Chapter 10-Traitor
In the few seconds it took for Luke to force out the sentence Layton had already reacted. Pushing Flora away from the gaping edge of the hole, he clenched his fists and plunged down into the claws of the dreaded creatures below. Flora squealed as she collided with the stony floor, her eyes frantically searching for any sign of the professor.
"PROFESSOR!" she screamed as the execrable sounds from below suffused around the whole clock tower, "WHERE ARE YOU, PROFESSOR?!"
Jacob let out a wail that belonged to that of a dying being, throwing his hands over his face and trembling ferociously as he sent a terrified and questioning glance in the old man's direction. Brenda's skin gradually transmuted into marble once again, but that didn't stop her clawing at her husband's arm as he leapt to the side of the hole to join the professor. Clark found himself restrained to the spot as he looked at his wife with desperate eyes, struggling profusely to break free from her tenacious grip.
"I have to help Hershel, Brenda!" he exclaimed as she pulled him further to safety, "Luke is down there with those…those…things!"
"Yes and remember what those things did to you, Clark!" Brenda argued as she pointed to the spot where he'd injured himself, "You'll get yourself killed down there! If one must risk their life it shall be me!"
"I'm not standing by whilst you're both down—"
"It's okay, Clark. I'll save him!"
Clark turned around in surprise, just succeeding to catch a quick glance of the lemon fabric brushing past his side. Brenda gasped and tried to reach out for the woman, but she was already forcing herself towards the hole, much to Flora's protests.
"Professor! Luke! Are you both okay?!" Emmy yelled worriedly, "I'm coming down this instant!"
The firm, but reassuring hand on her shoulder did not make her change her mind in the slightest, but nethertheless she hesitated for a moment to hear what the woman had to say. Flora clung to Emmy's shirt, looking at her with a pleading expression.
"Emmy, please don't go!" Flora begged, "You could get hurt!"
Brenda locked eyes with Emmy and nodded sincerely in agreement to Flora's comment as Clark did likewise.
"Flora's right, dear; you can't go down by yourself!"
Emmy's argument was already waiting on her lips.
"I saw Clive being taken by those creatures…and I couldn't save him," she said in an undeniably serious tone, "Luke and the professor are down there-I am not going to watch them be taken away by those creatures…and this time I can do something to save them! If I couldn't save…him…then I will not rest until Luke and the professor are safe!"
Brenda closed her eyes but refused to remove her hand from her shoulder.
"Please!" she implored, her eyes glimmering with angry tears, "I can't relive what happened to Clive! It was too—"
"Emmy! Flora! Are you okay?"
Layton's relieving but wary voice echoed across the walls of the clock tower, abstracting the capacious amount of pressure that had been gradually building up amongst the group. Flora let go of Brenda's blouse and placed her hands over her heart, appearing faint from relief.
"We…we're fine, Professor!" Emmy responded, breathing an extensive sigh of consolation, "Forget us! What about you? Are…are the dogs…gone?"
Brenda finally removed her hand from Emmy's shoulder, letting her arms drop limply to her sides as Clark put a supportive arm around her.
"Hershel! It's so good to hear your voice again!" she laughed with alleviation, "Is Luke okay?"
"I'm…I'm f…fine, Mum…," Luke answered in a wavering voice, "The…the professor's okay too…but…I just don't understand what's what!"
Layton coughed loudly before adjusting his top hat and tilting his head in the direction of the light above him.
"Well…in answer to your question, Emmy…they haven't gone as such; it's more like…they're…tired out…"
Emmy placed a hand to her chin in brief thought, frowning.
"Um…'tired out'?" she repeated, "Well…they certainly weren't tired out…last night…"
Brenda got to her feet as Clark patted Flora's head gently.
"What do you mean by 'tired out', Professor?" Flora asked in a bewildered voice, "That's…that's…just strange…"
Luke jumped to his feet and looked up at the group's questioning expressions.
"It may be best if you came down here to check it out; there's another secret room down here!"
Jacob slowly removed his hands from his face and cautiously got to his feet, still trembling a little as he sent a quick glance at Bruno, who immediately coughed and stormed towards Flora.
"Excuse me?!" he demanded, aghast, "You have absolutely no right to go wandering down into my spare research room without my permission! It's hardly a 'secret' room is it?!"
Instead of retreating Flora took a step towards him, her teeth gritted and her fists tightly clenched.
"Then could you kindly explain exactly why you have monsters of the Sorceress of Darkness hidden underneath this tower in your 'secret research room'?!"
Bruno growled and clenched his fists as well, feeling slightly uneasy about her fiery glare.
"How do you expect me to answer that?!" he shouted, "I don't even know why they're down there! Do you seriously think that I'd keep those…those wretched beasts, which assisted in trying to destroy our village, in my own tower?!"
Jacob nodded weakly in agreement to his friend's comment.
"He's…he's right!" he said defensively, "Why would he have those creatures down there? It doesn't make sense! Besides, the only reason…h…he doesn't want you down there is probably because it is private to him! Doesn't a g…great man like you, Professor Layton, know that a g…gentleman shouldn't investigate the private affairs of another?"
The professor peered up at him, frowning.
"I don't intend to pry," he answered truthfully, "I just wish to clear a few minor queries that I may have; it's the only way that we shall get anywhere with our investigation…surely you understand?"
The group turned to face Bruno, clearly waiting for a response. Before the man could speak however, the doors to the clock tower flew open and two familiar figures forced themselves inside, without even bothering to ask for permission first. Another two figures quickly followed them, desperately running after the two figures who had previously passed. Their sad and pleading expressions could not penetrate the determined and outraged looks imprinted on the faces of the first two men who had entered the tower. Emmy looked over at them, feeling mildly surprised.
"I…Inspectors!" she exclaimed, "How…how is the investigation coming along?"
The two inspectors paused upon noticing the group's presence as Barton quietly plodded to the inspector's side, greeting the group with a small wave. Chelmey grunted and stroked his moustache, not removing his dark eyes from Bruno. A suspecting look crossed his face as his eyebrows immediately sloped downwards. Emmy gulped; this was the look Chelmey wore whenever he thought he had found the criminal. Grosky was wearing a similar expression also, keeping his arms folded across his chest.
The man straightened his tie as he coughed and turned to the woman.
"Very well, Emmy," he answered proudly, puffing out his chest, "very well indeed. Thank you very much for asking."
"The inspectors believe that the case is…um…starting to become clearer after just two hours of investigating," Barton piped up, presenting Chelmey's notes, "We've been interviewing several residents and have been obtaining some useful clues."
Emmy gasped as Clark peered at the small constable.
"Do you mean to say that you have a lead?" he asked with interest, "Where does it point to?"
Chelmey turned to face the man, smiling smugly.
"Indeed we have-and I'm glad that you asked me that, good sir," he responded as a high pitched voice interrupted him before he could continue.
"No! No! It's all lies from the villagers! He'd never do such a thing!"
Flora's eyes swept the room, having only just acknowledged the presence of the fourth being that was currently tearing at Grosky's coat. The inspector pushed him away with a frown as the once confident man now began to wail and peer desperately at Jacob. He threw his long air out of his face and clenched his fists, still forcing out fruitless pleas to the inspectors.
"Dominic! There you…a…are!" Jacob exclaimed, suddenly backing away as the inspectors sent a steely glare in his direction, "What's w…w…wrong?"
Grosky looked down his long nose at the trembling form of Jacob as Chelmey thrust his finger in the Bruno's direction.
"What's wrong is that we have sufficient proof and evidence that your friend and caretaker of this village, Bruno Jackson, is being quieter about his secret affairs than is necessary to all of you-which includes AIDING THIS SORCERESS OF DARKNESS!"
Flora, Emmy, Clark, Brenda and Jacob all spun around to face the trembling and ghastly man, gasping with shock simultaneously. Flora took several steps away from the man as Emmy did likewise, letting a quiet growl escape from her lips. Jacob let out a timid squeak and ran to his friend's side. The accused man himself swayed on the spot, looking as if he wanted to regurgitate.
"W…w…w…w…what?!" he yelled, his eyes almost bulging out of their sockets, "H…h…how can you accuse me of such a thing?!"
His enormous eyes found the still stunned form of Dominic and the hairs on his beard bristled furiously.
"What have you been telling the police?" he snapped angrily, "Are you plotting something behind my back?"
Dominic shot an unusually cold glare at the man that succeeded in effectively silencing him.
"No," he answered in a cool tone, "They asked me some questions and I answered them. Then they just told me their thoughts and said they'd come to interrogate you…I have absolutely nothing to do with this!"
Bruno gritted his teeth, wanting more than ever to spit at the man. Jacob stood in front of him, questions waiting on his lips.
"T…t…there's no need to take this out on…D…Dominic here. If…If you aren't hiding anything then…surely you're not scared to go through…an interrogation?"
Luke's wavering and slightly impatient voice sounded from below them, almost giving Inspector Grosky a heart attack. Chelmey's eyes narrowed as he peered at the hole.
"What's that?" he asked gruffly, a hint of suspicion creeping into his tone, "Where's Layton if his boy's down there?"
"Mum, what's going on up there?" Luke asked, "The professor is still examining the dogs but he wants to explore the secret room in a moment."
At the sound of the word 'secret' Chelmey charged to the edge of the hole, almost sending Flora flying towards the side of the wall in the process. Barton quickly followed him as Grosky helped Flora up, being surprisingly gentle for a man of his build.
"Secret?! Did you say 'secret', lad?!" he called, "What's happened?! Did this vile criminal scum lock you in this hole with some 'monsters', as you called them?"
Luke hesitated, not knowing how to answer the inspector's question, before Layton interrupted.
"Inspector Chelmey, I believe that your timing couldn't have been more precise in this predicament," he responded, "Luke discovered this secret room underneath the tower. There were creatures of the same sort we encountered last night down here…but these ones are different. Flora, would you and the others like to come down here? I reckon that there are many clues waiting to be discovered…"
The inspector nodded as he turned assertively to the group.
"Barton, looks like we'd better have a look down there!" he told the tiny constable as Grosky ran up to join him, "Layton requests that we go down there, since these 'monsters' have been dealt with, so we'll go down there. All of us," he added, glaring at Bruno, "You and your friends can come down also; so they can watch as their friend's guilt is unearthed!"
Bruno's flesh gained a stone texture that hardened with fear with every moment that passed. Jacob gestured for him to follow the inspector, twitching and cowering at the brusque look in Chelmey's eyes. Barton gently took Flora and Emmy by the hand as he nodded to Brenda.
"Ladies first," he stated kindly as he helped Brenda down into the dark hole below before smiling at Flora, "Be careful, miss."
The girl shot him a grateful smile as she jumped down the hole and was instantly caught by the professor's waiting hands. Emmy and Clark followed shortly after before running up to Luke and the professor to check for any injuries.
"Neither of you are hurt?" Flora asked Layton in a worried tone as he grasped her tightly.
"No, dear; Luke was just a little shaken by the shock…and it's certainly no wonder."
The teenager turned towards the still quavering form of the young boy, sighing wistfully. Emmy threw her arms around Luke before she acknowledged what she was doing, squeezing him tightly.
"Um…are you okay, Emmy?" he asked in a surprised but secretly pleased manner.
The woman let him go, looking into his eyes.
"I…I just thought that…I didn't want those creatures to get you! If they'd taken you as well…I'd probably never be able to forgive myself—"
"I know, Emmy; we heard you," he answered softly as he brushed her hair out of her eyes, "You…you really are a true lady…we're so lucky to have you as our friend…and the professor's number one assistant."
Although he was trying to make her feel more superior, and she knew he was trying, the sadness swiftly returned to her. Luke looked on helplessly, being quickly interrupted by the arrival of the inspectors.
"Now then," Chelmey said confidently, "let's go and check out this little room of yours, eh, Bruno?! We'll need to examine that…that-what is that t…t...thing anyway?!"
Layton lifted the body of one of the creatures higher for the inspector to see, struggling a little under the colossal weight of such a being.
"This, Inspector, is a death dog; they are creatures believed to be called from the depths of Hell itself…to eat souls of their prey...or so the sorceress made out…"
Chelmey grimaced, repulsed by the grotesque sight. Jacob instinctively hid behind Dominic, but even he looked disgusted.
"W…w…well…we can…take it in for examination…I suppose…," he stammered, failing to cover up his fear, "So…where is this 'secret room'?"
The professor gestured to a large steel door attached to the left wall as Chelmey immediately traipsed towards it and forced the door open. Clark ran up to the professor to assist in carrying the 'tired out' creature into the next room, the deep gnash in his shoulder burning as soon as he made contact with the beast. Luke ran over to Flora and clung onto her hand tightly whilst Brenda helped to steer a confused Emmy in the desired direction.
"Do you…do you really think that Bruno could be…behind this?" Flora asked timidly as she caught a glimpse of Grosky marching him into the room behind the inspector, "I mean…Inspector Chelmey certainly thinks so…but I just don't know anymore…"
Luke put a hand on her shoulder, sighing dejectedly as Jacob began making strange whimpering noises and cowered behind Dominic. The man smiled weakly and wrapped a comforting arm around his shoulder, making the hapless man suddenly much calmer.
"Neither do any of us, Flora. This whole mystery is just so strange and complex!" he replied, watching the professor and his father heave the dog into the room after the inspector before harshly throwing it down again onto the floor.
"Mhmm…I just hope that they're mistaken and that Bruno isn't really—"
Flora was cut off as stunned gasps from the other room resonated across the walls. The professor leant across the door, his head protruding from behind it.
"All of you, come here," he beckoned in a serious tone, "I think you may want to see this."
Feeling a sense of both dread and excitement, the group quickly filed past the professor as Chelmey lunged for the old man, dragging him into the room like an unruly animal.
"Is…is that really necessary, Inspector?" Barton asked uncomfortably as he tried to keep Dominic from lashing out at the inspector.
Chelmey shot the constable an annoyed glare, which made him immediately close his mouth and shuffle his feet quietly. Bruno let out a small yelp as the inspector dragged him along the cold floor, but being the age that he was he couldn't find the strength to resist in any way. Despite the burning anger that Flora currently held against the man, she couldn't help but want to kick the inspector where it hurt the most; Bruno was after all an elderly man who wouldn't intend to harm anyone without good reason...wasn't he?
She had only a moment to consider her feelings before her feet abruptly stopped moving upon entering the room. She stood silently, mouth gaping open, alongside Luke, Jacob, Dominic, Brenda, Barton and Grosky, as all eight of them stared at the room's contents in awe.
A plain white coat of glossy paint decorated the firm brick walls, making a flawed match with the dark tiles that made up the floor. The room was small in size, but seemed to hold even more than Bruno's research room at the bottom of the tower; a huge wooden bench lay neatly against the side of the north wall, sustaining an array of tool boxes identical to his original tools, blank sheets of parchment waiting to be filled with notes and figures, but strangest of all was a long rack filled with beakers full to the brim with a sparkling liquid substance. Other vials and beakers surrounded the rack, being scattered randomly across the bench. An untidily written sheet of paper, the content having been presumably rushed, stood against the rack and contained incomprehensible language and formulas. Rubber bungs kept the unknown chemical from escaping into the room, connected by tubes to a larger container which held another liquid, presumably one of the main ingredients needed to form the chemicals in the test tubes.
Grosky scratched his chin and frowned in confusion at the equipment as Chelmey deposited the caretaker against the wall and began barking out orders to Barton.
"Barton, when we're done here make sure that this area is isolated off-oh and it would be good if we could get someone to run some tests on this substance…to find out what it really is…"
The constable nodded without hesitation and scribbled down on the notes to try and organise some chemical tests as soon as a sample had been taken. The inspector nodded in approval as the rest of the room's inhabitants peered at the other things the room contained.
Other than the bench, there wasn't anything else of much interest in the room apart from a large rectilinear crate that was positioned in the darkest corner of the room and a ponderous unidentifiable shape that rested adequately underneath several giant pale sheets, decorating the object like icing on a cake.
Flora blinked rapidly, not quite knowing what to make of it. Brenda ran to her husband's side with Emmy in tow, who was currently squinting watchfully at the contents of the tubes. Luke ran over to join the professor as Grosky began throwing various items of no interest around the room as if he owned the tower, until the floor resembled a miniature junkyard.
"W…what do you think about all of this, Professor?" he asked cautiously, "Has Bruno been…making some sort of potion?"
Layton didn't answer his apprentice; he had his eyes firmly fixed on the large covered object that stood just a few metres away from them. He placed a hand to his chin and tried to imagine where he'd seen that shape before; it just looked so…familiar.
"Um…are you okay, Professor?"
He had seen that shape more than a few times and he was sure that there wasn't anything that quite matched up to its appearance…apart from this; it was equivalent to the thing the professor was thinking of in almost every way.
"Professor?"
Layton snapped his fingers and allowed a triumphant smile to cross his face as the answer came flooding to him.
"Luke, help me to take off those sheets; I wish to see if my theory is correct."
The boy nodded as he ran to the side of the object and gripped the sheet tightly. The professor followed suit, preparing to give Luke the signal to pull it off. Dominic frowned a little, unsure of what they were doing, whilst Jacob looked curiously at his friends. Bruno's eyes widened to their maximum size as he watched the covers gracefully fall off the object, unveiling its true identity to the room's inhabitants. Flora took in a deep breath and gasped in horror as Emmy and Luke stared, transfixed, at the object.
Its shape hadn't changed at all, but parts of it had clearly been broken off or ripped out to be used for unknown purposes; it was obvious, due to the fact that there were about a dozen scratch marks decorating every side of the article. The inside remained immaculate, but the once rufescent shade that made the object its own being barely remained, having been replaced with darker shades of rust and steel. The professor stroked the side of the body feeling rather saddened, whilst the room's inhabitants gasped with the sudden realisation.
"Is…isn't that-?" Brenda began, her eyes widening as Clark followed suit.
"Hershel, that's-"
"The Layton Mobile!" Luke and Flora exclaimed simultaneously, staring longingly at what little that remained of the professor's beloved vehicle.
Chelmey almost dropped his papers in shock, spinning around to face the open mouthed form of Bruno, now huddled against the wall and holding his hands protectively in front of his face.
"Would you like to explain that fact, Bruno?!" he yelled, "Why do you just happen to 'oh so conveniently' possess Layton's missing vehicle?!"
The man stammered in reply, unable to find a suitable excuse to answer the inspector's question. Jacob locked eyes with Dominic as they turned towards their friend.
"Why…why do you have the professor's car down here…and what have you done to it?!"
Bruno remained silent, refusing to answer their questions. Luke folded his arms and pointed at the Layton Mobile.
"So it was you all along!" he exclaimed angrily, "You took the Layton Mobile and somehow managed to hide it down here to stop us from leaving the village!"
"That way, we couldn't leave here even if we wanted to-and you knew that there was a risk of us getting harmed, such as Clark obtaining his injury and Clive being…abducted by those beasts, considering all of the events that were going on at the time."
"That's right, Mrs Triton!" Flora continued as she shifted her accusing glare towards Bruno, "but why you were taking parts from the Layton Mobile…I don't know…unless you were using them to build more villagers or something like that?"
Layton nodded and patted his daughter's head, looking seriously at the caretaker.
"They're right; it all makes sense. Why though, Bruno? Would you care to explain why?"
The man was at his wit's end…and he had had enough of the group's endless accusations.
"FOR THE LAST TIME, I'M TELLING YOU THAT I CERTAINLY DON'T KNOW WHY YOUR VEHICLE IS DOWN HERE!" he roared as Chelmey approached the man swiftly, not knowing whether to restrain him as a precaution as Bruno's voice lowered in volume but carried just as much accusation and almost hatred, "I would never aid that vile creature and my only purpose has been to preserve this village for Baron Reinhold! Why would I do anything else that wouldn't be preserving the village? He was my friend! I have absolutely nothing to do with those…despicable loathsome beasts-and that foolish boy that they claimed should have been clever enough to stay out of the way! He ignored any warnings of danger; he deserved just what he got!"
Emmy jerked her head in his direction, her eyes welling up with tears as she snarled at Bruno furiously.
"You can snarl at me for as long as you like but I am entitled to my own opinions! Anyway wasn't he an insane criminal in the past who showed extreme violence towards everything and everyone—"
"SHUT UP!"
Every head immediately turned to face Emmy's seething form. She'd interrupted with a livid holler, her blood boiling like fiery acid through her veins, although the hint of a plea was buried underneath her strident exclamation. The professor stared at her, momentarily stunned by her outburst, as her expression instantly changed and she buried her face in her hands, her emotions obscured as she turned her back towards the group. Luke and Flora moved dangerously towards the man with furious glares, but the professor quickly threw his arm in front of them, much to their protest.
"I'm afraid that brute force is not the best way to deal with things like this," he told them sternly, before he approached the raging man with a cold tone, "As for your previous comment, you have no right to speak about Clive in that manner-and I'm sure you can see that it is certainly not helping Emmy."
Brenda tried to console Emmy but she merely extricated herself, wanting more than ever to isolate herself off from the whole world.
"Emmy?" she said gently, feeling utterly helpless at that moment in time as the woman shuffled even further away from them.
A harsh and bitter silence descended upon the group, being eventually broken by a feeble bang issuing from a corner of the room. The professor suddenly found his senses and strained his ears, trying to catch the delicate sound.
"Do you still want to deny your—"
"Shh, Inspector, did you hear that?" Layton whispered as the noise sounded again.
Chelmey squeezed his eyes shut and placed a hand to his ear as the noise invaded his ear drums.
"Hear what-? Oh, that noise," he muttered as Jacob regained his startled composure, "Yeah…but where is it coming from?"
Flora's eyes scanned the room until they settled on the large crate that she had spotted earlier. Tentatively, she crept towards it and knelt down beside it, the vague noise now sounding clearer and louder from this new position. She clapped her hands and thrust her finger at the crate.
"Professor, it's coming from in here!" she exclaimed, lightly tapping the top of it, "Maybe we can see what's…inside if I can just…get it open…"
Clenching her fists with determination, the girl grasped the lid firmly and began forcing it upwards with all of the strength that she could muster into her body, only to find that her efforts were futile-as usual.
"Ngggh!" she groaned as the lid stayed glued to the crate, "It won't budge!"
She stepped away, exhausted, finally acknowledging the large silver chain and padlock keeping the crate tightly shut. Only a key could get that crate open-and they didn't have one at that present time. Flora sighed, defeated, as she turned back to the professor.
"We need a key," she announced, "It won't open!"
"You did your best, my girl, don't worry about it," Layton said soothingly as a new thought came to him, "Hmm…if that crate is padlocked…then it must mean that the contents are important…"
Jacob and Dominic bit their lips and began assisting the group in searching for the key. Grosky and Barton did likewise, whilst Chelmey kept his beady eyes trained on Bruno. It was only momentarily, but a look of intense fear, more powerful than what he'd already shown, crossed the man's face for a single second and his breathing quickened whilst beads of sweat appeared on his brow. He instantly tried to cover it up, but the professor had already seen what he needed; the look that gave everything away.
Layton started towards him but Bruno had already started squirming away from the wall. Chelmey retrieved him in no time, hauling him to his feet and pinning him against the wall.
"What is in that crate?!" he bellowed, shaking him roughly, "Confess to everything and maybe I'll go easier on you!"
"I…I…I…I—"
A high pitched clatter sounded from below his feet, bringing the expression of fresh horror back to his features as he struggled viciously to retrieve the object. Luke quickly snatched it with his foot, kicking it out of reach of the man's groping fingers. The boy picked it up and held it above his head triumphantly, swinging the metal structures from their loop as the man let out a disturbed wail.
"Look what I found," he said with a smirk that attracted the attention of everyone in the room, "I wonder if this is what fits the lock…Oh no!"
"What's wrong, my boy?" Layton asked, his proud smile falling upon seeing the look of distress on his apprentice's face.
"There has to be about six dozen keys on here, Professor!" he exclaimed as he pulled out a piece of paper that was slotted between two keys, "but this looks like a puzzle that tells you which key is needed to open the lock on the crate!"
The professor took the paper off of his apprentice, placing a hand to his chin as he studied the paper.
"Well…I think this puzzle may put up a fight…"
Puzzle 15- Unfriendly figures (30 picarats)
'Find the answer to the sum below to find out which of the 24 keys is the one needed to open the crate in the corner. The number that you get is the number of the key (1-24) that you must use: /=divided by
X+V+II-III+IV x XI / VI-X=?
Which numbered key should you use?
(Get this right and you will have 580 picarats)
"Aha!I believe that this is the one we are looking for!" Layton announced triumphantly, drawing out the key with the number '23' stamped firmly on it and handing it to his apprentice, "Luke, try this in the lock please. I believe that we've found something of great importance."
The teenager nodded as Clark put his arm around Brenda and smiled proudly at the remained impassive, oblivious to everything around her except the undying sadness that threatened to strangle her like a hangman's noose. Chelmey watched the boy smugly as he skipped over to join Flora at the crate, thrusting the keys into the lock without hesitating for a single second. The chains immediately vanished and the lock clattered to the floor, moaning in humiliated defeat. Shaking with nerves, the boy gingerly pushed open the lid, throwing it the side as both he and Flora squinted into the darkness, completely unprepared for what was lurking at the bottom.
"W…w…w…what?" Flora stammered, taking a few steps away from the crate with a disgusted look on her face, "What is…that?"
Luke didn't reply but kept his eyes firmly focused on the bottom of the crate, an expression of sickened horror spread across his face. He shook his head vigorously and rubbed his eyes, wondering whether he was dreaming. To be honest, he didn't know whether he wanted it to be a dream. Flora peered cautiously at his now solicitous face, trembling as she forced herself to look into the crate.
"Well?" the professor asked, an edge of uncertainty in his voice, "What's in there?"
Silence filled the room again, apart from Flora's distressed squeal as she turned away from the crate for the third time in a row. Luke however, remained unfazed by this as he clung to the edges of the crate, looking as if he was prepared to dive into it to retrieve what waited at the bottom.
"It…it…it can't be!"
"Luke?"
"C…can you hear me? Please say you can…h…hear me!" the boy begged, his plea not being directed at the professor.
Warily, the professor turned on his heel and advanced cautiously towards the crate as Bruno began bleating in a high pitched voice.
"What is in there?" the professor asked slowly, dread creeping up inside of him.
Luke closed his eyes, sighing morosely.
"Do you mean…who is in there, Professor?" he replied hesitantly as Layton dubiously examined its contents.
The professor let out a gasp of horror and almost found himself reeling back in shock as he stared at the figure below them: it remained still and unmoving apart from a few occasional tremors, back arched against the asperous side of the crate, forcing the figure into a bitter and incommodious position. As the professor surveyed it closer, he could just about make out that the figure was a male although, judging by the way he appeared to be cowering in a defenceless manner, he could've been easily mistaken for a young and naïve child. His head hung low in a shameful manner, showing how extremely weak and enervated he felt at the present time, his chin just brushing the torn material of the white blouse he wore. A dark material covered this, accompanied by several holes and patches that made it seem like it was at least a century old.
"Is…is…isn't that-?"
"I believe so, my boy," the professor answered, tentatively reaching for the youth's face, "but I need to check first."
He gently placed his finger on the figure's chin and lifted it softly so that his face was exposed to the light. Luke clutched onto the professor's jacket as the professor bent down even further, immensely relieved but as equally outraged at the sight in front of them: the once golden hair in its flawless formation now hung in a dishevelled state, matted with dark flecks of grime. Any radiance that the skin held had been lost long ago; it was covered in a variety of debris, from miniscule specks of dust to dark patches of soot, being illuminated further by the rather pale colour flooding every inch of the skin that appeared as white as a dove's wing in the darkness of the crate. His eyes remained locked shut, failing to open even when the professor tried to rouse him. Whether it was pain, fear or fatigue that had overcome him that fact remained unknown, but several still existent tear streaks were evident on his achromatic face, stinging the thin cut that adorned his right cheek. Luke winced uncomfortably, acknowledging the firm rope that wound around the figure's ankles and wrists, for his hands appeared to be bound behind him, as well as the double layer of fixed tape that clung painfully to his mouth.
The teenager's mouth dropped open, unable to believe how the strong-willed and adventurous young man had changed since they had last seen him, which was almost twenty-four hours ago. Presumably being dragged to his doom by those creatures…
"P…Professor…what's happened…to him?" Luke asked in a wavering voice, giving the youth a rough shake of the shoulder.
Layton opened his mouth to protest but was cut off by a muffled groan. He turned back to the crate, gasping with relief, as Clive stirred a little, trying to make sense of his surroundings. The sharp pain burning his spine came as a harsh reminder of the painful position he'd had to endure for such a long time and of his current predicament also. There was no sensation in his wrists or ankles although the nasty red blotches were proof enough of his restraints' existence. Squinting through his aching eyelids into the bright light streaming into the crate, the faint outline of two other figures gradually shifted into focus.
"Ahem, are you still with us, Layton?" Chelmey's bored and impatient voice rang through the air, "Have you quite finished having a nice conversation with the Invisible Man?"
The professor shook his head without turning around, seriousness etched into every line of his face.
"The Invisible Man, Inspector, isn't quite so invisible at all—"
He was cut off as Clive managed a muffled groan that was barely discernible. Luke launched himself at the crate, eyes wide with hope and infinite relief as Layton immediately focused on Clive's recovering form.
"C…Clive!"
Emmy's head immediately jerked to the side, everything around her apart from the name that she'd just heard stopping to an abrupt halt. Her whole body seemed to become debilitated as she forced herself to shakily turn around. Her eyes were wide and flitting everywhere for any sign of him; was that…really his voice? What had happened to its bright cheerful tone? But if that was his voice, then…that meant he really was—
"Mmph—MMPH?!"
Clive's eyebrows immediately shot upwards as he instantly recognised the voices that he'd been wanting to hear for hours and his body lurched forwards, allowing him to twist himself into a position that allowed him to attempt a kick at the crate so that it capsized and flung him roughly onto the floor. The professor and Luke dodged out of the way as every head swivelled towards the source of the noise, disbelieving gasps of surprise erupting at the sight of Clive alive after their doubts of the past few hours.
"Why…why that's Dove, isn't it?" Chelmey stammered in shock, trying to hide the surprised and disgusted expression on his face at the state of the youth.
Even Grosky, who sometimes appeared to possess no emotion whatsoever, wore an identical expression on his own face and Barton let out a high pitched squeak of horror. Flora's eyes looked as though they may have leapt out of their sockets as she stared hard at her friend, thankful beyond relief that he was back with them. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it again, finding no words that would be able to describe how much she had truly missed the boy. Clark and Brenda gasped loudly and a horrified expression crossed their faces, presumably because it brought back the fresh memory of when it had been Luke in that place instead of Clive and maybe because of how alike the two looked even in this state. Jacob winced in obvious distaste and looked on the verge of crying, whereas Dominic simply stared, stunned, at the sight on front of them, eyebrows rising with an unidentifiable emotion.
"C…C…C…Clive?" Emmy stammered as he was thrown roughly to the floor, repeatedly blinking her eyes as if she was trying to force herself to awake from a pleasant dream, "Are you…really—"
"HRM-MPH-MMPH!" Clive yelled through his gag, thrashing and struggling profusely against the ropes binding him, wanting more than ever to run to his friends.
The professor instantly knelt down beside him, tentatively placing his hands on the boy's shoulders to console him.
"My boy, it's okay; it's me-it's the professor," he said in a quiet and soothing tone, "You're safe now."
It took several seconds for the boy to calm down enough to pay attention to the man but as he stared back into the professor's kind and concerned eyes, all of Clive's resistance and fear vanished. Layton's words were like medicine, healing the pain and endless worries and fears that clouded his brain, causing him to relax slightly although it failed to dull the slightly frightened expression on his face as he allowed his eyes to close, due to the calmness that his friends' comforting presence provided.
"W…will he be okay, Hershel?" Clark asked warily as he tried to maintain a calm composure and was currently failing drastically.
Emmy remained standing where she was, silently, mouth hanging open as she took about a dozen deep breaths to compose herself before she couldn't hold back her emotions any more.
"Clive!"
At the mere sound of his guardian's voice, Clive's eyes abruptly snapped open. He stared wistfully at Emmy and began struggling frantically again, desperate to reach her.
"MMPH-MMPH!" he cried stridently, clearly trying to shout her name as tears began to form in his eyes.
In the course of the next few seconds, it appeared as if both she and Clive were the only two people in existence; she bolted over to him, the fastest that she'd ever ran in her life, before sinking to her knees, fighting valiantly to stop her tears from falling as she peered at the despicable state of the boy. She caressed his face in her palms lightly, stroking his cut with the tip of her finger as she gazed, mesmerised, into his dark teary eyes. The youth stared back transfixed on nothing but her, his eyes shining like glazed obsidian. A relieving calmness overcame him in her presence and he found he was unable to take his eyes off of her beautiful features that had clearly suffered during his absence.
Brenda knelt next to Clive's still shaking form and gently cupped her hands around his icy cheeks whilst Layton began tugging viciously on the ropes securing Clive's ankles.
"Luke, Flora, help me untie him," he ordered as the two teenagers ran to their mentor's side, "We'll get you out of these in no time, my boy. Just please remain still."
"Mr-hrmph…", Clive murmured weakly, screwing his eyes shut in pain as the rope cut into his exposed flesh, being comforted only by Emmy's repetitive moments that everything would be fine and that she was right by his side.
Both Flora and Luke began to untie his hands, although the process was more difficult than it looked. Brenda stepped out of the way to allow them some space as Luke gritted his teeth in determination.
"Whoever…nggh...tied these…nggh…ropes must be pretty…nggh…good!" he panted as he peered at Clive apologetically, "We'll…get you free in a ...nggh moment though!"
Flora was trying her hardest to assist as she stared worriedly at Clive, desperately hoping he'd be alright. Emmy in the meantime had gripped the edge of the tape that rendered Clive's words indiscernible whilst gritting her teeth with determination as she tried to reassure him in a consoling voice.
"This…this is going to hurt a little…," she said in an unnaturally soft tone, "It's…it's necessary though…just hold still for a few moments. I…I promise it will be over in a minute…"
Clive nodded bravely, tensing up and bracing himself as Emmy quickly ripped the gag off of him. Luke gulped as the tape parted with Clive's flesh, almost able to sense his obvious pain, whilst the professor and Flora managed to untie the final knots securing Clive's bonds. The youth let out a feeble moan of pain as his mouth throbbed achingly.
"P…Please say something, Clive!" Emmy almost begged him, shaking his shoulders gently, "Say anything!"
"…Ow?"
Emmy laughed quietly in relief as the ropes binding Clive slackened and fell around him. He let out a gasp of relief as he instantly began to massage the scarlet areas where his restraints had bit into his skin whilst Emmy savagely kicked the bindings to the corner of the room, treating them as if they were venomous evil snakes. Layton frowned, shaking his head in disbelief as a bright red mark blossomed where the tape had been.
"How…despicably cruel," he stated simply as Luke and Flora hurriedly helped Clive to his feet.
"A…are you okay, Clive?" the two teenagers asked simultaneously as he continued to massage his wrists.
Clive hesitated for a few seconds as he slowly raised his head and let his eyebrows droop downwards in pain.
"Ugh…thank goodness!" he exclaimed with a look of extreme distaste, "Finally I'm free of that…thing. I thought for a moment there that…that I'd end up spending the rest of my life unable to say a single word that didn't start with the letter 'M'…and those ropes ached like hell…"
"C…Clive! You're…you're back!"
Not able to contain herself for another second, Emmy flung her arms around Clive and pulled him close to her chest, clutching onto him as though she would never let go. Her knees quavered with relief rather than fear as several teardrops of joy streamed down her face and she cried loudly into his shoulder. Clive was stunned for several moments, wondering what had happened to her usual feisty and cheeky personality, but he threw his arms around her waist also and closed his eyes, oblivious to the tears spilling down his cheeks also. Luke and Flora exchanged a relieved look at each other as the professor adjusted his hat and smiled. Watching the two's emotional embrace made his heart want to leap out of his chest, unable to express how happy he felt now that his two assistants were finally reunited with each other.
"E…Emmy…oh…Emmy!"
"Shh…Shh…," she whispered soothingly, although she was in tears herself, "It's…it's okay…you're going to be fine…Oh, I am so sorry…I couldn't…save you…and you've been through all of—"
"I'm…I'm okay, Emmy," he stammered in response although it was evident that he wasn't telling one hundred per cent of the truth, "There was nothing you could've done…I was worried about all of you and…Emmy…I've…I've really missed you…"
Emmy clung to him even tighter, her tears falling faster than ever.
"I…I…I've really missed you t…too, Clive…"
"You are all she's been going on about for the past twenty-four hours," Brenda added, still rather shaken, "We need to get you looked at. Were…were you harmed in any other way?"
Clive shook his head a little, slumping against Emmy as his ankle gave way.
"Mhmm…," he murmured, "I think the dog got hold of my leg…before I…blacked out…"
It was then that Emmy finally noticed the bloody raw mark streaking down his leg, gasping in horror as she stared at it. Chelmey paced straight over to the youth, pity but burning questions in his eyes.
"Who did this to you? Who kept you captive in there?" he asked sharply, "Did you see who it was?"
"I…I'm sorry, Inspector, but…I blacked out before I could see who it was…then when I came to I was blindfolded…I could hear quiet voices a little…but when my blindfold was taken off, their faces were concealed by hoods so I had no way of seeing them…"
A metal object in the boy's pocket caught the inspector's eye as it glistened in the light. Frowning, he tore it out of Clive's pocket and titled his head to the side whilst he studied it.
"Where did you get this, Dove?" he asked gruffly as he squinted at its markings.
Emmy shot the inspector an agitated scowl; Clive had been mistreated and held against his will, so was he really fit for an interrogation at that current time?
"I…I found it when the dogs attacked…shortly before those dogs went for me…but as I picked up the item the sorceress looked as if she was…getting her dogs to target me—"
"Because you found it?" Layton inquired, placing a hand to his chin.
"Mm…I don't know," Clive answered wearily, leaning against Emmy again.
Layton ran over to examine the item in Chelmey's hand as Luke and Flora did likewise. A single look was all it took for the pieces of the puzzle to come together. The girl took an enormous step back, shivering violently as she turned to face the corner of the room.
"That's…that's…that's…that's the seal of—"
"Right, I believe we have this case drawing to a close," Chelmey stated assertively as he walked over to Barton and Grosky, "With all of the pieces we have…it's easy to find that there is a traitor in this village…standing in front of us now…"
Barton presented the notes as Grosky slowly walked over to the dog that had been brought into the room earlier, kicking it with his foot.
"A strange brewing chemical, this secret room, suspicious behaviour, your missing vehicle that stopped all of you from leaving the village—"
"By Jove!" Grosky exclaimed in shock, "This thing is…is…a robot!"
Gasping, Layton ran over to the creature and peered closely. If its sudden lack of movement didn't explain that fact, then the springs and cogs that were now poking out of its side, due to Grosky's large feet, certainly did. The complex array of components, buttons and motors were of a great mechanical standard and as the professor bent over to examine it, another component parted from the creature and rolled up to Layton's foot. Retrieving it carefully, only to have it immediately snatched off of him by Chelmey, the inspector held it up to the light, grinning smugly as the silver lines of the logo on the component stared back at him.
"Looks like another thing to add to the list...," he announced before continuing again, "so now that also adds on that the dogs are robots so the villain would have to have access to such devices and mechanical parts…and probably the biggest clue of all…is standing right over there in that horrible state."
Clive weakly looked over at the inspector as he stopped pacing and paused on the spot.
"There is only one person who could've done all of this…and that person's name…," Chelmey muttered quietly, before thrusting his finger forwards in an accusing manner, "IS BRUNO JACKSON!"
Clive almost fell over with shock, finding the pensioner remarkably easily. If the man had appeared scared earlier, then only God knew how to describe what he looked like now: Covered by an avalanche of snow, trembling vigorously as sweat flooded his forehead as if he possessed some unnatural fever. He began wringing his quivering hands roughly, settling his blurred vision on anything that didn't stare back at him with outrage, betrayal and accusation.
"Nothing to say?!" Chelmey yelled, "Can you somehow come up with an explanation as to why you have Master Dove locked in that crate in your store room that you had the key to?!"
Jacob took several steps away from the man, his eyes brimming with tears.
"H…how could…you?" he stammered, betrayal imprinted on his face.
Dominic sniffed and shook his head.
"Who knew it would come to this?" he said sadly, "We trusted you, Bruno…and not only have you let your friends down…but you've let the whole village down as well…"
The two men shuffled to the professor's side, who was staring at Bruno with anger and disbelief. Conflicting emotions crossed his face; the evidence couldn't have been clearer, but it seemed so…unlike Bruno to do anything of the sort. Emmy pushed Clive behind her as Clark followed suit with Luke. Clive glared at the man, although the look of outrage on his face was not even one tenth compared to Emmy's. She clenched her fists tightly and gnashed her teeth, moving towards him as if she wanted to crush his skull. Layton quickly blocked her as Grosky and Chelmey approached Bruno with stern glares.
"You're coming with us," he announced as Grosky forced the man into a pair of handcuffs, "You're staying where we can keep an eye on you until we get back to the Yard. I advise that you don't resist; you'll only make it worse for yourself. In the meantime, we'll be investigating this scene in the next few hours to find any more useful information-and maybe you can tell us a fact or two about your mistress, eh?"
Bruno let out a distressed squeak as Grosky began to haul him away.
"I…I…I don't know any information about…her!" he protested.
"A likely story…we'll soon see, won't we?"
Flora remained attached to the floor below her, tears streaming down her face as she took a final look at the man whom she had once classed as like a father to her.
"Why?" she croaked, "Why, Bruno? I trusted you…and loved you like a friend…I guess that's changed now…how could you be…a traitor?"
Bruno screwed up his eyes and let a single tear spill down his cheek before the three had dragged him out of the room and started to force him back up the tower. A hush fell upon the room, quickly broken by the loud slam of the tower door, meaning that the four of them had now left. Layton sighed and placed a hand on Flora's shoulder as he closed his eyes.
"I'm sorry, dear…you shouldn't have had to see—"
"It's o…okay," she answered, drying her eyes, "So…now that the supposed person who is aiding this sorceress has been arrested…what happens next?"
The professor turned to face the rest of his assistants, smiling as he watched Luke fly into Clive's arms and hug him tightly. The youth instantly copied, smiling weakly as Flora ran over to join in the 'reunion hugs'. Brenda, Clark and Emmy approached the professor.
"Where do we go now then? We've…not really got a lead…"
"On the contrary, Emmy, I believe we may," Layton replied as he glanced at the joyful crying teenagers in the corner, "Flora, Luke and I shall go and see if Augustus's diaries and files yield any valuable information. Clive has just been through a terrible ordeal; he needs rest, care and attention before we can even think of continuing with our investigation and a true gentleman always puts others first. Clark, I'd imagine you're tired as well. I hope you don't feel offended when I ask if the three of you would like to return with Clive to the inn whilst we investigate. We shouldn't be too long."
The three adults nodded as Luke and Flora helped Clive to limp up to the professor.
"How…how did you guys find me again?" he asked, wincing as the red marks around his wrists stared unnervingly back at him.
"You were kicking the side of the crate without realising," Layton explained as he smiled weakly at him, "That's how we found you, but it's okay-you're safe now, my boy. I regret that we couldn't have found you sooner…I am sorry you had to suffer like this…but you must've been very brave indeed."
"Th…thanks, Professor, but you shouldn't…apologise…I was just…scared once or twice...but you've saved me…thank you. So…what's next?" he murmured, "Do we go investigating or—OW!"
"You're not going anywhere until you're rested, Brenda's seen to your wounds and you have a full stomach," Emmy interrupted as she wrapped her arm around Clive to help steady him, "You're coming back to the inn with us, where you can't plunge headlong into danger, Birdie!"
The youth would've slapped his face, if he had the strength, but he managed a weak groan of agitation as they made their way out of the door. Truthfully, he had never thought he'd be so glad to hear that name again.
"We'll see you later then, Hershel. All of you-be careful!"
"Don't worry, Clark-we'll be fine," the professor responded, "The same goes to you."
Clive shot a grateful look at the professor before the door cut him out of the professor's view. Flora shakily ran up to the professor with Luke holding her hand tightly.
"How on earth could Bruno do something like this?!" Luke exclaimed in shock, "Will…will Clive be okay, Professor?"
Layton nodded seriously.
"He's a strong and determined young gentleman inside; obviously, he's been through a terrible ordeal being restrained in that…manner…but he'll be fine after some rest and affection."
Luke breathed a sigh of relief as Flora looked at the professor.
"So…do you think that all of this is linked to my sister?"
Layton looked her in the eye and sighed.
"I believe so now…and I was wrong to doubt it in the first place. I'm sorry."
"Please, don't apologise, Professor. If you want to make it up to me then you can do so by leading us to Papa's old files and diary entries…isn't that what Bruno said? Then again…I don't know if I trust Bruno now…"
Dominic coughed, reminding the group of his and Jacob's existence.
"He…he may have done bad things…but I sense that he was telling the truth about that part," he said, trying to make her hopeful, "I'd investigate it; it's as good a lead as any that you have at the moment."
Jacob nodded, currently holding onto his friend's shoulder as if his life depended on it. The professor adjusted his hat and smiled.
"Then we shall do just that. Luke, Flora, let's go," he ordered before turning to the men, "What will you both do now, gentlemen? Perhaps I can ask Beatrice if I can bring you some refreshments…"
The two men smiled but kindly declined the offer.
"Oh, you shouldn't trouble yourself, Professor...but if you insist anything apart from ice c..cream. I have a t...terrible allergy to dairy products."
"None for me either, but thank you for the offer. We'll just be continuing with our construction on the robots…if Bruno really is the one…then they may shut down the village…then what would become of the Reinhold Fortune…if anyone knew where it was?"
"Hopefully it shan't come to that," Layton replied, "Anyway, both of you have a pleasant day. We'll probably see you tomorrow. Until then, farewell, Gentlemen."
"Goodbye," Luke and Flora responded as the professor ushered them through the door.
The heartache and betrayal in the girl's heart couldn't be measured on any scale, but as she forced one foot in front of the other a single warning flashed in front of her eyes:
Beware of those closest to you…
Mystery 2-The vanishing vehicle-SOLVED
The Layton Mobile had been hidden in Bruno's secret research room underneath the clock tower. It seems that it had been taken to stop the group from leaving St Mystere and to help contribute to the robots that were being built.
Mystery 4- Death Dogs-SOLVED
As unbelievable as it seems, the Death Dogs were nothing more than expertly crafted robots. Being kept in Bruno's cellar, with structures all made from his resources. The robots were designed to terrify the villagers. Clive, who had been believed to have been claimed by the creatures, was found alive but imprisoned at the bottom of the clock tower. Does that mean that the other residents could be alive too?
Mystery 7-The culprit is Bruno?
After finding convincing evidence, Chelmey arrested Bruno for aiding the Sorceress of Darkness. Bruno swears that he is innocent but no one believes him at the present time. Is he really the one behind all of this?
There's chapter 10 all done…that was longer than I thought…Do you guys like reading long chapters? Is there anything I can do to improve? If you have some ideas, please don't be shy; tell me and I'll do all I can to improve. The next chapter will be up maybe in…two weeks max-it's my birthday and my sleepover party this week so I'll be pretty busy. The story continues then. Thank you for taking the time to read this and review if you have! Plant peace for the planet, keep well and good and see you around soon!
Abbie XD XD XD XD XD
