Chapter Six: The Note

When we asked around, we were actually able to get decent answers, but we were still getting nowhere. Everyone kept saying the same things as Tony about the burning and the West Building. No one ever really trashed the West Building and if there was litter it would be cleaned up. It wasn't ever really ignored either since it was a great place to bring the tourists to. We did gather that the closer people tried getting to the place the stronger the fire would be.

Suddenly while walking around, I saw the shady man again. He noticed me too. As we were passing by I cowered closer to Professor Layton since he was so close but as he passed, I felt him force something into my hand. It wasn't roughly, but he showed his intentions of giving it to me firmly. I felt it crinkle and knew it was paper.

Once again, I felt as though I should remember him. And once again, I couldn't remember him. I glanced back at him. Who could he be?

"How rude! Even though there was so much space to pass he still shouldered you!" Luke huffed.

"Yes, indeed," Professor agreed.

I didn't reply since I remembered the paper in my hand. The attention was on me since I was the one the man shouldered but I had a strange feeling I shouldn't show them the paper so for now I shoved it into my pocket and smiled at them.

"It's fine. It's not like he did it roughly. He probably didn't see me down there since I'm so short!" I excused.

They didn't say anymore. I held back a sigh of relief since I was glad that none of them spotted or pointed out that he was looking down when we passed.

A few times while walking I'd try falling behind to look at the letter but they always noticed and would ask me if I needed a rest or if they needed to slow their pace down. By the time it happened a third time I stopped trying to get away from their sight and they decided I needed a rest.

I kept a hand in my pocket as they talked and rested up.

"You know, I'm good now. Sorry for the holdup," I said.

"Are you sure? It was such a short break though!" Luke said.

"Yeah, I just kept getting distracted but now that I was able to sit down and swipe the thing off my shirt, I'm good now," I said.

None of them pried about what the 'thing' was that was on my shirt, but I still tried thinking of what it was that could be so hard to get off while walking. My hair? Food? We haven't eaten since breakfast!

And so we resumed our investigation. It was a more or less exciting day but by the time it was dark out and we had finished our dinner, all of us were done for the day.

We headed back to the hotel and before going to sleep had one last conversation.

"It sure was nice that there was a room big enough for four people. I thought we were all going to be separated into two rooms," Luke said.

"Yeah. Today sure was tiring," Flora replied.

We heard the professor's slow breathing and realized he had already fallen right to sleep.

I sighed, "We should turn in for the night also. Tomorrow is going to be more investigating."

"Right, I can't wait! G'night you two," Luke said.

Soon he was snoring away, and when I was sure he was sleeping, I reached into my pocket feeling the paper and trying to carefully take it out so it wouldn't crinkle. Once I got it out, I used the moonlight to read it.

Suddenly, I heard shuffling. I turned and through the dimness of the moonlight, I could make out Flora's silhouette.

"I'm really glad we were able to meet you, Lavender," she whispered but in the dead silence I could hear her voice clearly.

"I'm glad too," I said.

Did she see the letter? I thought in panic but she showed no signs of it in her voice.

"But I've been wondering, where is your family? Don't you have other friends where you're from that miss you? Since you have no money or clothes did you run away?" she asked.

"Huh?" I suddenly thought of my frozen watch but shook it from my mind. "I didn't run away. This trip was just so sudden I was completely unprepared."

"Oh," Flora said. "Well, after all this is over I really hope we can all still see each other. And you can introduce us to your friends and family! I'd love to see the other sides of your personality."

I suddenly felt ashamed and embarrassed at the thought of any of them knowing my other sides. In my shame, I didn't reply so she continued on.

"I was adopted by Professor Layton because of some private matters. He's always so busy but you know before I was adopted, when I was a little girl I lived in a rich family. My mother was so beautiful and my father so loving. They're both deceased now and I didn't think there would be anyone else in the outside world that I could trust or be happy with. Then Professor Layton came along. To tell the truth, he's not just like a father to me, he's my hero. And of course Luke too."

She laughed a little.

My embarrassment then turned into guilt. She was suddenly being so honest with me! How was she sure she could trust me with such secrets? At least she didn't reveal the village St. Mystere to me.

"I've never been able to experience talking to another girl like this," she continued but I couldn't handle any more of her heartfelt speech.

"Listen, Flora," I said sitting up.

She got up a little too.

"Don't tell me anymore or else I'll feel in debt to you about your truthfulness. So I'm going to tell you some things about me," I said briskly. "I…uh, I don't have any friends where I'm from. I'm not even close to my family. Uh, I have a sister I don't talk to, my parents are always either working or sleeping and if not those two they don't really pay attention to us unless we continue to bug them, my relatives don't really care when we visit so it's always freaking boring visiting them… I don't really talk to anyone."

"Huh?"

"Basically!" I said my voice accidentally rising and making Flora flinch. Even in this world when I thought I couldn't be anything but happy I can still have a temper. I quieted back down. "Sorry… Basically…you don't need to know any other sides of me."

Luke began to stir. We both turned to him in panic then we were silent for the rest of the night until we fell asleep.

To my relief, I was able to wake up earlier than Flora and Luke but Professor Layton was already up. I snuck down the stairs of the hotel and noticed Professor Layton having a chat with the hotel manager while sipping tea. While they were distracted with their conversation, I crawled behind the couches and silently pushed the door open and left.

Once I was out, I took out the paper and read it.

To Lavender,

It's most to my surprise to see you here! But I'm glad you're here. Come behind the hotel you are staying at and meet with me. I've been meaning to speak with you. Please don't bring along those friends of yours.

I raised an eyebrow and quickly hurried to the back of the hotel.

Just as I expected, the man was there waiting, but he was asleep. I took the chance to get a better look at his face. As I was about to reach out and take his hat off I realized how much of a hobo he looked like. I withdrew for a second scared that I had mistaken a hobo for the shady guy.

With a quick flick I threw off his hat and sighed in relief that it wasn't a homeless guy, but before I could take a proper look how I knew him, someone grabbed my shoulder. I was about to scream but my mouth was covered and my scream muffled.