A/N In my opinion this is both the best and longest chapter. But, I think it's also the saddest. Some people asked about the perspective of this story. It's from Luke's PoV, which you can tell more in this chapter... Thank you for the reviews so far, I hope you enjoy this chapter as well. Oh, and thanks to PureCandy for Claire's last name! I've added it into the first chapter. :D
One more thing: I figure at the point in time in this chapter, Luke is about the age of Clive. So, kind of try to imagine him like that for this part... And I don't know how you're supposed to imagine him as an adult... -.-; (I'm not that creative...)(And it's a flashback chapter, if you have trouble figuring that out...)
Disclaimer: (Forgot the first time) Professor Layton and it's characters do not belong to me, they are Square Enix's!
The Last Case
Chapter 2: Last Thoughts
It was a dark, chilly, still night without a star in the sky. Not the conditions under which I'd like to die, though I suppose it was fitting. My breath was coming in huffs, which materialized in a fog in the cold. I couldn't run much longer, but I had to find a way to escape to the other side of town before my pursuer caught up.
I kept thinking how important the information I'd gathered was. It would finish this once and for all. I couldn't get caught now! It was unthinkable! Just then, I saw my opportunity. I swerved off into the dark alley to the right. It was unlit on this side, and there at the end was the wall- the only cold brick thing standing between me and freedom.
I hadn't brought anything with me that I could use to scale it, but I saw a pile of junk just in the corner. I had to work fast, but I had an idea. The pile consisted of a rope, thick board, and an electronic mixer whose beaters had broken in half, among other junk that I didn't find helpful at all.
On an adrenaline high, I quickly pulled the beaters farther apart and put them side by side, securing them tightly to the rope. I could hear footsteps approaching, though they weren't fast. I hoped I'd have time for this.
I whirled the lasso with the beaters on the end around in a circle above my head before lashing it forward. It sailed over the wall and caught on the other side. I gave it an experimental tug, and the thing stuck like glue. I dropped the rope and it hung along the side of the wall while I grabbed the board and propped it against the brick. I stepped up it, grabbing the rope as I went. I was just on the edge of the board, one foot on the side of the wall when there was a loud bang.
The board broke under me and fell after a couple more loud bangs. I heard a bullet clink to the ground as I tumbled backwards. In less than a second, I hopped back on my feet and was facing my pursuer.
His face was shrouded in shadow, though I instantly knew who he was. The man behind this all. He stepped out from the darkness, looking confident but not cocky. The gun in his hand was pointed right towards me and his brown eyes shone with a glint of victory.
"Erg, hello Stone," I greeted bitterly, heart beginning to race as I stared my death in the face. I glanced around. I didn't know if I could make it out of here alive. My way of escape had been destroyed. If I could reach the rope, maybe I still had a chance.
In the next second, that hope was destroyed. Richard Stone raised the gun so it was pointing above my head and shot, hitting the makeshift grappling hook right on. I heard it clatter to the stone, watching it out of the corner of my eye. My only hope- gone. He was always one step ahead of us. It had been that way this whole time. He already knew that I had the information to bring him and his plan burning to the ground.
I adjusted my hat and grinned at him, though the fear was shining in my eyes clear as glass. But I was planning to go down with pride. My only regret was that I didn't get to say goodbye to Flora. I didn't even want to think about the Professor's reaction. It would hurt me too much to even consider it. I just hoped he would figure out what I knew to bring this to the end.
"Now what?" Stone asked.
"Now I think you'd better get me out of the way before I ruin you forever," I said, clenching my fist. My teeth were stuck together as I spoke, my lips pulled up at the corners.
"That was my plan from the beginning," Stone growled with a smile. I got ready as he cocked the gun.
"Luke!"
My head shot to the right in surprise at the all-to-familiar voice. In a moment, the Professor was running at Richard stone, wielding a metal pipe. He swung it, I'm sure not meaning to cause him much harm, but Stone dodged it anyway. The sudden appearance of my mentor definently surprised him, though.
"Professor!" I called joyously, beginning to make my way towards him.
"Luke, we need to get out of here!" Layton responded, turning to face me. "Start running, I'll catch up with you in a second!"
But I was frozen in place as I watch Richard Stone on the ground. He picked up his gun, pointing it shakily at the Professor.
"D-Don't move!" He choked.
Then three things happened at once.
"Professor!" I shouted.
Layton whirled around to look at the man below him in his tidy business suit.
Richard Stone pulled the trigger.
There was blood splattered against the wall behind Layton as the bullet hit its mark, sailing through below his chest. The Professor tumbled to the ground as Stone wobbled to his feet, looking shaken. The gun was still in his hand, yet now barley raised.
I ran at him with speed I didn't know I had, jumping up and nailing him in the stomach with my knee.
With a panicked grunt, Stone fell back, the small gun clattering to the ground. I kicked it harder than I'd ever kicked anything in my life, and the horrible thing went skidding across the ground into the darkness.
I stood there breathless for a moment, the seconds ticking by. I looked down at Richard Stone on the ground, knocked unconscious from my blow.
"You lose," I muttered venomously. I turned back to the Professor, hurrying to his side. He was still breathing, to my relief, but very heavily. There was blood soaking into his orange shirt, spreading everywhere.
"Luke," he managed. "Are you alright?"
"Am I alright?" I cried. "You were shot." With the second sentence, my voice quieted. I helped Layton to his feet, keeping one hand on his side to steady him. I hurriedly limped him out of the alley and the last of the ways out of Stone's walled fortress.
I sat him down against a tree, pulling my cell phone from my pocket, hurriedly dialing the hospital's number.
"I need an ambulance right away," I said hurriedly. "There's a man here who's been shot." I quickly spouted off my location and waited for help to come.
"Luke."
I threw the phone aside carelessly and hurried back to Layton's side, trying to keep pressure on the wound.
"Yes, Professor?" I said softly.
"It's up to you now to finish this case," he said, "if anything, you need to reveal Richard Stone for the tyrant he is."
"I will," I promised, taking his right hand in my left. "I understand everything."
"Good," the Professor smiled. "I've taught you well. And thank you, Luke, for everything you've ever done for me."
"Don't say things like that," I begged, really beginning to panic. "You're not gone yet."
"You've always been a perfect gentleman at heart, and I know you will continue to do what's best for others," he continued, ignoring me. "I wish you luck, you and Flora both."
"Professor, no," I muttered, feeling lost. I didn't know what else to do.
"Goodbye, Luke," Layton said finally, beginning the last sentence I knew then that I'd ever hear from him. "Take care of Flora. I'm going... to go join Claire now." His gaze flickered past me, looking at something in the distance. I didn't bother to turn around, knowing I couldn't see her like he could. Then he turned back to me, and our gaze met for the last time.
With that, he closed his eyes, and I felt his body relax in my arms, leaving me alone forever. I heard the sirens of the ambulance coming just around the corner. And I couldn't help myself as I pulled his body close and began to cry.
