“mum turn on the news he should be on right now-“ 
“alright honey one sec…”
the sounds of a remote clicking and the tv changing channels seemed louder than they ever had before.
“And onto our sports news, the Simulation Latvian Youth Hockey League championship game has been decided, the Valmiera Wardogs won their semifinal, meaning they face the Jelgava Giants, their third finals meeting in seven years, with them both having won one. Many people saying the Giants already are clear favorites due to star player Arturs Denisova, who’s being considered as a top prospect for the S57 SHL draft. In any case however, this meeting between these two teams could be amazing to watch, and will be live here, onto other sports news throughout-“ 
The sound of the TV faded out as the slamming of the front door could be heard throughout the house. The TV quickly flickered off and Valters quietly made his way up to his room. He laid in bed, silently. He tried to do what he was told and to tune out anything he heard, but it wasn’t possible. Heavy footsteps stomped towards the door to Valters’ room and it cracked open slightly, letting in a sliver of light before fully opening, the hulking figure of man in the doorway. Small amounts of tears ran down Valters’ face as he pretended to be asleep.
“Useless child.”
The door quickly shut and the footsteps became quieter and quieter until he could no longer hear them.
The week slowly passed as Valters anticipated his brother’s championship game. If he played well he could truly be the first overall pick of the SMJHL draft, an exciting idea for the Denisova family. It was Saturday, day of the game and Valters slowly walked down the stairs and to the kitchen, his mother cooking breakfast for the two of them. 
“Where’s father?”
His mother sighed, and softly replied.
“He’s, out of town again… I guess business…” she pity laughed at her own excuse. “He won’t be there for Arturs.” 
“I mean at least no matter what we can see Arturs after the game since they’ll be done the season though.” That sentence made his mother smile, the family had barely seen their eldest son due to the busyness of the playoffs, but it meant so much to them that he did well and moved on that they were willing to take that sacrifice. 
“Eat up rockstar, you have to get big and strong so you can be just like Arturs.” 
Valters smiled, he wished more time could just be spent like this, without fear.

The hours passed quickly, Valters was excited to see his brother play in a championship game. There were more people here than Valters could ever imagine, it had to have been several hundred people just to watch a youth hockey game. Valters held his mother’s hand as they made their way into the stadium, grabbing a quick drink before finding their seats. Valters had hoped one day he’d be on the other side, on the ice. He had shown exceptional talent for his age already and was playing on an under 13 side currently, but the dream was to make a real youth team. And to make it big time. Like his brother. 

Valters zoned out for a little bit before his mother tapped him on the shoulder, “look he’s on the ice!” 
Arturs was lined up on the right wing as the opening face off was dropped, and the clock started to count down. 

17 minutes left in the first, the Wardogs get a breakaway, stopped by the Giant’s keeper.
13 minutes left in the first, the right defenseman of the Wardogs hits a slap shot, pings off the crossbar. 

The Giants are barely touching the puck, and when they do they can never get it to Arturs. 

9 minutes left in the first, a Wardogs player attempts a simple cross ice pass but Arturs is there to intercept it, giving him a breakaway, and he buried it. 1-0 Giants even though the Wardogs had been dominating. 

The first ended 1-0, with the Wardogs outshooting the Giants 12-5. From what Valters could tell, Arturs was extremely irate with his team’s performance. They had to be better in the second even though they were winning.

The second period starts. 
18 minutes left in the second, Arturs is passed the puck and he dangles past two defenders, slotting it home. 2-0. 
Wardogs were outshooting the Giants 16-6. 
After his celebration Valters noticed the captain of the Wardogs say something to number 39 on his team. 

Something felt, off. 
15 minutes left the puck is dumped into the zone, Arturs chases after it, he gathers it facing the boards. Number 39 skates behind him…
Valters doesn’t know exactly what happens during their collision, all he knows is that,

The human body isn’t supposed to make that noise.