heavenward | n.scatorccio

The sharp sound of Coach Ben, and Coach Martinez's whistle cut through the air, jolting Julianna from her thoughts. Players scattered across the field, breaking into groups for drills. Julianna's eyes followed the movement absently, landing on a bubbly girl with blonde curls bouncing as she jogged off the field.

Misty Quigley.

Julianna had seen her before—plenty of times, actually. Misty was one of those people who always seemed to be... there. Everywhere, all at once. She was unmistakable, not just because of her wild blonde curls or her small frame, but because she had this energy about her, like a golden retriever eager to please. Sometimes, Misty's enthusiasm made Julianna nervous; other times, she found it kind of fascinating.

Misty came to a stop in front of the bleachers, her face lighting up when her eyes landed on Julianna.

"Hi!" she chirped, climbing up to sit next to her. "You're Jeff's sister, right? Julianna?"

Julianna blinked. "Uh, yeah."

Misty plopped down, her cleats tapping against the metal of the bleachers. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled, wide and warm. "I thought so! I mean, you guys look alike. Kind of. Well, not really, but you know what I mean."

Julianna wasn't sure she did.

"Are you here to watch the practice?" Misty asked, swinging her legs.

"Sort of," Julianna said, glancing toward the field. "Jeff dragged me here."

Misty laughed, the sound high and bright. "That's so nice of you! I mean, supporting your brother's girlfriend and all."

"Yeah. Sure." Julianna shifted in her seat, unsure of what to do with her hands. She kept them in her lap, her fingers fiddling, hoping Misty wouldn't notice how awkward she felt.

"You don't come to the games, though, do you?" Misty tilted her head, studying her.

"No, not really. I'm not that big on sports." Julianna spoke, a small smile on her face to ease the tension she's fairly sure only she was feeling, but her eye contact was avoidant.

"Oh, me neither!" Misty said, grinning. "Well, except soccer, obviously. But only because I'm on the team. If I wasn't, I'd probably never watch it. It's not like I'd sit down and watch a game on TV or anything. Boring, right?"

Julianna nodded, not sure how to respond. Misty didn't seem to need much encouragement to keep talking, though.

"You know," Misty said, lowering her voice like she was about to share a secret, "I've seen you around school, but I don't think we've ever talked."

"That's probably true," Julianna said carefully.

"I'm really good at remembering people," Misty said, tapping her temple. "It's kind of a gift. Like, I remember faces and names and random little details. I think I saw you in the library once? You had a notebook, and you were drawing something. It looked really good."

Julianna blinked, caught off guard. "Oh. Thanks."

"Do you draw a lot?" Misty asked, leaning forward, her eyes sparkling with genuine curiosity.

"Sometimes," Julianna said, feeling a strange mix of flattery and discomfort under Misty's gaze. "It's just  something to pass the time."

"That's so cool," Misty said, beaming. "I wish I could draw. I tried once, but it looked like a kindergartner did it." She laughed again, and Julianna found herself smiling, just a little. Misty's energy was a lot, but it wasn't unpleasant.

"What do you draw?" Misty pressed. "Like, people? Animals? Buildings?"

"Um, anything, really," Julianna said. "Whatever comes to mind."

"That's awesome." Misty paused, her smile fading just slightly. "You know, you're way nicer than people say you are."

Julianna blinked again, the words landing like a slap she hadn't been prepared for. "What?"

"Not in a bad way!" Misty added quickly, her hands flying up in defense. "I just mean, like, people think you're quiet and, like, keep to yourself, but you're actually really nice. I don't know why people don't talk to you more."

Julianna didn't know what to say to that. Her stomach twisted, the words replaying in her head. Did people really talk about her like that? Did they think she was mean?

"Sorry," Misty said, cringing. "I didn't mean to make it weird."

"It's fine," Julianna said, though her voice sounded thinner than she meant it to.

Misty hesitated, her eyes darting toward the field. "I think people just don't know how to talk to you. Like, they're probably intimidated or something."

"Intimidated?" Julianna repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah! You're, like, really smart, right? And you've got that... mysterious vibe. People love that."

Julianna almost laughed. Mysterious vibe wasn't exactly what she'd call herself. "Right," she said, her tone dry but not at all rude.

"I'm serious!" Misty insisted. "You've got this... I don't know, this cool thing about you. If I weren't on the team, I'd probably be way too nervous to come talk to you."

Julianna didn't believe that for a second. Misty Quigley didn't seem nervous about anything.

Before Julianna could respond, Coach Ben's whistle blew again, and Misty perked up like a puppy hearing its owner.

"Guess I've gotta get back out there," she said, hopping to her feet. "It was nice talking to you, Julianna!"

"Yeah," Julianna said softly. "You too."

Misty shot her one last smile before jogging back to the field, her curls bouncing with every step.

Julianna watched her go, a strange, hollow feeling settling in her chest. She didn't know what to make of Misty's words, or the fact that she'd even come over to talk to her in the first place.

She let her gaze drift back to the field, scanning the players as they regrouped after Coach Ben's whistle. She recognized most of them—some from classes, others just from passing in the hallways. She'd never been the type to pay much attention to sports, but it was hard not to notice this team. The Yellowjackets weren't just good—they were everywhere. Posters plastered the walls of Wiskayok High, team photos filled the yearbooks, and their names echoed through morning announcements every time they won a game.

Still, knowing who they were didn't mean Julianna knew them.

Her eyes landed on Shauna Shipman first. She was standing near Jackie, adjusting her ponytail with quick, precise movements. Shauna was quieter than Jackie, not as flashy or loud, but there was something sharp about her, like she was always thinking three steps ahead. Julianna had tried to be her friend once, back in sixth grade, but it hadn't worked out. Shauna had always seemed closer to Jackie, orbiting her like a planet around the sun.

Then there was Natalie Scatorccio, leaning against one of the goalposts, her arms crossed. Even from a distance, Julianna could tell Natalie wasn't as similar to the others. She had a slouch that made it clear she didn't care about looking polished, and her hair hung in messy blonde strands that framed her face like curtains.

Julianna had always found Natalie a little intimidating. Not because she was mean, at least, Julianna didn't think she was—but because Natalie seemed like the kind of person who didn't care what anyone thought. She was loud in a way that wasn't obnoxious but unapologetic, and Julianna couldn't imagine ever being that comfortable in her own skin.

Lottie Matthews stood a little off to the side, wiping sweat from her forehead with the hem of her jersey. Julianna had always thought Lottie was kind of ethereal. Like she didn't really belong in Wiskayok, or anywhere, really. There was something about her calmness, the way she seemed to float through the halls like nothing could touch her.

She'd considered trying to befriend Lottie once, back in eighth grade, but she'd never worked up the nerve. It wasn't that Lottie was unapproachable—she was actually one of the kindest people Julianna had ever spoken to—but there was a distance about her that made it hard to tell if she was actually listening or just waiting for the conversation to end.

Closer to the center of the field, Taissa Turner was leading one of the smaller drills. Even from here, Julianna could see the way Taissa carried herself, shoulders back, chin up, eyes sharp. She had the kind of confidence that didn't need to shout to be noticed. Taissa wasn't just good at soccer; she was relentless. People either respected her or got out of her way.

Julianna wasn't sure which group she fell into.

She glanced toward the goalie next, where Van Palmer was crouched, waiting for the next play. Van had a crooked grin on her face, laughing at something one of the other girls had said. She was almost the opposite of Taissa—lighthearted and easygoing, like she didn't take anything too seriously. Julianna kind of admired that. She wished she could laugh things off as easily as Van seemed to.

Her gaze finally returned to Jackie Taylor, who was stretching near the sideline. Jackie was everything Julianna wasn't—confident, charismatic, the kind of girl who never had to try. It wasn't fair how easy it all seemed for her, how she could walk into any room and instantly become the center of it.

Julianna shifted in her seat, uncomfortable with the knot forming in her stomach. She hated feeling like this, comparing herself to people who probably didn't even think about her. Jackie, Shauna, Lottie, Natalie, Taissa, Van—they all had their own worlds, their own connections. They probably didn't even know she existed.

Well, except maybe Misty.

"Hey, Jules," Jeff said, snapping her out of her thoughts. He was leaning back in his seat, grinning as he held up his flip phone. "Think Jackie will notice if I video her in this?"

Julianna rolled her eyes. "You're so embarrassing."

"She loves it," Jeff said, unfazed.

Julianna didn't respond, her attention drifting back to the field. Practice was still going, the players moving in quick, deliberate patterns. It was almost hypnotic, the way they worked together, each movement sharp and purposeful.

She couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like to be a part of something like that. To have a place, a team, people who actually wanted her around.

But that wasn't who she was.

Julianna sighed, leaning back on the bleachers and letting the hum of the game fill the silence between her and her brother.

The sun was dipping lower now, streaking the sky with orange and pink as practice carried on. Julianna had mostly tuned out the whistles and shouts on the field, her sketchbook open on her lap that she got from the car, as well as her backpack, though she wasn't actually drawing. Jeff had moved down a few rows of the bleachers, leaning against the railing, phone in hand as he pretended not to be filming Jackie again.

"Subtle," she muttered under her breath.

"Hmm?" Misty asked, turning to her with wide eyes. She had came back and moved to a spot beside Julianna, her gaze darting between the field and Julianna's sketchbook like she wanted to comment but wasn't sure if she should.

"Oh don't worry-sorry i was just mumbling," Julianna said, flipping her pencil between her fingers.

Misty nodded, not pressing further, but Julianna caught the way her lips pressed together like she was holding in a thousand thoughts. It made her wonder, briefly, if Misty always felt like that, buzzing with something she couldn't let out.

A sharp whistle from Coach Martinez broke through the moment. "All right, wrap it up! Cooldown laps, then hit the showers!"

The players groaned in unison, but they started jogging around the field anyway, their shoes kicking up dust as they moved. Jackie was leading the pack, of course, with Shauna not far behind. Lottie and Van trailed toward the back, chatting and laughing, while Taissa pushed ahead, her focus unshaken. Natalie stayed near the goal, kicking stray balls back toward the net with lazy precision.

Julianna squinted, her attention snagging on something.

Near the far side of the field, behind the chain-link fence, there was someone standing there. A man, she thought, though it was hard to tell from this distance. He was just... standing.

"Hey, Jeff," she said, nudging her brother as he climbed back up the bleachers.

"What?"

"Do you see that guy over there?" She pointed toward the fence.

Jeff followed her gaze, frowning. "Yeah, so? Probably some weirdo watching the game. Happens all the time. The team has fans."

Julianna made a face. "That's creepy."

"Relax," Jeff said, already turning back to his phone.

But Julianna couldn't relax. There was something off about the way the man was standing, his head tilted at an unnatural angle, his movements slow and jerky. She told herself it was nothing. Maybe he was drunk, or just another town eccentric—but the hairs on the back of her neck wouldn't settle.

---

The first scream came from the field.

Julianna's head snapped up, her sketchbook tumbling to the ground. One of the players, Van, she thought, was standing frozen near the sideline, staring at something. Jackie and Shauna had stopped running, turning to look as well.

"What the hell is going on?" Jeff muttered, standing now.

"Someone's hurt," Misty said, squinting as she leaned forward.

"No, not hurt," Julianna said softly, though she wasn't sure why she was whispering. Her heart was pounding, her pulse thrumming in her ears.

From the bleachers, she could see what had caught Van's attention. It wasn't just the man by the fence anymore. There were more of them now—half a dozen figures stumbling through the field's gate, their movements disjointed and wrong.

Coach Ben blew his whistle. "Hey! This is private property!"

The figures didn't respond. They just kept coming.

"Coach," Lottie said, her voice trembling. "Something's wrong with them."

"Stay calm," he said, though his own voice wavered. "Everyone back on the bleachers—now."

The team started moving, though some of the girls hesitated, their eyes locked on the approaching strangers. Jackie grabbed Shauna's arm, pulling her along, while Taissa barked at Natalie, who hadn't moved.

Julianna felt her chest tighten as the figures came closer. Their skin was pale and waxy, and their clothes were stained with streaks of red. One of them had a gaping wound across his throat, the edges of it blackened and glistening.

"Oh my God," Misty whispered, clutching Julianna's arm.

"They're not—" Julianna couldn't finish the sentence.

Not alive.

The first one lunged at Coach Martinez.

It happened so fast Julianna almost missed it. One second, he was standing there, blowing his whistle again, and the next, the thing was on him, its teeth sinking into his shoulder.

He screamed—a guttural, ragged sound that sent Julianna scrambling back, nearly tripping over the bleachers. Blood sprayed as the thing tore into him, its mouth gnashing, its hands clawing at his arms. She hoped his son's didn't see.

"Run!" Taissa shouted, grabbing Lottie and shoving her toward the locker room.

The field erupted into chaos. The players scattered, some running toward the bleachers, others sprinting in the opposite direction. Julianna couldn't think, couldn't breathe.

"Julie!" Jeff grabbed her wrist, yanking her to her feet.

"We have to—"

"Just move!" he said, dragging her down the bleachers. Misty was close behind, clutching her backpack like it was a lifeline.

They hit the ground running, dodging around players who were still screaming, still trying to make sense of what was happening. Julianna's head whipped around, catching glimpses of the things—the dead were alive? She thought wildly, even though it didn't feel real—closing in on the team.

Van was shouting, her fists raised as she tried to fend one off. Natalie had grabbed a corner flag and was using it as a makeshift spear, jabbing at another.

"Get inside!" Taissa yelled again, her voice cutting through the panic.

Jeff pulled Julianna toward the locker room, but she hesitated, her eyes darting to the field. Jackie was still out there, trying to pull Shauna to her feet.

"Jackie!" Jeff called, waving her over.

She turned, her eyes wide with panic, and started running. Shauna was right behind her.

The group barreled into the locker room, slamming the door behind them. The lights flickered overhead, casting the room in a sickly yellow glow.

"Is everyone here?" Taissa asked, her voice sharp.

"I think so," Lottie said, though her voice was shaky.

"Coach," Shauna said, staring at the door.

"We couldn't—" Jackie started, but her voice broke.

Julianna pressed herself against the wall, her chest heaving. The others were shouting now, arguing, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

But all Julianna could hear was the sound of pounding on the door.