE: "Your brother is fighting his battles. You're fighting yours. Stop comparing the two."
LUCAS: "How?"
ANTOINE: "By focusing on what you can control. Your rehab. Your attitude. Your future."
He stands, offering Lucas his hand.
ANTOINE: "Come on. Go home. Rest. Tomorrow, we start fresh."
Lucas takes his hand and stands.
Léon FC medical facility. Month 2 of rehab.
Lucas is working with Dr. Moreau, doing balance exercises on a wobble board.
MOREAU:"Excellent, Lucas. Your stability has improved significantly."
LUCAS: "When can I start running?"
MOREAU:"Another week. Maybe two. But we're on track."
LUCAS: "Really?"
MOREAU:"Yes. You're doing everything right this time. Patience is paying off."
Lucas smiles the first genuine smile in weeks.
Léon FC training ground. Month 3 of rehab. Early morning.
Lucas walks onto the pitch with Dr. Moreau for his final clearance test.
MOREAU:"Alright, Lucas. Sprint to the halfway line and back. Then some lateral movement. If everything looks good, you're cleared for full training."
Lucas nods, nervous but determined.
He sprints. His ankle holds.
He cuts left and right. No pain.
He stops, breathing hard, looking at Dr. Moreau.
MOREAU(smiling): "Welcome back, Lucas. You're cleared."
Lucas's eyes well up.
LUCAS: "Really?"
MOREAU:"Really. Full training starts tomorrow."
Lucas drops to his knees, overwhelmed.
I made it. I actually made it.
Léon FC training ground. Next morning.
Lucas walks onto the pitch for the first time in three months.
His teammates see him and erupt.
MALIK: "LUCAS! HE'S BACK!"
They mob him, hugging him, celebrating.
ANTOINE: "Good to see you, kid."
LUCAS (grinning): "Good to be back."
The coach blows the whistle. Training begins.
Lucas is shaky at first his touches are heavy, his movements tentative.
But slowly, it comes back.
A pass. A turn. A dribble.
By the end of the session, Lucas is smiling.
I'm back. I'm really back.
Montage. Lucas's first three weeks back.
Lucas trains harder than anyone.
First one in, last one outExtra shooting drills after practiceGym sessions before breakfastFilm study late at night
His teammates notice.
MALIK: "Bro, you're going to burn out."
LUCAS: "I've already lost months. I'm not wasting any more time."
ANTOINE (watching from a distance, to another teammate): "He's different now. Hungrier."
Lucas's apartment. Late night.
Lucas sits on his balcony, looking out at the city.
He thinks about the last few months.
The injury. The setback. The frustration. The doubt.
I almost gave up.
But I didn't.
He picks up his phone. Opens Klaus's contact.
Types: "I'm back. Full training. Ready for next season."
Hovers over send.
Then adds: "Hope you're doing okay."
He sends it.
Then locks his phone, feeling... lighter.
The final weeks of Klaus's season with Harwich.
Match 35: Klaus scores. Harwich draws 1-1.
Match 36: Klaus scores from a penalty. Harwich loses 3-1.
Match 37: Klaus scores a hat-trick. Harwich wins 4-3.
Current Standing: 19th place. 30 points. 1 match remaining.
To stay up: Harwich must win their final match and hope two other results go their way.
Klaus's Stats: 15 goals, 4 assists in 37 matches.
Harwich FC vs. Redford Lions. Match 38. The season finale.
The stadium is packed. Fans holding banners:
"FIGHT TILL THE END" "KLAUS - OUR HERO" "BELIEVE"
Klaus walks out of the tunnel, the weight of the season on his shoulders.
COMMENTATOR: "This is it. Harwich needs a win and two miracles to stay up. Klaus Santos has carried this team all season. Can he do it one more time?"
Kick-off.
18th Minute:
Klaus receives the ball at the top of the box. He turns, shoots GOAL.
1-0 Harwich.
The stadium erupts. Klaus doesn't celebrate. He just points to the sky and runs back.
HALF-TIME: 1-0.
News comes in: One of the other results is going their way. They need one more.
SECOND HALF:
55th Minute:
Redford equalizes. 1-1.
67th Minute:
Klaus is fouled in the box. PENALTY.
He steps up. The pressure is unbearable.
He runs up GOAL. 2-1.
The crowd is going wild.
78th Minute:
Redford scores again. 2-2.
85th Minute:
Klaus gets the ball on the edge of the box. He dribbles past one defender, then another
SHOOTS.
The keeper saves it.
Klaus falls to his knees.
90th Minute:
One last chance. A corner.
Klaus rises above everyone HEADER.
The ball hits the post and bounces out.
FULL TIME: 2-2.
The referee blows the whistle.
Harwich FC is relegated.
The pitch. After the final whistle.
Klaus stands in the center circle, hands on his knees, tears streaming down his face.
Fans are crying. Some are applauding. Others are silent.
Jake walks over, pulling Klaus into a hug.
JAKE: "You gave everything, mate. Everything."
Klaus can't speak. He just nods.
The fans start chanting:
"KLAUS SANTOS! clap clap clap KLAUS SANTOS!"
Klaus looks up at them, overwhelmed.
They're not angry. They're grateful.
But Klaus feels like he failed them anyway.
Harwich FC locker room. Silent.
Players sit with their heads down. Some crying. Some staring at nothing.
Grant walks in.
GRANT: "I know what you're all feeling. But I need you to hear this: you fought. Every single one of you fought. And Klaus..."
He looks at Klaus.
GRANT: "You carried this team on your back. Fifteen goals. You gave us everything. And we're all grateful."
Klaus looks down, jaw tight.
GRANT: "This isn't the end. It's just... a setback. We'll rebuild. And we'll come back stronger."
But Klaus isn't listening.
I failed. I failed them all.
Two weeks later. League awards ceremony.
Klaus is named in the Top 10 Young Players of the Season.
He's the only player from a relegated team on the list.
He stands on stage, accepting the trophy, smiling for the cameras.
But inside?
This means nothing.
I couldn't save my team. What's the point of individual awards?
Outside the stadium after the awards. Evening.
Klaus is walking to his car when he's approached by multiple scouts over the next few days.
SCOUT 1 (Northbridge United - mid-table club): "Klaus, we'd love to discuss a move. First-team football guaranteed."
SCOUT 2 (Eastshire City - Championship club): "We're building something special. You could lead our promotion push."
SCOUT 3 (Queenspark City - top club): "We've been watching you all season. Big offer coming. Let's talk."
Klaus collects business cards but says nothing to anyone.
Not to the press.
Not to Rico.
Not to Lucas.
Klaus's apartment. Night.
Klaus is lying in bed when his phone buzzes.
Lucas: "I'm back. Full training. Ready for next season."
Lucas: "Hope you're doing okay."
Klaus stares at it for a long time.
Then types: "That's great, Lucas. Really happy for you."
Pauses.
Adds: "I'll be ready too."
Sends it.
Both brothers lie in their respective apartments, feeling the distance but also... something else.
A fragile connection.
Split screen. Both brothers.
KLAUS: Alone in his apartment, surrounded by contract offers, unsure of his future.
LUCAS: In Léon, training even during the break, rebuilding himself.
Both thinking the same thing:
Next season. That's when everything changes.
END OF PART 1 OF CHAPTER 10