Imagined (Sherlock)

[morganstuart]

Title: Imagined
Author: Morgan Stuart
Fandom: Sherlock
Disclaimer: This universe does not belong to me; I'm just an appreciative visitor. I make no profit from this fan work.
Description: Sherlock looks into the mind of Moriarty.
Historian's Note: This can be read as a companion piece to "Enclosed" or as a standalone sketch. This takes place after (and indirectly refers to) the Sherlock episode "The Great Game."





It was a pitifully small bundle to hold such weight.

Three narrow strips of fabric lay entwined and knotted together: fine silk the colour of aged parchment; worn but clean white Oxford cloth; soft cotton in a cosy, earth-toned plaid. Each piece was stained a telltale crimson-brown at one corner.

Seated at the makeshift laboratory assembled on the kitchen table, Sherlock Holmes lowered himself into the mindset of his nemesis like a diver descending into dark waters. He needed to know what the monster planned for the three men whose blood decorated the cloth before him.

Sherlock could almost hear Moriarty's smooth voice, faint as a whisper in his ear.

"You watch over him, fund his so-called lifestyle, and he repays you by resenting your attention and generosity. But I ask myself: why destroy one Holmes when I can destroy two? You can be my personal project. I'd like to take you apart and see what makes you tick before I throw away the pieces. I'm sure you're aware that you're far too dangerous to be allowed to live. Even if he asked me to spare you, which we both know he won't."

"You're a joke to him, and you always have been, even when you were saving his life and getting him clean. You bend the rules to allow him to do the work he loves – he needs – and you're insulted for it. But I have use for you even if he doesn't. My associates would dearly love to have a play date with a copper. Think of yourself as a night's free entertainment: 'use once and destroy.' Great for group morale, don't you think?"

"I wonder: what would it do to your master, if I put his little pet down for good? Even if – no, especially if – he begs for your life? Would he come apart at those stylish seams? I think it would be great fun to find out. Then again, now that you've shown him the joy of adopting a homeless puppy, he might just discover how simple it would be to replace you. The streets are full of strays, after all. Whatever happens, it seems that you lose."

Shocking, how easily it came to him.

Sherlock's fingers roamed over the three scraps of fabric, brushing against each separate piece where gore thickened its fibres, and then curled the bundle into a tight fist.


THE END

Vital Stats: Originally completed in May 2011.

Comments

[brighteyed-jill.livejournal.com]

How can you destroy me so utterly with so few words?! HOW?! Oh, it hurts how easily those thoughts come to Sherlock's mind, but I know he's spot-on as to Moriarty's threats. You, my dear, have a knack for cutting to the quick with very precise prose.

[senket.livejournal.com]

Sherlock does have quite a view of Moriarty. Phew.

It's amazing how there are five clear, quite separate stories and emotions (granted, three of them different forms of angsty despair) in so few words.

And Sherlock's understated anger. Oh, it's wonderful.

[akito-shi.livejournal.com]

Short and succinct story -- I loved it. I have chills down my spine. "...curling the bundle into a tight fist." such an understated description of fierce anger ... fantastic.

[blooms84.livejournal.com]

*bowing in admiration* fantastic storytelling--I hugely admire what you've done in so few, perfectly chosen words. despite the fact that I need to strangle you for not posting a sequel immediately. incredibly difficult trick of telling the story of those three relationships via Moriarty via Sherlock's mind. The final image of Moriarty thinking he knows exactly how to torture John is especially chilling, but I somehow suspect the soldier won't be manipulated or destroyed by one psycho having survived the Taliban . . . wishful thinking?

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

*shudders*

Well done!

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow! Chilling and masterly.

[darthhellokitty.livejournal.com]

Oh, yikes! Very well written, chilling how well Sherlock gets into Moriarty's mind.

[noirrosaleen.livejournal.com]

"despite the fact that I need to strangle you for not posting a sequel immediately."

Agreed. I may have to use threats...OF KITTENS.

"I somehow suspect the soldier won't be manipulated or destroyed by one psycho having survived the Taliban..."

Also agreed. I don't know if I can seeing him rolling his eyes or just glaring.

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you so much! *goes a bit flaily* This absolutely makes my day, that you found it to be moving and Moriarty's threats seem accurate. I don't know what fascinates me more: the idea that Moriarty does know all of them (and their histories with Sherlock) so well that he can put his finger on everyone's "weak spots" and Sherlock appreciates this, or the idea that this is just Sherlock's own conscience and fears speaking to him, using Moriarty's voice. Either way, I find the scenario chilling. I'm most grateful for your kind words!

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your kind words! This was one of my early "exercises," as it were, and I'm so glad the different scenarios came through despite the brevity of the piece. The idea that Sherlock's imagined Moriarty might hit on a few guilty truths as he plays his mind games intrigued me. I'm so happy it worked for you - especially Sherlock's response at the end! Thanks again.

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! It's incredibly gratifying to know you found this chilling (which was exactly what I was shooting for). I'm so glad the final description of Sherlock's anger worked. I really appreciate your kind feedback!

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Oh, you're so kind, and you've made me so happy! Thanks for your lovely words. This was one of my earliest pieces I'd never found the nerve to post, and it feels great to finally have it "out there" - and even better to know the description via Moriarty via Sherlock worked for you. (I was rather fascinated by the question of whether Moriarty does indeed understand their pasts and their relationships so very well, and Sherlock knows this, or that in fact these ideas represent Sherlock's own conscience and fears let loose with the voice of Moriarty.)

I do agree that, even though he hits all three of his abductees in some weak spots in terms of his mind games, they won't be so easily manipulated. Especially John, who must be suffering some pretty unpleasant deja-vu with the whole scenario!

Thanks again for your kind feedback.

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

No, not KITTENS! *cowers and twitches* I don't even know if I even dare point out this was a "What if?" exercise in characterization, and a sequel is, um, not forthcoming. *runs away*

I don't know if I can seeing him rolling his eyes or just glaring.

Probably a bit of both, I'd imagine. He's been there, done that, and gotten the shirt (or vest, I suppose). I expect it must still sting, especially knowing the guy's just as crazy as he seems, but I agree, he won't be an easy nut to crack.

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much!

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you liked it. Thanks so much for your kind words!

(Your icon is brilliant, BTW.)

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! "Chilling" was what I was aiming for, so this makes me very happy. I'm so glad it worked for you. I do think Sherlock will be troubled not only by what he imagines Moriarty's thinking, but also by how easy it was for him to see these men through Moriarty's eyes. I appreciate your reading and commenting!

[sc010f.livejournal.com]

*shivers*

This is lovely and yes, like everyone else said, chilling and awesome!

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! It's one of my earliest pieces, a sort of "What if?" exercise, and I'm glad to have put it "out there" at last. I really appreciate your kind words. "Chilling" was my goal, so I'm glad it worked for you!

By the way, may I just say I'm still in pieces over "Ashes, Rubble, and the Debris You Left Behind"? I can't remember when a story took me apart as thoroughly as yours did. It's a remarkable accomplishment and a most insightful work.

Eek!

[sabrinaphynn.livejournal.com]

Dives down under covers with her fluffy ninja kitten.
All that and a bag of crisps.
Jenn

Re: Eek!

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Don't worry: Moriarty is helpless against fluffy ninja kittens! :)

I was aiming for something a bit chilling, so I'm glad this worked for you. Thanks so much for reading and commenting!

[disastrolabe.livejournal.com]

Oooh! Loved this. I'm a total sucker for the whole dynamic between the brains of those two--with or without a slash between them!

[noirrosaleen.livejournal.com]

*chases after you with a bagful of kittens* NOOOOO!!!

FINE THEN I WILL DO A MINI RESPONSE OF MY OWN

~~~~~

If it weren't for the seriousness of his situation, John would have laughed. The mad bastard honestly seemed to think his little Goldfinger speech would bother him. After months of having the entire New Scotland Yard team refer to him as all sorts of derogatory things - Sherlock's pet being far from the worst - Moriarty talking about him as though he were a stray puppy made him want to roll his eyes and fake a snore.

Does he really think this even remotely compares to Afghanistan? I'd rather have him monologue at me for a week than spend five minutes in the hands of the Afghani women.

Despite the fact that he ached all over in a disturbingly familiar way, John worried more for the still form of the DI, or the constant pain-filled tears streaming down the silent face of Sherlock's brother. None of them had spoken, apart from screaming during torture - everyone screamed, he knew from long experience - but no words were needed.

Now it was only a matter of time.

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you liked it. I do love the two of them squaring off against each other, so well matched. I appreciate your reading and your kind words.

[archea2.livejournal.com]

I always love it when you twist my heart!

Moriarty's words are perfect in their double-edged venom - striking both Sherlock and each prey. Though I suspect that all three of them may have found the strength to resist the venom, if not the stroke, having trusted Sherlock this far.

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

You are wonderfully, despicably evil.

Oh, how Moriarty would hate being compared to - and being found lacking in comparison with - Afghani women! That was enough to put a smile on my face right there, even though I know John's right. (Although I rather suspect Moriarty would be secretly pleased at the Goldfinger comparison, even if John didn't mean it in that spirit.)

Dear brave, sensible, stoic John, how I love you. But why oh why so still, dear DI? *flails* The idea of Mycroft weeping, not to mention screaming, is almost too painful to bear. And yet I go back to Lestrade and want to give him a shock blanket. Augh, my DI!

Evil, you are - you and your little kittens, too. Eeeevil.

(And by evil, I mean brilliant.)