Chapter Two: The Impact That Never Happened

“My sister,” Zhou said. “The hospital found scratches. The Weaver Foundation paid for silence. Zenith erased the surveillance. Everyone said grief had made me insane.” He unfolded a city map marked with eleven red points. Fires, collisions, collapses, drownings—each paired with a celebrated rescue and an unreported death roughly three days later. “The common factor isn’t only the Weaver,” Lin said. “Zenith hardware was present.” Drones, rail signals, smart barriers, medical bands: the same six-pointed corporate emblem appeared in every photograph. “Their new city transmitters went online last night,” Zhou said. “That impossible impact inside you is becoming real. At this rate, you have about sixty-seven hours.” Her anonymous clock read 67:02:11.