Chapter Two: Fear Has a Price

Zhou Ran's hand rested on the red manual. Rule Two ordered him to answer, while the girl on Camera Thirteen had warned him not to. At least one choice would kill him. Leon's metal jaw hovered beside his ear. Hot air from its gears smelled of burnt plastic. In Zhou Jin's voice, it asked again, “Brother, did you find me?” Three years ago, Zhou Jin had called him the same way. Zhou Ran had been handling an accident at his escape-room business and had answered only, “Stop messing around.” The line went dead. His brother was never seen again. Fear rose from Zhou Ran's stomach, but he refused to let it reach his throat. He examined the manual. Rule Seven said to trust red writing, yet all the actual instructions were black.