Dean comes back up to his house after leaving Diana and Lori to hide and protect Hannah. He already has a cover story ready if he runs into anyone. He hopes that Chandler is still at the hospital so he can just sneak into bed without an issue. 

He opens the door quietly, trying to see past the darkness of the home. Dean steps inside his house, letting the door close behind him. Once inside, he tries to reach for his phone to light up his path all the way to his room.

"Hey! What the?!" Dean is startled by a sudden force that pulls him through his home until he is dragged to the fully furnished basement of the manor. His lit up cellphone was dropped on the way there. He curls up to protect himself, trying to push back against the force that pulls him in. He lands down the stairs with a grunt.

"Welcome home, son." Chandler says as he looks down at Dean. The blond winces a bit and then stands up to meet the gaze of his father. His eyes are focused on him, and he doesn't look happy at all.

"Dad, what is this?! Why was I dragged all the way down here?!" Dean demands to know, his father doesn't seem worried at all by his arrival. In fact, Dean assumes that Chandler is the reason he ended up dragged to their basement living area.

"Dean, where were you tonight?" Chandler asks Dean. His chest tightens as he realizes that his father already has the answers to the questions he is asking him. This only feels like he's waiting to hear the truth from Dean, not that he would give it up without a fight.

"I found a woman who was injured on the way home from school. I helped take her to the hospital and reported all I saw to the officers that came to investigate the situation." He carefully explains, he tries not to bring up Chelsea in order to keep her from getting into trouble as well. Chandler sighs, massaging the bridge of his nose.

"Dean, where did you go after you came home the first time? I saw your backpack at the front entrance. Were you by any chance eavesdropping on my conversation in my study?" He directly asks him. Dean immediately shakes his head.

"Of course not. I just happened to forget my cellphone at Lori's place and had to go back and get it. I had important stuff saved on it for my studies. It was quick. How was I supposed to know you were still up?" Dean does his best to sound nonchalant. He's also trying to remember normal interactions between him and his father.

"Right, somehow, I don't think you're telling me the truth. We are still figuring out what happened because we did find an unconscious nurse. They mentioned seeing a man with mismatching before they blacked out. So, if you don't want to get in trouble with the law, it's time to admit the truth and tell me where she is?" Chandler warns Dean. 

"Who is?" He continues to feign ignorance. He truly is watching out to what he is saying, keeping himself as composed as possible. On the inside, he is a nervous wreck. 

"You know who!" Chandler raises his voice, startling Dean. He takes some breaths before composing himself as much as possible. Dean knows all too well how scattered his thoughts become when he becomes heated. 

Chandler takes a breath as well, knowing a heated head will get him nowhere. "You will tell me in due time. For right now, you are staying here without contact with your friends until you process what keeping a fugitive means." Chandler holds his hand up, and Dean's cellphone makes its way into the older man's hand. 

"Hey!" Dean squints and shields his eyes as the flashlight is directed to his face.

"I will also be going over this to make sure you're not in contact with any accomplices. Dean, I know you didn't do this alone." He goes past Dean, heading up the stairs.

"Dad! I'm not a kid anymore! You can't just hold me in here against my wi-" Dean grunts as he bumps into a barrier right at the doorway. Chandler passes through with no problem before he looks back over his shoulder.

"I am doing this for your sake, Dean. You carry an important name, and I won't have you tarnish the Acacia name with a ridiculous crime like this. I will discuss your behavior in the morning. I'm tired, goodnight." Chandler closes the door behind him.

"Dad!" Dean bangs on the barrier, but it doesn't budge. He tries to think of a spell to break it, but nothing works. He just tires himself out and ends up going to the bedroom in the basement in frustration.

Chandler begins walking up the stairs towards his bedroom, but his cellphone goes off. He sighs and looks at the contact. He puts the phone to his ear, stopping where he is at so he doesn't wake up his wife.

"Caroline, it looks like you got my message. Don't you sleep?" Chandler questions his sister. 

"I rise bright and early and tend to my duties as soon as possible. What's this about a goblin bride fugitive? Do you think Dean is involved?" Caroline gets right to the point. 

"Yes, I know he is involved somehow. Unfortunately, the security cameras didn't detect him past when he dropped off the goblin bride. You've guided him since he was a child and got him to train as a government official. He knows places funded by the government well, so maybe he can better communicate with you as his long-time mentor. Help me out, Caroline." 

"Okay, I will have time in a few hours. I will let you know."

"Alright, see you soon, Carol -"

"Do not call me that. I'm not a child." Caroline says firmly before hanging up. Chandler chuckles and continues on to his bedroom to get some sleep.

                                                               ~0~

"Well, Dean. . . Have you thought about your actions and have finally decided to confess?" Chandler questions his only son as he enters the windowless basement that was made into a small living area for weather emergencies. He was put into solitary confinement as soon as he stepped through his front door.

Dean keeps to his history book and frowns as his father steps in.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I just came home, left my backpack, and realized I had forgotten my phone at Lori's and went back to get it. There's nothing else to tell." Dean says, and Chandler takes a seat on the couch next to the bookshelf. He crosses his arms and continues to look at the blond.

"You, Chelsea Matthews, the attending government nurse and doctor, and the officers were the only ones who knew of that detained woman. I know my trusted medical personnel and officers would never do that. The Matthews family is comprised of law-abiding citizens, so that only leaves you. The contrary child who is always going against what your mother and I know is best for you." Chandler says as he brushes back his already slicked back black hair. Dean sighs and turns the page of the book he hasn't been able to pay attention to since his father arrived.

"Controlling my life isn't what is best for me. I don't want to be like the Acacia family, and I especially don't want to be like you!" Dean yells out as he throws his book to the side and glares at his blank faced father. Chandler sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose.

"I do not want that either, son. We all just want you to be a good leader because someday I will pass on Acacia Academy and the will of Artemia to you. Especially if you show your promise out in this war." Chandler tells Dean with pride. Dean feels hurt that his father is more concerned about everything except his son. Dean clenches his hands and shakes his head. He wants to yell at him all the things he thinks about him, but he keeps his emotions held in.

"Master Chandler, Miss Lori Dragul has come to see young master Dean. I told her that he is prohibited from having visitors as you ordered me, but she refuses to leave." Dean and Chandler look at the intercom that was installed in the basement room in order to get contact from the world above. Chandler stands up and heads towards the doorway leading out of the bedroom Dean is in.

"Let me talk to Lori. I'm sure she and the others are worried about me." Dean says as he climbs off of the twin sized bed he was on. Chandler looks over his shoulder with a cold look in his blue eyes.

"Interesting, now why would she be worried? I said you will remain here until you confess to your crime, Dean. If I must. . . I will also interrogate Lori and Diana Green. The last two people you contacted during the time of the goblin bride's escape." Chandler says, and Dean tenses up at the mention of his two friends. He tries to go after his father, but a magical barrier prevents only Dean from leaving the basement.

"Dad! Dad!" Dean yells out for his father, who continues on his way towards the living room where Lori waits for a word from Dean.

"Lori Dragul." Lori's head whips around until she sees Chandler. She straightens up and looks at him with concern.

"Headmaster Acacia. . . I'm sorry for being insistent, but I was worried about Dean since I've called him and haven't received any contact from him. Is he alright?" Lori questions him as calmly as possible. Chandler goes over to the table that has his scotch, and he serves himself a glass of it.

"Lori, you're a good girl. I've known that is the way the Dragul family has raised you. Especially since your ancestors are the co-founders of Artemia and your grandmother Imogen is one of the official heads of Artemia." Chandler says to Lori, who looks at him confused. "There was some trouble last night, and Dean is a suspect of something very serious that could put him in prison. You're his dear friend. Maybe you have information that could help him get out of the trouble." He tells her, and Lori starts to become even more nervous, which makes her cheeks turn pink.

"I'm sorry, Headmaster. I really don't know what is going on. What crime?" Lori lies, and Chandler nods his head, seeing that he won't get anywhere with Dean's loyal friends.

"I see. I was hoping you ladies would be able to help Dean." He says before finishing his drink and setting it aside. "Also, Dean will not be accepting any visitors or contact anyone until this issue is resolved, so it is best you leave, Lori." He tells her, and Lori reluctantly leaves the Acacia manor and lets the door close behind her. There's no point in arguing with the man of the house who could ban her from coming in general.

"Time to use a different entrance! Dean's bedroom window!" Lori says happily before she crouches and walks around to the left side of the manor to find Dean's bedroom window. She smiles as she sees the curtained window that has had a broken lock for a few years now.

"Air Magic: Winds of the East." Lori reaches into her pocket and extends her retractable wand as she says the spell. The wind blows right behind her and presses her against the wall. She nods her head and goes against the pressure of the wind, keeping her on the wall to climb up without having to grab anything. She grabs the window edge and opens it. She holds in her yelp as the wind pushes her inside and makes her land hard on the ground as the magic fades.

Lori sits up on her knees and rubs her nose that took the impact. She checks for bleeding but finds herself lucky that she didn't hurt herself that badly. After that, she tucks her wand away again once she makes it small again. 

"I need to work on my landing. Okay, if Dean isn't in here, then he must be in the basement. I'm sure he would have snuck out of his home if that were the case." Lori thinks to herself as she remembers the layout of the home from all the times she came to play with Dean as a child. She jumps startled as she hears a honk. She quickly goes to close the window and takes a peek outside through the curtain. 

"Ah, Professor Caroline Acacia!" Lori quickly moves away from the curtain as the blonde woman steps out of the backseat of the government issued vehicle.

"Now, what am I gonna do? I can't sneak to the basement as easily." Lori worries, and she grabs her phone to text Diana the current situation.

At the front entrance, Caroline is let in by the same maid that had tried to get Lori to leave. The maid bows as she takes her jacket.

"Where is my brother?" Caroline questions her. The maid straightens out and motions her to the study across the front entrance. Caroline follows and enters his office without knocking.

"Chandler, I'm here. You know things are very busy in the office with constant meetings." Caroline says as she lets the door close behind her and sits elegantly on the chair across from Chandler.

"It's good to see you too, Caroline." Chandler says with a sigh. "Caroline, about last night's report. . . It seems Dean is stubbornly refusing to talk. He won't talk to me, but I was hoping he'd listen to you." Chandler says to Caroline, who frowns and stands up from her seat.

"I will do what I can. Give me the key." She puts her hand out, and Chandler hands her the key to the basement. Caroline leaves his study and enters the basement to see Dean at the bottom of the steps, sitting with his knees up and his forehead resting on them.

"Dean -"

"I won't admit to anything I didn't do, Aunt Caroline." Dean interrupts his aunt as she goes down the stairs and stands in front of Dean. She sighs and sits on the carpeted steps, the third one off the ground.

"What is going on here, Dean? You also had the best interest of Artemia, like a true Acacia." Caroline questions, and that is when Dean lifts his head and looks at her angrily. His family isn't used to seeing Dean act this way, so it has taken them completely off guard.

"I do have the best interests of Artemia in mind! But it seems that my own family has forgotten what is right! Monster citizens are being discriminated even though the majority have no involvement in this war! They can't even attend Acacia Academy! Then there's the discrimination towards the fellow humans who are with a monster or are sympathizers! Do you really think we need a dominating species?! I will not do things like the Acacia are! Have you all learned nothing from great great grandpa Robert?!" Dean yells out as he stands up to get his point across more confidently. Caroline listens to his words.

"It is best to keep the monsters away and sympathizers away. They could turn traitor and leak out information that would make Artemia vulnerable. Also, if you haven't noticed, The Three Generals have spies here. We must search for them and keep the Holy Weapons safe before we need them. Also, I would appreciate that you didn't speak of great grandfather Robert like you knew him. He died long before you were born." Caroline says, and Dean shakes his head, hating that his aunt heard nothing of what he was saying.

"So Dean, it is best if you cooperate and save Artemia from the rebels. Tell us where the goblin bride is, and you will not have to suffer any sort of consequences." Dean clenches his hands at his sides and glares at Caroline, keeping quiet. Caroline frowns and shakes her head as she rises.

"Then we have no choice but to interrogate Lori Dragul, Chelsea Matthews, and Diana Green." Caroline tells Dean whose mismatching eyes widen, and he quickly grabs her arm. "Unhand me!" Caroline demands of Dean as he looks at her pleadingly.

"They have nothing to do with this! Don't get them involved!" Dean pleads as he thinks about how much worse his friends will have it since they are not Acacia. Caroline manages to get her arm back and glares at him with her pastel green eyes.

"Fine, I'll admit it. I did help that woman escape. Only because I know what interrogation entails. Even if it means to lie about knowing what you really don't. She is just an ordinary citizen who happened to fall in love with a goblin. I hid her to keep her from suffering a cruel fate." Dean tells Caroline, who nods her head and holds out her phone to record their conversation.

"During the time of the escape, you contacted Diana Green and Lori Dragul. What is their involvement? Where did the bride run off to?" Caroline questions, Dean.

"They're not involved. I was just contacting them for separate reasons. I don't know where she went, I just helped her get out. I didn't assist beyond that." Dean lies to Caroline, who nods her head.

"Very well, I will trust your word then. Thank you, Dean. For the good of Artemia, we must not let criminals do as they please in our precious home. We must protect what remains of humanity after our population has drastically gone down." Caroline puts her cellphone away and walks up to Dean to hug him tightly. He doesn't return the hug this time as he looks ahead of himself with a distraught expression.

"Aunt Caroline... what's going to happen to me?" Dean asks her, clenching his hands at his side. She pulls back, putting gentle hands to his arms.

"You leave it to me. All should be well if we find the bride. There is nowhere for her to run off to with our wall as secure as we have made it. I will protect you and make sure you do not have to participate in this war. Just as your mother and I had hoped." Caroline smiles kindly and kisses Dean's forehead. She walks back up the stairs, leaving him where he stands. 

Dean curses and doesn't go after her since the magic barrier prevents him from leaving without permission from his father.

"Hah, I did it!" Dean jumps as the door stops from closing all the way, and he recognizes Lori's voice. He sees the red head peek in, and she smiles as she sees Dean. She rushes over to hug him tightly. "You're okay!"

"Lori?! How did you get in?!" He questions shocked as he hugs her back. Lori pulls back and laughs a little.

"The great daughter of the Dragul family used your bedroom window!" For once, Dean feels glad that the lock to his window is broken. He smiles and then becomes serious.

"What's the current situation?" Dean questions her as Lori relaxes to get her thoughts in order. She nods her head and explains every important part to him of what had happened the night prior into early morning the current day.

"Oh man, this is bad. I was hoping Chelsea wouldn't get involved in this problem. I have no way out so I can help Hannah escape." Dean says worriedly. Lori snaps and grabs her phone from her back pocket and puts it in his hand.

"Keep it and stay in touch with Diana and Chelsea while I get a new phone." Lori says as Dean looks at her fully charged phone. "You'll have to keep it charged with lightning magic and convert it to electricity. You can do that, right?" Lori asks him.

"Yeah, I know the basics of magic manipulation. Thanks so much, Lori. My dad took my phone, so I have no way of calling anyone, and this barrier keeps me from going out. I think it's a blood seal barrier." Dean says to Lori, who frowns and thinks.

"That's pretty advanced magic. Someone from Acacia Mearnsii should know how to undo it or even the professors. Maybe the library has information on it. I'll find the formula to break the barrier." Lori assures Dean, and he shakes his head.

"The library is out of the question. That kind of magic is probably in the special archives where only the advanced students and members of Acacia Mearnsii can enter. And we don't know who will tell my dad about what you're doing." Dean says to her. Lori snaps her fingers again and nods her head.

"Diana seems to trust Professor Crowley, so that could maybe be our rou-"

"No way. I don't trust him." Dean says before Lori can finish talking. She frowns and puts her hands to her hips.

"You mean you're jealous of him. I don't think Diana is interested in him. Trust me, I know." Lori says to Dean, who blushes a bit and looks to the side with a pout on his lips.

"Okay, I'd better get going and see what the situation with Hannah is. See you!" Lori waves and heads out with Dean calling after her. He sighs in frustration and heads back to the bedroom of the basement. He lies back down and looks at the phone. He nods his head and looks at the intercom. He wonders if it is on in order to record his conversations. He's glad he talked away from it with Lori. He goes back to the stairs away from the intercom system and dials Diana's number, which he memorized by heart.

                                                                                         ~0~

"Okay, well, it's been a while now, and still no news from Lori. So, what are we going to do to get Hannah out of here?" Chelsea questions Diana as she paces around the room. She tugs on the hem of her sweater and sighs heavily.

"I think for now I should get her some sort of disguise if we need to get her out of here in an emergency. Hannah, are you doing better with the iron replenishing medicine Chelsea made?" The blonde woman nods her head. She, too, is concerned that they could be caught at any moment. Every sound outside of the dorm makes all the women paranoid.

"Then, I suppose a quick trip to a wig shop is necessary. Should I stay here with her while you go out and shop?" Chelsea offers. Diana looks for the nearest wig shop and nods. She finds a shop run by some sirens and mermaids. 

"Okay, I think I found a beauty salon that could have what I need. I'm counting on you, Chelsea." The two of them nod their heads, and then Diana grabs her wallet before she heads out. 

"Um, so we could be here for a while, so let's sit and wait. Kill some time to make it pass faster, maybe?" Chelsea suggests, feeling awkward now that she's been left alone with Hannah. Hannah looks over at the slightly nervous girl and maintains her own calm to ease her and herself.

"Sure..." Hannah looks like she wants to add more, and Chelsea isn't sure what to ask. 

"Um, do you have family in Artemia?" She finally decides to ask her. Trying to dispel the awkward atmosphere.

"Just my husband now. I didn't have the best relationship with my parents. I met my husband when I was attending Acacia Academy as a member of Acacia Mangium. In my final year, I was eighteen at the time. He was a janitor allowed to work at the academy. It was love at first sight, and I knew he was the one I wanted to be with." Hannah smiles warmly, a slight blush appearing on her cheeks.

"Pardon me... don't goblins usually kidnap their brides? Though, I suppose it isn't a common act in Artemia." Chelsea adds in as she listens intently to Hannah's story.

"You're right, this was a lot more common hundreds of years ago before humans separated themselves from the monster world. It still does happen on rare occasions in Artemia, but that wasn't the case for us. I wanted to willingly marry him, so we did just that. This was before Acacia Academy really obligated people to attend. I dropped out and went to live with Roard six months into meeting him." She continues on to explain more of her life story. Chelsea becomes pensive.

"And your husband... what happened to him?" She wonders now that she has the chance to find out what happened before Hannah was attacked by the vampire that abandoned her for dead.

"Well... He was arrested when he was coming home from his final day at work. He was accused of not taking well being fired and caused a bit of a commotion. Apparently, security was called, and since they couldn't fully restrain him, they had Flat-Topped Acacia police come and get him. Apparently, he already had a warrant out for his arrest, but that's all the information I have. I don't think any of it is true. My husband is a good man and doesn't resort to violence even when he's upset. If he did, he must have been severely provoked or the other party instigated." Hannah clenches her hands on her lap. Chelsea thinks back to the acts of the humans that have tried to put monsters in bad light. 

"Because I believe in him... I wanted to see him. I wasn't allowed to, can you believe that? Apparently, our marriage isn't valid to the Artemia government, so I can't see him! I can't get him out... there's no bail for him. I was caught in a vulnerable moment by a vampire pretending to be a district attorney. They swayed me with words of promise. They even tried to convince me that I could be helped by one of the Three Generals. The vampire queen, Serena. I don't think they actually have contact with her. I kind of got it when he attacked me and nearly drained me dry. Thanks to your friends, I am still alive and can fight to see my husband again." At this point, Hannah is a crying mess. Chelsea finds some tissues and gives them over to her, sitting next to her. She is unsure if she should touch her, so she just provides her presence.

"I... I'm so sorry that you are all going through such hard times. It's become prominent as of late." Chelsea's dark brows furrow. She truly is beginning to feel the outrage Dean feels every time he is witness to blatant discrimination towards innocent people because of the few power-hungry monsters. She comprehends why Dean helped out this woman even though he doesn't know her. "Please hurry and come back, Diana... we need to help her in whatever way we can." 

Chelsea gasps and covers Hannah's mouth as they hear laughter outside of the room of a group of girls. Hannah tries to calm down her sobs as she listens as well.

"Say, do you think that those scary looking Flat-Topped officers were heading to the academy? They looked like they meant business. I didn't want to be stopped by them."

"I know! Their captain is so weird and tries to act all tough."

"Hush! Don't say that stuff out loud!" 

Chelsea rushes to grab her phone as she hears the distancing voices of the laughing girls that think nothing of their comments as they pass by Diana's room.

                                                                            ~0~

Diana finds the shop she needs. She steps in and looks around the building at the various beauty products. She spots wigs from a distance as she looks.

"Hello there, can I help... you?" Diana jumps a bit and looks to a beautiful woman with long, wavy, platinum hair. She is staring curiously at Diana with her sky blue eyes with long eyelashes that can only be achieved by a human with extensions. Hers are natural, even the crystals that don't seem to weigh down her long eyelashes. Her eyes show that she is a mermaid.

"Um, I'm looking for wigs..." Diana looks at her nametag and then up at her curious expression. "Are you okay?" 

"Oh, I'm so sorry! For some reason, I felt like I recognized you, but I think this is our first time meeting. I'm Calliope, I can help you find the wig you need. What are you looking for?" Calliope motions Diana towards the wigs. She follows Calliope.

"It's fine, it happens sometimes. Anyway, I need a long black wig." Diana mentions to her. Calliope pauses and looks confused at Diana since her hair is long and black. Diana also notices her hair. "It's not for me. A friend just wants to try it out to see if she wants to commit to dying her hair." 

"I see!" Calliope hums and brings up a large shell in front of her. A screen flashes on, and Calliope types out in the mermaid language what Diana is looking for. Diana watches the wigs shimmer and then change to varying lengths of black.  "Here are your options. They go from shortest to longest." 

"Um... which is the cheapest? I'm not old enough to work yet, I'm still a student." Diana admits as she looks into her wallet to the cash she has saved up from her allowance all orphans get until they enter the workforce.

"We have student discounts if you have your student ID." Calliope assures her with a smile. "But here I can adjust the price range." She does so, and there are still great quality wigs left for her to choose from. Diana looks at them, picking a long straight wig with bangs that go over the forehead. She is trying to get it as different from Hannah's short blonde hair as possible.

"That one, please." Diana points to what she wants. Calliope nods and enters the information for it. As she does this, she goes over how to put on the wig and how it adjusts on its own once the incantation is spoken. She lets her know how to remove it and care for the wig and that they come with a free model head to store it on.

Diana half-heartedly listens as she goes through the process of purchasing the wig for Hannah. She hears her phone go off and quickly looks at it. She sees that it's Chelsea calling her.

"Hey, I'm done shopping now. I'll be right -" 

"Diana, come back now! I heard some girls that were coming back from shopping in town that they saw some officials of Flat-Topped Acacia coming to the academy. Have you learned a teleportation spell?!" Chelsea pleads with her. Diana's heart skips a beat.

"Um... not from this much of a distance. I can just go from one room to another... next door to each other." Diana hesitates to say. "I'll just book it! I'm gonna hope I don't run into them!" Diana quickly pays, ignoring any change she may be receiving. 

"Huh?! Uh, wait -"

"I have to go now, thanks a lot for the help, Calliope!" Diana holds the bagged wig close and starts to run back to the academy. Calliope and the other employees who heard Diana's commotion watch and wave. 

"She forgot her student ID." Calliope says to herself as she looks at her ID. "Diana Green... Acacia Academy." Calliope's light colored brow furrows in concern before she tucks it away.

Diana looks around, checking for any sign of the people of Flat-Topped Acacia making their way over to the academy. So far, there is none in her path. She hopes that she is ahead of them. The adrenaline keeps her running, and the practice she has had in the Salix building has also built up her stamina in a short amount of time. 

Diana makes it back to her dorm, entering quickly. Chelsea is relieved to see her. "No sign of any officials yet. They might be on their way. What do we do?!" Chelsea doesn't know what to do with herself as Diana works on catching her breath. Hannah looks on nervously. 

"Just leave it to me. Chelsea, it's time to keep your distance so they don't associate the two of us as being a part of this. Go home!" Diana takes out the wig and places it over Hannah's head. She hums to get her voice ready, and she softly sings the incantation to get the wig on Hannah.

Hannah feels the wig settle properly on her head, her original hair disappearing into the wig. She touches the wig that now feels like hers. Diana sighs, content that the magic worked well. Chelsea watches on in confusion as Diana pulls out an extra uniform and hands it to Hannah.

"Where are you going to take her?" Chelsea asks her. Diana motions Hannah to the bathroom where she can get changed. 

"Just trust that I know where I'll take her. It's better that you don't know just so no one can trick any information from either of us if we get caught in this. Stay safe, Chelsea." Diana steps up and hugs the slightly taller girl. Chelsea's hazel eyes widen before she hugs her back.

"Okay... you too. Stay safe, Diana." She calms down and backs up to look into Diana's eyes. They nod at each other, and Chelsea heads out just as Hannah steps out. 

                                                                          ~0~

"Lori?! What's - "

"No, it's me! Dean!"

Diana's eyes widen in shock, and she holds the phone close to her ear as Hannah and her wait out by Crowley's school office door. Hannah keeps her face away from security camera view as she nervously plays with a lock of the black wig that Diana got for her.

"Dean. . . Are you okay?! Why'd you go missing?!" Diana questions him worriedly. Dean sighs in relief at the sound of her voice, and Diana blushes a bit as she hears it.

"It's a long story. When I'm able to get out of my house I'll tell you three everything. How's Hannah?"

"She's alright. We had to leave my dorm quickly because Chelsea called me to tell me that officers were heading towards the Academy. I sent her home without giving her too much information just in case things got bad." Diana explains to him everything she can while also pulling away her phone from her ear to see if she received a response from Crowley via text.

"Diana, sorry I'm late." The blackette and blonde women jump startled as they hear Crowley. Hannah doesn't turn and becomes nervous.

"Diana?! Is that Crowley's voice?"

"Sorry! Gotta go!" Diana hangs up, and Crowley lets them into his office. Hannah looks to Diana, and she just nods, encouraging her to trust what is happening. She nods her head and follows Diana in.

"I was just getting up when I received your message. It looks like they caught on faster than I had anticipated. I saw the official vehicles blocking the dorm entrance." Crowley says and looks towards Hannah. "This is her?"

"Yes, this is Hannah. The woman I was hoping you'd help escape from prosecution." Diana tells him. "Hannah, this is Professor Crowley. He's the one who will keep you hidden until he can get you out and reunited with Roard. How'd that go?" Diana questions quietly.

"It went well. He's safe in a goblin and ghoul safehouse and is waiting for us to return his wife." Diana smiles in relief and looks at Hannah, who is also relieved and has tears building up in her eyes. Diana makes her way towards her and rubs her arm to comfort her.

"Now you'll have to go with Professor Crowley to keep you hidden within The Wall in the meantime, okay?" Diana questions her. She nods her head and wipes her tears away. "Take good care of her, please." Diana pleads with the man.

"I promised you I would, and I won't break that promise. Now let's go, Hannah." Crowley says as he puts his hand out, and the women gasp as Hannah starts to disappear from the legs on up. "It's okay. This is ice magic. The shell over her will refract light, so it makes her look invisible." Crowley says as Hannah disappears.

"Hannah?" Diana calls out softly.

"I'm still here." She says, and Diana nods content. She looks at Crowley and smiles at him. He returns the smile and touches her head gently, catching her off guard.

"Careful heading back." He says to her before he puts his hand down and leads Hannah away.

Diana stays in place and touches her head, confused by the feelings in her. She knows it's not the same feeling she gets when she's with Dean. It is something different and much closer. Diana shakes her head to focus on what is going on now and heads out.

"Now to get an alibi as to why I wasn't in my dorm." Diana says as she sneaks out of the advanced classes in Acacia Mearnsii. Now, she heads all the way to the Salix building to find Nichole Sintek to help her answer questions about the Branching Exam packet.

"Enter." Diana tenses up and then focuses herself before entering the office.

"Hello, Professor Sintek. Um, I'd like to ask you some questions about the study packet for the Salix exam. Is that possible for you to do?" Diana says as she peeks her head in. Nichole looks away from her students' assignments and smiles as she motions Diana to sit on the chair across from her.

"What can I help you with?" Nicole questions the blackette who keeps a normal expression despite her heart pounding a mile a minute. Diana looks through her notes and finds the section of the first chapter she understood the least and shows Nichole her notes. She makes up random questions of the reading to keep her entertained for a while.

"Oh, excuse me a moment." Nichole says as her phone rings. Diana suspects it's a call from the officials. She grabs her things just as Nichole turns to her phone.

"That's okay! I got all the information I needed. Thank you very much, Professor Sintek! I won't take up more of your time!" Diana says as she waves and leaves. Before Nichole can say anything, the young blackette leaves.

"Hello?" Is her response as she sees her office door close.

"Lady Nichole, this is Captain Brown. I would like to inquire if Diana Green is or has been in your presence. Flat-Topped Acacia is looking for her."

"She couldn't be that far from Salix building in the academy." Nichole updates him immediately upon becoming suspicious as to why Diana had come to her office and then leaving in such a rush.

Nichole walks to her window to look out at the campus. Her side of the building does not face the direction of the dorms, so she doesn't see Diana pass. She does end up seeing Crowley walking by. It makes her arch her eyebrow in confusion.

"Where could he be going? I'm sure he has just come in." She thinks to herself as she continues to observe Crowley as he disappears into the crowd of students. 

"Stay close behind me so students don't bump into you." Crowley says quietly as Hannah walks close behind him, holding onto his back belt loop to keep from being separated. She makes a hum of approval as she avoids bumping into students that walk close to Crowley.

The pair continue walking to the academy entrance as students file in for extra curriculars they have on an off day. Crowley greets students in a friendly manner as they pass him. He makes polite excuses so he doesn't have to stop and talk to anyone.

"Professor Crowley, so good to see you this fine morning!" Crowley pauses in his step and cringes as Vincent calls out to him, as well as Hannah's icy shell coming into contact with his back as she bumps into him. 

"Fucks sake, I keep running into this damn old man." Crowley mutters to himself. "Can't talk right now. I'm in a hurry." He says aloud to Vincent as he tries to walk past him. Hannah follows behind him. 

"What's the rush? Oh you young people and your impatient nature. Pause a little-" 

"Professor Matthews, Professor Crowley! Good morning, sirs!" Vincent is interrupted by a loud and respectful greeting from Sean. He puts his hand over his heart as he stands in between them. 

"Oh, good morning, Carson. Now that's lively." Vincent says with a smile. Crowley passively greets him as he normally would and continues on his way out of the academy. Vincent watches him go, trying to keep focused eyes on him. A devious smile spreads on his lips a bit. Sean takes away his attention from Crowley by engaging the older man in conversation to let Crowley leave with Hannah.

"That was really close..." Hannah speaks like as if she had been holding her breath and had just let it out once they were enough of a distance away from large crowds.

"Yeah, just keep following me. You'll be staying in my place until I can get you together with your husband." Crowley tells her without turning back. He takes the shortcut through the park to get to his place faster.

"Thank you so much for helping Roard and I..." Hannah smiles at his back as they reach the torn down area. Hannah is confused and is a bit startled. 

"It's fine, this is just a simple disguise. You'll see my place once you pass the threshold. Take this key to open the door. Lock it and don't step out until I come back. It'll be close to the evening by the time I return. Just make yourself at home, the fridge is fully stocked." Crowley hands Hannah the key and the ice shell shatters around her. 

"My husband-" 

"Don't worry, that will be done tonight. I will get him safely to the safehouse. Then you will be reunited once I'm able to fully use my magic again." 

"You're so strong..." Hannah compliments.

"Sure, now go inside. I have to get back to Acacia Academy." Crowley dismisses the compliment.

Hannah holds the key close to her heart before cautiously getting closer to the property. In the blink of her eyes she sees a perfectly built home in front of her. She looks back, but Crowley is making his way back. He is holding a bag he hadn't had before. She doesn't stay outside very long before entering Crowley's home.

Crowley sends Diana a discreet text to let her know that Hannah has safely made it to his house. Diana sends him a thumbs up to maintain the discreet act.

                                                                   ~0~

"Diana, please pick up." Dean silently pleads as he tries to call her again, but it sends him straight to voice mail. He sighs, hating how Diana has grown to trust Crowley. He puts the phone back in his pocket and paces around, wondering how he can get out. He wishes now that he'd gone to Acacia Academy sooner to learn more advanced magic and break the seal on the door.

Dean sighs heavily before thinking about Chelsea to check up on the situation outside. He closes his eyes to remember Chelsea's number, and when he does, he starts to dial her. Just as he's about to push the call button, the phone rings, and Mary's name pops up on the screen.

"Mary. . . I haven't heard from her since that day." Dean thinks to himself as he feels the phone vibrate on his palm. He gulps and presses the answer button and puts the phone to his ear.

"Hello? Lori? Why are you so quiet? Is something going on?"

Dean bites his lower lip as he remembers that Lori quickly makes a loud greeting. He rubs his chin and then shakes his head.

"This isn't Lori. It's me, Dean. She gave me her phone since mine was confiscated." Dean tells her but doesn't get into detail of how he ended up under house arrest.

"Dean. . . Are you alright?"

He is caught off guard by Mary's normal worried tone. It seems that she was no longer upset with him. He feels relief as he realizes he hasn't lost one of his dear friends.

"I'm okay, but I have been grounded. I hope I can still go to school tomorrow." Dean says normally. He hears Mary laugh a little.

"Only you would be eager to go to school. What did you even do? I mean you're an adult, so how can you possibly still get grounded?" She says laughingly. Dean laughs a little himself and then sighs.

"I'm glad you're not mad at me anymore. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't my friend anymore." Dean tells Mary with a smile. He hears a noise of approval from Mary to assure him that she feels the same way.

"Don't worry, Dean, you'll never lose me. I'll always stay by your side. No matter what happens to the world." Dean becomes confused in Mary's choice of words but doesn't question her. Especially now that they have made up and are friends again.

"Thanks, Mary. If I'm able to, I'll see you tomorrow at school. Bye, take care." Dean says to her kindly.

"See you and take care as well."

Dean hangs up and looks at the screen with Chelsea's number. He nods his head and finally dials his friend. He hopes that she will be able to tell him what is going on outside of the Acacia manor.

                                                                                            ~0~

"Diana Green, we meet again." Diana stops walking as she reaches the Vachellia Nilotica dormitory and sees officers of Flat-Topped Acacia and Captain Brown.

"Captain Brown, so good to see you again." Diana says sarcastically as she stands in place with her books held in front of her. "Am I not allowed to go back to my room and study?" Diana questions him as she stares at him with an innocent smile.

"You really are like that man. It sickens me." He says, and Diana arches her eyebrow in confusion. She can't help but wonder if he meant Crowley. "Now, where is the fugitive?" He says right out to the young woman.

"Fugitive? Is there a criminal running around in the academy? I'm surprised there wasn't a lockdown or an alert put out if they are roaming around the academy." Diana says to him, and Captain Brown fumes at her attitude that comes off as sassy to him. He walks up closer to Diana, and she matches his stance of intimidation. Her stance has more of an effect than his.

"Diana Green, I know you have something to do with this. I will have you arrested when I find the proof I need." Captain Brown quietly threatens Diana. She frowns, and her eyes darken a bit as she glares into his angry eyes. He gulps and steps back from her as she glares at him.

"If I see anything out of the ordinary, I will report it to Flat-Topped Acacia police. Just because you don't tolerate me doesn't mean you can accuse me of everything that goes wrong. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to go back into my dorm and study for my exams." Diana says coldly, and the officers move out of her way. Diana walks past a woman and jumps as she feels her slip a paper into her hand as she walks by.

"Keep walking and don't bring attention." The woman's voice whispers before Diana can stop and turn. She tucks the note into her study booklet and heads into her dorm before she takes out the small piece of paper.

I know you were involved. I recognize you, but I also want to help you. I do not agree with what Captain Brown is doing. Please let me know of the condition of the fugitive. My private number is written on this note. ~Kiara Pancheri

"Kiara Pancheri. . . I wonder if that was the officer guarding the doorway when Lori and I helped Hannah escape?" Diana says quietly as she looks at the note. She tucks it away and decides to wait until later in the day and find Kiara alone before calling her.

"I wonder if I should check if Dean has called." Diana takes out her phone and turns the power on. She sighs and waits for the notification of missed calls. "Wow, he does not give up!" Diana sees thirty missed calls. She relents and calls the insistent blond.

"Diana! I thought you'd never answer me! Chelsea told me everything, are you okay?!" Dean questions frantically, not letting Diana speak at all. He hears her familiar sigh and waits.

"I'm fine. There were officers here, but without proof, they couldn't take me anywhere. I got Hannah out, and I gave myself an alibi for the reason I wasn't in my dorm."

"Is she with Crowley?" Dean asks her and waits for Diana to respond as a deep silence fills them.

"Yes, I know you don't trust him, but I do. He is someone powerful in Artemia, so he's influencing a union between humans and monsters who still want to live in peace. Dean, he's just like you if you think about it."

Dean rubs his chin and then stares at the ground. "You're probably right. I shouldn't judge your sense of trust since there's few people you do trust. So it's probably saying something strong if you trust that person. Okay, I'll give Professor Crowley a chance to prove he's on the side of peace." Dean relents to Diana. He hears her breath of relief and smiles a little.

"Anyway, this situation aside. . . How are you doing? I miss seeing you." Dean says, and he can't help but picture Diana turning bright red in embarrassment.

"I-I'm okay. . . I think I'll be able to pass the test since I'm finding myself able to understand everything I'm reading."

"That's great! I'm so glad we'll be classmates. I'll see you on Monday and we can talk about what is happening. Anyway, I'd better hang up, or someone will walk in." Dean says and hears Diana call out to him to wait.

"Before you hang up, do you know if Kiara Pancheri is a person we can trust?"

"I choose to believe so. Especially after she let Lori and me go. Why do you ask?" He questions curiously.

"She was among the officers that came to the Vachellia Nilotica dormitory and handed me a note discreetly as I walked back. She wants to help and know about the situation. She gave me her number to call her."

"I see. If I'm free tomorrow then maybe we can call her up. It's safer to talk about this stuff in person than over the phone. So lets schedule an in-person meeting." Dean tells Diana, who makes a noise of approval. He smiles and jumps as he hears the door unlocking behind him. "Bye!" He hangs up without warning and tucks the phone away in his slipper.

"Young master Dean, I've brought you your lunch." A maid says as she walks down the stairs towards the basement. Dean takes the tray in her hands.

"Thank you." Is his cold reply before he leaves to the dining area and sits down to eat alone. He sighs and finds the loneliness of the basement slowly getting to him. For sure, he isn't the type who enjoys being alone.

"I really hope I'll be allowed to get out of here soon. I can't stand being all locked up like when I was a sickly child." Dean thinks to himself as he pokes at his food and eats a couple bites to keep from losing strength.

"Please hurry if they won't let me out, Lori."