Constellations Strung With a Shooting Star | Sherliam

Chapter Twenty

[sorry for the delay, i got sick w what i believe was covid (not sure, didn't test) after like only two days of writing. i'm a bit better now so I was able to finish this chapter <3 enjoy]

Wind gusts through dark and thick trees at powerful speed and force, the waves crashing far below with an equal amount of brutality. Clouds threatening to spill loom up against the night sky profusely, covering up any hint or trace of the moon or stars. The barrier of woods surrounding Milverton's estate is anything but kind, offering far too many obstacles in already trashy weather.

Even so, Sherlock and John's steps never come to a stop until they're in hindsight of it. Every now and then, the latter winces at the harshness of the wind, duly noting the way that it drastically picks up. It's getting dangerously close to a rainstorm, which actually happens to be precisely perfect weather for a break-in and theft. Sherlock couldn't hope for better conditions than that.

The detective's eyes trail around their environment, taking notice of the shrubs edging towards the peak of the cliffs. He nods towards them, drawing Watson's attention to them as well when he speaks up. "See that outcrop? The cliffs're just beyond 'em," he comments, earning a nod of understanding, "we should be getting close now."

John doesn't say anything in return, leaving it at that receptive nod. Their heads turn back to the front, dredging onwards. Finally, they reach a line of bushes, that of which outline none other than the county house owned by Charles Augustus Milverton. Looking past it, one can clearly see the manor in front of them, shrouded only by its surrounding trees.

"There it is," Sherlock says, husking the comment under his breath, "Milverton's county house." He takes a moment to scan the area, hoping to find somewhere they can creep along to close the distance between them and the manor. Unfortunately, it seems that there isn't from here. "Seems like there isn't a way to keep ourselves under cover from the East. We'll have to get in through the West."

Although this isn't something that Watson considered previously, now that Holmes points it out, he quickly agrees. "You're right. While this isn't his main residence, it's perfectly likely that he has a caretaker or two around. We can't risk that," he murmurs, gaze trailing towards the West with his lip folded over his teeth.

"Precisely. My thoughts exactly," the ravenet responds, a hint of a proud grin on his lips. His glare travels over the manor itself, getting a good look at it. As he does this, he notices a sharp glint of light shining from one of the windows. His eyes widen, and he inhales a short breath. "A light. There's a light on the West wing, ground floor!" He swiftly directs John's attention to that this time, startling him a little.

Nonetheless, he pulls out his spyglass and peers at the window through it. "Are you sure that it wasn't just a servant's lamp?" He asks, looking on towards the panes of glass. Now, there isn't any light, especially not the blindingly bright one that Sherlock had noticed. The detective shakes his head firmly, but his gaze never manages to leave the estate.

"I'm sure. It didn't seem like that," he responds, groaning quietly as he searches for any possible explanation, "it may have been-"

A loud, air-piercing shot then fires from inside Milverton's estate, abruptly cutting off both Sherlock's thoughts and what he was about to say. Him and his partner are stunned for a brief few moments, the doctor letting out a short gasp.

"A gunshot! Did that come from inside?!" He panics, looking up to Holmes for confirmation or denial; but he certainly hopes it's denial. Though his ears couldn't be failing on him that terribly. Before the detective can even give him that response, two more gunshots follow up respectively, sounding coarse and sharp. "Another! Those are definitely shots!" John confirms on his own, fists clenching some. "Then that means someone else is attacking the house! Sherlock, what should we do?!"