WHAM! The pain exploded in the young boy's side as he was knocked to the ground. He pushed himself to his hands and knees and looked at his body which was now covered in mud, a few of his dark curls hanging now where he could see them. He clenched his jaw and said nothing as more mud was kicked into his face.

"Just stay in the dirt. It's where you belong." Another boy taunted and a few more joined in a chorus of laughter.

"Need your My to save you?" Another chirped up as the young boy continued to stare at the ground, ignoring them as best he could

He was pushed back down into the mud with another chorus of laughter and then the boys started to walk away

"Just loony, that one is." He heard someone mumble under their breath.

Little William Sherlock Scott Holmes pushed himself up to a sitting position and tried to wipe the mud from his face. He knew their opinions of him didn't matter. He knew none of it should bother him. So he simply sighed and tried his best to fix his clothing before heading back towards his home.

As he walked he noticed the people walking across the street sending him looks of disapproval and whispering to one another. One glanced towards the direction of his home and said something else before nodding. They both shook their heads before continuing on. Sherlock knew what they were saying. Perhaps not exactly but he could figure out enough.

He, for one, was glad he did not have to go to school with the other children. They were far less intelligent for one, but mostly they were mean. And despite what people would say in the future, he didn't like mean people. Not like those boys.

As Sherlock continued on his way, his ears picked up on a hesitant shuffling sound. He listened for the direction of the sound and quickly pinpointed it. His head turned to the alley nearby and he raised an eyebrow before taking a few steps foreword. He peeked into the alley way and caught sight of a girl, perhaps an inch or so shorter than him, with dark hair that was pulled back in a rather loose ponytail. Small sections of it were falling in her face however she didn't seem to mind as she moved around the area. She held her hands out in front of her and also seemed to be searching the ground with her feet. Sherlock had already determined she was blind. That was easy enough to tell. What he hadn't been able to do is locate was the obvious thing she was missing, her walking stick.

He did another scan of the alley and noticed it on the edge of a window that would be above her head. It had to have been put there by someone else, and he couldn't help but feel a little bit angry. He could leave her. She would eventually find it. But today he didn't. He walked over and grabbed it before turning and placing it in her hand.

The girl's hand wrapped around it tightly as she took a step back away from him.

"I won't take it." Sherlock answered her question quickly.

He watched as she located the sound of his voice. She tilted her head a moment before she spoke.

"You're the boy they tease." She said "I've heard them."

Sherlock's gaze hardened ever so slightly. Perhaps this had been a bad idea.

"They're quite dull themselves." The girl continued "They're jealous of you, I think."

Sherlock was shocked by that. Of course he knew that, but he assumed that everyone else agreed. Most people seemed to think normal was better. Their way of life. The way things 'should' be and how children 'should' act. It was obnoxious.

"As they should be." He stated finally, taking a stance of confidence.

The girl chuckled lightly and Sherlock's expression took on one of slight confusion.

"I'm glad you do not let them bother you." She continued with a smile. "I'm Alita." She offered a hand.

Sherlock looked her over again slowly before deciding to shake her hand "Sherlock."

"That's a very unique name." Alita commented, her tone was that of observance and intrigue. "Strong. And not a name that is easily forgotten."

"Thank you." Sherlock nodded

"No. Thank you." Alita smiled "The boys thought it would be funny to hide this in a new spot this week. Usually I can find it quite quickly because they are so obvious in their work however the alley was new."

There was silence a moment before Alita spoke up again.

"Do you happen to know what time it is?"

Sherlock glanced at his watch and internally cursed himself for not paying closer attention. He would be late.

"It's half two." He said quickly, stepping back.

"Ah." she nodded "Goodbye, Sherlock" She could tell he was leaving.

He had reached the end of the alley and yet when she spoke, he stopped and looked her over. "Goodbye, Alita."

And with that he ran home.