Page 128 of Running

We huddle up at second down and eight yards to go. I call out the play.

“Let’s do this,” Carter says from within the group before we get into our positions.

The ball snaps to me with perfect placement. I drop back three steps and look at Bailey, my primary target. Fuck, he’s completely covered again.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Walsh breaking free of his man near the line of scrimmage, and make the split-second call to dump it to him short. He catches the ball and grabs a couple extra yards before getting tackled.

A five-yard gain.

Third down and three yards to go. If we convert this play into a first down, we’ll at least be in field goal position for the rest of the drive.

I call the next play and we get set.

“Hut.”

The ball lands in my hands, and I start checking down options. One second, two seconds, and three seconds of holding the ball, and suddenly there’s a defensive end hurdling towards me.

Scramble,my mind shouts. I run out of the pocket and cheat to the left where it seems like there’s more protection.

Oh good, there’s…

WHOOPH. A huge blow to my side knocks me over, my feet losing their ties to the ground. With no time to brace myself for the fall, I bang my head on the dirt a split second after my body hits.

Everything fades…

…

…

“Johnson, JOHNSON…it’s Landon. You hear me okay?”

“Grace? Grace?”

“What the fuck? Why is he saying Grace’s name?”

…

…

“Johnson, we’re putting you on a stretcher and then wheeling you back. Stay still.”

“Grace?”

“Who is Grace? Does anyone know?”

“That’s my fucking sister. Why the hell does he keep asking for her?”

…

…

“Johnson, it’s Carter. It’s going to be okay. They’re grabbingyour mom so she can meet you inside in the medical treatment room.”

“Grace?”

“He keeps asking for a Grace?”

“That’s his girlfriend. Can she come back there?”