Chapter Three: The Breathing Door

Lin lifted one hand. Zhou and Chen advanced together. Gu overturned a rack. Wooden crates fell, spilling hundreds of prescriptionless lenses. Faces appeared in their reflections: Zhou crying, Old Chen beating against transparent walls, strangers calling soundlessly from silver light. The counterfeits faltered. They would not step on the surfaces imprisoning their originals. “Go!” Gu shouted. They ran into the corridor. No alarm sounded. Staff calmly moved aside as though unable to see the pursuit. The corrected reality was preserving order on behalf of its makers. They barricaded themselves inside Conservation Room Three. Beyond the door, Lin spoke softly. “Doctor Pei will arrive tonight.