Harwich FC end-of-season awards ceremony. Grand ballroom, teammates in suits, families in attendance.
Klaus sits at a table with Jake and a few other teammates. The atmosphere is celebratory music, laughter, clinking glasses.
The MC takes the stage.
MC: "And now, for our Young Player of the Year award... this young man has shown incredible promise in his debut season. Fifteen goals, eight assists, and he's been a key part of our promotion push. Ladies and gentlemen... Klaus Santos!"
The room erupts in applause.
Klaus stands, adjusting his tie, and walks to the stage. He shakes hands with the club president, accepts the trophy.
CLUB PRESIDENT: "Klaus, you've had a great first season with us. We're excited to see what you can do in the Premier League."
KLAUS (into the microphone): "Thank you. This award belongs to the whole team. We did this together."
More applause.
Klaus holds up the trophy, smiling for the cameras.
But inside?
This doesn't feel real.
He looks out at the crowd. His teammates are cheering. Fans are on their feet.
But Rico isn't here. Lucas isn't here.
Klaus returns to his seat, trophy in hand.
Jake claps him on the back.
JAKE: "Mate, you deserve that. You had a solid season."
KLAUS: "Thanks."
JAKE: "And next season? Premier League. This is just the beginning."
Klaus nods, forcing a smile.
The beginning.
Or the hardest part yet.
Harwich FC stadium. The day they officially secured promotion. Confetti cannons. Fans storming the pitch. Players lifting the Championship trophy.
Klaus is in the middle of it all teammates pouring champagne over his head, fans chanting his name.
CROWD: "HARWICH! HARWICH! HARWICH!"
He raises his arms, soaking it in.
But as the celebration continues around him, Klaus finds himself standing still.
He looks at the trophy. At his teammates. At the fans.
We did it.
But what now?
He pulls out his phone, takes a photo of the moment. Posts it to Instagram with a simple caption:
"Premier League. Let's go. 🔵⚪"
Within minutes, the comments flood in:
"You're going to do great in the Prem!""Can't wait to see you against the top teams!""Congrats! Well deserved!"
Léon FC medical facility.
Lucas is in the hydrotherapy pool, doing resistance exercises with a foam belt around his waist. Dr. Moreau is monitoring from the edge.
MOREAU:"Good, Lucas. Slow and controlled. Don't rush."
Lucas grits his teeth, pushing harder.
MOREAU:"Lucas, I said slow."
LUCAS: "I'm fine."
MOREAU:"Your ankle isn't. If you push too hard now, you'll set yourself back ."
Lucas stops, breathing hard, frustration etched on his face.
LUCAS: "I can't just... float here. I need to do more."
MOREAU:"You will. But not yet. Patience, Lucas."
Lucas clenches his jaw but nods.
After the session, he sits on the bench, towel draped over his shoulders, staring at his wrapped ankle.
Patience.
I don't have time for patience.
Harwich FC press conference. Klaus sits at a table with the manager, Tony Grant. Cameras flashing. Journalists shouting questions.
JOURNALIST 1: "Klaus, how does it feel to be heading into the Premier League as one of the younger players in the squad?"
KLAUS: "It's an honor. But I'm ready. We're all ready."
JOURNALIST 2: "There's been talk of bigger clubs monitoring your progress. Any truth to that?"
Klaus pauses.
KLAUS: "I'm fully focused on Harwich. That's where I am right now."
JOURNALIST 3: "Do you think you can replicate your Championship form in the Premier League?"
KLAUS: "I'm going to work as hard as I can. That's all I can promise."
GRANT (interjecting): "Klaus has been important for us. We're building this team with him as a key part of our plans."
After the conference, Klaus is pulled aside for photos.
Promotional posters are being designed:
"THE FUTURE STARTS NOW - KLAUS SANTOS #24"
Klaus looks at the mock-up on a tablet. His face, larger than life, staring back at him.
MARKETING DIRECTOR: "What do you think?"
KLAUS: "It's... a lot."
MARKETING DIRECTOR: "You're one of the faces of this club now, Klaus. Embrace it."
Klaus nods, but the weight of it settles on his shoulders.
Lucas's apartment in Léon. Evening.
Lucas is on the couch, leg elevated, scrolling through his phone. He comes across the Harwich FC press conference highlights.
Klaus answering questions. Confident. Poised. Professional.
JOURNALIST (on video): "Do you think you can replicate your Championship form in the Premier League?"
KLAUS (on video): "I'm going to work as hard as I can."
Lucas locks his phone and tosses it aside.
Of course he is. He always does.
Rico walks in from the kitchen.
RICO: "You watching Klaus's interview?"
LUCAS: "Yeah."
RICO: "He looked good. Confident."
LUCAS: "Yeah."
Rico sits down beside him.
RICO: "How's the ankle today?"
LUCAS: "Fine."
RICO: "Lucas—"
LUCAS: "I said it's fine, Dad."
Silence.
RICO: "You know, Klaus asked about you."
Lucas looks up, surprised.
LUCAS: "He did?"
RICO: "Yeah. He wanted to know how your rehab was going."
LUCAS: "What did you tell him?"
RICO: "That you're working hard. That you'll be back soon."
Lucas looks away.
LUCAS: "I'm happy for him. Really."
RICO: "I know you are."
LUCAS: "But it's hard, you know? Watching him move forward while I'm stuck here."
RICO: "I know, son. But your time will come."
LUCAS: "Will it?"
RICO: "Yes. It will."
Lucas doesn't respond.
Harwich FC vs. Riverside City. Opening day of the Premier League season.
The stadium is packed. The atmosphere is electric. Klaus is starting his name on the back of thousands of shirts in the stands.
COMMENTATOR: "And here we go! Harwich FC's first Premier League match in decades. And leading the line is 18-year-old Klaus Santos, who had an impressive Championship campaign last season."
Kick-off.
8th Minute:
Riverside City are dominating possession. Harwich can barely get out of their own half.
15th Minute:
City scores. A clinical finish from their striker 1-0.
Klaus stands in the center circle, hands on hips.
We need to respond.
22nd Minute:
City scores again. A defensive mistake. 2-0.
Klaus shakes his head.
34th Minute:
Harwich wins a free kick. Klaus stands over it, 25 yards out.
He runs up. Strikes it clean.
The ball rockets into the top corner.
2-1.
The stadium erupts. Klaus pumps his fist, but there's no wild celebration. Just determination.
We're still in this.
HALF-TIME: 2-1.
In the locker room, the mood is tense.
GRANT: "We're getting overrun out there! Tighten up! Stay compact! Klaus, you're doing well, but we need more from everyone."
Klaus sits in his spot, towel over his head.
SECOND HALF:
53rd Minute:
City scores. A brilliant counter-attack. 3-1.
61st Minute:
City scores again. A penalty. 4-1.
Klaus is running himself into the ground, chasing every ball, trying to create something.
FULL TIME: Riverside City 4 - Harwich FC 1.
Klaus sits on the pitch after the whistle, head in his hands.
He scored. But it meant nothing.
Mixed zone. Klaus being interviewed.
JOURNALIST: "Klaus, tough result today. How are you feeling?"
KLAUS: "Disappointed. We knew it would be hard, but we can't concede four goals and expect to compete."
JOURNALIST: "You scored a good goal. Does that offer some consolation?"
KLAUS: "No. We lost. And that's it."
JOURNALIST: "Do you think Harwich can survive in the Premier League?"
Klaus pauses, jaw tight.
KLAUS: "We'll fight. That's all we can do."
He walks away before more questions come.
Léon FC medical facility. Week 4 of rehab.
Lucas is on the resistance bike, pedaling hard. Too hard.
Dr. Moreau watches from his desk, frowning.
MOREAU:"Lucas, reduce the resistance."
LUCAS: "I'm fine."
MOREAU:"Your heart rate is too high. You're overdoing it."
LUCAS: "I said I'm fine!"
Dr. Moreau stands, walking over.
MOREAU:"Lucas, stop."
LUCAS: "I need to"
MOREAU:"STOP!"
Lucas slams on the brakes, the bike screeching to a halt. He's breathing hard, sweat pouring down his face.
MOREAU:"Get off. Now."
Lucas reluctantly dismounts, limping slightly.
MOREAU:"Sit."
Lucas sits on the bench, furious.
MOREAU:"What are you trying to prove?"
LUCAS: "That I'm not weak!"
MOREAU:"No one thinks you're weak, Lucas."
LUCAS: "Then why does it feel like everyone's moving forward without me?!"
Dr. Moreau sits beside him, calm but firm.
MOREAU:"Because you're injured. And injuries are cruel. They make time feel like it's standing still while the world keeps spinning. But if you push too hard now, you'll re-injure yourself. And then you won't be moving forwardyou'll be starting over."
Lucas stares at the ground, chest heaving.
LUCAS: "I can't just sit here and do nothing."
MOREAU:"You're not doing nothing. You're healing. And that takes time."
Lucas doesn't respond.
Léon FC first-team training ground. Lucas is doing light jogging on the sidelines while the team trains.
Two first-team players are chatting nearby.
PLAYER 1: "Did you see that Harwich kid score against Riverside City?"
PLAYER 2: "Klaus Santos? Yeah, decent strike. He's only 18, right?"
PLAYER 1: "Yeah. His brother's here, actually. That Lucas kid who's injured."
PLAYER 2: "Oh, right. I forgot about him."
Lucas's jaw tightens. He keeps jogging, pretending not to hear.
Lucas speeds up, running faster, ignoring the pain in his ankle.
Léon FC gym. 11:00 PM.
The facility is empty. Dark. But one light is on in the gym.
Lucas is on the treadmill, running. His ankle is wrapped, but he's pushing through the pain.
I need to be ready. I need to be better.
He increases the speed.
His ankle throbs. He ignores it.
Faster.
The pain intensifies.
Faster.
His ankle buckles.
Lucas stumbles, grabbing the side rails, nearly falling.
He stops the treadmill, gasping for air, and collapses onto the floor.
His ankle is screaming. His chest is heaving.
And suddenly, the emotions he's been burying for weeks come flooding out.
LUCAS (voice breaking): "I can't... I can't do this..."
He punches the ground, once, twice, tears streaming down his face.
LUCAS: "Why did this happen to me?! I was doing everything right!"
He sits there, alone in the dark, crying.
For the first time in his life, Lucas feels utterly defeated.
The gym. 15 minutes later.
The lights flick on.
Lucas wipes his face quickly, looking up.
Antoine Bernard a 33 year old Léon veteran, a midfielder who's been with the club for over a decade walks in, gym bag over his shoulder.
ANTOINE: "Couldn't sleep either, huh?"
Lucas doesn't respond, embarrassed to be caught like this.
Antoine sets his bag down and sits on the bench press beside Lucas.
ANTOINE: "You know, I tore my ACL when I was 28. Doctors said I'd be out for a year. Maybe longer."
Lucas looks up.
ANTOINE: "I did the same thing you're doing. Pushed too hard. Tried to come back early. You know what happened?"
LUCAS: "What?"
ANTOINE: "I re-injured it. Set myself back another six months."
Lucas looks away, ashamed.
ANTOINE: "I see you, Lucas. Every day in that medical room, grinding, pushing, hating every second of it. I get it. But you're going to destroy yourself if you don't slow down."
LUCAS: "I feel like everyone's forgetting about me."
ANTOINE: "They're not. Trust me. Everyone here knows who you are. But right now, you're not Lucas Santos the footballer. You're Lucas Santos the patient. And until you accept that, you'll keep suffering."
LUCAS: "How did you accept it?"
ANTOINE: "I stopped fighting the process. I stopped comparing myself to everyone else. And I focused on one thing getting better. Not faster. Better."
ANTOINE: "You're young, Lucas. You've got time. But only if you don't waste it trying to rush."
LUCAS: "What if I come back and I'm not the same?"
ANTOINE: "Then you adapt. But you won't know until you give yourself a real chance to heal."
He stands, gripping Lucas's shoulder.
ANTOINE: "Go home. Rest. And tomorrow, trust the process."
Lucas watches him leave.
Then he looks at his ankle, wrapped and swollen.
Trust the process.
Match 2 - Harwich vs. Westbridge United: Klaus plays 90 minutes. No goals. No assists. Harwich loses 2-0.
Match 3 - Harwich vs. Thornhill Wanderers: Klaus scores from a penalty. Harwich draws 1-1.
Match 4 - Harwich vs. Northern Athletic: Klaus plays 90 minutes. No goals. Harwich loses 3-0.
Match 5 - Harwich vs. Eastport Town: Klaus assists. Harwich draws 1-1.
Commentator: "Klaus Santos is working hard, but Harwich FC is simply struggling to adapt to this level."
Match 6 - Harwich vs. Riverside United: Klaus plays 90 minutes, creates 3 chances, no goals. Harwich loses 1-0.
Match 7 - Harwich vs. Hampton City: Klaus scores a header. Harwich draws 1-1.
Match 8 - Harwich vs. Redford Lions: Klaus is pressed relentlessly by their defensive midfielder. Barely touches the ball. Harwich loses 5-0.
Current League Standing: 19th place. 4 points from 8 matches.
Klaus's Stats: 3 goals, 1 assist in 8 matches.
Post-match interview after the Redford Lions loss.
JOURNALIST: "Klaus, three goals in eight matches. That's a significant drop from last season. What's changed?"
KLAUS: "The level is higher. I'm adjusting."
JOURNALIST: "Is it the level, or is it Harwich? Some are saying the team isn't good enough for you."
Klaus pauses, careful with his words.
KLAUS: "We're all fighting together. That's all that matters."
JOURNALIST: "But individually, you're not producing. Why can't you score more? Is this another drought like you had mid-season last year?"
Klaus's jaw tightens.
KLAUS: "I'm working. We're all working."
JOURNALIST: "Is that enough?"
Klaus stares at him, then walks away.
Social Media Explosion:
@FootballFanatic: "Harwich is dragging Klaus down."
@PremierLeagueWatch: "Klaus Santos: 3 goals in 8 games. Is the Championship the right level for him?"
@HarwichTilIDie: "Why can't we give Klaus better support?! He's trying his best but the team is awful!"
@FootballAnalyst: "Harwich is 19th. Klaus has 3 goals. Same pattern as his mid-season drought last year. Coincidence?"
Klaus reads them in the locker room, his phone screen glowing in the dim light.
Harwich FC vs. Southwick Palace, Match 9.
Klaus is starting. The pressure is immense.
15th Minute:
Klaus makes a run into the box. He's shoved from behind by Palace's center-back, Marcus Reida physical, aggressive defender.
Klaus goes down hard.
No whistle.
KLAUS (to the ref): "That's a foul!"
The ref waves play on.
23rd Minute:
Klaus receives the ball near the box. Reid bodychecks him off the ball no attempt to play it.
Klaus stumbles but stays up.
Still no whistle.
KLAUS (shouting): "Come on, ref! He's not even playing the ball!"
REF: "Play on!"
38th Minute:
Klaus is through on goal. Reid grabs his shirt, pulling him back.
Klaus breaks free, but his shot goes wide.
He snaps.
Klaus turns and kicks out at Reid's legs not hard, but deliberate.
WHISTLE.
Yellow card.
REID (smirking): "You're soft, mate. Can't handle it, can you?"
Klaus glares at him but says nothing.
HALF-TIME: 0-0.
In the locker room, Jake pulls Klaus aside.
JAKE: "Mate, you need to calm down. He's in your head."
KLAUS: "He's fouling me every chance he gets, and the ref isn't doing anything!"
JAKE: "I know. But you can't let him bait you. You're on a yellow. One more and you're off."
KLAUS: "I know."
But Klaus doesn't calm down.
SECOND HALF:
58th Minute:
Palace scores from a corner. 1-0.
67th Minute:
Klaus is running onto a through ball. Reid catches up, deliberately clips Klaus's heels from behind.
Klaus goes down hard in the box.
PENALTY! the crowd screams.
But the ref signals no penalty. Free kick just outside.
Klaus explodes.
KLAUS (jumping up): "ARE YOU SERIOUS?! HE KICKED MY HEELS!"
REF: "That's enough, Santos!"
KLAUS: "HE'S BEEN FOULING ME ALL GAME!"
Reid jogs past, smirking.
REID: "Cry more, princess."
Klaus shoves him. Hard. Two hands to the chest.
Reid goes down theatrically, holding his face like he's been punched.
WHISTLE.
The ref pulls out a second yellow.
Then red.
Klaus stands there, stunned.
KLAUS: "He's been fouling me—"
REF: "Off! Now!"
Klaus's teammates try to calm him, but he's shaking with rage.
He walks off the pitch, the crowd booing, cameras flashing.
FULL TIME: Southwick Palace 2 - Harwich 0.
Harwich FC locker room. After the match.
Klaus sits alone in the corner, still in his kit, head in his hands.
Grant walks over.
GRANT: "Klaus—"
KLAUS: "I know. I messed up."
GRANT: "You let him get to you."
KLAUS: "He was fouling me all game! And the ref did nothing!"
GRANT: "I know. But you're better than that. You're important to us. We need you on the pitch, not suspended."
Klaus says nothing.
GRANT: "You'll miss the next match because of this. And we need every point we can get."
KLAUS: "I'm sorry, coach."
Grant sighs.
GRANT: "Get some rest. We'll talk tomorrow."
Klaus showers, changes, and leaves the stadium alone.
Lucas's apartment. Evening.
Lucas is on the couch, scrolling through his phone. He sees the highlights.
"KLAUS SANTOS SENT OFF! RED CARD AFTER SHOVING DEFENDER"
Lucas clicks the video.
He watches Klaus shove Reid. Watches the ref pull out the red. Watches Klaus walk off, furious and heartbroken.
Lucas locks his phone.
Part of him feels vindicated See? He's not perfect.
But another part feels... sad.
He's struggling. Just like me.
Lucas picks up his phone, opens Klaus's contact.
Types: "Saw the match. You alright?"
Hovers over send.
Then deletes it.
He doesn't need my pity.
Klaus's apartment. Late night.
Klaus sits on his couch, staring at his phone.
Social media is harsh:
@HarwichSupporters: "Klaus got baited. Ref was awful, but he should've kept his head."
@PremLeagueTalk: "3 goals in 9 games now. Klaus Santos struggling to adapt. Same mid-season drought he had last year."
@FootballCritic: "Harwich is 19th. Klaus suspended. This club is in serious trouble. Why can't he produce more?"
@SantosWatch: "Klaus needs better teammates. He's trying, but this team is holding him back."
Klaus locks his phone and tosses it aside.
He looks around his empty apartment.
I'm trying. I'm trying so hard.
He thinks about calling Rico.
But Rico is with Lucas.
He thinks about calling Lucas.
But they haven't really talked in months.
He thinks about calling Emma.
But what would he even say?
So he sits there.
Alone.
In the silence.
END OF CHAPTER 9