Battlefield

By Darah DeWalt

Kai Duncan was only seven years old when her parents passed away in a plane crash, forcing her to be separated from her only sibling and to be sent to foster care in California. After many attempts, she successfully escapes from the foster home to look for her brother. Kai is now a sixteen-year-old basketball player who also loves to read and write. She lives on the streets and provides for herself for a few months before she is taken in by a family. On her first day at the new school, just when she thought her life was as good as could be, she bumps into an old friend, and her life changes in a way she never imagined.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Jan 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781645757450

Darah DeWalt

Darah DeWalt was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. She grew up going to summer camp and playing sports where she created many life-long relationships that gave her a foundation to build her life and that continue to inspire her. She showed a love for reading and writing from a very young age and always dreamed of becoming an author. Darah wrote Battlefield throughout her four years at Montreat College, located in the mountains of North Carolina. With the love and support of her friends and family, that dream was able to become a reality.

Book preview

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Preface

I love reading and I obviously love writing or else I wouldn’t have thought about writing this story. Some people enjoy reading romance novels where the girl gets the guy and they live happily ever after. Likewise, there’s another type of person who may want to read action novels with fighting or books about zombies or aliens. Sometimes, people even like to read philosophy or thought-provoking stories, so when I was trying to decide what to write about, I thought about combining what the readers wanted in order to create an epic, universally loved novel. However, I came to the realization that no one wants to read a thought-provoking book about an extraterrestrial romance, so I scratched that idea quickly. Most of my favorite reads aren’t about cheerleaders who get the happy ending or the superhero who saves the city because those books are predictable and cliché in my opinion. In my favorite books, such as Breathing Underwater, The Fault in Our Stars, and The Mortal Instruments series, the characters don’t necessarily get to live happily ever after. Likewise, in life, you don’t always get that fairytale ending that everyone wishes for because life isn’t fair. People should enjoy reading these kinds of books because they are about our daily lives and people like us. We all have a story to tell, but we never share it because we are afraid of judgment or we don’t think that it is important enough to share. One of my favorite quotes is, We’re all in the same game, just different levels and dealing with the same hell, but different devils. Everyone was created equal and important; it doesn’t matter if you have a million dollars or five pennies, because you never know who you’ll impact just by voicing your opinion. With that said, this book doesn’t have a happily ever after, so if that is what you were hoping for, sorry. To me, literature shouldn’t focus on the happy ending because not everyone gets one, so it creates false hope. Stories should be a reflection of life, focusing on the journeys, and adventures rather than outcomes. Life is a battlefield, what tactics will you use to win the war?

Introduction

Dad, c’mon, c’mon, tell us the story! Benji pleaded as he ran into his father’s room on a rainy, Saturday morning. Benji’s twin brother, Cameron, ran in right behind Benji and the two of them sat on the bed, waiting for their dad to start telling their favorite story.

Guys, it is Saturday morning! Don’t you have cartoons to watch or a game to play downstairs or something? the boys’ dad asked.

Actually, I haven’t heard it in a long time, I could hear it again. It never gets old, Rachel said as she sat up from the other side of the king-sized bed. He looked at his wife and the boys, then caved.

Alright! Breakfast in ten! On the menu is French toast, sausage, and a story.

Normally when people start to tell a story, they start with their own name and a little background about themselves. They tell a little bit of what the story will be about and then jump right into the story. However, I’m not going to tell you my name because it isn’t important, the only thing that matters is the plot. This is a story about a good friend of mine, we were the best of friends. She’s strong, smart, funny, energetic, uplifting, and an inspiration to all those around her. She’s too modest and humble to admit how much of an impact she made in people’s life, especially mine, so I have to be the one to tell this tale.

Alright, I think we are all set. Any last-minute runs to the refrigerator, bathroom, or bedroom? Speak now or hold your peace till story time is over! the father explained.

Sweetie, just go. I think we are all ready, Rachel said as she grabbed a tissue box, placed it in the middle of the table, and sat down.

Yeah, Dad just start! Benji and Cameron said simultaneously.

Here goes…

Part One

In the Beginning

Alright, everyone, great practice! Remember that after tomorrow’s practice, it’s time for the A.A.U. State Tournament down the road at you all’s high school. See you all tomorrow, Coach Davis said as she concluded practice.

One round of knockout before we go home, the girls screamed as they all rushed into a line at the top of the three-point arc in the Y.M.C.A. gym.

Bentley was the best shooter on the team, so she went first and always ended up in the final two. As soon as Bentley missed, her teammate hit her ball and it rolled around the screen, dividing the two courts. When she ran to the other side to get her ball, she saw a girl working out that was her age, but she had never seen the other girl before. Bentley picked up her ball but continued to stare at the girl as she did drills by herself on the court. Everyone on her team was yelling at her to come back to the game, but she ignored them and continued to be in awe of the mystery girl’s talent. As the other girls wondered what she was looking at, they jogged over to see for themselves. After about five minutes, the mystery girl finally noticed them, and her face turned red and her eyes popped out of her head.

Oh, are you guys supposed to have this court? I can move! I’m so sorry, she started to explain but was quickly interrupted.

No, no, it’s alright and you’re really talented! My name is Bentley Parker, we just finished practice on the other side, Bentley said extending her hand.

Kailana Duncan, but people just call me Kai and thank you! I pretty much play ball all day.

Well, if you’re not on a team already, we’d love to have you join our team! You’d be a great asset, Bentley said with the approval of all of her teammates standing behind her.

Thanks, but I umm…I don’t think my parents can afford it, so… Kai said, looking at the floor and starting to stuff her shoes into her huge duffle bag.

Well, I’m sure our coach would be able to work something out! Come meet her, she’s right over here, Bentley explained, trying to convince Kai.

Kai was grateful but denied the offer and walked out of the gym rather quickly. The other girls went back to the bench to change shoes, but Bentley thought something wasn’t right and stood up, deep in thought. Her mother walked into the gym, interrupting her thought process, and called her over because she had a meeting to get to at work. Bentley hurried over while carrying her stuff and jogged to the car with her mom.

When Bentley’s mom got back from her meeting, she started cooking dinner for the family. Bentley had just finished showering when Mrs. Parker called them all down to eat. Bentley’s brother, Jaiden, was still in his beach clothes and reeked of salt water.

Jai, its dinner time, why haven’t you cleaned up? Mr. Parker asked.

It’s not my fault! Pop princess over here wanted to take a year in the shower and listen to a whole Beyoncé album, Jaiden said.

Well, excuse me for actually washing up in the shower!

An hour, really, Jaiden snapped back.

Hey, let it go, can we just eat? Mrs. Parker asked speaking calmly.

There was a long silence at the table for the rest of the family’s meal with the exception of Mr. Parker asking Bentley about her friends on the basketball team or Mrs. Parker asking Jaiden about how the surf was while he was out at the beach. When they all finished eating, Jaiden dropped his plate and silverware in the sink before going to take a shower. Bentley and her mom did the dishes together, Bentley dried while her mother washed and Mr. Parker wiped down the table, then put the containers of leftovers in the refrigerator.

Do you think Coach Davis would pay for a new player to join the team if they were really good? Bentley asked out of the blue.

What do you mean? Mrs. Parker asked.

Well, once practice was over, I ran into a girl at the Y who was super fit and fundamentally sound, but she wasn’t on a team because she said her parents couldn’t afford it. I was just curious if there was something we could do. She is really good!

I can give Coach D a call and see if we can figure something out, as long as this girl actually wants to play with you guys, Mr. Parker explained.

Hey, what is that supposed to mean?

Honey, you know you can jump to conclusions and be a little… much when you get excited, Bentley’s mom stated, glancing over at Mr. Parker with a smirk on her face.

Whatever, Bentley said, laughing as she hung up the towel she used to dry the dishes and went upstairs.

The next day when the team went to the gym to practice, Bentley got there early to see if Kai would be there again. She stuck her head around the corner to the other court to find that it was empty, so she went back to the bench to put her shoes on. Coach Davis walked in and, almost immediately, Bentley started telling her all about Kai. She agreed that if she could help the team as much as Bentley was describing, but couldn’t afford the travel costs, she could sponsor Kai. Just as they were finishing that conversation, Bentley heard a basketball bouncing in the background. She grabbed her coach’s arm and ran over to the other court. As Bentley had predicted, Kai was working out and Coach Davis was shocked by how fundamentally sound she was.

Kai, hey! Sorry to interrupt your workout again, remember me? We met yesterday! This is my coach, Coach Davis. And Coach Davis, this is Kai, Bentley yelled to Kai as she walked toward them.

Hello, Kai, it’s nice to meet you. I must say from what I have heard, you are an amazing player and very disciplined. We’d love to have you join us and if it costs more than your family can afford, I’d be happy to sponsor you. I know it’s a big commitment, but just think about it and practice with us today. Get to know me and the girls, then we’ll talk after practice… Please! Coach Davis explained.

Okay, Kai said with a smile on her face, so she grabbed her bag and moved to the other side of the court.

Kai fit in with the girls right away socially and skill-wise, plus, she had never felt more welcomed and accepted. During the scrimmages in practice, Kai and Bentley had instant chemistry on the court and played like they had been playing together for ages. When practice was over, Kai agreed to join the team and the decision was effective immediately. Coach Davis said that she would be able to play at the A.A.U. State Tournament that upcoming weekend. Kai was sitting on the bench, untying her shoes, and putting on her sweatshirt when Bentley approached her and invited her to the team’s dinner to celebrate. Kai, once again, said her parents would want her home for dinner and quickly left the gym. Bentley looked out the gym door and watched Kai run upstairs, into the Y.M.C.A, Café.

Once Kai got inside, she dropped her duffle bag in the booth furthest from the door. She walked up to the bar where Nick was cleaning up, about to close the restaurant, and took a seat on a stool.

So, I was thinking, I am here a lot. I should apply for a job, so I can start making some money. You only have to be over fifteen to work! Kai claimed.

Sweetheart, I’d love nothing more than for you to work here with me, but I don’t think it’s in the cards for you, Nick explained.

Why is that?

Well… Nick hesitated, Even though you are older than fifteen years old, you still need a parent or guardian’s consent to work since you aren’t eighteen yet.

I guess that does throw a wrench in my plan.

I’m sorry, kid.

Don’t be, got anything for me tonight, Nicky? Kai asked.

Not much, I only have some chicken tenders that no one came to pick up, Nick explained.

Kai sighed, I’ll take the tenders, I guess, are they still warm?

Nick nodded and handed her a white, Styrofoam box that had six chicken tenders and barbecue sauce in it, along with a water bottle. Kai went to the booth with her duffle bag in it and started eating the tenders, but just as she started, the Y.M.C.A.’s automated voice came on and announced that the facilities would be closing in five minutes. Nick came out of the kitchen door, sat across from Kai in the booth, and they had a conversation as Kai ate. She told him about the team, the tournament, and Bentley before he had to go. As soon as she finished, Nick turned the lights off, so the café was dark, except for the emergency lights. He told her to have a good night and then he walked out the door, locked it, and made his way down the stairs. Kai took out a sweatshirt, laid it down on the booth, and rested her head on it as she looked at a photo that she had pulled out of her bag. Before she knew it, she was fast asleep.

Kai woke up to the café alarm going off, so she sat up, wiped her eyes, and saw Nick hustling to the alarm system to disable it. She asked what time it was and when Nick said it was seven in the morning, Kai started to panic. Their first game was at ten and she still had so much to do before she started walking to Sherman Oaks Academy. She ran down the stairs to the women’s locker room, threw her clothes into the washing machine, and took a shower. By the time she got out of the shower and put her uniform on, her clothes were done in the washer and drier, so she grabbed them, crammed them in her duffle bag, and started walking to the high school as the sun began to rise.

Sherman Oaks Academy was about a mile and a quarter from the Y.M.C.A., so it would only be about a twenty-minute walk. When Kai was about halfway there, she saw the first car she had seen all morning. It was a white B.M.W. that looked brand new because it was gleaming in the light of the sunrise. Oddly enough, once it sped past her, she saw it turn into a gas station, turn back towards her, and slow down. Kai was a little spooked, but when the car pulled up next to her, she saw that it was just Bentley. She stopped and offered Kai a ride the rest of the way to the school.

Why were you walking? Bentley asked as they pulled into the parking lot at the gym.

Uh, both of my parents are on tight work schedules, so since their building was right around the corner from the Y.M.C.A., I figured it wasn’t too far to just walk from there.

Well, this is my car and here is my phone number. Never walk anywhere ever again. If you need a ride, just give me a call, and I would be happy to help.

Thanks, B! Kai said as she stuck the piece of paper with Bentley’s number in her duffle bag and the two of them walked into the gym together.

The Suns ended up winning the whole tournament, making them the number one travel basketball team in the state. Kai, Bentley, and another girl on their team named Anna, who was Bentley’s neighbor, were named tournament MVP’s. The team got a huge trophy and the girls saw Coach Davis talking to a bunch of college scouts on the other side of the gym. When Coach returned to the girl’s huddle, she said the team was celebrating with a cookout at Bentley’s house that night, so everyone carpooled over there.

When Bentley and Kai arrived in Bentley’s driveway, Kai was shocked at the amount of land area the Parkers owned. She was told by Bentley that Mr. Parker was a doctor and Mrs. Parker was a professor, but the home still blew her mind. Their house was three stories high and they had a pool in the back, a basketball court in the driveway, and they owned a lot of wooded area that had trails carved out for recreational running. In the very back of the yard, there was a wooden staircase and walkway that lead to a small private beach. Shockingly, the inside of the house was almost as impressive as the outside appearance. The floors in the middle story, the first floor you walk into, had dark, wooden floor boards. Also, the hallway with the main staircase leading upstairs had a huge chandelier dangling from the ceiling that reflected every bit of light five times brighter than the original amount given off. Kai walked in and was staring in awe at all the wonderful decorations, meanwhile, Bentley had started to walk towards the pool.

When Bentley realized that Kai wasn’t following her, she went back toward the main hallway to find Kai looking at the aquarium that was mounted into the wall by the stairs. Bentley laughed to herself and went to stand next to Kai.

That’s Nemo, Bentley said, pointing to a little orange and white clownfish.

I’m guessing that one is Marlin and this one is Dory? Kai said, pointing at two other fish in the tank.

Nope, that’s Squirmy and Gup, Gup! Bentley explained.

The two of them looked at each other and started laughing while Bentley grabbed Kai’s arm to show her to the pool in the backyard. The pool was a twelve by fourteen-yard pool and ranged from three to seven feet deep. Most of the team was already in the pool swimming and eating the food that Mr. Parker had cooked on the grill. Bentley’s brother, Jaiden, who was two years