Professor Layton and the Living Dead
Prologue: A mysterious request
Luke had gotten the letters from the Professor's mailbox and started to make his way to the University to meet the Professor in his office. While on his way there he looked through the addresses on the letters. A true Gentleman doesn't open someone else's mail, Luke knew that much, but the letters weren't that interesting in the first place.
"Professor, I bring you the mail.", Luke stated as he opened the door to the Professor's office. He suddenly stopped in his tracks as he saw a lady, about Layton's age, sitting on the couch and Layton sitting there with her.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know you had a visitor, Professor.", Luke said with a slight blush on his cheeks. He put the letters down and wanted to leave before the woman stated: "No, you can stay, Luke."
It kinda freaked out the little boy. He didn't tell her his name, so how did she know? Maybe Layton has told her.
"Thank you for bringing the letters, my boy. Now, this woman has something to do for us.", Layton smiled at the boy, who walked over to the two and sat down as well.
"I'm so sorry to bother you with this, Professor Layton, but I was told that you might be able to help me. After all, you are a master when it comes to puzzles and mysteries, or so I'm told.", the woman explained, looking down at her hands.
"Helping a woman in need is the duty of a gentleman. Isn't that right, Luke?", Layton said with a smile, making Luke smile and reply with a simple nod.
"I just don't want to put you in danger, Professor. It's a rather strange set of circumstances that let me here.", she said, brushing some of her hair from her face. Luke had to blush again, she was quite beautiful.
"You have really beautiful hair, Miss. It looks like rubies have been woven into it.", Luke blurted out. The woman jumped in a bit of surprise and blushed. Somehow, she had heard that before, but she can't remember where. She thanked the boy with a shy smile.
"Well, Miss, I can certainly try and help you with whatever mystery it is that is plaguing you.", Layton reassured the woman. She was certainly quite worried about whatever it is that she wanted the Professor to investigate.
"I don't know who I am.", the woman admitted, though it didn't seem to be her only concern.
"You don't know who you are? That's strange. Usually people have some sort of nickname they are called, even when they forget their real one.", Luke stated in a bit of confusion. Layton just sat there and listened as the woman explained everything. She woke up in the middle of London, a crowd having formed around her. She had no recollection of how she got there or what happened, the last thing she could recall was a fire. After she woke up, maybe a few days later, a ghost started haunting her. The ghost left her letters with words full of love and flowers, but never a bouquet, only a single one. It freaked her out, so she went to Scotland Yard, who informed her that they couldn't do anything and advised her to go look for a Professor Hershel Layton. So she did just that, and now she was where she was.
"That sounds quite peculiar indeed.", Professor Layton stated, lost in thought a bit.
"Professor, we can't call her by 'Miss', all the time. ", Luke said with concern. Layton looked at the woman and then turned to Luke.
"Luke, do you remember the article about a fire in London's richest neighbourhood?", Layton asked the boy, who thought for a moment before denying.
"Well, a few years ago, Professor Desmond Sycamore, my colleague specialized in ancient civilizations, was married. He lived in that neighbourhood with his wife and child. Professor Sycamore was on a business trip and on the day he returned, his house, with his family inside, was burned to the ground. He disappeared only a few days later. After the police looked through the burned ruins, they only found one body.", Layton explained. Luke didn't quite understand how that connected to her having a name.
"Professor Sycamore's wife was called Scarlett, an extraordinary beauty with hair that looks like rubies were woven into it.", Layton stated.
"Oh, so this woman's name is Scarlett.", Luke said. Layton smiled and nodded, adding: "Well, if it's not her real name, at least we can call her that. If that is okay with her."
The woman nodded, smiling a bit. Little did the trio know that the 'ghost' is watching them, plotting and scheming.