Author's Note -
Welcome to my story, young readers. I am The Onyx Puzzler, and before you, you see a story of mystery and craze... One I have created of my own device... So sit down, and enjoy.
Planes.
Loud, noisy, quite possibly everything Elizabeth despised about travel. And this was only the start. After a grueling two-hour plane ride across the ocean, she needed to board a train for another few hours. A few brownish locks got in her face as she slouched over. Her job may have paid for her ticket, but they could care less about her comfort level in a tin can over who-knows-how-many gallons of water. It was terrible, and the Wright Brothers should be ashamed.
"E'scuse meh, miss?"
The voice was familiarly southern, something she'd been accustomed to, but probably wouldn't hear as much in London. Elizabeth turned her head to look at the chipper, southern flight attendant. With a tan and shimmering blonde hair, you wouldn't guess she was from the southern states. She looked more like a New Jersey girl.
"Would ya like somethin' to drink?"
Elizabeth shook her head and the nice attendant's heels clicked as she walked away. She grabbed her iPod and put in some headphones, turning on the Rent soundtrack as loud as she could to drown out any noise. There weren't many children on the flight - but a few annoying adults she wished she could deal with.
The soundtrack did its job and drowned out all the noise that could bother her. Even her own thoughts were suppressed, which was good at this point. There were a few things that happened at her old job that she'd rather not recall...
"Ey, Prof!"
Alfendi Layton turned his head to look at his assist-
No, no. He reminded himself, She is not my assistant anymore.
"Prof!" Lucy's voice chimed in once more.
"Yes, Lucy?" The 'Prof' stood up from his chair, looking over at his doorway, where Inspector Lucy Baker was standing - with her pleasant smile and Yorkshire accent.
"The Commissioner told me yer gettin' a new assist? That true?" She looked almost excited, as for once she wouldn't be the newest one there.
"Yes, I believe I received a memo about that." Alfendi looked around, smiling a little bit, "Somewhere around here. She won't be here any time soon though."
Lucy's bubble was burst, and she frowned, which just left Alfendi smiling a little more.
Layton.
I will find you.
I will get you.
You've run out of hiding places.
You've run out of allies.
Now it's time to see if the puzzle master himself can get out of this alive...