The Forgotten Man

Brooks gave a laugh with no warmth in it. "So is the backup goalkeeper's." Several players nearby chuckled under their breath. Mason did not fire back. He shifted the bag higher on his shoulder and walked into the training building. Behind him, Brooks spoke again. "Carter, the World Cup isn't where people go to find their youth." Mason stopped. At the end of the hallway, a line was written on the wall: ONE NATION. ONE CREST. ONE CHANCE. He did not turn around. He only said: "I'm not here to find my youth." Every sound went quiet. Mason kept walking. The cameras followed his back, and the livestream comments flooded the screen. "Why is he acting so tough?" "Bad knee, big mouth." "He'll be exposed in the first training session."