Elizabeth Watson (John Watson's daughter- Sherlock fan fiction)

Chapter 10- The Scraping Ground Once More

"Didn't think I'd forget such an important day, did you?" snarled Eva, coming so close to Elizabeth, that she could see the creases of the girl's lips. She tried to continue walking but the group surrounded her and began to jeer ferociously.

"Having a nice day?"

"A shame there's no one to share it with."

"Shame there's no friends around to keep an eye out for you."

Elizabeth's pace quickened and her expression was hard and angry.

"At least we remembered a present for Watson."

And with that Eva swung at her. Elizabeth jolted backwards and ducked away.

She had not been expecting that. Up until now it had just been words.

Then another throw came and she had to dodge again. Her ear was nipped.

Suddenly someone gripped her wrist and jolted her arm and she had to jump and place her feet firmly to avoid damage. She turned to the person who held her.

Grace.

Then she felt the rush of air beside her other arm and tried to whip it away as James' fist reached out to swipe hers. Then there was a flash by her leg and Sam's foot kicked harshly behind her knees, causing her to stumble. Grace let go as she fell and her hands reached the floor just before her face did. Her frame held sturdy in this peculiar, press-up posture. She had never seen the gravelled path in such detail before.

But then Elizabeth was up again and pushing through the group.

"Running away are we?" smirked Eva, as she was thrown back into the tight circle.

'Just trying to keep out of trouble.' Elizabeth told herself.

"Wimp. Come on fight back."

Elizabeth ignored her and tried again to penetrate the circle.

"Are you deaf?" taunted Max.

"Oh wait." said Sam, "She is!"

"Need some help with that?" laughed Grace, swiping at Elizabeth's ear. She knocked her head away and pushed at the circle. But then more fists came, snatching at the left hand side of her face. She covered her ear with her hand and threw her elbow into James' rib. He stumbled back, giving her room to dash passed, but then a foot shot at her leg and she landed against the ground again. She turned and felt a slipping in her ear.

No no no.

Out fell the aid to the ground in a silent tumble.

She grabbed for it but feet were everywhere and she was enclosed in a maze of stomping and snatching shadows.

Then came the dreaded sound that she could not hear. She watched and felt the empty, muted surroundings gasp in anxiety. The shoe descended like an ominous power and fell hard against the fragile machinery.

Elizabeth gazed. She was taken back to that moment long ago. It had haunted her night and day for so many years, and here it was again. She was on the hard, scraping ground once more and for the second time, her senses had been stripped from her side.

She did not look up at the faces of those above her and she heard no word of their discussion. She reached out and picked up the shattered plastic, feeling it flex and flail between her fingers.

She should have been angry. She should have been so angry.

But in this silent world, where time did not seem to pass, she never quite felt the same.

She didn't think or care how strange she looked, laid upon the ground, cradling a crumbling hearing aid.

And then something kicked her shoulder and Eva's sneer came down to meet her. She saw the lips moving, creases folding in her face. But the words were empty now and fell on uncaring and unknowing ears.

Elizabeth ignored it.

Suddenly, the feet were moving and shadows reclining. The group were running and skidding away from her and her eyes followed them down the path. A piece of crumpled paper collapsed gently into the wind and landed in her lap. Scrawled across it, in Eva's sharp handwriting, were the words,

'Happy Birthday Watson.'