Chapter Four: The Weight of a Reflection

The corridor convulsed. Exits flashed above and beneath them. Yanqiu dragged Zhou toward the nearest as Zhiwei's filaments pulled taut. “Come with me!” “Not until all eleven remaining locks open. Don't let Gu put on his watch!” The mirror broke. Yanqiu and Zhou fell through Homeward in Rain. As she struck the floor, Pei's film settled over Gu's pupil. The lights died for half a second. Two people inhaled in the dark. When the lights returned, two Gu Linchuans stood beside the chair. Same gray shirt, same scar through the brow, same restrained shock upon seeing her. The old watch spun between them, its second hand ticking. Pei withdrew and gently closed the door.