The Labyrinth of Fragile things

Chapter XII - The revelation

"This case is driving me insane!" I screamed as I shot the teasing smiley face on the wall. If I wasn't so tired I would have hit the left eye. I expected Mrs Hudson to walk through the door in 3, 2, 1...

"Sherlock!" She exclaimed. Right on que. She was in her bathrobe, her hair a mess (though she brushed it quickly before coming in) and she had rheum in her eyes; the gunshot must have woken her. "What are you doing?" She stood by at the doorway, her mouth agape. "It's only early in the morning!"

"I know, I know. It's just... This case is so aggravating!" I paced around the lounge room, placing my violin properly in its case. I played it once I returned from the cemetery, trying to calm my nerves.

"Sherlock, Dear," she came forward while her lips formed a tight frown. "You need sleep. What time did you go to sleep yesterday?"

I sighed. "I haven't slept." I could tell by the way Mrs Hudson's eyebrows raised that she was only going to begin scolding me. "But it was because of the case! I visited St Woolos cemetery and was this close to John!" I explained with the width of my fingers. "I was so close to him.." I mumbled in frustration.

Mrs Hudson smiled sadly. "You'll find him. You're Sherlock Holmes! If anyone knows John, it's you. And if anyone can solve a mystery it's you." My feet led me to the window. It was early. No one was walking on the pavement, no cars speeding on the road. They sky was a light grey, but the sun was peeking out. "But Sherlock..." I clenched my jaw as I was reminded of my landlady's presence. "Don't you think it's odd? John doesn't usually act this way. Wandering around cemeteries late at night..."

"He left something. He wanted to show me something." I said, not tearing my sight from the window. "It's on the board. The posted note."

I saw her reflection through the window as she walked to my board. She didn't know where to look. I suppose I couldn't blame her. It was quite a clutter. "2.11.12.." I heard her murmur. "Maybe it's a date," she suggested absent mindlessly.

My head rose as I came to the realization. "A date!" I bellowed, turning from the window. "Yes, yes, it's a date!" I grinned widely as I shook Mrs Hudson in ecstasy. "How didn't I see it sooner?" I scolded myself.

Mrs Hudson chuckled softly. "You just need sleep, Dear. You'll have a sharper eye."

"I don't need sleep! Not when I'm on the brink of solving the case."

Mrs Hudson eyed me like I was a madman. "Whatever you say," she said as she showed herself to the door. "Just don't go shooting my wall!" And with that she left. And for that much I was thankful.

2.11.12 The second of November 2012. That was three years ago, when I was investigating the Hounds case. Perhaps my 'friend' is someone from there:

Henry Knight

Dr Stapleton

Dr. Frankland

Major Barrymore

Dr. Mortimer

But none of them were my friends. I haven't contacted them since the case. It doesn't necessarily have to be someone that I met, perhaps just someone I spoke to John about.

Enough about the Friend, what about Felina. Admittedly I haven't thought of it much, and when I have, I wasn't in my right mind.

Felina

Fe/li/na

Fe = Iron

Li = Lithium

Na = Sodium

Felina = Chemical compound.

Okay, so felina represents a chemical compound, but how is it connected to the Hounds case? The chemicals used in the mist were never revealed, John would know just as much I when it comes to that. Friend, who is the friend? Who's smart enough to help John with such an elaborate case, who's brave enough to be friends with me, and is somehow connected to the Hounds case?

....

"So, you think the chemicals used in the mist are a hallucination?" John asked after he sipped his drink.

"I'm not entirely sure, but the mist is always around the victim when their hallucinating. Knowing the chemicals used in this mist will be a great deal of help." I looked up from my phone. Lestrade had been distracting me with his messages. Once my eyes met John's, he smiled. "What?"

"The chemicals... Only a moment ago you listed just off the top of your head a list of chemicals that could be used as hallucination.." I raised my eyebrows, hoping he'd expand. "You'd just think you went to uni and studied chemistry with the amount of knowledge you have on the area. That's all." John looked away hastily, clearing embarrassed by his compliment.

I couldn't help but smile. I suppose I could tell a little part of my past to John. "Well, I did go to uni to study chemistry."

John's attention was turned to me again, his eyes wide. "Really? Why did you never tell me before?" He asked, amazed at the idea of me going to uni.

I shrugged lightly. "The moment never arose. Why is it so hard to believe?"

"I just can't see you willingly surrounding yourself with other people in a compacted place," he spoke in a light tone, a smile threatening his lips.

"It was... Bothersome," I said with distaste in my mouth. "I did have one friend, though.. He and I created a new chemical compound. It wasn't a revelation or anything, but at the time, he was bewildered."

John was immediately intrigued. "Who was he?"

"Billy Wiggins was his name."