The Baffling Case of The BaTTered Brain Chapter 1 The Soccer Game The soccer ball came soaring in from the wing Clinton Chang striker and star player for the Knox Middle School Wildcats bolted past his defender and raced for the goal The ball arced down If he timed his jump just right Clinton could head it through the goalposts and tie the game He could see it now the ball slamming into the net the goalkeeper falling to his knees in frustration the cheering crowd Clinton leaped toward the falling ball But at that moment a foot looped around Clinton’s ankle and tripped him from behind His body flew forward 1
galaCTiC aCadeMY of sCienCe out of control Clinton saw the goalkeeper’s knee an instant before it struck his hairline He spun over and thunked the back of his skull onto the hard turf Worried faces half-blocked Clinton’s view of the sky His teammates his coach all of them leaned in ask ing questions Clinton’s head hurt He blinked The sky was too bright so he closed his eyes again for a moment I think he blacked out again That was Jimmy Ongking the wing I did not Clinton said opening his eyes wide and glaring at Jimmy What’s your name asked Coach who was actu ally Ms Winchell the art teacher Clinton Chang How many fingers am I holding up Two Can you say the alphabet backward Z Y X thought Clinton but the other letters trailed away in a blur Who tackled me he asked Their sweeper Jimmy said He got a red card and we get a penalty kick Now we’ll win for sure Way to put your body on the line man Jimmy please Coach said Clinton the alphabet backward 2
