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

The red trajectory appeared again. Without looking back, he extended his right arm behind him. The football struck his palm and stuck as if pulled by a magnet. One-handed catch. A gasp fell from the dome. Lin transferred the ball to his left hand and raced twenty-seven yards along the sideline. Every player who had laughed on the Storm bench was standing. Eli ran up and bumped helmets with him. “You could always do that?” “Just learned.” Four consecutive plays went to Lin. Four catches. Empire finally tilted a safety toward him, and Eli handed off to the running back, who rushed into the end zone. 31–17. Coach Grant grabbed Lin as he reached the sideline. “They’ll double you now. Run clear-outs and make room for somebody else.”