Chapter 2

'I'm going to call for help.'

'No, I can't pay for treatment.' She said firmly.

'You can just leave me here...I...'

'You won't have to pay.' Sherlock turned around and dialed a number and paced in the shadows. Lissa thought for the best to put some clothes on if she wasn't going to be left alone. When she had her bra and jeans and shoes on again she sat on the concrete floor and hugged her knees. She leaned her head on her knees and tried to think.

Why was this all done to her? Why was this man helping her? He must realize she's a waste of time and space now. She had broken to worthless pieces and no one could help her. His effort would go to waste.

More than confused she felt angry and helpless. She didn't want his help. She wanted this all to be over. She couldn't think of any other solution than ending it all as fast as possible, her options were very limited.

'Are you cold?'

Lissa didn't lift his head but mumbled 'No.' Despite the girl's answer Sherlock took off his coat and placed it on her shoulders.

'I called John. He's a friend and a doctor and he'd be really mad if I hadn't just given you a coat. He'll help you with your wounds and we can take you home or to your relatives.'

This time Lissa lifted her head. 'Our house was reclaimed. My parents were going to take care of that but since they're dead I have nowhere to go. I have no friends or family left to rely on. I'm a student, I have no money. I'm sorry but I can't be helped, you're wasting your time.'

Sherlock didn't answer. He walked away into the darkness and stood quietly. Moriarty had chosen her on purpose. She would live through his mental torture. But he had taken away her possibilities to survive on her own but more importantly he had taken away her will to survive. Knowing Moriarty she had a background of sexual abuse and probably depression. She was chosen well, knowing her trauma whatever it was. After Moriarty, she wouldn't want to live anymore. Moriarty had destroyed her using her weaknesses. That was the point in all of this, the message of the threat.

But the second part was to come. She had no possibilities on surviving on her own and she had no one. Moriarty had left her to Sherlock knowing that Sherlock would have to help her or leave her to die. He knew that Sherlock couldn't just walk out on this all, that he'd have to pick up Moriarty's mess.

He stood there thinking what to do with the girl. He heard a car outside and left the hall to guide John in.

'Sherlock. What's the situation?'

'She's got three wounds from a whip on her back and one on her stomach. Can't see other physical damage.'

'They used a whip? Who uses a whip?'

'It's a symbol.'

'Yeah right, a symbol.'

'So um...what happened?'

'Moriarty's men brought me here. He made a threat of destroying me and as an example, he destroyed her mentally.'

'And he did that how?' John kept asking.

'She was... sexually abused. It's not important the problem is that her parents lost their house and got killed. She says she doesn't have relatives and she has no place to stay. I don't know how to proceed.' Sherlock sighed.

'That's bad luck, poor thing.'

'This was planned. Moriarty wanted to place me in this situation for some reason.'

'Right. But you know you have to explain better what happened to her so I know how to act around her.'

'Yes, yes. Let's just get out of here first.' Sherlock opened the door and entered the hall.

'But where do we go?'

'I'm not sure. I could use some favors to get us to do this on Bart's.'

'Well yes but...if she has only minor wounds I could handle this on Baker street. I have all the equipment we just need a place. She could get some rest and we would have more time to think how to proceed.'

Sherlock didn't say anything to John's suggestion. They reached the girl. She was sitting where he left her watching the wall with a blank face. John crouched to her and the girl moved her gaze to him.

'I'm John. I am here to help you. I can take care of your wounds. Will you let me look at them?'

The girl nodded so John took off Sherlock's coat and handed it to Sherlock. He placed his hand on her shoulder and turned to her back. The girl stiffened a little by the touch but didn't show any other reaction.

'Nothing severe. But they're probably going to need a couple of stitches. Nothing we can't handle ourselves.' John lifted his gaze on Sherlock. He stood up and walked to Sherlock. He lifted his eyebrow in an asking manner.

'Okay then.'

John turned to the girl. 'We're going to take you to Baker street. I'm going to patch you up and you can rest there. Then we can think longer about how to deal with your situation.'

Lissa looked at the man but didn't know what to say really so she went with 'Okay.'

'Can you walk? Hand me the coat Sherlock'

She stood up but suddenly her legs couldn't carry her and she started to fall but hands caught her before hitting the floor.

'It's okay, it's okay. I got you. I can carry you if you like. Or Sherlock could do that?' John gave Sherlock a warning look not to protest.

'Oh, you don't have to do that.'

'No, this is normal. Your reaction is natural considering what you've been through. It's no problem. Let's get you this coat on. Will you let me take you to the car?'

The girl nodded so John helped her back up and helped Sherlock's coat on her and lifted her into his arms and headed out of the factory. He carried her to the car and placed her on the back seat after Sherlock opened the door for him.

The atmosphere was quite awkward when they sat quietly in the car and drove through London. Not one them said a word before John broke the silence. "So what's your name?"

'Lissa.'

'Okay, Lissa. How old are you then?'

'I'm 21.'

'So we can't count on the system to help.'

'Like I wouldn't have just called the police if we could.' Sherlock intervened.

'Yes thank you for the notion, Sherlock.' John rolled his eyes.

'So are you in university, Lissa?' John turned his attention back to Lissa.

'Yeah, I would have had a couple of years left.'

They got to the Baker street before the awkward silence could last much longer and John got out of the car.

'I'm going to go inform Mrs. Hudson and prepare the table. Help her in.' John rushed in.

'But wait what if she can't- John!?' Sherlock tried to protest as he got out as well but John was out of hearing range.

He was left there with a traumatized girl who had problems with standing or let alone walking on her own. He was feeling uncomfortable but couldn't just stand there so he opened the back seat door.

'Can you walk?'

Lissa felt nervous and shaky. She had no idea if she could walk but she wasn't going to tell this man to carry her around. She didn't know what to do or say so she took a deep breath and nodded.

She jumped off of the car and landed on her feet. She could move her legs but she felt dizzy. Her try was pathetic and she was supporting herself on the car.

'No this is not...John!' Sherlock tried to shout for John but didn't get an answer.

'I'm sorry...I don't...I don't understand how...' Lissa was annoyed at being so pathetic. She couldn't walk or talk. She didn't want to be such a mess in front of others especially in front of strangers who were trying to help her. She decided she could find her last strength to look strong in front of these men. She had pulled it off many times and she could to it again hopefully for the last time. She stood up straight and took her hand off the car and started to head to the apartment. She hadn't even noticed she was falling before arms stopped her.

'Why am I like this?'

'Your body is reacting to trauma and fear.'

Lissa didn't know what to say and she felt so dizzy she didn't even try to figure out.

'I'm sorry.' She closed her eyes.

'Don't pass out now. I'll take you in. Can you handle that?' She made a gesture reminding a nod and Sherlock lifted her on his arms.

'Yea... I'll just sleep it off. I'll be able to walk again soon. I won't be...' Lissa's words died out as they started moving.

'John! I think she's going to lose consciousness!' Sherlock rushed into the flat.

'What? Why?' John rushed to see them.

'She fell again and went like this when she tried to walk.' Sherlock put the girl on the sofa.

'You let her fall?! Did she hit her head?' John asked alarmed and a bit angry.

'No I caught her and then she was like that.'

John had gone to see the girl better and realized she hadn't passed out. 'Sherlock, she didn't lose consciousness. She's asleep.' John barely held a laugh.

Sherlock crouched too. 'Seems so. Her behavior was indicating on losing consciousness.'

'Adrenaline must have worn out of her system. This can happen after a long period of distress.'

'But John, you can't leave me with her in a situation like that. I don't think she can stand being around me after everything.'

'Oh. You testified her sexual assault. Did she show any indication of discomfort around you?'

'Well, not actually but considering the situation...'

'Yes, what is the situation?'

'John...'

'I need the information. I don't want any nasty details. Just what did Moriarty do to her?'

'Moriarty didn't do much, he forced her to do things... she was forced to strip and then she was forced into oral sex.'

'Awful... But what do you really mean with the situation, Sherlock?'

'She was forced to do those things to me. She really has a reason to hate me'

'That's... Are you okay Sherlock?' Worry flashed in John's eyes.

'I'm fine, John.'

Silence fell between the two man. John tried to observe his friend.

'Since we have to wait for her to wake up I'm going to inform Lestrade we have the girl. She must be reported missing since she was kidnapped with her parents but there's no body.' Sherlock left the room, leaving John standing alone with the sleeping girl.