Over breakfast I’m reminded that today is our ballgame against Jaguar. I pretend I haven’t forgotten while forking eggs and beans into my mouth.
“I hate to say it,” Yetic talks through a mouthful of squash, “but I miss Neca on game days. He was a teocuali baller.”
Cera and Tenoch nod.
Olin ignores the rest of us. He’s more jittery than normal, tapping his fingers on the table and avoiding eye contact.
By the time I finish my mash, I feel almost up to my new normal. After a protein shake, I’ll be good to go. Beyond the inner circle of green ones, I don’t think the Serpents recognize my degenerative condition. Outside of Yetic, I don’t discuss the matter. For the most part, they all still trust me to get the job done. So far, I have.
The Serpent barracks have maintained their position of dominance over the other barracks. We’ve rotated 49’s, so that each dorm group has seen their share of the glory. Cooperative efforts have skyrocketed. Morale is triple what it was at the beginning of the year. We’ve made the grueling routine of the academy tolerable by placing the specter of death on the shelf.
“You think it’s going to be raining?” Cera nudges me.
“Huh? Oh.” I lower my shake to the table and wipe the froth from my lips. I try to laugh lightheartedly. “You know, I’m not even sure what month it is.”
“It’s May, and yes it will be raining.” Yetic grabs his tray and stands. The others all do the same. Yetic clears his throat, “Almost time to head above ground.”
“Right.” I chug the rest of my shake and collect my tray.
We fall in line to deposit our leftovers, and T’zan whispers into my ear as we shuffle forward. “I think Yetic was dropping a hint about the roster, you know, for today’s game.”
I slap my forehead, “Of course.” I had forgotten to post the roster for Serpent 6 the night before. In fact, I had forgotten to formulate the roster. Quickly, I work it out in my mind.
Olin played in the last two, and after last night he’s an easy cut for this one. We’ll need Yetic, T’zan, and Cera to beat the Jags. I’ll rest Tenoch this week in order to rotate three newbs into the lineup. That just leaves me. I’ve already rested one game. I could sit out a second, but it might raise questions about my strength. Plus, the workout will do me good. Maybe I’ll actually be able to sleep tonight.
By the time we finish depositing our trays, I’ve come up with seven names to round out the Serpent 49. With the others’ help, I gather Serpent 6 in front of our dorm. “Sorry about the delay in declaring today’s roster.” The group jostles each other nervously as they await the names.
Everyone gets to go above ground. That’s the biggest reward on game day. But playing in the game is equally huge. For many of the cadets, this could be their last chance to leave a legacy or create a lasting memory within Worker City. Families will be present in the packed out stadium.
Midway through the twelve week season, many of the cadets haven’t yet gotten selected. Some won’t be. In six more weeks, we receive our detail assignments for the following year. The work load and mortality rate will increase. The ballgame is a short-lived outlet for the pressure cooker of Masa Academy.
I start at the top. “Yetic will be acting commander of the 49.” Yetic pumps his fist. I glance at Olin to make sure he’s not upset over the selection, but it appears as if he’s not even paying attention. “I’ll be playing this game as well. As for the other five, I’ve selected T’zan, Cera, Molar, Racti, and Nena.”
The three newbs are beside themselves.
“You guys have earned it, along with several others. But,” I shrug, “the rest of you will have to content yourselves with a sunny day above ground and a victory over those Jag chumps.”
A smattering of cheers and hisses seals the official business. I can already hear a raucous outside our barracks as cadets from other barracks make their way along the corridor toward the surface.
“Now let’s head up!”
“From serpents we arose. Out of serpents our society grows. Victory! Victory! Victory! From the belly of the snake rise the cries of our foes!” The chant echoes loudly enough to drown out the rival barracks and temporarily drown my worries.
Today I’ll let the magic of the ballgame do its work. I’ll distance myself from Toltec and his haunting presence. When the opportunity arises, I’ll confront Olin. First, I’ll apologize to him. I’ll ask his forgiveness in effort to win him back, because we’re stronger together. Whatever he encountered beyond the door, we’ll deal with it together.
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