Haunt

Haunt- Part 3

It started raining just as a rumbling peel of thunder vibrated through the air. Everyone was quick to clear out of the area just as the down pour began. Sherlock figured it was unnecessary to get drenched over little evidence to be found so he decided it would be best to leave as well.

Even though he had been hurried along by John to escape the rain, Sherlock had been soaked through within mere moments. It was bothersome to have to be stuck in wet clothing, but not as much to his annoyance as John falling asleep on the ride back to the motel. It left Sherlock frustrated with the inability to ask him any questions about what happened when he had been gone.

To be honest, Sherlock had noticed the absence of his friend immediately and began a frantic search of the woods. Sherlock knew John had his gun, so he shouldn’t be as worried as he was, right?

After two hours of calling his friends name and only succeeding in a sore throat, Sherlock had swallowed his pride and had called Lestrade. The DI had been surprised that Sherlock had called him when it was usually reversed roles. All the same he was surprised and a little apprehensive about the news of the missing John.

“Sherlock, a body has been found at Carter’s.” Silence. “Sherlock? Are you still there?” “John is missing.” More silence, “It’s not him Sherlock, it’s Jack. All the same, where was the last place you saw him?” Sherlock let out a breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding, “In the woods by the first crime scene. He was right behind me and as I turned around to get his opinion on all of this, he was gone.”

“So you’re saying he just disappeared?” “I don’t know Lestrade. But something about this whole mess isn’t making sense at all.” There was an exhale from the detective inspector, “Alright where are you now?” “Still in the woods actually.” “Okay, Donovan and I will be there shortly to help you.” Sherlock growled and there was a sigh from the other end, “I know you two don’t get along but the more people we have looking for John, the faster we’ll find him.” “Fine.”

Sherlock had hung up without a word of confirmation from Lestrade. He hadn’t realized how much time had passed until Lestrade pointed out that it was three in the morning and he still had a body to see. Sherlock had waved him off claiming that, ‘there will be another blasted body to examine if we don’t find John soon, and it won’t be the missing doctor’s’.

Lestrade was taken aback by the sharp threat but had recognized that Sherlock was truly worried. Eventually, Sherlock was able to be coaxed out of the woods and have the search put off till the morning.

That was when John had stumbled out of the trees obviously dazed and confused. Sherlock recognized the signs and demanded that he be alright.

He wanted to know more. But his mind had already switched over to ‘case mode’ as John had once referenced it, and was beginning to nag him into investigating on Jack’s murder. The interrogation of his friend would have to wait, but waiting this long was driving the detective insane.

He was half tempted to poke the sleeping man awake, but was deterred by the memory of last time he attempted to do so. He rubbed his upper arm in the thought and smiled, John was leaning against him in the way that reminded him of the cab ride to the flat after the Jade Scarab case.

No, he would wait. It was clear that something was wrong with John, but it wouldn’t help any if Sherlock were to try to get answers from a sleep deprived witness.

~

At the hotel, however, it was a different matter. Sherlock was surprised at the little effort it took to wake John. A light prodding to the ribs was all it took startle John from his slumber, much to Sherlock’s amusement, there was a very predictable reaction from the doctor.