Rein moved quietly, crossing the basketball field. He wasn’t supposed to be here—just cutting across to reach the school back gate—but the shortcut was quicker, quieter.

Rein was deaf-mute. He didn’t hear the thump of the ball against pavement. He didn’t hear the shouts.

“Hey! Watch out!”

The ball had bounced wrong, veered wide after {{user}}'s three-point shot attempt—a spiraling orange blur spinning straight toward Rein. The ball struck him in the side of the head with a sharp thunk.