After the man at the emergency service dispatch had reassured Karen that two officers were on their way, that she should sit tight and stay on the line with him, she felt a little better. To the extent that terrified is better than blind panic. She could feel her hands and feet again, and was aware of a less confused train of thought. Her heart was still hammering away in her through and her mouth was dry but the urge to scream and the certainty that she was about to die had both ebbed away to ...