Once a snowy evening
Disclaimer: I don't own Sherlock or any of its related property. I make no profit from this. I write to entertain.
Warnings: child abuse, depression, alcaholism
START
John sighed loudly, his mobile fixed to his ear. Despite the overly cheerful tone he was talking in, his face expressed great frustration.
"Got yourself locked up again?!" he asked incredulously.
"You know you can't keep doing this." he said tiredly.
The person on the phone didn't appear to be accepting that statement though...for John raised his voice this time. "Why can't you give rehab a chance again? Huh? Why must you make things harder for us all? I swear the army was much less difficult than this" he said clearly.
"You have it hard? Are you serious?"
"Your seriously bringing that up now? You know that wasn't my fault!"
Another growl of frustration.
"That was not my fault. That was..."he paused sounding tired again. "Look how many times do I apologise for not helping you when I should have? I know father messed us up but fighting amongst ourselves isn't helping." he said much calmer this time.
"What was I supposed to do? Stop him? I was 12. Like I could stand up to him...you should know after what you saw him do to me before all this..." he exhaled frustratedly "mess".
"Fine, throw your life away. Mother may still have it in her to care but I'm done." he said sounding resigned.
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Sherlock POV
Well that was disturbing. I assume...no I know that was Harry. His sister.
Still what an odd conversation...I need more data!
I enter his room, he is sitting on his bed. "What was that about?" I ask directly.
He ignores me, looking away, trying to hide his red eyes. He has been crying? "John? Have you been crying? Because -"
He cuts me off. "Yes Sherlock. I'm not sure you would understand" he says cuttingly.
Still in a bad mood then. "What happened with Harry?" I ask.
He laughs harshly. "So you can solve the puzzle? Its simple enough that even I understand it."
Of course I want to solve the puzzle that is John Watson but I want to help too. "I want to help" I say firmly.
He sighs. "Fine. Harry is in jail again. Theft this time. Her fourth time for that." he laughs like its a joke.
"But thats not all thats on her record." I simply state.
"Hmmmm" he agrees "Break and enter twice, held up a convenience store once too, possession of drugs at least six times, possession with intent to sell at least twice, destruction of property and drunk and disorderly conduct more times than I care to remember." he rattles off like a list of groceries.
"Not just related to her drinking, right?" I ask.
"Nah. Drug related charges aren't. Not really. She had to take up a job and no one else would take her." he explains.
"Not just drugs though right?" I probe.
"No. My baby sister has "entertained" men for money." he says softly. Sounding regretful.
"I'm sure there was nothing you could do. You wouldn't hurt her. You wouldn't give up" I say, trying for encouraging.
"I spose...I tried though. Fathers mind was set. He didn't need another useless drunk around. God knows mother didn't need the extra expenses either. What else was to happen?" he says dryly.
Sherlock couldn't help but feel sorry for Harry. He had been lucky enough to have his family by his side. When they couldn't stand him, the household staff were obligated to help.
"She was just thrown out?" he asked.
"Yep. She wasn't even wearing a coat. I tried to talk them out of it. I got..." he pauses carefully, catching himself. "I wasn't rewarded for my efforts. She has never forgiven me." he finished.
He was hiding something. What was his parents response to his pleading for his sisters sake? Why hide it?
He couldn't deny feeling disapproval at John and Harry's parents. To just throw out the child? To not even give the child a coat only indicated at worse neglect. Could this be a sign of more? John had indicated on the phone that his sister should know of her fathers strength over child John. That she had seen more than enough evidence. Evidence? He felt dread. He had to turn away (pretending to think of course) to hide the way such thoughts made his stomach turn.
John appeared to be ignoring him now. He used the opportunity to leave. He would need Mycroft's help on this case. Maybe even Lestrade's too...
AN: R and R as usual.
