Ch.6
Little red bottle
OD
The cab pulled up to St. Bartholomew's hospital. John and I got out and headed up to the lab. Once I stepped into the lab room, I saw Sherlock, Lyra and Lestrade. Sherlock was working diligently like the other two weren't even there. Lestrade was standing by Lyra and looked deep in thought. What bugged me was Lyra. She was just standing there, leaning against one of the counters and had her arms folded out in front of her. Her face was empty of any emotion. It was an intentional blank stare though. Something wasn't right. That much I could see in her face. Whatever she had found, it mustn't have been a good kind of development.
A few second after John and I entered through the door, Lyra started walking towards me. She stopped a foot in front of me and just analyzed my face. I raise my eyebrows at her in confusion. What was she doing? After she was satisfied, she took a few steps back. At first I thought she was going to talk, but she just stood there. I think she was thinking because her face wasn't really focused in on anything. She was just staring out into her own world.
"Lyra, what's going on?" I ask starting to get worried. I looked at Lyra and waited for her to speak, but it wasn't her who spoke.
"We know who are behind the poisonings." Lestrade says from behind Lyra. His voice sounded depressed.
"Isn't that I good thing, though?" John says from next to me. I guess they hadn't told him before he left to come get me.
"Normally yes, but at the moment…not so much." Lestrade says. I furrow my eyebrows not understanding. I turn my attention back over to Lyra for an explanation.
"Lyra, tell me." I say. It takes her a few moments before she looks at me and takes a deep breath.
"It's Artimis." Lyra says.
"Artimis…? But, this isn't his M.O. Why would he be the one doing this?" I ask, not quite believing what she was saying. Artimis wouldn't just change how he does things would he? I didn't make any sense. He took pride in the way he killed. It's what he lived for. I don't understand why he would just change the way he did things this far in the game.
"He's playing with us. We have absolutely nothing to go on this way. I can't predict what will happen now, like how I could before. He is being extra careful, and I don't know why. He wants me to find him, so what changed…" Lyra says, slowly slipping back into deep thought.
I took a second, taking everything in. This wasn't good. The only thing we had going for us was our familiarity with him. Now that he has completely changed the way he kills, we were lost. That must be why Lyra was so distracted.
"How did you figure it out it was him?" I ask her. When I say this she gets an irritated and annoyed look on her face, then glancing over at Sherlock.
"Lyra didn't figure it out. I did." Sherlock says, still working on whatever it was he was doing. Lyra gives out an exasperated sigh.
"I would have put two and two together. You just simply did it first." Lyra says indignantly.
"Highly unlikely…" Sherlock replies, rolling his eyes at her. Lyra started to get all huffy.
"Look here, you-" Lyra starts when I cut her off.
"Lyra, stop it! Just tell us how you figured it out." I say getting annoyed by their banter.
"It was the locations." Lyra says still glaring over at Sherlock who was giving her the same look back.
"Locations?" I ask.
"The building numbers to be exact. The first poisoning attack was at the restaurant. This fact is unimportant. The only importance was the actual building number, not the location. The restaurants number was 1623. The first murder Artimis committed, the body was found in a storage unit. Number 1623. Next, is the murder from last night, in front of the bakery. The address on this building was 5069. The second murder Artimis committed was at an art gallery. Building number 5069. Lestrade has placed unit's out to watch buildings in the vicinity with the numbers of the next location number from Artimis' third murder." Lyra explains to me.
"So, you think Artimis is behind the poisonings just because the building number's from the previous murder's he had done? Don't you think that could be a coincident? I doesn't make sense that he would just change how he killed. Don't serial kills usually stick to doing things the same way every time?" I say.
"It's no coincident, believe me." Lyra says, adoring an ominous tone.
"…Alright," I say a little reluctantly. "What do you need me to do?" I ask. Lyra took a few seconds before answering.
"You and Sweaters go back to Scotland Yard with detective inspector Lestrade. Comb through old case reports from all of the murder's Artimis has committed in the past and look into any suspicion activity reported in the last 24 hours... I don't want to miss any important details. " Lyra says. "Scarf boy and I are going to go back to the crime scene and see if there are any clues we can find."
I looked at her with raised eyebrows. She actually wants Sherlock to come with her? Was her head not screwed on right or something? The entire time they have been around each other, all they have done was argue like an old married couple.
"Alright, if you're sure…" I say.
"I am. Come along Scarf boy, time is wasting." Lyra says looking over her shoulder at Sherlock. Sherlock was about to argue, when Lyra have him 'the look'. She didn't give 'the look' very often. Only when under no circumstances did she want to be argued with. Not even I dared to argue with her when she gave me that look. The look on Sherlock's face, when he receives it, is priceless. He looked like a child who just got told to go to their room.
Lyra gave me a slight nod, and then started walking out of the room, with Sherlock stomping behind her. It was quite a sight. After they left, John, Lestrade and I all headed back to Scotland Yard.
LC
"I am. Come along Scarf boy, time is wasting." I said looking over my shoulder at him. I could hear him stomping his feet like a little kid, it made my smile. Maybe Olive was right, we are a lot alike but I would never admit to that. I was about to hail a cab when cheekbones beat me to it and the cab was already pulling towards us. I glanced at him to see him smirking, I rolled my eyes as I slid into the cab.
We sat there in silence till he cleared his throat and looked at me.
"Why didn't you ask Olivia to tag along with you? Why me?" His eyes narrowed as he tried reading me.
I sighed and leaned my head against the window. Trying not to think about what I was doing to Olive by not telling her she was being poisoned. I felt terrible, putting her in danger but this was for the greater good, it allowed me to catch Artimis and save her before it got too serious. He was still looking at me, like he was trying to read my thoughts. Is this what I looked like when I did that?
"Olivia is poisoned and you aren't telling her because you want to know who is doing it. She's bait." Cheekbones said like he knew what I was thinking. I leaned up and shot him a glare.
"She's not bait! She's my friend, but she is the ticket to solving this case! If you tell her... let's just say you won't like me as an enemy." I said with bitterness and all seriousness.
He looked at me, like he was debating on my words. He looked out the window as I saw the corner of this lip curl up.
"I would do the same. Solving this case is everything, and we need to work faster before Olivia kills someone." He said softly as he watched the cars go by us. I smiled as he agreed to my plan, even though it was putting my friend in harm's way.
We got to the bakery and investigated intensely to make sure we didn't miss any details. I got down on my knees to look below the cabinets when something caught my eye. Something shiny was in the vent behind the cabinet. I slowly opened the vent to see a small glass bottle with an odd lid that had small holes on the top. Was this the poison?
I turned to see where scarf boy was but he was busy looking at the blood stains. I grabbed the bottle and pulled it out of the vent. It still had some liquid at the bottom of the bottle. I brought it up to my nose and sniffed it. Dizziness hit me like a car, as I instantly pulled it away from my face. So the poison was a liquid, but how did it get into their systems? Just the smell made me dizzy and could possibly get me poisoned, it must be really strong if you drink it.
I got up and put the bottle into my pocket, hiding it from Scarf boy, I couldn't trust anyone when it came to Olive's safety. I stumbled a bit as I leaned against the wall trying to get my head straight. I just smelt a tiny bit, is it that strong? I took a deep breath and stood up straight, ignoring my bodies attempts to not work. I walked to the door and left. Knowing cheekbones, he won't notice.
I kept walking, hoping the air would clear my head. After a couple of minutes I hailed a cab and sat down, closing my eyes for a bit. This was odd because I was never tired, but my head throbbed and it felt good to close my eyes.
"Lyra-"
My eyes flickered open in a flash, as I look around the cab. That voice, it was his, but he wasn't here. I rubbed my temples, trying to calm down my nerves. The poison was already taken affect this quickly? How did Olive get ahold of herself? I pull out my phone, worried about Olive.
Are you feeling any better? –LC
The cab pulled up to the hotel, I got out slowly as my phone went off.
I'm fine. Why? –OD
I sighed in relief as I stumbled up the room and opened it and sat down on the chair near the window. I pulled out the bottle and placed it on the table as I stared at it. I didn't see any finger prints or anything, just a clean bottle with some kind of clear liquid at the bottom.
I took off my jacket and shirt, just wearing my tank top. It was getting hot in here or it was that stupid poison that I had to smell. I sighed at my idiotic move as I grabbed my chemical lab kit from my backpack and placed it on the table.
I tied my hair back and grabbed my glasses as I started working on the liquid. As I tried not breathing in the smell, which was hard. I tried all the tests that I knew, and nothing came up. I still couldn't identify what it was. My vision started getting blurry and started seeing double, I got up and stumbled to the bathroom to splash water in my face. I looked at myself, my skin was starting to get paler than normal and my eyes were red. I sighed and was about to take a shower when my phone went off. I walked over to the table and flipped my phone open.
Think I found something. Need your help –OD
I smiled as I left the room, leaving in just my tank top and jeans. My body felt like it was boiling, even though it was cold outside. I stepped outside and closed my eyes, the cold air tickling my skin. I was about to flag down a cab when I saw something from the corner of my eye.
I started sprinting after the figure that ran down the alley. I swear I saw Artimis, I could recognize him anywhere. I kept running till I found myself at a dead end, and confused. I leaned against the wall, breathing heavily when I heard footsteps. I quickly turned around to be face to face with Artimis, he smiled as he pushed me against the wall.
"My love, you look quite sick. You didn't get poisoned did you?" He grabbed my face as he looked me over. I wanted to push him away, kill him, but my body was numb and my vision was betraying me.
"He said you wouldn't figure it out! He said you would never know!" He said angrily as his grip around my face tightened, making my flinch in pain. He? I slowly pulled my phone out of my back pocket and texted cheekbones
Three blocks away from hotel, in the alley dead end. Come at once, its him. –LC
I bit my lip, hoping he would come before I was taken by him. Artimis rubbed his nose against my cheek as he pinned me against the wall. I wanted to scream, but he could easily take me out with one blow.
"Don't be afraid darling. I won't hurt you. But I can't promise you he won't hurt you." He breathed down my neck as I heard footsteps echoing down the alley. I suddenly pushed him off me with all my strength and started running away towards the footsteps. I turn the corner and stumble right into Scarf boy, catching me before I fell. I breathed heavily as I felt his hands on my bare shoulders, looking me in the eyes. I stared up at him for a while, till I realized what was happening and cleared my throat. He blinked and let go of me and stepping backwards, as I stood up.
"What happened?" He asked softly. I placed my hand over my heart and took a deep breath.
"I ran into Artimis. He knows we're on to him." I looked over my shoulder, scared he was still there. I grabbed Scarf boy's sleeve and pulled him with me, I wanted to get far away from him as I could.
I kept walking towards Scotland Yard, I didn't want to stop till I had distance between Artimis and I. I kept holding onto Scarf boy's sleeve, it helped me figure out what was real or not. He didn't make a comment or try to get his sleeve back from me, he just let me drag him. We finally got there and Sweaters looked at me weirdly as he walked into Lestrade's office. I didn't realize it, till I remembered I was still holding cheekbone's sleeve. I felt my cheeks burning as I let go of him and walked off to the bathroom, ignoring Olive's pleas to get my attention.
"Why aren't you wearing a coat? You don't look good." Olive said with concern as she touched my shoulder.
I ignored her as I splashed water in my face, trying to forget Scarf boy's hands on my shoulders and his green eyes looking into mine. What was wrong with me? Maybe the poison?
"Lyra Carter! Answer me now!" Olive shouted, getting annoyed that I wasn't replying. I wiped my face off and looked at her.
"Sorry, I was running and got to hot so I took my shirt off. Haven't ran in a while." I lied, as I flashed a fake smile at her.
She looked at me for a minute, debating whether to believe me or not. I laughed softly, trying to calm her down.
"Seriously Olive, you worry too much. I'm fine" I patted her on the head and walked back to the office. I could see Sweaters talking to cheekbones then glancing in my direction. I rolled my eyes, probably trying to get him to spill the beans on what happened. But cheekbones didn't give anything up and just shrugged Sweaters off. I flashed him a smile, thankful that I could somewhat trust him.
"So what did you have for me Olive?" I turn towards her direction, excited for more clues.
"Olivia was looking at traffic camera videos where suspicious activity have been recently reported and we think she found Artimis with someone else." Sweaters said as he walked towards the computer and pushed play.
The video started playing, there was a tall man with a ball cap on and you could faintly see the scar on his head from Olive. But he was with a woman who was wearing all black clothes and had her hair slicked back and sun glasses on. She looked about Olive's height and had military status, and she was walking close to Artimis, meaning he was either his body guard or a helper.
I shivered at the thought of Artimis having help. He was already too much to handle but with help it was going to be harder than I thought. Meaning we might be in London longer than a month, meaning we might actually have to get a house instead of paying for a hotel.
I rubbed my wrists as I started thinking, not realizing that Olive was trying to talk to me. My mind felt like it was going to explode.
"Lyra-"
"Lyra-"
I could hear his voice echoing in my head, as I started to dig my finger nails into my scars as I felt warm hands touch my shoulder. The warmth against my shoulders snapped me from my thoughts as I looked up to see Scarf boy. For once I could read him, his eyes gave away everything. He was concerned?
I looked into his eyes till I felt something drip down my wrist, I looked down to see blood slowly dripping down. I didn't want to leave the comfort of Scarf boy's hands but I needed to attend my wrist. I quickly left to the bathroom to clean it up when Olive followed shortly behind.
"What has been up with you? You're worrying me." Olive looked paler than I was, but she didn't let her face show that the poison was taking effect on her. But you could see her skin was white and her lips were paler and her hair was dull.
I turned to her and hugged her softly. I blame the poison and my stupid emotions for my suddenly touchy feelings. But hugging her seemed to be the right thing at that moment. She froze for a split second till she put her arms around me. I coughed and pushed her away softly as I walked away, as my cheeks flushed.
What is wrong with me? Why am I getting emotional?
I wrapped the towel around my wrist, trying to stop the bleeding as I kept walking. I didn't want to be near anyone, my emotions might betray me and I can't afford that. I walked out of the building and started walking towards the main street when I hear Sweaters calling my name. I look back to see Sweaters and Scarf boy following me, I rolled my eyes.
"I don't need your help, I don't need anyone. I am better by myself, just leave me alone!" I yell louder than I wanted, as I dashed off.
I hated being treated like a little child who couldn't do anything for themselves. I could solve this crime and find the antidote by myself. Everyone distracted me, I was better off alone. I started walking towards the hotel when my phone goes off.
Where are you? –OD
I roll my eyes and shove my phone into my pocket, Olive would be a distraction. I need to focus, need to find Artimis and get the antidote. The thought of actually going to find Artimis made me shiver, just the thought of being in the same room with him made me want to vomit. But I need a plan, just in case things went south.
I sat in the middle of the library, with the lights off behind me. The staff had left two hours ago, which meant we would be all alone, just how I planned it. I leaned back in the chair, waiting for him. He was usually never this late.
"I thought you would never come," I said softly, as I leaned forward in my chair as Artimis slowly appeared out of the darkness with a smile plastered on his face.
"I was worried about you. Poison hasn't gotten to you yet?" He said with a smile as he pulled up a chair across from me. I chuckled softly, as my head started to spin, seeing double of his devilish smile.
I didn't say anything, afraid my voice would betray my every attempt to hide my attempts from Artimis. I smiled at him instead of speaking as I cross my legs. I could see something gleam in his eyes as he got up and walked up to me and he took ahold of my chin and looked me into the eyes. It took everything not to just stab him and run away, but I needed to antidote.
"You're awfully quiet today my love, what's on your mind?" He said softly, as he rubbed my cheek with his thumb as he let his guard down a little.
"I need- antidote." I choked out, as I started to shake in my seat. It felt nice acting again, haven't done it since 2006 with the theater case. Artimis frowned as he knelt down beside me and held my face in his hands. For a smart guy, he sure was gullible.
"I can't, he won't let me. You have to figure it out yourself my dear. It is out of my hands." He looked down as he dropped his hands from my face. For the first time, I saw sadness on his face, it frightened me that he could have such emotions towards me.
"I don't think- I will last long. Please-" I started to cry as I grabbed Artimis' hand, trying so hard not to show my true intensions. He looked up at me in surprise as he held my hand in return, as he rubbed my cheeks, trying to calm me down.
"Shhh, my love. I'm here for you, I will protect you. But this will be between me and you, he can't know about this." He sighed as he pulled a small red bottle out of his pocket as he slowly placed it in my hand.
"Drink the whole bottle. I will get you out of here, he might be watching us." He helped me up as I dragged my acting till the last minute. I put the bottle in my pocket, as we slowly reached the front door, I pushed Artimis into the office and shut the door. I pulled a chair up to the door handle and kicked it into place, locking him in the office.
"LYRA!" He yelled as he pounded his fists against the door.
"Thanks for the help," I laughed, as started running towards the back door, where I had a cab waiting. I kicked the exit door open when I heard a loud bang echo through the alley. I barely had the chance to move out of the way as I saw something fly next to my face and a wave of pain hit my cheek. I held my cheek as it started bleeding, as I looked up to see the women in black leather from the video tape, up on the roof with a rifle.
I glared at her as I dashed to the cab, trying to forget that I almost got shot down. She had good aim though, luckily my cheek got caught in the fire and nothing else. I practically dove into the cab as the driver drove towards the lab, as I pulled my phone out and sent a text to Scarf boy.
Meet me at the lab, bring Sweaters. Don't tell Olive –LC
By the time I arrived, Sweaters and Scarf boy were already there. As soon as I walk into the room I hear Sweaters gasp as he ran towards me and grabbed my hand to look at me cheek.
"What the hell happened? It's really deep." He grabbed a towel and put pressure on it as I rolled my eyes.
"Catch." I looked at Scarf boy and tossed him the bottle as Sweaters attended to my cheek. Cheekbones looked at me for a brief second than smiled, as to know what I was thinking. He started making a copy of the antidote as Doctor boy stitched up my cheek, trying to pry answers from me.
"Call Olivia, it's ready." Scarf boy finally spoke after two hours of non-stop work. He walked over to me and handed me the bottle. I looked at it and drank it, glad to be back to myself and not my poisoned self. As soon as I drank the last drop, I sent Olive a text.
Be at the Lab at once –LC
I took a deep breath, finally feeling like myself and got to save Olive. She would be pissed once I tell her she was poisoned and I didn't tell her. But she'll forgive me once I tell her I had to use her to get the antidote. I looked at Sweaters, cleaning the blood off the floor. He was going to be pissed when he finds out, he cares for Olive deeply, it was obvious.
OD
Once John, detective inspector Lestrade and I arrived at Scotland Yard, we got right to work. John and Lestrade combed through the old cases while I looked over video footage from all of the locations reported for suspicious activity. Looking through the footage was a pain. Most of the footage consisted of rowdy teen's and the homeless. Nothing worth noting.
As I was switching from one video to another, my phone started to buzz. I pulled out my phone and opened the message that was from Lyra.
Are you feeling any better? –LC
I sit confused for a moment before replying.
I'm fine. Why? –OD
I wasn't being entirely honest. Though I was feeling better, I still felt weak and uncomfortable. I pocketed my phone and got back to work.
I has been three hours now and I still have nothing. I was starting to get bored, convincing myself that I wasn't going to find anything. I wonder if this is what Lyra always felt like. For a moment I could sympathize with her. Being bored was insufferable.
I was about to call it quits when something on the footage I was currently watching caught my eye. The screen showed two figures standing next to each other. The second I saw was the one standing to the left, I knew it was Artimis. I wouldn't miss that face anywhere. It looked as if they were conversing between each other, then as soon as they were there, they were gone. The exchange had been short and to the point. Was Artimis working with someone? That wasn't like him at all, but then again he has been mixing it up quite a lot in the last 24 hours. I pressed the rewind button, and went back to the where the exchange started. I then hit pause when both of their faces were facing the camera. I slowly leaned closer to the screen trying to see better. The person he was conversing with was a woman. That much, I could at least decipher. She had sunglasses on, which made it impossible to identify her, not to mention that bad filming quality the camera was in, in the first place. She didn't look all that menacing. I don't think she could be any taller than me.
I got up, out of my chair and went to the other room where John and Lestrade were working.
"I think I found something." I say at the door way of the room they were in. Both of their heads snap up from their work and quickly followed me.
As I played back the scene that I saw in the footage from earlier to them, I texted Lyra telling her to come the station.
It took a little while for Lyra and Sherlock to finally show up. They came rushing into Lestrade's office. One look at Lyra told me that something was wrong. I could tell from the stoic expression she bore on her face. Not to mention that she was holding onto Sherlock's sleeve, which was an instant indicator that her stress levels were sky rocketing underneath her stony façade.
"Lyra." I said trying to gain her attention. She gave me no response. I tried again.
"Lyra, are you alright?" I knew she wasn't "What's wrong?" I press again. Once again she ignored me and left the room. I made no hesitation to follow her. She was headed for the bathroom and I almost had to run to keep up with her longer strides.
"Why aren't you wearing a coat? You don't look good." I tell Lyra. Again she ignores me and rinses her face with cold water from the sink. She was deliberately keeping something from me, I just don't know what.
"Lyra Carter! Answer me now!" I shout, wanting answers. She always did this. For years this has been going on. She will block me out on information because of whatever stupid reason she can think of. I may not be a real private detective like her, and only just a writer, but I was her partner and we are supposed to work together. It took a few moments until she slowly turned to me. I could see the sadness she was feeling in her eyes. It quickly vanished though, replaced by an obviously fake nonchalant attitude.
"Sorry, I was running and got to hot so I took my shirt off. Haven't ran in a while." Lyra says, with a slight shrug. I look at her for a moment before I give a resigned sigh. If she doesn't want to tell me than fine, I won't force her. Even if it did hurt.
"Seriously Olive, you worry too much. I am fine." She says pressing her attempts to get me to back off even further. Before I could say anything back to her, she left, heading back to Lestrades office. I didn't follow right behind her. I decided taking a few deep breaths would be good for me. I was disappointed that Lyra still felt like she couldn't tell me things after everything we have been through together.
I slowly made my way towards the other, feeling drained. Emotionally and physically. Once I made it into the office, everyone one was waiting. I caught John's eyes from the corner of my eye and gave him a slight smile, trying to tell him I was alright. I was starting to be able to decipher his different facial expressions, which was currently looking slightly worried.
"So what did you have for me Olive?" Lyra says turning her attention to me though it wasn't me who answered her.
"Olivia was looking at traffic camera videos where suspicious activity have been recently reported and we think she found Artimis with someone else." John says picking up the remote control for the tv and hitting play. I looked at John with an appreciative look. He gave me a small nod and I smiled despite myself. Luckily everyone was focused on what was playing on the screen and not on me where I had a stupid goofy smile on my face at a totally inappropriate time. Stop it face!
As the footage played on, I noticed Lyra's excited demeanor that she adopted when the footage first stated to play. As the footage played on, I trained my eyes on the mystery woman. She was like the puzzle piece that just didn't make any sense. Artimis in selfish and untrusting, so why was he working with someone else. This isn't just some hired hand. There was some kind of investment into the murders with this woman. Artemis doesn't meet in public with just anyone. I sighed then looked over to Lyra when it was almost over. I immediately focused on her wrist that was now bleeding considerably. She must not know she was causing it, because she kept rubbing and scratching it, digging into the skin further.
"Lyra!" I tell at her so try and stop her from creating more damage to her wrist. She didn't respond.
"Lyra, stop! Your wrist!" I try again slightly louder, but she still pays me no mind. I'm about to go over and shake her back to reality when Sherlock places both of his hands on either side of her shoulders. This pulls Lyra out of whatever universe she was lost in and pulls her back to the present. The whole room was so quiet that you could have heard a pin drop. After a few moments Lyra quickly retreated out of room and down the hall to the bathroom, where I followed right on her heals.
"What has been up with you? You're worrying me." I say to Lyra once I am in the bathroom. Lyra is running water over her wrist to try and wash away most of the blood, when she glances over in my direction. I could see her slightly trembling, though it was likely from the pain in her wrist. Before I knew what was happening, Lyra was hugging me. After I got over the initial shock of her display of physical contact, I hugged her back. I wish Lyra would just open up and tell me what she was feeling. Keeping it so herself is so straining on her, even if she would never admit to that in a million years. As quickly as it started, Lyra gently pushed me off and left the bathroom taking a handful of paper towel with her. I considered following her, but figured I wouldn't push her any further. I hug was already way out of her personal boundaries, even if she was the one who initiated it.
I decided to go see what John and Sherlock were doing when a wave of nausea overtook me. Damn it all! I thought this was going away. Every time I think I'm getting better, I'm reverted back to fighting to stay on my feet. I grip the sides of the sink to keep myself up right and take deep breaths until it passes which take a few minutes.
Once I trust myself enough to stay upright, I seek out the others.
I spot John first, who was standing with his arms folded in Lestrades office. Sherlock and Lestrade were talking, but by the look on the inspectors face, I would say he was being talked at, more than having an actual conversation. Once John spotted me, he left Lestrades office and sauntered over in my direction.
"How are you?" John asks me. I probably look gaunt. I wouldn't be surprised if I did. I sure as hell felt like it, but I don't want to worry anyone.
"Oh, I'm alright, just a little worn out," I lie, not being able to make eye contact. " Where's Lyra?" I ask hoping to distract him from me.
"She left a while ago. Was pretty adamant on being alone too." John tells me, still having a worried look on his face.
"Do you know where she went?" I ask, getting annoyed that she just took off again.
"Not a clue. She didn't tell you anything?"
"No, last I saw her was in the bathroom. I thought she was coming out to review over the footage again or something." John was about to answer when Sherlock called him over for something. As he turned to leave, he gave me a sheepish smile before walking over to Sherlock, which I returned with a small smile of my own. Once I was left on my own again, I walked over to a nearby chair and sat down.
After I few minutes a decided to send Lyra a text, asking where she is. When I didn't get a reply I let out exasperated sigh. Why does she insist on being so secretive?
It's been an hour since I sat down in this chair, and still no reply from Lyra. Every now and then John came out to check on me. One time he sat next to me for a minute because, according to him, Sherlock was being a complete tool, before going back.
After a while Sherlock and John came walking out of Lestrades office. Sherlock walked right past me and down the hall, but I caught John's arm before he would go any further.
"Where are you guys going?" I ask feeling a little uneasy, not really knowing what was going on.
"Sherlock won't tell me, but he says it's urgent." John says. I can tell he was as confused as I was feeling. "I'll text you if we find anything," John adds over his shoulder as he walks to follow after Sherlock. After he leaves, I go back to my chair and wait. I don't know where Sherlock and John are going. I don't know what Lyra is doing, and I was stuck at Scotland Yard, sitting by myself with nothing to do and no one to help. Just perfect.
Another hour has passed and still no word from anyone. Have I become invisible or something? Does everyone think I'm annoying? You would think I would be required for some kind of help. I asked Lestrade a while ago if there was anything I could do, but he just told me to sit tight until Sherlock or Lyra found something. I even ventured in asking if I could do anything to help detective Donovan. Big mistake there. I thought she was going to kill me with the look she graced me with. So here I sit. Wallowing in my own uselessness and boredom. I was starting to doze off a bit so I decided taking some of the coffee they keep here wouldn't hurt.
When I go into the break room it is completely deserted. Everyone else got to be useful, but me, oh noooooo! I stomped over to the coffee machine and was surprised to find a new batch made. I look at it slightly puzzled. It was completely full. Why make a new batch just to leave it? Seems like a waste of good coffee to me. They probably got pulled back to something important. Lucky them. As I grouse to myself I pour myself a cup and go back to my chair.
I take sips from my coffee every now and then, but stop when all it seems to be doing is make me feel nauseous again. I then resort to start counting the tiles on the ceiling.
134…135…136…137…
As I count the tiles over for the third time, my phone starts to buzz in my pocket. I quickly dig it out, and open up the message, it's from Lyra.
Be at the Lab at once –LC
Finally! I jump up out of my seat, excited to leave the sight of the horrible ceiling tiles and see what was going on. I get up too fast, and quickly regret it. My head is spinning and I see double for a minute. I take two slow breaths before I continue on, making sure to go slow this time.
The ride over in the cab was a little rough for me. The cabby I picked out was quite fond of sharp turns and swift stops. It took all I had in me not to puke. As soon as the cab arrived at St. Bartholomew's I through myself out of the cab and puked up what little contents I had in my stomach. After I was done hacking I through money at the cabby (probably way more then I should have, but not really caring at the moment) and made my way up to the lab.
As soon as I opened the door to the lab, Lyra was looking me over.
"You look terrible." Lyra says flatly.
"Thanks, that make me feel loads better…" I reply dryly. "So, what's up? Find anything of importance on your solo adventures?" I ask annoyance seeping out of my voice.
Suddenly I realized the stitches on her face and l frowned.
"Yes, you could say that." Lyra says cryptically.
"What happened to your cheek?" I said with concern.
Lyra ignored my question once again, like always.
"And?"
"I found what I was looking for." Lyra says, still looking me over, when she reaches out to feel my forehead I slap her hand away.
"Cut it out Lyra, tell me what's going on. And why are these two here?" I ask, realizing that Sherlock and John were both here as well. Sherlock was working with some kind of chemical, while John was watching me and Lyra, looking as confused as I felt.
"I asked them to come. I needed their assistance." Lyra says, still skipping around the other question. I heard I heavy sigh come from Sherlock at the other side of the room.
"Just tell her." He says in his low vibrato voice to Lyra.
"Tell-tell me what?" I ask Lyra starting to get antsy. Lyra takes a tentative step towards me and looks me in the eyes.
"Before I tell you, it's imperative you stay as calm as you can. If your stress level reaches too high, it could trigger an outbreak." She tells me slowly. After hearing this, I was twice as confused as I was a moment ago.
"Outbreak? What are you talking about?" John says from behind me. I look at him for a moment before directing my attention back to Lyra. She takes a deep breath and then exhales slowly.
"Olivia's been poisoned."
