It Started With Stealing | Sherlock Holmes

81 - Watson & Parrish, Adler & Holmes

Briefly, the detective wondered why guns weren't ever made in blue, red or yellow.

But there was no time for wondering, only acting and acting swiftly enough to prevent injury (and potential death). He pointed the gun at the other five individuals, backing away beside the car, but he had little time to think before they started shooting. Why get close when you have a weapon that can reach your target faster? Sherlock ducked behind the back of the large car.

While the terrorists were focused on the one side of the car, where they could see the hand of the original executioner peeking out from behind the car, Sherlock merged with the shadows.

At this point Irene was still waiting for her signal to go. She watched the men begin to crowd the vehicle and her brow contorted out of worry. Would he really sacrifice himself for her? The Woman felt distress in her heart for her saviour's wellbeing - she wanted to assisst, to ensure he would be okay. Irene stood, her limbs shaking, uncertain of the actions to take but having placed one foot in front of her, the actions were decided for her.

The hand that slipped into hers made her gasp, but she was shushed. A familiar whisper that came next stunned her:

"Run!"

And they were off, Holmes and Adler together, escaping through the darkened warehouse of death (or not death on this case).

"Clever."

Breathlessly, he asked, "What?"

"How you got to me."

Sherlock gave a laugh, "Like a shadow in the night."

"I'm surprised they left me unattended."

"Well, you're just a woman."

"A woman? Surely by now, Mr Holmes, you should know I'm The Woman."

Sherlock's smirked, Irene grinned - she was saved, she would live to see the light of another day.

But as they got outside, her eyes grew when she saw a larger group of men waiting. Ripping her hand away from the detective's, she froze on the spot, taking in each person's features - who would be her next executioner? But Sherlock noted this reaction and looked back at her, calm as ever.

He removed the black hood, revealing his face and dishevelled curls in full. He held out his hand for her to take again.

"They won't go in until they know we are on our way, far away from here. We need to go now."

"They're - "

"Help. Yes." He nodded, impatient, but offered his hand to her, "Now let's go."

Hearing urgent shouts from within the warehouse behind her, Irene was swiftly prompted to take his hand again.

"Keep yourself and the lady safe, Mr Holmes." The commanding officer commented as they hurried past him to a vehicle.

"And keep yourself and your squad safe too, Sergeant. There's five of them." Sherlock took a quick look at the twelve men before smiling at the squad's leader, "You should have more than enough men to get through it."

The sergeant smiled back before patting Sherlock on shoulder, motioning for him to go as he barked at his squad. The detective directed The Woman to the passenger seat of the vehicle before hopping in the driver's seat, affixing his belt across him as he started the army car.

Irene had been awfully silent, not because she didn't want to talk or didn't have anything to say but she was still in a state of shock. Having accepted a death that never came was jarring, especially when one had resolved that there would be no rescue. How wrong she was and how lucky to have met Mr Sherlock Holmes.