John nodded and turned to go inside. He opened the door and walked in greeting his family as he made his way to his room. He did his homework, his mind wandering to his day with Sherlock.

Sherlock on the other hand thought little of John as he went through the rest of his day. When he did think of his blonde companion he only saw his smile. Strange, like it was haunting him. He'd frown and brush the thought aside.

John woke up the next morning with new found energy, he had no idea where it came from. He got up and got dressed going through his usual morning routine. He went downstairs to eat breakfast and was out the door. He walked his usual route to school, taking him about 45 minutes to get there.

When Sherlock awoke he found himself in a state of irritability. Probably Mycroft's doing. They had gotten in a bit of a row last night over mummy. He stretched and scowled. Mornings were trivial. He would rather sleep all day then face them. He detested sleeping but hated mornings even more. The boy dressed and escaped to school with no contact from his older brother. He considered how he could skip class and hide in library till he and John were supposed to meet. Oddly Sherlock decided against it. He had history today. That promised to be entertaining if repetitive.

John's classes went by in a blur. He didn't enjoy his first couple classes, maths and history, but it was alright because he had lunch after that. He sat at his usual table alone, then it was time for English, which he didn't particularly enjoy either. It took forever but the bell finally rang and it was time for his favorite class, biology. The class went by really fast and before he knew it, school was over. Remembering what Sherlock had said last night, he made his way to the library.

After history Sherlock stayed gone and slipped into the library virtually undetected. He went to farthest table in the back and stayed there, reading the photography book he had disbanded last afternoon. John made his way to the back of the library, where he had a feeling Sherlock would be. He spotted him and went over to where he was sitting at a table reading a book. He sat down across from him.

Sherlock sat in silence, not reading, just looking at the page. "You came" he said finally. "That's..." He looked up "unexpected".

John shrugged, "Why wouldn't I come?"

Sherlock barked a cold condescending chuckle, completely humorless and said "you clearly don't know who I am".

Not knowing what to say, John shrugged again. He knew Sherlock was right, he didn't know much about him.

"I am the child even the teachers talk about. I am the freak, the science obsessed psycho. Here I am the drug addict. I am the monster." As he spoke Sherlock seemed to grow more dangerous. He was trying to push John. He wanted him to go. To be safe from the social suicide. "I am the bully, the scrawny rich kid, I am the smart one".

John didn't move. He didn't know what to say, but he didn't want to leave wither. He just sat there, looking at Sherlock, a confused expression on his face. What was he supposed to do? Walk away from the only potential friend he could have at this school? He didn't think so.

"John sometimes I think you're almost hopeless in some ways. Yet you remain spectacular in others. Quite the enigma" he frowned.

John shrugged and leaned back in his chair.

"Anyway, how are you?" Sherlock asked and spun a pencil in his hand.

"I'm fine... How are you?"

"Let's do something" he said, ignoring the question. "Ideas? I'm bored, anything will do" he sighed.

John leaned forward, putting his hands on the table, "I don't know. What do you want to do?"

"Oh come on!" He said waving offhandedly. "You can't leave me to think up everything. I chose yesterday".

John thought for a moment, he had only been here for a couple weeks and was still getting used to the neighborhood. "Well... you could show me around."

"What do you mean? Around town?" He arched an eyebrow and suppressed a laugh.

John nodded then shrugged, leaning back into the chair, "You don't have to."

Sherlock stood excitedly. "On one condition. You don't question where we go."

John nodded and stood as well.

"Then let's go!" He chimed and strutted from the library. John smiled and followed Sherlock out of the library.

He smiled and grabbed John's hand, pulling him through the street to an alley way. He ducked behind a building and past a group of men. Smoking . Those lucky bastards, and out the other side. "Come on!" He said, excitement in him. He was happy. "Here's the corner store. Illegal gambling and drug rings but best prices on everything if you're under 18. Or attractive. They'd be sweet on you." Sherlock frowned. "Probably best if you stayed away." He dragged him up the street and around the corner. "This is Gracie's house. She was murdered four years ago and local officials still don't know why. I obviously do, having seen the crime scene. It's obvious she had been abused and tried to take revenge. The self defense went overboard. Oops, little harmless Gracie fell down the basement steps.

John followed along taking in every word. He wondered how Sherlock would know about the drugs and gambling, making a mental note to stay away from the corner store. He frowned at the house they had stopped at, "Why don't you tell the police?"

"They didn't listen. Fifth graders can't solve crimes" he said, the last sentence in a high pitched mocking tone. "Ridiculous." He turned and darted down the street taking a right then a left. "Remember" he said as they moved rapidly down the street "you always turn left here, or you'd be in the street rats' territory. Weak gang, strong influence with adults." Sherlock crunched up his mouth in thought. He stopped suddenly causing John to crash into him. A large, faded church, red brick and Victorian design stood before them. "Here it is. Scarlet road church. And more importantly the home of the scarlet catacombs. They're really glorified maintenance tunnels but they cover a large part of town. We should investigate sometime."

John nodded, committing it to memory, before running into Sherlock as he suddenly stopped. He moved beside him and looked at the church. He nodded again, "We should definitely investigate sometime."

Just as suddenly as they had stopped, they moved bouncing through town, Sherlock creating this air of a little kid in the candy store. He showed John everything. "That's where I first got beat up, there's the cemetery, I go there to think. It's quiet." He's point somewhere else as soon as e revealed anything about himself. He never gave John long enough to ask questions. "That's where the car accident was seven years ago. Best ice cream shop here, if you ever needed books the basement at that coffee shop is a free library as long as you say the right word. It changes, be careful."

John followed along, taking in everything Sherlock told him and everywhere they went. He didn't say anything as Sherlock never gave him time to ask questions or comment on the different locations.

After a few hours they stopped at the edge of some woods. "Do you want to see the grove?" He asked quietly, his blue green eyes very serious.

John nodded taking note of Sherlock's serious expression, "Of course."

He gripped John's hand tighter, a bit anxious. The grove was the best place in town. He felt bringing people there would taint it. Everyone except John. John would make it better

John squeezed Sherlock's hand encouragingly, "Lead the way."

Sherlock pulled John into the forest slowly, watching for roots in the ground. He didn't say anything at all, and kept his breathing even despite his mounting anxiety. John followed quietly, keeping his eyes on the ground.

The pair came upon a clearing. Sun filtered down into it, making the grass shine. Around the edges trees wound together so no one could see in or out. Sherlock walked in timidly and turned. "I come here to think. At night they lock the cemetery so..." he looked off awkwardly and clasped his hands behind his back.