holmes ➢ sequel to athena

Chapter Six

Running

(adaliaisnotcool made me suffer so all of you get to suffer. Edit: this is still relevant. Feel the pain.)

Everyone has feelings that they have to face at one point or another. You can't really procrastinate what's inside you forever, no matter the feeling. You can't just stay in hiding.

But Athena wasn't hiding: she was running. No really, the only way she could forget her problems was to go on a run. The pounding of her feet on the pavement plus the burning of her lungs made her feel so much better. She didn't even want to drink anymore. Her lungs burned and it felt good.

One day, while she was sprinting through the nearest park, earbuds in and water bottle in hand, she didn't notice a car parked in the distance, taking pictures of her as she went along.

Inhale four counts, exhale seven. Her feet pounded rhythmically on the ground and euphoria pulsed through her. Adrenaline pulsed through her, though it did not stop the burning in her lungs as she ran.

And she liked it. The burning was familial, encouraging even. Sweat pooled on her forehead, and her curly hair hung limply in a messy ponytail. She was at peace. At least, for now.

∞

The door to 221B swung open with a soft creak as she stepped inside. Dust and the smell of old books greeted her like they always did, and sunlight poured in through the window next to the couch. She smiled. Here's the truth about Athena, she was still staying with John, but she spent as much time as she could at 221B. A part of her wasn't ready for that step quite yet.

Glancing around, she saw bits and pieces of her old life still living in this home. Coffee mugs were placed on the table, a laptop was on and left on some website explaining the dangers of teen alcoholism (she chuckled to herself at that), and there was a faint sound in the background. She assumed that it was Mrs. Hudson watching a program downstairs, but as she walked further into the house, it sounded as if it was coming from her room.

Snap! Like a camera.

She inhaled as quietly as she could and took out her phone, typing a message to Lestrade, Sherlock, and John. "There's someone in the house, get to 221B now. -AH"

Snap!

She flinched to herself and tiptoed away from the door of her bedroom, heading to the stairs. She did her best to make as little noise as possible as she took small steps toward Mrs. Hudson's flat.

Mrs. Hudson opened her door and opened her mouth to speak to Athena, but Athena shushed her silently and entered the older woman's home. "There's someone in the house. Don't make a sound."

Snap!

A knot twisted in her stomach. The person had left her room and was coming down the stairs. Athena looked at Mrs. Hudson and motioned for her to follow. Together, they hid in Mrs. Hudson's bathroom behind the closed door.

Snap!

"Come out, come out wherever you are!" a voice sang quietly into the flat.

Athena had enough. Those three weren't hurrying, and besides, Paul was waiting outside anyways, right? He always was.

She sent a message to Mycroft and Paul, begging for help. As she waited in anticipation for a reply, she heard a phone go off. And then a small chuckle.

"Oh, child, your poor little body guard is long gone. Nice try."

Snap!

She inhaled sharply and looked around the bathroom for a weapon. The only thing in there that was remotely suitable was some sort of back-washing brush. A lump formed in her throat as she grabbed it and stood. Mrs. Hudson shook her head at the girl, but she ignored the motion and got into a position to swing.

Snap! "My, my, is this the bedroom? How lovely."

He wasn't close to them at all. She shared a glance with Mrs. Hudson and tightened her grip on the brush.

Snap! "Enough games, Athena. I know you're in this flat."

She turned to Mrs. Hudson one last time. "Stay here."

With that, she stepped quietly out of the bathroom and closed the door behind her. "What do you want?"

A man, probably in his mid to late thirties, turned to face her. A camera obscured her view of his face and she frowned. "Your cold, dead body in front of Sherlock Holmes."

Snap!

She swung the brush at his head, heard a loud CRACK, and dashed off toward the door. She jumped the couch clumsily and kicked the door open, stumbling into the entryway of the entire complex, where a shellshocked Sherlock, John, and Lestrade were standing.

"Man with camera, thirty-something, tall. And most likely still alive and conscious with a scared Mrs. Hudson. Go!"

They all jumped to action, bolting into the flat. What seemed like years later, they all scurried back to her. "No one was in the flat," Lestrade said. "But this camera is entirely shattered. Did you do this?" He seemed impressed.

She rolled her eyes. "He must've escaped."

Sherlock nodded. "Bedroom window, went onto the street, got lost in the crowd."

John frowned. "What do we do now? You didn't see his face, there's no finding him."

Athena frowned and placed her hand over her mouth for a moment. "Scan the window for fingerprints."

Lestrade sent her a small, proud look before dialing his phone for reinforcements. "You're gonna have to tell someone what exactly happened," he said before pressing the call button.

She huffed and sat on the stairs, letting the day's events sink in. Then suddenly-

"Paul!" Everyone whipped around to look at her. "Where's Paul?"

Sherlock and John glanced at each other, then John stepped up to her quietly. "Paul is..."

"Dead," she finished. "Paul's dead."

"Sorry, kiddo." He wrapped his arms around her lightly and rubbed her back.

She felt numb. Paul was supposed to be invincible, completely indestructible. He was supposed to be her guardian angel. And now he's dead.

And that son of a bitch was going to be too.

With that, she stood, nodded at the men in front of her, and opened the door. "If you need me, I'll be in the park, running until my legs collapse."

"Wait, you need to talk to-"

It was useless. She was already jogging down the road. Sherlock sent a message to Mycroft about Paul and called a cab. The least he could do was be in the park with her, just in case that son of a bitch went after her again.

**

Not much changed. I like this chapter. Feel the pain. Much love!