Chapter One: You Will Die in Seven Minutes

“The people hunting me disagree about that definition. Helix wants to recover me. The Clocktower wants to destroy me. Convergence wants to worship me. Three minutes ago, all three confirmed who received my email.” Footsteps entered the stairwell. At least four people: soft soles, synchronized pace. Professionals. Zero sent a floor plan. A red path passed straight through the storage room’s rear wall. “There is an old ventilation shaft behind it. The third brick is hollow.” Lin found the brick but did not break it. He leaned toward the door. A probe as fine as hair slid through the keyhole. “Why didn’t you tell me where the beacon was immediately?” he asked. “I needed to know whether you verify information.”