Holmes: The Kismet Trail

Chapter Six

Eating the last crumbs of the pastry that Rose ventured to get me, I saw how she watched my every move. I told her that I would never hurt her and she almost lunged toward me as I saw her flinch, but she stopped herself.

"Thank you." Her voice was shaky as if I was the one who hurt her.

"There is no need. I only confirmed what I feel you already knew..."

She nodded before moving towards the window and looking down.

"I feel guilty for doing this to you...for bringing you into the middle of all of this..."

"All of what Rose? A few elementary style letters do not scare me..."

"I do not mean that..."

Suddenly the door came open and a man held a gun against her neck and a knife to my back. I looked around and noted my only means of defense was behind me; my cane, against the desk. The men did not wear any form of protection of their identity which made me fear we would not have the ability to identify them to the police later on; we would not be let go...

We were taken from the apartment and separated. Rose was thrown in the carriage in front as I was thrown into the one just outside the steps. I heard the reins of the horse snap hard as we rode down the streets of London. I closed my eyes and counted the turns, the seconds, the sounds, and the smells of what was nearby before the carriage came to a stop. When I opened my eyes, I found that my hands were bound by something thick and rough against my skin as my eyes were then covered and I was pulled to another location. They cut off my coat and handed it another party as I heard the unidentified man grunt with satisfaction.

My mind became crazed. I found it odd how I worried more for Rose than myself...Get it together Holmes!

I was left standing for a long portion of time before I was pushed once more. This time, down a makeshift bridge that extended in what I deducted to be a pit or hole due to smell, and dampness. The bridge was taken away and I was left blindfolded with my hands tied before me and my feet stuck into a mucky mess. I stood for another set of minutes before a familiar voice came from above. One that made my skin crawl and my jaw clench.

"I have waited many years to see you like this..." He paused before I saw a light from underneath my blind. "You can take off the blind." He said as I lifted my hands to remove it. I then saw the dark cloak that I feared in my mind. The one which haunted my nightmares and the only thing I feared.

"Moriarty...." I spoke low before he chuckled.

"I see you have not forgotten me...Sherlock Holmes..."

"What do you want?"

"Same thing I always do...You stuck. Usually seeing you unravel mentally is enough...but in this way, you are left with nothing."

"What is your plan? To keep me here until I starve? I have people who will ask about me. Clients-"

"Rose you mean."

I remained quiet, bubbling below the surface, wanting to tear his heart from his chest for even speaking her name.

"I thought so. I have come to know her quite well...A very beautiful young thing. It is such a tragedy that the infamous detective could not help her...Or maybe he did...but she was never the true culprit..."

I froze in my thoughts once more. My eyes froze to see the light on the ground was a lantern Moriarty threw down to me. I picked it up before moving my way further back, to get a better look at the menace who was taunting me from above.

"Your dearest Rose is very good actress. Hired by me personally to see that your ruin came to light." As he spoke this sentence, my mind spun. It did not make sense. She was genuine. But it may have been the truth just before Moriarty got hold of her. That innocent girl, tainted by Moriarty. Holmes! She isn't innocent! My conscience and I disagree more than I'd like. He noted my silence and continued. "I intend on having you buried alive. As we are in the cemetery, there shall be no reason they do not fill this hole. I have them direct orders to do so. If you try to call out, scream, do anything but succumb to your fate, I will have her killed."

"How do I know you haven't already?"

"You can deduct me better than anyone. I'm not lying. She's alive-for now." His words made my blood boil from within. I clenched my teeth before glaring at him. "The first shipment of dirt will come in about..." He took out his pocket watch as I heard it click. "Twenty minutes...maybe sooner. I wish I could bask in this, but I would rather do so when your body is lifeless for all to see that the infamous Sherlock Holmes could not defeat his biggest enemy."

I remained quiet as I heard him get into his carriage and leave. Rummaging through my pockets, I found that I only had my pipe, my matches, and a handkerchief gifted from my father when I became a detective. My initials were embroidered in the fabric, but none of it would be enough to help me. I awaited before I heard the wheels from the shipments push hard against the cobble. Suddenly, dirt came down hard. I used my handkerchief over my mouth before opening my eyes and hearing two voices get further away. The dirt moved quiet high, but not enough to climb-as I tried, it was hard enough to climb, but my legs still fell through it....I was at a loss...