Chapter One: The Zero-Degree Line

He lowered his hand from the circular scar he had carried since childhood. He could not remember how he had gotten it. Lin raised a penlight. “Headache? Ringing? Smells that aren't there?” “I heard ice breaking.” She paused. “When?” At the end of the hall, a cleaner pushed a cart past them. Gray uniform. A badge flashed under the lights. Zhou Qiming. Shen ran after him, overturning a basket of towels. The man was entering the staff elevator. He looked back, alive and unwounded. “Mr. Zhou! Don't go to the underground maintenance floor.” Zhou held the door. “Do I know you?” The hallway clock changed to 21:39. Shen rushed inside and canceled the B2 button. “There's a problem with the equipment. Come back upstairs.”