"No!... NO!... Go, Opius! Let's stop her!" Valeria's voice cracked with urgency, panic lacing her words.
Selina had the ball. That meant her next target was the goalpost no doubt. They couldn't afford to let her get any closer.
"I know that too!" Opius replied sharply.
He steadied himself and dashed forward. Being the nearest, he had the best chance to intercept her early on before she closed the gap.
"Back off!" Selina roared.
With a stretch of her right foot backwards, she forced Opius to hesitate. He stayed just out of her reach, her leg a clear warning that closing in could come at a cost.
Her action had created distance?! Just about the right one to escape.
With him temporarily out of the equation, Selina surged ahead, gaining momentum. Aydin trailed behind, struggling to match her pace.
"You're not getting through!" Valeria shouted, darting in front of Selina before she could advance any farther.
