Chapter Three: The Second Person Who Doesn't Exist

What was the entry code?” Lu opened his mouth. The number was gone. Wen cut the wiring, but the door held. She seized his hand and traced three things into his palm: Seven. Seven seconds. Seventh floor. “Remember the touch, not the words. Brains are slightly safer than clouds.” Lu caught her wrist. Their faces were too close, breaths meeting. For the first time, something beyond calculation entered her eyes. “Are you blushing?” “Lack of oxygen.” They looked away together. At seven seconds, Lu aimed his phone at the lock and concentrated on one thought: fire alarm. The peeling hand vanished, replaced by a fire drill. The real alarm lights began flashing. The system misidentified the gas as a leak and released the door.