Dying Soul
Title: Dying Soul
Author: Alaylith
Rating: G
Characters: Lestrade, Holmes
Summary: Lestrade looks into Mr. Holmes' eyes and sees a dying soul. (July Prompt 9)
WordCount: 438
Prompt: July 9 ~~~ Stress/exhaustion or stress management
Author's Note: I know that this drabble is not really Watson-centric, but I hope that it still counts as this drabble belongs to a larger story which is Watson-centric. As I read the prompt I just had to write about Holmes after Watson's kidnapping; so in the end it's still somehow Watson-centric. :P
This happens after First Snow (yesterday's prompt), but as always can be read on it's own.
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Mr. Holmes is a wreck.
Lestrade shakes his head slightly as he enters the living room of 221b and watches Mr. Holmes’ stiff back.
A week gone by without any hint as to Dr. Watson’s whereabouts, the only evidence of his kidnapping is the lone umbrella one of the Irregulars found in the snow.
Mr. Holmes was a raging storm in the last few days, following every single lead and collecting all kind of information.
Even the elusive elder Holmes used all of his incredible power, not to forget the endless work of whole Scotland Yard, but there was nothing they were able to find.
Lestrade remembers clearly the day when Mr. Holmes stormed into Scotland Yard, pale like a ghost with the black umbrella clutched in one hand as if it was the only thing keeping him alive. In a sense it even was.
Since that day there was no rest for most of them, Lestrade himself only took naps of a few hours per night to get back enough energy to continue the work.
But Mr. Holmes did not rest at all. Mrs. Hudson told him that Mr. Holmes was always moving around in the flat, pouring over all little snippets of information and that he was not willing to eat anything.
Now after almost a week bygone even the most unobservant human could see how exhausted Mr. Holmes is.
His eyes are empty and bloodshot, his cheeks hollow and pale. His hands shake slightly and his clothes hang from his body. The always groomed hair is greasy and in disarray.
For the first time Lestrade really understands what a huge part Dr. Watson plays in the life of their consulting detective. Never before had Lestrade seen that Mr. Holmes was so completely lost in any case, not even the most difficult ones.
This is not a mere case without any leads - it’s about Dr. Watson.
Lestrade opens his mouth to say something - anything - when Mr. Holmes interrupts him, his voice hoarse and almost nothing more than a whisper.
“I will find him.”
Lestrade blinks and Mr. Holmes turns around to look at him. Looking into Mr. Holmes’ eyes Lestrade realizes with a jolt that he looks directly into a dying soul.
“I will not rest until I find him,” Mr. Holmes continues. “I will find him, whatever it takes. And if it is the last thing I will do.”
Lestrade swallows thickly and shudders, knowing that if they are not able to find Dr. Watson they will loose them both forever.
“Yes, Mr. Holmes. We will find him.”
Hopefully they are able to rescue both.
Author: Alaylith
Rating: G
Characters: Lestrade, Holmes
Summary: Lestrade looks into Mr. Holmes' eyes and sees a dying soul. (July Prompt 9)
WordCount: 438
Prompt: July 9 ~~~ Stress/exhaustion or stress management
Author's Note: I know that this drabble is not really Watson-centric, but I hope that it still counts as this drabble belongs to a larger story which is Watson-centric. As I read the prompt I just had to write about Holmes after Watson's kidnapping; so in the end it's still somehow Watson-centric. :P
This happens after First Snow (yesterday's prompt), but as always can be read on it's own.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Holmes is a wreck.
Lestrade shakes his head slightly as he enters the living room of 221b and watches Mr. Holmes’ stiff back.
A week gone by without any hint as to Dr. Watson’s whereabouts, the only evidence of his kidnapping is the lone umbrella one of the Irregulars found in the snow.
Mr. Holmes was a raging storm in the last few days, following every single lead and collecting all kind of information.
Even the elusive elder Holmes used all of his incredible power, not to forget the endless work of whole Scotland Yard, but there was nothing they were able to find.
Lestrade remembers clearly the day when Mr. Holmes stormed into Scotland Yard, pale like a ghost with the black umbrella clutched in one hand as if it was the only thing keeping him alive. In a sense it even was.
Since that day there was no rest for most of them, Lestrade himself only took naps of a few hours per night to get back enough energy to continue the work.
But Mr. Holmes did not rest at all. Mrs. Hudson told him that Mr. Holmes was always moving around in the flat, pouring over all little snippets of information and that he was not willing to eat anything.
Now after almost a week bygone even the most unobservant human could see how exhausted Mr. Holmes is.
His eyes are empty and bloodshot, his cheeks hollow and pale. His hands shake slightly and his clothes hang from his body. The always groomed hair is greasy and in disarray.
For the first time Lestrade really understands what a huge part Dr. Watson plays in the life of their consulting detective. Never before had Lestrade seen that Mr. Holmes was so completely lost in any case, not even the most difficult ones.
This is not a mere case without any leads - it’s about Dr. Watson.
Lestrade opens his mouth to say something - anything - when Mr. Holmes interrupts him, his voice hoarse and almost nothing more than a whisper.
“I will find him.”
Lestrade blinks and Mr. Holmes turns around to look at him. Looking into Mr. Holmes’ eyes Lestrade realizes with a jolt that he looks directly into a dying soul.
“I will not rest until I find him,” Mr. Holmes continues. “I will find him, whatever it takes. And if it is the last thing I will do.”
Lestrade swallows thickly and shudders, knowing that if they are not able to find Dr. Watson they will loose them both forever.
“Yes, Mr. Holmes. We will find him.”
Hopefully they are able to rescue both.