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"Hello?"

Calling into the darkness was probably not the most ideal idea, but Michael did it either way. His head hurt, he came to realise, and he was sitting somewhere. With his hands restrained behind his back. He was trembling – because of the cold or why?

"Is that a bad joke? Am I high? Or sleeping? Please let it be sleeping."
"Doubt it." Isadora's answer came from somewhere near him – on his right, he realised.

It was col; Michael's clothes weren't made for the cold metallic ground he was sitting on. Where were they? His heart began to race and he felt his hands grow sweaty. Oh no, he thought as the memories of the evening – last evening? When had it been? – came back to him.

"And before you ask, I'm fairly sure we're kidnapped."

"Mood," the prince uttered. "But then, the police will be on it soon."

He could hear Isadora shift. "Hmm hmm."

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah." Isadora's words were cold. Was she freezing too, or was it the racing heart for her too?

"You don't sound that 'well', you know," he remarked, "are you worried?"

"Just about my life, you know," she laughed sarcastic.

"We're just worth heaps of money," Michael reminded her, "they won't hurt us."

He just wished he could feel as confident as he talked. He had been given training on what to do in a case of being taken hostage or abducted, but Isadora? She seemed nervous. Given the situation, probably expectable. He was too – damn it. How stupid had he been? Why not bring along the body guard he always had? It would have been so much easier. But no, he had to be so stubborn and be 'cool' by ignoring what was done to protect him! Stupid Michael. Stupid Michael.

"So…" Michael tried to get comfortable. It was useless. "Who's that guy you like? The not-the-bartender?" He needed to distract himself.

"… Why are you bringing this up now out of all times?"

The prince hesitated. "We're alone, we're in the dark, we don't have anything else to do, so… why not? "

"You sound like the opening of an erotica."

"…" Michael was dumbfounded. That wasn't his intention. "… Why do you know how the beginning of an erotica sounds?"

"My mother." Isadora's response was straightforward and clear - serious. Michael couldn't help but imagine Alexandria Bonovich reading 50 Shades of Grey thought… Yeah, that sounded realistic.

"Who is it?" Michael changed the topic back."

"A penguin, of course,"

"So… you met in the zoo!"

"I've never been to the zoo," Isadora answered with a hint of sadness.

"Oh." Michael blinked – the darkness wasn't changing though. Ouch though, he thought. The wrong comment, obviously – again. What else did he expect from himself? Nothing, he should have. Well… This was definitely not helpful. He couldn't be helpful – again.

"It's… Uh…" Isadora hesitated. Michael looked up – into the empty darkness. That was new; she wasn't the cold lady as always! Success – was he growing closer to her?

"You… you don't need to tell me," Michael promised. That worked in movies, didn't it?

Isadora chuckled. "Who says that you won't sue me for breaking the rules, like Mayli?"

"I have nothing to do with the law suit; Mayli was eliminated for another reason."

"The taboo, yes, you mentioned that," Isadora said. "That's no assurance thought."

"I'm… I'm afraid that I'm not capable of signing a contract right now. Besides, from what I get, you and Raisin are both uninterested in the Selection… Certainly not the best… situation, but it's not like I can force you into anything."

Could he offer her the same deal he had with Rihanna and Raisin? Certainly, he could, but Isadora didn't have any real reason to stay in the Selection otherwise… Isadora leaned backwards – or at least Michael could hear a sound that sounded vaguely like that. What was she doing? Was she trying to get out? Whoever had the idea of kidnapping them probably had weapons – she was going to get herself killed.

"… Aren't you scared?" Isadora asked with a surprisingly timid voice.

"Uh…" Michael hesitated. Was he? Kind of, but not like the time he was skydiving because Rihanna dared him to. For all he knew, he was in a dark room, unable to move as he wanted without an idea where exactly he was. That sounded pretty much like he was drunk or something… "I… dunno. Maybe I'm just… I don't know, really," He leaned backwards, "but this might just be my way of coping – I pretend it's… not real…you know?"

Isadora laughed out. "I'm sorry to tell you, but this is real."

You don't say, Michael pressed his eyes close. They were kidnapped. Helpless… She was right. They could die here. He tried to focus – what was he meant to do again? Remain calm. He had remained calm – yes! – until the realisation kicked in. Very helpful. Be observant. He couldn't hear anything but their steady breathing; Isadora was out of his reach but not too far away. Less than… around five metres maybe? They weren't on opposite sides of a room, he tried to tell himself. The ground was cold, and…?

He trembled. What was he going to do? Who was behind this? Did anyone know? How long had they been out – did anyone notice? Their absence was without a bodyguard, at least at some point, someone would notice! Sam, Rihanna, Isadora's friends? Anyone of them? Emilia? Of course, Emilia – he was meant to pick her up, but that was tomorrow… Was today tomorrow?

Who had abducted them, and why? What? Why? When? Michael wanted to lean forward, but with the ties around wrists and ankles, that was too much work. He took a deep breath – focus! Stay strong; you can't expect that from Isa!

"Michael? Are you alright?" Isadora

Never again – he'd never see-

* . * . *

"I am fine – I am safe, yes." Kath took a deep breath. "I have to… go…. Now… Yes, dad, I'll be fine. You do not need- Don't! Don't do that! Please, just, no! The palace security is perfectly fine… No, Michael was abducted because he didn't have anyone on him – he walked out of the palace without security. The same goes for Isadora."

Katherine was standing in the hallways of Angeles Palace, talking to an overly worried father who insisted that he should send her bodyguards. Silvestre had just finished the press conference that Edwin Rhodes clearly had seen – that, or Richard had told him beforehand. They apparently were friends after all. It had been a day by now. The whole of yesterday, this morning and the night during which they disappeared.

"I'll… I need to go to the lessons now," Kath lied. She loved her father, but he was too protective. She was able to stay alive on her own – no matter what happened; she was a grown-up woman. Plus, unlike Mike and Isa, Kath actually was capable of making sure she wasn't getting herself into danger.

"Yes, I love you too. I'll take care. Bye." She hit the 'end call' button and closed her eyes. She was an independent, grown up woman – no need to take over the control over her life! Kath took a deep breath – calm down, no need to stress about that, she thought.

"You seem stressed." Emilia's voice was as sweet and calm as it had been yesterday. She hadn't seen the princess since then. "Katherine, was it?"

"Uh, yes." Kath turned to Emilia. It was strange to meet her – she had been a ghost flowing around her brother, Sam and Rihanna, but now she was here – real.

"What happened?" The blonde was alone in the wheelchair. Kath hadn't even noticed her approaching. She must have gotten a hang of the wheelchair by now, she added.

"My dad is worried," Kath explained. "Overly worried, actually. He wants to send me private bodyguards or have me come back home."

"You don't seem to agree with that assessment."

"I don't, no." Kath nodded. "I mean, I heard what happened, and whenever I've left the palace, I've been more careful and all."

Emilia nodded. She even seemed to chuckle – but it sounded sad. "Yes, Michael… He should be more responsible, I suppose. Aside of your father, how are you doing?"

"I'm fine, I guess." Kath shrugged. She wasn't really thinking about her own wellbeing right now. Not with her friend kidnapped. "I'm worried about my friends."

"Friends?" Emilia repeated. "The plural – so you do like Isadora after all? Rihanna mentioned tension between you two."

"I…" Emilia had an interesting point. Did Katherine consider Isadora as her friend? They hadn't exactly done anything to become friends, but there was no doubt that she was worried about her. Maybe Isadora and her just had gotten onto the wrong side of each other? Katherine sighed. Maybe she should give her a real chance?

Emilia smiled at her knowing. Had she directed the conversation there on purpose? "I'm glad to see that you get along," the princess said with a hum.

"You…" Kath crossed her arms. Emilia had done that on purpose.

"… did that on purpose?" Emilia chuckled. "Yes, I did. My best friend asked me to do so."

"Rihanna did so? Why?"

"Apparently, she got annoyed by the tensions between you and Isadora's cold attitude. Plus, I want her to feel welcome if she decides to return here."

"If she decides to return here?" Kath repeated.

"It's possible that she decides to go home after this all," Emilia reminded her. "Understandable, I presume. Michael'll probably address the topic, once he's back."

"You're talking as if he'll be back for sure…" Kath noted with a dark undertone.

"Oh," Emilia smiled light-hearted, "they will for sure. Demands for ransom arrived this morning. We'll have them back very soon."

"What is happening?" Kath inquired.

"Do not tell anyone this," Emilia began speaking, "but the kidnappers are demanding money to be brought in cash – don't ask me the sum, it's much though – to a meeting place. In exchange, they'll reveal where Michael and Isadora are."

"How do you know that the kidnappers will tell you the right place?" Kath asked.

"I'm not very involved into the whole situation, but the police are trained to deal with such situations. By now, they've come to the conclusion that the criminals aren't too organised – there's no mafia or anything behind it."

"How can you remain so calm?"

"I have to." Emilia smiled gently. "How would everyone react if I panicked? People would genuinely worry. I can't take that luxury. Nor could Michael, I presume."

Katherine nodded, unsure what to say. The idea wasn't a nice one, she thought. She wasn't a very emotive person, but having to hold back her emotions in any case so others wouldn't panic…? No, she wouldn't like that. "If you're so sure that they'll come back – when?"

"Soon, soon," Emilia answered, looking aside. She probably wasn't sure, Katherine concluded.

* . * . *

Michael hadn't said a word anymore, and Isadora wasn't sure whenever she liked that or not. He was silent, meaning she had time to focus herself – literally nothing had happened in the last… how long? She had no idea. Isadora was hungry and thirsty, but wasn't nervous or afraid anymore.

Nothing had happened.

What was she meant to do? What could she do? There wasn't much. Damn, she thought. There was nothing she could do. Nothing that she could-

the door blasted open.

The bright light coming from the outside blended both, Michael and Isadora. She turned her head away and cringed. Some people were shouting, and despite the surprise, relief filled her mind.

The shouting sounded very much like police, and not like someone who'd kidnap them. That was good, she thought.

"There're here," someone called. "Safe… I guess."

"Yeah, kind of," Isadora called out sarcastic, trying to avoid the bright light still. She groaned – it was far too bright for her taste.

Eventually, she grew used to the light and recognised the police coming in. Someone removed the ties, gave her a hand and helped her up. Help, good. She glanced to Michael. This was… She wasn't sure how she felt. Relieved, yes, but otherwise? She couldn't tell if she wanted to. Surreal, maybe. Yes. This was surreal. Maybe they were high after all?

They were rescued and after some police work and what not, learned that the kidnappers indeed had no real plan. Good for the two victims. Dodging the press rather clumsily, they ended up at the palace. Michael did, from what Isadora noticed, disappear away immediately, and so did Isadora.

No need to socialise or anything.

* . * . *

A day before their meant arrival, the girls were called to the Women's Room again. It was no surprise what was happening, hence the prince getting right to the topic. The room was tense, save for a few girls. Next to Kath, Tilly was anxiously patting her dog.

"The next elimination is happening," Michael summarised. "I talked to everyone beforehand, so, it's not a surprise for them."

That was new, Katherine thought. She looked to her friends, who all – equally – looked surprised about the news. So… they all were in, huh? The following explanation – Michael listed the girls who were to leave, who apparently had been told about that long enough in advance that they remained composed. Bankston, Belcourt, Bonita, Carolina.

"We're done to even less…" Michael concluded. "And I dunno, this is weird. But… I'm gonna hope I'm not the only one," he added.

Most of the girls chuckled. Katherine tensed up. He had a point – she honestly didn't know much about the other girls. Had Michael relationships with them? Kath barely spoke with them, and her friends didn't either. "How's Michael's relationship with the others?" she wondered.

Rihanna bit on her lip, gaining Kath's attention. "I gotta spy more," she said nervously.

"Spy more?" Africa asked.

"I have no idea how Michael's relationships with the others look like anymore," Rihanna said. "I've been hanging out too much with you all."

"Oh…" Tilly pulled her legs closer and played with her hair. "What do you think?"

"I have no idea…" Rihanna groaned. "Gah…"

Michael took back the word. "Now, as you know – I guess I'm just repeating it because Silvestre's worried of people not getting things? – we're doing Christmas holidays. I hope you all enjoy yours; I'll get to deal with Rihanna, and you probably know by now how much fun that is," he teased.

"Hey! I get to deal with you. Equally bad!"

"You have Emmy though," Michael said. For a mere moment, his expression faltered. Probably, he wasn't too happy about that. Rihanna'd have her best friend with her, but from the sounds of it, Michael was going to be alone. Nothing too fun, Kath thought. Why wasn't he taking Sam? If Silvestre and Rihanna could come, why couldn't Michael bring his best friend?

* . * . *

The evening came, dinner went by and besides conversations and people starting to pack, nothing particularly interesting happened. The Selected would leave tomorrow, for the Christmas break. Michael, Rihanna, Emilia, the King and Silvestre would head into the Northern provinces as they always did.

"The holidays are going to be weird," Michael remarked.

"Hmm?" His lover had, once again, taken over the other half of the prince's bed. "What do you mean?"

"Silvestre always came because of mum, and Rihanna too – because of Emmy and mum… Now, she isn't here anymore," Michal explained. He was hiding his face in a pillow, as if it would help him to avoid the inevitable truth of the upcoming, awkward holidays. Rihanna and Emilia'd hang out together, but Michael didn't feel like joining them. When the two had come back from travelling the world, something between had changed, and it made Michael feel weird to come along…

"And… yes, your father doesn't like Silvestre because she isn't white."

"That, and Rihanna and Emmy being weird, yeah," Michael nodded before turning around to the other human in his bed. "Can I please just hide you I my suitcase?"

"I doubt I'd fit in there."

Michael cursed quietly. "Yes, that sounds like a valid problem…"

"Besides… there's…" His lover stopped, gaining Michael's attention.

"What's up?"

"You know that… your father isn't going to be happy with this." This romance.

"… Yes." Michael hesitated to answer. He wasn't. His father had his favourites in the Selection, and even though he yet wasn't pushing Michael there, it was clear to Michael that someday he would. He had already made his opinion on Mayli known. This? No, never. He'd not accept it.

"You'll just get into more trouble," his love continued.

"Don't… Don't start with this topic," Michael begged. They had talked about this when this had first started, but Michael didn't want to think about it. Drag the Selection out forever, maybe? Greene'd be OK with it. Probably. Mike didn't know. He didn't care much either.

"But you need to focus on the future, Mike."

"You're my future."

"That's cheesy," his lover commented, void of emotions. "I'm serious though. I am no choice – he'll not accept it. Greene won't either, and let's not talk about the whole country. Not if they learn of-"

"Shhh. Let's no-"

"You need to make your mind up on what to do."

"I…" Michael groaned. "I want you. Period."

"And I don't want to make it worse by staying. I am no choice."

Michael twitched and sat up abruptly. "You're not leaving."

His lover followed. "Mike, you need to make your mind up. I am no choice."

"I don't care!"

"You need to. You got to figure this out."

They both knew that Michael wouldn't. They both knew that he'd just procrastinate the decision forever, trying to solve it somehow – but not in a way that'd anyhow help. He was hopeless – in his mind, this had to stay forever or not.

Author's Note

Uh… I suppose you expected some kind of action scene, but I gotta be honest – TRH is set in an alternative version of the present, and setting aside country history and so on, this could be set in Britain – the plan was never to include anything like that… Sorry?

I'm still note sure what to do with this chapter. I hate it but idk what else to do. I gave up on it.

Next Chapter: Waiting For Love