Chapter 4: What has happened here
Almost as soon as Luke finished Lady Dahlia's letter the trio packed their bags and were off to St. Mystere in the Laytonmobile. Throughout the drive from London to the countryside Luke and Layton discussed the upcoming mystery. "There's one point to this mystery I don't seem to understand, if I remember correctly the people of St. Mystere are robotic people is that correct Professor?"
"Yes, that's quite right my boy."
"So could this possibly be Bruno, the caretaker of St. Mystere, who's behind all this?"
"That is a good point Luke, but something tells me it's not going to be quite so simple." Layton replied cryptically, "St. Mystere never struck me as a town that would have a mystery that would be that simple."
"My father's will was quite an unusual mystery wasn't it Professor?" Flora interjected, not wanting to think about the oncoming mystery any longer.
"Yes, it was one of the toughest I think Luke and I have ever cracked, but I'm glad we did." Layton replied as he placed a comforting hand onto Flora's shoulder, "I'm sure your little village will be fine Flora, nothing a fair amount of sorting out could fix."
"I hope you're right Professor," Flora replied.
As the three drove through the countryside of England off toward St. Mystere Luke and Flora's attention began to dwindle, after an hour of pure silence, Luke suggested a 'friendly' car game. Soon Luke and Flora were playing endless rounds of competition driven car games much to the Professor's amusement. Eventually though, the Laytonmobile and its cargo reached St. Mystere only to find that the only entrance was partially lowered, but not enough for the puzzle masters to enter the town. "Any idea's of how to get in Professor?"
"Hmmm, well maybe we could…" Layton began.
"I've got a plan!" Luke interjected as he took a running sprint and jumped off the edge of the bank toward the top of the drawbridge. With a loud smack Luke's hands connected with the drawbridge.
"Be careful up there my boy!" the Professor cautioned.
"Oomph, I'll try my best." Luke said as he hoisted himself over the partially opened bridge. Soon the bridge was lowered to allow Layton and Flora to cross.
"Well done, Luke, but remember there is always a logical explanation!" Layton reminded Luke. Flora and Layton quickly joined Luke inside the village, only to see what had transpired over the years.
St. Mystere had become an empty shell of what it once was. Most of the buildings had vines all across them, and many had broken windows. The street was no longer smooth but covered in moss and vines. Much of the paint on the buildings was cracking away as well.
"Oh, n-n-no…what, what has happened here…" Flora quietly cried as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Flora, don't, don't worry; we'll solve this." Luke said attempting to console his friend.
"I hope so," Flora murmured as she embraced Luke in an effort to comfort herself. "Now, shall we go to Reinhold manor?"
"Splendid idea my dear," Layton said in a cheery tone. The three walked through the beaten town only to find more run down buildings. Along the way Luke spotted several cats appeared to be following them. One of which looked a bit like a memorable cat from their last trip to St. Mystere.
"Uh Professor, does that cat look familiar to you?" Luke asked pointing toward the fluffy white cat tailing them. As Layton turned to see the cat Luke had pointed out the cats scattered. "Oh never mind Professor," Luke sighed as they trudged onward toward the looming manor.
Soon Layton, Flora and Luke arrived at where the small river ran. Fortunately there was an old, yet still fairly sturdy boat. Upon inspecting the small craft, Layton came to the conclusion that it was able to take two at a time across. "Luke, Flora you to go on to the manor, I'll inspect around here." He said as he began to quietly survey the area.
"Ready, Flora?" Luke asked as he began to row the boat to the other side of the river.
"Whatever should I be ready for?" Flora asked. She had become a bit distracted since first entering the village.
"Why for an adventure of course!" Luke said as they slammed into the shore, "Here let me give you a hand."
"Thanks," Flora mumbled, her eyes fixated on her feet. "Luke, what does it look like?"
"Well, it's a bit hard to tell, there's a bit of overgrown shrubs in the way…" Luke said placing his hand on top of his mouth him thought. After hearing this Flora let out a small peep of sorrow. "Oh, Flora I'm sure it will be fine on the inside! Just you wait I bet we'll see old Mathew fussing over the place and Dahlia yelling her head off at the poor guy."
"I hope you're right Luke, I really do." Flora said shaking in fear of what lay ahead in her dear old home. Seeing her visibly upset, Luke placed a comforting arm around Flora which she greatly accepted.
Almost as soon as the two had left the river bank they had reached the once gleaming front stoop of the Reinhold manor. Luke firmly grasped the rusting knocked and rapped it on the door. There was no answer. Luke tried a second and third time to no avail. After trying to open the door by the handle and fining the door to be locked, Luke tried the only thing he could think of at the moment: Slam himself against the door.
"Luke, perhaps I can be of assistance?" Flora interjected after Luke rammed his body into the door a third time.
"Flora, I don't think you really want to…wait what are you doing?" Luke began only to notice Flora was on hands and knees digging in the dirt near the scrubs.
"Luke, my father said if ever I needed access to the manor and no one was around there was always a key inside his garden. I think he meant in here; help me dig!" Flora said as she dug her small hands into the hard earth.
Luke and Flora dug around the scrubs looking desperately for a key to the door. Suddenly Luke shouted out, "I think I found it Flora!"
"Let me see!" she exclaimed rushing over to Luke. After brushing the dirt from her dress and hands Flora took hold of the small brass key. "I think this is it," she said after a moment.
Flora and Luke rushed up the stairs again to try the key into the weather door. With a quiet click, the key was in and the door was open to what lied ahead.
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