Sherlock: The Next Generation

Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Martin hugged his dad, papa and Hamish goodbye, slowly heading over to where the dormitories were. The only member of the family who hadn't come along was Molly. Papa and dad hadn't let her because she had school the next day. She had been strangely tearful when saying goodbye to Martin. Sure, they were close, but it wasn't exactly the first time.

Sherlock and John had talked to the head teacher for quite a while before saying goodbye, making sure to straighten out the details. Martin would still sleep in the dorm with the other boys. But that could change depending on how he coped.

Truthfully Martin didn't know what he thought about going back to school. Sure he was looking forward to seeing everyone. Especially Max. But there would be a pressure put on him to talk. He didn't want to talk. He never wanted to talk again. He didn't like it. He couldn't explain why but he just no longer saw the appeal in forming words with his mouth. He would probably have to cancel his singing lessons. He didn't want to sing anymore. He just wanted to play his instruments (especially his violin), dance and paint. Not speak. He had no interest in speaking.

"Martin!" Max was the only one in the dorm as Martin entered. He glanced around, realising that he was sleeping in a bed in the same position as last time. They had changed dorms, now being in their second year, but the room really wasn't any different.

Martin merely nodded to Max with a smile as he dumped his suitcase on the bed along with his various instruments. Max arched an eyebrow before a cough emerged from his lips, sounding rather painful and chesty. He pulled something out of his pocket that looked like an inhaler, quickly taking a breath from it. Martin hadn't known that Max had asthma. Then again there had been that time the year before when he had gotten really bad pneumonia and had been off schools for weeks. Maybe that was related to asthma or something.

"You know, I just got back to school yesterday," Max continued brightly, sitting on his bed. "I was in hospital too for a bit. Lung problems or something." His shrug told Martin that he wasn't saying everything. Martin didn't ask. It was Max's business. He wondered what the others in his year had been told. As to why Martin hadn't been at school for the first week. "So is it true that you and your twin got hit by a car?" Ah. So there it was. It would explain away being in hospital and not being to school. Not the... scars, though. Long sleeved tops and trousers it was for the whole school year. Not the Martin was ever going to show his arms now.

Martin merely nodded in reply to Max's question.

"You're not talking, are you?" Max asked after a few moments of silence. Martin nodded his affirmation. Glad that Max understood. He wasn't sure if anyone else would. All of a sudden Max had moved over to Martin, hugging him. "I understand. Don't talk if you don't want to. I won't let the others give you a hard time or anything." Martin smiled, hugging Max back. All of a sudden Max moved back from Martin, a violent cough racking through his body. "I'm just going to go to the bathroom," he excused himself while still coughing. "I think some of the others are in the second year common room... I'll see you there."

Martin blinked with a frown, deep blue eyes watching Max worriedly as he headed through the door leading to the bathroom. He got up nonetheless and left. If Max wanted, or needed, help he would have asked for it. Martin tugged slightly at his white wool jumper as he headed down the stairs. He felt slightly nostalgic as he headed past the first year common room door. The second year common room was right next to it and Martin slowly opened the door, peering in. He unconsciously pushed his glasses up his nose before entering. The three other boys were there playing a game of cluedo with three of the girls. A light smile framed his lips as he remembered playing cluedo once with his family. It had not gone well. Both dad and Hamish had claimed to know who it was upon beginning to play, both being irritated when they guessed wrong and were out of the game. In the end it was Molly who won, much to papa's amusement.

"Martin!" It was Dan who first noticed Martin hanging at the door, looking up from the game of cluedo. Martin bit his lip as all eyes turned on him. "How are you?"

Martin gave him a thumbs up to indicate that he was fine. He gained many raised eyebrows from his peers. Thankfully he was saved by both the dinner bell and Max.

"Martin isn't in the mood to talk," Max explained as they headed out and towards the main school building. Martin smiled slightly. He definitely had a good friend in Max.

Martin didn't eat much at dinner. Normal, really, for him. Ran in the family. It was his Holmes genes kicking in really. Well, Sherlock Holmes genes. Mycroft Holmes loved his food. Surprisingly Max didn't comment as he normally did, nor did he try to convince Martin to eat more. Then again Martin noticed that he wasn't eating very much either and seemed to take a few pills with his meal. He was curious. But the other three boys didn't comment so Martin put his thoughts to the side.

That night Martin woke from a nightmare at midnight. His duvet was wrapped around him, sweat stuck to his body and his breath was coming out in short pants. He whimpered, curling up into a ball. The darkness was painful. He didn't like it. He didn't like the feeling of being alone. "Hamish..." he whispered to himself, eyes squeezed shut. Trying to forget everything that he had seen but failing. His panic increased, his heartbeat increased and he wished for his twin, his dads and sister even more.

He was glad he hadn't woken up everyone screaming, though. He could deal with the nightmare. He could. he really could.

No he couldn't.  Martin lay on his side curled up into a tight ball, shaking as he tried to push it all away.

"Martin?" Whoever was talking did so in a mere, almost silent whisper. "Are you ok?" Martin shook his head. Hoping that whoever it was could hear it. "Want me to get someone?" Martin shook his head again. He felt the weight of someone sitting on his bed, a comforting hand touching his shoulder. He felt himself relax slightly. He wasn't alone. Someone was there. "You sure you don't want me to get someone?" Martin nodded. Please just stay where you are. Don't leave me.

So Max didn't. He sat on Martin's bed, offering comfort until the other boy fell back into a light, if fitful, sleep. Then he went back to his own bed.

Martin didn't wake up again that night.