Unwound Future Continued
Layton held the hat in his hands for a few more moments, staring up into the evening sky. Luke approached the Professor. He was unsure of what to say.
"Professor…?" Luke whispered "Are you ok?" Layton was startled. Swiftly, he returned the hat to the top of his head. He wiped his eyes to give no indication of how sad he really felt.
"I'm fine, come now we must be going," Layton replied "It's getting dark," Luke and the Professor walked down the long alleyway. There was a long silence. Luke was not totally convinced that the Professor was as fine as he wanted him to believe. He wanted to say something but could not find the right words.
"Professor, what happened?" Luke asked awkwardly
"What do you mean?" Layton said.
"To Celeste…I mean Claire," Luke replied. He suddenly felt quite rude asking this. A look of realisation swept across Layton's face, for a brief moment he had forgotten about what had just happened but now it was all flooding back. He could feel a lump forming in his throat.
"S-she was taken back to the day she died," Layton answered. It was clear in his voice that he was deeply saddened by it.
"Why?" Luke wondered. Layton knew that this was probably a very difficult thing for a young boy to understand.
"Well um it was not possible for her to remain in the present," Layton replied. He avoided Luke's eyes. He did not want the fact that tears were forming in his eyes to be noticed. Luke sensed that the Professor did not want to talk about it. He suddenly felt very guilty having questioned him about a very sensitive time. Soon they reached the main street. He could see Dimitri still standing there talking to Inspector Chelmey. Flora was waiting by the new-improved Laytonmobile. Dimitri noticed Layton and Luke walking out of the alley. Layton walked up to him and Luke went to join Flora.
"Has she gone?" Dimitri asked. Layton looked up. The look on Layton's face said it all.
"Yes…and this time there is no chance of her ever coming back," Layton replied in a quiet voice. The lump in his throat had grown so large it was almost choking him. Layton pulled his hat over his face to hide the tears rolling down his face. Inspector Chelmey put his hand on Layton's shoulder.
"It will be alright," He said in a much nicer tone than how he would normally talk. He then turned round and he and Barton headed of to the police car.
"You are handling remarkable well," Dimitri commented. It was clear in his voice that he was also saddened by the day's events.
"I have to…she would want that," Layton said.
"It is always difficult to say goodbye to someone once, but twice is just cruel," Dimitri added.
"I do not think of it that way," Layton said "I did not get to say a proper goodbye the first time; it gives me a second chance,"
"I suppose," Dimitri added "I have to go now," He then turned round and headed off round a corner. Layton was alone. He sighed then turned round. He saw Luke and Flora standing by the Laytonmobile. A small smile grew on his face. He may no longer have Claire but at least he has people who he can share his intellectual knowledge with.