Coming to Her Rescue

Manuel hesitated, looking at Justine.

"As the only elder in this family, I must help Oscar solve his lifelong problems," she said firmly.

"You'll make it difficult for Hannah."

"You still don't know Hannah's personality?" Justine said directly. "It's pointless forcing her to do things she doesn't want. I simply want to tell her about Oscar. Whether she accepts it or not, I'll do what I must."

Manuel finally agreed with a hum. He couldn't articulate many things himself, but perhaps his mother could. He picked up his phone, stepping aside to call Hannah. He'd wanted to call her long ago, to ask if she'd returned to Northfield. If things were as he suspected, there was likely trouble between Hannah and Doyle. She should have returned to Northfield after resolving issues in Jolencami.

It was almost time for her to be back, he thought as he dialed. But Hannah's phone was off.

Since Hannah rarely turned off her phone, he suspected something was amiss. He called again.

"What's wrong?" Justine asked.

"Hannah's phone is off."

"Could it be the time difference? Maybe she's sleeping?"

"Not at this hour," Manuel said, glancing at the time, a sense of unease growing.

"Why don't you call later? Perhaps her phone's dead," Justine suggested.

Manuel shook his head. "I'll call later. Mom, please be there for the baby," he reassured her.

"Let me know if you reach Hannah," Justine instructed. "Sure."

The moment Justine left, Manuel's expression changed. He immediately called Oscar.

"Hello, Manuel."

"Oscar, I think something's wrong with Hannah."

Oscar gripped his phone.

"My mother wanted to speak with Hannah alone today, so I called, but her phone was off," Manuel explained urgently. "Hannah wouldn't intentionally let her phone die or be turned off. Most importantly, when I left the airport that day, I sensed something was amiss between Hannah and Doyle. Hannah said she'd return and contact me or Susan, but it's been a week, and we've heard nothing. Now, her calls go straight to voicemail. This isn't normal."

"Maybe Hannah's on a plane," Oscar suggested calmly. "Don't panic. I'll have Theodore check flight information."

"Oscar, while you're at it, can you also check if the woman who married Doyle is Hannah?"

Oscar held his phone tightly.

"I don't think so," Manuel confirmed.

"Okay," Oscar said calmly, hanging up. He immediately called Theodore. Theodore entered as Oscar said, "Come in."

His tone revealed the gravity of the situation. He hadn't spoken like that since returning from Jolencami; he'd been numbly going through the motions.

"What happened?" Theodore asked anxiously.

"Manuel just called, saying something might have happened to Hannah."

"What?" Theodore nearly jumped.

"Listen carefully," Oscar said, a hint of panic in his voice. "First, check for any flights into Northfield under the name Besse Annina this past week. That's the name she used before returning. Then find out if the real Besse Annina has awakened yet. Finally, find out exactly where Hannah has been this past week. I need to know."

"Right."

"And confirm where exactly Hannah has been this past week. I need to know where she is."

"On it!" Theodore immediately rushed out, determined to prevent a repeat of past events involving Hannah.

Oscar watched him go, then placed his trembling fingers on his desk, striving for composure. He picked up the phone and ordered, "Prepare a private jet... no, buy two tickets for me and Theodore to Jolencami. Don't contact the authorities. I'm going alone."

"Yes, sir. When would you like to leave?"

"As soon as possible."

"Mr. Commander, you have an appointment tomorrow..."

"Reschedule it."

"...Yes, sir."

Oscar hung up and went directly to Theodore's office next door. Theodore had just finished a call and was giving instructions.

"What's wrong?" Theodore asked, startled by Oscar's appearance. He was terrified. Had something already happened?

"We're going to Jolencami," Oscar stated firmly.

"Now?" Theodore was confused. "We don't even know if Hannah has returned yet."