A good day turned bad

Swimming was always an exciting sport for me, it made me feel alive and athletic. However, this finest sport became a mark that would be on me for the rest of my life.

Burbury Park was the place, me and my friends decided to go park because there was a football tournament that we had all been waiting for, this was our chance, a chance to get to the final. The weather was absolutely smashing, it couldn’t get better. The sun beat down on us and we couldn’t have felt a more positive vibe. The birds were singing and the trees moved to the calm wind that was keeping us cool.

We were getting ready, doing our warm ups and having a team talk on how we are best team. The match had gone underway, after a nervy few minutes, the score was level, ‘nine-nine’ and the atmosphere had already set in; the situation was that the next team to score would advance into the finals of the ‘Birmingham cup’. I dived towards the ball to make a critical save which kept us in a dominant position; thereafter my team had capitalized on what I had done for them. I shouted “COME ON LADS! Pass and move” and little did I know, they were doing what I had asked of them. I had to be harsh; this will improve them, “Hey! Markus! What the hell do you think you’re doing, shooting from that range, do you think you’re Ronaldo?” we were under vast amount of pressure, and the supporters made us know it with their screaming and supportive shouting, knowing that the next goal will be the decider. Markus was by far one of the best players in my team and I knew no-one at the age of fifteen could shoot that far out. The opposition were closing in towards our half of the pitch, and I was becoming more and more anxious with every second that passed by. I had a quick glance towards the clock and to my horror, there was only sixty seconds left, and as the role of captain, I had a duty, and that was to control my team and motivate them to win. I knew that the lads would not survive extra time as the looks on their faces told me they were exhausted and tired.

To my surprise I had noticed Aquil (the weakest player in our squad) running towards the box, and then I had seen an opportunity. At that point, Abbas had possession of the ball. I knew that this maybe the last chance, we had to take advantage and maybe even score.

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Abbas successfully crossed the ball to Aquil, he had finally heard my commands which resulted in the fine cross. The cross was neatly passed to Aquil, it had looked like he was definitely going to score the winner. All the supports were chanting his name, in hope that he was going to score, it was one on one with the keeper, but unfortunately he had slipped. A depressed moan came from our supporters. However out of nowhere, Hussein been waiting for the rebound and had smashed the ball in the bottom of the net. I breathed a huge sigh of relief and the crowds chanted our names, I finally knew what it is like to be a professional football player.

We were all tired after that fantastic win allowing us to celebrate like packs of wild animals. I owed it to all my players for all their hard work. Going to the finals of the ‘Birmingham cup’ was the greatest achievement ever in our lives!

'Knackered' was not even the word to describe how tired we were. Sweat was running down our faces onto the cold floor as though it were a waterfall. Tired, half of our team had decided to go back to their warm homes for a cup of tea and a bath, while the rest of us decided to go swimming at our local swimming centre, in Newtown.

Me, Aquil, Abbas and Hussein were walking towards the swimming centre. We were all feeling excited about our upcoming match against Aston Villa Youth team in the final. We had just beaten West Bromwich Youth team making us better than them. I had decided that I was going to treat the lads for their hard work after swimming. Me, more than anyone else wanted to step inside the swimming pool and calmly cool down and rest.

We were on the way to the swimming pool, we were on the main road and Newtown Swimming Centre could be seen not too far in the distance. On the way towards the Swimming Centre we had seen a park leading us straight to the Swimming Centre.

“C’mon lets take the left and go through the park, it looks much easier.” I said, not knowing what was going to happen next.

We had been through the park, ‘Yellow Park’, many times before and we had thought it would be the safest and quickest way. We walked pass the main play area and it had seemed empty. Swings left swinging by the wind, and slides left for children to play on. I started to feel agitated and began thinking to myself why there wasn’t anyone around. Goosebumps started appearing on my skin as an ice cold shiver rattled through my spine. But there was no turning back now as we had already walked past most of the park. We were at the end of the park and it was just one dark long alleyway. I began wondering even more and started thinking to myself about how corrupted this area had recently become. Newtown is not how it used to be back in the days but is becoming more and more violent and even more crimes are occurring by the minute. We were halfway down the alleyway and I could smell freedom just around fifty yards away.

“Oi! Come here now!” a cold deep voice shouted at us from down the alley. I automatically looked up and to my horror and I saw two dark men. Both were hiding their identity with masks and caps, we knew they were criminals. I felt nervous and scared, thoughts began running through my mind as I thought of an escape plan. Who are these people and what do they want? What are they going to do to us? Why are they calling us? I was able to identify their ethnicity and they were both black. From then on I knew something bad was going to occur. Aquil was standing next to me. On the other hand as I turned around I was shocked to see the rest of my mates making a run for it.

All these signs meant that these people were not good and I knew that the next few minutes were going to be some of the worst in my life. I didn’t clock on, I was never in this situation before. Froze by fear, I stood still as I saw the men walk towards us,

“Yo, what ends you from?!” they said, not bothering to wait for an answer. I knew if I hadn’t responded fast, I wouldn’t make it out uninjured. I answered “Lozells”.

There was no reply from these men as they looked down on us. I began to get anxious. I knew that I had a huge sum of money in my wallet and thoughts began creeping into my mind, as I saw the second man reach into his pocket, that these people wanted our money. The first of the two men had started coming closer and closer and as he approached us, he put his arms around the both of us. From that moment my suspicion had been answered because he had said the following words to me.

“I need some money man!”

I kept quite. The other black man that was with him had taken my friend, Aquil into a corner of the alley in which I couldn’t communicate to him.

I had to say something to the person who was talking to me otherwise I would have to face the consequences. I was in a dilemma. I said without thinking “I have five pounds”. Of course I was lying.

“Good, good, now hand over the flipping money or I will knock the hell out of you.” he said with a harsh tone as he raised a fist to my face, he was swearing too. I was thinking of a way to take out my money without him realising that I had more. Too my stupidity, I took too long and the man had thrown a strong punch at me on my chin.

“ARGH” I shouted in pain as I fell to the floor on my knees. Aquil quickly looked over but really couldn’t help me because he was getting robbed by the other mugger.

Another punch fell my way but this time on the back of my head, I swore in pain and anger. I looked up and saw that I had no choice but to hand over all my money a huge sum of money. It was sixty pounds. The mugger helped himself and searched me and ran off with my wallet. So did the other mugger.

I felt weak. I felt helpless. I was injured. I was bleeding from my mouth and from the back of my head. It had also looked like the other mugger had finished with Aquil. Me and Aquil laid there for a couple of minutes before a couple of members of the public helped us up.

I was shaking as I walked back towards my home. I met up with my friends, and they were in shock, they were wondering what they could have done to help me and Aquil. I had told my parents everything that had occurred and of course my parents had phoned the police. It was useless and there was no point as the muggers were long gone...

I just thought to myself how a superb day just became worse.

Abed Ahmed