Hello! Finally, I've finished the second chapter of my story for the Illness Contest.
Read and enjoy!
Thank you for the rewiews!
Special Thanks to Alexia S. Luclwit for help She gave me in the grammar!
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Watson's P.O.V.:
Finally, my last patient was gone. Deciding a nice walk would do me good I get my hat and leave my consulting room. It is a cold, but clear evening and somehow, the air is cleaner than it used to be.
" Well, This was better than riding in a carriage!" I told to myself as I went home, when I heard something from a dark alley. It was very strange, like moans and cries and some evil laughter mixed with thuds. I took my revolver out of my bag and ran to see, what was going on.
It was as I thought, some rascals beating up somebody who was already on the ground curled up in a fetal position. I shot the air with my gun and the rascals ran away. I rushed to the side of the man, to see if he was alright, or in needing of my assistance.
Narrator's P.O.V.:
Holmes found himself in a familiar alley. He knew this place very well, and finally he could have a sigh of relief because, he was not far from home now. But he had to go on, because the pain in his head grew stronger and he felt terrible in the cold.
He begun to walk, but he couldn't see, therefore it took him as a surprise that some shadows were about to surround him.
- Good evening Mister! - He heard behind him, and turned around to face a tall, well-built man who was staring at him, with an evil smile in the corner of his lips. Holmes wasn't a fool, he knew what that smile meant and raised his stick to protect himself, but he could only hope, that there were no more than two attackers. As he looked over his shoulder, he could see, that there were at least four men behind him and another two appeared
next to the one who was already standing in front of him. But he didn't show fear.
- I said, Good evening! - Shouted the man
- Good evening for whom? - Asked Holmes - I don't think you stopped me, just to have a nice evening chat.
- You're right. But I thought that you would enjoy a little company. Oh well! At least it's still my lucky day! - Replied the man taking a step towards Holmes.
- I warn you, not to come closer or else…- Holmes let it trail off in threateningly.
- Or else what? O, I'm so afraid. Please, don't hurt us! - He said and the others begun to laugh.
- Hey, look! He's all-alone against us! That's not fair for us! - Said another one from the group.
- Okay boys! - Said the first man, who was the leader of the group - We've had enough fun, now let's get to work!
One man from the group jumped at Holmes, but he hit him hard with his stick, suddenly, he felt dizzy, and missed the other guy. In his weakened state he didn't swing fast enough and one of the men hit him.
In the next moment, Holmes could see a metallic flash in the moonlight and he felt the sharp blade of knife in his flesh. Later he felt was a hit on his stomach and later another on his side sending searing pain through him. The last thing he could remember was the cold and hard ground and the punches and kicks raining all over his body.
A few moments later the rascals heard a shot and they saw somebody running towards them. They ran away as fast as they could, and left their wounded victim behind.
Watson's P.O.V.:
As I knelt beside the man, I could see immediately, that he is unconscious. Carefully I turned him.
My blood ran cold with fear, it was Holmes! . No words came out of my mouth; I've never been so horrified in my life.
- Holmes! - I screamed in fear. I shook him a bit, and slowly, his eyelids opened. I don't think he recognised me.
- Holmes! Can you hear me? It's me Watson. Holmes!
- Wa…Watson - he pressed. His eyes lit up for a moment, he tried to say more, but his voice was barley audible rasp.
- No, don't speak! Hold on, I'll get you out of here! - I ran to the end of the alley to find a carriage. Thank God, one was standing not far from me.
- Hey, cabby! - I yelled
- Sir? - Asked the driver raising his eyebrows but I didn't answer him, I just grabbed him by his arms and dragged him to the alley.
- Hey, What do you want from me? - He demanded, starting to resist.
- Help me to get this man to your carriage! - And I tried to help Holmes up, but the driver didn't move.
- What are you waiting for? This man is wounded! - I exclaimed.
- I don't know…
- Listen! - I was very angry but I needed this man's help - You'll get five pounds if you help! - Needless to say, that worked. The driver became as fast as lightning and a few moments later Holmes and I were in the carriage.
- To Baker Street 221 B! - I ordered and I turned to Holmes to see his wounds. He was in critical condition. Blood was dripping from his deep wound moistening his clothes.
- Watson! - He called my name in a weak voice
- Don't speak, Holmes! - I touched his brow - Oh, my God! Holmes, you're burning up! - And than, I saw the pain in his eyes and the teardrop that rolled down his face. His face was paler than ever; it was almost as white as chalk. His bloodless lips wanted to speak but he couldn't. His eyes were about to shut, but I shook him.
- Holmes, you mustn't go to sleep! Don't sleep, Holmes! Stay awake at least until we get home!
- I…I'm so tired - His whisper trailed off.
- I promise, you can sleep, if we get home! - I forced him to look at me - But until I forbid you to go to sleep! Not now!
Thankfully, we arrived. I got out of the carriage and helped Holmes out. I put my arms around his waist and tried to hold him up.
- Watson, I can't… I'm going to fall - moaned Holmes and he collapsed. With the driver's help I got Holmes to the house. Mrs Hudson opened the door and She screamed in terror
- Oh, my God! What's happened? Doctor Watson, What's happened?!!
- Mrs Hudson, bring me hot water, salt and clean sheets to Holmes's room as fast as you can! - I ordered and our poor landlady rushed to the kitchen to get the things I needed.
I paid the driver and send him away. Later Mrs. Hudson came with a kettle and a big bowl. She also brought the salt and the sheets.
- Thank you Mrs. Hudson!
- How is he, Doctor? - Asked She, fighting back Her tears
- I don't know yet, but he was knifed - was my reply, and closed the door before She could ask something more. I removed Holmes's clothes to examine his body.
- Those, bastards! - I hissed as I saw the purple and red bruises that covered his torso. Than I turned my attention to the bleeding wound, caused by a knife.
Thank God, it didn't reached internal organs, but because of the loss of blood it was still a dangerous wound. I cleaned it and put some salt around it to stop the bleeding. I had to sew it up. When it was done, I sighted in relief. He was still unconscious, but this helped the examination. I removed his trousers to check his abdomen. There were bruises, the same as on his torso. Now, I felt sorry for I shot into the air and at those bastards.
A few presses on his belly and on his abdomen to see if he has internal bleeding, but fortunately, I found nothing. But as I checked his torso, I've found two broken ribs.
Later, as I dressed all his wounds I went to wash the blood off my hands. When I got back, I had another hard work to do. I had to get him into his nightshirt.
It wasn't easy but finally I dressed him and laid him on his back. I tucked him in and I sat on the edge of his bed for awhile watching him sleeping.
Later he begun to turn his head from side to side and the expression on his face meant that he was having nightmares. He gave a few soft cries and finally opened his eyes. He panted a bit and looked around to see where he was.
- Holmes, It's okay, you're home - I told him
- Watson! What's happened?
- Hush, you need rest! - I admonished. However he continued, as though he had not heard me.
- I can only remember the streets and…and the headache…and than the… - he paused as his mind recalled the happenings of the last few hours - The beating - he gasped and looked around as if he was about to find his attackers in his room. I put my hand on his brow to calm him down. I was sure, he had high temperature, his brow was burning and he was sweating.
- Calm down, there's no one here that can harm you.
- Are you sure? - He asked me.
- Yes I am. I won't let anybody to hurt you.
- Really? I know I wanted to tell you something, but I can't remember - he had a confused look on his face, and I supposed he was delirious.
It took me an hour to calm him down enough to examine him.
- Now, stay still, while I do this!
- I'll do whatever you want, just ease this tormenting pain! - He moaned and pressed his hands on his head.
He offered no resistance during the examination. He was too tired for this. His temperature was 103 degrees. I gave him a pill and put a wet scarf on his brow.
- How do you feel? - I asked when I finished.
- Awful. My head hurts, my skin is burning but …strange…inside it's cold. Strange, isn't it, Watson?
- It's because of the fever…- I explained, but he interrupted me
- Watson! Send this other one away!
- Pardon? - I didn't understand who he meant, than I noticed the gleam remained in his eyes.
- Tell that other Watson to get out of my room! Now! - he said and now, I understood. He saw two of me sitting at the edge of his bed.
- Holmes, there's no other Watson in this room.
- There isn't? But I thought, two of you were talking to me!
- And how many voiced did you hear?
- Ah… just one.
- See? If we were both speaking you should have heard two voices! - I figured talking sense to him might draw him out of it.
- But I…
- No need to argue! - I warned him and raised my finger - Now go to sleep while I tell Mrs. Hudson to bring you something to eat.
- I don't think I can eat. I have no appetite. - He said closing his eyes.
- But you must! When was the last time you had a meal?
- I…can't remember. But I don't want to eat!
- Don't be childish! You know quite well, that sometimes we must do things we don't want! - He had no answer for this. He just closed his eyes and before I stepped out of the room he was asleep.
But I knew that it's not the end of the fight, not at all.