Capítulo 20: Light At The End Of The Tunnel

The Present Day...

The door creaked open, Dennis Haar and Hans van de Zee stepped into the hospital room, their footsteps echoing softly on the clean tiles.

As the two AZ Alkmaar representatives approached the bed where Benjamin was lying, they were composed and showed a mixture of professionalism and empathy.

Benjamin, still staring at the ceiling, heard them enter but didn't immediately react.

Coach Jansen, seated beside him, straightened in his chair and gave the men a slight nod of acknowledgment. He recognized the older one, he was part of the scouts that attended the trials.

After the trials yesterday, he had reached out to some of the scouts who had been interested in Benjamin but upon learning of his injury, they lost interest.

Although, Benjamin was a player miles ahead of his peers, the possibility of a reoccurring injury even after surgery made them lose interest.

Dennis Haar cleared his throat softly, breaking the silence. "Good morning, Benjamin, Coach Jansen," he said, his voice calm. His eyes flicked over Benjamin's bandaged knee before resting on his face.

Next to him, Hans van de Zee offered a small smile. "I'm Hans Van de Zee, Chief Scout at AZ Alkmaar. This is Dennis Haar, our Youth Team Coach."

Benjamin slowly turned his head toward them, his gaze weary and filled with suspicion. After all, how was he still of interest to a professional club?

He was still in shock over the news that he would require surgery, so he held back from speaking right away.

He should have been ecstatic to see two officials from a professional club, but instead a feeling of icy fear pervaded his gut.

Dennis Haar went on in a soft voice. "Benjamin, how are you holding up?" Although there was a firmness to his voice that suggested they were here for business, there was also real worry in it.

Benjamin's eyes were dull with frustration and fatigue as he moved his head slightly. "I've been better," he replied in a rough voice, having spent hours in silence.

He shifted a little, wincing as his knee started to hurt more.

The Chief Scout, Hans van de Zee, was standing beside Dennis, holding a clipboard. He looked at Benjamin's face, then at the medical apparatus and the wrapped leg.

His stiff demeanor relaxed slightly. "We've seen enough to realize your potential, even if we know you're in a difficult situation right now."

He went on in a soft voice, "We saw your performance at the trials and... AZ Alkmaar wants to help you."

Benjamin blinked, his heart skipping a beat. Wants to help? What did they mean by that? His mind immediately went to the surgery.

Dennis took a seat on the other side of the bed, facing Benjamin, while Hans remained standing, his clipboard resting by his side. "We've spoken to Max Huiberts, the technical director, and the first team manager, Gertjan Verbeek,"

"They have watched the video from your trial and read your reports. Benjamin, they were both quite impressed with what they saw.

Benjamin just stared for a moment, his thoughts spinning.

To be honest, he hadn't expected this, not after the injury. His heart was pounding now, disbelief swirling but with cautious hope. He looked at Coach Jansen, whose expression softened with a small, encouraging smile.

Benjamin's lips parted, but no words came out.

However, his brows furrowed as a glimmer of hope ignited within him, but he was cautious not to reveal it.

"But," he added with a hint of doubt, "you ought to have been aware of my injury. What good is that to any club?"

Hans exchanged a brief glance with Dennis before speaking. "Yes, we've seen your injury records," he acknowledged.

"But the club believes in your potential. They see what you bring to the field. Your awareness, technical ability and leadership. Those are qualities we don't see often, and we're not going to overlook that just because of a setback."

Dennis nodded in agreement. "We've seen plenty of players get injured, Benjamin. What matters is how you come back from it. AZ Alkmaar is prepared to support you through this recovery, but we need to be clear about a few things."

Benjamin felt his chest tighten. This was it, the part where they'd lay out conditions. His fingers gripped the edge of the bedsheet, bracing himself for the worst.

"First," Hans said, "the club is going to cover the cost of your surgery. The medical staff has already been consulted, and preparations are currently being made."

Benjamin's eyes became wide with shock. "You're… you're paying for my surgery?"

Dennis steadied his sight and leaned in a little. "Yes. We are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality of care. However, that is only the beginning."

The words didn't really register, and Benjamin's heart was pounding.

After everything that had transpired, he hadn't anticipated this. He had assumed that the injury would be the last one, but now they were discussing how to pay for his operation. They were giving him a lifeline.

"And after your surgery, once you've recovered, the club is prepared to offer you a contract."

Benjamin's breath caught in his throat. "A contract?" he asked with disbelief.

Dennis grinned. "Yes. Naturally, the initial contract will be a youth one. But once you're back on your feet and training again, there's a real possibility of moving up to the first team. That's what the manager sees in you."

Benjamin's mind spun trying to absorb what he just heard. A contract. After everything, after the car accident, losing his family, the pain of the past months, the doubts... now they were offering him a chance.

It was more than he could've hoped for.

But alongside the hope came fear. What if he didn't recover the same way? What if he didn't live up to their expectations?

He swallowed hard, and his voice was a whisper. "What happens if I am unable to make a come back? What if the surgery doesn't fix everything?"

Dennis gave him a composed, determined look and said, "Benjamin, that's a risk we're all taking. However, we have faith in you. The club has faith in you. Compared to most players your age, you've already accomplished more. From what we've observed, you possess the necessary skills to overcome this new challenge.

Hans gave a nod. "The club's medical and training personnel will be there to support you every step of the way. Although it won't be easy, you can recover and return stronger if you remain dedicated.

Coach Jansen, who had been silent throughout the conversation, placed a hand on Benjamin's shoulder. "This is your chance, Benjamin. I've watched you triumph over every challenge life has presented. You can do this."

Between the crushing weight of what lay ahead and the excitement of opportunity, Benjamin's mind was racing.

He thought about the promises he had made to himself after the mishap and about his family. Would he be able to endure this? Could he overcome the pain and the doubts?

He glanced at Hans, then up to Dennis. "I don't know what to say," he said with a little tremble in his voice. "I want this more than anything… but I'm scared."

For the first time, Dennis's expression softened and his serious demeanor began to falter. "That's natural," he murmured softly, "being afraid is normal. But your identity is defined by how you respond to fear.

The words took hold, and Benjamin nodded slowly.

He sensed the weight of their confidence in his abilities and their belief in him. It was inspiring as well as overwhelming.

He had hope for the first time in a long time, something to hold onto.

"I'll do it," He finally said in a firm voice. "I'll take the chance."

Dennis and Hans both grinned as a wave of relief swept through the room. "Good," Dennis remarked.

Hans and Dennis both smiled, a sense of relief washing over the room. "Good," Dennis said, rising to his feet. "The rest we'll take care of. The doctors will get in contact shortly to schedule the operation. For the time being, concentrate on resting and preparing for the road ahead.

Benjamin took Hans's outstretched hand and gave it a solid shake. "Benjamin, we're eager to see what you're capable of."

As the two men departed, Benjamin reclined on his bed, his thoughts swirling with emotions.

There was the anxiousness, but now there was also resolution. He had been granted a second chance, and he was not going to waste it.