Professor Layton and the Angel's Prophecy

The Turnabout Demon - Part Five

Clark stretched his arms back, resting them on the table behind him. Beads of sweat were visible on his forehead, and he took a few seconds to respond.

"You know I want nothing more than to help you. But... I can't."

"Why not?" Luke erupted. "Come on! We need your help!"

Clark bowed his head in shame. To show such a display in front of my own son, he thought miserably.

"I can't."

"You're afraid!"

Clark was taken aback, still not used to his son's more forthcoming nature in his struggles.

"Luke, I... I'm just concerned."

"Concerned for yourself!" Luke huffed. "Costillos Monriel won't hurt you!"

"No, not myself..."

"Then who?!"

A tear found its way in his eye, and Clark turned away. When he spoke, it was with a voice dripping with sorrow.

"You, Luke. Concerned for you. I don't want anyone to ever hurt you."

Luke froze, and then father and son were locked in place. Hershel was ready to step in, as was Phoenix, but finally Luke spoke. It was hard to see Luke's eyes, now hidden beneath his cap as he tilted his head down slightly.

"I've got the Professor. I'm fine. You know that."

"Even so, I worry. It's only natural I look out for you. To stand against this man is folly! Beyond foolish!"

Alexandros swivelled his head up from its usual dipped position, eyes aflame. Hershel didn't notice.

"Nothing will happen to me," Luke went on. "The Professor and I have got out of far trickier situations in the past. We'll be fine."

"I know!" Clark yelled. "But this man is unlike any other. This man is..."

"A monster!"

Clark looked furiously at Luke, saddened by his outburst. So too did Hershel and Phoenix. But it wasn't from Luke that the outburst had come. All eyes now fell upon the fuming Alexandros.

"I get it!" he continued. "My father is a scary man. He has hurt... No, killed so many people. And no one is more afraid... Or more ashamed than me. But we can't just run and hide. As... As tempting as it is."

"Your father..." Clark breathed, unsure how to swallow such information.

Reeling from the unexpected protest of Alexandros, Hershel moved to comfort the cherry-faced teen. The mood had skyrocketed well past how he had feared, and now he had to fix things. First, he had to reassure the person who perhaps needed it the most right now. The silent member of their group who was fighting a battle all on his own this whole time.

"I understand you have bottled up your feelings all this time," Hershel uttered seriously. "It has undoubtedly been difficult for you. To know your father has committed such terrible atrocities. And yet for as tough as this all has been, you found the courage to seek help. Through Luke you found me, and now you have travelled with us.

"As little as you have said, and as shy as you may appear on the outside, I knew the battle you were fighting inside, and how hard it was just to say nothing. But now, so close to the end, you know there is hope. Hope is a powerful force, and with all the evidence we have gathered, we can bring your father to justice."

"So..." Alexandros sobbed, wiping his eyes on his sleeve. "So what just happened there... That was me unable to keep quiet any longer. I..."

"You saw the fear in Clark's eyes and you recognised it. You could not stand by and let your father control people anymore."