Chapter Two:
A key, a moustache, and a cookie.
It was dark and quiet.
It was lucky that the Professor was gifted with such a great memory, for he was able to remember clearly how the furniture was spread around the living room.
However, he suddenly stumbled with a table that was not supposed to be there.
"What? The furniture has been moved around? What is happening? This is preposterous! Luke! Flora! Are you there?"
No reply. Layton began to worry and looked around in the darkness, trying to adjust his eyes to the dark room. It took a couple of seconds before he realized that there was an envelope and a flashlight in the table with which he had crashed a couple of minutes ago.
A sigh escaped from his lips.
"Why must it ALWAYS start with a letter? Oh well. I suppose my vacations should be cut short for now. I need to find Luke and Flora before it is time for tea!"
He turned on the flashlight and opened the envelope.
Inside, there were two pieces of paper, a fake moustache, and a key.
"Oh well, I have seen stranger things. I believe this is going to be solved quickly enough"
He reached for the first piece of paper, only to realize that there was something else inside the envelope which he had not noticed before.
"Is this a chocolate-deluxe-ultra-sugary-and-sweet Cookie? "
Professor Hershel Layton was puzzled. He moved his head from side to side, thinking and planning.
"This has suddenly taken a turn I was not expecting. I better analyze the pieces of paper properly before making my next move. I suppose it IS a good thing that Luke is not around. The cookie might be a secret key or a clue, and he would have NOT resisted the sweet scent of chocolate and sugar. That kid loves food in general, but chocolate-deluxe-ultra-sugary-and-sweet cookies are his favorite dessert. "
Putting the cookie in a safe-secret-pocket, the Professor turned to the two pieces of paper that he had to read and analyze.
The first piece of paper was written with cursive and elegant handwriting. It said the following:
"Professor:
You are cordially invited to solve a wonderful and mysterious challenge in your kitchen. Please, proceed to the kitchen and put on the fake moustache that you have been provided. Before you put the moustache on, though, you need to solve the following puzzle.
Puzzle #1
It goes up, but at the same time goes down. Up toward the sky, and down toward the ground. It's present tense and past tense, too. Come for a ride, just me and you!
No clues for you!
If you actually enjoyed your childhood, the answer should be on the tip of your tongue!
Oops. I suppose that was a clue. Oh well.
Please, do remember that even though you CAN proceed without answering the puzzle, it would go against your principle to keep this story moving if you can't answer this one puzzle.
Once you have thought of the answer, read the back of this paper."
Layton finished reading the first piece of paper and began doing random thinking poses according to the tick tocking of the clock found somewhere in the living room.
He couldn't explain why, but it always worked out like this for him.
When he was ready to answer, the tick tock sounds and the thinking poses where key for answering correctly.
"I've got it! A see-saw!"
Smiling, he turned the piece of paper around.
"You just won 20 imaginary Picarats! Please proceed to the kitchen. Don't forget to light your way with the flashlight! And please… DON'T forget the moustache!"
Using the flashlight as his guide, Layton walked towards his kitchen.
Little did he know that he was being watched…
TO BE CONTINUED~
Some words from the author:
Greetings!
This is the second chapter of this short story. I hope you are enjoying reading it as much as I am enjoying writing it.
I want to thank you for all of the reviews and the motivational words that made me write the second chapter in a day. It is thanks to your kind words and reviews that I felt motivated to keep this story going.
Now then, what could be waiting for the Professor in the kitchen?
Did anyone notice the fact that he forgot to read the second piece of paper that was on the envelope? What do you think that piece of paper says?
If you wish to leave your thoughts or ideas, please leave a review! I promise to reply to each and every one.
Again, thank you for taking your time to read these words.
I promise that the third (and final... AND longest) chapter will be up soon. Don't forget, reviews get my writing gear working! :D
Until next time!
S
