Alex was thrown in the shadows as she opened the door to the abandoned warehouse, the place was covered in darkness apart from one clink of light coming from a crack in the boards that had been placed on the windows. Her heart was pounding as she realised that this could be it…her destiny. Whatever happened from now on would determine whether she got home to her daughter

Although Molly was never far from her thoughts, at that moment she wished she had more time to sort things out…more time to settle things…more time with him. Things between them were so unresolved that she wasn't ready to face whatever had brought her to this unreality, but her priority would always be her daughter and therefore she had no choice.

The sound of dripping became louder

.

"Hello?"

"I'm happy hope you're happy too."

The sound of heavy breathing echoed around her, "Layton?!" Alex cried "Show yourself!"

"I'm happy hope you're happy too!"

"You've got want you want! I'm here! Alone…"

The click of a gun made Alex jump slightly as she felt it in the small of her back, "Alex…" he whispered into her ear. The sound of his voice sent shivers down her spine as she realised how vulnerable she was.

"It's nice to see you again, DI Drake!" Layton whispered inches from her ear.

"Where's the hostage?" Alex asked quietly

Layton cackled, "DI Drake…DI Drake…its you!"

The sense of de ja vu was overpowering as Layton stepped out of the shadows, turned to face her and slowly lit a cigarette.

"Layton? What do you want?"

He silently fixed his gaze onto her but did not speak. He began clicking the gun which begun to unnerve her, but she realised that he was stalling.

She heard the gun click again as Layton whispered, "Take it off…"

"Sorry?!"

"Your wire…take it off!"

She turned away from him slightly, undid her top and slid the wire out.

"Now…we are alone!"

Time seemed to stand still as she waited for her fate, she could no longer read his face as he had stepped back into the shadows, she had absolutely no idea where this was heading and she just hoped to God it was towards home.

"I'm happy hope you're happy too!"

"Layton, why am I here?"

"You see, you and me, DI Drake, we have a connection don't you think?" Alex didn't answer as Layton continued, "We are both living a lie, DI Drake…both lost in an unfamiliar world…both searching for the truth!" Layton began to laugh as he moved slowly towards her. "But I now know the truth…I know everything…"

Alex began to feel her anger rising as he continue to jeer her, "I know everything! I know what you did! I know that you could have stopped him but you didn't!!!" Alex yelled, as tears of frustration rolled down her cheek, "You ruined my life! You took away everything that was dear to me!

His laughing became louder as it echoed through the emptiness

"Why did you have to bring me here? Destroy all my certainties? Let me live through the hell all over again, don't you think once is enough for one lifetime? You took her away from me when I finally found out the truth!" she screamed.

Her anger spilled over and she launched herself at him with all her might, through Layton's shock the gun had slipped from his grasp, as she began hitting out. She was unsure whether she was hurting him but the look of surprise on his face clearly showed.

"I hate you! I hate you!" Alex continued with every punch, "Why?!"

Layton began to overpower her as he grasped hold of her wrists and shoved her against the wall. Her arms were stretched out on either side of her as Layton wedged himself up against her and she was unable to move.

"You have said to me that my life becomes "desperate." I know, I see it every time I close my eyes…your face, your screams, you." Layton whispered, his face inches away from hers. "I did what I was told, he was my lawyer, he could get me out…" Layton leaned in ever closer, "I did it for you. For us. As I have said…Alex we are both lost and I am the only one who can help you to find your way back home! I hold the key to what you want and the only thing you have to ask yourself Alex…is how badly do you want it?"

Alex felt trapped as Layton pressed against her further, panic began to overtake her, she had no way out of this, no way of getting help. She was so angry at herself for losing control and getting herself into this mess…she wished…

"Don't move Layton you are surrounded by AN armed bastard!"