Chapter 2 — The First Step Forward
The walk home was always the same: cracked sidewalks, peeling paint on old porches, the distant hum of traffic. But today, everything felt brighter—because Zach had played catch.
He practically dragged his mother down the street.
"Slow down, sweetheart," Priscilla laughed breathlessly. "My legs aren't as short as yours, but you're still going to rip my arm off."
"But Mom," Zach said, eyes shining, "Ethan said my pitching was good! Really good!"
"He also said you almost broke his chest," Priscilla reminded him.
"Well…" Zach grinned. "He should've listened."
Priscilla snorted despite herself. "You're impossible."
They reached their small apartment complex—faded brick, rusted stair rails, the kind of place built for people who had no choice but to be strong.
As they climbed the stairs, Zach heard another soft ping inside his head.
"Daily Persistence: +1 point for maintaining routine."
Total Points: 2
His eyes widened.
Again?
He didn't know what the points meant, but he liked the sound.
Inside the apartment, Priscilla set her purse down and collapsed onto the old couch. Zach moved straight to the kitchen, filling a cup with water, then bringing it to her—something he'd learned to do without being told.
She smiled. "Thank you, sweetheart."
"Mom," Zach said, almost bouncing in place, "can we go to the park tomorrow so I can practice throwing again?"
"It's a school day."
"After school?"
She hesitated. She had work—Thomas needed her at the shop most afternoons.
Zach saw her conflict and hurried to reassure her. "It's okay! I can practice on the wall. I don't need the park."
A flicker of guilt crossed her face.
"Zach," she said softly, "I don't want you practicing alone all the time. It's my job to take care of you."
Zach crawled onto the couch beside her. "But you are taking care of me. You're the best."
Her throat tightened—his words always hit her right in the heart.
After a long moment, she ruffled his hair. "We'll figure something out. I promise."
Zach beamed.
Later That NightZach lay in his small bed, hugging a pillow, replaying the moment Ethan caught his pitch—the pop of the glove, the shock in his eyes.
He whispered into the dark:
"I'm gonna make it. I'm gonna make it all the way."
Ping.
"New Quest: Play 100 hours of catch. Progress: 0/100."
Reward: Throwing Mechanics Analysis (Basic).
Zach sat up straight.
"C-catch practice gives rewards?!"
He clapped a hand over his mouth so his mom wouldn't hear.
His heart raced.
The system wasn't loud—it didn't force anything on him. It simply… encouraged him. Rewarded effort. Recognized hard work.
He lay back again, wide-eyed.
"Okay," he whispered. "I'll earn it."
And for the first time in his small life, Zach fell asleep with a sense of destiny.
The Next MorningPriscilla woke early, tied her hair back, and cooked oatmeal while Zach put on his little Cubs cap and checked his ball like it was sacred treasure.
They walked to the sports shop together before school.
Thomas stood outside sweeping. "Morning, little man. Ready to help an old guy with his chores?"
Zach saluted sharply. "Yes, sir!"
Thomas laughed. "One day, that work ethic of yours is gonna scare people."
"It already did," Zach said proudly. "I hit
Ethan."
Thomas choked on air. "You WHAT—?"
Priscilla sighed. "Chest shot. Hard one."
Thomas stared at Zach like the kid had single-handedly defeated a grown bear.
"...Huh."
Zach puffed his chest. "He said I was strong."
Thomas patted his shoulder. "Kid, if you keep that up, you're gonna be a monster on the field."
Zach's smile could've lit the whole street.
Little League Sign-UpA small banner hung in the shop window:
"Little League Registration Open!"
Priscilla bit her lip. "Thomas… I don't know if we can afford—"
"It's covered," Thomas interrupted firmly. "I already told the league Zach's sponsored."
Priscilla's eyes misted. "Thomas…"
"No arguments," he said warmly. "I see dozens of kids every year. Maybe one in a hundred has talent. Maybe one in a thousand has discipline. Your boy has both. He deserves a shot."
Zach stood frozen. His heart pounded.
"Mom… does that mean…?"
Priscilla wiped her eyes, trying not to laugh and cry at the same time.
"Yes, Zach. You're joining Little League."
Zach screamed—literally screamed—jumping straight into her arms.
"I'M GONNA PLAY! I'M GONNA PLAY FOR REAL!"
Ping.
"Major Milestone Achieved: Joined Organized Baseball."
Points Awarded: +5
New Shop Item Available."
Zach didn't even know what the shop was yet, but right now, he didn't care.
He was going to play baseball.
For real.