Chapter One: Day 992 on the Bench

After three quarters, the score was 31–10. Two Storm receivers had already left the game: Harris with a concussion and Duke with a hamstring injury. Grant stared at his depth chart, his face darker than the scoreboard. “Lin!” he finally shouted. “Helmet on!” Lin rose. The instant he fastened his chin strap, the stadium noise seemed to retreat down a long tunnel. Crimson numbers lit up in the center of his vision. [LIVE DEFEAT PROBABILITY: 94.8%] [ACTIVATION CONDITIONS MET.] [BASE AMPLIFICATION: SPEED +8%. REACTION +12%. CATCH SECURITY +15%.] [WARNING: EVERY MIRACLE IS BORROWED FROM THE FUTURE.] Grant shoved him toward the field. “Stop staring. You get one life out there.”