Chapter 10
"Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery."
-JK Rowling
"Here you go," John said as he gave Sherlock a pill and a glass of water.
"Thanks," he replied, but his throat was so scratchy that it was barely audible.
It was the morning after Caraway's interrogation, and Sherlock had woken up with a severe cold-or at least as severe as the common cold can get.
Sherlock swallowed the pill quickly and drank most of the water, "This water," he whispered, "...it tastes funny."
"No it doesn't."
Sherlock placed the glass on the nightstand and collapsed on the bed. "I don't know what's wrong with me, John."
"It's just the cold."
"I think I've been infected by some exotic parasite."
"You'll get over it in a few days," John assured him. "Just rest for today, and drink plenty of water."
"Greene texted me. He said that the victim is ready to talk to us."
"Already?"
"Wait...maybe it was his father...I don't remember. Something like that. They're at the hospital."
"Well, we can't go if you're sick. It'll...have to…" John trailed off as he saw Sherlock's expectant expression.
"No, it can wait till tomorrow,"
Sherlock raised his eyebrows and smirked.
John sighed. "Do I need to bring the laptop again?"
"No. I have an audio recorder."
John chuckled. "You brought an audio recorder?"
"I stole it from Greene."
"Why?"
"He annoys me."
"...Where is it?"
"On the table, by my suitcase," he pointed to its general location.
"Okay, well," John said as he grabbed his coat and put the recorder in his pocket, "don't talk too much, and take another pill in six hours...if I'm not back by then, which I probably will-"
"Just go. I'll be fine."
John sighed as he left the room. It wasn't until he was in the lift that he realized that he didn't know where the hospital was.
"Tim! Hey, how's it going?"
"Hey Scott."
"Did you have a good Thanksgiving?"
"Uh, well, yeah...sorta…"
"We're just wrapping up over here. We'll be back in a day or two."
"Great...great…"
"You okay? You don't sound so good."
"Heh...You'll never believe where I just came from."
"Yeah?"
"The police department. They interrogated me and everything."
"Woah! They finally caught ya, did they?"
"No, no. It wasn't-"
"I told you before we left...you should have stopped after three-"
"Scott! I got out, okay? It wasn't an arrest. It was just a questioning."
"Oh...well that's good."
"You know, never mind. Just come back and see how horrible it is over here."
"Wh-What do you mean?"
"It's all over the news. Haven't you seen it?"
"N-No. Is it bad?"
"All hell has broken loose."
"What happened?"
"..."
"I don't think this is something to discuss over the phone. I'll tell you when you get back."
"WHAT?! No, man. Now you have to tell me! C'mon! Don't leave me hang-"
Caraway hung up the phone before his friend could finish his sentence.