August 6, 2010 – Old Midtown Arena, 2 Minutes Left in the 1st Quarter
Score: Blazing Fox 24 – Vorpal Basket 21
The gym was a roaring drum of sneakers, squeaking rubber, and echoing shouts. The crowd buzzed with tension, watching as two teams one forged in fire, the other driven by desperation clashed on the court with everything they had.
Ayumi stood at the bench, fists clenched, her clipboard forgotten. She watched Lucas breathing hard, sweat running down his jaw as he stood at the top of the key, surveying the defense.
…
Meanwhile, on the other side
Leonel Blaze dribbled slowly, purposefully. His expression calm. Calculating.
"They're faster than I expected," he thought.
"But not faster than me."
He glanced at Jace, who nodded without needing a word.
Lucas stood near him, reading his body, tense like a coiled spring.
Ryan hovered by Noah Vance, trying to keep him from setting up the perfect screen.
