Chapter Three: The Dead Watch

The people of Fearrsberry were running around and panicking as if there were millions of monsters chasing each of them. They shoved over anything in their way and a few were even desperate enough to break windows and run through them.

Just looking at the chaos was starting to give me a headache.

"What do we do?" I asked, looking up at Professor Layton and covering my ears.

Luke put his fingers in his ears so he could also block out the noise also and exclaimed, "Nothing is even chasing them!"

"Come with me quickly! I'll get you lot to the hotel!" Gale shouted.

We all hurriedly followed after him but he was swift and flexible. We all had trouble keeping up. Professor Layton stayed behind to keep the middle-aged couple from being trampled. It was complete chaos! I noticed many people running with their hands covering their faces while running blindly.

"What's wrong with them?" I gasped, trying to get a hold of Gale.

He quickly blocked me and Luke from glass shattering right beside us. The person who broke it pushed us aside and ran through the shattered window. I heard Flora squeal and looked around but didn't see her anywhere.

"This is worse than last time," Gale murmured.

"Where's Flora?" I exclaimed.

By this time Professor Layton had caught up and remembered his daughter once I had mentioned her. He looked around.

"We must find her," he said urgently.

He fought through the crowd, ignoring Gale's protests.

"Grr, why won't you listen to me?" he sighed then grabbed Luke's arm before he could run off after the professor. "We have to get you all to safety first. They can meet up with us at the hotel."

"Let me go!" Luke shouted as he struggled to get away.

"Hey kid, help those two. Once we're at the hotel, we'll be safe," he said to me.

"But what about –" I started but he gave me an annoyed glare that said 'Just do it already!' then turned and started running, Luke still in his grip. I hurried over to the poor, confused couple and ushered them through the town.

I realized the amount of people began to lessen until it was only about two in the area around a desolate hotel. Luke bent over with his hands on his knees to catch his breath. I leaned on the wall of the hotel then checked on the couple. They seemed fine but still confused. Gale was just standing next to the door waiting for us to catch our breath. Unfortunately, there was no sign of Professor Layton or Flora.

We entered the empty hotel. Gale did the signing up for us then sat down at one of the couches. We all sat down also.

"It's about time I explain some stuff," Gale began.

"But what about the professor?" Luke mumbled.

I was relieved he was aware that trying to run out and find his friends at that moment would be pointless. Also, we all knew Professor Layton was smart enough to find this hotel on his own.

"I'll just explain it to him also when he gets here," Gale grumped, but suddenly his phone began ringing.

I was starting to think Gale would never get the chance to explain anything. He answered his phone.

"What!?" he growled. "Yeah, I'm back already… I know, I know… Ha! You don't have to worry about me! We have more people visiting the island than usual this summer and they were almost killed! So is Father still…? Ha, I figured."

After a few more seconds he closed his phone and got up. "I've got to go. You guys will figure out what's wrong with this island on your own, especially with that brainiac guy."

Just as he was leaving, Professor Layton and Flora entered the hotel.

Gale said mockingly as he walked out, "Oh yeah, that kid is now your responsibility. A gentleman wouldn't ignore a lady in need, would he?"

He seemed in a worse mood than yesterday. I looked up at Professor Layton guiltily.

"It seems the people have finally calmed down. I was able to receive directions over here," the professor explained.

"Well, now we need to figure out what is going on! By the way, are you…okay?" I turned to the couple but they were already heading up to the room Gale signed them up for as if it was just another day on vacation.

"Hmm, our best course of action would be to go to the mayor. After all, he was the one who sent us the letter," the professor said.

"Right, Professor!" Luke said cheerily. "They could explain the situation to us instead of that rude boy!"

"So y-y-you-you're letting me, you're letting me come with you guys?" I stuttered.

"Why of course."

I tried to stay calm but judging by how Professor Layton and Luke stepped towards me, Professor concerned and Luke slightly panicking, I knew I was hyperventilating. I tried fanning myself with my hand and breathing more slowly however it did little to help.

My wheezing must've been distracting as we followed the letter's directions to the mayor's house. I felt sorry for them, but it was either wheezing or quiet but annoying squealing. I mean the reality of it all was finally hitting me. I'm travelling with Professor Layton! And Luke and Flora!

Luke somehow figured out if I could get distracted I would stop wheezing for a while but each was short-lived. For example:

"Oh, right. My name is Luke Triton," Luke said.

"And I'm Flora," Flora added.

I stuttered, "L-L-La-Lavender."

Then back to wheezing. Eventually he handed me the letter they received from the mayor who wrote it, and let me read it. It had said:

Dear Hershel Layton,

It's been a while since I've last seen you and although I'm sure you won't remember me, I remember you. I especially remember your superior intellect! We used to go to the same university but I moved. Currently, I am in quite a dilemma. Please help an old pal out! I've created a map of sorts in the envelope together with this letter which will show you where I live. The island is called Fearrsberry Island. I can't wait to see your face again.

Sincerely, Rowan

After I gave the letter back to Luke, I was back to wheezing.

Professor Layton tried giving a go at talking to me and said, "I do remember a man named Rowan. We used to go to the same university but he moved after a year. I remember he was…quite open with his thoughts."

I could only nod but it did stop my wheezing.

By the time we reached the mayor's house, I was suffering a bigger headache compared to when we had arrived onto the island. The house was surprisingly huge, but I was too lightheaded to get a clear view of it just yet.

The person who answered the door was a tall man who seemed exhausted. He smiled at the sight of Professor Layton and greeted, "Ah, Hershel. It has been quite some time."

"So it has. I am glad to see you again," Professor Layton replied.

"Oh, where are my manners?! Come in and I'll go ahead and introduce myself to your friends once you're all inside," Rowan said.

As we walked in, we all heard a crash and running.

"You have kids?" Professor Layton asked with a hint of surprise.

Rowan sighed, "Yeah well, he's not very comfortable with people. He was kind of…a surprise."

I narrowed my eyes at his pause before saying 'surprise'. I could already tell he was a horrible father to his kids. In the end, he didn't even introduce himself to us. Even if there was no need to do it since we all already knew who he was, it was still rude not to do so.

"So uh, you have kids also," Rowan said, looking at us.

Professor Layton blinked. "Oh no, these two aren't my kids, however Flora here is a daughter I adopted because of certain circumstances."

Rowan laughed, "Okay, I won't pry."

"Hm," was all Professor Layton said in reply.

Rowan turned to the three of us and said, "We're going to be doing some adult talk so you all must stay here."

"What? But –" Luke started but the professor put a hand on his shoulder to calm him down.

"I guess there is no choice. Please wait here, all of you."

Once he and Rowan were out, Flora remarked with puffed cheeks, "Professor did mention the mayor guy wasn't one for kids. I bet he gives his kid everything so that the kid doesn't cry and disturb him! Imagine how spoiled the child is!"

"I wonder if he has more than one kid," I said. "I'd be shocked if he did."

I got up and wandered around until I reached the door, but before I could open it, Luke asked, "Where are you going? Professor told us to stay here!"

"Yeah, it wouldn't be very ladylike for you to snoop in someone else's home," Flora scolded.

"Aw, c'mon! They're outside. They won't notice, and I won't touch anything," I reassured them with a thumbs up then opened the door.

Wandering the house was fun, but everything I expected in a mayor's house was there except it wasn't as elaborate or large. When I came back into the living room, Luke and Flora were still waiting there. They seemed to relax a little when they saw me.

"I didn't touch anything and it was only a quick glance around the downstairs," I said sitting down next to Luke who had been sitting back on the sofa with his hand resting on his forehead.

"Oh, that reminds me of a puzzle Professor told me!" Luke exclaimed, sitting up.

"Let me hear it!" Flora replied excitedly.

While Luke and Flora talked, I immediately became bored again. I opened my pouch and spilled its contents onto the table. There was my little box which I carefully tucked back into my bag since I never wanted to lose it. Then there was my pocket watch. It had a gold color. Of course it wasn't real gold but it shone beautifully and I treasured it.

My grandmother had given it to me as a birthday present and I found it so enchanting that I never lost it. I have a trove of lost bracelets and other accessories, but the pocket watch I kept. Plus, it was something that my grandmother gave to me. I rarely get to see her due to my parents keeping me away from her, but I still have a strange family affection for her.

I picked up the golden watch and brushed my fingers across the glass. As I was doing so, I noticed something strange. My watch had stopped ticking. I tried moving the minute hand by twisting the crown but it wouldn't work.

As I looked at it, I felt like I was just…frozen in time.