Chapter One: Free Water

Haichuan Athletic faced the Northern Union in the league final, blue and white dividing the stands along midfield. At first, everything was normal. Lin Xi directed spectators, cleared aisles, and handed a teenager with a flare to Security. In the eleventh minute, Haichuan won an ordinary ball near midfield. Everyone in East Three stood—not in a wave following play, but as though one string had pulled thousands of bodies. “Score! Score! Score!” The ball was still at the center circle. In the twelfth minute, Haichuan's striker shot from distance. The ball struck the crossbar and went in. As the roar detonated, the floor trembled. A carton in the corridor boomed as if someone inside had struck it. Silver-gray water seeped through its seam.