Every number of hours, one of the men would come bringing food for Hannah and Alyssa. They noticed it always came as a serving for one, which only emphasized how fateful it was that Hannah should be here, caught in the affairs of a family she didn't even know.

But if anything, it seemed to comfort Alyssa to have her there. At night, in the perfect dark, Hannah clung tightly to her friend, fearful for the shadows. But Alyssa would hug back just as fiercely, as if afraid for the time when she would have to let go.

"I wonder if anyone is out looking for us yet?" Hannah whispered across the pillow.

"They won't have much time."

"My brother will be worried. Do you think they'll figure out what's happened?"

"Stefan might. But he wouldn't expect this. I didn't."

"We can't let them take you."

"There's nothing we can do, Hannah. Once my brothers are here, I have to go with them."

"Your family can't keep you forever."

"They don't want to keep me. They want me to make an alliance – with someone they actually approve of."

"You're already married to Stefan. There's nothing they can do."

"Maybe they'll try to trick some rich lord from faraway into marrying me. Someone who never heard about me and Stefan."

"That's ridiculous."

"It is the sort of scheme my parents would hatch up."

Hannah shifted, inching closer to her friend. "I wonder if they even love you."

Alyssa lowered her eyes, not having to think long. "If they do, I have never felt it."

Hannah held the girl's hand, hoping she was of comfort. All this time, she'd thought Alyssa came from a wonderful family. How wrong she'd been. It made her proud of her own family, her Ma and Da. Whatever they might have done, at least she knew they had loved her and Rio.

It seemed forever before either of them could sleep, but soon enough, morning came, as did the head of their kidnappers with some breakfast.

"Your brothers are on the way over from Ulren," he announced, peering down at Alyssa. "Won't be long now."

Alyssa kept quiet, chewing on her bread.

"It'll be a nice reunion, I'm sure."

"You're a dog," Hannah spat at him, to Alyssa's shock. "Just a dog fetching for a master."

"A well-paid dog." He smirked as he left, with the maddening sound of the bolt behind him.

"Hannah," Alyssa gasped as soon as he'd gone. "Don't do that. The last thing we want is to make things worse."

"They're not here to hurt us," Hannah pointed out.

"That's a risky assumption to take."

"I just hate being in here," she said hotly.

"I know."

"Why hasn't anyone come?" She slumped on the bed next to Alyssa, even though she was feeling restless. "Being in here's got me thinking."

"About what?" her friend asked.

"About my life. How I haven't really done anything with myself."

"Why would you say that?"

"At this age, I have nothing to my name. No home, no family, nothing."

"All that will change. It won't always be like this."

"I know you're trying to be kind," she said faintly. "But that is my life."

"Hannah, come now. Things will change. Look at me. I gave up everything so I could be with Stefan. It was like starting my life over, and I can assure you it wasn't easy. But I did it. I think you're just going through the same thing. You have so much ahead of you, you must believe that."

Hannah tried to smile, but it faded at the thought of Alyssa's brothers coming fast to Dalen, soon to take her good friend away. "I'm sorry. We have much larger problems right now. I shouldn't have been talking about myself like that."

But Alyssa shrugged it off. "Have something to eat, Hannah," she urged, gesturing at the food.

"I don't want to." She looked towards the boarded window, wishing she could see outside. Where was everyone? Where was Stefan, where was Macks? Dear Alyssa was running out of time.

Later that night, she was resting in bed alongside Alyssa when they heard the men – all three of them this time. There was a light jangling, and the door popped open. "Time to go," the leader announced. "Miss Dell."

Alyssa didn't move.

"Get her."

One of them came inside, roughly taking her arm. Alyssa resisted, and another one went forward to help.

Only one man at the door now, Hannah thought. She sprang up, prepared to fight her way out. Quick as she could, she hoisted up a chair, hurling it in his direction with an angry grunt. He doubled back, and she heard a crash of wood. As the others stared, she rushed out, but the leader was quick. He gave chase, and caught up to her near the top of the stairs.

"Alright," he huffed, clamping his hand over her mouth to keep her quiet. "It's time I dealt with you. Let's go."

No! Alyssa!

But there was nothing she could do as he brought her down, to the road where she saw the same carriage as well as a single horse waiting. He pushed her up onto the horse, and she was reminded of Macks and the ride with her brother.

Her kidnapper clambered on, latching tightly onto her as he held the reins.

"What are you going to do?" she demanded, trying not to fall.

"Just going for a nice ride, is all. I'm sure you'll enjoy it." They started forward, and she involuntarily jerked against him. The city seemed to fly past them as they rode through the night. Indeed, it soon turned to sea and shore, as they came to the bridge that she crossed on her trips into and out of Dalen. They delved into the trees, taking a path that was more than familiar to her. Chell was only minutes away. If only someone could see her, save her.

But they went right past the village, and Hannah's heart shrank as the shadows closed in deeper. It seemed like hours before her captor finally drew the horse to a stop. "Get off," he ordered.

"What?"

"Go on," he said, pushing her back. Hannah had no choice but to leap down, clumsily so. She stood there on the dirt, looking up at him.

"This, my dear, is where we part ways."

"What?" she cried. "No, you can't just leave me here!"

"It'll be a good walk back to the city. By the time you reach it, I'm sure you'll find we and Miss Dell will be long gone. So, don't even bother trying to find us."

"No ... "

"Goodnight," he said, doing a little salute to her. He turned the horse around, kicking up.

"Please!" Hannah begged, running after him. But it was no use. Within moments, he was gone. There was only the forest now, its shadows threatening to hold her forever. "Oh no," she murmured, choking the words. She cupped her mouth, looking all around. The trees, they seemed full of eyes. Ghosts and devils and all sorts of animals watching her.

She stumbled, sitting in a heap on the road. She'd never get out. Never.

She pressed a hand to her head, odd memories suddenly coming to her. She remembered the winter thieves, all her fights with Da and Rio, long days of tending the farms.

Chell. Chell couldn't be that far away. They'd passed it just a while back. Maybe if she ran, she could make it?

Hannah peeped out at the trees, wary. She had this bad feeling that if she started moving, making any noise, something would hear and come for her. But that was stupid, she knew. She could just hear her mother's voice chiding her for being so fearful, for believing all those children's stories. She could hear her Ma telling her to get up and start moving, not just for herself but for Alyssa too.

Slowly, she rose, wiping her eyes. She checked the branches and saw nothing. Yet. She started moving, slowly at first. Once she had gotten a comfortable pace, she began to remember her poor friend, and went faster. Soon, she was running, pushing herself as hard as she ever had. It seemed like the road would never end. It stretched and curved, but nothing changed. The same trees, the same sky – it was all she could do to keep going.

On foot, the way back was more slow going, and she switched often between walking and running. But she refused to stop, despite her tired feet. Alyssa was one reason, the urge to escape the frightening dark was another.

Then finally, she saw something – a gate. Homes. Chell.

She leapt over the gate, swaying exhaustedly as she headed for her old house. It mostly looked the same, though the grounds were unkempt, weedy, and now, there were flowerpots hanging over the front door. Melanie?

She knocked hard several times before the door opened, and Kurt stood before her.

"Hannah?" He blinked out of shock. "What – ?"

"Please," she wheezed. She couldn't manage to say anymore, her throat dry from panting.

Kurt took hold of her shoulders, firmly pulling her inside. Melanie appeared in the hallway behind him, candle in hand. "Hannah?" she went, squinting. "What are you doing in the village at this hour?"

"Sit," Kurt ordered, placing her in her father's chair. She balanced on the very edge, breathing quickly while Kurt went to fetch some water. While she drank, he pulled the hair from her face, not caring for the sweat on her cheeks. "What happened?"

"They kidnapped me. I mean, her. Us."

"Someone kidnapped you? Who?"

"It doesn't matter. My friend – she's in trouble. They're taking her away now. I have to stop them." She stopped, hastily putting the glass away. "Stefan. Macks. I have to find Macks."

"What?"

"I have to go into Dalen."

"Now?"

"Yes." She stood up, but Kurt placed himself in front of her.

"Hannah, wait."

"This can't wait. My friend needs help. I have to get to the guards' station before it's too late."

"This is mad," Melanie whispered.

Hannah ignored her, facing her old friend. "Kurt, you've always helped us before. Please, take me into Dalen. I don't think I can make it alone."

"Kurt, you wouldn't!" Melanie broke in, coming forward. The swell of her belly became very clear to Hannah just then. How large it was. How quick it had been.

"Mellie, you'd better go over to Father's."

"You can't go back there again!"

"Father and Mother will take care of you."

"What about you?" Melanie pressed her husband. "It's dangerous out there."

"Hannah needs me."

"So do I," she answered, and Hannah eyed her friend. She'd never liked Melanie, but of course she felt guilty wrenching him away from a very pregnant wife. "Kurt, it ... it doesn't have to be you. Anyone else will do just as well."

"No," he answered, surprising the both of them. "I said I will do it. Mellie ..."

She stormed off, disappearing into one of the rooms. Hannah looked to Kurt, watching as he shook his head. He put on a coat, then nodded outside. "Let's go."

"I didn't want to make trouble," she said quietly, as they left the house.

"She'll be alright. Right now, your need is more urgent. I'm sure she'll come to understand that." He paused, checking her from head to toe. "Are you sure you're up to this?"

"Yes."

"You said you were kidnapped. Who did it?"

"I'll explain afterwards. We have to go now," she said, starting a quick pace for Dalen. Now that she had someone by her side, the road by night seemed much more tolerable and less a frightening hell-path.

They moved quickly, eventually going over the bridge to Dalen, and Hannah started in the opposite direction from Magda's. Kurt hurried to keep up, their steps echoing loudly in the blue night. She couldn't help wondering to herself if he remembered their last talk, the one on the beach. She still hadn't quite forgiven him. He was still her friend, but she didn't love him as much as she used to.

Somewhere near a line of houses, a group of guards on duty spotted them, and one of them skittered over, raising his hand. "Miss Iver?"

Hannah slowed, puzzled.

"It's me. Felix!" He raced up, backed by a few others. Relief flooded her at the sight of a friendly face.

"Felix. Thank goodness. I need your help."

"The whole guard's been out looking for you. You and Mrs. Tanner. Where is she? Is she with you?"

"No. I need to speak to Macks and the First Captain. Where are they?"

"At the station. I'll take you there. Come."

They fell to his lead, taking the rest of the way together until the gates of Dalen's guard post.

"It's Miss Iver," Felix told the guards outside, and they opened up, letting them inside.

Hannah had never been to the guards' station before, and cast an eye over a cluster of low buildings, spaced by patches of training ground.

"This way," Felix said, directing them to the main block in the centre. There was some flurry around them, men running, and then, to their surprise, both Macks and Stefan emerged, even before they could enter.

"Hannah," Macks gasped, his voice catching in his throat. He started towards her, then stopped when he saw Kurt. The stare that went between them was barely friendly.

"Where is she?" Stefan suddenly drew up, right in Hannah's face.

"Stefan, stop it!" Macks cried, yanking him away. "Hannah, what happened?"

"They took her."

"Who?"

"These men. They were taking her to her brothers."

Stefan pulled back, looking stricken. "Her brothers?"

"They're taking her to Ulren."

"Ulren? Oh, no," he muttered.

Macks glanced at his friend, his frown telling Hannah that he understood. "How long ago was this?"

"A few hours."

"Go," he told the First Captain. "You can still stop them."

"Damn them," Stefan cursed quietly.

"I'll take care of things here, Stefan."

His friend nodded, then hurriedly took off, gesturing at some of the guards. "I need all you men with me. Now!"

"Felix," Macks piped up.

"Sir?"

"Find Rio. Tell him Hannah's been found."

"Yes, Sir," he said, giving her an encouraging nod before he took off.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" she asked.

Macks gazed at her, shaking his head. "I think you've been through enough as it is."

"But Alyssa ... "

"Stefan will find her. He'll bring her back."

"What if those men come for her again?"

He sighed at that, not having an answer.

Kurt turned to Hannah, his hand finding her shoulder. "I think we've done all we can. You should get some rest."

"Your friend is right," Macks said, eyeing him closely. "I'd offer to take you home, but I might be needed here."

"I'll take her."

"I'll have some men escort you," he offered, walking towards the gates.

"I'm sure we'll be fine," Hannah stated.

"I won't leave her side," Kurt promised.

"Just a precaution. You can never be too careful." He nodded some young guards over. "Watch him. I mean – watch them. Escort them home."

"Yes, Sir," the boys responded.

Hannah glanced at Macks, opening her mouth, yet not really sure what she wanted to say.

"We'll talk soon," Macks promised, as if sensing her feelings, and she nodded.

"Come on," Kurt urged, leading her away, the gates of the station soon fading away behind them.