Chapter Three: The Hidden Eighth Rule

The speakers chimed. Bonnie froze at the kitchen door. Lulu lowered her wings. Leon walked from the darkness to center stage. A red label appeared on each mascot's chest. [BONNIE: KITCHEN EMPLOYEE. STATUS: HUNGRY.] [LULU: PERFORMANCE EMPLOYEE. STATUS: SAD.] [LEON: UNREGISTERED. STATUS: AWAITING CLAIM.] “Found you,” Zhou Ran said. Leon opened its mechanical jaws. “Then blow out the candle for me, brother.” “Is that your missing brother?” Lin Wan whispered. “It wants me to think so.” Zhou Ran approached the stage. Burnt plastic grew stronger, mixed with a familiar pine scent. Zhou Jin had always used the same cheap soap. Fear Scent told him this was no recording.