The Science Of Second Chances//Book Two

Chapter 11~ These Nights Are Enough

John's P.O.V

The first time I heard her screaming was the night after she had been with Molly.

I was still up, making myself a cup of tea before going to bed when suddenly her scream ripped through the building. I was downstairs in five seconds, gun in hand with Sherlock right behind me. As we burst through her bedroom door we found her sitting up in bed, eyes wide in horror and mouth silently moving. I looked around the room, searching for a sinister shadow, the red dot of a laser in the room, or the evil smile of Moriarty hiding in the darkness.

I found nothing.

When I turned back to Teddy I find her with her face pressed against Sherlock's chest, her shoulders shaking violently. Sherlock looked at me with a frown over his sister's shaking shoulders, stroking Teddy's hair as he tries to comfort her back to sleep. It took awhile but eventually her body relaxed and Sherlock was able to tuck her in and leave, me following behind. He didn't say anything as we walked back up to our flat.

It happened again the next night, then the night after that. Each night was filled with screams that would wake Sherlock and I up and send us downstairs to wake Teddy or to just comfort her. Sometimes, very rarely, there would be a night with no screams. I would still be listening out for them though, waiting for the silence to be shattered.

One day, about two or three weeks after the screams began, Teddy was at work and Sherlock was in the kitchen peering into his microscope. While I was reading my book he spoke.

"They're nightmares," he said. I looked up from my book at him with a frown.

"Nightmares?" I repeated. He continued speaking while working, not looking at me.

"The only time Teddy has dreams is when it's a nightmare. I think even a nice dream would scare her is she ever has one, she's so used to nightmares or nothing at all. It's kinda like she has Oneirophobia but Mycroft and I can't be sure seeing as they're all nightmares."

"She's always done this?" I asked, putting my book down on the coffee table.

"Usually when she's either stressed or scared. My bet is that the reappearance of Moriarty is the reason behind her nightmares Or perhaps Irene, she seems stressed about her lately. I haven't asked. All I know is that it's going to get worse once the thunderstorms roll in during the winter. She's not the best when it comes to thunder."

When Teddy's scream reached my ears that night I told Sherlock that I would take care of her. He looked at me with an eyebrow raised in slight concern but did not comment. He went back into his room and closed his door. As I walked downstairs and got to Teddy's door I could hear her calling out for Sherlock, Mycroft, Irene and myself.

"Teddy," I whispered, pushing the door open and walking into her flat. It was dark, the only light coming from the moon's light shining through the windows. Teddy's cries became louder as I neared her bedroom. It hurt me hearing how scared and desperate she sounded and knowing that I couldn't solve it. I would try though.

"Teddy," I repeated, opening her bedroom door. She didn't reply, only whimpering as she tossed and turned in her bed, eyelids flickering.

"Don't.... don't hurt them," she whimpered, "Don't burn them..."

I shook her arm softly, then a little harder when she began whispering names again. I saw a tear roll down her cheek.

"Teddy," I said, giving her another shake. Her eyelids flashed open, bright eyes staring straight at me. Slowly she sat up, then suddenly she pulled me to her. I nearly fell over when her arms wrapped around my neck in a tight hug.