That night, once I have finally persuaded Greg and Mycroft that I will be fine (apparently locking myself in Sherlock's bedroom and refusing to come out isn't conducive to stable mental health), I find myself unable to sleep. As I toss and turn my mind is assaulted by a series of horrific Nightmare's that leave me shaking and gasping for breath. Starring in all of them is a blood drenched Sherlock begging for my help, his eyes dripping blood and his body covered with wounds that make my stomach churn unpleasantly. The last nightmare I suffer before I finally give up on sleep is one of the worst. In it Sherlock is surrounded by total blackness, chained to a hard, cold concrete wall, and screaming as a dark cloud swirls around him. As he chokes on blood and begs for the pain to stop a pair of red eyes watch him with an intensity that suggests they are enjoying the scene before them.
With a gasp I sit up, my heart pounding as though it is trying to burst from my chest, and try to control my panicked breathing. What the he'll was that? Despite everything I have been through with Sherlock, and all my terrible memories from the war I have never, ever had a single nightmare. What made this time so different from all the other traumatic ones? Unwilling to think about about it too deeply at the moment (I am still half asleep after all) I reach for my phone, wanting to hear a reassuringly friendly voice...which is totally ridiculous considering it's the middle of the night. Neither Greg or Mycroft would appreciate being woken at two in the morning.
Twisting round I angrily punch my pillow a dozen times until I finally feel able to breath without wanting to scream my head off. I hate this! I hate this! I want life to go back to how it was- before I discovered Sherlock was an Engifted. Though I'm not an expert on his kind I do know that having Black feathers is normally a bad thing. Not that that can surely apply to Sherlock. I have faith my friend won't suddenly turn evil and start killing innocent people. I have seen the kindness and love that he usually keeps buried deep within his heart...
A loud crash from somewhere nearby jolts me from my thoughts. There is someone besides me in the flat! My instant reaction is to reach for the gun I keep in my bedside dresser ( an old habit left over from my days in the army). It is then I remember that it isn't my bed I am sleeping in. Cursing my lack of foresight I slowly climb out of bed and make my way down the corridor, trying not to make any noise that will alert the person in the flat to my presence. Though I listening hard I am unable to hear anything. Judging by the location of the initial noise they should (in theory) still be in the kitchen. Taking a deep breath I compose myself and then leap forward to confront the intruder.
Almost immediately I freeze and stare at the person I am faced with. She is definitely an Engifted- there is nothing else she could be with a body that shimmers and ripples like the surface of a lake. I had always thought (apparently wrongly) that an Engifted merely gained wings and powers when they transformed. This Engifted however shatters that illusion. Her entire body, wings included, look as it is made out of water.
She bows her head and smiles when she notices me. "Greetings." She says in high, clear voice that sounds so much like waves crashing on a beach, "I am Mariner the Ancient One." The liquid surface of her wings glows brightly in the orange light streaming through from the street outside. "I am sorry if I woke you. I was trying to get set up before the rest arrived." She explains as she pulls another chair forward and sets it into the circle she is arranging.
Even though I know it's highly rude I continue to stare at her, wondering who the hell she is and what she is doing in my flat. "Why are you here? Who are you meeting with?" I ask, crossing my arms and fixing her with a stern look. Technically I could have this Engifted arrested for breaking and entering if I do wished. New laws recently passed means that, despite their fantastical powers, Engifted are subject to the same laws that humans are. It evens things out a little and makes us humans feel that little bit safer.
The Engifted pauses and turns stormy grey eyes to look at me curiously. "We thought, since Sherlock was taken before he could meet Celeste, it would make sense to meet somewhere with a personal connection to him. We thought, maybe, we could find some sort of clue as to where he might be being held."
At this I feel a shiver run through me. Now this is information I didn't know. "Taken?" I question, my voice rising, "By who? What the hell do you know?"
A dark expression settles over the Engifted's face, dark storm clouds suddenly appearing across a previously calm sky. I begin to get the feeling I may have over stepped some form of boundary. "You have absolutely no idea who you're talking to do you?" Her voice deepens, taking on a threatening tone. "If you did you would think twice before addressing me in such a manner."
"Now, now Mariner it ain't the humans fault he's ignorant. Not even the majority of Engifted know we actually exist." The voice, deeper than Mariner's and with an airy sound to it, comes from over by the open window. Which is odd because I could swear it was closed minutes before. I turn and find myself faced with another Engifted. This one has wings made up of swirling bands of air that are constantly twisting and turning. It makes me dizzy to watch for too long. "I understand why he's being a little rude. Don't forget that John here has no idea what happened to Sherlock after the events of that night." He smiles at me, a remarkably friendly affair when Mariner is still glaring at me so fiercely.
Mariner sighs and falls heavily into the chair behind her. "I know Zephyr...we Elite's are supposed to keep our existence a secret." She regards me intently for a moment. "What I don't understand is why Celeste is willing to trust this human. Normally she tends to stay well away from them." I can actually hear the audible sneer that is in her voice. Yes, I do actually feel a little insulted to be referred to simply as 'this human'.
"Because he knows Sherlock on a personal level and he saw his powers up close. Celeste believes he can help us shed some light on what happened to Sherlock. You know full well Mariner what his powers could mean for the Engifted world." Zephyr explains in a patient voice.
Mariner makes no further comment and simply stares at me with an intense expression that quickly makes me feel uncomfortable. An awkward silence settles over the room, broken only by the sound of Zephyr muttering beneath his breath. So these are the Elite Engifted, those who are practically God's in a community of powered people. I had always thought they were nothing but stories. It's incredible that they are actually real- and currently meeting in my flat. My mind reels, struggling to process the information. Could I perhaps be dreaming?
That hope is quickly shattered when a gentle hand lightly touches my shoulder. At the same time a feeling of peace settles over me. Mariner and Zephyr sit up a little straighter, both of them coming to attention. Curious I glance over my shoulder. The Engifted standing behind me is truly beautiful and I find myself unable to look away from her glittering multi-coloured wings that illuminate the room with a soft, almost ethereal light. She smiles at me before delicately gliding over to the most comfortable chair, sitting down in a swirl of gossamer skirts and a cloud of glitter. "Zephyr, Mariner, squabbling again I hear." The Engifted murmurs in a musical voice, her silvery eyes serious.
Zephyr at least has the decency to look ashamed. "Sorry Celeste, Mariner was questioning your decision to meet here." He say in a low voice.
Celeste, the Elite who in the stories has the power of creation at her fingertips shakes her head. "I despair of you two sometimes. Air and water should at least try to get along." She says, sounding disappointed. Then, to my horror, she turns her eyes to me. A smile spreads across her face. "Mr Watson, I apologise for this intrusion but I believe you may be able to help..." She is interrupted by the sound of the clock on the mantlepiece chiming fourteen times in a row. "Oh good, Chronos is here." She says, turning to face the centre of the room just as the strangest Engifted I have ever seen materialised there.
His entire body, wings included, is made from hundreds of delicate moving clockwork parts. I find myself staring at him in shock, trying to make sense of what I am seeing; an Engifted with the power to see into the future and manipulate time according to the stories. Beside him are two Engifted who very obviously represent the elements of fire and earth. All of them bow low to Celeste before taking a seat.
Celeste clears her throat, "Now we are all here the meeting can begin." But that can't be right became there are only six Engifted here. In the stories there are always seven members of the Elite. Not that I am going to bring this up because I can't help but feel a little intimidated being surrounded by this lot. "Mr Watson, why don't you tell us what you saw?"
Nervously I clear my throat a few times before I finally feel able to speak. It doesn't take long to explain to them what I saw from the black wings to Shockwave's death. I realise with a jolt how little I actually know about the new Engifted Sherlock and his powers. I lower my eyes and stare at the floor. "I'm sorry I can't be of more help."
"There's no need for you to apologise Mr Watson. You barely had enough time to get to know Sherlock after his transformation." Suddenly her face clouds over and a dark shadow seems to settle over the room. With it comes a icy chill. "Chronos, why don't you tell us again what you experienced on the Celestrial Plains." If my eyes aren't deceiving me Celeste looks distinctly less glittery than when she first entered 221B.
Chronos sighs and hangs his head, the golden glow surrounding him noticeably dimming. "There was not much to see. Just a great dark cloud and a pair of red eyes." He glances at me with a deep sadness in his eyes. "By the time I realised something was wrong Sherlock was already gone."
Up to now Mariner has been silent but apparently she can't resist making sarcastic comments. "Pretty rubbish considering you're supposed to see into the future." She says with a sneer on her face as she shakes her head, splattering droplets of water in all directions.
To my surprise Chronos looks thoughtful rather than offended and looks over at Celeste, whose silvery eyes widen. "You don't think..." she breathes, "Is it even possible?"
Chronos Steelers his fingers beneath his chin and stares at the floor. "It could be. I mean we knew eventually Thanstos would have to turn up. We are all here after all.
I have absolutely no idea what they are talking about and judging by their confused looks none of the other Elite do either. Clearing my throat I take a step forward. Celeste and Chronos barely glance at me, absorbed as they are in their conversation. "Sorry, what are you going on about?"
Head to one side Celeste turns to me and fixes me with a intense look. I feel a shiver course down my spine. I'm not sure if I want to find out what the Elite are talking about any more. I kind of like my uncomplicated little life before any of this happened, before Sherlock became an Engifted. Celeste lazily waves her hand, making glitter dance in the air. "Your friend, Sherlock Holmes, according to the future Chronos has glimpsed, is an incredibly powerful Engifted but he has never been able to see anything definite." She takes a deep breath before she continues, "Chronos is unable to sense other Elites."
I would be lying if I didn't say this revelation,and what it hints at, totally floors me. Speechless all I can do is stare at Celeste while my frozen brain desperately tries to come up with a reply. Surely it's unthinkable. Until he went through his transformation Sherlock was just another human with nothing to label him out as the seventh most powerful Engifted in the world. Well he's special to me of course but I don't think that really counts. I shake my head. No. It simply can't be true. I say as much to Celeste but she merely gives me a sympathetic smile.
"I know it's a lot to take in at once Mr Watson, especially considering Sherlock never told you he was an Engifted..."
"Probably too ashamed to when you look at all the humans he's hanging around with. I wonder what's he's got against his own kind." Mariner interrupts, sounding as though she is seriously thinking about it.
I clench my fists. It probably won't be the smartest idea to punch an Elite Engifted but I am close to letting logic fly out the window. How dare she say such things about Sherlock! And with him not here to defend himself as well...It simply isn't fair. "You know, Sherlock and I were perfectly happy before Chronos showed up and dragged him away to meet you lot!" I cry, wincing slightly when I hear the anger in my voice. Deep down my instincts are screaming at me to stop but I don't think I could even if I wanted to. I have never been able to be calm and rational where Sherlock is involved...God I miss him so much!
Eyes flashing Mariner rises from her seat. I take a step back, suddenly regretting my rash words. "Really, you actually believe Sherlock was happy being trapped in his pathetic little human life?!" She says with a sneer. Behind her the other Elite's look uncomfortable. "He was eagerly waiting for his wings to appear human. If Nightmare hadn't snatched him first he would have come running the instant we asked him to join our ranks. He would have abandoned you in a heartbeat." Water drips off her in waves, rapidly soaking the carpet.
I begin to shake uncontrollably, my knees barely holding me upright. Squeezing my eyes shut I shake my head to try and clear it of the negative thoughts currently buzzing around. That can't be true! Sherlock would never! I know, from his words and his actions that he does care about me- even though he may show it in odd ways sometimes. My breath catches in my throat. I might never see him again and I never got to tell him..." My train of though is broken by a gentle hand on my shoulder followed by a wave of peace washing through me. Some of the tension relaxes from my muscles.
"That is enough Mariner." Says Celeste's musical voice from right behind me. "Leave Mr Watson alone. He has been through enough without you bullying him." Mariner opens her mouth to protest but Celeste carries on talking, effectively cutting off anything she might of said. "I am sorry for causing you additional stress and heartache Mr Watson. I though coming here would perhaps help us better understand the Engifted Sherlock has become." She sighs heavily, "But I was wrong. All we can do now is to continue searching for him and pray that Nightmare doesn't break him." She finishes, her voice filled with sorrow.
My heart skips a beat upon hearing this and I swallow hard. This is the second time I have heard this Nightmare mentioned and both times there has been fear in the voices that have spoken it. I glance over my shoulder into a pair of melancholy silvery eyes. Though I am not sure I want to hear the answer I know I won't be able to sleep well at night if I don't ask the question. "Who is this Nightmare you keep talking about? What does he want with Sherlock?"
From all the Elite present there is a sharp inhalation of breath and they all stare at me with wide eyes. "An Engifted you should pray you never have the misfortune of meeting Mr Watson..." Celeste pauses with a thoughtful expression in her eyes, as though she is carefully considering how to answer my second question. "Try not to worry too much about Sherlock, we will concentrate all our efforts into finding him." She says, almost deliberately skirting round the actual question I asked. After this it is as though she simply runs out of words. One by one the Elite's stand until all of them are standing in a circle holding hands. Each of them bow their heads in turn to me and I see the same sympathy in every single pair of eyes. I know then for certain that there is something they are not telling me, some secret they are refusing to tell me. This, of course, just makes me determined to find out what it is. A bright light envelopes the Elite's and just as suddenly as they appeared in the flat, they vanish. Leaving me alone and confused, an emotion that only grows when I look at the window to find the sun shining brightly.
Which is odd, because it was defiantly night-time when I came downstairs. Frowning I find my phone and push a button to illuminate the screen. I am greeted by sixteen missed calls, three dozen texts and a clock stating that it is two in the afternoon. I stare at it blankly for a moment before the true enormity begins to sink in. Shit! Somehow, without me noticing, I have lost half a day. Mycroft and Greg must be going out of their minds with worry. I am going to have so much explaining to do! With a groan I sink down into the nearest seat. Like most people I have been vaguely aware of the Engifted on the news and have occasionally glimpsed their wings while walking down the street. This is the first time though I have actually been personal involved and so far it has proven to be a bit of a disaster. I have already missing my ordinary, quiet little life with Sherlock (Well. Okay, it wasn't exactly all that quiet...but at least I knew what the hell was going on most of the time). Here goes, time to face the music. Taking a deep breath I hit dial and wait for the call to connect.