This is a sort of chapter 2a. I'll post 2b tomorrow. I'm glad you are enjoying the story, thank you so much for reading, following and reviewing!
The late December afternoon darkened quickly making following the tow path difficult. There were stars overhead, actually visible from this part of the city, but not bright enough to provide useful light.
"My name is Benjamin," John heard the boy say conversationally to Sherlock as they made their way along the path.
"An excellent name," Sherlock responded after a short silence but he added nothing further.
Benjamin questioned, "Are you thinking of what to do next to save us?"
There was another short pause before John heard, "A good deduction, Benjamin, very sound reasoning."
This appeared to satisfy the boy who said nothing more. Despite their situation, John found it impossible to hold back a grin.
They moved on at a quick pace until the tow path narrowed and their progress was slowed by increasingly wet and treacherous patches of slippery algae. There had been no exits leading away from the river with which to make their way back to the city and when for the second time Sherlock momentarily lost his footing on the path, John said firmly, "Sherlock we need to find somewhere to stop, it's too dangerous to go on in the dark."
Whether it was because of the child John wasn't sure, but instead of arguing as he might have, Sherlock complied, "Yes, alright, let's try to find somewhere to shelter," and slowed his pace, if only a little.
John then ventured tentatively, "Sherlock, my shoes have better grip, perhaps I should carry Benjamin…"
At this Sherlock slowed up so sharply that John almost ran into him. Without turning he said, "No, John, I'm fine. Also, Benjamin is asleep and if he wakes up he might make a noise that would alert someone that we are here," with which he continued on the path, although at a much slower pace.
It was hard to dispute the logic of this statement, so John, somewhat mystified, followed them again although this time at a careful distance.
It wasn't long before they came to what looked in the faint light available like a disused maintenance shack set back from the path. This time, although it seemed to be with some reluctance, Sherlock did hand the sleeping child to John so he could pick the lock and open the door – which he did in almost complete darkness John noted with admiration.
