The basketball court

You headed straight ahead. You paused as you pass the doors on your right. Hearing something, you opened one of the doors to the gym. Knowing that the coach was sensitive about tracks on floor, you wiped your shoes well before stepping out on the hardwood. Larry did the same.

You started to look around. The stands that hold about 12,000 were dark. Not surprising since the only time they were lit was when there was a home game or more often when the coach was having someone run the bleachers. To one side were a couple long benches. They were seating for the teams during the game. Now, they were empty of course. Between them was the scorer’s table. The controls for the scoreboard were locked away. In the spot where they would have sat were a several backpacks.

“Look OUT!” A voice called out from the far end of the court. You whirled. Instinctively you ducked aside as you saw something coming at you. Larry went flying as it caught him squarely in the face. He ended up flat on his back…stunned. His left hand was resting on something round, a ball of some sort. It was nearly a minute before Larry moved with a groan. Although he was clutching at his face with his right hand, you could see that Larry was okay. You glanced over at his hand.