Roses Have Thorns- Chapter 2- Just For You
"I'm going to have to replace this whole outfit."
I was laying back in a chair, feet up on the counter. My rare experience with Sherlock Holmes had really set me off.
"These are my favorite shoes too," I said while admiring them.
The shop keeper was sitting behind the glass counter that held jewelry and antiques.
Most of them were...donated by me.
He had been shining some silver spoons but looked up when I spoke.
"Can you spare me a few pounds?"
"Sure. For whatcha've done for me." Reaching in his left pocket he brought out a velvet bag.
I could tell by the chingle of the coins that it held approximately twelve pounds.
He slided 2 pounds across the counter then put the sac away.
The shop owner, Mr. Petr Sholt, had bright red hair that was in such a discord it might bother someone who was not used to it. Most of the time he wore a dark blue vest with a blue jacket on top. He was a very kind man. A bit selfish at times but overall my type of man. That is probably the reason why I have been able to put up with him all these years.
But it really wouldn't matter even if I strongly disliked the person cause I wasn't here very often.
I went traveling throughout Europe when I wasn't around. That or I lurking around the London streets earning money. He was always so enthusiastic to see my findings when I got back.
"You should do something to get revenge," Sholt said, breaking me from my original thoughts.
A smirk grew on my face. "That would be," I paused searching for the right word, "interesting."
My friend smiled and then went in the back room.
I have the perfect idea just for you Mister Sherlock Holmes.
It was mid afternoon now.
I had already bought some different clothes. Which worked out for me. I found a flexible black suit, a collared white shirt to go underneath, and then a scarf that I could tuck into the p-coat black suit. I also managed to find a pair of nice, cheap, white gloves. I had been looking for accurately priced ones for ages and now I found a pair.
They fit amazingly.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that I did keep my shoes. No detective is going to make me get rid of them.
After that shopping spree I dumped my all of my old clothes except for the coat.
I then took a quick look around the slums.
I was able to settle on a kid who had the same features and hair but was a couple inches off with the height. It was the best I was going to be able to find.
Finding Baker Street was a cinch. I proceeded to position the kid a few blocks down the street. I took his coat then then went directly across from 221b.
I saw his companion through the window leaning and looking out. He left the window and Sherlock came to the window, spotting me.
I left my head down and moved my hand against the rim of the hat.
This'll teach him to mess with me.
As graceful as possible, I moved it back to the front and tipped the hat.
I took off. Walking, but doing it fast. I knew he would attempt to follow so I quickly gave the coat back to the boy and shoved a couple shillings in his hand.
I then went down another alley and watched it all unfold from behind a crate.
I couldn't help but to devilishly smile.
You don't mess with the Black Rose.
Now he would have to chase me. Find me. I knew it would bother him that I got away. He will stop at nothing now to trace me down.
And so a challenge was executed.
"You did it didn't you?"
Of course I had told Mr. Sholt my plan. It always made his day when I risked my life.
"Do you even have to ask?" I questioned back.
He gave a chuckle, "I guess not. Well what are you going to do now?"
"I'm not done with him."
He looked at me with surprise. "Really?" I could hear him say "the poor man" under his breath.
"I have one more thing in mind."
I couldn't resist the urge to keep testing him
"I still think your crazy."
"You always thought I was bonkers."
"Well mocking a man is different from sneaking into his home and stealing his things."
We stood on a street parallel to Baker Street. Holmes' door could still be seen through a hallway window.
"How ya gonna know he's not gonna be home?"
I smiled remembering what happened earlier.
2 hours earlier.
I stood inside the 221b Baker Street complex waiting for the housekeeper to arrive.
She was an older woman who looked like she had been through quite a lot. Her eyelids drooped from sleep exhaustion and there was a little burn on her hand from cooking oil.
Swiftly, she walked to me from the other side of the hallway.
"Hello. What is it that you need?" She said a bit out of breath.
"I was curious if a Mr. Sherlock Holmes was going to be here tonight. I was planning on interviewing him for the London Times." Quickly I brought out a pad of paper I had set in my pocket earlier.
"Oh my you caught him at a bad time. His friend is visiting him and has decided to take him out to dinner then a show. I'm very sorry. It seems he is always home but not tonight."
"Oh thats too bad. Perhaps another time then."
"Most defiantly. He is in need of some publicity to get a new case. I wouldn't be surprised if one day I find him rotting up there."
"Smart."
"What did you expect?" I slyly answered back.
"So what are you planing on taking?"
"I'm not going to steal his things. Just move things around, shake him up a bit," I lied.
I decided earlier that I wouldn't tell Sholt the complete truth. He would want them for his pawn store and I really didn't want to lose my would-be prizes snatched from this particular house.
He narrowed his green eyes. "Course," He paused while I continued to look toward Holmes' door, "So what am I doing here?"
"I need you to help me get onto that drainage pipe on the right side of the building." I pointed towards it and although it didn't look vary stable I was quite sure that it would hold up under my weight.
"Sure thing.-"
I cut him off when I saw a figure come to Sherlock's door. "Here's his puppet friend."
The figure knocked then went on inside without consent from the owner.
We sat there for around 10 minutes.
Eventually I leaned up against a the brick wall.
Finally the man who had come in earlier exited and a rather dejected Holmes followed him.
I nodded to Sholt and we both moved toward the drain pipe. There was a jutting brick that I could use as a foot hold but it was just too high.
I gave a motion toward Sholt and he interlocked his fingers. I stepped on there and he easily lifted me up to the hold.
Silently I waved goodbye to him and started to climb the pipe. Unfortunately my arms weren't very strong at all so I had to put most of the stress on my legs.
After some time I reached the roof and wrapped my arms around it. My breath was heavy so I stayed there for a while to acquire more air. It was a crisp and cold night and the wind pelted against my face.
My forearms were on top of the roof so I could only rely on them to pull me up.
The roof was a bit slick so I stabled myself by going to the top of the roof on all fours.
I got to the top and I hadn't realized before, but the stars were beautiful tonight. A crack in the clouds showed their beauty.
Images of my mother and I watching the stars flashed in my memory. I gently smiled.
It seemed that in admiring their brilliance I forgot about where my feet had been placed and slipped feet first down the vertical slant. My mind began to panic as I started to fall down. My hands and feet both searched for a hold but everything was so slippery.
I could feel my gloves slowly thinning out and then scratching the skin beneath. This had only happened once before and there was only one hope if I couldn't stop immediately.
I took a look down to see the end rapidly reaching me.
My teacher had taught me what to do in this situation. I had to cling onto the brain pipe and hope that the acceleration wouldn't throw me off. For now I slowed as much as I could.
My feet passed over the edge.
My chest.
My hands quickly found the pipe and latched on.
My arms straightened out as my body swung back and forth. Each time my grip loosen a bit.
I clenched my teeth in frustration once I stopped swinging. The pain in my hands and arm was excruciating.
Where's that damn window? I thought while looking to the right and left.
Oh. There it is.
I guess you could blame it on the lucky stars but the window was directly below me.
All I had to do was let go. Which is what I did and landed directly on top of the window sill.
Reaching in my jacket I pulled out a pocket knife and pushed it underneath the window. A satisfying click unlocked it.
The window hadn't been used in ages. It opened, but very unwillingly.
The room was a complete mess. Papers, books, and odd and ends were littered everywhere.
As I stepped into the room, trying to comprehend the sure randomness of it, I noticed a newspaper beneath my feet. I bent over and picked it up revealing that the date was around a year ago.
I hope I've got the right room.
I noticed another thing on the paper. A small red dot underneath my fingers.
Blood?
It was mine. The roof fiasco had torn my gloves leaving my hands badly scratched. I winced at the renewed pain.
Before I moved around the room I took off my shoes and set them to the side. If I had worn them I would have tracked mud all around the place.
I didn't know where to start.
Everything was tossed around so that it seemed impossible to pick up anything that had any value to Holmes.
I tipped toed around, attempting not to step on anything to show no signs of me being here, and over to the next room. It was in the same manner maybe worse.
Something woke my senses.
It was a small noise but a noise nevertheless of someone unlocking the door.
Quickly, I dove into a hiding place as the door opened and the hallway light flooded in.
Dun DUn DUUUUNNN!!!!
I think I just threw consistency right out the window. Sorry if you didn't like the length of this chapter.
I have a question for you guys. Well actually a couple of questions...
Um. k. First.
Does Holmes live in a apartment in a complex or does he basically own the whole house...thing? I'm slightly confused cause I was under the impression that he only owned one apartment in a complex.
Other question.
I think I need a beta reader. It would be excellent to get one. Grammar and such isn't that bad but I really need help with description and how to put down the feelings and all that jazz. So if you know any beta reader that would be helpful or if you could offer any advice just drop me a line.
I think I had one more question....
Holmes- Your such a scatterbrain. -_-
Kim- Fuck off.
Oh yeah! I know that this is the late 1800s and such but would it bother anyone if I put in cuss words? I kinda see them as showing a character more. But seeing that I haven't seen them swear in the movie or book I was just curious if it would be out of context if I put in cuss words.
Kthxbai! X] See ju next chapta!