Chapter Three: No-Light Alley

She did not ask again. Instead, she gave him a copy of the *Backcity Daily*. The date was tomorrow. Its headline read: PHOTOGRAPHER ARCHIVED; NORMALITY RESTORED TO LINCHUAN. In the accompanying picture, Shen lay under a white sheet while Tang stood beyond the crowd, watching without recognition. “What is this place?” “The side of the city that was forgotten,” the old woman said. “You throw away unwanted people, demolished buildings, and histories told incorrectly. After the pile grows high enough, it becomes a city.” Tang's voice came from behind him. “Shen Yao.” He did not turn. He counted the footsteps. One, two. No breath. One, two. Still no breath. The voice drew closer. “It's me. Look at me.”