Chapter Three: Thirteen Is a Door

Rust wanted the key used on Gu's cranial maintenance port and claimed he could download everyone to safety. “Which of you controlled the reflection?” Gu asked. No one confessed. Ink privately sent a line of silent text: DON'T ASK WHO DID WHAT. ASK WHO WANTED YOU TO SEE IT. Gu studied the key. Zero wanted him to see proof. Sumi wanted him to see choice. Little Full wanted him to see fear. The reflection that had written DON'T TRUST ZERO wanted him to suspect the most visible accuser. “Ink, authenticate that message in the mirror.” “The visual layer contains no such event.” Gu froze. “I saw it.” “Camera, eye-tracking, and motor-cortex records show you staring at blank glass. The writing exists only in your narrative memory.”