With all that had gone on between Ginia and the terrible execution, Hannah had all but forgotten her old friend, Alyssa.

It wasn't until her brother mentioned one night that Suzanne had left Dalen, that she made up her mind to visit the First Captain's wife. As usual, she took off during lunch, but she was more than happy to do it this time. Things had not been the same at Jono's at all since Ginia left. The mood among the girls was somber, and every customer that walked in looking for her was just another reminder of the friend they had all lost.

"Hannah," Alyssa was warm as ever receiving her. "Just the person I was thinking of. How have you been? I've been wanting to pay you and your brother a visit."

"Thank you, we're both well."

"Well, I'm glad you're here. I felt like taking a walk around the neighborhood. I'd be very happy if you'd accompany me."

Hannah turned, glancing behind her at the pretty fall day. The air outside was cold, and she was still a little flushed from the way over. "I'd rather stay inside, to be honest ... "

"Oh, please. I've been sitting indoors for days. I so need the air."

"Ah. Well, in that case, alright. I won't refuse you."

Hannah waited until her friend had taken her coat and umbrella, before they set out together, going towards the parks.

"I'm sorry about your friend," Alyssa sympathized, after she had told her Ginia's story. "I can't imagine what that sort of grief must be like."

"I don't know how people can even watch such a thing."

"When they don't know the person, it's easy to be cruel."

"I wish I knew what to do for her. I wonder if she'll ever recover."

"Unfortunately, it is a price for loving someone," Alyssa noted. "You always fear losing them. It's a terrible feeling to carry around with you."

"Do you feel that way with Stefan?"

"Of course."

"I think I feel that with Rio," she admitted. "Right now, he's all I have."

"I know Macks and Stefan are trying their best to help you find your mother."

Hannah looked up. "You know about that?"

"They mentioned it to me a while back. I hope you're not angry?"

Hannah shook her head slowly. "Nowadays, I try not to think so much about it. They may never find anything." She stopped, raising her eyes to the garden trees, and thought of those in Chell, swaying over her home, her father's grave, the chilly soil.

"Are you alright, Hannah? Do you want to go back to the house?"

"We should turn back," she agreed. "I still have to get back to Jono's."

"Alright." Alyssa turned, holding out an arm, and Hannah took it, the two walking closely. She could almost imagine herself as Suzanne at this moment, walking tall and proud beside Alyssa. That was, until she caught a glimpse of herself in a window and remembered who she was.

Suddenly, she heard something from behind some sheds. She stopped, and Alyssa did too. A man walked out onto the path, followed by one and another. They stood, blocking the way, and Hannah began to get a very nasty feeling in the pit of her stomach. "Excuse us," she spoke up.

The first man, young and blue-eyed, gave her an impatient look, before turning to Alyssa. "Miss Dell."

Hannah felt her friend jerk. "He knows you?" she whispered. "Who is he?"

"I don't know," Alyssa answered murmuringly.

"We've been looking for you," the man added, eyes fixed on Alyssa.

"I'm sorry, I think this is some mistake – "

"No mistake. You're wanted back in Ulren, and we're the men to see to it."

Slowly, understanding entered Alyssa's eyes. She eased her arm from Hannah's, standing stiff and straight. "Did my parents send you?"

"They're waiting for you."

"Well, they can keep waiting. Hannah?"

"Huh?"

"Run," she whispered. "Now."

"What?" she was too dazed to understand.

"RUN!" Suddenly, she was gone, leaving Hannah to hurry after her. The three men raced after them, and it was like being in a dogs' chase – listening to the the pound of their feet, their loud huffs. Hannah pushed herself, beginning to catch up with Alyssa. She made a grab for her friend's hand, taking the lead. They just had to get to the houses ahead, where there might be people to help them. She aimed for the nearest alley, but before they could reach it, Alyssa slipped from her grasp.

One of the men had gotten hold of her dress.

"Alyssa!" she cried, skidding in her tracks.

"Go, Hannah! Get away from here!" her friend pleaded, before they covered her mouth.

Alyssa was the one they wanted, not Hannah. And she, being faster, had the chance to escape. She wavered for the smallest moment, panting as she watched the leader heading for her. Run. Run, Hannah.

Her eye fell on her friend writhing in the other two men's hold, like some caught animal. They were going to take her away. Unless Hannah could stop them. Angrily, she hit out at one of them, and the group staggered, but it wasn't enough for Alyssa to break away. Hannah turned, spotting a thick-looking board amidst some garbage. She dove towards it, but someone suddenly grabbed her from behind, lifting her off her feet.

"Take them both," she heard, while she screamed and struggled. "Let's go. Hurry!"

Someone pulled Hannah's arm, dragging her away with Alyssa. They were thrown in the back of a dark carriage, together with the leader – deceptively boyish-looking and ordinarily-dressed. He eyed Alyssa first, then snaked his arms around Hannah, his hand gripping her throat. "Not a sound, Miss Dell," he ordered, blue eyes flashing. "Or your friend pays for it."

Alyssa pressed herself against the seat, silent.

Hannah seethed to herself, knowing she had no chance of overpowering him. She swallowed, tense as his thumb jabbed her neck.

The carriage started, taking a long ride into a part of the city she'd never visited before. The other men dragged Alyssa out, drawing them into what looked to be a grubby inn. There were some children standing around on the street, and Hannah started to call out to them, but the leader grabbed her arm, shoving her inside.

"Up the stairs!" he barked, and she scowled, climbing together with Alyssa. What was this place? Wasn't there anyone around at all? Every floor was empty; sometimes, she heard voices, but they were too far away.

Eventually, the men led them to a door, sending the two girls inside. Hannah dropped her mouth to see that they'd boarded up the windows, blocking out all light. There was a bed, a dresser and a table, some water and clothes. They'd been preparing for this. How long had they waited?

"Please," Alyssa begged, turning around. "Don't send me back. My family doesn't care about me. And this has nothing to do with Hannah. At least let her go."

"What do you take me for, Miss Dell?" the leader retorted, wiping his brow. "Don't make things difficult now. You'll be taken care of. And your friend too," he said, gesturing unimportantly at Hannah. "In a few days, your brothers will come. They'll take you back to Ulren, and you can be with your parents again. And everything will be as it should."

Hannah gazed at her friend, but she didn't try to speak anymore.

The leader nodded outside, and he and his men left, shutting the door and locking it with a key.

Hannah listened until there was no more sound of their footsteps, before tugging at the knob. There was no way she was strong enough to break it.

She turned, looking to the side of the room. "Maybe someone ...?" she murmured, going to the wall. "Hey!" she called, rapping on the wood. She listened, Alyssa listened. "Is anyone there?"

A minute ticked by, but there was nothing. No one. They were alone here.

"Damn," Hannah cursed, hands on the wall. She felt tired, helpless.

Behind her, Alyssa sank on the bed, quiet. "Why is this happening?" Hannah asked out loud.

She waited, but got nothing.

"Alyssa," she said more loudly, turning round. "Answer me."

Alyssa raised her head, seeming to struggle over how to explain. "I'm sorry, Hannah. This should never have happened. Not to you."

"Who are those men? What do they want?"

"They're not important. It's my parents that are behind this. They're trying to get me back."

"By forcing you?"

"It's because I ran away. To be with Stefan."

Slowly, Hannah started to understand. "You eloped?"

"We had no choice. All my family was against the marriage. And I couldn't stand to live with them anymore, so I begged Stefan to take me away. I knew they'd be furious, but I never thought they'd do something like this. I didn't think they'd find us."

Hannah was amazed. To think there were families that could do such things to their own. Alyssa's parents sounded so cruel. "Can't we talk to them? Come to some sort of agreement?"

"You don't know my family," Alyssa answered darkly, shaking her head. "They wish to prove that they still have power over me. I don't think they'll ever stop."

"Stefan will realize you're missing. He will come looking for us."

"But he won't know where to look. And by the time my brothers reach here, it'll be too late."

"Then we have to get away! Somehow."

"There is no way," Alyssa said dully.

"Don't say that!" She rushed to the window, seeing that the boards had been nailed in crudely. She rummaged around, looking for something to use, opening up drawers and looking under the bed. But there was nothing, not even a coin. "We're really trapped here," she realized, cupping her temples.

Alyssa got to her feet, wrapping her arms around her. Hannah pressed her face down into the girl's shoulder, heaving a deep breath. Now, she was frightened. No one could help them, and they were at their kidnappers' mercy. There was nothing to do but wait for what would come.