Sherlock Story

Forgotten Memories, Chapter 78

A disclaimer: Sherlock belongs to BBC along with the talented writers and amazing Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch. No money was made. The story, however, is my original thought and comes out of my overactive imagination. Other characters introduced are also mine.

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*****.***Warning this chapter M just in case, Violence.****. ****

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…. The Game ….

" It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get up." ~ Vince Lombardi

It knocked Sherlock down even though he was expecting it. He heard John's protest and struggles. He gritted his teeth together to keep from crying out. They beat him with Sebastian taking the lead and giving direction. He wanted to tell John not to struggle so that he would not be hurt, but, he could not speak. Sherlock could not seem to catch his breath in between blows. The blows to his torso, back, and legs seemed to take the breath out of him. It was more painful because of the fact that some of the blows landed on still healing bruises. The next few blows came quickly then it was over. The final blow was to the face and made Sherlock's head spin.

John, now freed, knelt beside Sherlock. Sherlock spit something that taste of copper out of his mouth on the cracked concrete floor. "Help me up John." Sherlock gasped out. John nodded and pulled at his friend as he staggered, wincing to his feet.

Sherlock looked at the bruise on John's jaw and frowned. John apparently was fighting to get to him, and this action when his other bruise had just healed. Now there would be another one. Sherlock pulled himself up and with as much dignity as he could muster under the circumstances, he straighten his twisted clothing.

"What now." Sherlock asked, as he was finally able to straighten his pained torso. He looked at the monitor that had Jim Moriarty's face on it.

"Three vials. Two harmless. One a slow acting poison. I want John to choose the poison and take it. If he agrees to do this, I will release his sister, and you unharmed. Oh, there is a little matter of getting the key out of the box and opening the handcuffs." Moriarty stopped and looked.

"He should poison himself?" Sherlock asked incredulously.

"Don't be a baby. I said slow acting. I even have the antidote that I will give you." Moriarty smiled.

"It's alright Sherlock," John said as he spoke up for the first time. Sherlock looked at him, and a frown slipped past his defenses before he made his face blank again. Sherlock nodded to John.

"And, you're just going to give us the antidote." Sherlock said with suspicion.

"Oh well, there are a few things that you need to do for it."

"You can even help him, if you're willing to pay the price. Well, must run. It seems that your annoying brother is trying to find you. It is all rather adorable, really. Make it out alive and I will give further instructions." There was a pause. "One more thing. Once you uncuffed her, you'll have to shoot your way out. Feel free to use the gun that you would have been stupid to come without. I thought that I would give you something easy to start out with."

"Ta, Ta." The screen went black suddenly. Game show music came on softly in the background. Sherlock resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Sherlock looked at the red light. It was still blinking. So, Moriarty was still looking, probably listening as well.

Sebastian walked over to John now. "Choose the poison, take it. Give Holmes and the woman the two vials that are harmless." Sebastian said evenly. He almost sounded bored as if he had done this a thousand times. Maybe, he had.

"What happens if I refuse," John asked. Sherlock knew that he was trying to buy time hoping that Mycroft's men would break down the doors.

"I shoot her in the head, I shoot you in the leg, both, and I beat him into unconsciousness. I'm not allowed to touch his face, however." Sebastian said with a smile.

Sebastian looked at Holmes bruised jaw and split lip. "Whoops, it seems as if you've slipped and fell Mr. Holmes."

"I want to help him." Sherlock said quickly ignoring the man's remarks.

Sebastian held his earpiece again. "I am told to remind you that it comes with a price."

"I accept those conditions," was Holmes reply.

John watched grimly as Sherlock was grabbed so abruptly that he almost lost his balance.

Sherlock grimaced as he was pushed a little rougher than necessary and put into the chair beside Harry. Within a second, something thick with wires was snapped on her wrist. She looked with confusion to Holmes and noticed that the same thing was placed on his wrist. The snapping sound as the device closed sounded unnaturally loud in the small space.

"Keep your feet flat on the floor," Sherlock said. He attempted what he hoped was a reassuring look. They both did not get along on the best day. This was not the best day. Harry did know one thing, however, in this situation; her brother's annoying flatmate was the one that should be listened to. She barely had time to nod when. Her muscles contracted. It only lasted a second. However, it hurt. She caught her breath and notice that Holmes seemed to be catching his, as well. His eyes seemed to be focused on the vials of liquid in front of him as if he was studying it while catching his breath. The fact that despite the pain that they had just been through, Holmes would immediately focus on the strange liquid in front of him, made her afraid. Harry was too proud to show this fact to their captor. Her family was military. She thinned her lips and put on a brave face. She, however, could not help glancing at the vials and Holmes face as he concentrated.

"Choose," Sebastian said with irritation.

So, Mycroft must be getting closer, John thought. John walked as slowly as he thought he could get away with, and examined the vials.

Sherlock looked at John but did not say a word. John looked with some confusion in his face then looked at Sebastian. "You said that he was allowed to help me. Are there any rules?"

Sherlock looked relieved. Sebastian looked annoyed. John had apparently asked the right question.

"Four questions. No more than twenty words each. Once started you have fifteen minutes to choose then drink the poison, give them their nonpoisonous vials. Uncuff them and shoot your way out. As long as it is not words. You can use gestures to communicate. Antidote over there in that smaller box." Sebastian said rapidly. "If you're thinking about delaying. The first bullet that I hear fired from any gun other than our guns, and a bullet goes into her brain." Moran smiled at that.

"Now. Start," Moran said dangerously.

Both men knew that they would have to hurry. Mycroft was probably close. They both also knew that the trackers would take Mycroft's men within their general area. Mycroft's men would still have to search.

John ran over to the vials and held them in front of Sherlock's eyes one-by-one. He was careful to keep them in some kind of order. Sherlock would nod then John would move to the next vial. Sherlock seemed to debate with himself for a second.

"Turn them upside down once then upright so that I can see if there are any bubbles." Sherlock said quickly.

"Alright," John complied.

Sherlock looked with deep concentration as each vial was turned upside down then upright. He mentally noted the look, consistency, and the rate at which the bubbles rose. Sherlock thought he had the answer but could not be sure.

Sherlock spoke again. "Open the vial and let me smell them before you use different fingers to put one drop on my tongue." Sherlock glanced at Sebastian to see if there were any objections to his sentence or to his actions. Sebastian's only response was a glare.

John quickly complied again.

Sherlock smelled the first vial. John put a drop on his tongue. "Give this one to Harry." John took one-step and looked at Harry. She opened her eyes and looked in her brother's eyes. John attempted a smile. It looked more like a grimace. She opened her mouth and allowed her brother to pour the vial onto it. She swallowed after coughing at the horrid taste and nodded to him. John squeezed her shoulder and moved on to the next vial.

The second vial was put under Sherlock's nose. He made a face then nodded. John took a different finger and put a drop on Sherlock. He spit it out on the floor. He looked at John. John understood and put that aside for himself.

The last vial was smelt. Yet another finger was put on Sherlock's tongue. Sherlock nodded and opened his mouth. John poured the vial in his mouth. Sherlock grimaced as he swallowed the bitter liquid.

John went to the vial that was put aside. He opened it to drink it, but before he did, he smiled at Sherlock and said. "I'll have you know that I fully expect you to save my arse."

Harry lost it and ranted. "I cannot believe that you're just sitting there casually and going to let your so called best friend take poison. What kind of a man are you Sherlock…"

"SHUT UP!" Sebastian got in her face and yelled with so much anger that spit was actually flying from his mouth. The disappointment of not being able to properly torture anyone, coupled with the knowledge that his time to escapes was slipping away, did not make him a happy man.

He raised his gun as if he was about to hit her. John put his body in front of his big sister as he prepared to take the blow instead of her.

Sebastian seemed to reconsider as he raised his eyebrows and suddenly calmed. He thought for a moment. "Drink the drink, Doctor Watson."

"Joh…" Harry started to say.

"Shut up Harry," John hissed urgently before he quickly swallowed the liquid and grimaced. Harry opened, but looked at John, then closed her mouth.

"I drank it," John said needlessly.

Sebastian almost hummed to himself as he unhooked the shock device from Harry's wrist. She rubbed her wrist absently. Moran left the leg restraints on. "The key to her leg restraint is in that large box. Holmes had to be the one to reach in and pick it up with his hands. The smaller box with the code lock on it is the antidote; feel free to walk away with it. Maybe run away with it would be more appropriate."

"Well, I'd better be off." Sebastian hummed as he walked away. If anyone other than Holmes gets the key, shoot them, her in the head, and the doctor in both legs." Sebastian stopped when he was almost out the room. "Oh I almost forgot. Choose"

Sherlock closed his eye sighed then opened them, "Me," Sherlock said.

"Not you Mr. Holmes, you Doctor Watson. Choose. Your sister or Holmes?" Sebastian asked with a growing smile.

"What am I choosing?" The answer suddenly occurred as his eyes noticed that Sherlock was still attached to the device. John ignored Sherlock's voice that was telling him to just say that he chose him.

John cursed when the realization came to him. "Me, I choose me," John said desperately.

"You heard him John. He is willing to take it. You cannot get shocked with that poison going through your body. John..." Harry was again cut off. "Shut up Harry!" John hissed with urgency.

"I just dialed it higher because of your mouth. I already told you... Shut. Up!" Sebastian glared at Harry.

"Wait a minute..." Harry said indignantly.

"It's even higher now. Any higher means death. Another word and nothing will be able to stop me." The deadly calm in Sebastian's voice is what made her suddenly stop.

"For peace sake Harry, shut up will you," John pleaded. She now noticed that his gun was out and aimed. John had his hand firmly on her shoulder squeezing to get her attention. Maybe, they were right, Caroline was right. Maybe, she did have a temper.

She looked angry but finally shut up.

"Not you Doctor, your sister or Holmes." Sebastian's attention was turned by to Watson.

"John, please, there's no time." John looked brokenly into Sherlock's eyes. Both he and Sherlock knew what was happening. Sebastian found a way to torture them both. John in the mind because it was his words that would cause his best friend pain. Sherlock in both body and mind. Despite Sherlock's cool exterior. John knew that this was difficult. Sherlock attempted to smile. John face became blank. He steeled himself as he said. "S… Sherlock, I choose him." John's voice was quiet. "Please put something in his mouth."

Moran was quiet for a moment then nodded.

John took off is trouser belt quickly before Sebastian could change his mind. He walked over to Sherlock. Sherlock opened his mouth and bit down on John's belt. Both men locked eyes for a moment before John moved to where one of the other guards had pointed.

John wanted to look away but did not dare. He would not let Sherlock go through this alone.

He watched helplessly as Sherlock's body spasm and shuddered painfully as the electrical currents ran through his body... His eyes rolled in the back of his head as the room swam in front of him. Sherlock gagged incoherently with pain as his body contracted so hard that he almost knocked the chair over. This time a stronger and slightly longer charge of electricity was used.

Sherlock became disoriented. The room spun and tilted as he fought to regain his focus and become oriented. He struggled to get oxygen into his starved lungs. Meaningless noises started to come into focus. John? Was that John talking to him? There was something noteworthy that he had to do. Now if his bloody mind and body would just cooperate.

"… Sherlock, say something." John glanced at the two guards that were still there. Everyone else had left. He looked at him and their guns that had been tossed in the corner.

When John looked back at Sherlock, his eyes were starting to clear. "J… John, I'm F… Fine."

"I can tell that you're fine mate," John whispered with a sad smile as he worriedly looked at his friend.

Sherlock looked confused for a moment. He did not know how he had gotten on the floor. Did I lose consciousness, his mottled mind wondered. He looked at his hands and now realized that they were free. One of the guards must have freed him.

Sherlock attempted to get up. John subconsciously moved toward Sherlock. However, Sherlock's voice stopped him. "Have to do alone." Sherlock said with an unsteady voice. Sherlock eyes travel to the guard and his gun. John nodded and took a step back. John put his hands behind his back and grabbed them so that he would not forget and reach out for Sherlock again.

Sherlock grunted from the effort as he used the chair then the table to help pull himself up to a standing position. His legs were wobbly and he barely kept himself upright. He used the table for support. Sherlock looked around for something to grab on to but found nothing. He frowned and looked around as he blinked away the last of the mental fog. Sherlock was sweating and still felt like the room needed more air. Sherlock could not seem to slow his breathing down much.

"You can do it." John said encouragingly. They were both happy that Harry was finally quiet.

Sherlock nodded and took a few shaky steps toward the boxes that were off by themselves in a corner on top of a smaller table. The distance suddenly seemed ridiculously long.

John remained beside him step-for-step with his hands still clasped behind his back.

Sherlock walked slower than he would have liked. His body swayed dangerously. He kept one hand in front of his body. Sherlock felt a wave of nausea rolled over him; he closed his eyes against it. Sherlock tried to orient himself and regain his sense of balance. He kept his eyes on the ground. The last of the cobwebs cleared, now. He felt more confident with each step. Unfortunately, he looked up too quickly to judge where the table was and fell toward it.

John grabbed at Sherlock but luckily, that moment of hesitation on John's part made him miss his friend's body. They both looked at the guards. Neither moved. Both men looked at each other. John looked into Sherlock eyes as they communicated. John raised his eyebrows. Sherlock sighed and gave the slightest of a nod. He let go of his pride as he crawled the remainder of the short distance to the table. He arrived quickly and pulled himself up.

A strange sound was coming from the box. Sherlock already knew what it was.

"Stand back John," Sherlock said weakly.

John frowned but stood back slightly. The truth was he had no intention of moving too far away from Sherlock.

He opened the lid and the hissing sound filled their ears. Sherlock chuckled lightly. John was worried about Sherlock. He looked again and personally found nothing funny.

"John," Sherlock said as he turned to John, "I'm beginning to think that Sebastian doesn't like me."

John raised an eyebrow then chuckled along with him despite their situation. They both needed the stress released.

"John."

"Yes Sherlock."

"I hate snakes."

"I know Sherlock."

Sherlock looked around for a solution. It had not been cold enough for gloves so he took it out of his coat pocket.

"Is it venomous?" John asked as he too looked around for something to scoop up the keys with.

"Quite," Sherlock looked at his coat. It was a thick coat. Maybe if he was quick. "Death in forty minutes. Maybe slower if there is no movement."

John looked at Sherlock.

"It could be worse." Sherlock said quietly.

"How could it possibly be worse?" John whispered to Sherlock

"Death in ten minutes." Sherlock shrugged then winced as he pulled his coat partially off of one shoulder.

John smiled at Sherlock. His smile left as he took a deep breath. "You have to be quick. Normally slow and sneak up on it, but your hands… the shaking."

"I have a thick oven mitt." Harry for the first time in minutes spoke.

"Good, that's very good. Where is it Harry?" John asked as both men looked at her.

"It's somewhere in my foldaway shopping bag. They put them somewhere in the building." Harry said helpfully.

Sherlock stared at John's sister and opened his mouth to say everything he had wanted to say for the last twenty minutes. John's voice stopped him.

"Sherlock, I know you really want to, but we have to focus. Maybe, you'll have time to yell at her later." John said quietly.

Sherlock huffed as he attempted a quick glare. In his current state, it only looked like a grimace and lost all of its normal intimidation.

Sherlock resumed attempting to pull the cuff of his coat tightly together so that his hands were thoroughly covered. John watched intently, looking for any areas that had exposed skin. John was about to suggest that they practice twice outside the box before he attempted the grab.

"Time to crack on, I suppose." Before John could give another comment, Sherlock shocked him by grabbing at the keys. The keys slip as soon as he grabbed them. Without hesitation, he grabbed them again and pulled his hand up as the snake bit at his coat. Sherlock hissed. The key dropped on the floor.

"Sherlock!" John grabbed at Sherlock's hand. Sherlock pulled back his hand. "I wasn't bitten," Sherlock said abruptly. "I was just startled."

"Let me look," John insisted.

"JOHN!" Sherlock said firmly as he slipped his coat back on. Raising his voice seemed to have drained some of his energy. "The guards are gone. We have minutes before they start to shoot. Take the cuff off your sister's ankles."

John looked around, then back at Sherlock. Sherlock exhaled heavily. "I'll waddle over and get the guns," Sherlock said with a tight smile.

Sherlock heard John run as he staggered to the guns. He picked them up with shaking hands. Sherlock barely kept himself from falling down. John and Harry were by his side in less than a minute. John took one gun. Sherlock attempted to call Mycroft, but his hands could not find the correct number despite the fact that he was pre-programmed as number two. John was number one. John wordlessly pushed the number and gave the mobile back to Sherlock.

"Antidote?" Sherlock asked in a rough and low voice.

John nodded woodenly once.

Harry took one shoulder and grunted as she pushed. She smiled a rare apology as Sherlock nodded. Everyone agreed non-verbally that it was best for John's hands to be free. John took out his gun and silently led the way.