Lan Nguyen
Main Character
About Lan
Haunted by a mysterious voice in her head since childhood, Vietnamese university student Lan struggles to maintain control of her own mind. Her silver necklace, identical to Nathan's, connects them in ways neither understands at first. Intelligent and resilient, she fights against forces that seek to control her while navigating her growing feelings for Nathan. But as the voice grows stronger and more demanding, Lan faces an impossible question: how do you fight an enemy that lives inside your own head?
Age: 21
Occupation: Student (Master's Degree)
Origin: Vietnam
Key Items: Silver necklace, student journal
Character Arc
Childhood in Vietnam
From an early age, Lan has heard a voice in her head that claims divine origins. Her family dismisses it as imagination, but the voice remains her constant, if sometimes troubling, companion.
Arrival in England
Coming to Preston for her master's degree, Lan hopes for a fresh start away from the voice, which has grown more demanding as she's aged. However, the voice seems to grow stronger in England rather than weaker.
Meeting Nathan
When she meets Nathan and notices his identical silver necklace, the voice becomes increasingly agitated. As they grow closer, she must balance her growing feelings with the voice's increasing hostility toward their relationship.
Inner Struggle
As Lan and Nathan uncover more about Project Janus Origin, she must confront the possibility that the voice is not a mental illness, divine entity, or even her own imagination, but something far more sinister.
Key Relationships
Nathan Longton
Romantic Interest
Their connection through the silver necklaces creates an instant bond, though the voice in Lien's head becomes increasingly hostile toward him. Nathan represents both hope and danger - someone who understands her but might inadvertently make her situation worse.
The Voice
Internal Antagonist
Present since childhood, the voice claims to be divine and protective but grows increasingly controlling and threatening as Lien's relationship with Nathan develops. It knows things it shouldn't be able to know and can influence her in frightening ways.
Leanne Jamerson
Flatmate
Lan's vivacious British flatmate represents the normal life Lan wishes she could have. Though they're friends, Lan keeps Leanne at arm's length, fearing the truth about the voice would push her away.
Auntie and Uncle
Family
Having raised Lan in Vietnam after unspecified tragic circumstances, her aunt and uncle supported her education abroad. But how much do they truly know about her necklace and the voice that haunts her?
Notable Quotes
"The voice has been with me for so long, sometimes I don't know where it ends and I begin."
"When I came to England, I thought I could escape it. Instead, it's like I've brought it closer to something it wants."
"I've never been able to remove this necklace. Not for a single day of my life. How can something so beautiful feel so much like a chain?"
"How do you fight an enemy that lives inside your own head? That knows your every thought before you even think it?"