(I own naught, but I guess you know that by now.)

Chapter Four

Another

There was a crackle of a match and the lamp was re-ignited. Flora let go of Luke's hand, blushing furiously. A person was crouched by the lamp, a person that hadn't been there a few moments ago.

"Gah!" Luke stepped backwards, "Who're you?"

"That depends on who you are." the person spoke in a low, dangerous voice.

"My name is Hershel Layton, and this is-" said the Professor immediately.

"Luke, his apprentice."

"And I'm Flora."

The figure rose and turned around.

"Elsie Turner."

"The Elsie Turner who's been missing for nearly a week now?"

"The very same."

She was tall, taller than Flora, with a pilot's hat and goggles covering up the majority of her hair, apart from a few tufts which escaped from the edges. There was something almost arrogant about her smile.

"Why're you here?" demanded Luke, still sounding suspicious.

Elsie stuck her hand in her pocket and produced three orange tokens.

"You too?" asked the Professor darkly.

"Amateur detective, I kind of hoped this case would make my name in the world of...mystery...solvers..." she faded off, grinning awkwardly.

"But it didn't go quite to plan?" suggested the Professor.

"That's one way to put it."

The Professor bowed his head, once again deep in though. Luke was still watching Elsie warily, standing just a little in front of Flora as if to protect her.

"Are there others here? Beside you and Jackson."

"You've met Jackson I suppose? He's been here the longest, or at least out of the ones I've met he seems to be. There are probably more. I know of two others, but I haven't seen them for a while..."

"I see. Were they also detectives?"

"Yes, both of them were."

"Hrm..."

"Suspicious, right? I thought that maybe someone was gathering us all together, but I can't think of why."

"I came to a similar conclusion."

She nodded slowly, then crouched down and pulled out some clingfilm-wrapped sandwiches from her bag.

"I'm guessing you're hungry."

"Food?" Luke let out a small squeak of delight.

"I am pretty hungry." admitted Flora, smiling slightly.

"Mr. Layton?"

"Why, thank-you my dear."

"It's nothing much...I have some tea left as well."

"Tea?" even the Professor couldn't hide the excitement in his voice.

Elsie grinned and pulled a flask from her rucksack.

"Is that...instant tea?"

"Yes, is that alright?"

Layton's smile froze, and he took a few seconds to calculate this.

"That's...great. Yes, thank-you."

He took the mug cautiously, staring down into the contents with great restraint. He raised the cup to his lips and took a small sip. Elsie laughed nervously and returned her gaze back down to her bag. When she wasn't looking, the Professor hurriedly poured the instant tea back into the flask.

(Sorry this one's so short...but I love love love love you guys who reviewed!

Gatita101: They have 10 tokens (well, 9 now) and when they run out, they won't be able to do anything except leave, meaning they'll never find out what happened and solve the mystery! Dun dun duun! Hehe, thank-you for reviewing!)