Chapter One: Beyond Kilometer Twelve

explode on cue. Lu Xiao forced down the shock in his chest, downshifted, and wrenched the wheel left. The car slid sideways past a wall of flame. Its right mirror struck the tanker and burst into silver fragments. The assistant director counted down beneath the scream of the engine. “Three, two—” Lu Xiao crossed the twelve-kilometer marker. Sunlight folded. There was no crash and no darkness. The road snapped backward like film yanked through a projector. White lines, guardrails, ocean, and fire streamed in reverse. His stomach remained at the finish while his body reappeared inside the motionless car at the starting line. The slate clapped shut beyond his windshield. “Edge of Speed 7. Scene one, shot one, take one.”