Divinest Sense:
Much Madness is divinest Sense -
To a discerning Eye -
Much Sense - the starkest Madness -
'Tis the Majority
In this, as all, prevail -
Assent - and you are sane -
Demur - you're straightway dangerous -
And handled with a Chain -
- Emily Dickinson
...
Chapter 1 — Errors in Judgement
January, 2010
Mycroft was an idiot. Why couldn't he understand that Sherlock's recent overdose was simply a miscalculation, rather than a deliberate suicide attempt? If Sherlock had meant to kill himself, he'd be dead right now. That wasn't looking like such a bad option, actually, given his current predicament. His idiot brother was having him shipped off to live amongst the mad, as though that would somehow improve his mental health.
…
When he'd been sectioned, John had planned to wait out his 28 day hold in stoic silence. Apparently, though, he hadn't done a good enough job of hiding the fact that, once released, he'd gladly return to shoot every single Mental Health Professional who'd deemed him a danger to himself and others. Section 2 had now been replaced by section 3, and he was facing six months of treatment at a "cutting-edge psychiatric facility." John had quite a few ideas about what he'd do with a cutting edge right about now…
…
Sherlock awoke slowly, mouth dry, head pounding. He'd obviously been drugged. The irony of this was not lost on him.
Blinking to adjust to the dim fluorescent light, Sherlock took stock of his surroundings. The room (if one were being generous enough to call it that) was roughly six feet wide by eight feet long. In the room was a narrow, steel-framed bed, bolted to the floor. On the bed was a hard rubber mattress. And on the mattress was Sherlock.
What else? No other furnishings. The fluorescent light he'd already noticed was set into a ceiling so ridiculously high as to give him the disturbing sense of being at the bottom of a well. There were no windows in the room. Ah, but there was a door.
On legs still unsteady from the effects of whatever drug he had been given, Sherlock made his way to the door. There was no handle, but he recognised a retinal scanner. Peering into it, Sherlock was surprised when the door slid open with a quiet hiss.
…
John opened his eyes to find himself in a space that bore a closer resemblance to a prison cell than a hospital room. Apparently "cutting-edge" did not refer to patient luxuries, like sheets, or pillows, or windows. Anyone who wasn't clinically depressed when they entered this place surely would be soon. It reminded him of the bedsit he'd rented on his return to London.
John closed his eyes again. Sometimes, it was better not to look.
…
Sherlock stepped through the door, which immediately slid closed behind him. He found himself in a hallway as high-ceilinged and dimly lit as his room. There were five doors, including his own, all with retinal scanners.
The door directly across from him had an engraved nameplate reading Dr. John Watson. Sherlock wasn't surprised when the retinal scanner did not allow him access. Next to that door was one labeled WC, which opened to reveal a stainless steel toilet, sink, and hand dryer, all automated by motion sensors. Across from the WC, directly next to his own room, Sherlock discovered a cubicle with an automatic shower (which wet his right cuff before he could pull his hand back) and high-powered full-body dryer jets.
At the end of the short corridor was a door tantalisingly marked "Exit." It boasted two retinal scanners, one to the left, and one to the right. Sherlock tried them each in turn, then tried them again, and again, to no avail.
This place had Mycroft written all over it. An exit marked "Exit"? He should have known his brother would never make things so easy for him. Sherlock retreated to his room to plan his next move.
…
John had no idea how long he lay dozing before he was roused by a loud knock. He got up stiffly and limped to the door, fuming that his warders had deprived him of his cane on the grounds that it could be used as a weapon. Still, showing anger wasn't likely to improve his current situation, so John schooled his voice to be as pleasant and non-threatening as he could make it before calling out, "Yes?"
A deep, posh voice asked, "Dr. Watson, may I speak with you?"
John noticed the retinal scanner, looked into it, and activated the door. Stepping out into the hallway, he found a tall, pale man in a very expensive suit. Too well-dressed to be part of the rank-and-file hospital staff. Perhaps he was the director of the facility. John immediately decided to ingratiate himself with this man in the hopes of securing an early release.
…
Sherlock — brain still foggy from the drugs he'd been given — did his best to deduce what he could about the man in front of him. Dr. John Watson had obviously just woken up. A night attendant, then. One who clearly did not enjoy his job, but was trying to put on a cheerful face for the newest nutter on the ward. In fact, his manner was deferential enough to suggest that he knew of Sherlock's relation to Mycroft, and of Mycroft's role in the government. This could be useful.
"Dr. Watson, I've noticed something odd about one of these retinal scanners. I wonder if you would be so kind as to take a look?"
Sherlock held his breath as the doctor limped over to the Exit door and gazed into one of the scanners. Nothing happened.
"Oh, I'm sorry, it was the other scanner I wanted you to check."
The doctor obligingly moved over to peer into the other scanner. Again, nothing.
"What is it I'm looking for?" he asked.
"There seems to be some sort symbol etched into it. It's very faint, but if you look closely enough I think you'll be able to make it out."
As Sherlock spoke, he leaned toward the other retinal scanner. The two scanners in tandem activated the door, which slid open to reveal a long corridor flooded with sunlight. Sherlock didn't hesitate. He shoved the doctor away from the door and bolted for freedom.
...
End Notes: Not a very auspicious start to their relationship, I'll admit. But stick around — I promise it will get better.
This is a work in progress. I've written the first six chapters, and will be updating every Saturday. Kind reviews motivate me to keep writing. :)