Chapter 9 — Fractures and Foundations
By midweek, the team had settled into a steady routine. Warm-ups, drills, scrimmage preparation—everything was beginning to feel like real baseball.
But beneath that rhythm, something was shifting.
Blake's resentment simmered hotter with every practice.
Tyler's nerves were slowly evolving into confidence.
Zach's system kept quietly supporting him.
And Coach Ramsey?
He was watching everything.
Trouble BrewingPractice began like usual. Kids tossed balls back and forth, dropped gloves, raced around, and tried impressively—and unsuccessfully—to imitate MLB players they'd only seen on YouTube.
Zach felt great.
He had slept well, eaten well, and the new baseball Ethan gave him practically buzzed in his hand.
Tyler slapped a glove onto his hand and approached. "Ready to not break me today?"
Zach nodded seriously. "I will throw soft. I promise."
Tyler smirked. "I don't believe you, but let's go."
But before they could start warm-ups, Blake stormed past them, intentionally shoulder-checking Zach.
Zach stumbled.
Tyler snapped, "HEY! Watch it, jerk!"
Blake didn't turn around. "Get out of my way."
Zach frowned. "Why are you mad at me today?"
Blake spun around. "Today? TODAY?!" His voice cracked with anger.
Tyler whispered, "Oh boy, here we go…"
Blake pointed at Zach accusingly. "First you pitch better than me. Then you catch better than me. Then Coach gives you special training. Then Ethan brings you presents and talks to YOU, not me. And now everyone thinks you're the team's future." Blake spat on the ground. "You're a little kid who doesn't deserve any of it."
Zach's chest tightened. "I didn't ask for presents…"
"You EXISTED and that was enough!" Blake yelled.
The field went silent.
Coach Ramirez approached quickly. "Blake. My office. Now."
Blake's dad tried to intervene—"Now hold on, Coach—"
"No," Ramirez snapped. "Now."
Blake stomped off reluctantly.
Tyler grit his teeth. "Man, he is really losing it."
Zach just hugged his glove close.
He didn't understand why being good at something made someone hate him.
System NotificationPing.
"Emotional Stress Event Detected."
Temporary Bonus: +1 Calmness."
Advice: Continue focusing on training."
Zach exhaled slowly.
"Thanks…" he whispered under his breath.
Drills Begin — and Get DangerousToday's practice focused on infield drills: grounders, short throws, quick reflex plays.
Zach was assigned to shortstop for warm-ups.
Coach Ramirez watched with clipboard in hand.
"Let's see your footwork, Zach! Light on your toes!"
"Yes, sir!"
Blake—who had returned from "the talk" looking angrier than before—was assigned to be Zach's throw partner.
Tyler whispered, "Dude, are you sure you want—"
Coach had already assigned positions. Zach didn't want to argue.
Blake marched to the throwing spot, eyes narrowed.
Zach approached timidly.
"Okay," Zach said softly. "You throw first."
Blake threw.
Hard.
Not at Zach's glove.
At Zach's face.
Instinct kicked in.
Zach jerked his head aside, lifting his glove too late.
The ball scraped past his cheek, brushing skin.
Tyler screamed, "HEY! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"
Zach stumbled, touching the spot on his face—
A thin red line. Not bleeding, but close.
Blake scowled. "Oops."
Coach Ramirez's voice cracked like a whip across the diamond.
"BLAKE! BENCH. NOW!"
Blake tried to protest. "It was an ACCIDENT—"
"BENCH!"
Even Blake's dad didn't interfere this time.
Tyler rushed to Zach. "Dude, he almost killed you! Are you okay?!"
Zach swallowed hard. "I think so."
Coach jogged over, kneeling. "Let me see."
Zach tilted his face up. The line was small, but dangerously close to the eye.
Coach inhaled slowly. "He aimed at you."
Zach didn't answer.
Tyler answered for him. "YES HE DID!"
Ramirez stood, jaw tight. "I'll handle him."
System Response — An Injury ScarePing.
"Minor Injury Detected."
Temporary Weakness Removed by System."
Bonus: +1 Evasion (Passive).
Description: Slightly improves reaction speed to avoid dangerous pitches."
Zach blinked.
Evasion? That's new…
Tyler studied him. "Did you just… level up again?"
"Um… yes?" Zach said sheepishly.
Tyler threw his hands up. "You get superpowers from near-death experiences?! That's NOT normal!"
Coach Talks to the TeamAfter calming down, Ramirez called the team together.
"Listen closely," he said, voice stern. "Baseball is a competitive sport. But competition is about skill, not hurting people. Anyone intentionally throwing at another player will sit out games."
His gaze swept across the team.
It paused on Blake.
Zach gulped but stood tall.
Ramirez continued, "Now—back to drills. With different partners."
Tyler clapped Zach's shoulder. "Come on, buddy. Let's throw. I won't try to maim you."
"That's good," Zach said.
Zach's Focus ShiftsAs practice resumed, Zach threw softer, more controlled balls. Tyler caught them easier.
Zach moved smoother, quicker—sometimes dodging stray balls before he even consciously noticed them.
The system's Evasion bonus was already helping.
Coach Ramirez nodded to himself.
Good instincts + good mechanics = rare combination.
Ethan, who had stopped by again quietly, whispered to him, "He's improving fast."
"Too fast," Ramirez muttered. "But not unnaturally. It's… instinct. Pure instinct."
"Or obsession," Ethan smirked.
"Good obsession," Ramirez corrected. "The hardworking kind."
Tyler Learns Something TooTyler caught a low throw from Zach, eyes wide.
"Hey!" Tyler said. "That didn't hurt!"
"Yes," Zach said proudly. "I practiced soft pitches last night."
Tyler grinned. "You practiced SOFT throwing? You're a maniac."
Zach blinked. "I like practicing."
"Yeah," Tyler laughed. "I know."
For the first time, Tyler caught three throws in a row without flinching.
Ramirez called out, "Nice work, Tyler! Keep that up."
Tyler glowed with pride.
Zach glowed because Tyler glowed.
Blake Watches EverythingFrom the bench, Blake watched Zach laughing with Tyler, watched Coach praise Zach, watched Ethan leaning in and giving pointers.
His fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white.
If jealousy had sparks…
He'd be setting grass on fire.
Day's End — And a New WarningAs everyone packed up, Zach felt exhausted but proud.
Coach patted his shoulder. "Good work today, Zach. Ignore the noise."
Zach nodded.
Walking home with Priscilla, Zach heard a soft, ominous chime.
Ping.
"Quest Update: Prove Your Place."
Warning: Rival's behavior escalating."
Upcoming Event: 'Team Fracture' predicted."
Advice: Strengthen friendships.
Zach slowed.
"Mom?"
"Yes?" Priscilla asked gently.
"I… think I need to work harder."
She smiled softly. "You already work hard, sweetheart."
"No," Zach said quietly. "Not just at baseball. At… friends."
She tilted her head. "Friends?"
Zach nodded firmly.
"I have to protect them too."
Priscilla stared at her little boy—too wise, too young—
and hugged him tightly.