Chapter Five: Alice's Story

Sherlock shut the door to the flat behind him as he, Alice and John arrived back home. Alice immediately dropped onto the sofa. Sherlock headed for his bedroom, shutting the door behind him. John walked over to his chair and sat down, looking at Alice. The girl stared back.

"What?" she said simply. John pointed over at Sherlock's bedroom door.

"He said that he wouldn't say anything," John started, "But I never asked you. Why are you even with Sherlock?" Alice sat up quickly. She sighed and relaxed.

"It's a long story," she said before looking at John. "Are you sure you even want to hear it?"

"Yes." Alice walked over and sat down in Sherlock's chair. She looked John dead on in the eye.

"It's not going to be pretty…"

"I'm used to seeing things like that. I'm sure I can handle anything you have to tell me." Alice blew air into the open space and leaned back in the chair.

"Do you remember that big orphanage case that everyone was talking about about...five years ago?" John nodded.

"Yeah," he said, "The whole orphanage was shut down, and the orphans were all adopted. Apparently, the caretakers were abusing and even killed one of the children. No one knew about it until a child escaped and went to the... Hang on...why are you asking about this?"

"Do you know the child's name, John? The child who escaped?" asked Alice, ignoring the doctor's question. She stared into the empty fireplace. John shook his head. Alice sighed. "It was Alice Liddell."

"But that's…" Alice looked back over at John as he started to understand. "The child who escaped was you?" Alice nodded. Her dark eyes kept staring into the darkness of the fireplace.

"My mother died not long after I was born," she said, "I was put there, but… everyone thought I was strange. Even the people who came to adopt us. Our caretakers were harsh and unforgiving. Because of my curious nature and my differences from the other children, they would punish me the most… even when I didn't deserve it. I have trust issues to this day because of them."

"You trust me," John pointed out, "And we just met." Alice smirked and laughed silently.

"That's because Sherlock trusts you… and I trust Sherlock."

"So, how did you escape?" Alice shuddered.

"Alright, continuing with the story, I was raised in that hellhole for five years. I thought that no one cared for me, except for April."

"Who?"

"She was one of the older girls. and she cared about me. She was the one who taught me everything I needed to know. Then one day…" Alice blinked away any tears she had in her eyes. "I heard her screaming. I got scared. I thought that the caretakers were punishing her because April was my friend. So, while they were busy, I ran. I regret not going to see what was really going on. I could have saved her."

"...She was the girl who was murdered, wasn't she?" John asked. Alice nodded, letting only a single tear fall.

"I didn't find out until later that the caretakers at the orphanage had killed her," Alice continued, "However, they came after me. They always said that someone as special and as smart as I was shouldn't be with normal people. They treated me like a freak. That's when I met Sherlock."

"Hold on, I'm confused. How exactly did you meet Sherlock?"

"He was on a case. An entirely different one, so I suppose we just met purely on coincidence. I ran into him while I was running from my caretakers. I don't know why, but he took me away from there. I guess it was because I was an abused child in need of help, which I highly doubt. Sherlock went to the police and the entire orphanage was shut down. Until the orphans were adopted or could be put into better homes, we had to stay with one of the officers. I refused to go with anyone… almost anyone, at least. I was supposed to go with Anderson at first, but I sort of… bit him… and I hate him, anyway. Back to my story, I trusted no one but Sherlock. He saved me. So, Lestrade put me with him until someone would find me a good home. Sherlock didn't like me at first, but he warmed up to me I guess. Lestrade never said that I had to leave." John raised an eyebrow.

"So… Sherlock kept you? As in-" Alice shook her head.

"No. Nothing like that. I'm not sure if Sherlock is even fit for that responsibility. He does teach me what I need to know, like a teacher."

"Is that it?" John asked after Alice was silent for a moment. The dark-haired girl nodded. John stood.

"You won't tell Sherlock that I told you, will you?" Alice asked. "I'm not really supposed to tell anyone." John shook his head.

"I won't tell. I bet even Sherlock has his secrets." Alice smiled.

"This one will be ours! Our little secret!" John almost laughed at the child's happiness. It was hard to believe that she was the same girl that was in a hostage situation and saw a person die only three hours ago.