Chapter 16: He's coming to get you

"O this is so satisfying. Mental breakdown, no appetite and he's not talking anymore. That's just the way I like it. He is suffering to the core. O how I wished that day would come." Culverton Smith looked at the photo of Sherlock Holmes and kissed it. "You are going to be a wonderful trophy. The most beautiful one I have ever made. It's time to end your misery. Has been long enough now." Smith looked out of the window. "What a beautiful morning."

Sherlock tried to get out of bed. He knew he wasn't allowed to do so, but he needed to gain some strength, if he wanted to have a chance against Culverton. Trembling feet touching the ground. He had manipulated the monitors, so no one was paying attention to his training. He was doing it the last few days. He knew exactly, when the nurses and doctors were coming to check on him and he knew, that after the morning routine, he would be able to train his body for 30 minutes. They had transferred him to a normal room five days ago. The only thing reminding him of his injuries was the heart monitor and the IVs still running. Slowly he walked to the window. He could see his features in the glass. His cheekbones stood out there in a big contrast to the rest of his face. He also could see the collarbones and muscles. It was no secret, that he was a very thin man. He always had been since his teenager years. But now his weight was definitely far away from normal, but he did it for his friend. He knew the risks of malnutrition, but this was indeed the only way to get Smith's attention. If he could show the world, that Culverton was in fact a serial killer, then his friend John Watson would be safe for a very long time. Sherlock was aware of the fact that Smith could kill him, but he didn't care. All that mattered to him was John Watson to be safe…

The morning for John Watson started as usual: He got up at 6 AM, prepared for work, brought little Rosie to Mrs. Hudson and took a cab to the clinic he was working at. The patients were boring: Flu, a cough, haemorrhoids and the usual recipes people needed. He tried his best to be the professional doctor as ever, but he had difficulty on concentrating. All of the time he was thinking about Sherlock. He couldn't stop it. To be honest: He kind of missed him. But he couldn't go back. Sherlock decided, that it was better to separate, after all that had happened. The blogger sighed and looked at his desk. There was a photo of Mary with Rosie on her arm. The other photo showed him and Sherlock on his wedding day. It was the exact same picture, which he discovered in Sherlock's bedroom. They had such a big friendship, of which he thought was indestructible. But he was mistaken. This friendship was over. Forever. He would never sit in the old chair, would never hear the violin play and he would never again get the thrill of action from a case. It was time to go home. His shift had ended and Rosie was waiting. Sadly, he turned around the photo. Today was the day, he decided to say goodbye to Bakerstreet forever.

The drive to Mrs. Hudson was not easy and he knew, that he was facing the end of something special. The cab came to a halt and now he was standing in front of the building he so loved. Sighing he put his key in the lock and opened. There was a note for him from Mrs. Hudson. She had taken a walk with Rosie and would return very soon. The doctor smiled. Mrs. Hudson was like a grandmother and so happy to have Rosie on a regular basis. Sighing, he stepped up the old stairs and there he stood. The old flat of him and Sherlock in front of him. "Well, it's time to move on," he tried to encourage himself. As soon as he entered, the memories came back. The violin play, the experiments in the kitchen, listening to clients…Word had spread around, that the detective was 'out of order' at the moment. He would really miss this. He walked to the writing desk. There, full of dust, lay his laptop which he used to write his blogs. Smiling, he sat and opened the notebook. He entered his password and it switched to life. He started to type the new and final headline for his last story: 'This is it'. After five minutes he had finished his goodbye blog and decided to save it on his hard drive. The notebook showed him, that a CD was inserted. Irritated John clicked the symbol and just stared at the screen. There were two files. The first one was from Mary to him. She was smiling. "I knew Sherlock would do as I asked. He told me, it would not be necessary, but I insisted on doing this. God knows what lies ahead in the future for us. I really hope, you will never have to find this video, but if you find it, it is because of Sherlock and the fact, that I am dead. I asked him to put this file on your notebook to watch it, when you are ready. Why the CD in the notebook? Because you never use your CD drive. Now you finally are as I can see. First of all, I have to say, that I am really, really sorry. I never wanted this all to happen. I never was happier in my whole life and that is because of you and Rosie. Well, sometimes things are not going as planned and we have to cope with that fact. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. Our life is all about dying and living. You are a doctor John. You know it." Mary cleared her throat and John Watson stared at the screen, while his dead wife continued. "John, there is something I want you to know. Your friend, Sherlock Holmes is right now in danger. All I can tell you, is that he is facing an enemy, he won't be able to defeat. This person, John, is the living devil. Don't ask me, where I got all those information. If you want to find out, ask Sherlock about it. He knows and he will tell you." "Yeah, it's always me who is left behind", John replied with a big sigh. "I know you feel betrayed right now, but believe me: It's all for a reason. I love you so very much and I would never hurt you on purpose John. You know that, don't you? Now, listen to me carefully. I met the devil and I am sure that even Sherlock is scared of this man. And if I calculated right, Sherlock must be in the centre of danger now. I know my clock is ticking, so please let me tell you my last wish. If I die, John, please save Sherlock for me. You know he killed Magnussen to help us get a family. Now it's your turn, to return the favour. He didn't kill Magnussen because of fun John. He shot him for you. He wanted you to be happy. You see it now? He defended, what was the most important thing he is capable of. And that is and was always his best friend. You. Hurry up John. Even a superhero sometimes needs a shoulder to lean on…" The screen turned black and John played nervously with his fingers. This whole thing was already crazy enough. He was planning to leave forever, now he was facing a new adventure he missed so much the last few months.

There was a second file on the CD, with the title 'Forgiveness'. He pressed the play button and Sherlock's face appeared on his screen. The detective's blue eyes staring directly at him and he felt guilty by the moment his friend started talking. "Hey John. I know seeing me doing a video tape for you must feel kind of strange. To be honest: It was the only way to make sure, you will listen to what I have to say. We didn't do…much talking the last weeks, so I thought this would be a better way to reach you sometime in the future." John looked at his friend on the video. Sherlock was thin, unshaved and his eyes had lost all of the spirit they once had. Little was left of the high functioning detective he once had been. "I know we won't see each other again, because you are mad at me. You are blaming me for Mary's death and…you are right. It all was my fault…I am not sure if I can live with this guilt. Her death is haunting me. Each time I close my eyes…All I can see is Mary…" On the video Sherlock turned away from the camera for a few seconds. John thought he could hear a soft sniffling. Sherlock returned to the screen; his eyes seemed wet now. "Listen. I know I need to be punished for what I've done. By shutting me out, you did the right thing." The detective paused again. "Well, I think it's time to say goodbye John, don't you think? I let you down, so there will be other people in the future, who will be fooled by me. My brother always said, I am a malfunction. I guess he was right. Being one of the best consulting detectives in London was the only thing I was good at. But love? Humanity? Kindness? It's not there. I tried. God I really tried, but it's something I can't get access to. There is just one thing, I dearly wanted to say to you. I am sorry. Forgive me for what I am and what I've done. Please." He looked sad. Very sad. John could see it in Sherlock's eyes. The detective was deeply hurt. John sighed. This was all heading in the wrong direction. He prepared to leave, when he heard the door open. He hurried down the stairs, meeting his daughter and Mrs. Hudson. "O hello John. You were earlier today as usual. Everything alright dear?" She looked worried. John smiled at her. "I am fine, thanks. Seems like Rosie had a great day." He gave his daughter a big kiss. "We were in the park. It was beautiful. You know what? Let's have a little tea together. It's been a while since we last met," the kind lady offered. John smiled at her. "That would be really nice Mrs. Hudson, thank you."

8 PM. All the doctors had finished their rounds and the nurses were now sitting at the nurse's station, preparing for their night shift. Sherlock felt miserable. He was hungry, exhausted and the extra training did nothing good for his already weakened body. The lights were dimmed and the halls were empty and quiet. He was scared. Scared of the silence. Scared of the dark. And most of all: Culverton Smith. He knew the day would come soon, where they both met for the final time, but he didn't feel prepared for it. Tonight was the night. He was nearly falling asleep, when he could feel a presence beside him. He could hear Smith's breathing. "How did you get in?" Sherlock wanted to know. Smith laughed. "O that was easy. You are a detective. You already know how I came in." "Secret door," Sherlock recognized. Smith smiled. "I built this whole complex. There is a plan of this hospital, but the right plan exists just in my head. There are secret doors, and secret floors and of course: secret rooms." He laughed again. Sherlock tried to stay calm. "Why are you doing this?" the detective asked. "I can show you the answer. You want to join me?" It was now or never, Sherlock knew. "Sure. Why not? Show me your little secret." Culverton grinned. "I'm not sure if it's that little." And with these words, he lends the detective a hand to help him stand up. Smith could feel the weakness of the young man and felt even happier than before. "I hope you are strong enough for a little walk," he asked excited. "Of course. Let's go," Sherlock assured. While they were walking through the corridors of the big hospital, Sherlock recognized that the floors and halls were empty. Smith also knew exactly, when he could wander around unnoticed, the detective noticed. Deep inside he hoped, someone would discover that he was missing. This was his final plan and if he failed this time, there was nothing he could do to save John Watson anymore…