On the Edge of the List

The doctor lifted both hands. "Don't look at me like that. I'm not Cole." The internal match that afternoon was closed to the public, but the media had already heard: it would be the most important evaluation before the final twenty-six-man World Cup roster. Outside the facility, there were twice as many reporters as the day before. After drones were banned, several outlets even rented upper-floor windows in nearby office buildings. Hayes announced the teams in the locker room. Blue team: the starters, with Brooks, Lucas, the first-choice midfield, and the first-choice back line. White team: reserves, fringe internationals, and two U23 training players. Mason was on the white team. Someone muttered, "Slaughterhouse."