Him, Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 14~Bribery

-----John POV---------
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Grabbing a small drink at the bar was a good idea. I cleared my mind and got fresh air. I walked into the black painted door of 221b and walk up the steps. In the living area there is glass shattered everywhere. I turn and look down the hall where the bedrooms are. It's all silent. No sound of Sherlock or Willow.

"Sherlock? Willow?" I whisper frantic.

"Over here, John." I hear a calm bored voice behind me. I turn to see Willow lying flat on the couch staring at the ceiling. I notice a large visible bruise along her forearm. Her dark hair down and spread around her head in large cylinder curls. I look at the glass and then to her.

"What happened?" I say knowing I may or may not get a response.

"Something." She says shifting her weight on the couch. I raise an eyebrow. Willow looks at me for a fraction of a second then back at the ceiling.

"Well, at least tell me where Sherlock is." I sigh.

"In his room." She voiced as she closed her transparent blue eyes. I blink at her response and walk down the hall to Sherlock's room. I knock, no reply.

"Sherlock, What happened?"

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-----Willow POV---------

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"Sherlock, What happened?" I listen to John blindly ask Sherlock. I listen to their ridiculous conversation. I flip my legs over the couch and stand up. Wavering from lack of food. I force my unwilling body to walk toward the two conversing children.

"Do you really want to know?" I interrupt their chat.

"Yes!" They say in sync, Sherlock's calm and controlled, John's more like a yell of victory and slight anger. I shake my head.

"Fine, ok ok." I inhale sharply-" Sherlock after you left" My speaking quickened hoping they wouldn't catch it all. "MoriartyshowedupandIendedupalmostkillinghim, that was the cause of the broken glass." I tighten my lip and look to my left to avoid eye contact. I glance at John, who's face is confused and trying to translate what I said. Then I glance at Sherlock who narrows his eyes on me, he had to have heard every word I said.

"Why?" John's voice barges into the silent air. I look up at him.

"Why I almost killed him?" I shift my weight uncomfortably.

"Yeah,"

"He made me snap, he found one of my weaknesses." I say quietly. Sherlock straightens up. I bite my lip and walk away from them.

Why did I say that? They didn't need to know. I'm just so fragile.

I throw on a jacket and decide I can go take myself on a walk. I open the door to see Mycroft Holmes about to walk in himself. He smiles dryly and pushes past me gesturing me to come along. I sigh heavily while staring longingly at the snow that is crystallizing the ground outside. I shut the door after a glimpse of the outside. I walk back up the stairs and on cue Mycroft begins to speak. Sherlock and John have already found their seats.

I sit down next to Sherlock on the couch. I don't listen to over half of what Mycroft says. Before Mycroft finishes I can hear Sherlock say 'No.' and the ranting comes. I soon come to realise that Sherlock is looking at me waiting for consultation. I lift my head.

"Wait, what?" I ask slightly embarrassed. Mycroft rolls his eyes.

"I am offering a case, you have to attend a ballroom dance-"

"I don't exactly dance and as you can see I don't have the best attire for that kind of event." I cut him off.

"Clothing will be taken care of. If you agree I will give you more clothing." He has his dry smile pasted on his face. I smile back.

"That doesn't work on me." I smirk. He sighs.

"Oh I know, but I know you'll like the case. Something to do." I consider between going on an adventure or staying here bored.

"Okay, I agree. I might as well have something to do." He smiles at my answer.

"Good choice. I'll be sending you information later." And like that, he's gone.

I don't wait. I stride out the door. I need to take my mind off of everything, I need a break. The snow is gently falling before me.

As I walk crunching the earth beneath me, I feel free. It's a Sunday afternoon and it's quiet. My thinking is clear in the bliss of quiet white. I walk to the nearest park, the trees frosted with glitter.

I have no idea what the case is about. All I know is that this event will give me something to do. I wonder what will all happen at the 'ball'. I am interested on how the others will act, what they do.

I sat on a park bench for what seemed like hours. It was nice while it lasted. The roads started to become noisy. I started back to Baker street. I walk through London with my head down.

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