In a haze of disbelief, Claire heard a collective inhalation from the crowd, a mixture of shocked dismay and sadistic anticipation. The crowd quickly formed a path, and hands roughly seized Claire, tearing at her clothes. She fought back, managing to kick one of the men in a vulnerable spot. He crumpled with a groan, but chaos erupted in a storm of shouting, spitting, and glaring faces. More hands grabbed Claire, dragging her through the narrow gaps as she stumbled forward.