Chapter 1: The Girl
Sherlock
Isn't it amazing how quickly a life could change?
How once your life was heading in one direction, then the next be turned round by one person?
This was one of these times.
I was heading down Bakers street, long strides making little work of the pavement beneath me. I felt far too alone, not having John beside me to bounce my ideas off. For a moment I considered taking my skull out again to talk to.
"No, John'll come round." I tried to convince myself, but ever since he and Mary got engaged, he had rarely seen his best friend. A sigh escaped my lips. Why did 'normal' humans have to be so complicated? I pinched the bridge of my nose, turning towards the door of 221B only to trip over… a person?
A 16 year old girl was sat by the door, knees drawn to her chest. She had deep purple curly hair passed her shoulders. A lose black shirt and ripped jeans that were obviously too small for her donned her skinny body. Her feet were bare and covered in scratches and dried blood. Pale, translucent skin barely covered her big bones. Underfed, obviously.
Abusive parents, younger brother which is spoilt. Ran away, had… My eyes focused on the ball of small fluff curled against her belly in an attempt to keep her warm. Has a dog, a… a red setter pup? NO. Have to get her away.
Even before I could open my mouth, her head turned towards me, bright, impossibly silver eyes stared up at me. Her mouth was small, a few freckles scattered over her nose and high cheek bones.
"H..Hello Uncle." Her gruff voice managed.
Obviously dehydrated, not had a drink of water in at least a day and half. No food for over a week. But those two words…
"Uncle? I'm sorry, I am pretty sure that Fatcroft doesn't have any children." I brushed her off with my usual indifference, slipping my key into the lock. The knocker was still ajar, so she couldn't be Mycroft's child, she would have straightened it out by now. "Sorry kid, I cannot help you with your abusive parents or the fact you are currently homeless." I made the mistake of glancing down at the child who cuddled had her small pup cuddled against her chest and face.
It looks so much like Redbeard.
My childhood had been spent with my best friend, well only friend, until we had to put him down due to intensive injuries from a stray dog. I had never forgiven myself for going out to the park that day. If we had just stayed in then maybe… I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes and put on a brave face.
"No, Mycroft doesn't know about me. I don't think anyway." The girl shuddered, obviously feeling the cold of the oncoming winter. If she stayed out, she would most likely die…
A sigh escaped my lips as I shoved the door open with my shoe. "Come on. You'll freeze if you do not get kidnapped out there." The hope in the girl's eyes was something I was not acquainted to. When most people needed my help, they were passed the point of hope.
"What's your name?" I enquired as she forced herself from the floor, limping towards the warmth of the flat.
"…Experiment 21."