𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥 | 𝘖𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬 3 ✔︎

Chapter III - Faith

Once Ash and Bill had arrived at the Diner, Clara was out of there before you could say 'impossible girl.' She came up with an excuse about why she needed to get back to 221B and walked home. She didn't take the cab since it wasn't that far.

It was nighttime on the streets of London, and Clara sighed, stuffing her hands in the pockets of her coat to protect them from t he autumn air. She thought back to what had just happened. Actually, what had just happened? It was disturbing to see Missy's face again, but hadn't that been Moriarty's voice? Moriarty was dead! To be honest, Clara didn't know where Missy had been all this time--and she hadn't cared. AS long as Missy wasn't bothering her, she was happy. But now Missy was back, and... so was Moriarty? This didn't make any sense. Were Missy and James Moriarty working together now? It would make a bit of sense to have both Clara and Sherlock's enemies teaming up against them. But something still felt off. In the video, they seemed... No, it couldn't be. Clara expelled that idea as soon as it entered her mind. That would be insane, and horrible news for both Clara and Sherlock.

By now, Clara had reached 221B Baker St. Her thoughts had made the walk go by faster. She grabbed the handle of the black door, now thinking all she wanted was a cuppa with Sherlock, maybe a book. Something calm, not confusing.

But while walking up the steps to 221B, something felt... wrong. Different. The door to the flat was open, and Clara walked right in, hanging her coat on the rack. She looked around. Sherlock was sitting in his usual chair, his hands in his thinking position.

"Hello, Clara," he greeted her. Something seemed different about him as well. Better. He must've gotten some fresh air.

Then it hit her.

"Sherlock," Clara's eyes darted to the other chair. On the floor next to it was an imprint. Of a cane. And, Clara knew, it most certainly wasn't John's cane. John hadn't used that stick in years, and he hadn't been around for months, now. And in the air, what was that smell? Women's perfume? "Has someone been here?"

Sherlock turned his head towards her. A gesture he usually didn't do. Most days, he would greet her at the door and then not pay full attention to her until she was sitting across from him. But, that single head turn. That told so much.

The look in Clara's eyes was pained. Heartbroken. She knew she was right. She blinked to keep away tears, and then swallowed.

"Sherlock..." her breath caught. "Are you cheating on me?"

"Clara, it's not what you think." he stood, and Clara's fist clenched. She wasn't dumb.

"Are you sure, Sherlock?" Clara's voice was low, trembling. "Because it sure as hell looks like it."

Sherlock was silent, not knowing what to say. Clara couldn't believe it. He hadn't denied anything. Finally, she spoke, "What was her name?"

"Faith," he responded, a sad look in his eyes at Clara's disposition. He wanted to hold her. Everything he wanted to say couldn't be expressed in words. I love you, I would never hurt you. But he knew she would never let him, now. "Her name was Faith. But really, it's not what you think--"

Clara was out of the door before he finished his sentence. She ran down the stairs of 221B and pulled the door open with such force, she thought the hinges might come loose.

"What in the--" Mrs Hudson emerged from her flat just in time to hear the door slam shut and to see Clara disappear into the London night.

~~~~~

This chappie dedicated to his-rosaline for encouraging me to update again. Sometimes I just need a little boost. :) Go read her new Oslock book, too. We can always use more Oslock in our lives! :D

I'm not going to apologize for the short chapter because I've realized I don't need to. Chapters in this book might tend to be short, they might tend to be long. That's just the way it might be. I hope you'll keep reading anyway, though. :)

Love you guys,

-O

WC: 624