The scoreboard buzzed like a heartbeat on the verge of cardiac arrest: 64 to 64.
The Caveroop Warriors and the Norway Hawks were neck and neck. Sneakers squealed against the glossy gym floor, players colliding in a whirlwind of sweat, shouts, and sheer desperation. Every play was more brutal than the last. The stands were a living organism, fans screamed themselves hoarse, waving banners, stomping feet in a synchronized chaos of support and anxiety. Coaches barked commands. Whistles pierced the air. The tension was thick enough to chew.
Near the three-point line, Jesse stood catching his breath, wiping the sweat from his brow with the hem of his jersey. His curly brown hair stuck to the back of his neck, soaked and matted from the relentless pace of the game. The Warriors had fought their way back from a twelve-point deficit, and now just one more quarter to go.
"Time out!" their coach shouted, his voice cutting through the noise like a blade.
A shrill whistle followed, the game paused.
Players jogged to the bench, gulping down water like it was life itself. Their chests heaved, their eyes wild and sharp, locked on the scoreboard as if it might tip in their favor with enough willpower alone.
Across the court, the cheerleaders slumped momentarily with the break. Pink paced back and forth near the sideline, nervously twirling one of her pompoms.
"I can't believe this is happening," she muttered under her breath.
"Gosh, I can't lose to those... bitches," Clary snapped, her gaze fixed on the rival cheer squad across the court. Their flawless routines and smug smiles were like a slap in the face.
"We need to bring more energy," Pink said, turning to the team. Her voice was firm, rallying. "Let's show them fire."
Everyone nodded, determination reigniting.
"We need more pompoms," said a blonde girl, her arms crossed in frustration.
Pink sighed, already exhausted. "I'll go get them. Clary, take over. I need a minute."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and jogged off the court, leaving behind the roar of the gym. The hallway that led to the locker rooms was strangely dim, shadows stretching farther than they should have at this time of day. It was midday, yet the space was muted and wrong. One of the overhead lights buzzed faintly, flickering like a dying firefly.
She rubbed her arms, suddenly aware of how cold it felt.
As she pushed open the locker room door, a sharp click echoed behind her, sneakers on tile.
"Pink!"
The voice was sharp. Urgent.
A chill raced down her spine.
She spun around, eyes scanning the hallway. It was empty, too empty.
It was probably nothing, she told herself. Everyone was out at the pitch. The echo must've just...
Then she saw it.
Jennie.
A few meters down the hall. Still. Silent.
Pink blinked hard, once. Twice. Hoping the image would vanish. But Jennie remained.
Her figure was frozen like a glitch in reality.
"Jennifer? What are you doing here?" Pink called out, her voice wavering.
Slowly, Jennie raised her head.
Her eyes shimmered with a silver gleam. Her face... it wasn't fully human. The shape of it twisted unnaturally caught somewhere between girl and beast.
Pink gasped. "No."
Jennie's lips curled into a crooked, eerie smile.
She said nothing.
Pink turned and ran.
Her footsteps slammed against the tile. Her breath hitched in her throat as she sprinted past the rows of lockers, heading for the emergency exit near the showers. But Jennie was faster, inhumanly fast. Her growl echoed off the walls, guttural and bone deep. Pink glanced back and what she saw wasn't Jennie anymore.
Her fingers were claws. Her face elongated with cracking bone. Muscle tore and reformed beneath her skin as the beast inside her broke free.
Pink slipped, her foot skidding across the wet tile. She hit the floor hard, just as Jennie landed between her and the only exit.
Cornered, Pink dropped to her knees, trembling. "Please," she whispered, voice cracking. "Please don't do this."
Jennie's grin widened, full of teeth.
"I told you I'd make you like me when I became Alpha, didn't I?"
Pink shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "But... how?"
"It doesn't matter, sweetheart." Jennie leaned in, voice a whisper against her cheek. "Welcome to the pack."
Pink screamed as the fangs sank into her shoulder. Pain exploded across her body like wildfire. Blood sprayed the tiles, painting the walls.
And then, everything went black.
To be continued....