"Doomed all ye who set foot here," Robyn said out loud reading the sign that led towards the mountain pass.

Looking beyond the sign she could see the mountains rising high and threatening in the air. Their jagged faces stared at her while daring her to turn away. Part of her wanted to obey them, it wanted to her to take notice of the sign and go home but she couldn't. There was too much at stake, she had to carry on and ignore her impulses. Already there were two hours gone and she couldn't waste anymore. Time was moving on, she estimated that there was another four hours of daylight left and she wanted to be over the mountains before then. The thought of camping out on the barren expanse of rock frightened her.

Looking back at the sign she shook her head. Doom could wait, she was on a mission. Picking up her backpack she slung it over her shoulder before rolling her sleeves up and continuing on her way. The closer she came to the mountains the rougher the road got, wearing high heels hadn't been such a good idea but it was too late to change her shoes now. Stumbling a little she walked slowly up the pass and upwards through the mountains.

A cool breeze blew the higher up the mountains she hiked. As old as it was the pass was still clear and offered both the quickest and safest way across. This time of year it was unlikely for any bad weather to hit but she didn't like that small chance. Here she was a small, weak mortal tackling one of Mother Nature's biggest and oldest obstacles. Dwarfed by even the smallest boulder she was walking amongst giants. Every step she took led her one step closer to where she wanted to go but she felt like she wasn't moving at all. It seemed the closer she got to the end of the trail the more of it unfolded which made her become impatient.

As an afterthought she looked back, from this angle it looked like she'd come quite a long way but looking ahead of her again told her otherwise. Pulling a face she kicked a stone in annoyance. This was pointless, at this rate she'd never make it over the mountains into Crazytown. The stopping point was that there was no other way and once she'd reached Crazytown she still had to get to the other side of Greentown to the hospital. Doubt in herself began to form, she couldn't see herself making it in time. Despondent she sat on a rock and tried to fight her growing desire to turn back and go home.

"Can I help you?" A voice said from behind her making her jump.

Jumping up from the rock Robyn instinctively reached for her pepper spray, "Don't do that!"

"I'm sorry. You looked a little lost and I thought I could help you. If I were you I'd put the pepper spray down, I have mace."

"Why would a guy have mace?"

"I'm a police officer. Detective Christopher Miller, if you put the spray away you can call me Chris."

Smiling slightly Robyn pocketed the pepper spray, "I'm Robyn Rotten, and if you decide not to use the mace or arrest me for pulling pepper spray on you I'd be ok with you calling me Robyn."

Detective Miller's face took on a thoughtful expression, "I'm sure I've heard that name before. I must also say that you look awfully familiar."

"It's weird but you look familiar to me too. I'd appreciate any help you could give me and I guess we can solve the mystery as we go."

"Sure. Where are you headed?"

"Greentown but I have to get to Crazytown first. I've been walking for ages but never seem to get anywhere."

"I'm sure those boots don't help. As far as I know I have some spare hiking boots with me. Let me dig down in my rucksack and have a look."

Robyn nodded and watched Detective Miller take off his rucksack which was twice the size of her backpack. From what she could see he had a hell of a lot of stuff in it. He seemed to be digging down quite deep as both of his arms had disappeared and his head had almost vanished as well. To her surprise he threw something at her and looking at it she noticed it was his badge which proved who he was. This made her feel a little safer on the mountains and this guy obviously knew what he was doing.

As he searched through his backpack Detective Miller finally remembered how he knew Robyn. Memories came flooding back and so did the realisation that he was alive. It was a realisation that would have knocked him off his feet had he been standing but he didn't let it take over him. He was confused how Robyn didn't seem to recognise him but was sure that it would be sorted out soon. After two minutes of searching for the boots and almost disappearing into his rucksack he found them. Wrestling with his rucksack to get them out he smiled triumphantly as he handed them to her.

Sitting back down on the rock she'd sat on before Robyn unzipped her boots and put the other ones on. They were a little bit big but comfortable. Her slightly blistered feet relaxed into the boots and even though they didn't go with her outfit they were better than nothing. In exchange for the boots she handed Detective Miller his badge back and took a swig of her drink before standing up.

"These are really comfy, thanks." She smiled looking at the detective.

"You're welcome. If we're going to get to Crazytown before nightfall we better get moving. By the looks of those clouds there's a weather front coming up, something tells me I don't want to get stuck in that."

"I don't much fancy the idea either."

"Let's get going then." Detective Miller said lifting his rucksack back up and struggling slightly to get it back on his shoulders.

When Detective Miller was ready Robyn followed him. Walking in the right boots was a lot easier and she'd left the others behind. There would be no point taking them if she was going to disappear into her body in forty five hours. They'd also slow her down if she had to carry them in her backpack. If anyone came across them they'd be happy to find a free pair of boots. When she thought about it she didn't even like them anyway.

After fifty minutes walking the end of the trail came into view. There was still a way to go but it signalled the start of the descent into Crazytown. This lifted her spirits and made her steps a little lighter. Even with all of the delays she was making good time and her doubts about herself passed. She believed she would make it on time. She had to. There was no other choice or way.

Noticing that Robyn had been lagging behind a little Detective Miller took a chance and decided to walk backwards, "Tell me, what makes a girl like you walk all the way to Crazytown?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me."

Feeling a need to unload her thoughts on someone she proceeded to tell him everything that had happened so far that day. As outrageous as it all sounded he didn't seem to be surprised. The look on his face suggested that he'd expected this sort of explanation and it confused her. Once she'd told him her story she asked if he could tell her his.

As Robyn had scratched his back Detective Miller returned the favour and scratched hers by telling her of the Robyn he knew. He surmised that that had been the Robyn in the TV that the Robyn walking with him now had been talking to. Aware that if his instincts were right he could get in a lot of trouble he papered over the cracks instead of telling her about the Watchers and Judges. In his mind all of this seemed to elaborate to just be cooked up by a coma but a thought then came to him that the subconscious mind could be a very powerful thing.

"This is only a theory," he began to think out loud, "but perhaps you are a manifestation of everything that the other Robyn has denied herself and everything she fears. For example, you're a lot more spirited than her. She's by no means a coward but she's not violent. Pulling pepper spray on someone would be the last thing she'd do. Another example is that you say your father abandoned you; the other Robyn is terrified of losing her father again and him abandoning her. It's very interesting I must say."

"And I think all this has just gotten a whole lot more complicated."

"Since when was anything easy? Speaking of easy, look down here."

Robyn picked up her pace and stopped beside Detective Miller. Looking down she could see Crazytown and in the distance was Greentown. Taking a small rest after her long hike she allowed herself to admire the view. Crazytown looked brilliant from where she was and the sun was beginning to set casting an orangey glow over the town. Knowing that this would be the last time that she could ever see this view made her appreciate it even more. If she could she knew she had to try and persuade the other Robyn to come up here some time. She was sure that if she was part of the mind she'd have some say in what the body did.

Standing up she brushed herself down and followed Detective Miller down the trail. Going downhill was a lot worse than going uphill had been and several times she slipped on the loose shale. It wouldn't have been so bad if whenever she slipped she didn't land on her bottom which was starting to get sore. What was worse was the fact that the detective didn't seem to be slipping at all, he was as nimble on his feet as a mountain goat and she felt relieved that he didn't pin point her clumsiness.

Fifteen minutes later the two reached Crazytown, grateful for the detective's help Robyn hugged him. She hadn't thought that she'd make it without him. The sudden sound of sirens shocked her and she let go of the detective. Seconds later three police cars drove up and skidded to a halt quite close to where she was standing. Several officers poured out of the cars and each had guns trained on her. As an act of instinct she held her hands up.

One of the officers stepped round to her side of one of the police cars, "Robyn Rose Rotten, you are under arrest for the murder of Robbie Rotten."

Robyn looked at the police officer in complete and utter shock. She had no idea what was happening and when the words the officer had called to her sunk in they almost blew her away.

How could she have killed her own father?