Tales and Prayers of a Discerning Man

by whirligigkat

"No, terribly dull, find yourself another one of those tweedy boyfriends that isn't a serial puppy-killer and you'll be right as rain in no time. Off you go. John, is there any of that take-away left?" A series of vignettes via iTunes shuffle. Cover image by Pikse.

25. America Before the War

"Different Trains: America Before the War"- 8: 59

Steve Reich (comp), Kronos Quartet

Different trains of thought raced through his head. Each was it's own twist, it's own turn. He raced down the corridors of his mind, opening doors, slamming them shut. Redbeard. The Woman. Moriarty. Hallways echoing memories from Cambridge. The click of his heels against nonexistent marble.

Molly was standing in his way. She smiled at him, and he pushed her aside irritably, hurriedly.

Another door. Another twisting maze of stairs. Molly was perched on the bannister. "Hullo, Sherlock," she said. "Not now, Molly!" he shouted. She disappeared.

This one. Through this door. This was the one.

He took a breath, twisted the handle.

Molly was standing in the darkness. She waved to him.

This was not right. Could not be right.

"You?"

His eyes flickered open; the edges of his jacket had pressed lines into his face. He raised his head, lifted his hands to muss his hair.

"Oh, you've come round," said Molly. "Wasn't sure if I ought to start poking you or not." She spoke from across a room of microscopes, goggles strapped to her face.

When she looked up, he was gone.