Sherlock Holmes and the Womb Raider of London

Preface

VERONICA STORM RUBBED HER LARGE STOMACH AS SHE STOOD IN THE NEWLY MADE NURSERY. Her eyes scanned over the stuffed animals all nearly stacked on the shelf. She imagined what it would be like to be a new mother. It would be hard at first, more so since she would be alone, but she would get through this as she got through every tough time in her life.

     With one last look at the room, Veronica slowly walked out, closing the door softly behind her. She then retreated back to her small room. Taking off her ratty stockings, she then crawled under the thin covers. Despite the harsh cold of the winter night, Veronica's eyes closed and she began to fall into a peaceful slumber. That was until the sound of shattering glass got her attention.

Fear seized Veronica's heart as her eyes flew open. Automatically, her hands went to her stomach, her mind fearing for her baby. She knew she couldn't let anything happen to it. So not wanting to be a sitting duck, Veronica stood to her feet. She winced as the old bed groan beneath her weight, but she didn't let the noise stop her from moving. The last thing she wanted was to be seen, so she swiftly to the small closet and hid inside, shutting the rickety doors behind her. To make sure she wasn't seen, Veronica pressed herself against the back wall and put the clothes dangling from the racks in front of her body so she couldn't be seen.

     Her small body shook as cold sweat dripped down her forehead and neck, making her golden locks stick to her skin. Inside her chest, Veronica's heart thumped wildly, making her afraid that the intruder might hear it, or that it might simply explode from her chest. Large and silent tears rolled down the side of her pale face. It wasn't only her life at risk. There was also the life of her unborn child.

     Creek.

The sound of the creaky floorboards echoed through the small flat, making Veronica's breath hitch in her throat. She didn't dare breathe, not when she knew that the intruder was so close. In the dead silence of the night her breathing would make herself known, and that was the last thing she wanted. 

     Agonizing seconds ticked by before the intruder entered the room. Through the small crack of in the closet door, Veronica kept an eye on the intruder. With their baggy white sweatshirt and pants, she couldn't tell if the intruder was a man or a woman. It didn't help that they wore a full faced white mask with a golden rim. But that wasn't what caught her attention. In their white gloved hand was a small wicker basket. She feared what might've been inside it.

     Slowly, the intruder walked around the room. They stopped at the foot of the bed and set down the basket. Getting onto their knees, the intruder checked under the bed. When they saw that Veronica wasn't there, they began to approach the closet. 

     Frantically, Veronica looked around for anything that could be used as a weapon. Unfortunately the only useful item she found was a five inch high heel. That would have to do.

     Wrapping a sweaty hand around the base of the shoe, Veronica braced herself. Though she was terrified, she was prepared to fight for the sake of her child. 

Without waiting for the intruder to reach her first, she pushed open the closet door and lunged at the intruder. The high heel struck the side of the intruder's face with a sickening crack, making them reel backwards in a daze.