I've finally managed to finish the story, sorry it took so long!

Alex was alone, or at least she felt it, she didn't know for sure as she couldn't see anything. Everything was pitch back. Had she gone blind? She put her hands in front of her, right up close to her eyes, and yet she still could not see them. She tried to speak, but no noise came out, she tried to cough, but again no sound came from within.

She went through the senses in her head; she listened next, straining her ears, for any noise, big or small. Nothing. She couldn't even hear herself breathing. Alex was worrying now. Was she dead?

She stretched out her hands, trying to feel for anything, she felt for the floor – there was nothing – she seemed to be floating in thin air. Was she flying? 'Don't be ridiculous!' Alex reassured herself.

A light turned on somewhere. Alex could see the grey sky, she could hear birds singing, she could feel the cool, hard wood, which made up the bench she was sitting on. She looked around herself, realising she was in a park, the very same park with the painted swings which smelt so fresh.

Alex looked down; a small hand was clutching her own tightly. A smile spread across her face, as she turned to the small figure next to her; a young girl. The young girl was smiling and playing with her hair.

Alex spoke softly 'I'm never going to let you out of my sight again, Molly.' She pulled the girl into her, embracing her firmly, kissing her on the forehead as she did. 'Don't you go off on your own again, you're too precious.'

The image flickered, there were broken swings again. Two figures were sat on a bench in the distance, embracing each other.

Alex strained her eyes, but she couldn't make out who they were, but she could just about hear the older of the two, speaking in a soft voice – so similar to her own.

'I'm never going to let you out of my sight again, Alex'

'Alex?' a deep, enchanting voice echoed in Alex's ear.

The soft voice continued, 'Don't you go off on your own again. You're too precious!'

'Drake?' the deep voice spoke again.

The image in front of her began to fade to grey. Alex closed her eyes, wishing to go home. Wishing to go back to Molly? Or back to Gene?

Someone was gently shaking her, Alex opened her eyes slowly, there was a bright light, she tried to bring her arms up to cover her face, but they felt so heavy. Figures began to form in front of her, she was lying on something soft. Gene was leaning over her, staring into her eyes. Alex stared back.

Alex made to sit up, but she felt a hand on her chest. She looked down at the hand and looked up in the face of it's owner.

'You need to rest, Alex love.' Gene spoke compassionately. 'You've been out cold for over an hour. Don't worry, we got the girl, Sherry's safe.'

Alex laid back, onto softness and sleep enveloped her.

XXX

Alex applied the finishing touches to her eye shadow and picked up her favourite white leather jacket. It had been three days since her incident and she still had the bump on her head. But she had been fed up of staying in and decided to venture down to Luigi's for a glass of her favourite red. She could almost taste it.

She checked her hair in the mirror one more time, as the last time Gene saw her she hardly looked her best. She made it to the door and was just about to turn the handle as someone knocked from the other side.

She had a slight inkling as to who it was, and her suspicions were right, when she opened the door to a smartly, well almost, dressed Gene.

He was holding out a bottle of wine for Alex, she took it in her hands and swivelled it round so she could see the name, 'Bollinger' she read aloud. 'Bit expensive for you isn't it?'

'Are you coming for a drink then, Bolly?' Gene spoke urgently. 'It's just that there's more alcohol down stairs with my name on it, and it's getting warm!'

Alex chuckled to herself and enjoyed a rare smile. 'I'll meet you down there.' She said softly.

Gene turned to go back down to the pub, whilst Alex took one last look in the mirror, putting on her jacket. She was ready. She moved swiftly out of the door following Gene and closed it again behind her.