The man looked back at her, then turned and crossed the river. They entered a residential neighborhood lined with three-story apartment blocks. They were Scandinavian in style, with wooden balconies overlooking the road. They parked and she wrapped the coat around herself before leaving the car.

He helped her to the entrance of the building and unlocked the front door. When he turned on the lights in the entryway, they saw each other properly for the first time. They hurried up the steps, into his apartment, and he locked the door behind him.

“I need you to run me a bath,” Laurel said.

He brought her to the bathroom. There was only a shower.

“Will this be okay?”

She nodded.

“Are you able to get undressed. I can help you.”

“I’ll be all right,” she said.

He left and she stripped. She got into the shower and let the hot water bring her flesh back to life. At first her skin was numb, but very quickly it started to feel like the water was scalding her. She knew it was just a reaction from being so cold and forced herself to stay in the shower. Then she began to swell up, starting with her feet and hands. It was so bad she couldn’t close her fingers.

She got out of the shower and held herself up by leaning on the sink. As she reached for the towel her arm gave way and she fell. She hit the tiled ground hard and knocked over a mirror, sending shards of glass everywhere.

The man came back and saw her lying on the ground. He pulled a towel over her and began rubbing her muscles vigorously.

“I do a lot of winter running,” he said.

She nodded. He continued rubbing her through the towel and she felt the life coming back to her muscles. Within a few minutes she felt strong enough to stand. He swept the floor and helped her to her feet.

“Did you make any phone calls while I was in the shower?” she said.

He looked at her. “Of course not.”

“Are you sure?”

“I wouldn’t. I’d be in as much trouble as you are.”

“I doubt you’d be in that much trouble,” she said, “but thank you.”

He nodded.

“Do you have any clothes you could give me?” she said.

I brought your clothes from the car. They’re in the dryer now.

She looked at him. “What’s your name?”

“Pyotr.”

“Pyotr, is there a pay phone nearby?”

He nodded.

“If I asked you to do me one more favor, would you?”

“What is it?”

“I need you to drive me somewhere.”

He looked at her and she smiled faintly. He nodded and they got back in the car. She told him to stop at a strip mall and she got out of the car.

“Don’t drive away,” she said.

“I won’t.”

“Can you give me some money?”