Chapter Five: The Bureau of Corrections

Chen looked into a mirror where a boy stood beside him. In the archive, he stood alone. “Adjudication intends to correct everyone who encountered Que. Your friend Zhou Cen. The hospital clerk who saw the plasma number. Everyone.” “What's in the draft?” Lin asked. “Everything forbidden to continue but never completely forgotten. And the part of Wuyin Street Que least wants you to see.” As Luo opened the door, Lin drove the key through the black cloth. Behind it churned a rain-soaked night. Xu jumped first. Lin followed, glancing back at Correctors surrounding Chen. Luo merely opened a file bearing his name. “In the draft,” Chen called, “never answer when someone calls your name. Your name decides which version owns you.” Rain swallowed Lin.