Page 73 of Cold Carnage

A reporter’s voice cut through the polite murmur of the crowd. “What do you say to people who think this is just a bandage on a stab wound? Ryker Kane and two other Serpent players assaulted a fan, and you think taking a few kids shopping is going to make people forget that? There are rumors he’s going to sue the organization for damages.”

I felt the weight of everyone’s eyes on me, but I didn’t flinch. Instead, I met the reporter’s gaze head-on.

“First of all,” I began, keeping my tone even and calm, “the incident you’re referring to is still under investigation, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to comment on specifics. However, I can assure you that the organization takes any allegations very seriously. As to whether any legal action is going to be taken against the organization, I cannot speak to that. That would be up to the fan. But I would hope he’d carefully consider his options.”

The last thing I needed was anyone finding out that the fan had, in fact, sent a letter about damages. But no one needed to know that, and maybe he could still be dissuaded.

The reporter opened his mouth to interrupt, but I held up a hand to stop him.

“Secondly,” I continued, “this event is not about erasing or ignoring past mistakes. It’s about doing something positive for our community right now. We believe in accountability and making amends, but we also believe in taking actionable steps to support those around us. We’re not here to sweep anything under the rug. We’re here because these kids deserve a great start to their school year. We’re here because our players want to give back and be part of something bigger than themselves.”

The reporter seemed taken aback by my directness. He glanced at his notes, then back at me. “But don’t you think?—”

“What I think,” I cut him off gently but firmly, “is that actions speak louder than words. Today’s event is one of many ways we’re working to build a better relationship with our community and show that we care.”

The crowd murmured in agreement, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I’d handled it without justifying any wrongdoing or letting the situation spiral out of control.

“Thank you for your question,” I added with a polite nod before turning back to the rest of the press. “Any other questions?”

Another reporter raised her hand with a smile. “What are you most looking forward to today?”

I returned her smile, grateful for the shift in focus. “I’m looking forward to seeing these kids’ faces light up when they find just what they need for school. There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing we’ve made a difference in their lives.”

The cameras clicked furiously as I continued, “We’re grateful for this opportunity to give back and show our appreciation for the support we receive from our fans and community members.”

“What are your hopes for today’s event?” someone else asked.

“My hope,” I said earnestly, “is that each child leaves here feeling valued and excited for the upcoming school year. I wantthem to know that they matter and that we’re here to support them in any way we can. Thank you all for your questions.” With that, I turned my attention back to the families waiting eagerly by the entrance. “Come on over, everyone! Let’s begin!”

The kids’ faces lit up with excitement as they hurried toward me, their parents following close behind.

We headed into Rylan's Department Store, the cool air-conditioning a welcome relief from the summer heat outside. The kids buzzed with excitement, their eyes wide as they took in the aisles filled with colorful backpacks, shiny new sneakers, and rows of neatly stacked school supplies. The players mingled among them, towering over the children but bending down to meet them at eye level.

I took a deep breath and pulled out the list of names. “All right, everyone,” I called out, gathering their attention. “We’re going to partner up now. When I call your name, please come forward.”

I scanned the list and began reading off names, my voice steady and clear. “Jaden Martinez, you’ll be with Asher.”

Jaden’s face lit up as he ran over to Asher, who greeted him with a high-five.

“Emily Nguyen, you’re with Leo.”

Emily hesitated for a moment before shyly approaching Leo. He crouched down and gave her a reassuring smile.

One by one, I matched each child with a player. Each pairing brought a new wave of excitement and nervous giggles from the kids. I couldn’t help but smile at their reactions.

“Ryan Thompson, you’ll be with Weston.”

Ryan practically bounced over to Weston, his energy contagious.

I continued down the list until every child had been paired up. As I read the final names, I glanced around to make sure no one was left out.

"And Dylan Munoz, you're with Ryker Kane," I finished, my voice steady despite the knot in my stomach.

I watched as a young boy with tousled hair and wide, curious eyes approached Ryker. Dylan looked up at him, clutching the strap of his worn backpack. Ryker's eyes softened just a fraction as he crouched down to Dylan's level.

"Hey, buddy," Ryker said, his voice gentler than I’d ever heard it. "You ready to pick out some cool stuff for school?"

Dylan nodded vigorously, a shy smile creeping onto his face. "Yeah."

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