Here you go!!

Chapter 11

Tom and Dean pulled up to the school at 5:30 to watch the rest of football practice. They walked over to the stadium and through the gated entrance of the chain link fence to the bleachers. They walked down to the middle row of metal stadium bleachers and sat down. They could here the coach talking to the players.

"Dennis Miller, I want you to throw as quarterback for the purple right now. Thompson, take the bench for a bit."

"Coach, I…" Darren pulled his helmet off and walked over to the coach.

"Darren, don't argue with me, bench, NOW!" Coach Ballard commanded.

Darren stormed over to the bench talking to the group of players standing along the sidelines preparing to enter the game. Hanson looked around trying to find Penhall in the flood of purple and gold.

"Dean, where's Doug, I see Dennis."

"Number 75." Dean answered.

Tom shook his head as he spotted the large man in full gear on the sidelines. He then returned his attention back to watching the remainder of practice. The coach blew the whistle and the players talking to Darren on the sidelines returned to their positions on the field. Dennis who was in jersey number 33 walked up behind the players holding the ball.

--

"Blue 32… hut… HIKE!" The words came out of Bookers mouth as the oval shaped brown leather ball snapped easily into his hands. Booker took a number of running steps backwards glancing from side to side looking for a person to pass the ball to. Dennis quickly made eye contact with his intended recipient and volleyed the ball in the direction of the other player. It was then a rush of about six players charged at Booker tackling him to the ground. The men piled aggressively on the officer and a whistle blew.

Doug had been on the sidelines watching as the six players took his partner to the ground. He had heard the assistant coach blow the whistle, signaling the end of the play, and waited for the crowed of men to get off of Booker. The assistant coach walked over to the pile of men,

"Break it up!" He shouted angrily as the men were not moving fast enough off of the fallen quarterback. Slowly the men stood up and moved away. Dennis slowly got to his knees holding onto his left side. He felt some pressure on his left side as one of the men had used him for a support in order to stand up. Booker slowly stood up and moved back over to his position on the field. He bent over at the waist with his hands on his knees trying to take a deep breath and then slowly stood back up again. The pressure in his side was starting to become a sharp pain.

"Run it again… good hustle their Dennis!" The coach beamed. Dennis nodded his head and gritted his teeth as the pain in his side was growing more intense. Dennis swallowed hard and took his stance.

"Blue 32… Blue 32… Hut… HIKE!" Dennis shouted as the ball snapped back. Dennis caught the ball and again moved back two steps and BAM! The sound echoed through out the stadium as a line of players ferociously took the fledgling quarter back to the ground.

Tom felt himself jump as the crushing sound of pads and helmets collided with his partner. Whistles blew and there was a rush of movement in the direction of the pile up. There was a scuttle on the field as several players stood and Hanson was sure he had seen someone throw a kick in the direction of a downed player. No… they wouldn't…

"Hey!" Doug shouted. He watched as Dennis slowly tried to stand up only to fall back down again. Dennis was panting rapidly while clutching his left side. Doug started to move forward when a hand grabbed his arm. Penhall turned and looked at Coach Ballard. "Did you see that?" Doug insisted.

"What?" The coach responded. Of course he hadn't seen anything he was busy talking to one of the assistant coaches about the next play when the kid kicked at Dennis.

"He kicked Dennis." Doug tore free of the coaches iron grip to get over to Dennis who was still faltering in his attempt to stand. He had managed to get to his knees only to collapse into the fetal position on the field.

--

The pain was intense at it ripped at Bookers ability to breathe. "Ahhggg…" He struggled to stand and then fell from his knees back to the ground. He fought to regain his breath as the clutched at his damaged side. He was winded, but there was sharp more intense than the pain from earlier. Dennis rolled onto his back and then onto his side where he remained.

"Dennis!" Dean jumped to his feet and ran the steps down to the field followed closely by Tom Hanson. The duo made it to the field shoving and pushing their way to the front. Doug was on the ground with the team trainer and Coach Ballard next to Dennis. Doug had a look of anger and concern clouding his features. Dean and Tom both dropped to their knees next to the injured officer.

"I think he has a bruised rib, could possibly be cracked." The trainer said looking up at the trio. "We need to get him to the ER to be sure." Coach Ballard looked down at Dennis and then back at the trainer.

"I want him checked out, and then I want a full report back." He patted Booker on the leg and looked up at Dean with fear in his eyes. "He's good Dean, I don't want to loose him too."

"Me neither." Dean responded

"Dean…" Booker gulped down a ragged breath and looked at his temporary commanding officer. He winced as the breath tortured his insides.

"Yeah son, I'm right here." Dean answered.

"Hurts… to breathe." Booker choked out.

"I know, were gonna get you all fixed up Dennis, just hang in there." Dean looked up at Tom and then at Doug.

"Ambulance is on its way Coach!" The assistant coach ran back breathing heavily.

"Ok gentlemen, to the showers, Doug, you too. You can meet them at the hospital." Coach patted Doug on the shoulder as the undercover officer stood up.

"But Coach…"

"Doug, go get a shower and I will drive you to the hospital myself." Coach Ballard reiterated.

"Yes sir." The defeated Penhall turned and looked at Hanson as Tom rose to his feet.

"See ya there Doug… Hanson looked up at Doug squinting as the evening sun caught his eyes as it started to droop below the trees.

"Yeah…" Doug slapped Tom on the shoulder looked one more time at Dean and Dennis. Dean had helped to get Bookers helmet was sitting on the ground holding the officers hand. He then proceeded in the direction of the locker rooms. "I'll see you in a bit…"

"Doug!" Tom yelled. Penhall turned his head in the direction of Hanson. Tom moved quickly to his partners side.

"Be careful I think that someone…" Tom began.

"…kicked him." Doug interrupted. "I saw it. Do you think that…"

"Darren, he didn't do it, but he arranged it. This is my fault…" Tom stated running his fingers through his hair as the magnitude of what had happened sank in."

"No, you didn't do this Hanson…" Doug began

"Showers Miller, NOW!" Coach Ballard looked over at his player. "You have ten minutes; I will pick you up at the door, now MOVE!"

"Yes sir, Coach." Doug gave Tom a sigh and ran to the locker room.
--

Darren Thompson walked into the locker room and patted Glenn Wise on the shoulder.

"This isn't finished yet." He stated quietly to the other student. "I am nowhere near done with Tommy Miller…" He pulled off his tattered practice jersey and tossed it into the locker and stood facing the men gathered in front of him, his broad, chiseled shoulders rising and falling with each deep breath. "Keep it quiet for now, we'll finish this discussion later…"

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