Chapter 15: Past and Present

As Tim was leaving He wondered if He should let Shin know about Jabberwock,

I guess I should just call that kid muttered Tim, while getting his phone and typing Shin's number.

(Phone Ringing)

Shin was sleeping when he heard his phone ringing nonstop. When he looked at his phone and saw the name of the caller he couldn't help but say

"damn! This old man is checking on me again, I shouldn't have called him in the first place"

Shin: Hey grandpa uncle why the call? Im fine alright. I'll call you so please don't call me again.

Tim: You dumb f*ck, I know you think i am checking on you but I'm not alright. I called you cause i thought you might want to hear it, What i'm about to say that is.

Shin: oh? Okay what it is it? Sorry about that my bad.

Tim: still the same huh. What was it?GOM's Two faced or Thick faced.....

With a vein popping in his head, Shin then interrupted Tim

Shin: So you did a research about me huh. Try saying it old man, I dare you and when I return I'm going to call you "Old Man" out loud when we are outside for people to hear.

Tim with an angered voice just answered

Tim: Okay fine! i was just teasing you. Anyway Jabberwock is going to Japan for a tour. I thought you might want to hear it. There famous now you know so you might want to check up on them. I heard you knew two people in that group. Okay now, I gotta go goodbye kid.

"Oh" muttered Shin.

<<Flashback>>

Shin was playing alone in Venice beach when two kids approached him. One was a dark-skinned, tall, and has a muscular body with a silver hair. The other one has a golden-blonde medium long hair, slightly smaller and an all white male.

Kid 1: Yo! You playing all alone in this court?How bout playing with us on a 3v3 on the other side? We happen to lack 1 player cause our opponents injured his ankle.

Shin: I don't know. I haven't played for a while. Did you just say your opponent's injured your teammate? Was it intentional? Maybe i'll pass.

Kid 2: You don't have to worry about getting injured. You can just stand outside the 3 point arc. We just need 1 player and we will handle the rest. We are just 9 points away to win anyway.

Shin: I guess i could play but don't get your hopes up in me. I'll just fill the spot.

Shin with his signature smirk then approached the two kids and said "My name is Shin by the way" and he put his hands upfront to shake the other kids hands

As Shin got close to them,

Kid 1: Wow! You are also quite tall man hey Nash this kid is taller than you. The names Jason. We can play 1 on 1 next time.

Shin: I don't know about that. Maybe next time Jason.

Kid 2: The names Nash. Let's play and defeat those bastards.

The three of them went to the other side and approached their opponents.

Shin couldn't help but notice that their opponents were almost as tall as Jason with the same muscular body.

In Shin's mind "are they ballers or weight lifters? Whatever I'll just have to stand outside and observe"

Their opponents mocked them and said "look at that you got an asian for your team, you sure you have anymore players in case you know? Someone might actually get hurt during the game"

"You don't have to worry about that. Enough talking it's 10 to 12right? Our ball." Nash.

Opponent 1: don't think you can win Kid.

"Let's see about that" Nash was about to start when Shin then interrupted.

Shin: uhm what are the rules for this game Nash?

Nash: oh yeah i forgot to tell you, Game till 21 points 2 points from outside the arc 1 point from inside. if we score still our ball until we miss. Anything else are the same.

Shin: Okay then I think i understand. You can start now.

Opponent 2: Your funny Kid you sure you know how to play? You might get hurt.

With a smirk Shin then answered "oh please don't hurt me I'm just gonna stand outside"

Opponent 2: Are you mocking me kid?

Shin didn't answer, unbeknownst to them Shin's hand was shaking from the excitement he was feeling.

Nash then started his series of dribble then he crossed his opponent to the right, while his opponent immediately raised his arm on the left clotheslining Nash.

Nash although he almost stumble from the hit didn't call a foul instead he did a step back which stunned his defender and shot the ball. The ball went in but a red mark could be seen on his collar bone towards his neck.

Nash: 13 to 10. Still our ball.

Shin: We'll that was different.

Opponent 2: afraid now kid? This is real basketball.

Shin ignored his defender and watched Nash made his dribble to his right then crossed to the left as his opponent closely defending suddenly felt a strong wall to his side that made him stumble. It was Jason who was giving a screen to Nash.

Nash's defender gritted his teeth and quickly followed Nash now there were two people guarding him. Suddenly Nash threw a lob pass to which Jason caught the ball mid air and hammered the ball with his two hands. Jason then yelled "hell yeah! 14 to 10".

Shin was excited seeing that play but suddenly he noticed something about Nash's defender and Jason. "This can't be good" muttered Shin.

Nash started his dribble again and made a move to his right which his opponent anticipated and immediately put his knees upfront and smacking Nash with his left.

Nash seeing this did a spin but he still got hit on his back. Still Nash didn't call a foul and continued his dribble then made a stop to shot the ball.

As Nash released the ball his defender was also jumping to block his shot but it was a late contest. The ball went in but Nash went to ground and his opponent was on top of him.

His opponent got up and looked at Nash telling him "lucky shot".

Although Nash was hurt he didn't complain and got up, He said "That's still 15 to 10" but Shin could hear the pain he was enduring on Nash's voice.

Jason then gave the ball to Nash then said to him to be careful next time.

Nash nodded and started his dribble again. This time Jason attempted put a screen on Nash's defender. Seeing Jason on his side Nash's opponent raised his elbow to hit Jason but Jason faked the screen and run to the rim as the two opponents were on Nash.

He threw a lob pass again to Jason who caught it but was hit by a push from Nash's opponent from his behind then a smack on his defender to his chest. As it was sudden Jason forgot to call a foul and fell flat on his back on the ground. His defender got the ball and immediately shot the ball as it counts as a steal. "Yeah! 15 to 11. Now it's our ball"

Shin seeing this shakes his head. He was mad and his demeanor changed and his aura different from before. His defender suddenly got chills seeing Shin acting different. Shin then walk to his defender brushed him to the side and went to Jason. His defender was quite shocked as he didn't expect Shin to have that strength to easily brush him to side. Jason and Nash also felt the aura around Shin was different.

Shin then helped Jason up and patted his head while asking.

Shin: You okay Man? Is it worth it? Getting hurt like that just because of a bet or something.

Jason who was startled by the sudden change of Shin answered.

Jason: you wouldn't' understand but Nash and Me this is the place we belong. Basketball is all we have.

Shin nodded his head and said "alright! I'll help since I'm a little quite mad. The two of you don't mind right?"

Both Jason and Nash could only nod their head.

Shin: And by the way Nash? Can you pass me the ball when it's our turn next time?