My Hockey Alpha

Chapter 0464

The excitement of the game always sent adrenaline pumping through my veins, but today's energy was mixed with a bittersweet emotion. Knowing it was my last game here had everyone, including myself, a bit on edge.

The locker room was abuzz with the usual pre-game chatter, players discussing strategies and joking around. But amidst the usual hustle, my long-time friend and teammate, Matt, approached me with a somber look on his usually jovial face.

"Hey," he began, clapping me on the back. "Gonna miss having you around, man."

I took a deep breath, pushing back the rush of emotions. "Thanks, Matt. It's hard leaving all of this behind. But... it's a good opportunity for me. I hope everyone understands that and isn't too mad at me, you know?"

Matt's eyes softened. "I know. And we're all really happy for you. No one is mad. But damn, I'm not gonna lie, it's going to be strange not having you on the ice with us."

A light chuckle escaped my lips. "Well, at least you'll be taking the reins. You'll make a damn good captain, you know."

He smiled sheepishly. "Thanks, Enzo. That means a lot coming from you."

We shared a moment of understanding before Matt's gaze shifted, becoming more serious. "Hey, have you thought about Nina? She's going to be all alone while you're gone."

The mention of Nina's name brought a warm feeling to my chest, but also a hint of anxiety. I had spent many nights laying awake and thinking about this, how Nina would be kept safe while I was gone.

And lately, ever since everything had happened, I was growing more and more worried about her. She didn't want to show it, but I could tell. The Crescents, the Luna, Edward... All of it haunted her, day and night.

"I know," I said with a sigh. "It'll be tough. But she's strong. And she has Lori and Jessica. They'll look out for her."

Matt hesitated, clearly choosing his words carefully. "I get that, but... are you really not worried? About her... trauma?"

His words hit me like a ton of bricks. I was instantly transported to that night-a memory I had tried to suppress, but one that always lurked in the back of my mind.

I was awakened by the soft rustling of sheets and the chill of an empty bed.

Nina and I had shared countless nights together, always seeking solace in each other's arms, but tonight was different. The weighty silence of the room was broken only by the faint hum of crickets outside. It took me a moment to realize Nina wasn't beside me.

Blinking against the darkness, I looked around, straining to hear any hint of movement. There was none. Several moments went by during which I heard and saw nothing. An unsettling feeling settled in my chest, and I got out of bed, moving silently across the room and out into the hallway.

"Nina?" I called out softly. No response. I checked the other rooms, but she was nowhere to be found. A sense of unease quickly transformed into panic. Where could she be?

I reached the back door and found it ajar, the gentle breeze rustling the curtains. My heart raced as I stepped out onto the dew-covered grass. The moon, full and luminous, cast an eerie glow over the vast landscape, the cliffside casting long, dark shadows.

As I approached the cliff, a silhouette appeared against the pale glow of the moon. My heart caught in my throat. It was Nina, standing eerily still, dangerously close to the edge, her nightgown fluttering in the wind. Her face was blank, eyes unseeing, lost in a world that was somewhere far away.

The weight of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. One false move, and I could lose her forever.

Mustering every ounce of courage, I took cautious steps, speaking in hushed, gentle tones. "Nina? It's me, Enzo. Please, come back."

She didn't react. It was like she was trapped in a trance, a nightmarish world of her own making.

I continued my slow approach, my heart in my throat. Every second felt like an eternity. When I was close enough, I reached out, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her back gently, yet firmly.

It was then that she snapped out of her trance. Her eyes, once vacant, were now wide with terror as she looked around, trying to make sense of her surroundings.

Her gaze locked onto the cliff's edge, and a blood-curdling scream erupted from her lips. I tightened my grip around her, pulling her close, feeling her heart racing against mine.

*It's okay, Nina," I whispered, trying to calm her. "You're safe now."

She buried her face in my chest, tears soaking my shirt as sobs quaked her slender body. "I... I don't know how I got there," she sobbed. "What's happening?"

I kissed the top of her head, my own eyes misting over with a combination of fear and relief. "Shhh, it's okay. I've got you."

We sat there for what felt like hours, holding onto each other for dear life, both of us coming to terms with the gravity of what had just occurred.

Snapping back to the present, I cleared my throat, trying to hide the emotion threatening to spill out.

"I think about that night a lot," I finally admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. Matt was the only one who knew.

Months ago, I had told him reluctantly, because even though we were best friends, I still felt worried that Nina's episodes would label her as a basket case or a danger somehow. But Matt was always understanding, and I think in a way he always kept an eye on her after that, too.

I was glad I did tell him. It felt good to know that he would be here to watch over her, even from afar, while I was gone. And it sure as hell felt good that she would be protected against the Crescents while I was gone.

Matt nodded sympathetically. "I can't even imagine how tough it was for both of you."

I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling deeply. "That night terrified me. The thought of her being alone... it keeps me up."

"But you can't be with her every second," Matt reasoned, trying to be helpful. "She needs to heal and learn to cope."

"I know," I said. "But leaving her, even for a short while... it's hard."

Matt squeezed my shoulder, his eyes filled with understanding. "I get it, man. Just know we're all here for her. And for you."

I smiled weakly, appreciating the sentiment. "Thanks, Matt. That means a lot."This text is © NôvelDrama/.Org.

The whistle blew then, signaling the start of the game.

We both got up, ready to hit the ice. But as I laced up my skates, I couldn't shake off the unease that had settled in. Nina's safety was always on my mind, and leaving her was one of the hardest decisions I'd ever made.

But I held onto the hope that with time and support, she'd overcome the shadows of her past.