Stephan blocked Felicia at the stairwell. "Why are you running?"

She froze, momentarily considering his question. She straightened, replying, "Why are you chasing me, then?"

He retorted irritably, "If you didn't run, would I chase you?" That seemed logical enough.

Felicia was speechless. Fortunately, the hospital stairwell wasn't deserted; people occasionally passed, casting curious glances. This was preferable to their being alone; at least the awkwardness was lessened.

Felicia pulled her neck in, remembering Stephan's obsession with cleanliness. His previous warning, a hand around her throat after she'd accidentally fallen into his arms, lingered in her memory. She held a grudge. "You're not going to choke me again, are you?"

He seemed to recall his actions, choking slightly. He looked momentarily uncomfortable before recovering. "I'm going back to Khogend," he said.

"So?" she questioned, unsure. Had he chased her only to say that? Something felt amiss. Was that truly all he intended to say?

Stephan's expression darkened at her defensive posture. He shoved a phone with a new SIM card into her hands and turned to leave, his tall, slender frame radiating anger. The air grew tense and cold.

She stared at the phone, lost in thought. Some things had changed.

"Phew," Felicia breathed, relieved. The new SIM card meant she could contact others and assure them of her safety. She opened the phone's contacts; a new number sat at the top, labeled "Stephan." Her heart trembled; a strange, unsettling feeling washed over her.

She scrolled down, finding Macey's number and quickly dialing. After a few rings, the call connected, but it wasn't Macey. It was Romeo Todd, their neighbor.

"Licia? Is that you?"

"Mr. Todd, it's me. I'm fine."

Relieved to hear she was safe, he murmured his relief. She briefly explained her rescue, omitting Stephan's involvement, claiming she'd been swept away by the water, only to be saved and brought to the hospital.

Then, clenching the phone, she asked, "Mr. Todd, where's Nana?"

A long silence followed. Her expression shifted. "Mr. Todd, where is she? Why isn't she answering my call?"

After a pause, Romeo sighed deeply. "Licia, I need you to stay calm. This afternoon, Macey had an attack... She... she's gone."

An hour later, Felicia returned to Alverton. Exiting the taxi, she ran toward Macey's house, where a crowd had gathered. The sounds of weeping from within caused her to stagger back.