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Thank you so much for choosing Solve Me A Riddle, Molly Hooper. I appreciate the support.
Title: Solve Me A Riddle, Molly Hooper
Author: Alice Foxworth
Rating: K
Disclaimer: All rights belong to Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, the other wonderful people involved in the show BBC Sherlock, and of course, the genius behind the stories, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Chapter 1
Molly often wondered what things would have been like if Sherlock had really died, and now more than ever. She didn't know if it would make any difference; she'd be just as lonely as she was now. People kept telling her to make a move: Sherlock was there, in her house, constantly, and she had the chance she had waited for for years. Fate, they said, had a funny way of making things in the universe more complicated than they had to be. It was just a matter of time (and more confusion) before she and Sherlock would have ended up together anyway.
Molly doubted it. She didn't care. She wouldn't care if Sherlock went and jumped off of Bart's again, without her help. Let's see if he really could get on without her. Oh, forget him! He's just a drugee without a joint. He's a grandma with an uncomfortable chair. He's absolutely a pain in the backside!
He never listens, he never considers the inconvenience he's caused Molly, because NO! He's Mr. Perfect and every girl falls at his feet to give him the attention he wants. Except he's not man enough to turn around and give them the attention they need. That was the main problem Molly had when she had followed those girls like a blind sheep in a thorny pasture. It had been painful. It had been bloody (mainly from the body parts she had procured for Sherlock). It had been absolute Hell, but Molly was finished.
It was about time she started standing up for herself. She was finished giving him what he wanted without anything in return. She was sick and tired of his bad-mouthing, his unwelcome deduction exercises, his silence, his talking, his bad attitude, his manipulative smile and eyes. She was done. And she was going to tell him. Now. And he would take it to the bank.
Molly shoved her key into the lock, not caring if it broke or not, Sherlock could make himself useful and fix it for her. Unfortunately, it didn't break; Sherlock was off the hook, the lucky son of a gun. She flung her coat on the coat rack beside Sherlock's lonely and odd looking windbreaker and made her way into the flat.
"Sherlock."
A pause, "Sherlock!"
Nothing. She rushed through the kitchen (empty), into the living room (empty as well), to her bedroom (bare as the day she moved in), and to his room. No one but her was in the flat. She was alone.
Sherlock is gone, she thought. Oh my god, Sherlock is gone! He's not supposed to leave the flat! What if there are still people out there who want to kill him? What if he needs my help? I'd better save - wait. He doesn't need me. He's just fine on his own. I'm fine to just sit, have a cuppa, read a book. He will be back in two hours.
Molly didn't read anything. She stared at the clock. The seconds drew out longer and longer, until she couldn't stand the silence. It really wasn't the same unless he was there. She decided to check one more time before going out to find him.
She stood in the living room, all rooms visible and in earshot, and shouted, "Sherlock!"
Just one more attempt. She whispered, "Sherlock?"
No answer came, save a ring from her mobile, a single ring, causing her to jump. She grabbed the phone and flipped it open. She held it up to her ear.
Hesitant, "Hello?"
"Hello, Miss Hooper." A disguised voice, male, deep, menacing. "How was your walk? Refreshing, I hope."
"Yes, who is this?" Her voice was shaking.
"No questions, please, Miss Hooper. You are a friend of Sherlock Holmes, are you not?"
"Well, I wouldn't say friend, but I know him."
"Are you his current guardian?"
"Yes, sir, why?"
"No questions, please. I have a present for you. But to get your present, you must find it."
"How?"
"No questions!" The man growled. Molly flinced, glad the man couldn't see her. Or could he? She glanced around quickly for cameras, but there were none in sight.
"I will give you a series of clues."
"Riddles?"
"Yes. Riddles, if you'd prefer. Each clue will come with the option of a hint, but know that if you have to use your little hint, the package will be harmed. Understood?"
Molly nodded.
"Understood, Miss Hooper?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. I will give you one hour to solve the first clue."
Molly waited, but panic soon began to set it. She knew the package must be Sherlock. The kidnapper must know she was not good at word games. He wanted to hurt Sherlock. His intention was to cause pain.
When the man spoke, it was quieter and almost...scarier. "A man who lives on the tenth floor takes the elevator down to the first floor every morning and goes to work. In the evening, when he comes back, on a rainy day, or if there are other people in the elevator, he goes to his floor directly. Otherwise, he goes to the seventh floor and walks up three flights of stairs to his apartment.
Can you explain why? One hour Miss Hooper."
The line went dead. Molly sunk down into the closest chair and began to think.
This story will start out rated K and I am sure 96.38% that it will become T. There is a 14.96% chance that the rating may go up to M, but that will only be if I decide to use an alternate ending and make the story a smidge darker, but most likely not. If the rating does change there will be a rating warning and description of reasons at the beginning of the chapter. The story itself, however, will remain T, because of the warning that will be provided.
This story has an oddish story line and type. The plot includes a series of riddles and puzzles. Molly's job is to solve those riddles. Your job is to either read and enjoy, or help her solve them. PLEASE DO NOT LOOK UP THE ANSWERS ON SAFARI AND POST THEM. Some people do read the comments before they read a story, and it would really suck if they knew the plot and progression without even opening the story! If you really would like to see if you are right, please inbox or email me! I am open to suggestions for riddles and other story tips, so do not hesitate to leave any comments or questions or complaints (suggestions are allowed in the comments, just don't put the answer to any riddle you suggest). Thank you so much for reading!
Comments MUCH appreciated!
Next chapter hopefully up next week
-R. Lambert