"Cih..."
I've gotten myself in quite a mess... I should've been more alert...
"What's wrong kid? Can't buy a way out?"
"What do you want..."
The attackers I'm dealing with were at least a year older than me... there's about five of them so I'm completely outnumbered...
"What I want? Your money, duh! You snobby people are always loaded of them!"
My eye twitched. I hate being called snobby... Why do being rich always means they're considered spoiled or a snob...?
"We saw you riding in that fancy carriage of yours with that little brat of yours outside of town!"
"A brat...?" How could I forget, they meant Luke of course... Speaking of him, I hope he didn't went finding for me... or he'll get mixed up in all of this...
"Clive...? Cliiiive! Where are you?"
...
...You have got to be kidding me...
Chapter 4: Brotherly Gift
Worst. Timing. EVER! I feel like I want to bang my head into that nice brick wall...
Luke's voice became louder and louder... And I knew eventually he'll end up in this dead end too. I wanted to shout at him to get away but... it was too late...
"There you are Clive! Wait, who are these guys...?"
"L-Luke!"
"Isn't this the same kid from that carriage?"
"Yeah! Let's get him too!"
"What! LUKE!"
This is not good! "Aaah! Cliiiive!"
"Luke...!" I started running towards Luke. I fend off the attackers before they started to grab him. It was hard, considering that I was being grabbed by the arm. But I was strong enough to let my arms free. "C-Clive!"
"Get behind me!"
We were still surrounded though... We need to get away from them and get to the professor! "Luke, stay close with me. Okay?"
"O-Okay..."
I glanced at them, they were smirking with thir eyes full of pride. "What's the point in looking all tough! We all know you guys are a bunch of wimps!" So they think I'm a wimp huh? Well they're wrong. Dead wrong!
One of those thugs came and started to throw fists at us. But I grabbed his arm securely when it tried to land on my face. "Argh! Let go of me!"
Two other guys went to attack me. I let go his arm and kicked his stomach to those two other guys. The three of them were piled up half-conscious.
"Argh!"
"Get of off me!"
Three guys down! I saw an opening to escape. "This way Luke!"
"Don't let them get away!"
We ran away from them and tried to get out... But something came into our way... and it's not happy...
"BARK!"
"How could things get worst...?"
An angry pitbull was in our way, barking and threating to hurt us too. And it looks mad for going into his territory... "Get away dog...!"
"BARK!"
This is bad! The alley is just to narrow, so it's hard to get away from the dog. Those thugs are getting closer... Now I have to deal with SIX (including that short-tempered dog...) of them! I tried to shoo the dog away but it kept barking and tried to bite my hand! "Clive!"
"Y-Yes?"
"Let me deal with it!" Luke shouted in desperation.
"What?"
"Where are they!"
"There they are!"
But seems like I have no choice, I'll just let Luke handle this... "All right! But quickly! They're coming!"
Words started to come out if him..
I thought I heard the unthinkable... Luke was actually barking... Yes, he was BARKING! HOW can a human being communicate with a dog by simply yapping their heads of! It's never going to work! That's just so... so... bah... not even words could tell the stupidity in his plan...
"Luke... may I remind you you're trying to talk to a dog...?"
"Yes! Bark, bark bark!"
This is never going to work..
"Bark? Bark!"
"Luke, It's not going to... Ah! they're here!"
"Hehehe..." Well they're standing right behind us... but this time, they have weapons in their hands...
They slowly walked over to us... I can guess they're trying to knock us unconscious and rob our belongins after that..."Ohhh... BARK! Bark... bark!" He's still doing that pathetic yapping! When is he going to realize it's not working...? "Stop running away you brats...!"
"...!" They were about to grag us but... did that pitbull just... jumped over me and bit him...? "ARRGGH! Get off mutt!"
"Thank you Mr. Pitbull! Let's go Clive!"
"What the..."
"Hurry up, Clive!"
"But how did you-"
"Not now! RUN!" We ran again, and we were almost there...! "Don't let them get away!" But my feeling of freedom only lasted a few seconds because my worst luck just appeared right in front of me. "Did you think we didn't put guards outside this alley? Hand over your money!" I can't hold them off! All of them were holding knives! If I only have a metal blade at least... I could use what I've 'learn' from the professor's fencing skills...
They started to attack us with those knives... I dodged every one of them, but one of them gave me scratches. "Ngrr..." It was hard dodging them since I need to protect Luke too. A knife was suddenly swinged into my face, I moved my head to the right... but got me a bleeding cut in the cheek.
One of the men managed to push Luke to the ground. "Ow!"
I turned to Luke. "Luke! you oka- Ack!"
One of the men grabbed me by the collar and shoved me to a wall "Gah!"
Arrgh... I could feel my head throbbing...
"C-Clive! Ahh! Get off of me!"
"L-Luke..." One of the men grabbed him... My head feels dizzy... "Nothing you can do, eh? One punch and this'll knock you out..."
"CLIVE!"
I laughed a bit... "A punch...? ...Heh... Too bad you wouldn't have a chance..."
That's right... he wouldn't...
"That's a big mouth from a kid like you!"
He can't... because he... always comes to my aid...
"C-Clive...?"
There's nothing to worry about... since my top hat wearing 'trump card' is standing right behind that oblivious man...
"You're late... professor..."
"Yes... I could see by that vulnarable state of yours... They must've given you a hard time, Master Clive."
"Professah!"
"W-What the-!"
Those dumbwitted thug's eyes became wide after the professor's sudden appearance. And in a blink of an eye, all of those thugs were knocked out. By the professor of course...
"Oh dear... Let's get you out of that uncomfortable state Master Clive... you too, Master Luke..."
I tried to stand on my own two feet but I my head feels too dizzy to stand up. The professor was making sure if Luke has any injuries. "I'm very sorry for not coming soon, Master Luke..."
"I'm fine professah..." I'm more beaten than Luke and you said sorry to him? What about me!
"You have mild bruises in your shoulder and rather painfull bruise from your left knee, my boy. We have to treat that back at the mansion..."
Thank goodness... "How are you doing, Master Clive?"
"As if you need to ask..."
The professor checked me too, from my body to my aching head. "My, my... you have a lot of cuts and a rather serious head injury, Master Clive. Then I guess..."
"...?"
"...I'll have to carry you back to the carriage."
"WHAT! WHY!"
"From my point of view, you can barely stand up because of your head injury. At the least I can do is bring you home in safety and comfort... Master Clive."
The professor, carrying me... at town...? With tons of people starring at us? Is he MAD! But I'm talking about the professor here... He's practically enjoyed teasing me in my rather weak state...
"Master Clive...?
"Of course no! It's... embarrassing..."
"Are you sure? I'm rather worried about you... that bump on your head is taking quite a toll."
I finally able to stand up! With the support of the wall at least. "I'm fine! Just carry Luke instead... "
"If that is your wish Master, I shall be carrying Master Luke then."
"Okay!"
Luke seems to be better... I think I should... "Professor, before we go..."
"Thank you for the teddy bear, Clive..."
I was leaning against the carriage door again, but this wasn't because I was bored, it's because I'm in pain...
"Clive? Are you alright?"
"...Do you think I'm alright?"
"Oh..."
I bought him a teddy bear while we were on our way, it was a very awkward thing to do, considering the fact that I haven't made any friends to give gifts to lately... only 'allies' with other businessmen. The only thing I gave something to someone is the professor, which is his salary...
"But... you don't need to buy me anything, Clive! I mean, I'm sure it's really troublesome for you to..."
"Do you want to keep it or I'll just burn that thing to ashes."
"O-Of course I'm keeping it! It's a present from you, Clive!"
Sigh... "But I was surprised, Master Clive. Putting your untreated injuries behind you and walking to the toy shop in all your might just to buy a brown, medium-sized bear as a present to your precious brother..."
"..."
That was unbearable to do... I was always clutching the professor just to keep standing up... my little head injury triggered a very irritating headache when I started to walk...
But I only did it because I felt a bit guilty to get Luke involved in a fight... Yes, I know I shouldn't be blaming myself for all of this... and he did say his stuff is ominously 'gone' ...whatever that means. So the teddy bear is just a start.
"By the way Luke... what happened with that pitbull just now?"
"A pitbull...?" The professor asked.
"Yeah, it tried to bite us until Luke sort off... talked to it..."
"Ah... Master Luke... talked to the dog..." I understand your confusion professor... I really do...
"Pitbull? Oh! I asked him to get rid of those bad guys, it was hard because he kept barking with complaints saying we've been disturbing his nap."
"That doesn't explain a thing!"
"Hehe, right... this might sound wierd but..."
He felt silent for awhile... building up suspense... "...I could understand animal language..."
My eyes were wide but I didn't peep out a single word... I didn't took his confession seriously though. "Y-You... You're joking right? Hahaha... I find that almost convincing since it really looked like you're talking t-"
"W-What are you talking about! I just proved it right at that alley!"
"Seriously Luke, what trick did you use to make that dog bite those thugs?"
"I'M TELLING THE TRUTH! ...I thought older brothers are supposed to believe everything we say!"
"Not unless they're lying..."
"W-Wh-! Hey!"
But when I think about it... maybe he can speak to animals... But I don't even want to continue this discussion because of my ever increasing pain in my head... "Fine, Fine... I believe you, what about you professor?"
"I haven't seen the young Master communicate with an animal before. So it is hard to say..."
"I'll show you my talent when we get there professah!" Yes, your odd talent anyway.
A few minutes later, we arrived back at the mansion. Argh... That means I have to walk inside the mansion... what a pain... I was always stopping for a few seconds to ease the pain...
"You should rest, Master Clive. Maybe taking a few naps at your room?"
"Yeah..."
I went there with the professor... and I was relieved to finally feel the white soft cushion of my bed. I laid down and rest my head into that heavenly pillow of mine. "Ahh... finally back..."
"I will be getting your medication for awhile Master... please excuse me."
He went outside. Little did I know a certain brat was following me into my room. "I thought you went back to the library...?"
Luke peeked into mr by the door. Just like last night. "I'm... scared to go..."
"Right... you said once this place is 'creepy'..."
My mansion doesn't look creepy at all... just dark... and gothic...
Luke went inside, in his hands were a plain white box... he shoved it to me with full of smiles. "This is for you Clive!"
"...?"
I opened the box. I hold the gift that was inside for a better look. And now I know what it is:
A navy blue cap...
"Do you like it?"
I stared at it for a moment... Why would he buy me something? "I bought it while I was finding you! I was about to buy a lolli until I spotted that cap! My money was little and luckily, the price was enough to buy it."
"...Oh" But how come I didn't see it?
"I was hiding it from those bad guys if you were wondering."
"Hmph..." I muttered a small smile. Luckily he didn't notice it. "I think the cap suits you Clive! It matches your scary yet sharp blue eyes!"
"Scary? Sharp...?"
"Well... you're always giving me that cold glare of yours! And your face make people think you're emotionless..."
"..."
I consider myself aloof, but as long Luke thought of me as any word similar to it... I'm okay with it... "I'll be at my room..."
He left suddenly... possibly thinking he was disturbing my rest... "I'm back, Master Clive..."
"So you are..."
"Hm? What is in your hands Master?"
"This?" I showed the professor the little blue gift Luke happily gave me. "A cap. From Luke..."
"Really? How kind of him... no wonder he was smiling cheerfully when he went to his room..." The professor started to treat my wounds... "I still think he's a brat though..."
"But you must be very happy getting a gift once in awhile Master Clive... especially from Luke. He must've felt glad for adopting him.."
"...Yet you didn't get anything from him in all your kindness and hard work."
He stopped. A very depressing aura was coming from the professor... "Oops, did I hit a nerve...?"
He was still smiling, yet his eyes were tells it all... "N-No it's just that... I've remembered something that cause me to... be this... down..."
"This is a rare sight indeed... seeing you like this is rather... comforting..."
The professor continued to treat me. Maybe the thing he remembered has something to do with his top hat? I wanted to ask him, but I think it's rather personel... I've told him to take off his hat as an order once but he refused heavily to it...
But just maybe... it has something to do with his hair! I think?
I shrug it off. He talked to me while treating the my cuts. "Treasure that cap with your life, Master Clive..."
"Sure..."
"I mean it. Luke will treasure the teddy bear too." He flashed that perfect smile of his to me. "Of course..."
"Now I need to bandage your head..." The professor went to take some bandages.
While waiting, I tried out the hat. I looked at my full-body length mirror beside me. I looked quite good... "It suits you, Master Clive..."
"Sure..." Wait...
That reminds me... "Professor...?"
"Yes, Master?"
"I talked to a few people today... and I found out something interesting..."
"Is that so?" He smiled... I wonder how long you intend to smile... when what I'm about to tell you will risk your loyalty to me...?
"Yes... What happened two months ago...? Professor..."
Whew... chapter finished! I was a bit slow at the beginning. Since I don't write fighting scenes much :P
Poor professor... didn't get a present from Luke... XD Maybe you guys can give him one...? Anyway, this is the trivia for this chapter... Layton has a SON! O_O But I don't know if he's related to the professor, because he appeared on a spin-off game. The name is Alfendy Layton anyway... But I think almost everybody got this news so, this isn't much of a trivia isn't it?
Please review! Any helping advice is accepted!