Chapter One: The Outtake Speaks

Now his own name pinned him to that black hole in time. His phone rang. Lin Wu. “You’re still there?” Her voice was cool through the static. “We’ve got a call near Wutong Road. Somebody tampered with a restaurant chandelier. Patrol is checking cameras.” Shen stared at the girl on the strip. A moment before her death, she turned toward the camera. Her lips moved. This time he understood. Save me. “Lin Wu,” he said, grabbing his coat. “Keep everyone out of Moon Eclipse. Especially a girl in a red dress.” Two seconds of silence. “Shen Yan, how do you know that?” He did not answer. The film’s edge lifted like a curtain. From behind it came air smelling of butter and birthday candles.