I wrote this fic because I wanted to explore Athena's past, in particular, the seven years between the UR-1 Incident and the beginning of Dual Destinies (Case 2). In the DLC episode, Athena mentions that Phoenix 'helps her out of a difficult jam' and that's how she first met him in Europe. This fic is based on those events.

Disclaimer: Ace Attorney and all recognisable characters belong to Capcom.

Direction

Chapter 1: Lost

I had no idea what part of town I was in. But it was pouring with rain and I had to find shelter. I zipped up my jacket over my hoodie and sprinted along the sidewalk. I was grateful that the street lights were on, illuminating my path in the darkness.

Thankfully, I soon noticed a place that appeared run down and abandoned. It was the best I could make out of this situation. The rain was starting to get heavier and I could catch a cold if I stayed out any longer. I jogged up to the entrance and twisted the knob, hearing the door click open. I was relieved and just let myself inside.

Shutting the door behind me, I took off my wet jacket and pulled down my hood, allowing my reddish orange hair to pop free. I could barely see anything in the darkness, except there was a counter to my right, with a till on top of it.

Then it hit me. Was I in a shop? Was I not supposed to be in here? Well, it was too late now, I'm already inside. Plus the rain was beginning to pelt the asphalt. It would be crazy to search for another building to take cover in.

I decided I better get comfortable, so I checked out the area behind the counter. I lifted the flap to access the space, and noticed a little corner I could sit and watch the rain droplets slide down the window. I placed my jacket on top of the counter, above my seat, straightening it so that the water oozing off it doesn't eventually fall off the counter and onto me.

Once that was done, I was able to sit down in my little corner and distract myself with the sounds of the environment around me. It was very therapeutic and I felt more relaxed knowing that I was safe inside.

Although, I was outside of the house and I really shouldn't let my guard down. I snuck out because I had a nightmare and needed to get some fresh air. Then it soon turned into an adventure to explore new areas of town I haven't been to. I mostly spend time at home or school, so seeing new places only happened every now and again. But at least it happened more often than the country of my birth, America.

I've lived in England for almost three years now since that incident, but yet I felt like I know the country more than America. Then again, I was practically confined to three places there. The weather here though, could use an improvement. It was supposed to be summer here, yet there have been a lot of downpours this week alone.

After the rain passes, I planned to head home. It was very late and I should be in bed. I also don't want my uncle and aunt to discover that I'm not in my bedroom if they so happen to check it in the morning.

But part of me was questioning the thought of going back home. All I was doing was spending time with relatives I never knew of before I moved here and getting genius level grades at school. It felt like nothing was getting me closer to my goal, to prove Simon innocent of murdering my mother. And if he was a death row prisoner, I don't want to waste my time doing things that wouldn't contribute to that goal.

I shouldn't have these thoughts, especially in an unknown place. I just need a distraction. Something to keep me preoccupied until the rain stopped. I reached into my hoodie and quickly found the familiar shape of my electronic necklace, Widget. I pulled it out, noticing that its face was neutral. It was good to know since it reads my feelings, especially when I'm unsure what I would be feeling in certain situations.

Over the last year, I discovered that Widget was capable of being able to read another person's feelings too, provided that I change its mode and use my unique glove to activate it. Although, there was nobody around to use the new mode on.

But there was nothing better to do, and it'll keep my mind off my nightmares. I raised my right hand, the one wearing the special glove, and drew a circle with two of my fingers. Widget projected a holographic screen before me, loading up the program. Hopefully with some tinkering I could find something new on Widget.

After an hour, the rain had stopped. I was relieved, glad I wouldn't spend the night here. I shut off Widget with a click of my fingers and tucked the device back into my hoodie. I had to head home right away. I've been out for too long and it was incredibly late.

I leapt to my feet, grabbing my jacket and putting it on while rushing out of the place. I pulled the hood over my head, before opening the door to the cold outside air. The puddles on the road reflected the light of the street lamps, making it obvious that the rain made any surface a bit more slippery. Still, I should be able to sprint. The faster I get home the sooner I could get back to sleep.

I began running in the direction I came from. It was best to retrace my steps back home, so I don't get even more lost. I was running a little bit slower than what I was capable of. It was mainly to conserve energy so I could cover as much distance as I could without getting exhausted too quickly. Hopefully, I would arrive back home in half an hour and sneak into my bedroom without my family noticing I was gone.

"Freeze!"

My heart began racing. Who else was there out in the dead of the night? I slowed up and turned my head.

Oh crap.

"Put your hands behind your head!"

I sighed. I had no choice. I was athletic, but I couldn't possibly outrun a policeman. I soon came to a complete stop, doing as the cop instructed me to do. The palms of my hands were covering my ears and my fingers reached behind my head.

I could hear the officer's footsteps getting louder, but they had been slowed. He could see that I had surrendered and was in no rush to approach me. I wish I wasn't here. I felt so uncomfortable. But there was absolutely nothing I could do about it.

The officer came into my line of vision. I felt tiny compared to him, which didn't help my growing anxiety over the situation. Then he began patting me down. Part of me was grateful that he was in front of me, so I could see where he put his hands. The other part was still recovering from the shock of being stopped by a policeman.

He quickly finished his pat down of my body, finding nothing suspicious. The cop then moved behind me, and that sent a shiver down my spine. Was he seriously going to arrest me? And on what grounds? My fingers clenched on the back my hood tightly, scared of what could possibly happen in the next couple of seconds.

My fears were confirmed. The cop grabbed one of my wrists, put it behind my back and slapped the cuffs on.

While dealing with my other hand, he stated, "You're under arrest on the suspicion of breaking and entering and attempting to shoplift. You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention something when questioned which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence."

I almost felt the cuffs digging into my skin once he finished his sentence. Maybe I deserved it for sneaking out. I was about to say something, until I remembered that my words meant nothing.

The law wouldn't listen to me when I tried to defend Simon. Why should they listen to me now? Why should they listen to somebody who can't give a clear and concise explanation? Why should they listen to a useless teenager? Nothing I say would make a difference.

The policeman then pulled down my hood, exposing my face. I couldn't let him see what I was really feeling. My sadness and fear was bubbling up inside, almost at breaking point. I felt so vulnerable.

"We're heading to the car. Don't try anything funny."

I nodded as he placed his hand at the centre of my back, escorting me to his parked patrol car. What was going to happen to me? Was I heading straight to prison? Would a criminal record prevent me from returning to America to save Simon?

No matter how I put it, there was no light at the end of the tunnel.