Here's another chapter! :) Now we are approaching the end.


As cliché as it was, Mycroft regained consciousness in stages. First, he got his hearing back and could hear distant beeping noises. Then came the unmistakable smell of antiseptics, confirming his suspicion about his whereabouts. He could also feel the scratchy texture of the thin hospital sheet covering him. Judging by the light striking against his eyelids, it seemed to be noon or early afternoon. But then again, it could just be artificial light, in which case the time could be anywhere between morning and late evening.

"If you'd just open your eyes, you won't need to make deductions," a slightly amused voice called out from somewhere to Mycroft's left.

With some effort Mycroft managed to pry his eyes open. It did seem around early afternoon. He gingerly turned his aching head towards the source of the voice earlier.

"Uncle," Mycroft sighed in relief. Uncle Rudy smiled at him sadly from his post beside his nephew's hospital bed.

"Here, drink this first," Uncle Rudy handed Mycroft a cup with a straw.

After his immediate thirst was quenched, Mycroft slowly sat up.

"Is Sherlock okay? He must've inhaled quite a bit of smoke."

"He's okay. The boy is yet to awake but the doctor is confident there would be no lasting damage. It seems everyone got out okay, relatively speaking. You've got some nasty burns and cuts, but they should heal with time," Uncle Rudy said.

Mycroft nodded and closed his eyes, letting relief course through him. He could still remember clearly the image of Sherlock lying unconscious in the smoke-filled room.

After a while, the boy quietly asked, "Was it really her?"

"You know that already, son. Apparently she asked Sherlock to retrieve something from the storage room for her if he wanted to know the answer to her puzzle."

"Eurus," Mycroft moaned as he wrapped his face in his hands. How could she do it? How could she attempt to kill—burn—her sibling? Was it not horrendous enough that she killed one innocent life already? How could he save her, how could he protect her when she was so set on murdering those that did not do her bidding? How could she do that? Didn't she love Sherlock? Didn't she care about others at all? What was Mycroft supposed to do? Condemn her for killing and attempting to kill others? Their brother no less? What was he supposed to tell Sherlock? What do you say to a boy who almost got burned alive by his sister?

Mycroft hated, hated Eurus for what she did and what she almost succeeded in doing. He was appalled that she was capable of such acts of atrocity.

At the same time, he mourned for her, for her evident lack of humanity, for her certain future.

But above it all, he was angry, livid with himself for letting this happen.

"Stop it, Mycroft. None of this was your fault. Stop your thoughts," Uncle Rudy shook his head and gently patted the boy's lowered head.

"Then what am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to do with Eurus? Uncle, she is a murderer! And yet here I am, pitying her like she's some poor misled innocent thing, when she is nothing but a monster. What do you say I do?" Mycroft spat out, his eyes welling with angry tears.

"Sometimes, Mycroft, you'll find that caring is… a disadvantage. Sometimes you just got to eliminate your feelings to make correct judgments. But that is not your burden to bear, at least for now. You just rest and get better," Uncle Rudy said as he stood up, "I'll let your parents know that you're awake. They're at the hotel now, packing things for Eurus."

"Wait, packing? What do you mean?" Mycroft asked, haphazardly brushing away his treacherous tears.

"I told them I'd take Eurus to a facility where she will be kept safe from both outside and herself. Although it took them some time, they came to understand that it's for the best."

"You're taking Eurus away from home? Forever?" Mycroft asked in a shaky voice.

"I'm afraid so, unless she shows some drastic changes in future."

"You can't, she's just a child! A baby, really!" Mycroft pleaded.

"Mycroft. Eliminate your sentiments and see. You yourself just said she is a murderer and a monster. You should understand that better than anyone else, as it's you who's been watching her until now," Uncle Rudy stated.

Mycroft was at a loss of words. He knew. Even before Uncle Rudy spoke, deep inside, he knew this was inevitable. If he was truly honest with himself, didn't he already know something like this would happen when he decided to make that call? He knew Eurus was a threat that needed to be contained within utmost security. She was a danger, especially to Sherlock. But still….

"Can I see her? No, I'm seeing her," Mycroft declared as he got out of the bed. "You're right, she needs to be kept in a secure facility. But I'm not going to just lie around when my sister gets sent away."

"Very well," Uncle Rudy sighed. He had hoped to spare the oldest Holmes child from witnessing another tragedy firsthand, but he knew there was no point trying to argue with him.

After getting temporary leave from the hospital, Uncle Rudy helped Mycroft outside to the car park where his car was parked. They drove in silence to the hotel where the Holmes family was staying. When they arrived, Father was coming out with a small luggage in tow.

"Father," Mycroft called as he got out of the car.

"Mycroft," Father said as he approached him to give him a hug. "Are you all right, son?" He asked as he patted him lightly on the back, his relief at seeing his oldest awake evident in the rare show of physical contact.

"Where's Eurus?" Mycroft urged.

Just then, the door to the hotel lobby opened to reveal Mummy coming out with her hand wound tightly around Eurus'. Mummy's eyes were red-rimmed, a clear sign of recent meltdown. Eurus, on the other hand, was calm as ever. When she found her oldest brother waiting for her, she stared at him unblinkingly.

"I'll take her from here. We'll be flying out from a secure location, so I can't take the rest of you with me. Besides, you are needed elsewhere," Uncle Rudy said, approaching to take over Mummy's hold on Eurus. Mummy flinched and instinctively tried to hide Eurus behind her back, but hold herself back at the last second.

"You take good care of her. Promise, Rudy, that you'll take good care of my daughter," Mummy said, fresh tears falling down her cheeks.

"I will, Helen."

Mummy and Father held Eurus close for the last time before they slowly let her go. Even the ever-stoic Father's eyes were red.

"Eurus. I—" Mycroft tried to say something, but he could not finish the sentence. Instead he drew her close and hugged her. He kissed the crown of her head and tried to hold back his emotions. This was it. This would be the last time he got to see his baby sister. Despite his best efforts Mycroft felt his eyes prickling with tears yet again.

Before she released herself from his hold, Eurus leaned in and whispered to him. She then turned around and got in the car, without sparing one glance back at her family.

"I'll let you know when she's settled," Uncle Rudy said before he too got on the driver's side of the car.

The remaining Holmes family stood side by side as the car slowly pulled away from the car park and drove down the road, eventually disappearing from the sight.

"I'll see you again, Mycroft," the young girl's last whisper echoed in Mycroft's ears.


Only two more chapters to go! :) Reviews are much appreciated.