Adelienne glanced at Rilia's dress, her handiwork, she bit her lip to hold back a tear. She would have to leave before morning dawned, when she would be trapped like a bird in a cage. Mother would never have noticed that she was gone unless she needed Adelienne for something. Adelienne picked up her small bundle of clothes and trudged to the door. She must not let Mother see her escape. She had to get out now. She took one last look at the door to Rilia's room and fled. Rilia would know where she went.

Adelienne's body quavered as she explored the town she had come upon. The old sign by the side of the town hung limply. The sides were already nibbled off by rodents. She glanced into an inn. As she stared, two pairs of eyes stared levelly back at her. Startled, she fell backward. When she looked into the inn again, they were gone. As she was going to leave the town, she noticed a shiny amulet hung on a tree branch. She spproached the tree cautiously, scrutinizing her surroundings as she walked towards the amulet. Taking the amulet from the tree branch, she held it to her eye. The amulet was obviously of fine craftsmanship, a wolf claw hung from it, with runes carved into it, on the other side, an intricate design stunned her. It showed an alpha wolf, lean and tough. It might be worth a pretty penny, she thought, and attached a chain to it. As she put it on, she heard a strange howl.

Then, she fell.

A large alpha wolf stared at her, it looked exactly like the one in the claw. The wolf whirled around and for a second, she saw her facial features in place of some of the wolf's. The wolf howled and charged, terror flashed in her eyes. She wanted to scream but she was a mute now, nothing would come out. The alpha wolf hurled itself at her, she shrieked and –

She awoke.

Her clothes were soaked through. She stared at herself, as though thinking she had turned into a monster of some kind. She managed to locate a stream to wash up and change. Then she set off again.

Her journey to the next town was uneventful. And the town was far cry of the deserted and run down town she had come upon earlier. Approaching a stall, she looked at its spread of merchandise, the shop keeper took a look at her and grunted. It was a sure 'buy or leave' concept. She fled immediately.

Finding a dark alleyway between two houses, she took refuge there. She would be safe there until she decided where to go. As she fell into a troubled sleep, a pair of eyes watched her from the inside.

The wolf looked levelly into Adelienne's eyes. Adelienne was trapped, she could not break its gaze. Adelienne slowly felt her energy being drained away. It had indeed picked the perfect time, when she was most vulnerable. Adelienne did not have the energy to fight it after a full day of travelling. The wolf, still looking at her, slowly stalked towards her. Adelienne, feverish with the drainage of her energy, did not notice. The wolf lunged-

She had escaped again.

Adelienne sat up in shock. The wolf would never leave her in peace. Surely her luck would run out one day, and it would get her. She had to run – but where? Even in the Black God's realm, she would not be safe.

Curses were shouted. Adelienne whirled around, a lanky youth smashed into the crates which concealed her, getting yellow goo onto his outfit. Smashed banana. He growled a curse and glanced at her. He muttered, "I thought you were trained." He swept her up in his arms and carried her off.

Adelienne fought against his grip. He growled at her to keep still. The sudden rush of adrenalin had gone as quickly as it had come and she fell limply into his arms from exhaustion.

When she woke, she was on a bed. The youth sat on a stool. He peered concernly into her face. When it was apparent that she had come to, he whispered softly into her ear," Nisha, I'm sorry I said you were untrained, it's just that --"

Adelienne broke him off. "I'm not this Nisha of so you speak. You must have mistaken me." He stared at her," You… You aren't Nisha?" He broke into tears.

Adelienne hushed him, she only stopped comforting him when his tears had stopped flowing. Only the soft sound of sniffles were heard. Then, the door slammed open and a scruffy young man ran in. His face was solemn. He whispered to the youth. Then, quickly hurried away.

The youth's face was pale. He whispered," No, no, it can't be… Not her…" He clutched his head in his hands.

Adelienne left the room quietly and went to find the scruffy man. She had to know what was wrong.

Adelienne was in a state of shock. She had never expected this to happen. The youth had thought she was Nisha. And Nisha was dead. She had not escaped them. But, who was the 'them'?