Chapter Two: A Photograph That Would Not Pass

The three people outside waited nine minutes. They stopped knocking but did not leave. Through the peephole, Jianyue saw their leader make a call. His lips remained still. His voice came instead from the darkroom behind her. “Target refuses invitation. No sign of manifestation.” Ripples crossed the developer beneath the red lamp. The pale face of the man appeared on its surface. “Recommend revoking the residence designation.” Someone answered. The man lowered his head. “Mr. Pei requires her alive. Understood.” Jianyue covered every reflective surface in the darkroom with tape. Now she understood why the faceless passenger had clung to the subway windows. Some things required no door, only a reflection.