Picture by Zebraanimator on DeviantART if you want to know what they look like :) Thank you for doing that!
Joseph - 15
Nina - 5
Emily - 12
Mason - 7
Riley - 9
Cedric - 2
Natty - 8
Halie - 13
Marie - 7
Dan - 11
Ricky - 12
Lisa - 6
Carlo - 10
Mikey - 9
Clara - 4
"Sherlock!" John yelled, even so it was hard to hear him over the wind.
The storm had only just begun a few hours beforehand but it was terrible, the Thames was close churning with extra water. Sherlock had run out the door when the thunder first began to rumble, knowing the Irregulars were out on the town looking for work that day. It didn't take them too long to get them all gathered up and sent back home in various taxis. Only Natty and Rickey remained, that's when the trouble began.
The two had been huddled under a bus stop trying to wait until the storm calmed down. Rickey was holding the trembling Natty doing his best to muffle the sounds of the thunder with his coat. Sherlock and John had almost made it to them when lightning struck the tree by the small metal structure. Despite the heavy rain the tree lit up with flames and sparks, resulting in a scream not only from Natty but Rickey as well. The shock of almost being struck by lightning sent John reeling backwards, slipping on the slick sidewalk and tumbling into the Thames.
For a second everything was grey water before he broke the surface spluttering and coughing up the water that had made its way into his lungs.
"John!"
"I'm fine Sherlock!" John hollered swimming to the edge. His fingers were numb with cold and couldn't get a grip on the cold stone to pull himself up. This resulted in him plunging back into the water again.
Sherlock reached for his friend, John could see Rickey, still hugging Natty off to the side. For once Sherlock's long limbs were not quite enough, fingers barely brushing against John's digits.
The doctors eyes widened as he watched the still slightly flaming tree begin to creak and fall.
"Behind you!" He yelled before being pulled under again. When he resurfaced a few seconds later he saw that the tree had fallen, Sherlock was clutching his hand and swearing. Even through the rain John could tell it was burnt, the tree must of hit it as he dodged out of the way.
The tree in question was now lying off the edge of the river, above John, sliding closer to the water. If John was just a little taller he could reach it. The flames were still going weakly on a few branches, but otherwise the blackened wood could be safe for him to touch.
"Sherlock, you could reach me from the tree!" John yelled, he was beginning to tire now, fighting the current wasn't easy and he was being pulled under more and more. Sherlock leant on the wood, obviously intending to crawl out to do as John said but he hissed. John felt like slapping himself. Sherlock would need one hand to reach for John, one to support himself on the tree to stop himself from joining his friend in the water. His hand was burnt and tender, he couldn't possibly pull it off.
"Rickey, you have to get John" Sherlock ordered, "There is a 90% chance if I go we will both end up drowning. I can't keep a good grip with my injured hand"
"But, the fire" Rickey yelled, indicating to the braches either side of the trunk, which by some magic, were still burning in the heated rain.
"Just stay-" John was forced to stop as he was pulled under once more, taking far too long to resurface, "-in the middle, the fire wont get you!"
Nodding nervously the boy climbed out onto the trunk, flinching every time he passed a flaming limb until he was over john, reaching down. He was just tall enough to help pull the doctor up to the log, John grabbed onto it for dear life and pulled himself up.
The two collapsed onto the wet ground panting, John from lack of air, Rickey from nerves.
"See, facing your fears is much better than running" Sherlock grinned, Rickey nodded. John decided he would ask later, when they were dry and out of this God forsaken rain.
Sherlock ran through the smoke and fire, covering his mouth with his scarf though it provided little protection. The biker gang had decided they would rather see their hide out go up in flames if it meant getting away from the detective.
A few days earlier he had seen one of the head gangsters whipping a young boy, obviously his son judging by the resemblance. He never approved of violence against children, the boy had only forgotten to reload and gun. He vowed to take down this gang at that moment, even if it meant killing a few of them himself.
"Dad! Dad, help me!"
The cry was coming from above him to the right. Sherlock looked up, it was the boy with the bloody shoulders, the upper pathway had been destroyed by a falling beam, leaving the boy trapped on the upper level. Sherlock could see the boy's father on the ground below, he looked up at the pleading child, then turned his back and ran.
For a moment Sherlock was back in his childhood home, huddled in the corner as his father closed in on him, Mycroft peering through the door that lead to the hallway.
"Mycroft! Mycroft save me! Help!" Sherlock had begged, Mycroft simple turned a blind eye and closed the door.
Snapping out of his flashback Sherlock made his way to the ground beneath the walkway, the boy was half obscured by the smoke that was rising to the ceiling.
"Hey!" Sherlock yelled, "Down here"
A blackened face peered down at him.
"Jump!" Sherlock yelled, "Lower yourself from the bars then let go"
"I can't!" The boy cried, "My shoulders…."
"I know, it'll hurt but you have to!" Sherlock ordered, they were running out of time the roof would come down any second.
"I'll die" He cried
"Don't worry I'll catch you I promise!" Sherlock implored looking him straight in the eye. Biting his lip the boy climbed through the walkways bars, Sherlock could tell lowering himself through them hurt his shoulders badly. He was now hanging just above Sherlock, looking nervous.
"I'll catch you!" Sherlock repeated, holding out his arms. The boy closed his eyes and let go, as promised he landed safely in Sherlock's arms.
"Come on lets move!" Sherlock said seriously, lowering the boy to his feet and taking his hand, leading him through the smoke and out the door just as the building came down.
"Thankyou" The boy whispered, "I'm Rickey"
"Sherlock" The detective panted.
People having been asking for the story of the first Irregulars, I never really said it but I always saw Sam as the first one. So technically the story has already been done.
