I figure it's more you make a target of yourself... maybe there's a hit laid out against anyone who collects food! Or it's like... Alena thought they were an assassin because obviously they came to kill her! But then it turns out to be a misunderstanding since it's meant to be inspiring, and Alena could take pity on them and offer some food and they become friends because it was all a tragic circumstances and she's a good guy?