Out of Darkness, Out of Doubt (Sherlock)

[morganstuart]

Title: Out of Darkness, Out of Doubt
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 observes more during cases these days than he used to do. Not much cop, this caring lark.
Author's Note: This is the second result from my two-part experiment with the 221b format (221 words, last word beginning with a "b").
Warnings (Highlight to Read): Non-explicit but disturbing description of murders and their crime



Even to Sherlock's dispassionate gaze, the crime scene had been... unexpected.

An ungodly nightmare, a grey-faced Lestrade had called it. John had closed his eyes and swallowed hard before kneeling on gore-slicked tiles beside the dismembered victims.

It was no surprise, then, that Lestrade ended up at 221B, that the three men pondered evidence and devoured related files until late night bled into early morning.

When John finally piled a duvet and pillow on the sofa, telling Lestrade to salvage whatever rest he could, the detective inspector offered no protest.

John yawned his good-nights and stumbled up the steps to his bed.

Wide awake, thrumming with thought, Sherlock turned to his improvised laboratory at the kitchen table.

A short while later, shouts sounded from upstairs.

Orders.

A litany of names. The soldiers who bore them would never heed that desperate summons.

After a final ragged, inarticulate cry came silence.

Asleep on the sofa, Lestrade folded his arms to his chest, tucked tight fists beneath his chin, and frowned.

Softly, he moaned a plaintive call for the one he had loved and wed, buried and mourned. Then, unanswered, he growled out a troubled sigh.

Sherlock remained motionless. Listening. Watching. Bearing witness.

After a time, when all again was still, he nodded to himself and returned to his flasks and beakers.


THE END

Vital Stats: Originally written in August 2011.

The title borrows from the song "Witness" by Sarah McLachlan.

Comments

[archea2.livejournal.com]

Yes. I can easily picture that Sherlock - a witness, not a comforter, but curious or caring enough to step out of his own bubble of interest and listen to the still, sad music of humanity.

(... at least, prior to TGG. The post-pool Sherlock, I think, would do more than nod.)

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

to step out of his own bubble of interest and listen to the still, sad music of humanity

Oh, that's such a beautifully poignant way to put it! I love that. Yes, I definitely think this is caring, even the curiosity aspect of it, in this case: people's nightmares are dull and boring, I'd expect, and worthy only of being ignored. But the very real pain of these particular two men makes him pause and set his work aside, and he's unable to return to it until he's certain peace has been regained. For Sherlock, that's truly significant, I imagine.

Great point about the timing, too. Yes, this is definitely pre-TGG Sherlock. I'm quite anxious (then again, who isn't?) to discover exactly who and what the post-TGG Sherlock is. That experience will not doubt leave him changed, and since John's with him, I assume that means he'll be somewhat farther along on his journey toward being a good man as well as a great one.

As always, I'm so grateful to you for reading and commenting, my friend. Thank you!

[archea2.livejournal.com]

(To give credit where it's due, "still sad music of humanity" belongs to Wordsworth.^^)

Post-TGG canon... yes, I'm curious too. Though glad to think the delay is now leaving you time to give us a few more of your Sofie installments!

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Aw, but you're the one who thought to employ it here! ;P And I love the visual of Sherlock stepping out of his own bubble of interest to listen...

You're so sweet! Gah, I just know the new series is going to make so, so much of what I've written AU. I do wonder how much farther to go with it now, when it will have such a short shelf life. I thought Sofie was done, but she keeps wanting to reappear... I don't know whether to let her be, create a new instalment, or write the end story that brings that whole 'verse to its logical conclusion. (I do know how things turn out in the end...) Just a quivering mass of indecision, I am!!! (Sorry for TMI!) But it is nice, if we are going to have to wait, to know at least that this means more time for all of us to play with the canon we already know.

[archea2.livejournal.com]

Gah indeed. My friend, push the new series right out of your mind for the moment and give Sofie what she claims. One of my favorite metaphors for the work of art is the round, closed urn of the 1920es. If you feel your verse can be rounded and enriched and painted some more before it closes on itself, do it!

Look at season 1, giving John an official girlfriend - did it deter the S/J shippers? Not a whit. Let Sherlock catch Moriarty, or Moriarty catch Sofie and meet with your fervent threesome's righteous anger, or Sofie blossom into what you want her to blossom into, and we'll cross the canonical bridge when we come to it.

(I too am rather glad we'll have to wait till January as I still have a few L/§ on my mind and am convinced we'll hardly see them interact in season 2...)

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Trust you to have such wise words for me! *hugs* Thank you, my friend. What you say really resonates with me. You're right, of course. I appreciate the encouragement and advice.

And I'm glad to hear that's the path you're following, as well. I do hope they will interact more in the next series... but if it doesn't happen, at least I'll know there will be excellent stories to read! As always, I look forward to whatever you write.

Thanks again!

[uwsannajane.livejournal.com]

Please count me in on the "More Sofie!" bandwagon.

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you! :D I really appreciate it. It's wonderful to know that there's really interest in this, outside of my own head. LOL. Thanks!

[mazaher.livejournal.com]

I apologise for intruding ay this point (instead of leaving a proper comment at the end of the queue) but I'm enjoying the comments and answers to these two 221B stories almost as much as the stories themselves =)
What I wish to say --at this particular point-- touches on the topic of what you term "a short shelf life". Not so! The twists and turns of a growing canon will never void of its value any good writing that happened at an earlier stage.
I believe stories (canon and fanon alike) have always developed along the same lines as the species of the living beings: as branches in a bough, pushing out in different directions, splitting into smaller branches, and making good use of all available resources.
In other words, stories (the good ones) are *alive*.
Yours definitely are.
Much thanks!

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

LOL! I forget that I'm not the only one who reads the comments to my stories. Thanks for jumping in!

Once again, wise words. I'm grateful for this, truly. Your "branches in a bough" analogy is both beautiful and helpful.

I appreciate your kind words so much. This is very heartening to hear. Thank you for taking the time to comment and encourage me this way!

[mazaher.livejournal.com]

I'm also selfish enough to shamelessly exhibit my personal convictions in public, in order to get some more of your Sophie =)
Thank you again

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Awwww! This puts a huge smile on my face! I appreciate it so much. I'm delighted you like her and her stories. Thanks for letting me know you'd be interested in more.