Chapter Five: The Final Right of Interpretation

“You saw something you should not have,” Kron's voice said through the lights. Chen watched security converge on the cameras and killed the building's advertising circuit. Every screen went dark. Mirrored emergency signs reflected one exit into dozens of false directions. Security chased three people on digital video. No one watched the unrecorded stairwell. Chen walked right past them. For the first time, being forgotten felt like a blade. Outside, Zhixia released his hand. Suspicion filled her eyes. “Who are you?”