For the Halloween season, this is a story with some horror elements while also being science-fiction. A new chapter will be posted each week exclusively for paid subscribers. If you want to become a paid subscriber, I’m offering a 14-day free trial.
Without further ado, here is Chapter 1: The Golden Arm
Jonathan Harker could feel the roaring of the crowd vibrating through the floor and even in his bones. He could feel it in his teeth. He squinted as the lights of the Vanderbilt Memorial Gymnasium blasted the court like a burning sun. Then he looked at the scoreboard.
HOME: 78. VISITOR: 77.
TIME: 0:04.5
His lungs burned as he looked for the ball. They were down by one, but had one last chance at victory. His uniform was stuck to his sweating skin.
He shut out the crowd. All that mattered was the court and the players on the court. Quincey had the ball on the sidelines. Quincey, his best friend, looked completely calm even during this pivotal moment. They exchanged looks. No words were needed. They had already made this plan during the timeout. Now they were ready to execute.
His heart hammered in his chest, but he cleared his mind. Everything, all of his hard work and training, was for this moment.
He broke away from the defender shadowing him. The ball fired out of Quincey’s hands, timed perfectly to the spot Jonny reached. He managed to grab it and pivot towards the basket.
TIME: 0:02.8
He jerked his body to the left without actually moving, tricking the defender, then he had an open shot.
TIME: 0:02.1
He dribbled quickly to the right side. The sound of each bounce seemed to be in perfect sync with his heart. He could hear his sneakers squeak against the varnish as he reached a small pocket close to the basket. The defender had managed to turn around and was sprinting right towards him.
TIME: 0:01.3
Jonny’s feet left the floor. He could feel the defender’s breath on his shoulder as the ball left his fingertips and went on a smooth arc towards the hoop. Even though the defender obscured his view, he didn’t need to see. He had known exactly where it was going.
The world went silent as Jonny landed. The ball seemed to last forever as it followed a perfect parabola. And then,
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