LTVS: A Fork in the Road

*Do not read beyond **this point** if you want to avoid being **spoiled!***

***Layla the Vampire Slayer* episode**

RandomTuesday

Bentham

Ft. Twitch Chat as Chorus

*"EVERYONE SHUT UP! I'm useless out here, and I hurt you all, and now you're all arguing, and I think Janet might be in trouble, or dead, or a vampire, or whatever, and I just wanna go home and fix things!"* - Robert Davidson

**A Fork in the Road** is the fortieth episode of Layla the Vampire Slayer and the eighteenth episode of Season 2.

## Synopsis

Among the piles of gold and gems there's a wooden cup, but the team pay it no mind as they continue the fight against the crystal golem. The crystal golem guardian tries to body-slam Layla Smith. She tries to jump off, but fails to get off in time and her leg is trapped. Since it currently weighs less, Layla is less hurt by this. Imogen Parker, off to the side is somewhat disappointed. Layla goes to stand over it and stabs at its neck, but as it isn't braced, he takes minor damage. Robert Davidson, devoid of his superscience weaponry, gets closer to the golem and tries to be helpful. Imogen is a bit of an ass and tells Barnaby, Robert and Violet that Imogen has got this and doesn't need their help. Layla debates this. Violet does the same as Rob. Imogen conjures an illusion of popcorn and pretends to eat it. Barnaby grapples the golem, which is cool to the touch. The golem tries to stand up despite Barnaby's efforts and it fails to elbow Barnaby.

Layla tries to climb up the golem, but it palms her away. Robert tries and fails to get Imogen to join the fight. Imogen agrees to giving Barnaby some help and tries to use telekinesis to give him Layla's other dagger. Violet is very useful. Barnaby grabs the dagger floating in front of him and stabs the golem in the back of the head. He looks at the scratching in the golem's head and wonders what the instructions say. The golem doesn't like Barnaby and tries to squish him. He flips over the golem and ends up on its chest, still grappling it. Layla grapples its neck and slices at it. She puts in a massive amount of force on it with both hands, until the entire head snaps off. The golem becomes inanimate.

The mote of light appears to be still stuck in its chest. Layla tells Barnaby they need to get into its chest. After 15 minutes, they whittle the golem's corpse into a more managable chunk. As he helps Layla with the job, he tells her that it would have been bad if she came to fight it herself, and in the process got her head caved in, and that would have been rather sad. Imogen remarks that only some of them would have felt that and goes and examines the instructions in the golem's head. It's related to Sumerian and Egyptian, something around 1500-0 BC. Imogen tries to copy the symbols; some of the symbols she recognises as "protect" and "prevent access". It is almost certainly made with magic. Imogen asks whether Robert can see the spear, and he can't. Imogen figures it's probably something to do with destiny or fate. Everybody but Layla and Robert knows that it's the Spear of Destiny, also known as the Lance of Longinus. Layla and Robert are unsure, but have heard of it. Imogen criticises Layla for making a deal with demons and the merit of handing the spear over to Greed.

Barnaby asks about the spear's potency, and Layla says she'll have to deal with Greed at some point. Robert says she should probably hand the spear over, because of the contract signed in blood. Imogen asks Layla who's going to cast the re-insouling spell Layla seems intent on casting. Layla says that she originally intended it to be "we", but she'll find others if needed. She states that originally she did want their help, just not in this manner. Imogen asks who got injured in the first place, and Layla gets the soul, spear and daggers, and helps Rob up. Layla says that Imogen wasn't helpful in the fight. The argument escalates, with Imogen asking why making Charity pay for her crimes by re-insouling her is alright, but not for Mr. Miller. The boys try to stop the argument over Mr. Miller's death to no avail. Finally Robert explodes, silencing them with an order to shut up, asking to go home. Layla asks what happened to Janet. Robert struggles with Janet's situation and hearing the dead. Imogen and Layla reignite their argument and Imogen accuses Layla of being in metaphorical bed with D'Hoffryn, Leader of the Vengeance Demons. Robert tries to grab the soul and leave, but Layla won't budge.

Dejected, Robert tries to leave, but the entrance has gone. Instead, another entrance has appeared somewhere else, and seems to go straight up at an angle. Robert goes up and Layla follows him, recommending that nobody else touch anything. She looks pointedly at Violet and Imogen. Barnaby grabs the golem head, but Layla orders him to put it down. Violet points out that they are also taking the golem's heart with them, but they are not certain about that. Barnaby tries to leave, but Layla blocks him. Layla asks whether it's cursed, and Barnaby points out that the core probably is too in that case. The mention of a curse makes Layla complain that her life expectancy is lower than theirs due to the "curse" of being a Slayer. Barnaby is insistent on grabbing the head, and Layla drops what she's carrying to take the golem head from him. Barnaby snaps that he's leaving. Layla takes a deep sigh and takes everything.

Violet asks Layla whether they can have a chat. Violet says she doesn't understand "human stuff", but understands how Layla's attempting to protect Imogen. Violet skittily says it's stupid regardless, as it'll harm her more than help. Violet tells Layla that Imogen made the choice of helping, that it's her choice and she knew the risks. Layla still feels that others will use them as a weakness. Violet mentions that when they were with Ra, she and Imogen talked a lot in private. She mentions that Imogen's quite insecure, and built herself thanks to Layla. Violet is concerned that Imogen will go off the deep end. Layla suggests that Imogen should try and be more confident in herself and not rely on others for their happiness. Violet suggests Layla tell her this. Layla suggests that they were going to do this when Violet turned them into rabbits. Violet disagrees. Violet gives in a goes to leave. Layla says she appreciates what Violet's trying to do, but feels like the world is at stake. She admits that she's afraid, and doesn't want to bring anyone down with her. She starts to tear up.

Violet offers Layla a tissue and mentions that for 150 years she was the "patron saint of people who were being ignored". She says that both Imogen and Layla feel like they're lost and alone. Layla says that on the contrary, she is not lost and has found her purpose. That involves not having friends, nor at least not having friends in the "normal" way. Violet mentions that every Slayer she knows of died before 30 due to a lack of assistance and friends. Violet points out that "Team Useless Idiots" did beat a vengeance demon on their own. Violet tries to tell Layla that they can do amazing things. Layla disagrees and says they can help in another way. Layla says she should have figured they were coming after her, as they're as stubborn as she is. Violet says that's why they're well-matched for eachother. Violet suggests Layla join them in Barnaby's car. Layla thinks the others wouldn't like that and that she needs some time to think. After Violet leaves, Layla bursts into tears.

Robert's outside in the car with Barnaby's phone staring at it. After a while, he turns on the car and tunes into static on the radio. He only hears static. The sand is shifting outside and the wind picks up. Imogen waits for Barnaby in the passageway, and asks Barnaby what happened. He tells her about the golem head. Imogen remarks that Layla's special, and she gets to take things others can't. She yells for Violet. They come straight out of the chamber through the passageway back into the depression. They are hit by sand as they get to the car, and Imogen puts a telekinetic bubble around herself. Violet skips forwards and joins them not long later. She jumps in the car and asks if she can talk to Imogen. Imogen says not right now, and suggests they leave now. Barnaby decides to wait for Layla, despite Imogen's protests. Violet goes to check on Layla. At this point the sandstorm has intensified to heavily lower visibility. Imogen tries to stop Violet from leaving, and the ex-vengeance demon kits up in sandstorm-appropriate gear.

Imogen asks why Violet cares about Layla; she says she doesn't, and asks Imogen why she pretends not to. Imogen says she's not pretending anymore. Imogen and Barnaby think they hear of an engine being switched on and driven away over the sound of the storm. Imogen swears at Violet and tells Barnaby to drive. Barnaby insists that they can't leave Layla behind, and Imogen tries to use telekinesis to force Barnaby to drive. Barnaby asks whether she knows how to drive (she doesn't), and he puts the handbrake down and stamps on the footbrake. Layla emerges out of the passages and runs into Violet, who invites her to ride with them. Layla says she's got a car. Violet says that they'll wait for her to be away before leaving, then hurries away. Layla is suspicious of Violet and goes to where her car was. It isn't there. Layla swears at Violet and goes to the other car, where the others are ignoring Violet. Layla knocks on the door and Barnaby eventually opens it for her. Layla asks to get in and eventually Barnaby lets her in.

They head back in painfully awkward and quiet silence in the sandstorm. The visibility gets so slow that they have no idea where they are. There's a sound and the car tips ten degrees forward. Layla goes out to check with some of the equipment Barnaby gives her. She notices that the car's front wheels have gone over the edge of a 3 m deep gully. She tries to lift it back, but not enough. Barnaby asks what's going on and she lets him know. Barnaby asks whether she needs a hand and she says yes. He puts the car in neutral, says to put what Layla said on the record, and gets out. Imogen gets out. Robert puts his knees into his chest and says he wants to go home. Violet leans over and hugs him. She tries to apologise for the "dead people thing" and to reassure him. Violet asks Robert to not be mad and to tell the group that she set up a surveillance rune in the Davidsons' house in Little Rosewater after Charity got Mr. Davidson to attack Robert and Barnaby. A desperate Robert asks to see it, and he agrees hastily to not tell the others to make sure everyone's okay.

She hands him a block of clay with a stylised eye, and Robert's vision becomes that of a fisheye lens looking from under one of the bannisters on the stairs in the Davidsons' house. He can look into the living room and see Janet and his father. Janet's sitting on the sofa; there are plates, a hammer and nails, boards, a fire axe. George walks around checking on the front door. He says something to Janet, but Robert can only make out something about a front door. There are no overt signs of vampirism, and Robert notices that the boards on the table are part of the front door, particularly around the lock. It looks like it was hit with an edged weapon, perhaps an axe. There are a couple of bottles of water around, like someone's provisioning. Robert relaxes somewhat and tells Violet they seem to be okay, but they're hiding, probably from Charity. They need to hurry back. Violet asks whether they cast the disinvite spell. Robert's not sure, but Imogen did it (offscreen).

Outside, Layla, Barnaby and Imogen figure out what to do with the humvee. Layla and Barnaby will lift the car physically while Imogen helps with telekinesis. The physical shoving lifts the car far enough for Violet to get in the driver's seat and back the car up without incident. Barnaby asks Violet to get out of the car, saying he's got the better track record. She'd like him to take them around a track. He says that's for when they get home. Violet tries to say that it was really good teamwork, but Barnaby indicates for her to be quiet. Imogen threatens Violet should she ever find out that she caused the storm. Violet asks if she's hungry and lays down a packet of crisps near her. Imogen "pretends" to sleep.

Barnaby waits for half an hour for the sandstorm to abate. It does considerably, and they set off again. They make good process back to some landmarks they recognise until it's dark. Imogen and Barnaby are tired, but Robert is anxious to keep going. Violet is eager to drive, and Layla agrees to navigate while she drives. Barnaby tries to explain to Violet how to drive. They get really into it and Violet tries to drift (badly) before Layla tells her off. Robert pretends he's asleep, but Violet hasn't taken the surveillance runed clay and he closes his eyes, but is looking through the rune. He notices that George is patrolling. When it gets dark, Janet switches with George. As they do so, they both undress and dress, causing Robert to take his hand off the rune in each instance. George is under the blanket, possibly pretending to be asleep. Robert eventually falls asleep. When Barnaby wakes up, he seems to be in his living room. He calls for his dad, and doesn't realise he's viewing through a rune. The others can hear him shift his head around and calling for his dad. Robert tries to find the bit of clay while Imogen and Layla try to convince him he's in the car.

Violet tells Robert Barnaby's probably touching "it", but Robert can't find it. She's asked what Barnaby's touching, and Violet says that Barnaby's touching himself and is a "sex fiend". Barnaby can see Janet with a bowl of porridge and his father. Violet says she knows how to stop it, stops the car and places her hand on Barnaby's shoulder. Violet says she's waking him up and kisses him, touching his arse. After a bit, to Imogen's commentary, Barnaby's vision returns. Layla and Imogen say it's not okay, Violet agrees, takes her stuff and sits in the driver's seat again. Barnaby says it's fine and asks what was going on. Violet says that Barnaby's psychic. Layla and Imogen don't buy it and asks what she did together. The clay drops to the ground out of her hands, and Layla grabs it. As she grabs it, her vision becomes that of the rune.

Imogen and Barnaby ask why she made another one, and how it got down Barnaby's rear. Violet says that Rob dropped it and wasn't meant to let them know. Rob admits he had it, and says to Violet that he'll handle it. He quietly tells them that Janet and George appear to be safe in the house. Layla wraps the clay in some cloth and gives it back to him. He does a quick check. Layla gives Barnaby and Imogen a look to let him have it. Imogen tells Violet to ask next time. Violet said she was afraid they'd say no. Barnaby tries to explain permission to Violet, though he admits that it was an accidental benefit in this time. Layla realises that there was no reason for her to kiss Barnaby. She starts to talk to Violet about consent again, and Barnaby orders Violet out of the driver's seat. They head back to Tunis, and return the humvee. They pointedly ignore the place Layla hired the car from. Violet mentions she only drove Layla's car 10 m away. Violet suggests they just not tell them about the car, and Barnaby, Robert and Imogen agree for varying reasons. Violet mentions they did rent a car to someone without a driving license. Layla keeps the papers and decides to try and pay the car off.

They get on the flight and return home. Layla tries to sleep, as does Imogen. Barnaby sits between Imogen and Robert and tries to nudge her awake. He says they need to talk, and she refuses to. Barnaby says that they'll Layla get away with it. Imogen gets up and says she can't care anymore, or she'll get hurt. She says she'll help take out Layla and that will be it. She'll then go to Oxbridge, study and Layla can go and die at a young age. Imogen prepares to sleep again, but Robert says it isn't about what she wants, Barnaby says what Layla wants is stupid. Imogen says she deserves it. Barnaby explains that the point of friendship is to help a friend when they're being stupid and to stop them from doing stupid things in the future. Imogen agrees to stop Layla from doing something really stupid and that will be that. Barnaby thinks it would be cool if Imogen gets into Oxbridge. Imogen thinks Layla would be poor for her prospects. A flight attendant comes up and offers warm towels, and Barnaby takes one. Imogen says that Layla's right, and she won't have a future if she stays with Layla. She'll strive to get what she had previously wanted.

Barnaby says that Imogen can't deny that she's changed, and for the better, because of Layla. Barnaby says that one can't throw their toys out of the pram when things get difficult. Imogen asks whether Barnaby knows why she learnt magic. Barnaby says it's because she needed to study. Imogen agrees, and says that she's on a scholarship. Imogen says that if she fails, she can't stay, and she can't be hear next year anyway. For her, magic is a tool, and she'll keep using. Barnaby is sick of people going lone wolf, and insists they have to do it together. He's prepared to sound like a broken record for as long as it takes. Imogen says he can't fix everything, and gets so exasperated at his stubbornness that she climbs over the Davidsons to try and sit somewhere else. Rob mumbles that it's all his fault. Barnaby hugs him and reassures him. Robert is insistent that it was still him, and Wrath was feeding off that. Barnaby accepts Robert's culpability, but states that Robert only got involved because they were being bad friends to him. He'll force the others to sit down if necessary. The brothers hug.

Layla and Violet are sitting together. Layla heard everything, and feels rather bad. Violet attempts (badly) to be a therapist, using a book. Layla fails to pretend that she didn't hear everything. Violet mentions that back when she was spying on them, Layla's nose twiches when she sleeps. Layla tries to pretend that she doesn't care to Violet and orders her not to use magic on her. Violet says she wasn't going to, and tries to walk Layla through her feelings. Layla agrees with Imogen that she's keeping Imogen away from her studies. Violet tries to get Layla to talk to Imogen, and Layla accepts, though won't do it until the time is right. Violet decides to let Layla sleep and says she's going to pester Barnaby and Rob "because they're hugging and it looks really cute". Violet is actually kind of excited about being on a plane. She clambers over the Davidsons, still hugging, and gets in the window seat. She tries to conspire with them about the talk with Imogen. They're not too receptive to her. Violet tries to imply something about Imogen and break-up sex, but Barnaby isn't interested and pretends to sleep. They pointedly ignore her and try to sleep.

When they land, all of them but Rob hear the pilot announce the start of the landing procedure. Instead he hears Julian Carroway ("I sat next to you in maths"), who was killed as a result of Horus Grant's machinations. He thanks Rob for helping solve the case. Rob whispers that he's welcome. Before he finishes, Julian tells Rob that it took him long enough to get together with Janet. Barnaby looks at Rob, and Robert explains he heard Julian. Barnaby says that it proves that Rob did good with the Valentine's Day situation. Rob processes this. When they lend, Rob immediately calls home. His father picks up and he asks what's going on. George explains that they're alright, but some physical force is stopping him and Janet from leaving the house. He chopped the door down, but still couldn't get out. Rob tells them they're on the way. George tells him that Janet's researching it.

Imogen, in the background, yells at Robert to talk to Janet. Rob asks about what happened a couple of days before. George says they tried to contact them, as Charity tried to force her way into the house but ended up running ineffectually into an invisible barrier. George suggests Robert talk to Janet and calls her over. Janet answers the phone, tells him they're trapped in his house and all his dad knows to make are sandwiches and porridge. She says she's alright, and it was a bit scary when Charity tried to break in. She apologises for making him worry, and he apologises for leaving her alone. He says he shouldn't leave her alone again in such conditions. Janet says she's survived 17 years already, she should be able to handle it. Janet says that Layla told her about the tracking device, and for a moment she considered hunting Charity, but she's not that stupid. Robert is surprised and happy. Janet asks whether he thought she was stupid enough to do that, and Robert explains that he's had some bad influences on that regard. Janet asks about Imogen and Layla and he can't really answer. They eventually end the call.

They get off the plane, go to baggage and check they've gotten everything. They leave, and at arrivals they see Ra, with gold eyes and tie, a goatee, and wearing a suit and flat cap. He's carrying a sign that says "Layla". They walk to him and he asks how the trip was. She tells him they've got what he wanted. He says he made sure that everything she wanted protected was. He explains that there was an unfortunate admin error and Ned was transferred to a different ward under a different name. Layla asks why he let her friends follow her. Ra explains that they would have done anything to follow her, and that the safest place to be was to be with her, and that she's pretty good at protecting her friends. Furthermore, he made an investment in her and they're helpful at helping her. He says that there are plenty of Slayers who have done worse and remarks that he should have brought them a cake.

She throws a case with the spear and the items she loaned from him at Ra. He catches it. Robert asks him what the spear does. He's cagey, and Layla tells Rob not to bother. Greed says that when the time is right, he'll find out. Otherwise, being as persistent as he is, he'll find out himself. Barnaby figures that, as the Spear of Destiny, Robert can't see it. He tells Rob he knows where to find a book on it. Rob wonders what will happen if he touches it. The image of Ra flickers, and then a person looking exactly the same picks up the case. Robert asks whether that was a decoy in the event they tried to kill him. Ra calls him pretty clever; Layla asks why they'd do it in the middle of an airport. He says they do some rather crazy things, and says he's got them a car. He offers them a stretch limo. He agrees to extend the protection of Layla's friends until they reach Little Rosewater. He tells them to not be worried about the driver, who has a skin condition. He wishes them good luck with the golem crystal. Imogen thanks him.

"Out of the generosity of [his] own heart", Ra says that he altered the school records to show that they were out for a good reason. He declares the contract complete and wishes them a good day before leaving. A shiver runs down Layla's spine, and she hurries to leave. Robert figures that Ra made the shield around the Davidsons' house. He explains what George told them. Robert insists they re-insoul Charity as soon as possible. The driver offers to help them load the baggage into the car. His skin is a mottled green, like leathery hide or scales. He has two sets of eyelids. He seems familiar. Barnaby suggests they do the ritual in the car. They need a photo of Charity, and Rob can get one from his laptop once he charges it up. The driver indicates the location of a power charging point, ritual supplies and a complimentary bottle of bubbly. They get in the limo, which has TVs inset into the walls and has a plush interior, with trays below the seats.

Imogen says that if they want to do it, then do it now (in the 1-2 hours back to Little Rosewater). Layla says that the human part of Charity (Katherine Winters) will take over immediately. Barnaby thinks Katherine was a relatively normal student until the Slayer thing happened. She'll stay a vampire, which is a concern. Layla thinks she needs to find her afterwards, and she lost the laptop Ra gave her. Rob reminds them that Janet has access to the tracker too. Barnaby says to Layla, saying that Imogen will probably attest to it, that revenge on Katherine Winters is not the same as revenge on Charity. She says she didn't say it was, and just needs answers from her. Imogen states that this will hurt her. Layla thinks it'll hurt Charity more. Imogen doesn't think that's true. Robert interrupts and asks where a human's soul go when they become a vampire. He asks the driver to turn on the radio and turn on static for a while. Some of them hear slight mewing from below one of the seats. Barnaby opens the seat and sees six or seven kittens packed together. He lets them out into the limo. She pets a black kitten and it does cute stuff. She says she's keeping this one, and that it'll get on with John.

Robert thinks hard and tries to call out to Katherine Winters, asking if she's there. There's no response. He asks if anyone's there, and there's no response. He tells the driver to play something else. Robert explains that he can talk to the dead, and Imogen remarks that he, no any of them, have spoken to her. Barnaby says she could be anywhere; Imogen says she could be happy where she is, and would be forced into a body that's also consumed by Lust, in addition to being a vampire. Robert says that otherwise she'll keep killing people. Layla says it'll be easier this way, Imogen critically brings up the example of Mr. Miller. She says the only reason she did it was to make him suffer, and that Layla explained that it was the wrong thing to do. She tries to point out Layla's hypocrisy. Layla maintains that Katherine could have useful information that they need. Imogen questions whether making her suffer is worth that. Layla maintains that it will help everyone - the entire world - if they can get the information out of her.

Imogen insists that Charity won't get a third time at trying to kill her. Barnaby quietly voices his disagreement with making Katherine (inadvertently) suffer. Violet butts in and tries to imply that Layla's telling Imogen that she doesn't want her to be hurt. She asks not to be hit. Imogen says that if Layla thinks that her safety is more important, then what Katherine would endure doesn't matter, and they should do the spell. Imogen suggests they plan to fight Charity instead of blundering into her, pointing out the advantage of the tracker. She doesn't think they should be asking for the information she has. Layla agrees to sit on to think about another plan. The conversation turns to another argument between Layla and Imogen, and the former tells Violet to shut up for once. Layla thinks Imogen's disagreeing for the sake of it, and Imogen says that she just agreed to Layla's plan. Barnaby speaks up and orders the two to apologise to Rob, who is surprised.

Barnaby tells them to apologise for Rob for neglecting him enough to make him turn into a demon. Imogen protests that she wasn't in this dimension, Layla says that she was busy with Janet. Amidst the drama Layla does give Rob a hug and tells him that she didn't want it to be this way, but they all care about him. She thanks him for everything he does. Robert apologises for what he did, and Imogen says it wasn't his fault, and says she's done much more that clearly was her fault. Rob contends it was his fault. Layla tells him she understands feeling guilt. Imogen sees this as self-martyring and intrudes. Thie reignites the argument and Imogen asks to get out of the car; Layla tells the driver not to, but he eventually does. Layla tries to stop Imogen from getting off the car. Imogen demands to be let go of. Layla asks what she's going to do. Layla says Rob doesn't deserve this, and Imogen says she'll make her own way home. The driver pulls over in a lay-by.

Layla tells Imogen to not be a hypocrite. Imogen says that now Layla knows how it feels. Layla asks what. Imogen casts paralysis on Layla and leaves despite Robert's protests. Once it wears off Layla tries to follow Imogen. Before she does so she apologises to Rob, and says that Imogen would probably be sorry too. She says she doesn't know what Imogen's going through, and leaves. Imogen uses an SOS phone to get a lift to a bus station. Imogen sits by the side of the road and Layla sits next to her. There is an awkward silence for five minutes. Back in the limo, the driver says this is awkward. He recommends a guy who knows a guy who makes love potions, and the Davidsons decline the offer. He recommends they watch the cooking channel before closing up the screen. The brothers don't know what to do. Barnaby doesn't think they'll hurt each other; Violet questions the wisdom of this due to recent events. She says that Imogen might take up D'Hoffryn's offer. Rob asks whether she still wants to become a vengeance demon again. She says there are perks, but after a thoughtful look from Rob, she admits that she would miss them.

Rob asks how she became a vengeance demon in the first place. She pities him enough to tell him. In Victorian England, she was an orphan in a workhouse who eventually became a chimney-sweep. She was ignored and kept out of the way. She picked up magic skills and D'Hoffryn took interest. He offered her the ability to avenge those who were ignored and shunned by those around them. Robert says he doesn't want Imogen to become a vengeance demon. Violet says she was close last time. Barnaby concludes they have to go after them. Barnaby asks the driver, who tells them he's contracted till the end of the day or until they get to Little Rosewater and needs to take a leak anyway. Barnaby gets out and tries to keep the cats in. The driver asks if he can eat the cats, Barnaby says no; Robert says they play with their food. The lads stand outside the car and observe Imogen and Layla. Inside, the driver takes a leak.

Layla awkwardly kicks at some stones and starts to speak, but Imogen tells her she can't pick and choose. She can't get her to help with spells, but not allow her to fight demons. She gets all of her or nothing. Imogen says she can't get involved without the risk of being hurt. She says that Layla previously said that she's not allowed to help, and that she'd be an idiot to. Imogen says that Layla cannot stop her from doing what she wants to do, whether helping her or stopping a car. Layla says she can do whatever she wants, just wants to know that she's okay. Layla asks that if Imogen saw her helpless, then would she not want to do the same. Imogen says she did, in the past, but Layla talked her down. Imogen says that Layla could have talked to her, but left before she could. Imogen says that the first person she saw was Barnaby; Layla retorts that she was trying to keep Charity away. Imogen reiterates that Layla can't request help yet push it away.

Imogen says she's not disappointed, and knows she has been mad a lot, and is right now. She tells Layla she could have waited just a day to talk to them. Layla asks what if one day was all it took for one of them to get hurt. Imogen asks whether Layla knew what happened before she arrived at St. Thom Huell. Layla talks about how Imogen could study and get good grades, and Imogen thinks she needs to prove a point. She calls Rob over. She asks him the annual death rate at school, and the probability rate that each student might die. He tells Layla about 1 in 5 students never make it through their whole time at the school. Imogen says that without Layla, they'd probably be dead by now, and they'll help her keep Little Rosewater safe. She doesn't think she can or ever could have a normal life. Layla admits the same. Imogen consequently tells her not to be alone, and that they chose to be there. Layla says Imogen has no idea of what it was like seeing Imogen in that bed. Imogen says she has an idea, telling Layla she was in the room when James died. Layla weakly says that Imogen didn't like James as much.

Imogen says that Layla has a very strange way of showing affection. Layla says don't we all. Imogen calls her out on the method of breaking-up. Layla apologises, and says she doesn't want anybody to have a reason to go after Imogen. Imogen feels that sounds a bit too self-centred, as she's accepted being hurt. Layla hasn't, and accepts the selfishness of that. She says she can't accept a person she likes being in pain. Imogen says she will help with the spell, but that would be it. She'd wait for a ride back to Little Rosewater and get a new roommate. Layla says she understands. Layla sits there sniffling, and Imogen hands her a tissue.

Rob, Barnaby and Violet don't know what's going on. Violet hopes they're back together and pops the champagne. Barnaby grabs it and starts chugging. Violet drinks the rest after Robert declines. Soon enough the Highway Patrol car pops up and Imogen says "her car" has broken down up the road, and asks for a lift to the service station. She tells them her friends are going somewhere else. Imogen borrows a phone of the highway patrol to text Barnaby, and gets on with the cat. She says she's going to go home for a couple of days, and asks Rob to get her a new room. Rob says he will. Layla sits down and Violet offers her some napkins. Layla doesn't reply.