This was it.

This whole jigsaw killer business was about to end. All Alfendi had to do was walk up the stairs, arrest Keelan Makepeace, and it would all be over. Justin, Hilda, and the commissioner weren't far behind. This nightmare was actually going to end.

He felt like he was flying as he bolted up the winding staircase in Forbodium Castle. Adrenaline coursing through his veins, Alfendi didn't even feel tired. Gun in hand, Alfendi pushed open the door and stepped out into the rain cautiously.

"Inspector." The voice of Keelan Makepeace was loud and clear, despite him facing away from Alfendi.

"Keelan Makepeace. You are under arrest for twenty-six accounts of murder." Alfendi called out, his gun aimed and ready. "Turn around slowly with your hands in the air."

The old man paused for a minute. Just as Alfendi was taking a breath to call out again, Makepeace turned around as he had instructed. Alfendi's mind went blank in confusion as he took in the man's wardrobe. Was... was he dressed like Alfendi's father, Hershel Layton? That was his exact coat. How had he gotten those clothes? Why was he dressed like him? Was it a coincidence?

Why was this sick murderer dressed like his father!?

Alfendi's face twisted in horror. This was wrong. Makepeace chuckled at him and Alfendi realized he had lowered his gun in his shock. He brought it back up quickly, shaking his head. There was no time for mind games. He had to focus. Makepeace was done for.

"I thought you'd be more comfortable if I wore this, my boy." Makepeace said with a crooked smile. Alfendi felt waves of discomfort flashed through him as the serial killer addressed him so casually. "Especially since I have something so important to tell you."

"Important?" Alfendi couldn't help but ask, entranced by the statement.

"Very important." Makepeace took a tiny step forward, but Alfendi hardly noticed. "This is something I've been meaning to discuss with you for quite awhile actually."

"Oh really? Is it about the twenty-six people you murdered? There's quite a few people who would be interested in a full confession." Alfendi snapped back, moving one hand to reach for his handcuffs.

"It's more of a family problem." Makepeace said nonchalantly, looking off to the side. Alfendi felt a sense of dread settle over him.

"...What are you talking about?"

"You're too slow…" The older man said shaking his head, disappointed. "Just like your mother was when she was alive."

"Wh-what-!?"

BANG.

Pain. Pain. Pain!

Alfendi stepped backwards reflexively and found himself gasping at the sudden blow to his chest.

Pain. Pain.

His mind was reeling from shock.

What. How.

He fell to his knees clutching his chest. Or was it his shoulder? He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. It felt like someone had shoved a hot iron through him.

Pain.

Footsteps. Panicked, Alfendi looked up at Makepeace, who was approaching him while placing his gun back to where it had been hidden in his coat.

"I think it's time to go home now. Don't you, son?" Alfendi was gasping again. The world was spinning, but if it was from pain or the shock of the murderer's words, Alfendi wasn't sure. Alfendi collapsed onto the rain soaked ground, his entire body quaking.

Makepeace stopped by his side and knelt down next to him.

"Don't worry, Alfendi. Just relax. This won't kill you." The man consoled. He began patting Alfendi on the back, sending waves of pain through him. "I'll take you home and everything will be alright."

The world was fading.

No. No. No!

This couldn't be happening.

How was this true!?

Pain. Pain.

Darkness…

"It'll be okay, son."

Hilda raced up the stairs, her heart racing like it never had before in her life. She had heard a gunshot. Alfendi was up there. There was a pounding sound above her. Fearing the worst she pulled out her gun to see the commissioner hacking away at the door to the roof with an axe.

"I'm almost through, Hilda!" He huffed between swings. She paced, a multitude of scenarios flashing through her mind. If Alfendi was okay he would open the door. There was no reason why he wouldn't.

More footsteps sprinting up the stairs behind her cut off her frantic thoughts. Hilda whirled to see Justin sprinting up the steps, concern written all over his face.

"I heard a shot! What's going on?" The inspector asked, panting.

"Alfendi is up there and the door was jammed. The commissioner is almost through!" Hilda explained.

"He better get through soon… I'm worried-" Justin was cut off by the sound of the door breaking through. The three officers, guns ready, sprinted out onto the roof fearing the worst.

They were met with just the sound of the rain pouring down.

"Th-there's no one here…" Justin said, lowering his gun. "They were up here right? They had to be up here… there was no other place?!"

"I definitely heard talking…" The commissioner looked around.

Hilda looked around frantically. She glanced up toward the other towers looking for life but didn't see anything. She looked down on the ground.

There was a scream.

There was a huge pool of red on the floor of the tower. She was so startled, it took a full minute for Hilda to realize that was her who had screamed.

"Hilda!" Justin and the commissioner called out, first looking at her before glanced down to the ground.

"You don't think-"

"There's no way-"

"Where could they have gone?"

Hilda dropped to her knees, shivering. She told herself it was from the rain. She couldn't take her eyes off of the red.

"Look around for another exit. They couldn't have taken the stairs." Justin ordered, searching frantically. The commissioner did as well, but Hilda couldn't bring herself to stand up.

"...He's dead…" Hilda said quietly, wrapping her arms around her chest. The amount of blood that was on the ground was too much for anything less. "Oh my god. Alfendi's dead."

"Not yet, Hild'." Justin stopped and walked over to her. "Come on. Stay strong. We don't even know what happened."

There was a loud click and there was the sound of machinery. The commissioner ran over to a hidden door that appeared on the floor of the tower.

"This way!" He ordered, before sprinting down the staircase. Justin grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet.

"Move, Hilda." Justin barked, following closely after the commissioner. Hilda felt woozy, but followed along. The staircase was so small and Hilda was already feeling anxious. She was near hysterics, her claustrophobia setting in, but she had to keep moving. The walls seemed to be closing in so she focused on the trail of red that simultaneously horrified her and kept her going down it as well.

There were really only two scenarios that could have happened.

The first was Alfendi had been shot and Makepeace had taken him to do something horrific like all of him victims.

The second was Alfendi had wounded Makepeace and pursued him down this hidden path.

The only problem with this was why hadn't Alfendi opened the door to the tower to let them help. He wasn't that reckless, then again, he had stormed off here alone in the first place… Hilda tried to keep her breathing in control as they exited the tunnel to the front courtyard of the castle.

"Do you see a trail?" Justin asked frantically.

"Nothing. The blood stopped somewhere in the staircase." The commissioner replied.

They weren't far from their cars. For some reason, Hilda looked over at them and realized Alfendi's car was missing. Feeling numb and detached she walked over. She walked over to the commissioner's car to see a piece of paper on it., the other two officers following behind her concerned.

"Hilda?" Someone asked, she didn't care who.

She picked up the paper off of the car.

'He's mine now.'