The water struck her skin like needles, a punishing cascade of cold that climbed her spine in merciless waves. “Cold... cold... cold,” she whispered under her breath, staggering back from the icy downpour. She shut off the stream, her shoulders sagging as she wrapped her arms around her chilled body. Reaching for the towel, she drew it tightly around her soaked frame, hands trembling as she wiped her face.

Then she turned and froze.

All the blood drained from her face as her wide, ...