Chapter Two: The Closer to Defeat, the Stronger I Become

Lin looked at the scoreboard, then at Hall. Empire’s safety had moved down to six yards. An eight-yard curl would finish inside a triangle of defenders. “Call ninety-nine,” Lin said. Eli’s eyes brightened. It was the double move from the notebook, the route that did not officially exist. “And after that?” the tight end asked. Lin placed his hand in the center of the huddle. “After that, they can learn my name from the big screen.” The others stacked their hands over his. Eli approached the line and shouted a play call that belonged to no Storm playbook. Hall frowned. Lin knew he had one chance. And somewhere beyond it, an invoice from the future was already waiting for his signature.