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

“She isn't my wife,” Chen said abruptly. The woman's face stiffened. “My wife never cooked fish after Xiaoman nearly choked on a bone. She couldn't even look at one.” He stepped between the apparition and his daughter. “You think this fake will fool me?” The kitchen went dark. The woman faded like a pencil sketch rubbed from paper. A heartbeat later, the building convulsed and yellow water smashed through the windows. Zhou gripped the frame. “Upstairs!” Fourth floor, fifth, sixth. Water pursued them, every stair growing slicker and longer. Hands reached through closed doors and tugged at Chen's clothes. “Master Chen, fix my pipe.” “Old Chen, have one drink.” “Daddy, I dropped my ball.” The last voice came from behind.