Chapter One: Beyond Kilometer Twelve

Each held a helmet under one arm; each bore a fatal wound. As Lu Xiao sped past, the first man raised two fingers, pointed at him, then at the finish. Han Che. The most famous driver in the Edge of Speed franchise had vanished during an unreleased test shoot ten years ago. As a teenager, Lu Xiao had watched every surviving clip of him hundreds of times. The voice returned. “Kilometer twelve isn't an exit. It's a cut point.” The finish approached. This time Lu Xiao did not drift. He aimed directly at the camera beside the marker. Su Wan stood behind it. The white cap was gone. She wore the gray sweater from the day she vanished. Tears filled her eyes as she shook her head. Her lips formed four words: Don't let him finish.