Hans awoke in a cupboard in the house. He felt empty and hollow. Why did that woman have to ruin everything?! This was his home now, and she just came along, again, and took it away...! Being locked in the closet made its way onto the list of things to blame the enchantress for.

But at least he got back at Anna, right?

...right?

He was surprised that it didn't feel any better. He thought that when he finally got his revenge, he would finally be happy. Instead, it was like he had a hole in his chest that could never be filled. Anna was moaning in pain.

Kristoff said, "You can't blame him. He was afraid of you."

"Him?! Afraid of me!"

"Well... yeah. This is his home, and you scared him."

"That dog is a demon! Why is the hound of hell guarding this cottage?!"

Kristoff laughed, "Well... I was going to surprise you with this place- as for the 'demon dog', his previous owner was abusive."

"That doesn't make it okay."

"No... but he does have a good heart. He's just... just go some wrong thinking. Take it easy on him."

Hans swallowed guilty. The rest of the conversation petered off into Kristoff talking about his new job; hauling dirt from the mines.

"I don't see why anyone would be so interested in salt deposits. And what's worse is that the mines themselves are randomly built. It's really easy to get lost."

Hans tried to piece it all together; what did an ice salesman like Kristoff have to do with an abusive sea captain? Sophia's step-father worked halfway between Arrendale and... the prison islands. What profit did he have in excavating mines? And how could building a salt mine help bring down Elsa?

Kristoff and Anna said there goodbyes. Afterwards, she spent hours trying to relax herself. Hans spent it alone, in the dark, reflecting on what he'd done. Whenever he pondered revenge in prison, or while he was drowning, he thought that it would bring him some degree of happiness, or at least, release. Instead he felt trapped by his own hate.

Anna stopped by his door.

So help me, if she asks me to build a flippin' snowman...! Hans thought grumpily.

"Years, and years and years agooo...

I remembered- but a dream...

Quiet voices, lots of fun,

Different from what I've seeeen.

This world is scary, I know...

And nobody is quite what they seeeeem.

But if you trust me, I'll give you one-

reason to hold onto your dreams."

IS SHE SERIOUSLY SINGING RIGHT NOW?!

She continued on for awhile about how she hoped for love, and a place to belong.

And that he was welcome at that place.

Great, another reason to feel guilty. The dog hung his head sadly.

Finally, he fell asleep.

...

...crash.

Hans awoke with a start. His superior canine hearing picked up movement outside of the cottage. The dog part of his brain decided to start barking crazily. Anna awoke too.

Hans wrestled for, then won, the mental wrestling match with the dog. He stopped barking and listened. Voices, male... angry!

CRASH!

Hans bolted up. He wasn't imagining it. As bizarre as it was, he now felt (gah) concern for Anna. If something happened to her... Kristoff would be crushed.

You better not come in here or...!

"Hey! I think I heard something in here!" A very foolish thug opened the door. Hans came flying out, ripping at the man's throat. And this time, he didn't miss his target.

Warm blood splattered the floor. Hans snarled, who's next?!

Another goon came, then another. They drove him into a corner, but the dog fought them viciously.

I'll take you all on! I'm not afraid! This is my home, and I won't ever, ever, let anyone-!

Hans looked up from ripping at one of the thug's hand to see a member of the intruding group put him into the crossbow's hairs.

thwang

The bolt hit its mark. Hans howled as it ripped through his borrowed flesh. The man with the injured hand stumbled to his feet, then kicked 'Shadow', punting him through the air.

He yelped out his pain. The dog's small body flew across the room, and into the closet, toppling the suitcases onto his bloody form. The last sight he had was of them laughing, and dragging Anna away.

Noooo...!

He was powerless... blood leaked out of his body from the arrow wound. Extreme pain kept him fully conscious, aware of the instrument stuck in his flesh.

But he was alive.

Not that he wanted to be, but he was. And he didn't want to think about why he was alive; Anna, at the last second, had thrown off the man's aim. He owed her his life after he'd... Hans let out a moan. He just gave up at that point. After betraying her, then trying to kill her, she'd saved his life.

As he lay in the closet under reindeer-smelling luggage, he thought of heaven; a beautiful crystal palace with cool, clear air. An angel watched over those who entered there, who long, white locks stood still as a calm, calm sea.

Hans figured he was going to hell though.

A.N. As promised, one review, one chapter. However, if you're here for Helsa, worry not, it's coming up in future chapters!