Ethan saw the forlorn figure in the harsh florescent lighting and his heart squeezed painfully. Dressed in the same clothes she wore on that fateful day she was sitting on the grimy concrete with her chin resting on knees drawn up to her chest. In a defensive pose her arms were wrapped tightly around her legs, cradling the only thing that Ethan had bought her and which she had taken from the house- the small spotty teddy bear. Huddling against a cold tiled wall, the look of abject misery on her face as she continually scanned the multiple tunnels for a familiar face tore away the last vestiges of doubt still clouding his mind. He hunkered down in front of the statue like body and prayed that she would forgive him.
He didn't deserve it. 'I know you didn't take the money Zoe.'
'What time is it?' she demanded in a toneless voice.
Glancing at his watch Ethan said 'A little after midnight. It took forever to find the taxi driver-'
'Lauren! My name is Lauren…All day…Then it's Maggie, then Nola though that sounds too old fashioned, maybe I'll try on Nadine….' her voice fading to a whisper.
Ethan leant forward, cupped her chin in his hand and said tenderly. 'Lauren it is then.' She didn't react in any way, her dull stare fixated on a spot somewhere over his shoulder. The iciness of her skin shocked him.
'I was wrong Lauren. Come on home and we'll get you warm.'
'Home? No. I don't live there anymore. You threw me out….remember?'
'I'm sorry. I'll say I'm sorry all day, everyday if it will help.'
With lifeless eyes she finally made eye contact with Ethan and pleaded 'I really don't remember… anything …nothing, Ethan.'
'I know, sweetheart… I know.'
Ethan gently folded Lauren into his arms lifting her to the safe harbour of his chest and back into his life, one arm firmly under her legs and the other behind her back. Once again it was brought home to him how petite she was, as slight as a child. He grimaced at the memory of pinning her to the wall, his leg thrust up between her thighs. What a hero. Her body felt like ice.
David must have anticipated her state because he draped a thick travel blanket around the frozen form. Ethan smiled his thanks at his drivers' thoughtfulness then strode out of the station tunnel into the even colder night air. Despite the rush to the station and the headlong dash checking each platform and tunnel raising his internal temperature the chill had begun to seep through his thick coat and he shivered. Odd. It was freezing and Lauren was clearly very cold but she wasn't shivering. Then a hazy memory came to him. Something about not shivering being a sign of hypothermia. He quickened his pace towards the illegally parked limo on the path the few people still out walking after midnight clearly not impressed by. David had preceded him and had swung the back door wide. Ethan maneuvered his precious cargo into the limo without letting go. Gingerly he placed Lauren on the seat and belted her in himself electing to stay in contact by clipping on the centre sash belt.