Macks was nowhere to be seen in the morning.

"He said he had some things to do," Suzanne told her over breakfast. "He wouldn't tell me what though."

"That's just like him," Mrs. Droy added, shaking her head.

Hannah said nothing, though she was irritated. Why had Macks not said anything? She didn't like being left alone with Suzanne and his family. She felt like an outsider who was not supposed to be there, living in their massive house, eating their fine food.

"I wonder if he wrote to Ruth."

"Knowing him, I doubt so."

"Perhaps I should do it then."

After breakfast, Hannah started to leave when Suzanne called to her. "Hannah, I'm just going to go write to Ruth in the study, but I was wondering if you would sit with me for awhile?"

"Oh," she went, unable to hide her surprise. "Alright."

She followed the taller woman to the back of the house, thinking that Suzanne seemed as comfortable moving around the Droy home as if she was one of them.

They came to the study, a somber, circular room with books along the curved walls, on either side of a large window looking out into the grounds. Hannah's gaze fell on the lengthy desk in the center of the room, laden with a mess of papers and stationery.

"Does Macks come in here very much?" she asked.

"Only when he has to. And it's the same with Mr. Droy." She took one of the two chairs, helping herself to some sheets of paper. "You can tell he's not a very neat man. Go on, sit down."

Hannah went to the other side of the table, taking a seat. She couldn't help getting the odd feeling like they were about to have a very serious discussion. "Is everything alright?" she started.

"I'm not sure. Is it, Hannah?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean between you and Macks."

She stared across the desk at her, a little taken aback. "I'm sorry?"

"Before anything else, you should know that I only want to help," Suzanne said, even as she started writing, keeping her eyes on the page. "I've known Macks for many years, so I know him as well as anyone."

"Really," she answered, finding it hard to keep her voice even.

"We were quite surprised that he brought you here to Dyon. I know it may seem to you that he is serious, but this is just how Macks is. It does not mean what you think it does. I am sorry. I know this is difficult to hear, but I don't want you hoping for something that will never be."

"Hmm. And just what is it you think I should do?"

"Keep away from him. Once you return to Chell, do not see him, do not talk to him. And just wait, wait for him to lose interest and move on to someone else, so you can look for someone who is serious about the attentions he gives you."

Right then, Hannah understood. Suzanne thought that Hannah was the one who fancied him. Of course, that would make sense, but still, she couldn't help feeling insulted.

"You have it all wrong, Suzanne."

This time, Suzanne looked up in surprise.

"I told you, I came on this journey to see Alyssa, nothing more."

"Come now. We can all see that you like him."

She stared at the older woman in angry disbelief for a moment, before rising to her feet.

"I know most girls in my position would be all in love with him by now. But I am not like other girls."

"We are just concerned for you."

"Believe me, you have nothing to worry about." She rounded the desk, nodding at her letter. "I won't disturb you anymore. Excuse me."

She trotted out of the study, practically shaking with anger as she headed for the stairs. How humiliating, to think that Suzanne - and likely everyone here - viewed her as some sort of lovesick puppy, tailing Macks all the way to Dyon on some stupid hope.

They're wrong. They're just … completely wrong.

She twisted, meaning to head upstairs, but then stopped. Looking up to the dark, sullen second floor, she was suddenly gripped by a dismal feeling, much like what Macks had described to her. Trapped.

She didn't want to spend another moment in this house, she really didn't. She paused, looking round. No sign of the servants or anyone. She glanced toward the front door, going over and pulling on the knob.

The air was biting, so she grabbed her shawls, wrapping herself well as she went outside. In spite of the weather, it felt much better to be walking and looking at the roads, houses and trees. It gave her something else to focus on rather than Macks and Suzanne and this terrible mess she'd gotten herself into.

She took to the street, sniffing slightly. She would just take a walk and come back once she had calmed down. After all, she'd already been in Dyon two days and no one had bothered to take her out to view this incredible city. Why not do it herself?

She glanced over the neighboring houses, all large and imposing as the Droys', and continued on until she came to a corner branching out into what seemed like a dozen roads. A number of carriages tottered by, and strangers brushed past, most of them noble folk. But she also saw servants on errands, and one of them had boxes in her hands that could only have held dresses.

Intrigued, Hannah looked down the way the girl had come, quickly crossing the road to find herself surrounded by shops. This was incredible, she thought to herself. She'd never seen a shopping street such as this in Dalen. There were too many windows with clothes, shoes and hats, that she wondered how people here could not be spoiled for choice.

She moved down the lane, more and more awed by each store she looked into. As the sun rose, the weather became warmer and more comfortable, and she continued on, forgetting all about her promise to herself not to stray too far.

A man wheeled by with a great cart full of trinkets and other baubles, and she stood, a little mesmerized by their glints and gleams. Perhaps Macks was right. Deep down, women really were weak for pretty things – even her. She moved on, and had to stop at the next corner as a group of performers went by – jugglers, fire-breathers and jesters, some holding out their cups for a coin. Hannah shook her head at one who did so to her, wishing she had money.

She turned the other way, and saw a great church, blackened with age, though the windows were bright and colorful as stones. She approached the steps, hearing the sounds of singing inside, and thought of little Magda's back in Dalen. Wonder if the beds here were any better?

She moved away before anyone might emerge and see her, following the path that the dancers had taken. Somewhere along the way, she heard shouts from nearby, and saw guards taking hold of a shabby-looking man. She stepped back, wondering what kind of criminal he was as they dragged him away. It was all too easy to put him down as some scummy thief or murderer, but as she remembered Raul and her once-friend Ginia, she felt a little guilty for thinking that way.

She was a little tired now, and sat down on a stone sticking up from the grass to rest. It was a comfortable spot to watch people go by, and she wondered who each of them were, what they did for a living, and if they had any family. She wished Rio could be with her now. He would have enjoyed this little adventure. And she wouldn't have felt quite so lonely.

She sat there for a long time, not realizing that the afternoon was fading until it began to grow colder. She got up, knowing she should head back even though she wasn't looking forward to it. She meant to head back down the road, but there was a large group of guards coming her way, and she didn't want to squeeze through them.

She was sure she could cut through the alleys and come back out, so she headed straight instead, inching along one of the shophouses. She emerged on a narrow little lane, and followed it, coming out onto an unfamiliar street. If she was right, the way back to the Droys' had to be up this road. She started walking, but the road broke into a few turns that suddenly confused her. Had she … lost her direction?

She looked up, not recognizing any of the buildings. And since they were all built high, she couldn't see past them to figure out where she was. She checked the sky, but the sun was in hiding, fading every minute.

She stood there stupidly on the street, feeling paralyzed. She knew she had to do something. She glanced at the people around her, but was unwilling to trust anyone to help. She felt like if she spoke up, people would know she was in trouble, vulnerable and alone. Her only protection was to pretend that she belonged in this massive city, and pretend she knew where she was going. Even though she no longer did.

Hannah took one of the turns, working off a blind guess, going down a quaint but still unfamiliar street. She had a feeling she wasn't far from the Droy home but could not get there until she found the correct road again. She kept going, walking faster, all too aware of darkness descending. People were returning to their homes from work, and she could smell fresh dinners being taken off stoves or out of ovens. Indeed, she was hungry too. She wished she had some coins to buy something small, and looked with envy at a group of raggedy children sharing some scraps. To think, she was envying beggars now.

At last, the road ended, coming up alongside a great, tapering canal. She looked across, looked left and right, realizing with a sinking feeling that she was truly lost.

What will you do now, Hannah Iver? That will teach you to go roaming around an unfamiliar city.

She had to go back, try another road. As she walked, light left the sky, and the streets emptied out. By the time she was back to try an alternate path, it was dark, and the freeze starting on her skin. She tightened her shawls, squinting for the poor light. If she'd been lost before, she was severely hampered now that she couldn't see properly.

A family of dogs bounded past her, and she jumped back, yelping in alarm.

Get ahold of yourself. There's still time to find your way. Just try another route.

On she walked, but she had no more confidence that she was on the right path now than the previous one. At last, she gave up, hovering in an empty street as she considered sleping in an alley somewhere until the sun rose again. But the cold – it was slowly making her numb. She knew she would be in trouble if she didn't get out of it soon.

She looked around desperately, hearing youths' voices nearby. She didn't pay too much attention to them at first, until she heard them mention the river.

The river …

On her way to and from Alyssa's home, she remembered seeing the river. If she could get to it … she might be able to find her way there. And they would help her.

Hannah followed the voices, keeping quiet so as not to attract attention. She tracked them at a distance, amazed at how they seemed to know their way intuitively through this confusing city.

After a long time, just as she was beginning to worry, she caught a glimpse of one of the river-bridges. She broke off from her unknowing rescuers, going over until she found herself standing over a bend, peering into the blackness of the Dyonias river. She glanced around, looking out for anything familiar, and spotted some houses that she recognized – those flowers in the window, and the same shirts hanging to dry. Yes, she was getting somewhere.

It was on the other side though, so she crossed and headed that way. She kept along the river, and more and more familiar sights appeared, convincing her that she was going the right way. She passed a few roads before she came to one that she was sure they'd come down yesterday, following it until she saw the blue building that belonged to Alyssa and Stefan. Who knew what time it was now, she thought, hurrying inside. Her skin felt hard from cold, and the arches of her feet ached terribly, but she tore up the stairs, praying as she knocked on their door.

"Hannah!" she heard Alyssa's voice as soon as Jenny opened the door.

Her old friend hurried up, grabbing her arm and drawing her inside. "Where have you been?" Alyssa demanded, planting her in the same chair she'd been in last night. She leaned back, and Stefan came up as well, squinting hard at her.

"Jenny, get some blankets," he ordered. "Hannah, how long were you out there?"

She shook her head, too embarrassed to answer.

Alyssa touched her hand, then recoiled. "Goodness, she's freezing." She squeezed into the chair, putting warm arms around her. "Don't worry, you'll be alright."

Jenny came back, flushed as she settled thick blankets around Hannah.

"Oh, thank goodness," she breathed.

"Macks was here earlier, looking for you," Alyssa told her, her face a frown. "He said no one knew where you were."

"It was my fault," Hannah stuttered, realizing that she was shivering. "I went out on my own and became lost."

"Oh, Hannah," Alyssa went disapprovingly. "Why would you do that?"

"It was stupid of me, I know."

"Jenny, hurry and make a pot of tea, will you?"

As she scurried off, Stefan went to the door, putting on his coat. "I'm going to go get Macks."

"No, don't," Hannah couldn't stop herself, and both of them gave her puzzled looks.

"Why?" Alyssa asked her. "He's worried sick about you."

"I don't want to go back."

"Well … you don't have to. You can stay here if you like. But we have to let them know you're alright. He's been searching for you all day."

Hannah stopped, looking at her friend. "He has?"

"Of course."

Stefan opened the door and took his leave, promising he would be back soon.

Hannah meanwhile, leaned against her friend, sighing heavily. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to trouble you."

"It's no trouble. I'm just glad you're safe."

She paused, feeling encouraged to say more. "I just really needed to get away for awhile. I thought I'd be able to find my way back but … I was wrong. Dyon isn't anything like Dalen."

"I know."

"But it wasn't all bad. I did see some interesting things. I think it's good that you made your home here, Alyssa."

"Really?" Alyssa asked, rubbing her back. "This from the girl who's been here just a few days?"

"It really is an amazing city. I mean, so as long as you know where you're going."

Alyssa couldn't help but laugh. "You know, you are as silly as you ever were." She leaned over, hugging her again with both arms. "I really have missed you."

"I've missed you too."

"If you ever think of moving away from Dalen, I hope you'll come here."

"Thank you but I don't think that would ever happen," she said dryly, as Jenny appeared with a tray. She set out the tea, and Alyssa held up a cup for Hannah to drink. Once the hot liquid had gone down her throat and settled in her stomach, she felt better, and the shivers stopped.

Still, Alyssa remained faithfully by her side, and Hannah described to her what had happened on the streets and how she eventually found her way to their home. The two were almost finished with their tea when the front door burst open, and Macks ran in like a rampaging storm, a long scarf trailing wildly around his neck.

"For Gods' sake, Hannah!" he cried, staring down at her as Stefan hovered in the background. "Do you enjoy frightening me like this? Making me panic?"

She sat still, staring up at him in shock.

"I was ready to go to the guard, you know that?"

Hannah said nothing, dropping her gaze to the floor. Behind Macks, Stefan cleared his throat lightly, coming round and nodding at his wife. "Come, Alyssa. Let's head inside."

Alyssa didn't need to be told twice. She rose to her feet, glancing worriedly at Hannah before following her husband into one of the rooms. There was the shut of a door, and then – silence. She was alone with him now, and she was quite sure she knew what was coming.

She waited a moment, before daring to raise her eyes. Macks was not looking at her, but off at a vague spot. She could see his shoulders slowly draining of tension, and after a while, he spoke to her again, his voice calmed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to overreact like that. I just … I'm sorry."

"I know."

"I hate worrying about you."

"Then don't."

"I can't help it."

"Macks, as you see, I'm fine."

"Yes, I know that now. But I didn't know that a few hours ago. This was exactly the sort of thing I was afraid of. What would I have done if something had happened to you? How would I answer to your family?"

She tightened her jaw, but knew she had no way to defend herself. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, a little sorely. She glanced up at him, coming to a decision. "I think I'd like to stay with Stefan and Alyssa for a while."

Macks cocked his head stiffly. "I'm sorry?"

"They said if I wanted, I could stay with them."

"For the night?"

"Maybe not just for the night."

"What? What about my parents? Everyone's wondering where you are."

"Then tell them, if they ask." Which they probably won't.

"That's not what I mean. It's just not very nice, Hannah. You're supposed to be our guest."

"Macks, the only reason I came to Dyon was to see Alyssa, wasn't it?"

He stared at her for a moment before responding. "I suppose so. Well then, if that's the case … please be so kind as to say goodbye to her and Stefan for me."

She blinked, watching in surprise as he whirled and took off out the front door. The next thing she knew, there was the sound of his footsteps hurrying down the stairs, and then ... nothing. He was gone.

A short while later, she heard a noise behind her, and out came Alyssa. "What happened? Where's Macks?"

"He left."

"Left?" Her friend was astonished. "Without you?"

"I told him to go."

"Why?"

"Because I'm too tired. I was hoping to stay with you tonight."

"Well, you are welcome, of course. I am happy to have you. I'm just surprised he didn't tell us he was leaving."

"It is pretty late," Hannah reasoned, hoping that her friend would stop talking about Macks. "Speaking of which, would you mind if I got ready for bed? I'm exhausted."

"Oh, of course. Come, I'll get Jenny to set up the room for you."

A short while later, Hannah was sitting in the extra room, combing out her hair as she lay in bed. "Thank you, Alyssa," she said, as he friend brought her some water. "I'm sorry to cause so much trouble."

"Nonsense, you know I always enjoy your company. And it's nice having you sleep over. It reminds me very much of when I was still in Dalen."

"It does, doesn't it?"

Alyssa did a wistful sigh, sitting next to her on the bed. "I do so miss that house sometimes."

Hannah smiled. "Even I miss that house."

"Things have changed so much for us. I wonder if it will always be like this, if we'll ever be able to settle down and raise a family proper."

"Of course you will." She paused, thinking for a moment. "I just hope you're happy here in Dyon."

"I am. We both are. Stefan and I like Dyon, and we like this house. We've had to give up a lot of things, yes, but at least he has more time for me now, and I've learned much since we came here … " she trailed off, doing a smile. "Everything's different, but not in a bad way."

"Then I'm glad. You and Stefan need to live your own lives now, the way you want it. I'm sure that everything else will follow."