His Great Game (Sherlock x Reader)

Chapter 2: The Mysterious Gunman

(Your POV)

I walked for at least another 20 minutes before my apartment complex came into view in the distance. Or would it be a flat complex? I chuckled and shook my head. British lingo is weird.

Any warmth coming from my coffee cup had disappeared along with the coffee itself, leaving me with an empty cup and a cold chill. I looked down at the ink numbers on the cup and memorized them quickly. I would definitely be texting that number soon. I threw the cup into a nearby trashcan and continued down the sidewalk.

The sun was long gone, and it felt like the temperature was dropping by the second. An exaggeration, I know. I can be quite the drama queen sometimes. I pulled the hood of my jacket over my head and stuffed both hands into my hoodie pocket. I can't wait to get inside...

One big plus of my flat- it was very affordable, and a nice place for the price. As a college student on a budget, I have no complaints on that matter. However, the big negative was that it was right next to a bar. And not just because of the incessant noise of blaring music late into the night (which, by the way, can be heard from my flat on the opposite end of the complex.) I'm usually home much earlier than I am tonight, and right now was a danger hour for girls walking home alone. I gulped and walked faster as I approached it.

Past the bar and the creepy alleyway, straight to the apartment complex. Okay, (y/n), now you're really being a drama queen.

Just before I reached the door of the bar, three men stumbled out, visibly drunk. I mumbled a curse under my breath and walked even faster, praying I would go unnoticed. No such luck.

"Hey doll." A man's voice sent shivers up my spine and I froze with fear. Refusing to look back, I started up again at the same pace and headed for the complex.

"Hey," the same voice called out again, rougher this time. I felt a hand grab my wrist and was spun around to face the man. He narrowed his eyes and looked down at me. "I was talking to you." I tried to wrench myself out of his grip, but instead he grabbed my other wrist and practically pinned my arms to my sides.

"Where do you think you're headed in such a rush?" he slurred. His hot breath covered my face, making me cringe. The loud noises and bright lights from the bar were disorienting, and the hollering of the two other men behind him wasn't helping.

"I...uh..." No, no, no, don't panic. Oh God. I had been holding it together so well until now. Then I made the fatal mistake of looking the man in the eyes. I'm a fairly confident person, but I internally crumbled under his gaze. One look into those dark eyes and... Oh God, I feel so violated.

He moved his hands to my waist, never releasing my wrists. "You know, I thought maybe we could have a bit of fun, doll." His buddies guffawed behind him, egging him on.

"Woo, get 'em, Robbie!" Shouted the blonde one. The short and stocky one wolf whistled, further encouraging my assaulter.

I was really panicking now. My breathing was shallow and rapid, and my heart was racing. "N-no. No thank you." I tried pulling away again, but Robbie laughed and pulled me even closer so I was touching his chest. I couldn't bring myself to look up at him. He was a good head taller than me, and I was terrified. This wasn't right.

No, no, please, someone help. I was crying now, silent tears streaming down my face. He leaned in and pressed his lips to my cheek as he spoke.

"You're not going anywhere, doll." He backed me into the wall of the bar. I tried desperately to scream, but nothing came out. Oh God. Heart racing and panic taking over, I did the only thing I could- I brought up my knee and hit him as hard as I could in the groin.

"ARGH!" He doubled over in pain, and his grip on me weakened momentarily. A moment's distraction was all I needed. I slipped away and took off towards the complex at a sprint, the two other men following behind.

"Hey!" I heard one of them yell. Their footsteps became louder and I knew they were gaining on me.

Run faster, dang it! The complex was only steps away. "Help!" I cried out desperately, my voice no longer failing me. "Please, someone help!" I felt a hand grab me once again, wrenching me backwards by my shoulder. I cried out in pain as I spun around to face the blonde man. My eyes widened in fear and a sob escaped me.

He smirked triumphantly. "Gotc-" he started, but he never got the chance to finish. A loud bang rang in my ears and his mouth hung open in shock. His eyes widened with pain and mine with fear as I realized what had just happened. I looked down to see the red splatter on my hoodie and the red stain growing on his shirt. Time stopped, and the two of us stood suspended in time for what felt like hours, although it couldn't have been more than a second. He dropped to the ground, dead. I was so overwhelmed and paralyzed with fear that I hadn't noticed the red dot shining on his chest before the shot was fired.

Robbie and the third man stood right behind the fallen man, frozen in fear. "What the hell?" The third man shouted and began to run away, grabbing Robbie so he would follow.

Two more bangs. Two more bodies hit the pavement, blood pooling around them.

I looked around wildly for the gunman, fearing for my life. I waited, hands above my head, anticipating the fourth shot that was surely for me. But a fourth shot never came.