Sentiment Is A Chemical Defect

Chapter 5

"So, these people suffered terribly before death..." Eron said as he read through articles.

"Uh huh," I replied boredly, rolling a pencil on the desk. I was beginning to have second thoughts about running off with Eron.

"Cramps, headaches..."

"Diarrhea, confusion, drowsiness," I added.

Eron glanced at me suspiciously. "What do you know about arsenic?"

"It's natural occurring poison found in the earth's crust typically found in groundwater. It's ingested. That's an important point," I told him, still finding the yellow pencil more interesting than research.

"You knew that?" Eron arched a brow.

"Yup," I answered, popping the 'p.'

"So, this trip was a waste of time..."

"Uh huh..."

He leant back in his chair, filling his cheeks with air then blowing it back out again.

"You knew that?" he then repeated.

"You didn't?" I countered, I looked up to catch him flushing red.

I smirked. I loved getting Eron flustered. Especially because he was a Holmes, it added to the thrill.

"What now?" I questioned, crossing my legs.

"We..." he trailed off, his crystal eyes fixed at something behind me.

I craned my head to see, "What is it," I asked.

"Nothing," the boy muttered, grabbing his hoodie and slipping pasted me.

"You coming," he called when he noticed I wasn't instantly on his tail.

I followed after him, zipping my jacket up when we got outside as it had started to rain, though it was very humid.

As we ventured through the grey streets, the rain got heavier. I watched with envy as Eron pulled his hood over his head, protecting his hair from the rain whilst mine got soaked. Only once I resembled a drowned rat, Eron finally ducked under a shelter.

He pulled his hood down and ran his long, nimble fingers through his dry locks.

I moved stringy, dripping strands of my hair out of my face and sighed. At this, Eron looked at me for the first time since leaving the library, looking pitiful.

"Where are we even going?" I questioned.

"Do you want the truth or a lie?"

I gave him a puzzled look, "Let's try a lie..."

"We're going to interview witnesses!"

"There are no witnesses..." I said.

"That's why it's a lie," Eron told me matter-of-factly.

"The truth?"

"I honestly have no idea."

I glared at him, "You're not serious."

"I am."

"So, we've been walking around aimlessly, in the pouring rain for no reason?"

"Yup," he replied, popping the 'p' and smiling like it was some sort of revenge from earlier.

"I hate you," I told him before stepping back out into the rain.

"Wait!" Eron called after me, "Where are you going?"

"Home where it's warm and dry," I retorted.

I heard Eron's shoes splash on the pavement then he appeared by my side.

"It's warm out here!"

"Hardly dry," I laughed, stopping in my tracks and gesturing to the puddles.

Eron hadn't put his hood back up but, in the thirty seconds he'd stood in the rain, it had become soaked and flat. Of course it was him so, he still retained his attractive, flirty boy look.

When he didn't reply, I spun on my heels and continued walking.

"Wait, what about the case?" he asked desperately.

"Sort it yourself, Holmes. I'm done."

Eron put an arm in front of me, acting as a barrier and with his other hand, he turned me to face him. Rain drops dripping down his face.

"John Watson wouldn't give up on Sherlock," he tried to reason.

I laughed harshly, "I'm no John Watson and you're no Sherlock Holmes. We're just kids. You heard Lestrade. He's just trying to keep your father happy."

Eron's expression was one of a wounded animal. He was speechless. I instantly felt sorry. I tried to stand my ground with that statement but, as he dropped his hands, shoved them into his pockets and turned his back to me, the guilt over came me.

"Eron," I put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. I expected him to shrug me off then storm away but, to my surprise, he stayed put.

"I'm sorry but..." I chose my words carefully, "We should just leave this to experts. We're not qualified for this."

Still not facing me, Eron replied, "My father entrusted me with his case. I can't let him down. You wouldn't understand..."

"I understand more than you think," I told him and he turned to look at me, "We're 15. Our resources are limited."

"Imagine how amazing that would be. Two 15 year olds with hardly any experience solve the case. Imagine the headlines!" he smiled excitedly.

"Think about this logically. Scotland Yard won't want headlines about kids going their job. It'll reflect badly on them."

I turned away again, hoping I'd concluded the argument.

"For a sense of a achievement then!" Eron cried, dashing to block my path. He gave me a pleading look.

"Please. I can't do this without you," he glanced to the flooded ground, "I need my Watson."

The rain thudded around us as he waited for my response. We were the only people out on the streets as everyone else had raced for shelter. Eron looked at me expectedly.

"I'll consider it," I eventually said.

Eron grinned like a Cheshire cat, revealing dimples, "So, that's a yes?"

"That's a maybe," I corrected.

"C'mon. What's not appealing about this? I saw your face in the morgue. You were loving the experience! And if we fail, Scotland Yard will back us up. What's the worst that can happen?"

I bit my lip in consideration, "I don't know the first think about being a detective..."

"Sure you do. You were asking all the right questions today."

" I was just curious..."

"Do you have anything better to do?"

"Revising for our English mock?" I tried.

"Would you rather revise or solve crimes with me?" Eron flashed his flirty, charming smile as if he was the better option.

"Well..." I met his bright eyes, "Fine, Holmes. I'll be your Watson."

If it was even possible, his grin got bigger and he held out his hand which I took and we both shook hands.

"Pleasure to do business with you."