A Sky Full of Stars - 13th Doctor x Reader

Witches

All around you stood old wooden houses, women, men and young children could be seen inside, going about their day to day lives. The streets were full of chatter and the hustle and bustle of people. 

Wooden huts surrounded the edge of the town, their owners selling all kinds of things. Toys made from driftwood, different fruits and vegetables and fishing supplies were on display. The strong smell of fish wafted to your nose, you looked at all the fresh fish for sale and watched as  the fishermen brought their fresh hauls from their boats to sell.

"Look at them...living their lives, having no idea what's heading their way. I wish that we could help them or even give them some sort of warning..." you said sadly.

"I wish we could, I really do (y/n),  But somethings cannot be stopped or changed or helped. Unfortunately, we can not help or warn these people...however much I want to" the doctor replied sadly, looking at you with pain in her eyes.

"Travelling with you can be amazing doc, but sometimes I wish that we could do more" Graham said sadly.

The doctor suddenly stopped and turned to look at you all with a serious look on her face.

"You all understand why we can't help, why we can't save these people? It is a fixed point in time, it's part of history. This disease that's coming, their deaths...there's nothing I or any of us can do. Sometimes the universe is cruel and unkind. It puts me in positions where I feel helpless and powerless. I cannot save anyone here. If I did, it could create ripples, and then waves. Someone who was not meant to live could change history, even the world, your world. I can not take that risk. Sometimes, even I can't win!" the doctor explained, her voice becoming raised, and a  frustrated look etched across her face.

"Do you understand?" she said more calmly.

You took her hand gently and tucked a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear.

"Yeah",  you said with a sad smile and nod of the head, "and it sucks, but unfortunately it comes with time travel. We're all here with you though. I know we can't save these people, but we can do all that we can to find out what's going on and why there's witches here...stopping them may just end up helping others, it's what you do" you said with a reassuring smile.

"It's what we do" the doctor replied, her face softening as she smiled at all of you.

"Exactly" Yaz grinned back.

"My Fam" the doctor smiled.

"We do make a good team" Ryan added, "Right... hadn't we better start investigating, or do you expect a group hug or something..." he laughed.

The doctors face lit up and a grin appeared on her face.

You laughed and put your arm around her waist, leading her forwards.

"He was joking" you whispered.

"What's wrong with a group hug?" the doctor replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing" you laughed, "I'd just rather hug you instead" you grinned, pulling her closer to you. She let out a little squeal and squeezed you gently, causing you both to laugh.

"What exactly are we looking for?" Yaz asked, smiling at the pair of you.

"Old looking hags, covered in warts with long pointy noses, wrinkled skin, spindly fingers, pointy hats and a magic wand?" Graham laughed.

"Close, just not the hat and wand part" the doctor nodded.

"Crickey! I was only joking" Graham said, pulling a funny face.

"I don't expect they'll just be wandering the streets though; I reckon they'll be laying low for a few days, waiting for things to kick off and start to spread" the doctor explained.

"The plague started with rats, right? And their fleas?" Yaz said.

"Yep" the doctor nodded. "I suppose we could ask people if they've seen anything odd" she added.

"Sure...excuse me sir, but have you seen anything mad and hairy running around the place recently?" Ryan laughed.

"It's not a joke Ryan!" the doctor said, glaring at him, the rest of you trying to hide your laughter.

In front of you, an old man suddenly appeared from an alleyway, wandering into the middle of the street, looking dazed and confused. He looked like he could do with a good wash. His clothes were ragged and slightly ripped. His hair was wild, and an uncontrollable beard was growing on his face.

"THE END IS COMING!" he shouted, trying to grab and shout at anyone nearby.

"Speaking of mad and hairy..." you began, causing Yaz to snort with laughter.

"Now's not the time!" the doctor said, shooting you a look as she ran towards the man.

The doctor grabbed him by the shoulders and looking him in the eyes.

"What have you seen?" she asked gently.

"I've seen a....a..." he began, his eyes looking like they were going to pop out of his head.

"It's okay... you can tell us, we can help you" the doctor said calmy.

"A WITCH!" he screamed before collapsing into the doctor arms, she quickly laid him down on the ground and tried to find a pulse.

"He's dead" she said sadly, looking up at you as she gently closed his eyes.

"What just happened?" you asked in shock.

People were beginning to gather round and stare.

A couple of people rushed forward wearing medical uniforms.

"Everyone stand back" one of them said.

The doctor stood up and walked a few paces away. She watched as they tried to find a pulse, and then lifted the man's body onto an old-fashioned wooden stretcher, covering him with a blanket and carrying him away.

"Doc, what's going on?" Graham asked.

"I expect some witchcraft was involved" the doctor said.

"I can't stop these people from dying from the plague" the doctor said crossly, "But I can stop them dying from the hands of witches!".