I walked briskly through the sea of people, trying not to look conspicuous or worried.
Every face was unfriendly, every stranger an enemy. I had to plan for the worst and hope for the best. My life depended on that mindset.
Then a thought struck me: Maybe they’re hiding at the rendezvous point. Maybe they’re being held there. Maybe I should go to them.
No! What are you thinking, Patrick? That’s where they want you to go!
But they could be in trouble. You vowed never to let it happen again, remember?
I had vowed that. And I’m a man of my word, especially regarding colleagues. Even more especially with family.
Against my better judgment, I slunk to the rendezvous point.

I burst onto the roof. Nothing. I noticed a dark splotch on the concrete. I knelt beside it. What had happened?
I cringed in pain; a point had nailed me in the neck. I rolled to the ground paralyzed. I saw three shapes over me, two reaching for me as the center one sneered, “Well, well, well. What have we here?”