Chapter One: Free Water

Lin Xi was thirsty. She twisted the cap, but a drunk home supporter lurched into the rail. His arm knocked the bottle away, and the water gurgled into a drain. “My lucky water!” he cried, then drained half of his own. “Get another. Everything's free tonight!” His eyes were bloodshot. The game had not begun, yet he looked as if he had witnessed the winning goal. A vein jumped at his temple. Lin Xi retrieved the empty bottle. A faint metallic odor rose from the drain. She pocketed the cap, intending to ask Logistics about it later. At seven, the referee blew for kickoff. Harborshade Stadium woke like a beast. Drums, stamping feet, and eighty thousand voices struck the sealed roof and crashed back twice as loud.