“Run!” I hang up and take the stairs two at a time. “I’ve got to go,” I call as I run for the front door.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s nothing personal,” I yell. I grab my wallet. “You’re very hot, by the way.”

For a gorilla.

I run out the front door and down the stairs. I burst out onto the street as if I’m being chased by an ax murderer . . . or in this case, a gorilla with fungus.

A cab is driving past, and I put my arm up. “Taxi.” He pulls up, and I’ve never been so relieved. I dive into the back seat.

“Where to?”

“BB Backpackers.”

“Sure thing.”

Ten minutes later we pull up in front of the backpackers’ hostel, and the driver turns to me. “That will be twelve euros.”

I take my wallet and go to get out my card to pay and frown. It’s not where it goes . . . huh?

It’s gone.

The driver looks up at me in the rearview mirror. “Twelve euros.”

“I heard you the first time,” I snap as I search through all the compartments in my wallet.

Fuck . . . I have no other cards. How am I going to pay him?

What if I’ve lost it? I have no money . . . what the hell will I do?

I begin to sweat again . . . I know why every fucker smells around here. Everything about this place is stressful.

No deodorant is this powerful.

“My card is gone,” I stammer in a panic. “Where would it . . .”

The penny drops, and I sit back in my seat, shocked to silence.

That hairy bitch stole my card.

Chapter 4

“I’m so sorry, my card has been stolen,” I stammer. “Can you take me back to where you picked me up from so I can collect it?”

“No.”

“No?” I frown. “What do you mean?”

“I not take you anywhere without money,” he replies in his heavy accent.

“But my card has been stolen?” I gasp as I keep pulling my wallet apart. Please be in here. “I can’t help it if my card has been stolen.”

“You can come and pay me tomorrow.”

“Yes,” I gasp. “I can do that. I’ll come and pay you first thing.”

“Give me your license.”

“What?”

“Give me your license, and I’ll give it back when you come pay tomorrow.”

I think for a moment. This doesn’t sound like a good idea.

“Or I can call the police right now and have you charged.”

“Fucking hell!” I stammer. “This is the worst day of my life.”

“Going to prison will be worse.”

My eyes widen. “I’m too pretty for prison.”

He holds his hand out for my license, and I slam it in his hand. “Thanks for nothing.”

“You’re welcome.” He hands me a business card. “Be at this address in the morning by ten, or I am calling the police.”

“Fine.” I get out and slam the door. I lean back down through the window. “Be careful with my license.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He drives off.

I take out my phone and instantly call my bank.

“Hello, this is banking online. How may I assist you?”

“Hi, I’m traveling, and I need to cancel a card that has been stolen, please?” I begin to pace on the sidewalk in front of the hostel.

“Of course, what is the card number?”

“If I had the card in front of me, I could tell you.”

Don’t mess with me, woman, not tonight.

“Do you know the account numbers?”

“I’ll log in to my online banking and check. Hang on.” I put her on speaker and quickly log in. I narrow my eyes as I stare at the measly one account.

BALANCE: 0000

“Um.” I frown as I try to work out what is going on here.

Where’s my $1,800?

“What’s wrong?” she asks.

“It’s saying zero balance, but I know there’s money in there.”

“What’s the account number?”

I tell her, and she types into her computer.

“There was a withdrawal . . . several withdrawals ten minutes ago in Barcelona. I’m sorry, sir, the account has been completely emptied.”

“Son of a bitch!” I cry. I pace backward and forward in the dark.

“Put in a dispute, and we will try and get it back for you.”

“Oh, thank god. How long does it take for the money to come back?”

“Twenty-eight days.”

“Twenty-eight days?” I cry. “I’m in Spain. I have no money. What am I going to do?”

“You will have to get some money transferred into your backup card until we send you a new one.”

“What do you mean, a backup card?”

“Everybody knows that when you travel you have to have a second card you don’t use in case this kind of thing happens.”

Damn it, I specifically didn’t do this so I couldn’t have spare cash. I didn’t want to have a slush fund.

You idiot.

“Everybody but me!” I cry. This is the literal day from hell.

“I’ve canceled the card and ordered you a new one. Where do you want it sent to?”

I stare up at the hostel. I don’t even know the address. “I’ll have to call you back with an address.” I sigh, utterly dejected.

“That’s okay.”

“Thanks.”

“Mr. Miles . . .”

“Yes.”

“It’s a good thing you weren’t hurt in the robbery, sir. A lot of travelers aren’t so lucky. Possessions can always be replaced.”

I stare into the darkness. “Yes, you’re right.”

“Good night, sir.”

“Good night.” I hang up and look around in the darkness.

It’s quiet and still. The sound of laughter can be heard in the distance.

I feel stupid, and so alone.