the note

at 221B Baker Street.

You, John, and the lanky man--which you learn to be Mycroft Holmes, S.H.'s "elder brother", as he refers himself , run up a flight of stairs to a flat that seems to be chaotic. You see needles and used nicotine patches scattered on the floor, a skull on a mantle, and a gun on the ground. A small pile of money rests on a table, piled nicely; and a picture of John and S.H. sits framed, next to the skull. The glass in front of the frame is cracked. Next to the frame is a blade that was ripped from a pencil sharpener. You look down and see crimson spots and used bandages.

You look around and see the two men with you are looking aroud, each investigating some of the room. Mycroft comes to you and notices the blade and the bandages, swearing under his breath. John calls from another that he thinks there is blood on the ground. You follow his voice into the room John Watson is in-- the bathroom-- and notice that there is another blade, this one resting on a sink. You look at John, and see his face is numb, frozen in shock and pain and regret.

"Are you okay?" You ask him, but in response the doctor shakes his head and leaves the room. Mycroft shouts that he found something, and you go to Mycroft, who is holding both and envelope and a broken violin.

"Fuck," John says aloud, pressing his hand to his face. "Fuck."

Mycroft extends his arm, putting the envelope near John. You notice that on the envelope, John is inscribed in the same messy handwriting as what was on the letter that you had earlier.John takes the letter from Mycroft's hand tentatively, and opens it slowly. Inside is another letter, and you see that next to John's name the word "my" is written, but crossed out with the same pen used to write it. John reads the letter aloud.

John,

I've noticed that you don't look at me the same way. Being a father must tire you out. I don't blame you. But you spend time with your child and Mary, just the three of you. You don't check on me anymore, you haven't since Moriarty has arrived. I don't blame you. I know you're tired. Please, go to the heroine den. I promise I am undercovers.

-S.H.

John swears again and you head out, following Watson's lead.