"[T]here are people, living among us, who do not die. …they are born, and they live, and they die and they live again, the same life, a thousand times." The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August - Claire North

Prologue

I was dying when I first met Sherlock Holmes, I was suffering a severe infection and blood-loss due to a shrapnel wound to the stomach. I knew I was dying, I was slightly put out by the fact and was looking to con a nurse into giving me some extra morphine to speed my departure. God knows why Sherlock was in Camp Bastion, but he happened to be wandering down my ward and stopped when he saw me.

"You're dying," he said abruptly frowning.

"I know," I said.

"I know you know," said Sherlock, his frown deepening, "But why aren't you a wailing mess like your counterparts?"

"It's only death," I said.

"That's a very rational attitude, oh wait you're not one of those religious people are you?" he asked.

"Not lately," I said with an amused huff, "there isn't a religion that covers me."

"And what are you?" he asked.

"I am just a man with a past, and future that are one in the same," I said.

"I should look at what drugs you're on and get some for myself," he said glancing at my chart.

"Not enough morphine is what I'm on, but if you could snitch me an extra bottle I'd be grateful of the smooth ride into the abyss."

"You're asking me to help you commit suicide," said Sherlock, "you don't even know who I am."

"I know you don't belong here," I said taking a deep breath as a sudden painful wave went through my body, "You're not military, and you're not a doctor. You're too old to be here for me and I'm too young for someone to need information from my past. I'd say you're a diplomat's relative who's wandered off the regular tour."

"You're very astute for a soldier," said Sherlock, "it's a shame you're dying I meet so few interesting people."

"I know what you mean," I said sighing as Sherlock injected something into my IV. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he said, "it won't take long that was purified heroine."

"Interesting indeed," I said, feeling the drug take effect drip by drip, "perhaps we'll meet again in another life."

"I only have one," he said before the world faded and I died without even knowing his name.