Basketball

He ran down the court. Dribbling in between his legs avoiding fake players and lining up for the shot. He spun on his heel and shot the ball which bounced harmlessly off the rim and rolled slowly away.

“Damn,” Michael said under his breath.

He jogged back over to where the ball was now sitting and scooped it up carrying it to the middle of the court, where he placed it on the ground.

Tap

He spun on his heels and looked around. It was almost midnight nobody else would be in here. His eyes scanned the court. It was empty aside from the ball in the center. He turned around and grabbed his water, chugging it without thought. He set his water down as something rolled into his heel. He looked down and at his feet was the ball which.

I set this down didn’t I, he thought to himself.

He picked the ball back up and slowly made his way back onto the court.

“One more shot,” he said.

He stood there and began to dribble the ball, keeping his eye on the hoop. He had it, easy shot, plain and simple. He shot, the ball made its way to the hoop and just as it was making its way over the top it slammed back into the ground. Michael slowly backed up. The ball rolled toward him and stopped just feet from him. The ball began to float and bounced as if being dribbled by an invisible force. Michael tracked the ball holder. He could barely see the outline of the person. They looked about his age but with shorter hair. His outline looked like smoke, constantly shifting as if torn between two places. The figure threw the ball outward toward Michael who caught it easily. The figure took his stance in front of Michael. Michael got down and began to dribble the ball keeping his eyes on the figure. Surprisingly he wasn’t afraid the figure seemed calmingly, as if it emitted an energy keeping his heart steady.

He took a step forward and the figure followed waiting. Michael slowly moved down the court, his pace quickening as he got closer to the basket. The figure now started to get faster moving toward Michael and one time it even tried to steal the ball. Michael ran to the right of the figure who immediately turned and followed close behind. He took the shot and the figure without missing a beat jumped up grabbing the ball before it scored. It’s feet hit the ground soundlessly and the figure sprinted toward the opposite hoop. Michael turned and followed close behind. The figure was getting closer and closer to the hoop as it went for a layup. Just as it’s arm was reaching the middle of its ark Michael jumped up swiping it away. He ran down the court, the figure close on his heel, his pulse was pounding. The figure darted to his left and ran in front, stopping in front of him. Michael slowed and stared into the figures eyes. There was nothingness, no sorrow, no hope, no ambition. Just nothingness. Michael sped back up and started running to the figures left. The being moved to block him but Michael spun on the ball of his foot to the right and ran to the hoop. The figure looked back at him as Michael scored the first point of the game. He looked back at the figure and it reacted as if it had been hit. It fell to its knees and held its stomach.

“Sore loser I see,” Michael joked.

The figure looked up at him and began to stand back up. It’s smoking outline was now more chaotic, less controlled and focused. It’s smoke arched in chaotic loops. Michael tossed the ball to it, the figure reached out its hand to catch it, but as the ball hit the figures hand it passed through it like there was nothing there. The figure rushed back to the ball grabbing it with both hands. It’s hands were shaking and it reached torward the ball only for its hands to phase through it. The figure let out a hoarse and violent scream. When the screaming stopped the figure reached for the ball again. This time it grabbed the ball and was able to hold it. It stood up and stared straight at Michael before it began to dribble toward him. Michael entered his stance as the figure came running toward him.

The same routine went on for hours, both of them running down the court but never being able to score on each other. Blocks, steals, and fouls each went by. Michael was tired, his muscles acked and sleep was getting harder to fight off. The figure now had the ball, and was racing close to Michael who was slowing down. The figure ran ahead as Michael put his hands behind his head in defeat. He was thirsty and exhausted. He watched as the figure ran toward the hoop and shot a three which spun on the hoop and slowly went in. Michael put his hands behind his neck breathing slowly. There was a sharp pain on his hand. Michael began to feel something drip down his neck. It wasn’t sweat this was thicker. The figure was now stopped under the hoop looking at its hand. Michael slowly removed his hand and looked down at it. He was missing 3 fingers. He began to tremble and his heartbeat quickened. The figure looked toward and waved. The figure's smokey hand now had 3 solid fingers.