Chapter Four: The Arsonist in the Camera

Every article bore a silver-antler stamp. The newest page showed Lin Wanqing's wedding, marked DERAILED—VALUE INCREASED. A chair with blood on its arms stood at the back. Xu Zhi's camera flashed by itself, revealing words painted in developer fluid: XU KUI DID NOT DISAPPEAR. SHE WAS COLLECTED. A key turned in the rear door. Luo entered. Xu Zhi raised a flare pistol she had found in a cabinet, precisely matching the photograph. “Put it down,” Luo said, kicking aside a gasoline can. “In another minute, all three of us burn.” A flaming bottle flew through the window. The watch showed Shen Yan where it would land. He knocked Xu Zhi aside while Luo smothered the flames.