Chapter Two: The Error Enters Reality

Gu drew a stun gun. “Get down!” “Wait.” Lin saw no red annotation near the boy, only an expanse that had been rubbed blank. “He has no failure condition.” “That's worse.” The electrical arc passed through the boy and shattered a screen. He turned sideways like a sheet of paper and slipped out of reality's depth. “The first door is open,” White Crow said. “Whoever takes the key must open the rest.” “What does Conservation of Seals mean?” Lin asked. “Abilities are locks. We are what the locks contain. Take a lock away, and the inside becomes empty.” “What are you?” Gu asked. White Crow faced her. Every crow on the screens opened its wings. “Things you refused to admit you wanted to become.” A fire alarm sounded from the street below.