“What did I tell you the other day?” asked Mason as he handed me a white towel and a cup of hot water. “I told you to avoid them, but why aren’t you listening to me?”

I didn’t answer. Instead, I sighed in relief, feeling the warmth of the water soothing my body. I also wiped my face with the towel, and it somewhat lessened the cold I was feeling.

“I avoided him, but he was persistent about going near me,” I answered, looking at the place where he brought me. “I didn’t know ...