SHILC4
Watson's P.O.V.
I woke up to the sound of a soft thump. When I opened my eyes, I could see a snowball stuck on the window. I rose and gazed out to the early morning Baker street, and I couldn't help but smile at the pleasant sight. It was almost like a Christmas postcard.
The children were in the middle of a snowball battle, while the others were sleighing up and down the street. The owners of the houses were sweeping the snow from the stairs and they coursed the kids, when a snowball hit them. Of course, the young boys and girls didn't care for anything in the heat of the snowball battle.
However, I had to turn away from the winter idyll to see how Holmes was.
For my great relief, he was sleeping just as I left him last night. I watched his face for any sign of the nightmare, but I found nothing. His face was tired and hollow, but peaceful.
Maybe now, that he got rid of the weight of his secret, he will recover soon. At least he can rest now, and resting is the first step to health.
He slept all morning, but it was normal. It was twelve o'clock when he finally stirred.
"Good morning, Holmes!" I greeted him, when he slowly opened his eyes.
"Good morning, Watson!" was his reply and he stretched his limbs.
"How do you feel, my friend?" I asked and helped him to a sitting position.
" Fine and relaxed at least! But I'm hungry. I think it's time for breakfast"
"You mean, lunch " I said and smiled, when he realised the meaning of my words.
"Lunch? Did I slept that long?"
"Yes, but don't be afraid, it's normal!"
After this, Mrs. Hudson brought his breakfast-lunch and he ate with a good appetite. When we were left alone again, and Holmes finished his meal I spoke.
"Holmes, can I ask something?"
"About what, my dear Doctor?"
"Have you ever… " but I couldn't finish it, because of the doorbell.
"Who can this be?" asked Holmes, and I went to the hall, to see who it was. I stepped out just in time to see Mrs. Hudson walking up the stairs.
" Excuse me, Doctor, but there's a gentleman who wished to see Mr. Holmes. I told him, that it's not the right time, but he doesn't want to go away!"
"It's alright, Mrs. Hudson! I'll speak with him!" I said and went to the door.
In front of it, there was a man. He seemed tired and worn-out and nervous.
"Mr. Holmes?" He asked as he saw me.
" No, my name is Dr. John Watson "
" Oh, Doctor Watson, I have to speak with Mr. Holmes!"
"I'm sorry sir, but Mr Holmes is feeling unwell now, so he can't receive you"
" He is ill? Oh, my God, but I hope, it's not serious!"
" He needs rest and peace for a few days. He can't receive clients"
"So, he won't investigate my case?" he asked desperately. I almost felt sorry for him, but I was determined.
" No, sir"
" Oh, Oh well! It doesn't matter! I'll have to try someone else. Well, goodbye sir! Speedy recovery for Mr. Holmes!" he said and walked out the door without another word.
"Goodbye, Mr… erw?" I wanted to know his name, but he paid me no attention. I closed the door behind him, and went back to Holmes.
He was sleeping again, and he slept the whole afternoon. But there were questions, that still bothered me. I thought that I'll ask Holmes himself, but I had no heart to wake him up. Before sunset, I left the house. I thought that I'll go to Diogenes Club to meet Holmes's brother.
But, in the moment I arrived at the building I became unstable. What shall I tell him? It's the Holmes's family business and secret. And I guess it was an aching point for the elder Holmes too. Finally I realised, that I have nothing to do with this, and I have no right to ask Mycroft Holmes about it. I slowly turned and begun to walk away, when a servant ran after me.
"Dr. Watson?" he asked, and I was surprised, that he knew my name.
"Yes?"
"Please, sir, follow me! " said the servant and he lead me to the building of the Diogenes Club. He lead me to a room, and introduced me, to Mycroft Holmes, who was sitting at the window.
When he was gone, Mr Holmes turned to me.
"Good evening, Doctor Watson! What a pleasant surprise to see you here! Please, have a seat, and tell me, what brings you here on such a chilly evening!"
"Good evening Mr Holmes! " I said " How did you knew, I was here?"
" Simple! I was sitting at the window, when I saw you arrive. I thought that Sherlock sent you for some reason, but you were hesitating. You were standing in front of the building for almost ten minutes before you decided to go away. Something was bothering you, and I can guess that it's important. Am I right, Doctor?"
" Yes, you're right!" I said with a deep sigh and turned my gaze to my feet, but I could still feel the cold eyes of the elder Holmes on me.
"And is that has to do something with my brother?" he asked.
"Yes" was my simple answer
"How is he, anyway?"
" He is ill"
"Oh! I'm sorry to hear! " he said, but somehow, I had the feeling that he was not surprised. " I hope, It's not serious"
" He will recover soon, if he's staying in bed for a week or two" then, I swallowed " Anyway, the reason why I'm here is that…" I trailed off, still not knowing what to say.
"Yes?"
" That I'd like to ask you to tell me about a certain Alasdair Burch" the name had an effect on Holmes. He straightened up in his seat and his voice changed a bit.
" How do you know that name?"
" Your brother told me about him"
" And what else did he told you?"
" Everything " I answered and Mycroft Holmes understood, what I meant. And a painful flash of light appeared in his eyes.
" Then, what do you wish to know?"
"Everything that you know about him" There was a long silence before the elder Holmes spoke.
" He was our relative. The half brother of my mother. His life was the life of the ordinary landowner's. At first glance, he was just as anybody else. He was well educated, handsome, and most of the time, he was kind hearted. Somehow, me and my father disliked him. Maybe because he was a bit self-important. But unfortunately, Sherlock hung upon every word he spoke and he liked him very much. But we couldn't see the danger coming. There was a time, when we thought that it's good to let Sherlock spend his time at Burch's side. Burch was a good teacher, and he thought so many things to my brother, but I wasn't pleased with the situation still.
And then, one day I went to Burch's land to take Sherlock home. I learned, from the servants that they haven't seen their master for a while, and that Sherlock had already gone home. Suddenly, I felt worried and I was about to leave, when I've heard a weak cry. At first I didn't recognised my brother's voice, but my blood froze in fear.
I ran to the stable as fast as I could, and then " he stopped and looked at me" I think you know, what I saw. " when I nodded, he continued" I knocked Burch out with a staff and went to see my brother. At first I thought, that Burch killed him. For my great relief, he was alive.
I took Sherlock home, and he survived the shocking experience. But I never forgave myself that I didn't look after him better.
Shortly after these events, Burch was closed to an asylum, and he should remain there for his life. And the ironic is, that he really gone mad in the asylum. When the last time I saw him, he was trembling in a corner, rocking himself while he was singing. He said, that he truly loved my brother, and he never want to loose him.
Years passed, and my brother's wounds healed. He built here a new life, he found a new home and a new friend. " he said and looked at me smiling" You have to know, Doctor, that for a long-long time you were the first one, whom my brother called his friend.
But two weeks ago, there was a fire in the asylum, and many patients were gone. They've found almost everybody, except Burch. I told the head of the asylum before, to inform me if anything happens to him, and of course, he sent a telegram, that he was gone. I sent my people to find him, but they haven't found him yet. I wrote also my brother, to warn him the danger. For I'm sure, that Alasdair Burch wants to take revenge on him, and I don't dare to imagine what plans he has in his troubled mind!
Now, Doctor, you know the whole story! Is there something else you wish to know?"
"Just one thing. How does Burch looks like? Can you describe him?" For my question, Mycroft Holmes rose and opened the drawer of his desk.
"Here he is, Doctor! This photograph was taken shortly before he did that to my brother. Just imagine him a few years older and thinner!" as I looked at the photograph, my blood froze in fear. I felt the blood leaving my face, and my hands begun to shake.
"Doctor Watson! Are you alright?" I've heard the elder Holmes's voice calling me, but I wasn't alright. I felt horrible. The picture and the unknown man today were so similar…
"Quick!" I jumped from my seat " I'll call a carriage, bring a revolver and come, quick!" I ordered, for the elder man's surprise, but he did, as I said. I rushed down the stairs of the club, not paying any attention to the people I knocked against. There was only one thing in my mind. I had to get back to Baker street before Burch takes his revenge on my friend. And I'll never forgive myself if that happens!
Burch's P.O.V.
Finally the Doctor was gone. I watched him from a dark alley as he left. Then, I walked to the door and knocked. The old lady opened the door. I knew that she will want to send me away, but I had my plan.
"Good evening, Madam! I have to speak with Mr. Holmes!"
"I've already told you, sir that he can't receive you!"
"But I've got a very important message for him, from his brother " it worked, at first she looked surprised, but she let me in. In the moment she turned her back to me, I hit her. She fell unconscious on the floor. I gently lifted her up and took her to the kitchen. I felt sorry for her, she seemed to be a kind old lady after all, and I had nothing to do with her. She was just in the wrong place in the wrong time. I tied her to a chair and sealed her mouth with a scarf.
" Sorry Madam, but I had to do this " I said to her before I turned to the stairs. Here I was, just a few steps away from him. I ran up the stairs and opened the first door I saw.
I never thought that I find him immediately. But there he was, lying in his bed, sleeping peacefully. I closed the door and locked it with the key. I took the key out and threw it to the corner of the room. The silent knock as it fell on the floor didn't wake him up, and I went to the bed and watched him.
God, he changed a lot in these years! In my mind he remained the young boy I knew, but in the life, he changed a lot. He was older, yes, he was no more a boy, but a man. And what a beautiful man! With every passing moment, I loved him more. And my urgent desire for touching him grew stronger in every moment. Carefully I pulled the bedcover off of him. He just stirred and curled up in a fetal position. I wanted to see him, every inch of his body, to kiss him, to caress him before I take revenge on him!
Revenge for leaving me! He was mine, mine and only mine! And I wanted him to know this, before he dies. Yes, he can never leave me, I will follow him, even to death. And he Can't hide, I'll find him! Yes, after I killed him, I have nothing else to live for, and I'll go after him. Yes, we will burn in hell together in each other's arms.
I smiled at these thoughts and leaned forward to his face to feel his breath, the scent of his skin. God, how beautiful he was! My face almost reached his. Finally I placed a small kiss on his lips, then pulled back immediately. He murmured something in his half sleeping state. Was that a "John" I've heard? No, this can't be! But he opened his eyes and stared at me in shock as he recognised my face. There was a long silence between us, neither of us moved. I was sure that he couldn't believe what he saw.
" Hello my sleeping beauty! " I whispered to him " Did you miss me? " I wasn't prepared for the kick I received from him. He wanted to jump from the bed but I grabbed his leg. He fell to the ground and in the next moment I was on top of him. Yes, my time has come!
Narrator's P.O.V.
Waves of pain flooded him as he fell on the ground. His broken ribs, the wound in his side and his head were throbbing from pain as they hit the ground. But he must stand up and run! His nightmare became real, Burch was there, he found him. Another wave of pain flooded his mind as something heavy fell on him and pushed him to the ground. He looked over his shoulder just to find Burch sitting on top of him. Before he could react, the other man's hands were around his throat.
" Now I've got you, you whore! " he hissed " Remember me? Now, look at me, look what you and you're wretched family had done to me! You thought you can leave me like this?
" Burch, Let me go! Help! " screamed Holmes as loud as he could.
" Scream, just scream, come on! No one will hear you, no one can save you! " these words sent fear to Holmes's heart. - Where is Watson? - he thought.
" No one can save you! You're mine, remember? Remember the stable? No? Let me fresh your memory! You and I, in my stable, remember? You on your back, I'm on top, I can still remember on each and every moan of you at each and every thrust…"
" Shut up! Cut it off! " screamed Holmes
" Ah, you remember then? " smiled Burch " Fine, then you know, what I want to do to you!"
" No, Burch, please, don't! " screamed Holmes and he gathered all his strength to fight back, but Burch grabbed his hair and hit his head to the ground. Then, everything went dark.
When he opened his eyes he was lying on his back on the floor, his hands tied to the leg of the bed, while there was a knife on his throat.
" Are you fully awake, my one? " asked Burch " Fine, then, let's get started!"
" Burch, don't do this!"
" Why not? Don't be afraid, no one will disturb us this time!"
" You're insane! You don't know what you're doing!"
" Don't I? Hah! I know quite well, what I'm doing. For example I cut your throat if you speak another word you whore! " he yelled and pressed the knife against Holmes's neck " Aren't you happy to see me again? " asked Burch " I even brought a surprise for you " he whispered into Holmes's ears, while he lowered his hip to Holmes's. As Holmes realised what he felt between his legs, he gathered all his strength and kicked Burch's side with his knees. The other man cried out in both pain and anger and he lifted up his knife. Holmes waited for the cold blade in his throat, -at least this torment would end-, he thought. But instead of his throat, he felt the blade in the dew of his left thigh, then in the other. He cried out in pain and fear, for now he wasn't able to move his legs to defend himself.
" You wretched whore! " yelled Burch and kicked Homes between his legs, with his knee, causing more pain to his bleeding victim " you thought that you can get rid of me that easy? That I'll kill you before I've taken you? Where is your lover now? Why he can't save you, huh?"
" Lover? " whispered Holmes in a weak, painful voice " What do you mean? "
" Don't pretend to be innocent, It's not suitable for a whore like you! " he said and grinned as he lifted his knife to Holmes's throat once again " Talking about suitable things, that night-shirt is absolutely not suitable for the situations " he said and with a few slashes, he
opened it " That's better! " he said, but then noticed the wounds and bruises on Holmes's body " What's happened to you? Who did this?" he asked
" I was attacked, by some bastards."
" Oh, that's interesting " he smiled and placed the tip of his knife to the wound in Holmes's side. In the next moment he cut one of the stitches " One… two… " and he begun to count as he slowly cut every stitch in the wound, opening it again. Holmes wanted to cry out, maybe somebody hears it, but he was too weak. His head fell down and he saw the pool of blood he was lying in. It was too much, and it was all from his body, it was all his blood, and it was still coming from his thighs. -Too much- he thought, and a teardrop escaped from his eyes - Where are you Watson?- he asked in his mind. But the only thing he could hope was that Burch didn't killed him. -You must hold on!- he told to himself - Somebody will come and save you! You must hold on as you did days ago!- then he remembered something - I haven't asked Watson to forgive me! I can't die without this!- he said and lifted his head up once again. Burch just finished cutting up his wound. The madman saw the sudden change on his victim's face and it surprised him.
" What are you looking at, whore! " when no reply came, he hit Holmes on the face
" Answer if I ask you!"
" You want an answer? Here it is! " hissed Holmes and he spit on him. Burch's eyes filled with anger and hatred. He hit Holmes with all his strength but for his great surprise, the detective gave no sound. He was still looking at him, with his cold grey eyes, with all his hatred.
" I was patient with you! " said Burch and he grinned " but I see, you want to rush with the romance!"
His grin became wider as he parted Holmes's legs and knelt between them. Holmes didn't look at him any more, his gaze was focused on the blood on the floor. Finally Burch begun to unbutton his trousers, and leaned forward, while one of his hands was sliding on Holmes's thigh.
Holmes was shivering from fear, and his eyes were filled with tears. He was waiting for the first painful thrust. Then, Burch lay on top of him, he knew that it can happen in any moment. He drew in a deep breath and shut his mouth tightly. He is not going to give the satisfaction to hear him moan or cry. -Just hold on!- he thought and shut his eyes.