Chapter Three: Wuyin Street

Memories invaded him like damaged slides: a girl with two short braids stealing his soda; his mother outside the noodle shop calling “Xiao Mo, Xiaoman”; rain flooding the street; dozens of people staring at a starless sky; people in gray uniforms assembling a machine and ordering everyone to close their eyes. In the final image, Lin held the girl’s hand. Water had torn away a manhole cover, and darkness revolved below. Someone whispered beside him, “Only one can be kept. Who do you choose?” Lin fell to his knees beside the drain and vomited. “What did I choose?” Lacuna gave no answer. Measured footsteps sounded at the entrance. Three Correctors passed beneath the arch. Their leader, a man in his forties, carried a transparent umbrella.