Hanna feels a tight grip around her neck; she struggles to breathe properly. Her arms feel numb; they hang limp and useless. A cackling malevolence permeates the air around her. The grip tightens; she starts to black out, on the verge of death…

Hanna wakes with a start, sitting bolt upright, panting; her skin feels like it's on fire, her blood feels like ice in her veins. It takes a moment for her panic to subside; a few deep breaths help to calm her nerves. The sound of Rob's light snoring breaks through the din of blood pumping in her ears; she relaxes, knowing she is safe at home.

Still feeling shaken, she slowly gets out of bed and makes her way to the balcony. The sun is yet to rise; the stiff breeze is refreshingly cooling. Hanna raises her arms, flexing them at the elbow, making sure that they are both present and working correctly. After a few moments, satisfied her arms work properly, she feels round her neck; she is relieved to find only the collar of her nightgown.

With a sigh, she returns to the warmth of the bed. She settles down and tries to fall asleep; she doesn't notice Rob's no longer snoring. He slides across the bed and puts his arm over her, holding her tenderly; Hanna stiffens slightly at the initial contact.

"It's OK," Rob whispers, "it's only me."

Hanna relaxes; a moment later, they both fall asleep.


The next morning, a light rain falls from a patchwork sky. The inclement weather doesn't appear to bother Hanna though; she is on the balcony, dressed in her nightgown and bathrobe, scanning the treeline through binoculars. After searching for half an hour, she lowers the binoculars, and returns to the bedroom to dry off.

"See anyone?" Rob asks as he exits the bathroom, fresh out of the shower.

Hanna doesn't answer; she tosses the binoculars on the bed, then sits on the end, head in hands.

"Hanna?" Rob asks. "You OK?"

"Yeah," Hanna sighs despondently. "I guess I'm just a bit paranoid, after seeing that infernal symbol last night."

"I don't think it's anything to worry about unduly," Rob assures. "The damage we did to their organisation two weeks back; they won't be recovering from that any time soon."

Hanna lowers her hands. "Not without their leader," she smiles as she remembers taking the Ethereal's life.

"And of course we have all five of the Crystals."

Hanna's expression darkens suddenly. "And that makes us an extremely lucrative target."

"Only if they know we have them. If there's even a 'them' to worry about."

"True," Hanna admits. "But I think we should still be prepared."