I was sitting silently in my armchair looking at the muted television set. It was already 4 o'clock in the morning and I was still awake. I turned to the clock that was hung on the wall overlooking the window. A cold shiver went through my body. I shrugged in my blanket that was raped around my legs. I closed my eyes hopping I would fall asleep. The next thing I know I was on the floor wrapped in my red blanket. I shook my head. O God, not this again. I stood up looking at the clock. It was half past 7. Crap, I'm going to be late for work. I stood up as quickly as I could running towards the bathroom. I took a quick shower and put on black tights' and a plaid red skirt that was above my knees. I ran out of the bathroom in a panic looking for my hairbrush. I finally found it in the kitchen on the stove. What the hell is it doing there? I thought to myself as I was putting on my high doc. Marten's shoes. I got my coat and glows. As I was putting on my glows I stuffed my phone in the coat pocket. I took the keys of the hock that was on the left of the door. I ran pretty quickly down my stairs and into the street. I yelled for the cab. Surprisingly one pulled over and let me in.
-Were to madam? - An old man with a long white beard turned to me.
-The London Library, please. - I leaned back into the seat.
-Right away. - He pulled into the street. I looked through the window leaning on the car door. I sighted and looked at the rearview mirror of the cab. The man that was driving me had kids, he was old and he knew London very well judging by the street's he took. We got there even earlier than I expected. My mind was half a sleep and the only thing I could think about how it would be good to have a friend to help me and wake me up in time.
-Madam, we're here. - The cabby turned to me.
-Right, sorry. - I pulled out my wallet paying him.
-Have a good day. - He said on my way out.
-You as well. - I shook my head. As he pulled away I heard him smile. I looked left and right as I stood in front of the library. It was like I was expecting someone. I walked into the Library. My coworker said hello as she turned down the hall. I nodded absentminded walking to the main library were I would take my place waiting for people to come. Who in heaven's name comes to the library this early? I leaned into my sit were I looked at the pile of books that needed to be stacked back into their proper place in the shelves. I got up taking a pile of them and started to put them in alphabetic order so I can get them sorted easily. I walked to the shelf that had a large letter E on the side marked on a piece of plastic plate. Most of the books that started with the letter E were already in their place when I bumped in a tall, dark-haired man who wore a black coat. He smelled of coffee and cigarettes combined with the smell of a deodorant I suppose. It was a rather nice combination. All the mass of books I held in my arms feel on the floor on his legs.
-Oh, I'm terribly sorry. - I panicked, as usual.
-No, no. It was my fault. - He said not even looking at me. He was looking down at the books that lay scattered on the floor of the library.
-Sorry for all the mess. - I knelt and started to pick up the books stacking them in alphabetic order. He knelt across me handing me a copy of Edgar Alan Poe's Raven.
-Thank you. - My voice got quite. As I looked up at him my brown eyes met his green, gray. For a moment I looked at him, strait in those piercing eyes that looked back at me. I blushed and smiled lowering my gaze as I did. I picked up the books from the floor and suddenly remembered what I was here for.
-Can I help sir? - I asked still awkwardly quiet.
Am, - He looked around him. - I suppose you could. -
-What do you want me to get you? - I looked up at him. He was much taller than me. He wore a long black coat. Around his neck there was a blue scarf. His curly hair crossed his forehead. He had high cheek bones and a cute nose. The first thing I deduced when I saw him that he didn't need my help because he knew where he was going but he still asked for it anyway which surprised me because now when I think about it my coworker told me about him. About the man that almost every day got himself a new book. He knew his way around this place. Why ask for help from me?
-What do you need me to find you? - I started to walk to the counter to leave all of the books I was holding.
- I was looking for... well... I don't really quite know. You see me...-
-Come every day and take one book and then return it the next day hopping to find another one. - I smiled. - Sorry to cut you off. I sometimes can't help myself.-
-Oh, that's okay. I know the feeling miss Whitney. - He turned to the stack of shelves. Clever, reading my ID even though it was upside down hanging from my neck. An in such a hurry.
-Tell me, sir, how can I assist you? What kind of book are you interested in? -
-I was thinking a novel, perhaps. Something to keep me occupied. A long one, if possible. - He turned again to me.
-A long one you say. Well the longest one we have is...-
-Shakespeare? - He asked more like he was stating it then asking.
-Well yes, I believe that's the longest one we have. I don't really look at numbers when I read. - Is he challenging me in some kind of a brain fight? I ask myself giggling to that taught.
-I'm not really interested in Shakespeare. I know it by heart already. - He turned his head to the shelf as his eyes glided like he was seducing the books.
-Oh, I see. Well, come along now. I think I have just the thing for you. - I started to walk to the desk that was on the left of the counter. I handed him a book with dark covers.
-The blind man's garden? - He looked down on it.
-No good? - I looked up at him.
-Actually, I think I'm going to read this one. Thank you. - He smiled.
-Your welcome. - I smirked back at him.
- If it's good then I might even return it later today. If a book is good then...-
-You read it faster. - I ended his sentence.
-Precisely! - He nodded.
-Glad to help you. - I said on his way out. I sat back into my usual spot forgetting about the books I needed to stack in their place. I don't usual forget but something hulled me back into my mind. I sighted and closed my eyes.
I exit the Library raising my arm to catch a cab that was passing by me. It stopped and I got in.
-221B Baker Street. - I sat back and took out the phone out of my pocked.
"Where are you?
SH" - I tapped a text.
"At the store, I don't suppose you need anything. You never do...
JW"- the phone buzzed in my hand. I smirk and star texting again.
"Your deductions have improved my dear Watson. I don't need anything. But be sure to buy more tea.
SH"
"Already have.
JW"- the phone buzzed again.
I put my phone back into my coat pocket and looked at the book that was in my lap.
-The blind man's garden. - I sighted slowly and silently looking through the window.
-What's that young man? - The driver asked.
I snap and look at his reflection in the mirror. - Oh, nothing, nothing. - I lower my head ashamed of my own thoughts. What the hell is happening? I look through the window as I passed through Blandford Street. The cabby pulled in front of my flat.
-Here you go. - I hand him the money and get out of the cab. I opened the door of my flat yelling- Ms. Hudson, I'm back.-the door slams behind me. The old ladies voice echoes through the hall- Why hello there Sherlock. - She appears on the doorway.-You were at the library again I see. - She looks at the book that was in my hand.
-Well yes, I've finished the last one that I borrowed. - I started to climb up the stairs.
-Sherlock, don't forget to clean that mess that your last experiment caused.
-Yes Ms. Hudson. Right away. - I roll my eyes turning from here so she doesn't see.
-Don't roll your eyes at me young man. I am old but I can still see well. - I sight and climb up the stairs. I took of my coat, scarf and gloves putting them on the sofa. I sank into my armchair putting the book on the side of the armchair beside me. I turn my head to it again not even knowing why I'm looking at it. I stood up and decided that a cup of coffee should do me good. Maybe I'm just too famished and my mind is playing some kind of a cruel trick. Maybe a biscuit or two? Can't believe I'm going to eat. God damn that digestion really slows me down. If only my mind can set all of the priorities over my body. I enter the kitchen passing by my last experiment that ended in a mild explosion causing it to fly all over the kitchen. I open the kitchen counter. With my hand I move a jar of eyeballs that stood in the microwave earlier. Behind it is a new unopened pack of black coffee.
-Oh John. He always remembers all the important thing. Without him I would actually have to go to the store and socialize with other people. - I said to myself putting the unopened pack of coffee on the lower counter. As I waited for the water to boil I looked at my armchair were the book stood. Suddenly I snap and turn agitated to the now boiling kettle. I poor the water in my cup putting in two spoons of sugar. On the saucer I put two biscuits. I turn again to my armchair eyeing the book suspiciously. I sat at my study desk lowering my coffee onto it. I walk to the fireplace. On it is my favorite skull. I raise it and take the pack of cigarettes. I leaned over and grabbed the book throwing it on my study desk. I recall how it got to my possession. Opening the pack I change my mind and suddenly close it. I look down on it. It laid in my hand staring back at me, almost mocking me. Bloody hell… I sight and put it back under the skull. Sitting at my study desk I can only think of the encounter at the library. I don't know for how long I sat there not even realizing that I'm actually sipping from my cup John walks through the door finding me nibbling on a biscuit staring blankly into the wall.
-Sherlock...- He walks to me but I don't react. - Holmes! - He raises his voice.
-Yes? - I twitch and look at him.
-Are you alright? - He asks me lowering his head like he's examining me for any sign of illness.
-I'm fine, just thinking...- I look again to the wall.
-That's not your thinking pose. I have never seen such an expression on your face. Is there something wrong? - John lowered the bags into my armchair. John was right. This was a totally new facial expression I was making and something was wrong but I couldn't quite place it.