Jane and John Watson walk out of the building where Jane lived all her life. This was truly the first time Jane had ever really gone anywhere in her whole twenty years that she has lived, besides going to dark, scary places with her father.
She never went to school. All she had was her mother's old, dusty book collection that she used to teach herself how to read and write. Her mother always thought Jane was really smart and a prodigy at everything she did.
That doesn't matter anymore. She is dead. Jane thought, trying to block the memories of when her mother died.
Jane quickly snapped out of day dreaming when she noticed John had got a cab and opened the door for her to get in.
After hesitating, Jane got in the taxi. She never liked taxis, since that is usually how her and her father got to the places where she had seen things that she wished she could forget. Jane closed her eyes, trying to keep from crying.
John got into the other side of the cab. He must have noticed Jane's stern face because he said, "It's going to be all right. You will be safe with me."
Am I? Am I really safe? Jane thought. Will I ever be safe from my father?
"I know…" She said, trying to sound strong. She opened her eyes and looked out the window.
She had never noticed how beautiful London was. She had only been outside during the day light a couple of times, but it was mostly just to take out the trash in the back of the apartment. There was not a lot of sunlight back there because of the rotting, dead trees that had covered it.
For the whole drive, there was not a lot of talking, just a few little glances John made at Jane.
I feel so bad for her. John thought, glancing at Jane. Not having parents and living all by herself in a small, rundown apartment that barely had any furniture. I'm just glad I caught her in time before she did something with that gun. What was she planning on doing with that it anyway?
John's thought ended quickly when the cab had stopped.
"221B Baker Street," The cabby said gruffly.
John handed the old looking cabby some Pounds when he and Jane got out of the cab. The cab immediately drove away.
They both walked across the sidewalk to get to the door. John opened the door with his key and led Jane through the door and up the stairs.
Jane was really anxious as they walked up the stairs. The stairway was dim and reminded her of so many other dark stairs she has walked up. She shook the thought out of her head and kept walking.
John opened one of the doors and walked in with Jane following behind.
"This is the living room and there is the kitchen," John said sighing and pointing to the kitchen.
Jane stood in the room looking around. Wow, this place is extremely messy… is that a skull? Jane thought staring and the skull with a perplexed look on her face.
John noticed her looking and the skull and said, trying not to laugh, "Oh that is Sherlock's 'old friend.'"
"Sherlock?" Jane asked, confused.
"Sherlock is another person that lives in this apartment with me. Oh, there is also Ms. Hudson the land lady."
Ok so he does not live alone… that sounds safer. Jane thought with relief.
"Please sit," John said, pointing his hand towards a chair. "I'll go make some tea."
Jane sat down on the chair. She stared at the interesting wall paper. As she scanned the walls seeing interesting things like a spray painted, yellow smiley face on the wall, she heard footsteps coming closer and closer to the door. Then suddenly a man walked through the door.
The man had dark, curly hair, high cheekbones, and intense eyes. He was wearing a black, long coat and a scarf.
He started walking towards the chair that Jane was in. When he got there, he looked down at Jane, just noticing her sitting there. He stared at her.
"John!" The man yelled, backing away from Jane.
John came in with a tray with the tea he promised Jane. John placed the tray on the coffee table.
"Why is there a girl sitting in my chair?" The man said, still staring at Jane.
"Sherlock, don't be rude to our guest," John said sternly.
"When did you decide on having a guest? Let me guess this is another one of your girlfriends." Sherlock asked, now looking at John.
"No Sherlock," John said, scoffing, "She is not a girlfriend. It is a long story, but Jane is going to be staying with us for a while."
"You never asked me. Did you even talk to Ms. Hudson about this?"
"No but-"
Jane quickly cut John off and stood up, saying, "If it is a problem, then I can just leave." Jane started walking towards the door.
John quickly stopped her. "No there is no problem, and I don't think you are in any condition to be going back to that bloody place. Here," John pointed to another seat, "you can sit in my chair."
John glared at Sherlock. Sherlock stared back, mouthing, "what."
John shook his head and sat in another chair, while Sherlock sat in his chair.
Sherlock stared at Jane, trying to read her. She is wearing men's clothing; obviously she lives with a man, probably a father. Her hair is messy; hasn't taken a shower in a while and probably sleeps on something hard, maybe a floor. From what I see, bruises on her wrists; abusive relationship maybe? Fair skin; probably does not go outside very much. She will not look at anyone directly in the eyes. Only can be one thing… imprisoned victim of an abusive father.
John noticed Sherlock staring and Jane and quickly changed the subject.
"How about I pour you some tea?" John said to Jane.
Jane shook her head and said, "I'm actually really tired. Can you show me where I will be sleeping?"
"Ok, um… you can stay in my room until we figure out another room arrangement for you. I can sleep on the couch tonight," John explained and brought her to a bedroom. "I will be in the living room if you need me." John closed the door and walked back to where Sherlock was waiting for him.
"So why is that girl really here?" Sherlock asked.
"Sherlock, I don't really want to talk about it right now," John said as he sat down in his chair, putting his face in his hands."
"Just tell me, John!"
"Fine I will tell you. You know how I left to go get groceries earlier? Well, as I was walking to the store, I randomly glanced into a window. I saw Jane sitting there on the ground with a pistol in her hands. I quickly ran to the door of the house and found it open, so I ran to the room she was in. When I came in she immediately dropped the gun and backed up into a corner, bawling. I ran over to her and calmed her down. I didn't want to just leave her there, so I brought her here."
"Do you know what she was doing with a pistol?"
"I have no idea," John exclaimed, lifting his hands in the air.
"Wasn't anyone there, like her father?"
"No, she doesn't have parents, and why would you think she would be living with her father? She is a grown adult."
"Isn't it obvious? She is wearing men's clothing."
"It could have been a boyfriend's."
"With hygiene like that, I highly doubt it."
"Well, I guess you were wrong this time because she told me that she doesn't have a father," John told Sherlock.
"Unless, she was lying to you."
John and Sherlock looked at eachother.