Sherlock is sitting on the rim of an aged brick well, tossing pebbles down into the water. He looks up when I bark, smile ghosting across his pale face when he sees me. Mycroft walks up behind me, stopping when he sees Sherlock. He starts closer, stepping back when Sherlock moves.
"Get off the ledge."
Sherlock ignores him, pulling another stone from his pocket. We watch in silence as he tosses it down the well, leaning out dangerously far to watch it tumble down to the water.
"Sherlock..."
I run to the edge, putting my paws on the icy slick stone. Sherlock barely looks at me, tossing another pebble. I take his sleeve in my teeth, tugging until I feel him start to move with me. He lies on the ground, pulling me against his chest and closing his eyes. Mycroft watches silently, perfectly still as I lie my head against Sherlocks chest. Slowly, Sherlocks heart slows to a normal beat and he sits up.
"What's wrong Sherlock?"
"Don't let mummy take me back."
I look up at Sherlock, his lip quivering as tears begin to spill from his eyes.
"You have to go to school."
"I don't want to go back."
"You know how it upsets mummy when you refuse."
"So? I dont want to go back."
Mycroft sits beside us, snow seeping into his pyjamas.
"Lets go back to the house and get you warmed up. You need to get some sleep."
Sherlock nods, leaning against Mycrofts chest when he is picked up. He lets one of his hands dangle to the side, fingers wriggling for me to come closer.
"Redbeard, home."
I set off in front of them, leading the way back to the house. Mycroft nudges the door open, whispering loudly when I shake my fur out over the floor.
"Sit!"
I ignore Mycroft, hopping onto Sherlocks armchair.
"Down Redbeard. Sit down."
Sherlock is standing beside Mycroft now, a stern expression on his face. I jump down, curling up on the floor.
"Good boy. Come here."
I run over to Sherlock, sitting at his feet.
"You need to go get changed, put on dry clothes. I'm going to change real fast, but I want to talk to you before you go back to bed."
"Redbeard, heel."
I jump up with Sherlock, sticking to his side as we run up the stairs. He changes out of his wet clothes, running his fingers through his hair and wrapping up in a blanket. Mycroft knocks on the door, stepping through when Sherlock opens it. I hop onto the bed when Sherlock sits, wagging my tail when he scratches behind my ears.
"We need to talk about this Sherlock."
"I dont want to go back there."
"School starts again at the end of this weekend. On Monday Sherlock, two days from now."
"So?"
"You are going, there's no getting out of it."
"Go away."
Sherlock rolls over, turning his back to his brother and wrapping his blanket tightly around himself. Mycroft moves closer, causing Sherlock to tense up. I start growling at Mycroft, making sure he backs off a few steps. He sits on the edge of the bed, clasping his hands in his lap.
"I know you don't like it, but you have to go."
Sherlock ignores Mycroft, turning and pulling me to his chest again. Mycroft gives up after ten minutes of silence, kissing Sherlocks forehead lightly before walking out.
"Get some sleep."
The door closes softly, Mycroft pauses for a few seconds before walking down the hall.
"I dont want to go."
Sherlock presses his face against my fur again, whispering in my ear as he tries to relax.
"Come on, lets go downstairs."
We creep quietly downstairs, heading into the kitchen. Sherlock makes himself some tea, slipping me a treat before curling up in his armchair. The fire is long gone, ashes cold in the hearth. I snuggle up beside him, falling asleep listening to his now even breathing.
