Chapter One: Twelve Witnesses

At 23:17 last night, the system detected a thirteenth personality impersonating the host.” “Where is it?” All twelve portraits turned toward the center of his vision, toward his reflected face. “It is asking the question,” Zero said. Gu ran for the door. It stayed locked. When his fingers touched the metal, another sensation invaded the present: rough red brick, June rain, a child's soaked palm. Through a wall, a woman called, Little Yan, count to thirteen. Mama will come back. It lasted half a second. Gu staggered backward, heart hammering. “That is my memory.” “It is mine too,” Zero replied. The first pane played a scene. Seven-year-old Gu crouched behind an old laboratory, palm against red brick. Rain streamed from Gu Lan's white coat.