Chapter Two: The Midnight List

He tipped the ash into a cup of rainwater. Seconds later, crooked words formed on the surface: FOUR ARE NAMED. FIVE HEAR THE RAIN. Only the leaking roof broke the silence. “Who is the fifth?” Tang Li asked. Chenzhou looked at Wanqing. “You didn't put this there.” She shook her head, composure cracking. “The handle was sealed when I found it.” Jingming moved toward the exit. “We need to leave now.” Every light in the theater came on. A warm male voice emerged from the old loudspeakers. “Good evening, candidates.” Bai Yi's face appeared across the stage curtain. He was older than Chenzhou remembered. His left little finger remained mutilated, and his smile had not changed at all.