Title: Tempus Fugit
Author: Pompey
Universe: Basil of Baker Street/Great Mouse Detective
Rating: G
Warnings: none
Word count: 350
Summary: Dawson is injured during a case, but finds some humor in it.
Prompt: July 29 – clock
A pawnbroker's shop is not usually frequented by rodents. Moths, perhaps, seeking out silks and woolens, but not rodents. Food and nesting supplies are far too scarce. Even so, Basil and I crept through the pawnbroker's shop in search of a mouse who was said to live here, and who may have witnessed the murder we were investigating.
The shop's owner was thoroughly engrossed in reorganizing a small display box of men's jewelry. This was lucky for us, as he was directly blocking our way to the back of the store, where Basil thought we might have better luck finding our mouse. Cautiously he led the way as we approached the man's shoes.
Suddenly the owner gave a terrific shout and a large shadow fell over us.
"Run!" Basil shouted and we did, dodging tie pins, cufflinks, pocket watches, and most dangerous of all, the glass and wood display box. Something blunt and heavy struck the top of my head. The force of the blow and resulting pain sent me staggering while bright lights flashed across my vision. Faintly I felt my front paws seized and yanked forward. I made no protest as I was pulled along. I was in no condition to do so and I wanted to get as far away from the falling hazards as possible.
Basil pulled me into the back room and hid us behind the first piece of furniture he saw. Heavy footsteps thumped after us, around the room, and then back into the storefront. Only then did Basil release my paws.
"Are you hurt, Dawson?" he demanded, gently tilting my head and searching intently for the injury.
I pushed his paws down. "Just a bruise and a headache. I'll be fine. What hit me anyway?"
Basil frowned at the change of topic but answered. "As best I can tell, one of the pocket watches. A large one," he added sternly.
I gingerly rubbed at the aching spot on my head but a sudden thought made me chuckle. Basil looked alarmed so I quickly shared what had amused me. "Tempus fugit. Time flies, indeed."