AUTHOR'S NOTE: I've returned from my internet free vacation at my grandparent's home. I am overjoyed to finally be able to go online again! So, as promised, here's chapter 23! Enjoy!

CHAPTER 23:

"Wh-Who are you?" Emmy asked, attempting to hide the worry in her voice.

The figure let out more laughter, emitting another chill over Emmy.

"You will find out soon enough, dearie." The hooded man spoke coolly.

Emmy shot an outraged glance at Rowland, who stood emotionless. "When will we begin our plans?" She asked.

The figure stepped closer to the light, allowing Emmy sight of his mouth. "Soon. Very soon." he let out more laughter, this time annoying Emmy.

"Can you do anything other than laugh like an insane person?" Emmy snapped.

The man smiled again. "Oh, but you see, every believes me to be insane. Shouldn't I have the laugh to match?" he laughed again as if proving his point.

Emmy rolled her eyes. "What are you planning? And what do you want me for?"

The man sighed. "Always with the questions. They will all be answered soon enough."

"But-"

"Enough questions!" The man yelled.

Emmy closed her mouth, but continued to send deadly glares to the others in the room. She was officially ticked off. how couldn't she see through Inspector Rowland? She did feel like something was off with the woman, but chose to ignore it. How could she have been so blind?

The hooded man suddenly smirked, clapping his hands. Several men walked into the room. Emmy didn't recognize many of them, but couldn't suppress a small snicker as she spotted Jonathan, nose bandaged from their fight.

"Boys." The figure began. "Take our guest to her quarters." He added extra emphasis on "guest".

Seven men advanced on Emmy. She fought her best, but the group was determined to keep her where she was. With her arms pinned behind her back by two, and the other five surrounding her, Emmy had no choice but to follow the men's lead. They bound her hands and feet, making it extremely hard to move.

"Have a nice stay." Jonathan smiled evilly, amused at Emmy's struggles.

Emmy turned her head, sending a threatening gaze at Jonathan, before she was forced to look forward. She was dragged down even further underground, down many old flights of stairs.

Emmy stuck her feet in front of her, hoping to slow her captors down. This only angered them, as they finally lifted her feet and carried her down the dark passage, the only light coming from a torch.

"So." Emmy began several minutes later. "Any idea what the boss is planning?"

"He never said." One spoke.

"Really? He had to have said something." Emmy stated.

"No. He hasn't."

Emmy thought for a moment. "Why do you follow someone who doesn't even let you know what's going on?"

"Hush up!" Another man yelled.

Emmy frowned. "Do you honestly trust that guy? He wears a hood for goodness sake! He has serious wardrobe issues!"

"Shut it, missy!"

Emmy looked displeased. "But, honestly, how do you know he won't do something drastic that puts you all in harm's way? What if he-"

A man to Emmy's right pulled out a cloth and roughly shoved it in her mouth. "That ought 'a keep ya quiet."

Emmy sighed. 'So much for the direct approach.' She thought.

They finally reached the bottom of the passage, much to Emmy's disgust. She could hear keys jingling, she couldn't tell from who. A door in front of them opened, and Emmy soon found herself slamming against the damp floor. She caught a glimpse of the light one last time, before the door shut, plunging her into darkness.

Layton, Luke, Flora, and Nalah were roaming the castle in search of any sign of Emmy.

"This is really creepy." Flora stated uneasily.

Luke held her hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, Flora. It's only an old castle. I've been in several of them. They aren't so bad."

Flora smiled. "If you say so, Luke."

Nalah shivered. "Were they always this cold?"

Layton stopped suddenly. "Do you hear something?"

Luke and Flora both stopped and glanced around, leaving Nalah to continue to complain about the cold.

Luke pointed to a door to the left of the professor, and slowly walked to it, still holding Flora's hand. Nalah silenced herself and followed suit.

Layton, having walked ahead of them, nodded ready to the group, and pulled the door open.

"What is that?" Nalah asked.

Inside was definitely modern. A large machine stood in the middle of the room, currently dormant, but appeared to have been used recently. The machine made its way to the ceiling and appeared to go through it.

"That's odd." Layton mumbled.

"Hey, Flora. Look at this!" Luke held a silver pocket watch. He grabbed the chain on which it hung, and slowly swung it back and forth.

"You are getting sleeeeeeeeepy. Very, very sleeeeeeepy."

Flora giggled and played along, drooping her eyes for effect. "Oh, yes." She feigned a yawn. "I think I'll take a nap now."

Nalah burst into a laugh, soon followed by the other two. "You would make an amazing hypnotist, Luke."

"Hey, I found another one." Flora picked up a watch, identical to Luke's.

"Me too." Nalah held one up as well.

They turned and found about five more in a case.

Layton joined them and was soon lost in thought. "Why would someone have a pile of watches in here? I wonder..." Layton trailed off.

"Professor?" Luke asked.

Layton looked up. "We need to continue our search for Emmy. This room may have given a vital clue to the mystery though."

Layton walked out of the room, followed by the three children.

They continued their search through the castle, being quite thorough in the process. They were beginning to lose hope, when suddenly they heard a voice.

"Bring...we need...the...ceremony," was all Layton could make out.

"What ceremony?" Luke whispered, having heard the same as the professor.

"I heard them say 'her'." Flora added.

"Is the 'her' Emmy?" Nalah asked.

"Lets get closer, professor." Luke began walking towards the direction of the voice, just when the same voice began talking again.

"Ah, Miss Altava. Welcome back."

Luke stopped in his tracks, causing Flora, who had been right behind, to bump into him.

Upon hearing Emmy's name, Layton ran ahead. Luke, Flora, and Nalah nodded at each other, and followed in persuit.

"We're coming Emmy."

More men guided Emmy back into the room with the hooded man, whom she still had no idea what his name was.

The man smiled. "You look very nice. She will be most pleased."

Emmy was currently wearing a white, flowing dress, one that Rowland forced her to wear, saying it was a requirement. The dress had flowing sleeves, making Emmy's wrists itch, and reached her feet, causing it to drag behind her in an uncomfortable manner.

"Was the dress necessary?" Emmy asked through gritted teeth.

The man didn't answer, but let another laugh slip through his lips.

"Are we ready?" the man asked, turning to face Rowland, who nodded.

He smiled, and slowly removed his hood. "I, Philip Henderson, a mere, humble servant, shall bring her back."

"Her?" Emmy questioned.

Philip turned to Emmy, showing his face for the first time. He had dark brown eyes, almost black and shaggy hair that matched. His mouth still possessed the same, evil grin.

"Yes, dearie. 'Her.' Haven't you heard?" he asked.

Emmy stared blankly at him, obviously confused.

Philip laughed. "You will see soon enough."

He turned to the men surrounding Emmy. "Bring her forward."

The men obeyed, dragging her to a circle in the middle of the room, ignoring her threats of how she would rearrange their faces if they didn't let go.

Philip released more evil laughter, rattling through the room. "Let us begin."