Hello, readers! I do hope you will enjoy reading this fic. I'm expecting it to be rather long and slow-building, so bear with me. Well, enough from me, let's get to the story. I hope you'll enjoy!
Sigh. Another boring Friday night, John thought to himself as he watched telly. The local news station interrupted the program he was watching, and he checked the clock on his bedside table. 6:09 p.m.
"…should expect severe weather in your area later tonight; major snow storms are headed our way. Be sure to take extra precautions and…" John quickly lost interest in the weather station's ramblings. Severe snow storms were not uncommon at this time of year after all, especially in London. John considered getting his homework for the weekend done early, just to give him something to do to pass the time. He barely finished contemplating this idea when his roommate, Edgar Cunningham, entered the room, none too quietly, as a matter of fact. The boy was dark haired and average built, (from being on the school's rugby team) however, a little on the chubby side. Slamming the door nonchalantly (he wasn't angry, John noted, just careless of other peoples' opinions toward his actions), Edward looked at John in attempt to catch his attention without words.
"Ed," John said awkwardly. The two never got along very well; Edgar had been a bully to John ever since grade school. John was always picked on for his size (he was quite small compared to the other boys his age, he always had been). Edgar had specifically chosen for John to be his roommate because he knew the shorter boy wouldn't fight back or ask anyone for help. He was basically just an easy victim, one of whom he'd known the weaknesses of since childhood.
"Evening, Watson," Edgar started, speaking more kindly than usual. John knew this tone; it was always used when he wanted John's help. John wondered what kind of task he would have to put up with this time, and eyed Edgar suspiciously. "So, I'm having some friends from the rugby team over tonight, and I need you to be out of the way." John was familiar with Ed's get-togethers with his friends. They always involved drinking and food. He also knew what was being asked of him. Every time Ed had his friends over to their room, Ed had locked John inside the closet in the corner of the room. He was really starting to hope the parties would stop, since rugby season was over. However, the most of the team still gathered in their room every few weeks. And frankly, John was sick of waiting for hours inside the dark, cramped closet that was stuffed with Ed's items.
"That's alright, I was actually planning on going over to one of my friend's rooms tonight," John lied. He hoped Ed would buy it and let him go without being trapped in that small space all night. "There's no need to worry about me telling anyone about your parties, Ed, we both know I wouldn't do that." He might have been lying about visiting his friend, but he was certainly telling the truth regarding telling anyone about Ed and his friends. He knew that any small punishment the bully would receive would not be worth the beating John would get for ratting him out.
"I can't risk it, Watson. You're going in the closet," Ed said firmly. Even though John sincerely disliked the kid, he had to admit that he was very intimidatingly persuasive. He knew that if he refused to spend the night in the closet, he would end up getting thrown in anyway, after being knocked unconscious.
"What time are they coming over," John asked after he rolled his eyes.
"6:30."
"Great. Fantastic. Thanks for giving me so much time to prepare, Ed. I really appreciate it."
"Stop being such a baby. Just do as you normally do. And if you make any noise or disturb us in any way, you'll regret it. Understand?"
John scowled as he looked at the TV from his bed. The weatherman was still talking about the weather system headed their way. It was now 6:13. He wasn't looking forward to another extremely boring night all by himself in the dark closet of his room. He wished he actually had someone who he could go to instead of watching his roommate drink the night away with his brute friends. Unfortunately, John wasn't very popular with the people in his school. He didn't really have anyone at all who he necessarily liked. Then again, he didn't waste time getting to know anyone. He's been invisible throughout his entire schoolhood. No one talked to him unless they wanted to pick on him.
6:15. Fifteen more minutes. John heard footsteps outside the door. Someone must have come early. Edward motioned to for John to quickly get inside the closet. Grudgingly, he did. He knew the drill, however Ed still seemed to feel it was necessary to tell him, "Close the door all the way, don't turn on the light, don't make any noise or I will hurt you," in a hurried whisper.
So he did. He got into the closet. He didn't turn on the light. He didn't make any noise. Edgar quickly locked the closet door from the outside before he went to open the door to their room. John was really getting tired of this.
Half an hour later (he presumed it was about half an hour; he didn't have his phone or watch with him to check the time) more of Ed's friends had arrived. He could see the group through a small crack in the closet door. Many of the people Edgar associated with were the same ones who had also picked on John since grade school. He wondered vaguely if he had always been considered weird or abnormal by these kids, or of he was simply an easy target for everyone's bullying.
He pondered for a little while on what he had ever done to these kids that made them all want to make his life miserable. However, he never liked to feel sorry for himself. Getting picked on was just part of his life and he accepted it.
An hour or so into the "party," John was growing very tired, even though he knew it wasn't even 8:00 yet. He's been staring through the small crack in the door at the window for the past few minutes. The snow was falling quickly and heavily, already packing a few inches on the windowsill outside. The wind whistled loudly and shook the shadow of the bare tree outside John's room. He suddenly realized just how cold it was in the small closet, and briefly considered trying to sneak out and turn on the room's heater. Nope, not a very good idea, John thought.
Carefully and quietly, he moved to a more comfortable position; his legs were falling asleep from going so long without motion. He managed to bring his legs toward him without making too much noise. Leaning his head against the wall next to him, he closed his heavy eyes and tried to fall asleep. However, the conversation outside John's closet was rather interesting and kept him alert. Even though he was exhausted, he couldn't help but listen to the gossip.
"…we know you have a thing for Sally Donovan," one the boys said.
"No," Greg Lestrade responded defensively. "We're just friends."
"Uh huh, sure. You're right. Now you've convinced us," Another added sarcastically.
"And what about you, Ed. How's your boyfriend?"
"What're you talking about?"
"Your roommate! You're the only one here who actually requested to share a room with that dork. Should we expect a happy announcement anytime soon?" The others laughed.
"No, it's not… I only requested him as a roommate because otherwise they would have out me with someone who didn't listen. At least I can keep him in check."
"Oh, you keep him in check? That's good to know!"
"I don't think I even want to know what you mean, Ed."
Gross, John thought to himself.
"Alright, everyone, that's enough," Greg started. "We don't have to be starting rumors or-"
All of a sudden, the room became very dark. John's eyes snapped open and he realized what was going on.
"What the Hell?"
"Who turned the lights off?"
"Come on, this isn't funny."
"Everyone be quiet!" Greg insisted seriously. "I think the power went out."
"Fucking great. Now they're gonna come up and find us. Quick, hide the rest of the beer and the bottles."
"I'll do it," Ed remarked, most likely scared that someone would open up the closet door in confusion. He put the empty bottles in the trash and John heard him put paper and rubbish over the bottles to conceal them. He took the remaining full bottles and hid them behind his headboard.
After a few moments there were more footsteps outside the door. One of the school's administrators burst into the room frantically. "Out! Everybody out! We're evacuating!" HE said seriously. "The power went out and we need to make sure everyone is accounted for. Follow me down to the assembly room." They looked at each other in confusion and followed the staff member out the door, closing it behind them.
Okay, they're gone, John thought to himself. I should follow them- "Uh oh," he said out loud as he reached for the doorknob. It was locked from the outside. He jiggled the knob until he felt his hand would break. He knew not to even try to break down the door, as he wouldn't be strong enough to do it. The darkness wasn't improving the situation in the slightest. He couldn't even see through the crack anymore; the blackness was fully encompassing his vision.
They won't forget me. Someone will notice I'm gone. Ed will tell them I'm up here, right? All of these thoughts and more took up John's head as he tried to think of a solution. What if Ed didn't tell anyone? What if he froze to death? What if they didn't find him for days and he starved? What if he had to use the bathroom?
"Oh my God, I'm going to die," he quaked out loud to himself.
It became bitterly cold much quicker than John imagined it would. The temperature mixed with the room's darkness was not a good combination. They added to the hopeless feeling that ran through John's body. No one knew he was here; no one but Ed. John decided then and there that he would give anything just to switch roommates. He never wanted to look at Edgar again. He was done playing the good guy.
Shivering, wrapped in a few random pieces of clothing from the closet floor, John pulled his limbs toward his body in attempt to save as much body heat as possible. He was hungry. He hadn't gotten the chance to eat dinner or even a snack before he was shoved in the closet by his stupid roommate.