Opening Scene – Two Days Post-MRIThe door clicked shut behind Kyle as he left the clinic.

Diagnosis: Patellar tendon strain. Mild.

But the real diagnosis?

"Overuse. Inflammation. Your body's saying slow down."

The team cleared him to play again—but under minutes restrictions.

Kyle didn't protest.

Not because he agreed.

Because he was numb.

The pain wasn't just in his knee.

It was under his skin.

In his chest.

In his memory.

Flashback – Chino's VoiceThat night he dreamed again.

Chino.

Bloodshot eyes. Bandana tight.

"No matter how far you run, little baller… the streets still own your soul."

Kyle tried to speak—but his mouth wouldn't move.

He woke up sweating, fists clenched.

Celtics Practice – Earning MinutesCoach Udoka gathered the team after drills.

"Final roster locks this week. That means no more Summer League baby steps. You fight for your role. No promises."

Vets nodded.

Rookies stiffened.

Kyle locked eyes with Aaron Nesmith, another young forward fighting for a rotation spot.

Coach pointed at them.

"You two. One-on-one. Live. Full court. Go."

Kyle vs. Nesmith – Grit WarDribble. Drive. Contact.

Elbow to the ribs.

Shoulder check.

Sweat dripped. No fouls called.

Kyle attacked the rim.

Nesmith slapped down hard.

No whistle.

Kyle grunted. Finished through contact.

Then on defense—he slid, shuffled, took a charge.

Ime whistled the end of the drill.

"That's what the league feels like. Keep it."

He looked at Kyle directly.

"Minutes are earned. You got three games left to prove it."

Ari's Crossroads – Final OfferThat evening, Ari sat across from Jordan Marks again.

Same fancy office.

Same expensive view.

He pushed the contract toward her again.

"Last chance, Ari. Clock's ticking."

She bit her lip.

"I won't leave Kyle behind."

"Then bring him with you. Sign now—and you're part of Ascend's NBA division. We launch Kyonic nationally. Distribution, media control, and your own team. You'll be the youngest power broker in the league."

"And if I say no?"

"You'll get left behind when Wilson burns out. Or burns bridges."

Her phone buzzed.

Kyle.

"You busy? Need to see you."

She stood up, staring at the contract.

"I'll get back to you."

Preseason Game 3 – Limited Minutes, Max ImpactCeltics vs. Hornets.

Kyle dressed.

Taped tight.

Locked in.

Coach Ime:

"You're on a hard 14-minute limit. Use it wisely."

Kyle nodded.

"I will."

He checked in late first quarter.

First play:

Backdoor cut. Layup.

Second play:

Switched onto LaMelo.

Forced a tough three—blocked it.

Crowd buzzed.

3rd play:

Transition dunk off a steal.

The bench stood up.

Ari watched from behind the bench, arms crossed but smiling.

Commentary – National BroadcastMike Breen:

"There's that Reaper energy again. Wilson doesn't just defend—he closes windows."

J.J. Redick:

"If he can stay healthy, he's a top-5 defender in his rookie class, no doubt. Offense still raw, but he's learning."

But Then – A Flash of the MonsterThird quarter.

Kyle over-pursued a rebound.

Landed awkwardly.

Winced.

Ime immediately pulled him.

Kyle shook his head.

"I'm fine."

Ime:

"Sit. You played your minutes."

He sat, towel over his head.

Angry. Disappointed.

As he stared into the court, his phone buzzed in his locker:

"CALL ME." – UNKNOWN

The number?

Jamaica.

He froze.

Later – Alone in the Locker RoomEveryone gone.

Kyle still there.

He finally called back.

"Hello?"

A voice—calm, deep, Jamaican.

"You don't remember me. But I knew Chino. We watched you from the start. You think just 'cause he gone, the shadows disappear?"

Kyle's breath caught.

"You stay clean. Or someone else gets dirty."

Click.

The line went dead.

Ari Arrives – Softness Amid StormShe found him in the locker room, still staring at the phone.

"Everything okay?"

"Someone from the past called."

"Chino's people?"

He didn't answer.

She sat beside him.

"I didn't sign the contract."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm not done with you yet."

He looked at her, finally letting the mask fall a bit.

"What if I'm already broken?"

"Then we fix you. Together."

Final Preseason Game – One Shot to Seal a SpotCeltics vs. Raptors.

Kyle's final chance to secure minutes before the regular season.

Ime approached pregame.

"You've earned more leash. But don't chase. Just be you."

Kyle breathed deeply.

He checked in to loud applause.

First quarter:

A monster chase-down block

A smooth corner three

A drawn charge

Second quarter:

Perfect help-side rotation

Putback slam off a miss

A behind-the-back dime in transition

By the end of the third, he'd logged 12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks—on just 18 minutes.

Ime pulled him in the fourth.

"That's it. You did your part."

Kyle nodded, sitting beside the starters.

"Thank you."

Roster Finalized – The Reaper RisesThe next morning:

Kyle Wilson: Officially 13th man on the Boston Celtics roster.

Minutes? Spot rotation.

Role? Defensive utility, transition burst, learning curve.

But to Kyle?

It was everything.

Final Scene – Opening Night LoomsKyle walked the TD Garden hallway alone, music low, lights flickering slightly.

He approached the court. Empty. Quiet.

A single basketball sat at the three-point line.

He picked it up. Spun it. Dribbled.

Ari stepped out of the tunnel.

"The league's watching now."

"Let 'em."

"You ready?"

Kyle nodded.

"No more monsters. Just mirrors now."

He rose.

Shot.

Swish.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.