Hello. This is an update. I know I've been gone for a long time. But I promise I will be back. I don't know how long I will be gone however. Maybe another year. But I just wanted to let my fans know that I am okay. I am also currently working on a new project called the Reinhold-Dove Mysteries project. I am currently working on their first story "The Lost Grandfather Clock." It's still in rough draft mode and I'm barely on chapter two. But I will probably have most of it done and finalized once I return. Thanks for sticking with me.

-Lady Mystere

Flora plopped herself on the couch in her living room and threw her bag in no particular direction. It hit the wall, spilling out all of her textbooks onto the floor but she didn't feel like picking them up at that moment. She stretched out before digging out her phone from her pocket and dialing Layton's number.

It rang twice before it answered, "Hello?"

"Good evenin', Professa," she said, yawning.

"Sounds like you had a long day," he pointed out with a bit of worry in his voice.

She sighed loudly. "Yes. It was absolutely exhausting! I had to carry so many textbooks and sign so many papers that my hands hurt. But i do have good professors at least," she finished with a little hope in her voice.

"How about you, Professor?"

"We're in Monte D'or!" Luke chimed in over the phone. "We're visiting some of the professor's friends!"

She smiled, "That sounds like fun! What's it like over there?"

"Simply marvelous, as usual," replied the enthusiastic professor. "I wish you would've come, but I know you're focused on school at the moment."

"Oh, don't worry about it. I'm fine here! Nothing exciting has happened yet. Wait. Scratch that. I saw Rosetta today. She seemed…spritely." She giggled as she thought of the ridiculous conversation about flirting.

"She's training you to be a man-eater Flora," Luke interjected in a way that made everyone laugh.

"Well, my little gentlemen, I must be going now. Homework awaits thee," Flora declared, pumping a weak fist in the air.

"Bye, my dear," spoke the professor before hanging up.

Flora put the phone aside and exhaled in frustration. Without the boys to keep her company, she was getting a bit lonely. However, she knew she had to focus on her studies.

Flora got up and dragged herself to her bed where she slumped over the covers like a sloth. She grabbed her reflective new laptop from her bedside table and while waiting for it to boot up, she opened her daily planner. As she skimmed the pages, she heard a soft chink by the front door. When she looked in that direction, she saw an envelope tucked under the door.

"Huh? A letter?"

She tilted her head as she walked over and picked it up. An eyebrow raised, realizing that the letter had no name or address written on it.

"Well, that's strange."

She grabbed a letter opener from one of the nearby drawers. With a deliberate slice, she made a neat opening and allowed a dull yellow piece of paper to slide out onto her palm.

Her eyes widened like saucers when she unfolded the sheet. There, on that dull piece of paper, was a drawing of her!

She stared at it for a while, baffled. The drawing depicted her perfectly, from her round eyes to her tame curls. Everything was on point, too much on point and it made her heart pound against her chest.

Suddenly, she unlocked her door, ran down the stairs and out onto the sidewalk. She looked around but all she saw was a few cars casually pass by her. Hands close to her chest, she retreated to her apartment, locked the door and slid down onto the floor.

'Calm down, Flora. Breathe, just breathe.'

Even though her hands were trembling, she reached out and retrieved the letter. This time, she noticed something scribbled in the corner of the paper. C. That single letter loomed on the page, alone yet powerful.

The next morning, Flora stumbled out of her bed, her mind tripping everywhere. Her hunger didn't present itself so she decided to skip breakfast. Instead, Flora gathered her things and headed off to the bus stop.

When she arrived, no one was there. Smiling, she sat and sighed in relief. No flirty talk today. She looked at the time and realized she arrived early by 15 minutes. She groaned and contemplated about going back and take a quick nap. However, she had enough trouble staying awake just waiting, let alone walking back to the apartment.

Her mind goes back to last night as she remembered the drawing. She still couldn't believe how much it looked like her. Even more ominous was the lone letter. It had ingrained itself in the back of her mind, along with other unpleasant memories. As much as she tried, she couldn't shake the feeling that….no. It couldn't be. Not him. He wouldn't know where she was...would he?

Feeling someone could be watching her, she scoped around frantically, searching for anyone that looked even remotely suspicious.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, save for the occasional walkers that cursed at reckless drivers.

She sighed loudly and shook her head, laughing at herself. 'Get ahold of yourself, Flora."

When the bus arrived, Flora seemed in better spirits. In the back of her mind, though, one name hung by a single thread, dangling mindlessly but aware.

The usual buzzing sounded through the halls and their cell door opened. This time though, Clive seemed out of it. It wasn't his usual "out-of it" look either..

Quinn tapped Clive's shoulder. "You okay, today?"

Clive smirked and waved him off. "I'm fine."

While they were walking, one of the guards pulled Clive aside. The guard's chiseled face leaned in close enough that he could've slashed his cheek with a swipe from his sharp nose.

"Time for my beauty shot," Clive asked in a sarcastic tone.

The guard did not move a muscle. "You got a visitor."

Clive's face soon changed to seriousness as they searched him but as the guard escorted him to the visitor room, Clive gained a spring in his step. His smile returned when he spotted Cogg and Spring. He trotted over to them and hugged them both. He gestured them to sit.

Clive sat down instantly. He cleared his throat, trying to hide his excitement, "How are you?"

"Well. After we got your letter, we left the package with her. I'm pretty sure she got it."

"Did you, get to see her?" he asked, his eyes moving frantically between them and his fidgety hands.

"No." Spring replied, her face drooped.

"Mmmm." Clive exhaled softly, his eyes dipped low as well.

Cogg smiled, "Actually, I did."

Spring and Clive rose their heads.

"You did? When?" Spring turned to him.

"I guess after you started walking away, dear, I stayed for a bit. Then out of nowhere, the poor girl came running out. I don't think she saw me though."

"H-How did she look? Does she look well? How did she act?" Clive's face was a mixture of fear and anxiety.

"Whoa, there son." He held up his hand. "Once question at a time."

"Sorry, how did she look?" his voice trembled a bit.

"The same as before but more, grown up. She definitely looks like a nice young woman now." He ran his finger through his beard, "She did seem a little, on edge though."

"I can see why." Clive sighed. "Well, thank you. This means a lot to me."

"Ah. It's no big deal. Anything you need, we'll be here for you, Clive." Cogg gave a warm smile.

When Clive returned to his cell, Quinn was casually reading a book. Clive jumped a bit as the cell slammed shut behind him.

Quinn lowered his book, "Got a visitor?"

Clive nodded.

"Who was it?"

"Just family."

Five silent seconds later, Quinn flipped a page. "Who is she?"

Clive looked at him, "Who," he asked firmly.

"The girl you drew."

Clive's eyebrows furrowed, forming ridges on his forehead, "Why were you looking through my stuff?"

"No reason. Just curious is all. Don't freak out about it." Quinn closed the book. "So, who is she?"

Clive sat upright against the wall. "Someone I hurt a long time ago."

"I see." Quinn smiled wide, "Do you like her?"

His eyes squinted at his unusual question. "What do you mean, 'like her'?"

"You know, have feelings for her."

Clive turned away to hide his reddened face. "No, I do not 'like her'."

Quinn returned reading his book, "Yeah, okay. Whatever you say."

"I don't," Clive barked, flailing his arms. Then, he stopped and stared at his hands,

"Even if I did, why would she want someone like me? I bet she doesn't even want to see me again."

"Well, you never know," Quinn reassured as he put down his book. "Maybe she'll give you a second chance."

He had a point, but Clive still had his doubts. How could she forgive him? He put her through so much trauma from what she had seen, in addition to all the lies he told. There was one truth, though, that Clive was her friend. When Clive first saw her, something inside him clicked but despite his growing fondness of her, he couldn't tell her about his true plans.

"So, what's her name, Clive?"

His eyes blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "Huh?"

"What's, her name," Quinn grumbled.

He didn't want to answer but any further delay and Quinn may snap his neck. "Flora. Her name's Flora."

Hey guys! Whoo! Finally got to upload chapter two after my editor had a car accident so I didn't want him to worry about it. But he insisted so I let him edit. XD

Anyway, thanks for the follows, favorites, and reviews so far even if it's not much! I'm trying to work really hard on this story and I appreciate all the support. LOL Clive's reaction. I think I'm gonna have a lot of fun writing this. It'll be cool to try and figure out how they'll react to each other once they actually see each other again. I'm excited!

Also I want to establish Flora's age. Since this is three years later, and I'm going to assume she was 14 when Clive did all that "destroy London" stuff, that makes her 17 years old. Clive I guess would be at least 15 or 16 during that time so he would be wither 18 or 19. Choose whichever. OvO 18 seems more fitting but eh. Whatever floats ya boat.

Also, the cover is in progress. I'm drawing it myself so yeah. It might be awhile before it up but I promise it will be up by the time I post chapter 4 and maybe even earlier than that. :D

Ok. That's all. Bye! 3