Chapter 8 — Sabotage and Support
Monday's practice carried the buzz of excitement that always came after a good scrimmage. Kids chattered about their hits and catches, some bragging, some dramatizing near-misses, all of them glowing with the thrill of the game.
But Zach felt something else.
Something light.
Something warm.
He was happy—not just because he played well, but because he finally felt like he belonged.
Tyler jogged beside him, backpack bouncing. "Dude, you think Coach will let you throw lefty today? I kinda wanna see it again."
Zach shrugged. "Maybe! I hope so."
Tyler groaned. "You're always hoping. Sometimes I think if Coach said we were running laps for an hour, you'd be excited."
Zach smiled. "Running is good for stamina!"
Tyler face-palmed. "You're impossible."
A Different Mood on the Field
When they reached the field, they noticed Blake standing near the dugout, arms crossed, jaw clenched.
His father was talking to Coach Ramirez in low, harsh tones.
Tyler whispered, "Uh oh… parents are involved. That's never good."
Zach frowned. He didn't want Blake to get in trouble because of him.
He stepped closer, quietly listening.
"—he's FIVE," Blake's father said, voice sharp. "And you're letting him pitch? This is ridiculous. Blake's been on this team for years."
Coach Ramirez kept calm. "Blake is still a pitcher."
"Then why give that kid—what's his name—Zach! Why give him special treatment?"
"Because he needs different training," the coach replied. "He throws with both arms. That needs proper instruction."
Blake's father scoffed. "It's favoritism."
"No," Ramirez said, "it's coaching."
Blake glared at Zach like he wanted to burn a hole through him.
Tyler muttered, "This is not gonna go well…"
The Sabotage Attempt
Practice began with warm-ups. Kids lined up their bags against the fence. Zach placed his carefully beside Tyler's.
And that's when Zach noticed Blake walking toward his bag… too casually.
Zach tilted his head.
…Something was off.
He jogged closer just in time to see Blake crouch, unzip Zach's backpack, and—
pull out Zach's baseball glove.
"Blake?" Zach asked quietly.
Blake flinched.
He stuffed the glove behind his back slowly.
"Oh. Hey," Blake said, trying to sound innocent. "I was just… uh… checking something."
Zach blinked. "Why are you checking my glove?"
Blake scowled. "Because! I… I wanted to see what's so special about you!"
Tyler came running. "Hey! What are you doing with his stuff?!"
Blake snapped, "Shut up! I'm not doing anything!"
Tyler planted his hands on his hips. "Dude, you literally have his glove behind your back. Are you insane?"
"NO!" Blake barked. "I'm just—just—"
He panicked, and the glove slipped from his grip, falling to the dirt.
Zach picked it up softly. "You don't have to touch my things…"
Blake's face burned red. "I wasn't STEALING IT!"
"Nobody said stealing," Tyler said. "You just… look guilty."
"I'm NOT guilty!"
"Maybe stop yelling, then."
"I'M NOT—!"
Coach Ramirez's voice thundered across the field.
"Blake. Over here. NOW."
Blake froze like he'd been struck by lightning. He trudged toward the coach, muttering under his breath.
Tyler let out a low whistle. "Man… he's gonna pop a vein one day."
Zach looked down at his glove, brushing off dirt. "Why does he hate me?"
Tyler sighed. "He doesn't hate you. He hates that you're good."
Zach frowned. "But… that's silly."
"Yeah, well, jealousy is kinda silly."
The System Responds to Sabotage
As Zach put his glove back in his bag, a soft chime echoed.
Ping.
"Challenge Event: Attempted Sabotage Detected."
Reward: +1 Awareness."
Note: Awareness increases perception of surroundings and opponent behavior.
Zach blinked, eyes widening.
"Aware…ness…?"
He suddenly felt like the world sharpened slightly—edges clearer, sounds slightly more distinct. Like he could pay attention better.
Tyler waved a hand. "Hey. Earth to Zach. You okay?"
Zach beamed. "I think I leveled up!"
Tyler stared. "What—like in Mario?"
"No! In… me!" Zach said proudly.
"…Buddy, I love you, but that doesn't make sense at all."
Zach shrugged happily.
Surprise Visitor
Practice resumed. Coach put the team through fielding drills, running drills, reaction drills.
Halfway through, a familiar voice called out from behind the backstop:
"Yo! Thought I'd find you here!"
Zach spun around.
Ethan.
The high-school coach from the sports store. The one who first played catch with him.
He was leaning against the fence, sunglasses resting on his head, waving.
"ETHAN!" Zach practically squealed, sprinting across the field.
Priscilla laughed from the bleachers.
Ethan knelt down for a high-five. "Heard you joined Little League. Figured I'd check in."
Zach nodded violently. "I pitched in the scrimmage!"
"Oh yeah?" Ethan looked impressed. "How'd it go?"
Tyler popped up beside Zach. "He threw SO HARD—but also SO SOFT—and I didn't die!"
Ethan looked confused. "I… think that's good?"
"It's great!" Zach added.
Coach Ramirez approached. "Ethan Jackson, right?"
"That's me," Ethan said, shaking his hand. "Heard you've got a monster arm on your team."
Ramirez smirked. "Monster is… accurate."
Zach puffed his chest proudly.
Ethan Gives a Gift
Ethan reached into a small bag he carried.
"Here," he said, handing Zach a pair of wristbands and a brand-new ball—white leather, red stitching, perfect.
Zach's eyes sparkled. "For me?"
"You earned it," Ethan said warmly. "Plus, every future ace needs good gear."
Zach clutched the items like precious treasures.
Ping.
"New Item Detected: Regulation Baseball (High Quality)."
Small bonus: +1 Throwing Feel."
Zach felt a warm buzz run through his fingertips.
Tyler groaned theatrically. "Why do you get all the cool stuff…"
Ethan ruffled Tyler's hair. "You'll get yours someday, kid."
Blake Sees the Gift
Blake, standing at the far end of the field, saw Ethan hand Zach the ball.
His jaw tightened.
His fists clenched.
His father came up beside him. "What's he getting now?"
Blake shook with anger. "Everything…"
For a moment, his rage flickered into something else—hurt, insecurity, fear of losing his place.
But he masked it fast, scowling even deeper.
The Day Ends
As practice wrapped up, Zach walked off the field with Ethan and Priscilla.
"You're something special, kid," Ethan said quietly. "Keep working hard. Don't let any of the noise get to you."
Zach nodded. "I won't!"
Priscilla squeezed Zach's shoulder. "He won't. He never gives up."
The sun dipped low, casting long shadows across the field.
Behind them, Blake watched.
Silent.
Seething.
Jealous.
But also… afraid.
Afraid that Zach was here to take everything he'd worked for.
And the system recognized it.
Ping.
"Rivalry Level Increased: 2."
Effect: Greater rewards when surpassing rival.
Warning: Rival behavior may escalate."
Zach didn't see the message's warning.
He only saw the next opportunity to improve.
And tomorrow…
He'd train even harder.