The Mind Palace

Deducing in the TARDIS- The Mind Palace

I sighed as Sherlock shut the door of 221B Baker Street. Funny how when Sherlock slipped away to his mind palace, I was the one that always had to leave. Hearing the lock click behind me and the stairs creaking as Sherlock began to climb them, I knew, as always, that I wouldn't be let in for several hours. I gave up on returning anytime soon and began the walk to the grocery store. Might as well pick up some milk while I was shut out. We were running low anyways.

Several cabs passed by me while I walked, but I didn't call for any of them. It was always nice to go for a quiet stroll through London. Sherlock lived a very fast-paced life, and it was nice to slow down for a little bit and take a second to breathe. Besides, the store was only a few blocks away, and there was no point in dealing with a cabbie or the London traffic to get somewhere so close.

The chilly September air nipped at my nose and I shivered, picking up my pace. The sooner I got to the store, the better, as I'd left my jacket at home and was stuck in the cold with just a jumper. I ran my hand across my clean-shaven face. Perhaps a bit of facial hair would keep me warmer through the autumn months...

I'd been so caught up in my thoughts that I hardly realized it when I stepped inside of the small corner store. The owner, who had grown to be almost a friend to me, smiled and waved. I nodded and grinned, heading further into the store.

Since I was only picking up a bit of milk, it wasn't long at all until I was checking out. The owner, working the cashier, smiled again at me. "Hello, John! How are you?"

"Oh, I'm alright. A bit chilly, if anything."

He handed me the milk. "Yeah, it's been a bit cold, hasn't it? Well, you keep well! See you later!"

"Yes, of course."

I began making my way back home, shivers encouraging me to walk just a bit faster. I was about halfway there when I heard a strange sound coming from down one alley. I made it half a block before my curiousity got the best of me, and I went back to look.

London alleys aren't exactly a dangerous thing when it's only a quarter past three, so I wasn't frightened at all as I stepped into the space between to buildings. What I saw, however, shocked me just a bit. A large police box stood right in the center of it, staring me down. That certainly hadn't been there on the walk over, the bright blue would have stood out. But it couldn't have just materialized... Right?

There was a loud crash from inside the box. Could someone be hurt in there? My doctor instincts kicked in, and I couldn't help but worry that someone in there needed medical help. I ran a hand across my head, brushing my hair back. Yes, I should go make sure that everything was okay.

I made my way to the box, listening carefully for any more thumps and bumps from inside it. None came, so I walked onwards until I stood at the door. I pulled the door open, as it said to on the front, and my eyes instantly widened.

It was big.

The box... It was big inside.

I blinked twice, standing in the doorway, before slamming it shut and running back to 221B Baker Street. I banged on the door once, and, finding it unlocked, ran up the stairs to where Sherlock sat in the living room. He stared straight ahead, not even glancing over to see who had entered the room.

"Sherlock," I said, gasping for breath. "I think I've got a case for us."

His head slowly turned to look over at me. "Continue."

I swallowed. "I think you'll want to see it for yourself."

Within five minutes, I had Sherlock standing outside the box next to me. I reached for the handle to pull it open, and just as I did, it was opened from the inside.