A/N Meh. Not sure how I feel about this chapter. But hey, I tried and it's one of those chapters that needs to be in so that the story makes sense. Please don't forget to review, as always I'm eager to hear any suggestions you might have for this fic or any future fics!

RiddleMeThis15 :) x

Strolling down the bustling London streets, the professor tipped his hat to an elderly lady with a generous smile. He simply enjoyed being around people, the politeness of everyone and the excited atmosphere only the capital offered. It was a stark contrast to where he had lived as a young man, a modest countryside town called stansbury. The grand architecture of London was no match to the delicate, fragrant meadows of his hometown. Part of him sometimes longed to feel the fresh grass beneath his feet, grass that was completely different to the precisely located parks, as pretty as they were. He beamed to himself, yes, he would go back there someday. But first he had a loyal apprentice to collect.

Several kind remarks later, he stood at the gates of 'Lakewood Primary school' the bell ringing on time. Children streamed out of the door, shouting about their day before even arriving at their parents. The professor scanned the crowd for the blue-capped boy. Luke soon clambered through the doorway and when he caught sight of the professor he waved cheerfully, almost tripping over in his elation.

"Professor!" He exclaimed, waving his satchel around "You came to pick me up today!"

"Yes," Layton began to walk in time with the boy "I only had some papers to mark and, surprisingly, they didn't take long at all"

Luke grinned before turning his head when a dark haired boy tapped him on the shoulder.

"Luke?" The boy quietly asked him, ringing nervous hands and glancing between his shoes and Luke's face.

"What is it Archie?"

"Er...Ms Wells said that you forgot this,"

Luke took a small blue book from Archie. Its pages were covered in ink, paint and tea stains.Exactly how a gentleman's notebook should appear, Luke thought.

"Oh, thanks Archie! See you tomorrow!"

Archie nodded quickly before scurrying off to his mother. Layton watched with a content smile on his face "A friend of yours Luke?"

"Yeah, he's new here.I've been teaching him puzzles professor,"

"Haha, I'm glad to hear that Luke"

The two walked in a companionable silence towards home, occasionally throwing the odd puzzle between them or commenting on various market stalls.

But as they made their way through oak field park, the silence was shattered without warning. A tremendous explosion ripped through the streets and sent dust pouring from the rooftops. Windows hammered against the onslaught,lampposts wobbled and people huddled together in clusters. Startled, the professor and Luke stopped in their tracks.

"What on Earth was that?!" The professor gasped, immediately sprinting in the direction the horrific sound had come followed closely behind, equally as worried as his friend.A thousand scenarios of what could make such a crescendo of noise ran through his mind, each one just as terrifying as the next. Ahead of them, through a cloud of inky smoke, crowds had begun to gather. Panicked shouts arose from the destruction.

"What happened?!"

"Someone call an ambulance! There's a woman inside there!"

"Is she ok? Hello are you ok?"

"She's bleeding!"

The professor frowned, concern etched on his face "It appears someone has been hurt"

Their fears had been confirmed.

The wailing of sirens soon filled the park. As if on autopilot, the crowds parted to allow the ambulance through. Paramedics rushed in and out of the vehicle, brandishing various instruments and medicine. Some addressed the onlookers, searching for any information on what had occurred. Luke and the professor stood back from the scene, too anxious to speak. Things like this were a rarity. Luke couldn't help but feel an immense sense of sorrow for whoever was trapped in the car. They probably hadn't seen the tree until it was too late. What must it be like? Luke wondered, to see danger and know that it is beyond your luck rules over logic in that moment before impact. He shook his head as if to empty it. He was glad when police arrived, in a formation of blue and red, with one car speeding ahead of the others. The professor peered closely as the car raced to a stop, its door swinging dramatically open, a figure striding out. The man's shadow alone cast an air of authority.

The professor noticed the officer "Is that?" He breathed.

DCI Jack Hillmore turned to his team "Get these people out of here, gather as many witnesses as possible and question them."

A chorus of 'Yes Guv' replied back to him. Satisfied, the guv raced through the gathered and headed straight for the wrecked car, "Rachel? Rachel are you alright?"

Luke piped up "Professor! It must be DI Waterstone in there!"

The professor however, upon hearing the DCI's shouts, had already made his way to the crashed car. Luke soon joined him, a sickening feeling rising in his gut as he saw the battered and bruised form of Rachel Waterstone.

A/N Thanks for reading!...Review? :) x