Chapter Five: The Walls Have Ears

The Storm won Kai's first regular-season start by twenty-three points. In week two, he audibled twice in the final four minutes to beat the North Shore Cavalry. In week three, he heard an opposing captain fear the return of an old injury, avoided the defense's strongest side, and drove for the winning score. Harbor City stood 3–0 atop the division, and number 4 jerseys sold out. The gift was growing too. Kai could place voices, but now there were moments before a snap when they seemed to recede. In that strange stillness, he perceived the intention beneath a thought. A corner might imagine an interception while his body truly wanted only to delay. A linebacker might shout attack while his fear pointed toward the space behind him.