Clive stared blankly at his dull meal as he mindlessly picked at the white cauliflower on his plate. He would've eaten but...his mind was elsewhere.

"Not eating again, huh?" A spritely voice rang out from their cell.

Clive didn't look up but answered with a head shake.

"Still thinking about them?"

The man sat on the edge of the bed opposite Clive. His face was matured yet spry and his smile was somewhat cold yet...friendly. Clive never really could look anyone in the eye after what he did. Regardless, he told this man his story and how he ended up there in the first place. His name was Quinn and he was rather understanding. Clive never dared to ask why he was there, Quinn looked a bit unpleasant with multiple scars on his face and arms. He did have a nicely trimmed mustache, though.

"How...could I not...?" Clive replied, a raspy and sulken tone in his voice.

A short, dark silence stood between them before Clive put his plate on the floor and laid back on his hard, yet still comfy, bed.

Ouinn stepped and laid back as well.

Clive turned to his side, his back to Quinn and thought to himself. He remembered the sounds of the people. He could hear one voice clearly. A sweet, innocent voice, whom pleaded for him to stop. He didn't listen then. If he had...would she have...He cringed mid-thought and gripped his pillow tightly, his eyes swelling with tears...

"Are you sure you'll be alright, Flora? I don't want you to get lost...or hurt..."

"I mind you, Professor, I know London like the back of my hand! I won't get lost. And i can assure you Flora knows how to take care of herself!" She pouted at the smiling, charming professor who stood in her path. He chuckled as did his apprentice at Flora's cute "self-conference". They had all grown in their own way after the accident. Luke, a few(two at most!) inches taller and more wittier. The professor, more matured and ever the more gentleman like. And Flora, her youthful face more charming and her eyes sparkled even more than before as she evolved into a respectable young woman. And of course, she was smarter about her beloved London's streets as well.

"Ok, Flora. we'll be off now." Layton sighed and Flora sensed the sadness in his voice.

She smiled in a loving way and hugged her adoptive father. He was a bit taken aback, but he accepted the hug regardless.

"Hey! What about me?" Luke grinned childishly.

Flora giggled and hugged him too.

"Do be careful on the road, boys."

"Don't worry, Flora. There's a responsible driver at the wheel." Luke said proudly.

"Heh, not today Luke. Not after last time."

He blushed a bit as he remembered that he had wrecked the bumper while backing up into a pole.

"Right..."

Layton looked at his watch, "Oh my. Luke, we should go now. Goodbye, Flora."

Luke waved goodbye as him and the professor walked off to the Layton-mobile.

"Bye, Flora!"

She smiled and waved back beaming with joy as her apple mark softly glowed through her skin.

With that, she looked up at the small apartment complex. It was fairly new with little blemishes and age spots. It was painted a lovely shade of cognac and accented with light blue along the trim and window sills of each floor. She smiled like a little girl and excitedly climbed to the second floor, despite the extra weight of her suitcases, and dug in her handheld for her keys. She finally snagged them, placing them in the keyhole as they gleamed in the early morning light. The door clicked as she unlocked it and stepped in with her two suitcases.

It was a very cozy place indeed. It was already well furnished, from the courtesy of the owner and the apartment was already warm.

She closed the door and locked it, still taking it all in. A new independent life. A fresh start.

It had been almost three years since Clive's attack and everything seemed to be going well. Most of London was getting rebuilt and most of the "lost future" underneath London was soon deconstructed and the prime minister, as guilty as he may be, soon took over the re-purposing of the fake buildings within the underground pit. Even though most of the people say Clive got what he deserved, there was one person who had too big of a heart to just throw someone away like trash, even if they're mistakes led to unnecessary devastation. Then again, he did lie. To her, Luke and the professor. As much as it did hurt to see him betray them like that...she oddly understood his pain and it stung her heart in the process as she watched him crumble into an unsavory, destructive wreck...

First story to post here! Hope you guys enjoy the rest!