Mr and Mrs Layton were sitting in the living room when they heard the door bell ring. Lucille answered the door. Hershel was brought inside by several policemen. When he noticed the couple, he tried to look away from their faces.

The Constable greeted the them and handed them the sack.

"We've found the boy you were looking for. As for the stolen cutlery, it was found in this bag…"

Mr Layton looked at the lad with a stern face.

"Thank you for your help, Constable. Now if you don't mind we would like to have a word with him in private."

Mr Layton, who had turned red in the face, grabbed Hershel by the ear as soon as they entered the kitchen.

[As soon as they entered the kitchen Mr Layton, who had turned red in the face, grabbed Hershel by the ear.]

"All right boy, give us one good reason why we shouldn't hand you in immediately."

Hershel looked at his feet and stammered, "I-I don't…" He could feel rage boiling up inside of him when he thought of the betrayal that made him run off, "I don't have any good reason because you were going to hand me in anyway, weren't you!"

The couple looked bewildered.

"Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about. I overheard you myself, liars!"

"Enough!" shouted Mr Layton and he slapped the lad on the cheek. "For God's sake, Hershel, we took care of you and this is how you thank us by stealing and slander?"

Hershel lay his hand on his reddening cheek. "At least you could have allowed me to flee." he spoke softly.

"Dammit boy, we weren't going to send you back to prison Why don't you understand?"

"Y-You weren't?"

"Of course not. Not after what they did to you. But you have to promise me one thing: criminal behaviour will not be tolerated. One more trick like this and you'll be send back within a split second."

The three walked back into the hallway where Mr Layton spoke to the policemen.

"Everything has been sorted, gentlemen. You can free him now."

The policemen took off Hershel's cuffs. He rubbed his wrists where the iron had chafed his skin.

Mr Layton turned to the Commissioner. "Is there any way I can thank you, Gilbert?"

"No problem, Roland, after all I still owned you a favour after you helped me on that difficult case."

Roland reached for his back pocket and took some notes from his wallet. "I presume this is enough to ensure your men's silence?"

"They'll be as silent as a grave, I can ensure you that."

The Commissioner turned towards the boy. "And for you 109HZ, or should I say Hershel, I wish you the very best with staying on the narrow path."

After he said this the Commissioner saluted and left the house along with the two policemen.

Mr Layton lay a hand on Hershel's shoulder. "Come boy, we have to show you something." then led him to the living room. They sat down on the comfortable sofa as Mrs Layton served some tea. An awkward silence fell. Hershel took a sip from his cup but could barely swallow it. Why on Earth would they have something for him after what he had done? What would they even have to show him?

Mr Layton finished his cup and sat down next to Hershel. Lucille picked up a file from the desk, before sitting down and handing the file over to him.

Hershel held it in his hands, not knowing what to do with it.

"What are you waiting for, boy? Read what it says."

He opened the file and read the first words. His hands started to tremble.

" Oh God, I-I didn't know." He hiccupped. He looked up when he felt two arms around his shoulders and for the first time in ages he cried tears of joy. His newfound parents pulled him in a warm hug.

"The night you ran off, you overheard us discussing your adoption. You probably heard the part concerning your past, we are so sorry it upset you."

"Welcome home, Hershel Layton."

Author's note

Finally found out how to insert an author's note.

Thank you for reading this fanwork.

Despite being posted earlier on Archive of Our Own,this version contains an extra chapter.