Chapter Thirteen: Old Enemies

Sherlock looked outside the dining room, then crept over to the front door. Mycroft met him there, and John followed. It was Mycroft who answered the door.

"Hello, sir," he greeted the guest with a kindly manner. But John recognized him; he was no stranger. John remembered that dark figure, not too tall, in dapper clothes, with dark, sleek hair and a creepy grin.

"Jim?" John said. He heard a scurrying sound from upstairs; Sherlock had ran and hid from this man, a stranger to him, most likely, not wanting to scare him with his appearance.

"Johnny Boy!" Jim said eagerly, embracing John in an awkward hug. "How have you been? It's been almost a week since I ran into you in the woods."

"Has it?" John asked, getting out of Jim's hug. "Has it been that long?"

"How are you? How's your arm?"

"Better. How did you find me?"

"Well, I was running from the hounds, and I noticed that you had gone. Next thing I know, you're getting attacked by a vicious beast! I went for help, but when I came back, you were gone."

"Jim, I wasn't attacked. I was actually-"

"Your sister got so worried about you! The whole town thought you were dead! Luckily, I reassured them that you were still alive."

"You knew I was alive?"

"Of course. You're Dr. John Watson, tough as nails, lasted a war! My Johnny Boy!" Jim gave John a pat on the back, now walking circles around him. John then realized he was the only one in the room with Jim.

"So," Jim continued, "this is where you work, eh? It's luxurious. I was here about ten years ago, but I left suddenly due to...oh, I forget. What was it? A thunder storm? A power outage? All I know is that it sent almost everyone running for the hills."

"Jim," John said. "It was nice of you to come, but I think you should-"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Was I disturbing your work?" John could tell he was stalling now. "So sorry, let me leave you to it. I'm sure that you have plenty on your hands with Sherlock and all..."

"Wait. You know Sherlock?"

"Oh! Must've gone unmentioned. Of course I know Sherlock Holmes. We were pals for a bit, but then the whole fiasco happened here, and I hadn't seen him since. How is he?"

"Get out." A voice growled from upstairs. Jim and John looked upwards to see a shadowy figure in the west corridor.

"Ah, Sherlock!" Jim said with a cheery tone. "How have you been? It's been ten years... I'm hoping you're doing well."

"Enough of your games, Moriarity!" Sherlock snarled, walking closer. John was surprised that Jim knew of Sherlock, as well as the fact that Jim didn't seem scared when he saw the dragon.

"My my, Sherlock, dapper as ever."

"Don't flatter me."

"Alright. Game over, I get it. But is it really over?"

"I know why you're here."

"You do now?"

"You came to kill me."

"Kill you? No, not yet. I'm waiting for a good time to do that. No, Sherlock. I came here to see how your slave was doing."

"John is no slave to me!"

"Sure he isn't. Remember what I said to you, Sherlock, when I found you cursed ten years ago? It's true...you deserved it." Jim looked at Sherlock with his dark eyes.

That's when Sherlock completely lost it. He jumped from the staircase and tackled Jim to the ground, clawing at him and snarling, but John held him back.

"Sherlock!" he said. "Calm yourself! Calm down!"

Jim got out from under Sherlock and headed towards the door, then Sherlock calmed down a bit, but John still held him just in case.

"Well I better be off," Jim said, opening the door into the evening. "Ciao, Sherlock Holmes. And I will see you later, Johnny Boy. Don't think I haven't given up on you yet." And with that, Jim shut the door, and John let go of Sherlock. He could see that Sherlock was still on edge.

"Sherlock," John said as Sherlock began to pace around. "Sherlock, calm down. What was that all about? You knew Jim?"

"You knew Jim?" Sherlock growled under his breath.

"I didn't know he would find me. Maybe I shouldn't have come here in the first place..."

"Don't say that!" Sherlock snapped at John. "Don't say that! Jim Moriarity is a psychopath! If anything, you're safer here, with-"

Sherlock began to sway, holding a hand to his head. John immediately caught him before they both fell to the floor.

"Sherlock!" John gasped. Sherlock had exerted himself, and he was already getting sick, so he had fallen unconscious when he was yelling. John could see that Sherlock was afraid, still breathing heavy when he was unconscious. John picked up Sherlock and took him into the parlor, lying him on the couch. Soon enough, Sherlock woke up.

"What happened?" he asked.

"You passed out," John replied. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine... Moriarity..."

"I know. He apparently knows you well."

"If you're smart, John, you'll stay away from him."

"I've been trying to avoid him for a while now. He's a creep, I told you." John and Sherlock laughed a little bit, which made John forget about the moment he shared with Sherlock before Jim arrived.

Author's Note: Greetings. No, I like hello better. Hello!

Thank you guys for the continued support! It's always appreciated. I am ending exams today, so my schedule will continue as normal. Yay!

Happy reading! Maybe not, because now the story is going to take a turn for the worse...

- Detective M.