Watson's Woes July 2016

by Pompey

It's that time of year again when we torture our favorite doctor on a daily basis! Answering the July daily challenges from the LJ Community Watson's Woes. (These stories will be of varying lengths, varying universes/fandoms, varying tones, and varying ratings. Rating this whole thing as "T" for safety.)

1. July 1 - Aftereffects

Title: Aftereffects

Author: Pompey

Universe: ACD, slightly AU

Warnings: slightly AU

Word count: 150

Summary: Not all is well after "The Adventure of the Devil's Foot Root"

Prompt: July 1 – Tis But a Scratch

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After the misadventure in Cornwall, Holmes and Watson returned to London apparently no worse for wear. Indeed, the experience seemed to have renewed Holmes's spirit – which, after all, had been the goal of the trip.

Watson, however, found his dreams increasingly becoming nightmares. An uneasy sensation of being watched – stalked – plagued him during the day. Still, he saw no reason to worry Holmes. Given enough time, surely he would throw off the effects of the devil's foot root by himself.

Then the Ghazi burst into the sitting room, brandishing a Khyber knife. Watson snatched up the closest weapon – the iron poker – and desperately swung at the figure, knocking him to the ground. Watson stood over him, ready to strike again. The Ghazi rolled onto his back and seized the poker as it came down upon him, eyes wide with fear and horror.

"Watson, stop!" he cried in a familiar voice.