Constellations Strung With a Shooting Star | Sherliam

Chapter Twenty-Three

Another night of eliminating names off of the list follows the last, this time in Duke Glover's estate. The security had ranked up quite a bit, so William required the help of Moran and Bond. It'd been just as easy as the last few, but this time...

God, William can barely keep his composure.

He's come to the awful realization that there's only so much that he can take. He'll force himself to endure it, but hearing a child loathe his name and wish death upon him was even more heartbreaking than it sounds. It's painful, absolutely agonizing. If it weren't for the plan that he's set out for himself, he would have allowed the boy to take his life right then and there.

He so terribly wants to rush this and find himself in his final night. Hopefully with Sherlock in his sight within his final moments. Though he believes he truly doesn't even deserve that.

His steps are slower out the mansion, going back the way that he came in. Thanks to Moran and Bond's efforts, guards and security are remarkably avoidable. Which he appreciates; he doesn't want to seize any more life than he already has to.

Sebastian's steps trail a couple of feet behind him, following close enough to act as a guard just in case. The silence between them isn't a comfortable one, and he's sure that the other has a lot on his mind. He hasn't seemed to be in the best mood since arriving to aid William tonight, and he can only wonder what the reason for that is. There's already enough matters stuffing his plate at the moment.

They exit the home, and outside, Bond is waiting for them with his back leaned up against a tree. When his bright blue eyes spot the other two, he lifts himself up and strides towards them, offering a signature smile of his. "Everything went well. Our way out of here is clear as ever," he informs, joining the two by William's side. His eyes linger on the other blond for an extended moment, before he lowers his voice a little. "... Will? Are you alright?"

Moriarty staggers some, but he quickly manages to regain enough balance and composure to try to sound fine. He opens his mouth to speak, but Moran unexpectedly cuts him off. "Leave him alone, Bond. We have things to do, we can't dally," he snaps. If he'd said that to anyone else in their organized group, they may have listened. But James merely rolls his eyes and ignores Sebastian's efforts.

"Don't dismiss potential problems," he shoots back, before swiftly bringing his attention back to William. He reads his expression for a second, his own features softening up a little. To William's demise, James seems to recognize the thoughts twirling in his head endlessly; or at least, one of the very many. "Hey. Should we take a moment and step aside? You look like you need a break."

Moran scowls from behind them, but he doesn't try and convince Bond again, leaving the other blond room to speak. "Yes, actually. The woods nearby are thick enough. I believe a breather is warranted," he agrees, giving the other man a small nod. A scoff of surprise is heard from Sebastian, but it's ignored and brushed off.

William leads them away, plunging back into the close forest adorned with many trees that offer plenty of shadow and invisibility. Truthfully, Moriarty isn't very versed with going and taking a break while there's other things that he should be doing. However, without it right now, he doesn't know how he can handle the next name on the list. If he loses any more composure than he already has, he might slip. It's a rare exception that he's ultimately willing to make this time, especially as it was offered as a generosity.

Once surrounded by nothing but trees and dark forest, Moran heaves a groan and sits down next to a trunk, as the other two remain standing but leaned against their own trees. For the moment, at least, William doesn't have to unrightfully plunge his blade. Mere seconds of what could be peace are cherishable for him beyond belief.