DAMAGED

Part 1

This is how it all started...This is how Nancy's nightmare was born.

Another screening!...Francis sighed. How much he hated football screenings...he was never going to be chosen anyway, he wondered why he bothered to even come for them. Maybe it was just sheer hope that one day he would be chosen. He was the best on the team and he just couldn't understand why he was never chosen. Why? Why? The questions echoed in his head. The coach had said he didn't have what it takes to be in a big football club or even on the National team, Yet...

"Francis! Francis! Dude the football agent is here, put on your boots and pray you get accepted this time" Michael yelled trying to cheer his friend up. He knew why he was gloomy and he felt sorry for him.  

Francis walked grudgingly to the changing room. He could see the coach discussing intensely with the agent. He was dressed in a black suit and Italian shoes and he looked really wealthy. He had one of those designer watches on his wrist. Everything about him screamed wealth.  Francis hoped he could become that rich one day. The coach on the other hand looked ridiculously thin in his football kit which looked oversized for him. 

He wondered what the coach was talking to him about. Was he already listing out his favorites to him? It was no rumor that only the coach's favorites were accepted into big football clubs but Francis didn't believe idle talks. Nevertheless, He wondered why he wasn't the coach's favorite. 

He simply made up his mind to give his best and hoped he got selected this time. 

During the screening match, he dominated the game and he scored 2 goals. Everyone on his team hailed him but they knew that wasn't enough to impress the coach. Well, he said he was going to give his best and he would! Not for the coach but for the football agent to notice him. He could see that the agent was admiring his skills from where he sat. But occasionally he shook his head. 

The sound of the whistle and shouts from the coach indicated that the screening was over. Here comes the moment he dreaded more than anything. Of course, he will not be chosen. Michael patted him then on his shoulder as if he knew he needed it. 

The coach and the agent were still in a heated argument and they all wondered what it was all about. 

"I cannot believe what you are saying. That young boy is the best on this team yet you want his name out of this list" The agent asked confused. 

"He does not have what it takes to be on that team. I know my boys and this one isn't ready. " The coach answered in a shady way. He could see Francis staring at him, he smiled at him and continued his conversation. 

"Look, you have to do as I say if you don't want to be questioned by members of the board of your club." Coach whispered

"Are you threatening me?" 

"Of course not, just leave the boy's name out of the list" He warned before stepping away from the agent. 

The agent knew there was politics in football, though they tried their best to cover it up. But this one was pretty obvious and he hated that to be a part of it. The poor boy, he sighed. 

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Michael had made it to the team but he didn't?...he couldn't just believe it. They started this football training together and each year they were both rejected during the screening. But now, Michael was on the team and he wasn't? Everyone knew he played better than his friend. He was better than every other player but he was never chosen.

He watched as the coach patted each guy whose name was on the list on their shoulders. He felt like an outcast. And he was envious of them, especially his friend...

He got up angrily and started going home. He was almost in tears but he couldn't let those tears out until he was home. Someone was screaming his name from behind and he had an idea who it was. But he chose to ignore him.

"Francis, stop! why would you leave without me?" Michael yelled as he reached Francis "I was calling you when you were leaving, you didn't bother to answer."

"What is it you want?" Francis asked angrily. He was very bitter and he wanted to fight. 

"Dude, you have to change your tone. I didn't cause any of this for you. It's not my fault you were not chosen" Michael asked feeling offended

Francis pushed him then on his chest and Michael pushed him back. They have never fought before but they both knew it would be a tough one if they did. They were both hot-headed and well-built. And there was no one to stop them from fighting. The road was lonely.  However, Francis was angrier and he knew he was going to defeat Michael. 

Before Michael could say the next words, he received a dirty blow. He charged at Francis and gave him a few blows too. Francis didn't let that stop him from toppling him down and holding him down by the neck. 

Michael couldn't breathe, he was choking.

"Please, this is not my fault. Stop this, we are supposed to be friends" He said in a coarse voice. 

Francis Let him go then as he sat on the floor in tears. Why was he not chosen? Why?

"If you knew the price I had to pay to be on that team, you wouldn't be fighting me" Michael said as he tried to catch his breath.

"What do You mean? What price?" Francis asked feeling guilty as he looked at his friend's red eyes.

"That isn't the right question. The right question is are you willing to pay the price?"

"What price?"

The question echoed in an older Francis' head. He was dreaming! He looked around, he was in his gold-plated bed, He looked across his room and he could see his awards stashed out on a shelf. It was just a fucking dream. What time was it? It was just 4 in the evening and he was sleeping in his bed. What? He was supposed to be out with friends now! He hated going against his plans for the day. What made him sleep so early in the day? And where was that stupid wife of his?

Nancy walked in then and knew she was in big trouble. Francis was staring at her with murderous glint and she wanted to run out the door. ooohh! Please No! she couldn't take another beating today. 

She had come back from work not long ago and found her husband sleeping. She knew it was strange to find him sleeping by that time but she didn't want to wake him up. He would have pounced on her that moment if she did. So, she had decided to leave him alone and go make dinner instead. 

Now, he was awake and staring at her like he always did before he...

"Are you stupid, woman?" Francis growled. He took pleasure in seeing her tremble with fear. He was her  lord, her tormentor and she must be  ready to receive any punishment from him anytime.

He rushed towards her as she shrieked in fear. 

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