A Study In Him (Teenlock)

Beaten Down

"Listen John, I hate to confine you to my house but it's the safest place for you right now," Sherlock whispered, firmly holding the short boy's shoulders.

John nodded, "I get it. Your house is big anyway, I'm all set."

"You can go in the backyard anytime you want, and for short walks in the afternoon. Hopefully then your dad won't find you. If he finds out where you're hiding, he won't leave us alone."

"I know, Sherlock, I know," John nodded, "But you have some explaining to do. What the hell made you run out the house and stay at an Inn? Like...Jesus I was so worried!"

"Sorry, John...It's just...Me and Sherrinford have...Major issues. Only we know about them. Even Mycroft isn't aware."

"Wow. He says you took his teasing the wrong way? Did he bully you...?"

Sherlock fell onto the bed, his eyes glazing with memories, "Yeah...Sort of like that."

"You don't have to tell me," John sat next to him, "But if you ever need to talk, I'm here."

Sherlock sighed, starting to unbutton his blouse, "Look at this."

He pulled it off and turned around, back to John. The future doctor had to hold in a terrified gasp.

All down his back were faint-- yet still there-- scars. Red slash marks. Not from a knife, no, from a whip.

John covered his mouth, murmuring through his fingers, "Oh...My God..."

"He did this to me. And so much more. The injuries may have healed, but my conscience never did."

John swallowed hard, "Sherrinford--"

"Beat me, yes. Just like your dad, Sher believed I was a failure. He was ashamed to be related to me. When no one was looking, he'd punch me and whip me with a belt, throwing me in a dark closet to cry. There's still blood on the carpet in there."

"Jesus," John ran his fingertips over the slashes, "I'm so sorry. My dad did that too. He'd kick me into my closet-room and...And..."

Sherlock turned to face him, "What did he do to you, John?"

"Only once, when I was ten. It wasn't too bad but...It was, y'know?"

"What was?"

John felt Sherlock knew, but didn't want to believe it.

"He abused me, Sherlock, in three ways. Emotionally, calling me a fag and a failure, physically, and...Sexually."

"Oh my God," Sherlock threw his blouse back over his shoulders, "I-I...I don't even..."

"It's okay--"

"No, it isn't! It's a wonder he's not in jail!"

"Did...Sherrinford...Do time?"

"No. Like I said, only we knew until now. I don't even know why I let him bully me into silence, and after he left for other reasons I just tried to forget. It was stupid but...It happened."

"Do you think he'll...Do it again?"

"I'm just trying to stay away from him. I'll hide up in my room. But don't worry about me, you have a much more pressing issue."

"We've gotta get back. How long can you stay here?"

"I'm supposed to have left by now. Hopefully he'll have gone. Let's try to sneak out."

The two hurried down the stairs, checking out the door of the pub. Thankfully, Harold was nowhere to be seen.

This made John worry even more though.