They passed a window filled with sundresses and Liberty of London scarves, and Sophia smiled. She stared at the mannequin in the window with bright eyes, like a child looking at a princess.

"It's so lovely," she said.

​​

"Let's go in," Catherine said, tugging on Sophia's arm.

The glass doors slid open, and a blast of air-conditioned air greeted them. Different perfumes mingled in the air, and smiling salesgirls welcomed them. Together they walked across the brightly lit floor, looking for the dress they'd seen in the window. Gingerly, Sophia fingered the material.

"It's even nicer in person," she sighed. She reached for the price tag tucked discreetly in the back of the dress and winced. "It's lovely, but I don't need it." 

Sophia wandered across the floor toward the sale section at the very back of the department, and Catherine waved for a salesgirl. Guessing Sophia's size, she asked to have a dress wrapped up.

"Anything else?" the salesgirl asked.

"Hmm," Catherine said, looking at some other dresses. "Those two over there and the lavender scarf from the window. Oh, and a Tumi suitcase instead of a bag."

The salesgirl gave her a confused look, but she quickly rushed to grab the items and start wrapping them. Within minutes, Catherine was wheeling the brand new leather suitcase behind her.

"Oh," Sophia said. "What did you get?"

"It's not for me," Catherine said with a smile. "It's for you. For your new life as a King's College student." 

"You shouldn't have," Sophia said.

"Open it," Catherine replied with a smile.

Gently, Sophia laid the bag on the floor and slid the zippers aside. With careful fingers, she pulled back a corner of the tissue paper and gasped when she saw the dress.

"I can't accept it," she said.

"But I insist," Catherine said with a smile.

Together they wandered the store, looking at shoes, makeup, handbags, and perfumes. Finally, they found themselves in the men's department. Feeling inspired, Catherine browsed through the ties, finally choosing one made of navy blue silk. The dark silk was shot through with thin lines of pale blue threads—the color-matched Sean's eyes exactly. She asked a salesgirl to wrap it up with a belt and took the bag with a smile.

With the bag looped around her wrist, Catherine hooked arms with Sophia, and the two passed into the warm evening. The sky had turned a rich velvety blue, and the street lamps cast warm golden shadows on the pavement. They wandered down the High Road until they both felt tired and warm.

"Should we head back?" Sophia asked.

Catherine nodded, "But let's cut behind the buildings this time. I don't want to have to push through all those people racing out as the stores close."

"Agreed," Sophia said. "Why don't you let Sean know where to meet us? Once he comes for you, I can hop into a cab."

Catherine nodded and typed out a text to Sean. Together, the two girls rounded the corner and turned into the narrow road behind the shops. It was much darker than the main street—a few dim bulbs flickered beside the service entrances. Catherine found herself walking faster and faster, and Sophia seemed to agree. As they moved, their footsteps echoed in the narrow alley. They walked faster, and the echoing increased. The hairs on the back of Catherine's neck stood up, and her stomach twisted.

"I think someone is following us," Sophia whispered.

"Maybe they're just walking the same direction," Catherine suggested, though she didn't believe her own words.

"Maybe," Sophia said doubtfully. "But every time we walk faster, they do too."

"I know," Catherine said.

"What do we do?" Sophia asked.

"Wait for my cue," Catherine whispered. "When I tell you to run, drop the suitcase and sprint as fast as you can. Try to find the police or someone who can help. But get away from here fast."

"I'm not going to leave you here," Sophia hissed.

"There's no point in both of us getting mugged," Catherine whispered.

"Hey, girlies," a smooth voice shouted. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Leave us alone," Catherine shouted back, trying to keep the tremor out of her voice.

"I don't think so," the voice said. "Come on, boys, grab 'em."

"Now, Sophia," Catherine shouted. "Run!"

Sophia dropped the suitcase and sprinted down the alley. Her sandals slapped the pavement as she ran, and her shadow disappeared in the gloom. Catherine turned to face the men and froze in surprise. There were men charging toward her, but they weren't the type of men she'd been expecting. She'd imagined they'd look the typical muggers: dirty clothing, hoodies covering their faces, backpacks slung over their shoulders. Instead, she found four well-dressed men who looked to be about her age.

Their leader was a tall brown-haired man wearing a leather jacket in spite of the heat. He was slim, and he had a strong jawline—he was almost handsome, but there was something terrifying and dangerous in his light brown eyes. The others wore stylish jeans and designer T-shirts, and they sauntered toward her with practiced ease. Her stomach sank. They didn't look like they wanted her wallet. They looked much, much worse.

"What do you want?" she snapped. "I'm armed, you know."

"I very much doubt that," the leader said. "You see, we've been following you for quite some time."

"From where?" she asked, trying to stall them. "From the store?"

"Before that," the man said.

"From the bar?" she asked again.

"There you go, girl," the man laughed.

A strange twisting feeling knotted in her stomach, "Did Madison send you? What does want?"

"She's pretty smart, yay?" one of the guys said.

"Shut up," snapped the leader. "But yes, Madison sent us. She wanted us to scare you, but well now, you're much prettier than she described. I have some other ideas for what I'd like to do to you." 

"Who are you?" Catherine asked. "Some petty rich boy mob? Wannabe gangsters?" 

"Oh, careful now," the leader said. "I like a little fight in my prey—but not too much." 

He stalked forward, and she dropped into a crouch, trying to remember all of her fighting skills. Nervously she watched as the other three men crept closer and closer.