We've been at the hospital for two days. Pa is very sad. He sits in a chair all day and stares at the wall. He doesn't eat or sleep. The Somebody is very worried. He plays with me and my new toys and sits next to Pa and stares at the wall with him. No one will tell me what happened, but I can hear them talking. The grandparents don't want me, only Pa. Only Pa loves me. The doctors are all liars. They don't tell me anything.
Pa can't walk anymore. His leg won't stop bleedingand white stuff keeps coming out of it. Things were supposed to be better in the outside, but I miss Room. At night I go to my Mind Palace and talk to Redbeard and Eggsnake. I hope Eggsnake is okay, because we left him behind in Room. He must be very lonely.
Uncle Mycroft talks to Pa, but Pa doesn't answer. On the third evening before bed, I walk over to Pa and accidently hit my head on one of the arms of the chair. Pa jumps and rubs my sore head.
"I'm worried about you, Jack. That's the fifth time you've walked into something."
I shrug and climb onto his lap. He holds me close and we stay like that until I'm almost asleep. I have to clean my teeth by myself like a big boy, because Pa can't get up. I brush my long hair. I wonder if there are other real children in the world.
When I go to bed, the doctor person tells Pa to get some sleep, but Pa won't listen. In the end he agrees to lie down. I quickly go to sleep with him next to me.
I wake up next morning because I hear voices. I keep still and listen as Pa talks to the doctor person and uncle Mycroft.
"I assure you, we are doing everything possible to help your brother and nephew, but Jack is struggling with coordination. He's not used to such big, open spaces and therefore he can't calculate distances."
"There's nothing wrong with Jack," says Pa.
Is there something wrong with me? Perhaps I'm not normal. Maybe that's why no one loves me.
"Your brother's leg is my biggest concern. I'm sorry to say this, Sherlock, but we may have to amputate."
My heart goes THUD! Because I know that word. I've heard it before and I know what it means. They're going to take Pa's leg away! I jump out of bed and run to the evil doctor and hit him and kick him hard. "No, I won't let you! I won't let you hurt Pa! No! NO!"
The doctor person grabs my arm and pulls hard. I scream.
There's a loud CRASH! As the table on wheels hits the wall and a crunch! When Pa punches the doctor on the nose. Pa grabs me and runs backwards until we hit a wall. I curl into Pa's chest and he wraps himself around me to keep me safe. We drop to the floor. Pa is shaking. I can hear the doctor groaning. Pa is better at hurting people then I am. But I'm only small.
"Get out," says uncle Mycroft. "You're fired."
"But, sir..."
"GET OUT!"
The door goes SLAM! And I hear running.
"Is everyone alright? What happened?"
"Get doctor Watson, quickly."
"Mr. Holmes, I need you to breathe..."
"STAY AWAY FROM US!" yells Pa. "Touch my son again and I'll kill every one of you!"
"What the hell is going on in here?"
The Somebody! John is back to rescue us again. He walks over. I can't see him, but I can hear him.
"Can I come any closer?" he asks.
Pa nods and he sits down next to us. "What do you need?"
"Get everyone out," says Pa. "Everyone."
John says nothing, but I see him wear his soldier face. Everyone leaves quickly, even uncle Mycroft.
"Do you want me to go?"
Pa shakes his head. We sit on the floor for a while. Uncle Mycroft comes back in.
"Doctor Watson, as of now you are my brother's and nephew's doctor."
John stares. "Sorry, what? But I don't work here. Or anywhere for that matter. And my sister's place is too far away, there's no way I can make the journey every day."
"I understand that you are looking for somewhere to live in London. Sherlock also needs somewhere to live. Since you've all become quite close, maybe you should consider a flat share.
John goes very red like an apple, which makes me giggle. "Well, I barely know your brother. All I've done over the past couple of days is get in everyone's way..."
"No," says Pa. "No, that's wrong. You have made life significantly easier when Jack and I had no one to turn to. You have given your time, your understanding and your patience when I have been the least cooperative. I would trust Jack with no one else. No one."
Sherlock and John stare at each other for an inappropriate amount of time and don't realize that Mycroft is still talking to them. Jack watches them both until he crawls off his Pa's lap and sits between them, holding a hand each. Mycroft clears his throat.
"Sherlock, I was saying that there is someone here to see you."
Sherlock is immediately suspicious. "I don't want to talk to the police or the lawyer, I'm not in the mood and I don't want to think about that right now."
Mycroft sighs patiently. "No, Sherlock, this is somewhat a surprise. She heard about you on the news and contacted us immediately." He walks to the door and opens it. "Surely you remember Mrs. Hudson."
An elderly women totters in and Sherlock gapes. He tries to stand and John immediately helps him up. Jack hides behind his legs. Sherlock continues to stare. "Mrs. Hudson?"
She gasps and approaches him, straightening his clothes and inspecting his fading bruises. "Oh my poor boy, what did they do to you?" She pats his cheek. "When you went missing, I moved back to britain, because I wanted to thank you in person and I didn't find out until I met your parents. But now you've been found safe and sound and I can hopefully return the favour. I hear you have a little boy with you?"
Sherlock gapes like a fish. "Mrs. Hudson?' he repeats, a little lost.
"Of course it's me, dear," she gives John a smile. "He got my husband executed, he did. Isn't he wonderful?"
There's an awkward pause. John blinks. Mrs. Hudson beams. "And you must be Jack!" she exclaims, peering behind Sherlock.
Sherlock winces and sits on the edge of the bed. "Jack, do you remember the story I told you about how I wanted to be a detective? This is the lady I was telling you about. This is Mrs. Hudson. Why don't you say hello?"
Jack hides behind John and shakes his head.
"Hello, Jack," she smiles, "I'm afraid I can't bend down, I have a bad hip. I've brought you a present, would like to see?"
"Mrs. Hudson, it's very kind of you, but you really shouldn't have gone out of your way..."
"Nonsense, dear, after everything that's happened you deserve a treat, especially little Jack." she rummages through her bag and pulls out a bright red package. "Here you are, Jack. And this," she pulls out a smaller one. "This is for you, Sherlock."
Father and son stare at their respective parcels. Jack runs to Sherlock and tries to climb onto his lap. Sherlock scoops him up. "Come on, Jack, why don't we see what Mrs. Hudson got you?"
Jack stares at it uncomprehendingly and whispers in his Pa's ear. Sherlock chuckles. "That's because it's wrapped up. You have to take the red paper off. We'll do it together."
They rip the cello tape off and pull apart the paper. Jack forgets about hiding and peers inside. He holds up a round fluffy toy.
"It's a panda." she explains. "I know it's round like the moon, but it seemed age appropriate. It also works as a hot water bottle."
Jack looks at his Pa for an explanation.
"A panda is like a bear, but black and white; the moon is round and comes out in the sky at night and a hot water bottle keeps people warm in bed," says Sherlock, without a pause. "I'll explain later. Are you going to help me open mine?"
Jack nods and together they peel open the paper. John watches them fondly. Mycroft watches John.
Sherlock lets out a breath as he pulls out a blue scarf. Jack strokes it. "Thank you," he whispers emotional. "Are you going to thank Mrs. Hudson for your present, Jack?"
The small boy stares at his panda. "Thank you." he whispers, before burying his face in his Pa's chest. Sherlock kisses the top of his head and wraps the scarf around his own neck. " I love it, Mrs. Hudson," he smiles. "Now I just need a good coat to go with it."
"It matches your eyes," grins John and fidgets when everyone stares at him. "I mean, uh, it looks good on you. Suits you. Eyes and cheekbones and all that." he swallows. "I'll shut up now."
Sherlock blinks, confused. Mycroft wears his best Death Threat Glare. Jack hugs his panda.
John squares his shoulders. "Right. Now that I've been appointed your doctor, I'm going to make a change to a few things, starting with your antibiotics. You, Sherlock Holmes, are not going to lose your leg. Not on my watch."