Chapter Twenty-One: The Ninth
Annalise was playing on Maddie's playground when she heard the buzz in her pocket. She pulled out her phone to read a text from the one number she hoped never to see again.
Time for the ninth, the text read.
"Maddie?"
"Yeah? What's going on?"
"I'm not really feeling well. I think I need to go home."
"Alright," Maddie grinned, taking her friend's hand. They walked inside. "Mum? Annalise isn't feeling well. She wants to go home."
"Okay," Karen replied. "Do you want me to call, or do you want to?"
"You, if that's alright," Annalise decided. They can't know a thing until I'm home and not being watched. She was sure that Maddie's houses were under watch, since she was there so often, and their phone lines were likely tapped. But Annalise and Sherlock had dismantled every single potential bit of surveillance technology in the flat weeks ago. Home was safe.
A few minutes later, Karen reentered the room to tell Annalise that Sherlock would be there to pick her up in five minutes. "Alright," Annalise nodded, hiding her fear with all she had. "Maddie, let's go back on the playground until he gets here."
"Okay," Maddie led her friend outside, clearly unaware of what was going on.
Five minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Don't run, Annalise told herself. Do not run. Do not show fear, Annalise. Not until you're safe at home. Pretend that you're fine. Everything's fine, Annalise. Everything is fine.
She bolted for the door. No, no, no, no, no! No fear! Tears formed in her eyes. No. No tears allowed. He's watching you. You. Are. Being. Watched.
"Hi, Sherlock," Karen said with a smile as Annalise ran for him.
"Thanks for letting her come over," Sherlock grinned as he scooped Annalise into his arms. "Come on, Annalise. Let's go home, alright?"
"Yeah," Annalise nodded, trying as hard as she could to breathe and show no fear.
When they got home, Annalise ran inside and began shutting every single window in the house, pulling down every single blind and closing the curtains.
"Annalise, what's going on?"
"Sherlock, lock the door!"
He did as she said, and then sat down on the couch, Annalise climbing into his lap and throwing her arms around him. "Annalise. Annalise, what is going on?"
"He's coming," she whispered. "Sherlock, he's coming for me!" She pulled out her phone and showed Sherlock the text.
Sherlock read the text quickly and his eyes became murderous. He tightened his grip on Annalise and just held her close. "Okay. What are we going to do?"
"As soon as John comes in, they're going to come in right behind him. And we can't warn him, or they'll get him, too."
Just then, Sherlock's phone rang. "Mycroft," he muttered.
"Pick it up," Annalise whispered. "It might be our only hope."
"He's in league with Moriarty," Sherlock reminded her.
"Exactly." Annalise's eyes filled with tears. "I hate him as much as you do. But we have to try, Sherlock."
"You're right. Okay." He answered the phone. "Mycroft."
"He doesn't mean Annalise!" Mycroft said hurriedly. "Sherlock, he doesn't mean Anna-" There was a scream and the line went dead.
"What does he mean then?" Annalise asked. "If not me, what does he mean?"
Just then, Sherlock's phone rang again. "It's Karen," he said. "Did you leave something there, Annalise?"
"No..." Annalise replied.
"You sure?" He picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"It's Maddie," Karen replied. "She's gone missing."
Hey everyone! Sorry to leave you on that ginormous cliffhanger! I will say no more, because I'm a sadist. Hahahahahahahahaha!
As always, Love and Ducks to Rachel and Jubilee, hugs to supporters, thanks to Eleonora, Noe, Hanul, and Kizzie, and cookies for all.
Love,
Ofelia xxxx