The world, for the second time in Ethan's life, seemed to stop spinning.
The first time was when he'd won the gauntlet. This was infinitely more confusing.
The name 'Apex United' was a secret, a password to a world that wasn't supposed to exist outside the pod in his bedroom.
To hear it spoken so casually, so playfully, in the fluorescent-lit parking lot of a CostMart, was like watching a character from his dreams step out of the television.
"How..." he stammered, his brain a blue screen of error messages
. "How do you know that name?"
Maya's mysterious smile widened into a full-blown, brilliant grin.
She took a step closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"Because my 'imaginary friends' at Nova Athletic are playing you in the league in three weeks. And I've been studying your team's stats. That 4-0 win against Bolton? Very impressive. Your young Danish striker is a beast."
