Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 136: Mary Jane Kelly~

And then, November the ninth, I went to use Miss Jane Kelly for the purpose of science and using her existence for a better cause. The cause of science. Unlike the others, Miss Jane Kelly was practically waiting for me. She was alone, late at night, in front of her lodging in Miller's Court. There was not a soul in sight. My footsteps that night were light, but swift, as my hand found its way into that bag of surgery supplies, just as it had many times before. Tonight, I had the intent to actually harvest information on the human body, not like my unfortunate lack of findings on Miss Eddowes. Poor, unknowing Miss Jane Kelly hadn't even heard me coming, and only managed a scream before she was gone. Little did I know, that scream would scupper all of my plans that night. Before I could properly deal with it, I heard the sound of footsteps racing down the street, and a voice I recognised instantly.
"I told you Watson! I had a feeling! I knew it! Henry! I'm going to catch you, finally!"
Foolish Sherly, announcing his arrival. I ran swiftly down an alley, determined to survive. Did he really think I'd let him take me that easily? No. Never. I, Henry Mohan, will survive. I heard the Watson kid stop at Miss Jane Kelly's side, but Sherlock did not, he ran down the alley; determined to get to me.
"Henry! I know it's you! I can't see you, but I just know it!" Sherlock yelled.

I gritted my teeth, swiftly getting out of the alley and searching for a place to hide. An old church tower that had been abandoned since I could remember - perfect. Outside, piles of wood surrounded the purely wooden church, and the purely wooden houses. I couldn't help but smirk to myself as a miraculous escape plan fell into place, as I recalled the Thames ran just behind the church tower. I didn't hesitate, as I dashed into the old church tower, and began my climb to the very top, determined to escape the grasp of Sherlock Holmes, who was still hot on my escape. As I neared the top, I heard him, slamming open the door, laughing hysterically as he sprinted up those stairs.
"Henryyy~! I'm going to get you!"
I finally reached the top, and ran to the edge, without a thought; grabbing the lighter from my pocket and setting it alight. There, I thrust it down, and watched as it hit a pile of logs that waited outside the old church, that had been intended to rebuild the structure. If only they'd have known it would be its downfall. I watched as the crimson flames licked and gobbled the wood, spreading around the church and going to gobble the rows of houses surrounding it. The church tower itself had started to catch; below the screams of people yelled, as they fled. Sherlock burst out, panting. I turned to face him, smiling.

"You found me," I hummed.
"Henry, you stubborn bastard, lighting the damn tower on fire!" Sherlock yelled, stalking his way over to me.
"This is how it's supposed to be."
"Like hell it's supposed to be!" Sherlock cried, glaring at me," You kill a few people and then you just give up as soon as you get caught?! That's what you do?"
I watched him.
"Atone..." Sherlock muttered, shaking his head," You can at least do that! Atone for what you did, Harry. Don't you want to be a good person? I've seen how clever you are. Truly. Atone, and then maybe I can help! Maybe we can work together! A new chance. Doesn't that sound good?"
I pursed my lips, imagining working with Sherlock. Something about it sounded...nice. Perhaps, in some other world, some non-bitter time, I would have. But now, it was too late. I grabbed my gun and pointed it at him; from under his jacket, he too grabbed his gun, and pointed it at me. We stood silently like that for a while, glaring at each other. After a moment, I stayed in that position, but glanced down. The sky was red from the flames, and it was hot, with the fast approaching fire. All that I could see below was flames, not even the river, I simply had to assume where it was. I backed up to the edge of the platform, and watched as Sherlock stared at me, bewildered and trembling.
"Don't do it, Henry!"

"What was that speech in Shakespeare again?" I muttered, glancing up at the moon in the sky, which was red from the flames illuminating Whitechapel," Ah, right:
I would not by thy executioner.
I fly thee, for I would not injure thee.
Thou tellst me there is murder in mine...
...now mine eyes.
Which have darted at thee, hurt thee not,
Nor which I am sure there is no force in eyes
That can do hurt."
Sherlock stepped forward, trembling," Henry, live! Don't give up!"
I paused suddenly, dropping my gun, before looking up at him; smirking darkly and wickedly.
"And who's to say I'm giving up?"
Sherlock gasped. And with that, my foot found the edge, and I stepped off the tower; my arms spread wide.
"NO!"
Sherlock lunged forward, grabbing me by the arm; gritting his teeth.
"Sherly...you caught me..." Henry muttered.
"Stubborn idiot, I'm not letting you go!"
"You can try."
I freed my arm, and fell once more. Sherlock gasped, stood on the burning church tower, and watched as I fell into the hungry flames. He did not notice me immediately hitting the water of the Thames, and falling in. Nor did he see me clamber out and reclude to the shadow, as he was rescued from the tower safely.

I made my way to a hill, where I had told Julian to meet me, and stood there; watching from a distance as the flames that night raged on in the distance. Julian appeared behind me, and handed me a cigarette. I took it, and smoked it thoughtfully, staring into the distance. It was clear I hadn't harvested information on the body, and Julian didn't bother to pry into it. After exhaling, and watching the smoke rise with the distant smoke in the sky, I turned to look at Julian.
"I will not return to Whitechapel, they likely think I died. I'll stay in Mohan Manor, it's cut off from the outside. The servants will never no. Nobody will ever know."
Julian nodded, and I turned back. I realised I was trapped in the manor now, much like Leora. Perhaps this was karma in a sense? I would never return to London again. Suddenly, I realised, if I was to return to Mohan manor, then I needed my claim on it back. I needed Leora to disappear, and I needed it soon. Suddenly, I knew just who my next sacrifice would be, and it filled me with a sense of deep satisfaction.