The Case of the Missing Heart

Chapter 6: Into the Snake's Den

Everything seemed quiet when they pulled up to 221B. Molly and the visiting keyblade Masters thanked Mycroft for the ride as John and Sherlock inspected their building. John couldn't see anything out of place, but he also had a long way to go before he had Sherlock's observational skills. He also didn't smell any Darkness. "Sherlock?" he asked as the others joined them.

"Seems undisturbed," the detective said. He stepped closer to examine the door. "No signs of forced entry." He turned to John. "Darkness sensors?"

"Nothing," John said.

"And I find that worrying," Riku said. "No Darkness but no Light either."

"A barrier of some kind," Sherlock said.

"Right," Mickey said decisively. "To make sure we don't get separated, catch hold of each other."

Riku nodded, accepting Mickey's hand before grasping Molly's shoulder. Molly grabbed the back of John's jacket as John snagged Sherlock's coat back.

"Let's go," John said. Military training made him uneasy with this arrangement. Linked together like a chain restricted movement and the ability to fully observe their surroundings. But Mickey and Riku had more experience battling the Darkness, meaning that they possibly knew of another danger that he didn't know of.

Sherlock opened the door, leading them inside. He immediately angled away from the stairs to Mrs. Hudson's flat in 221A. He opened the door, his shoulders relaxing just a touch. "Mrs. Hudson!"

"Oh, Sherlock!" she cried.

John breathed out in relief as he was half-dragged inside by Sherlock.

Mrs. Hudson sat in a chair, shaken but unharmed.

Sherlock gently pulled her up and into his arms as their landlady softly cried and clutched him. "What happened? Are you alright?" he asked.

"A, a man came in, leading a flood of those horrid creatures that have been in the news," she answered. "He told me to stay in my flat if I wanted to stay safe. They have shown what those monsters do to people. And – and something about his eyes . . . like, like he was crazed."

"Mrs. Hudson," Riku said, stepping forward, "were his eyes a shade of gold? Even just a hint?"

Mrs. Hudson thought, stepping back from Sherlock a bit and taking steadying breaths. "I-I think there might have been, which is odd because his eyes were, were quite dark in color."

"What does that mean exactly?" John asked.

"He is being consumed by Darkness," Riku said.

"Also an indication of Xehanort trying to establish control," Mickey added.

"Oh, dear," Mrs. Hudson said. "You boys will explain everything, won't you?"

"Of course we will, Mrs. Hudson," John promised. He turned to Riku and Mickey. "Will one of you stay with her, just to make sure she stays safe?"

"Sure," Mickey said. "Riku, think you'll be okay heading up there?"

Riku smiled as he nodded. "Yeah. Just holler if you need help down here."

"Will do," Mickey promised.

As they headed out and up the stairs to 221B, John said, "I honestly wouldn't have minded a chance to toss Moriarty out the window, just saying."

"Toss him out a window?" Riku asked.

"That's what happened to the American bloke that attacked and hurt Mrs. Hudson," John answered.

"I think I heard about that," Molly said. "It sounded as though he was tossed out more than once."

"Indeed, I lost count," Sherlock said off-handedly.