Chapter Three: A Living Person's Ticket

At nine that morning, *Burn the Night* announced round two: twenty-four dancers would become sixteen. The theme was “The Person You Cannot Bear to Lose.” Tang Li drew the first slot. She smiled brilliantly for the cameras, then vomited in the restroom. Lin Wu followed and saw her scrubbing her left wrist as if trying to remove an invisible stain. “Someone tied this ribbon on me last night,” Tang Li whispered. “I don't remember who. But I dreamed of a man in a mirror calling your name.” Lin Wu locked the stalls and told her everything. After a long silence, Tang Li asked, “If it takes me, will you forget me too?” “No.” Lin Wu showed her the ink band on her wrist. “But I won't let it happen.”