Chapter Two: In This Room, the Dead Are Still Alive

“Do you want to save seven-year-old Chen Xiaoman, or can you admit that you'll never know who she might have become?” Chen clutched the ball. Veins rose on the back of his rough hands. Before the flood passed his chin, he finally extended a hand toward the woman, but did not approach. “Xiaoman,” he said, “Daddy came home too late.” The grown Xiaoman watched him. “Are you leaving now?” “Yes.” Tears streamed down his face. “I promised to make the roads on the Moon safe. If a girl like you goes up there someday, she shouldn't trip.” She smiled. She placed her textbook on the water. It did not sink. It became a flight of silver steps through the divided sky, leading to a door lit by warm yellow light. Its number was 001.