The Hitting Zone

I started with the 50 mph cage even though it was super easy. I hardly got to swing the bat this week so I might as well used the same warmup as last Sunday. Don't change what works.

I consecutively sent every pitch back to the machine for each side I batted on. It took me quite a bit of time to catch up to the Atkins boys, but honestly it was very relaxing. No Noah making me anxious with his gambling on me. No twins scaring me with their overpowering personalities. And no Zeke hovering over me, telling me what I could improve on. Just me, my bat, and my helmet. The original three amigos.

I ran into the twins first, at the 70 mph cage, where they were challenging one another to who could hit more. Not even betting on anything, just bragging rights I guess.

"Look who finally made it." Dave smiled at me. But not in a kind way, more like a "I-found-my-next-victim" way.

Subconsciously, I took a step back.

"Now, now." Kyle threw his arm around my shoulders, trapping me. "There's no reason to be afraid of us, right? We're practically brothers." I didn't know how to reply since each path seems thorny and no matter what, I wasn't going to get away without a scrape.

"We just want to see you work in the cage. You do you." Dave told me. "Nice and easy for you right?"

I squinted, not sure where he was going with this.

"You boys find someone yet?" An older man came out of the 70 mph cage, interrupting the twins. He looked to be in his forties and caught sight of me. He laughed. "You want to have an even younger boy go up against me? I may be old, but once upon a time, I played college ball."

Kyle tightened his grip on my shoulder. "This is our younger brother. He's a batting prodigy. Watch and learn."

I looked up at him. Are they bullying an old man? Or betting against him? Either situation sounds like Zeke will get mad. I didn't want to walk home. I started to look bath and forth and the faster speeds to see if he was around.

"See? He's even shaking his head. This kid obviously doesn't want to go up against an oldie like me." The old man chuckled.

"He's just making sure no one is around to see you get your ass kicked you old geezer." Dave snorted. I stared at him, wide eyed. Is he really not scared that Zeke might make us walk home?

The old man didn't mind the cursing and just laughed it off. "Fine. Show me what you can do kid."

I really rather not.

Kyle walked me in the cage and whispered, "This old man is a friend of the boss. Don't you like hitting here? Show off and win us a boatload of free tokens."

"But Zeke-" I mumbled.

"Don't worry about Zeke. It's not like we're betting like Noah or picking a fight. We're just asking you to show us some pointers. Think of it as a task that has a reward. It's not a gamble because we won't lose anything." He had a very convincing speech.

After mulling it over for a second, I decided to go for it. I came to do the 70mph cage anyways so it's not like I want to skip it. And skip out on a free chance for tokens.

"Good boy." Kyle patted my helmet and stepped out of the cage.

Rude. I'm not a dog. I slid one of my tokens in and started with my right. I continued to stay perfect, not missing a beat. When I finished, the old man looked at me with surprise. He looked like he was about to say something as well, but I already put my second token in for my lefty side. After completing my task perfectly, I turned to smile at the twins. I felt like I was in good condition so that old man must be impressed. We'll definitely get some free tokens, right?

The old man was jaw-dropped shocked. The twins were beaming at me with pride. But unfortunately, my smile had vanished. Like my hopes of not getting caught. Zeke stood right behind the twins with his arms folded across his chest.