The Question of Faith in Baskerville

Chapter Ten: Haunted Lights

A sweet chime met the night air.

John startled at it, the gentle sound so foreign to what he was experiencing. Right, that would be his ringtone for Kayla. He took deep breaths before answering. "Hey, Kayla. I would have thought you'd be in bed by now."

"I was," Kayla said, "but I got the distinct impression that I should call. Are you doing okay?"

John sighed, moving over to one of the picnic tables to sit down. "Physically, I'm fine. Exhausted and wanting to just call it a night, but fine. The rest . . . I don't even know where to start."

"How about the beginning?" she offered. "Tell me what has been going on since we talked at lunch."

So he told her everything. Investigating around Grimpen, Baskerville, heading out for Dewer's Hollow, and finally Sherlock's callous demeanor and heartless words.

Kayla listened quietly, only asking for the occasional clarification.

But the dark voice that had been haunting him since Baskerville kept up a running commentary in his mind.

Once John was through, Kayla said, "Sounds like this was a tough day. I know, an understatement, but my brain isn't allowing me to be any more eloquent."

John smiled. "But a pretty good summary," he said.

"You really don't deserve her, you know," the Dark voice murmured. "She is much too good for you. So sweet, understanding, and unjudgmental.

"Oh. Or maybe you do deserve her. To claim her as yours. To burn her with your kisses. To press yourself to her in the ultimate ownership. You desire her. It's been too long since you've indulged yourself. Allowed yourself the freedom—"

Shut up! Stop it! John silently snapped at the voice.

"John?" Kayla's voice gently broke through. "You okay?"

"Ye-yeah," John answered.

"Liar," the voice hissed. "You desire her but deny yourself. Is she too good for you? Too pure? Too innocent?"

John shivered. He hadn't thought that he would agree with that voice ever. But, it was right. He didn't deserve the beautiful, innocent woman who was Kayla Roberts. The voice had been highlighting all too well throughout the day just how tainted he was. What was he thinking, risking Kayla's pure innocence like that? He couldn't allow his stains to smudge her purity.

"How about you get some sleep, John," Kayla said. "I know it won't solve everything, but I find a few hours sleep does wonders for clearing things up."

"I'll do that," John said. "Goodnight, Kayla. Thanks for the ear."

"You're welcome," Kayla answered. "Goodnight, John."

John heaved for breath once he hung up. His heart's protests to the decision racing about his mind caused him to shudder. Oh, but he knew better than to do it over the phone. That was the absolute worst way. Hadn't one of his former girlfriends broken up with him through the comments on one of his blogs? That had been so shocking with an added embarrassment of those comments being available for the entire world to see. No, anything short of face-to-face communication would be disrespectful of the time they had spent together.

Yes, he would be going to bed. He needed sleep. But then, why did he feel so incredibly wound?

A blinking light caught his eye. The very same light he'd seen earlier. A brisk walk to the source would be just the thing to work his nerves out.

He pulled himself up and trudged back out onto the moors.

Henry shifted under his warm cocoon, but despite the exhaustion of his body, his brain was wide awake. He had managed to sleep some, but he could already tell it was still the middle of the night.