Chapter One: The Ninth Photograph

Shen looked up. Lin still held the pose, fist clenched, jaw tight beneath her mask. He looked down again. In the fourth photograph, the girl pressed one finger to her lips. In the fifth, she pointed left. In the sixth, her hands crossed over her chest in a crooked X. In the seventh, she knelt. In the eighth, she raised her face. Black liquid ran from beneath her mask like a tear. Lin Mi was absent from the ninth. Across the center of the green screen, strips of silver reflective tape spelled four words: SAVE ME. ON THE BACK. Shen's thumb froze above the playback button. The air conditioner stopped. In the sudden quiet, he heard Lin's strained breathing. “Mr. Shen, are we done?” She still held her fist up. “My arm's going numb.”