THE END: PART 1 OF 3

It had been three days since Macey's incident. She had been locked up in her room, voluntarily, seeing as she did not want Joan or Sherlock to invade on her privacy. Inside, she knew it was wrong to be angry at them for just being concerned, but for some reason, it was just plain aggravating. Maybe it was because she had never had anyone care about her in any way before. Or maybe, it was because she cared too much about them to bring them into this mess that could easily get them hurt…or worse, killed. Whatever happened to her yesterday was just that, something that happened to her. That meant that it was her problem to solve, not Joan's or Sherlock's, just hers. Whoever had been behind that disguise as a cabbie would dearly pay for it when Macey figured it out.

Her wounds had healed slightly, making it much easier to walk about the room, pinning security camera stills to the wall. She had found red string downstairs –having snuck around the house when the duo investigators were asleep, and tied it around the pins, the line from one to another signifying a connection.

Macey scanned her wall of papers and red string, feeling confident that she was close to figuring the mystery of who this man was and why he was after her.

She had previously thought that the man could've been after Sherlock or Joan, but dismissed the thought when she remembered that the man was particularly interested in her. If he had wanted to get at Joan or Sherlock, he would've done it directly, not through a kidnapping of a sixteen year old girl that Sherlock had met only a few days ago. This man was after her…but why? What could he possibly want that she had?

"Macey?" Joan's voice was muffled through the locked door.

Macey immediately felt herself tense up. She did not want to talk to Joan…if she did, she was afraid everything would spill out of her and Joan would tell Sherlock. She always told Sherlock, they were partners.

"Macey, I know you're in there." There was a pause. "I'm alone; Sherlock is talking with Gregson at the precinct. Please open the door and talk to me."

Macey stayed silent, hoping Joan would get the message and leave her be.

"Macey, I don't want to do this, but if you don't open the door…I'll get Sherlock over here to pick the lock and we'll force our way in." Joan's patience was wearing thin. Macey had been in her room ever since they had gotten back from the hospital, sneaking out at night for snacks and bathroom usage. Joan was worried, thinking Macey was being eaten alive by her worry and panic. Joan had tried to coax her out multiple times, but to no avail. Macey hadn't had any contact with anyone since the almost-kidnapping. A couple people from the school –Macey's new friend, Iris, included- had called to ask if she was okay, but all Joan could say is, 'I hope so'.

Macey panicked. She knew Joan wasn't lying; Sherlock could easily pick her lock. Her eyes settled on the window across the room and she got an idea.

Macey tip-toed over to it, making her steps quiet in order to keep Joan less suspicious. She pried the rusted lock open and prayed that it was screen-free. Her prayers weren't answered. A cheap plastic bug-screen blocked the only exit out of the brownstone that she could use.

Macey scowled and tried to yank the metal frame from its place. It didn't budge.

She looked at the desk beside her and felt relief when she saw a letter opener. She made quick work of cutting through the cheap plastic and lowered herself onto the fire-escape.

"Macey? Please." Joan urged, growing more and more anxious from the lack of response.

Macey looked down at the ground and figured that she was about ten feet up. Too far to jump…

She looked on the other side of the fire-escape and rolled her eyes. Only one way down…into the open dumpster. Was it really worth it…?

Macey hoisted herself over the edge and plummeted into the dumpster. She grit her teeth against the searing pain that ripped through her scabbed wounds and felt her eyes water with the stench of rotten trash. She hopped out into the alley and began to make her way to the sidewalk. Above her, she heard her door open and Joan call out for her. Looks like Sherlock hadn't gone out after all because he soon joined in on the calling of her name.

Joan had lied…and that made Macey even more distrustful.

Macey reached the sidewalk and decided it would be best to take a nice long walk to clear her mind. She had to admit, after being cooped up in her room for 36 hours, a walk was nice.

Macey turned the corner and nearly ran over a woman talking into her Bluetooth.

"S-sorry…" Macey apologized and looked up. "Miss Adler?"

Irene lit up and put on her best fake smile. "Macey! I was just on my way over…I heard what happened, terrible business. A kidnapper?"

Macey nodded. "Yeah, he had intentions, but I was quicker –wait. How did you know about that? I haven't told anyone about the kidnapper…"

Irene smiled. "Oh, honey. The nurse told me about it."

Macey took a step back. "I didn't say anything to the nurse…" Macey watched as the sparkle in Miss Adler's eyes faded and her eyes grew fierce. "Miss Adler?"

"Very terrible business. The poor man, he failed me. You were never intended to be hurt, my dear, I promise. You are much too valuable to damage." Irene grinned wildly.

"Failed you? What are you talking about?" Macey felt everything come together in her mind. "You…you hired him to kidnap me?"

"Not kidnap you, per se…just transport you to my flat –brownstone, I mean. Still getting used to the American atmosphere, I guess." She shrugged at her comment as if the situation wasn't serious.

"He sure looked as though he wanted to kidnap me… But why, Miss Adler? What did you want from me that was so important?" Macey felt herself back up until her back was flat against the bricks of a building.

Irene stared at her and ignored the questions. "Tell me, are you and Sherlock past your little quarrel yet? Or have you finally realized that life with the duo 'detectives' –as they call themselves- is just holding you back?"

"How did you know about our fight?"

"Oh, sweetie. I know everything that goes on…Now tell me this. What would you say if I had a way for you to get back at the petty man?" Irene smirked, watching Macey's eyes go wide in interest.

Macey thought it over. She was still boiling about how they were trying to invade on her life like it was their responsibility and, even though she had said otherwise, she was still a tiny bit insulted by Sherlock's earlier comment of 'low-life criminal'. Joan had also lied to her about Sherlock not being in the brownstone, making Macey feel betrayed. She didn't know if it was the adrenaline from the fear of Miss Adler and how she was suddenly a villain, or if it was the revenge-seeking side of her that made the idea of Sherlock reeling that made the statement so appealing.

"Think it over, Macey. You could either live with them and have your talent wasted…or…"

"Or?"

"Or you could live with me and have your skills sharpened. Learn alongside me and I can teach you to be the best criminal this world has ever seen."

"I don't want to be a criminal…" Macey ducked her head. "I've learned, from experience, that being a criminal is not satisfying."

"With me it is."

Macey let the silence between them settle so she could think clearly. It sounded appealing, but she knew it was wrong. Joan had once told her that she was exceptional at knowing when something was wrong and knowing not to do it, but…the tiny voice from the back of her mind told her otherwise.

"Think about how torn apart Sherly will be." Irene let his nickname roll off her tongue playfully.

Macey clenched her fists and met Irene's gaze. She had made a decision.

"Tell me what I have to do."

So do you think Macey will go along with it? AH, the angst in this story, its killing me! So this is probably the first part of the end. There will probably be two more chapters making this ending a trilogy! :D Then I will be finishing The Graveyard Visitor. Then after that…well, we'll leave that sad piece of news for the end of The Graveyard Visitor.

I may even update Dog Days (ITS BEEN AWHILE). So, yeah.

If you enjoyed, please FAV/FOLLOW/REVIEW!