I turned and walked straight into the blizzard without looking back.
The wind cut through me like a blade. Every step was a battle, my whole body shaking so violently my teeth rattled. I kept going until I found an internet cafe that was still open, and begged the owner for a cup of hot water. Only after I drank it did the feeling start returning to my fingers.
But within minutes, my eyelids grew impossibly heavy. I slumped forward and passed out.
Somewhere in the haze, I felt hands on me.
I forced my eyes open and found myself staring into the owner's greasy, bloated face.
The cafe that had been buzzing with people just moments ago was completely empty now. The metal security shutter had been pulled down over the entrance.
The owner leered at me.
"Hey there, pretty boy. Out here all alone this late at night. Nowhere to go, huh?"
"Poor little thing. Let me take care of you."
The water. He'd put something in the water.
Terror crashed over me like a wave.
I bit down on my tongue, hard, forcing myself awake through the searing pain.
I shoved him off me with everything I had and bolted toward the bathroom in the corner, slamming the door shut and locking it behind me.
I was about to call the police when Lauren's number flashed across the screen.
One percent battery. I stared at it, then clenched my jaw and answered.
The sound that came through was Lauren's breathless panting, thick with arousal.
"Laurence, where did you put those condoms I brought back from overseas last month? I need to show Noel a thing or two about wedding-night party games."
Her tone turned mocking.
"What, now that you know you can't survive without me, you went and stole them to sell? Is that how desperate you are?"
I choked down the nausea clawing up my throat and spoke as fast as I could.
"Lauren, I'm at an internet cafe on Guangfu Road."
"The owner is trying to assault me. Please, come get me—"
Lauren's voice went taut with alarm. "What? I'm coming right now!"
Then, the very next second, Noel's sneering laugh slithered through the speaker.
"Laurence, buddy, are all kept men as calculating as you?"
"I drove down that road just this afternoon. There's no internet cafe there. You're just pulling a sob story to guilt Ms. Sanchez into caving first, aren't you?"