"This is poetic. Even you can see the connection with Eleanor. You just don't want to accept it, Sherlock Holmes." François sniggered.

Holmes turned to François. "That is all, is it? It was only about the bones of Moriarty. What good will they do to you?"

François was still surrounded by few white flickers and floated in the air. "Yes, it was only about the bones. But I'm sure Watson can follow with his medical knowledge, within the bones lives on the genetic code including the intellect. About the same sort of philosophy as the tribes that eat the enemy's hearts."

"You're joking! You're mad!" Exclaimed Charles.

Quickly François made a gesture with a hand towards Charles. Within a blink Charles grunted in pain as white electrical flashes appeared and tied around Charles' upper torso and arms together like a rope. Watson got tied up too.

"Charles! Watson!" I cried and wanted to aid but Holmes took hold of my hand, holding me back.

François cackles meanly. "No worries, Eleanor. As long you obey they won't be harmed."

"You're a monster!" Slipped out of my mouth and a tear of fear trickled down my cheek.

"Oh?" Chuckled François and floated closer to me. Stroking with few of his fingers along my yaw line. "And what are you then, the hero?" He whispered and tilted his head to the side.

I turned my head away from him.

"I thought as much." He smiled devilishly.

"François, remember why you are here. You've come this far for me." Reminded Holmes.

François floated over to Holmes. "Indeed, how can I forget?"

Holmes is distracting François from me, should I take the chance? Chance of escaping or to shoot François with the pistol I still have at hand? What chances do I have? If I escape the others more likely will be killed and I'll remain in this world until I die. If I shoot I could wound François fatally and then there is no way back, no portal. If only, I can aim his arm and so that it braces. The time is now or never. Suddenly Holmes' words repeated in my mind what he said as we arrived here. "Use it only when it is necessary. You will know when the time comes." I took a deep breath and watched how François floated, it was quite a calm floatation and he remained sort of on the spot. When will be the next opportunity to have such an easy aim, before anyone of us gets killed? The pistol in my hand was loaded and ready. Quick-witted I removed the safety, aimed the pistol at François and pulled the trigger as I held my breath. Hoping not to kill him and doing the right thing.

François gave an anguish short cry as the bullet braces his arm. Holmes rapidly pressed with one finger to a certain spot on the neck and François immediately collapsed to the ground. A certain acupuncture technique. The white electrical lights vanished into thin air and Charles and Watson were free.

I shot as I've hoped and yet I felt as if going into shock. Quickly I turned on the safety of the pistol and began to feel how my knees turn into jelly. "Eleanor!" Charles called and paced up to me with a concerned expression. Everything was growing heavy, so heavy that I dropped the pistol. "Eleanor!" Called Charles.

"Charles." I whispered with a trembling voice as I fought against the shock. Charles gave a relieved smile and embraced me gently. "Charles." I whispered to be sure I wasn't hallucinating, that we are safe.

"Oh, you really shouldn't have done that, ma chére." Suddenly spoke François. Before I recollect that he was laying unconscience on the ground, Charles was pushed away rapidly. I gasped to it suddenness and that François floated so close to me. "You never cease to amaze me." Suddenly I felt his lips upon mine. Quick-witted I tried to push him away from me with all my strength but he was too strong; soon I spotted the shot wound and pressed forcefully with my thumb on it. He lets go of me with a cry of agony; I made space from him far as possible and whipped away his mark upon my lips with the back of my hand. I wanted to shout bewildered at him but I was speechless.

François cackles with a hand over the wound, as Charles gave a furious grunt with clenched teeth. "Those beautiful lips still haven't lost their taste." François smirked at me.

Suddenly Holmes threw his arms around François to restrict his moves and had a pistol pointed below his jaw bone. "A single move and it'll be your last." François said nothing but it was noticeable that he was cursing with clenched teeth. I noticed now that he wasn't floating anymore. "Open a portal back to London, you'll have some explaining to do."

François scoffed briefly. "The great detective can't see the whole story?"