Chapter One: Twin Showers

Jianwei refused to alter the file, so the clinic terminated her instead. Her friend Tang Guo sent a voice message. “Unemployment party at our usual place. I'm livestreaming the meteors from Galaxy Square. If you aren't here in ten minutes, I'll tell the internet what you did in college—” Jianwei closed the message and headed toward the square anyway. At midnight, the crowd became a sea of illuminated faces. The first meteor drew a collective gasp. The second shower rose from the opposite horizon. When the two silver currents crossed, Jianwei heard a low hum, as if a wet finger were circling the inside of her skull. Her box fell. When she looked up, translucent words floated above Tang Guo. 【I hope she stops pretending she's fine tonight.】