Another day, another chapter…..Enjoy!
Once they had arrived John paid the driver and followed Sherlock to the alley where Caitlin was last seen. Meeting the two, Greg lifted the crime scene tape for them as he ducked under. John followed suit but the two men quickly took notice (and said nothing) of the small pause Sherlock made before ducking under as well. Striding over to where the side door was, Sherlock went to work. Walking over to the door which was still wide open, Sherlock squatted to observe what looked to be markings on the floor. Taking out a small magnifying glass he muttered to himself, "Scuff marks. She fought him." Placing his fingertips to the ground, he felt something gritty. Taking out a small bag and tweezers, he placed some of the substance inside and tucked it back in his pocket before continuing. Standing, he stepped out while examining the door frame. Running his fingers along the edge he stopped suddenly when he felt them. Scratch marks. She had tried to hold on but failed, and had left deep fingernail scratches in the wood frame. Pausing for a moment, Sherlock had to close his eyes and count to five to get a grip on himself. Walking away from the door he circled the space right outside when a glint off of something caught his eye. Crouching down, he picked up the object before stumbling over to the opening of the alley. Leaning against the wall, Sherlock sucked in deep breaths before turning with a roar. Everyone stood stock still as they watched the usually composed and stoic detective punch the stone wall with such ferocity it scared them. Running to him, John started shouting his name grabbing at Sherlock's arms to try and stop him. When Sherlock finally woke from the rage he'd been in, he was being restrained by Lestrade while John stood in front of him calling his name and shining a light in his eyes. Finally Sherlock snapped,
"Stop checking my pupils John, I'm fine!"
Shaking off Lestrade, Sherlock sat heavily on the concrete as Lestrade cleared everyone out and John crouched in front of him. Pulling out bandages and medicine, John took one of Sherlock's bloodied hands and began to clean him up. It was silent for a moment until John murmured quietly,
"You can't treat this like a regular case Sherlock."
"I have to."
Wrapping the man's knuckles John replied,
"No you don't."
Sherlock's head snapped up and he startled John, yelling,
"I have to! I have to treat it like a normal case because if I don't I have to come to grips with the fact that I might not see the woman I love again!"
Deciding to stay silent, John took his friends other hand to bandage it when he realized it was clutching something. Gently prying Sherlock's fingers open, John felt a small chain fall into his hand. Looking at it, he sucked in a sharp breath. He remembered it.
Caitlin, John and Sherlock had been walking through a small street market a few weeks ago. Sherlock had been droning on and on about how he could be on a case but Caitlin had told him to shut up and try to enjoy himself. While John had stopped at a small food stand to pick up some items for the flat, Caitlin had dragged Sherlock to a jewelry cart. While Sherlock was standing by looking bored, Caitlin had picked up a small necklace and was trying it on. John had made his purchases and started to walk toward them. Watching with a grin, John had seen the whole scene play out. Caitlin was asking Sherlock's opinion (even though she knew better) and Sherlock had obviously made some stupid comment. Caitlin's face had scrunched up in anger and when she moved to take the necklace off, Sherlock's hands stilled hers. John had been close enough to hear Sherlock say,
"I'm sorry, you look beautiful."
Handing the clerk some money, Sherlock rolled his eyes when he heard Caitlin squeak in happiness, but his smile gave him away. Just as John arrived, Caitlin had stood on tiptoe and said "I love you," before giving Sherlock a kiss.
Gently tucking the necklace into his friend's pocket, John murmured softly
"It will be alright Sherlock."
As he continued to finish wrapping Sherlock's hand John didn't say a word about the few tears that had leaked down his friends face.
Caitlin could hardly register anything anymore. She didn't even have the energy to flinch when the mystery man came to her with his knife as well as other torture devices. If she tried to scream it only came out as a tiny raspy squeak. Her lips were dry and cracked. Her stomach was tied in knots, causing her severe pain. For someone who claimed to love her, her captor certainly had a twisted way of showing it, leaving her soaked in her own blood and filth without food or water. Gritting her teeth, Caitlin groaned as another hunger pang wracked her body. The pain was so strong that she curled into herself, which turned out to be a mistake. Caitlin actually did manage a small scream that time when the sheet that she was on ripped away from her skin, reopening the wound that it had been stuck to.
Biting down on her lip, her vision swam for a moment. She had been untied long ago, once it was clear that she wouldn't be able to run, let alone stand on her own. Caitlin didn't know how long she'd been missing but it seemed as though it had been weeks not days. Sherlock's face swam before her eyes as they shut, tears slowly leaking out and mixing with the blood already streaked down her face. She would never see him again.