"Thank you sir." I said, handing the taxi driver money. I walked into Hyde park, and found an empty bench to sit at. There didn't seem to be anyone around, so I closed my eyes, and tilted my head back against the seat. I had a few seconds of peace until I heard rapid footsteps approaching. I opened one eye, and saw a man walking towards me. He was wearing a suit, and his short brown hair was neatly gelled back. He stopped in front of me.

"Excuse me miss. Do you mind if I sit here?" He asked.

"Sure, go ahead." I said, scooting over for him.

"Where are you from?" He asked as he sat down.

"New York. I'm here for an internship."

"Wow. What are you doing here? Alone?"

"I needed a break." I said, starting to get nervous.

"Ah, ok. That makes sense. Everyone needs a break."

There was a moment of silence between us before he spoke again.

"Would you like to walk around the park with me? The fresh air will do you good." He said as he stood up.

"Sure. Why not."

"My name is Jim, by the way." He said as he looped my hand over his arm.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Emily."

We walked around the park, mostly in silence, but sometimes he would ask me a question, which I would answer too quickly, and it would leave us in silence once more.

As we came back to where we started, Jim bent down and whispered in my ear.

"Do you happen to know a man in a black trench coat, miss?"

"uh, no I don't believe so." I said, remembering that Sherlock's was navy blue. "Why?"

"Well, there's been a man following you since you got here, that's why I came up to you. I wanted to see if he followed us around the park, and he did." Jim said, looking over his shoulder. "You should probably go. I'll get you a taxi."

I felt panic bubble in me again. I gripped Jims coat as he led me to the street. He flagged down a taxi, and opened the door for me. But I couldn't let go of him.

"Jim, please come with me. I'll give you money to go home." I said, as my hands started to shake. Jim saw my distress and nodded. He got into the taxi with me, and gently squeezed my hand.

"Where to miss?" The taxi driver said as he looked at me through the mirror.

"221 C Baker Street please." I said hurriedly.

"What did you say?" Jim asked. I turned to him and repeated my address.

"Do you happen to know a Sherlock Holmes?"

"Yes, I do. He's the one that pissed me of enough to go to the park alone." I said, remembering his harsh words.

"Yes, he tends to be excellent at that." He said as he stared out the window. "Does he happen to know about this man who's following you?"

"I think so. But he won't say anything to me about it. And neither will his friend, John."

"Yes, that's so typical of them. Do you mind if I come in with you? I'd love to reconnect with them."

"You're an old friend?"

"You could say that."

"Well, I guess. But could you do me a favor?"

"Of course."

"Will you mind telling them that I was meeting with you? So they don't yell at me for going off alone."

Jim wrapped a reassuring arm around my shoulders. "I would be delighted to tell them that."

"Thanks." I said. It let off some of my stress, but the man in the black coat was still weighing me down. Unless I was being escorted, it looked like I could never leave the apartment safely, again.