I was led out, and up some stairs. I heard a door opening; we seemed to enter, and it slammed behind us. A new voice, a man's,"So this is Jill? She's ... sweet chick — nice legs! Let's see the rest of her."The woman holding my right arm spoke, with a chuckle,"Yes, she looks sweet enough to eat, and tastes it as well."Someone removed my gag, and a glass was put to my parched lips. I was still blindfolded and I took the first sip cautiously. When I confirmed that it was vodka and coke, I gulped it. He could see her badge. I could see her badge. She said, "Mister Edwards, the family is not here. They know you are here and will not return until after you're disarmed."He shouted, "If you don't bring her here, I will shoot and keep shooting until I see her."Irene said, "No, sir. We won't let her come here. We won't turn her over to you. We will shoot you if you start to shoot at us. This is not a game and you don't control the situation. You can't start to shoot any of us before we shoot you.. I saddled up to the bar andordered a Tsingtao. Actually I ordered about 10 times.The bartenders barely listen to your orders. It’s like they think if they ignore you enough, you’lljust go away. Good salesmanship. I sucked on myTsingtao, making the 15 kuai I spent on her last. Inever go out with more than 200 kuai (about 25 bucks) onme. I’ve had to many friends get drunk, get friendlywith a girl, and find themselves broke and begging formoney to get a taxi home. I was down to. My Mom was still clutching my hand while my Dad held my shoulders. The blood drained from my face. Nobody else looked scared. My parents and their coworkers continued talking as if nothing had happened. It occurred to me that they didn’t experience the same strange shockwave, darkness and glow. They never mentioned it. I stood, trembling in a room filled with celebrating adults. The car ride home was no different. What the fuck? I was the only one who saw that shit? Before bed, I was convinced.