Chapter 4 - Relentless

"There's nothing to worry about for now. I took an X-ray of her ankle and analyzed the X-ray, there seem to be no signs of anything significant, but a week's rest with RICE treatment would help her recover from the swelling and pain." this was the Doctor's advice to Amy.

"Doctor, so you're telling me that I can't play football for a week? My team needs me the most right now. I'm sorry I refuse to accept it, I'm sure you have other ways to heal me right away."

"You are sidelined for a week, Amy. You have to give a much-needed rest to your body, and Please take care of her. Mrs Elly don't let her step onto the pitch, it will only aggravate the injury."

"Thank you Doctor and i will take care of Amy, I know how strong she is. She always finds a way to comeback stronger."

"I'm sorry, coach, I've let you down once again... They were trying to hurt my teammates, I was having none of it. I completely lost my cool and ended up in this situation. Now all the burden has fallen upon your shoulders, all the tactics, strategies and formations. Everything would seem useless to you right now."

"Of course I'm mad at you, Amy, but I respect your decision. Standing up for your teammates is a leader's quality, but let this be a lesson for you to handle these situations better. About my tactics and formations, you're right. I didn't have a backup plan for your absence, and I never imagined this would be a situation we'll be facing because you are irreplaceable. But I have been here for quite a while with the same bunch of team for few years. This team has grown into something I never would imagine, so I have faith in them. Even without you, they will pull through and win it. It's only a matter of one game without you, there was always going to be a time we would have to play without, and it's here. So your only focus right now must be that you take rest and be back when we qualify for the Victorian Cup."

Guilt, anger, and regret were flowing through her body and mind, unable to swallow the fact that she would be missing the most crucial football match of her life. Overthinking the situation and putting herself into depression, blaming her decisions, she felt disgusted to be called a captain. The following day after her injury, when she met her teammates, it was evident how much impact the injury had on her. She looked sad, which was the opposite of what she was to her teammates.

"It must be difficult for you Amy, please don't be harsh on yourself because you have helped us progress and improve over time as individuals and as a team, it is now our turn to return the favor to you by winning this and qualifying for the Victorian Cup." Amy's teammates had nothing but respect for their captain and showed their gratitude towards her.

"Thank you guys I'm honestly disappointed in myself but dont ever forget our objective can only be achived together, I will be there to support us during the game for sure."

The 1st of July was the most important day for both Inkford University and Faith University. It was an opportunity to change their recent history. The Universities received a notice from the Count's assistant the timing was scheduled at 8:00 AM, reporting time at the venue was at 7:15 AM.

It was about time the match was about to begin as both the team, referees, and the fans assembled as it was the first time this ever happened in the Cup's history, a tie between two competing for the fourth spot.

Amy is sitting beside her teammates on the substitution bench with a bag, and she seemed to be happy for some reason. "Amy, why are you here, you should be sitting somewhere else, only the players who can potentially play at the moment can sit over here." coach Elly worried and enraged, asked Amy to sit somewhere else.

"Am I not a part of this team, coach i think you made me the captain if im not wrong?"

"Of course i did but you are not allowed to sit here at your given condition."

"Hahahahahaha.... What condition are you talking about coach?"

As Amy was wearing her University jacket, she slowly stripped it off, and underneath her jacket was her University jersey is what she was wearing.

"I'm ready to play."