Things happened, and Colbey had to change to survive.
I'm guessing that right now, Alex is reminding her a lot of what she was like before her world fell apart.
And the end of the flashback sequence on this page are events from the second chapter. Oh gosh. That old art.
Also, reader cameos continue! Here "Doctor" Gholston, one of the 5 Trustees, comes to get Colbey. From time to time readers and characters from other stories have ancillary roles in What it Takes.
And for readers with cameos, pleeeaaase let me know if I get details wrong. <3