Sherlock stood in the flat. A light rain pelted the windowpane. He rubbed his face. John was downstairs, saying goodbye to Mary. Sherlock smirked to himself.

The familiar footsteps echoed up from the stairs. John made his way over to stand next to the detective.

"You okay?" he asked.

Sherlock raised an eyebrow, and picked up his bow.

"Of course."

John smiled to himself, as Sherlock sat back on his armchair, and began to stroke the strings.

"Of course." Sherlock whispered to himself, so that John couldn't hear. For a second he could hear a laugh – a distant, insane, cackling, choking laugh – feel a hand reach around his neck…

"Freak…"

But then it was gone, and it was just him and John, alone in the flat.


.

Once upon a time, a man hurt his son

"Daddy, stop, stop, you're hurting me!"

"You're sorry, you little freak? Huh? Now you're sorry!"

"DADDY!"

.

Once upon a time, the son fought back

"I guess this is how you made me."

"Daddy."

.

"I never had a father."

.

"No father would do that to their child."

.


...

Author's [very last] Note.

I was two seconds away from writing the big THE END.

But I couldn't bring myself to do it. I have never finished any kind of story before. Not even a small one like this. This is the first one. EVER. (I'm not including little one-shot short story things here.)

I shall celebrate with chocolate and cheers. On my own, as per usual ): Oh well.

Yes, this is the end. No more, all done and dusted, finished. Thank you so much to everyone who followed favourited and reviewed. You have all been fantastic. Hope I haven't left any loose ends. There's only one thing to do now… Post this chapter, and click that little button, the one labelled complete. Wow. That button has haunted me for the past two chapters.

I'm sorry this chapter (and epilogue) took a while. It took me a while to get properly inspired. Hope it wasn't a letdown!

Please leave a last review. You won't get another chance. Please do.

But, let's face it, any criticism or suggestions are a little too late.

Because this is

THE END

-JC