Taxis were scarce at this hour, and she wasn't in the mindset to seek one. Instead, she walked to a nearby 24-hour pharmacy.

Inside, she purchased a box of morning-after pills. The cashier glanced at her with a mix of concern and curiosity, seeing Melissa's disheveled appearance.

It seemed to the cashier that Melissa had probably been assaulted.

The cashier offered Melissa a glass of warm water, which she gratefully accepted. The cashier, a mother in her forties, felt a pang of sympathy as Melissa swallowed the pill.

Yet, being strangers, she held back from saying more.