Chapter 6: Brian's Trap
The next morning, Sam and Timo were already at the market before sunrise.
Timo struggled to lift a heavy sack of potatoes.
"Bro," he groaned, "I swear these potatoes hate me."
Sam laughed while lifting another sack easily.
"They're just potatoes."
"No," Timo said seriously. "These are revenge potatoes."
After finishing their work, they counted the money.
Not much.
But enough for breakfast.
As they walked toward school, Timo suddenly looked suspicious.
"Something feels wrong today."
Sam raised an eyebrow.
"You say that every day."
"No, seriously," Timo said. "My survival instincts are tingling."
When they arrived at school, they immediately noticed something strange.
Students were gathered around the notice board.
Everyone was talking excitedly.
"What's going on?" Timo asked.
They pushed through the crowd.
Sam looked at the paper on the board.
Then he read the headline.
SPECIAL SPORTS CHALLENGE
Students whispered excitedly.
Timo read it out loud.
"Today after school… a special race will take place."
He kept reading.
"Winner receives 500 dollars."
His eyes widened.
"FIVE HUNDRED?!"
That was more money than Sam and Timo could earn in months.
But then Timo noticed something else.
He pointed at the bottom.
"Bro…"
Sam looked again.
Under the challenge title was a name.
Sam.
Timo's mouth slowly opened.
"You didn't sign up for this."
Sam shook his head.
"No."
Behind them, a slow clap started.
Clap… clap… clap…
They turned around.
Brian.
Smiling.
"I see you found the announcement."
Timo frowned.
"You wrote his name."
Brian shrugged.
"I simply accepted a challenge."
Sam looked at him calmly.
"I didn't challenge you."
Brian stepped closer.
"Oh really?"
He pointed at the crowd.
"Because everyone here heard that the new fastest boy in school wants to prove he's the best."
Students started whispering again.
Sam understood immediately.
This was a trap.
If he refused, everyone would think he was scared.
If he accepted, Brian would try to destroy him publicly.
Timo leaned closer and whispered.
"Bro… this guy is evil."
Brian continued smiling.
"Unless…"
He paused.
"You're afraid."
Some students laughed.
A few phones were already recording.
Sam remained silent.
Brian crossed his arms.
"So what will it be?"
The crowd waited.
Timo looked at Sam nervously.
"Maybe we pretend we're sick?"
Sam finally spoke.
"When is the race?"
Brian's smile grew wider.
"After school."
Sam nodded.
"Fine."
The crowd exploded.
"He accepted!"
"This is going to be crazy!"
Brian leaned closer again.
"Good."
Then he whispered quietly so only Sam could hear.
"You won't win."
Sam looked at him.
"Why?"
Brian smirked.
"Because the race isn't the real trap."
Then he walked away with his friends.
Timo looked confused.
"What does that mean?"
Sam looked toward the track field in the distance.
"I don't know."
Timo scratched his head.
"But I don't like it."
Sam nodded slowly.
"Neither do I."
Across the school yard…
Brian met with his two friends behind the gym.
One of them asked quietly,
"Are you sure this will work?"
Brian smiled coldly.
"Oh it will."
He pulled something out of his bag.
A small bottle.
"By the time the race starts…"
His smile grew darker.
"The trenches boy won't even be able to stand."