Red (Sherlock BBC)

Interlude: August

A/N: At long last! (I say as its been what, three days?) Hope you enjoy, these interlude chapters aren't as good in all honesty, and tend to be much shorter, but even so. Enjoy!

A scream escaped my lips as I sat up abruptly, clutching the soft fabric of the blankets between my trembling fingers. Eyes wide and breaths ragged, I took a moment to find the soft fur of my cat beside me. Quivering digits finding his head, I let out a breath, picking up his small body and holding it to my near-bare chest. Eyes closed, I inhaled slowly to calm my racing heart. The image of the nightmare flashed before my eyes again, and I shut my eyes tighter, willing away the memory.

It had been a week since the case with Sherlock and Watson ended, and after the commitment to the case dissipated from my mind, the events of that night plagued my dreams. With the disappearance of the nightmares of six or so months ago was meant to be serenity; acceptance, and instead the torment of the recurring memory of the night I had fallen victim to my mind took it's place (though, in all fairness, I had fallen victim to my mind ever since the nightmares began six months ago, but at least then it was prevented by avoiding sleep). Out of everything that happened that night, the most terrifying thing was hardly the pain I felt, or the cold look on Zhi Zhu's face- instead, it was the willingness I had felt to die; the thought that appeared in my mind instead of hope was resignation.

That night, I was prepared to die, and instead I was to be cursed with a handicap for the rest of my (admittedly short) life.

To this day, I still can't tell you which alternative was more terrifying.

A meow rung in my ears, and my eyes snapped open, looking at the creature within my arms. The orange tabby blinked up at me, worming his body to get free. I set him on the bed beside me carefully, pushing the blankets aside as I grabbed my phone. 12:46PM. The characters lit up the screen, and an acquiescent sigh escaped my lips. Boredom cascaded through my body in waves, and with a second sigh, I unlocked my phone and opened messenger. My thumb hovered over Sherlock's contact, the urge almost overwhelming. Biting my lip softly as to not tear the stitches, I scrolled carefully to Watson's instead and typed.

Bored, inviting you and sherlock for lunch at Angelos. You in?

I waited a few moments for a response, and when it came another breath vacated my lungs.

Sherlock declined, but I'm in. What time? -JW

Does now work? I need to get something off my chest

Said every transboy ever XD

But seriously, does it?

He agreed, and I felt my lips curl into a smile. Reaching for my crutches, I lifted myself from the mattress, moving to my dresser to change. It was slightly inconvenient to have to move to my bed once more to change, as well as putting on pants with the bulky cast, but knowing it was actually quite warm it made it easier. I'd decided on a grey tee, a blue and red short sleeved flannel shirt, a denim vest and blue jean shorts. My nose ring had been removed earlier, and I hadn't felt like putting it in at the moment, instead leaving the two sets in my ears and left it be. My hair was unkempt, but I stealthily hid it underneath a black beanie. Slightly proud of my lazy outfit, I hobbled out of the room, moving to the living room to put on my boots (of which I succeeded after five or so minutes).

The ride to Angelo's was short, only costing me a small amount of money (of which I now had). Stepping inside, I saw Watson over at a table, and I smiled, approaching him. He politely pulled out my chair for me, and I muttered a soft thank you under my breath. I leaned back in my seat, folding my arms as I looked at Watson, studying his expression. He appeared glad to see me, but there was guilt written all over his face, and it was almost infuriating. "How's Sherlock been?" The words escaped my lips before I could help it. I was genuinely interested, seeing as how emotional the man was while on the case- not that Watson would have recognized.