13 Novella 2

Compile

You sit at the piano of the Tardis, deliberating what to do. You decide to compile facts. Firstly, you could see images, strongest and clearest when you happened to get close with someone. You didn't dare think thoughts. They were translucent and didn't block your vision completely, but were gone within a second.

At the hospital you had brushed it off, living in a dream like state made you believe you were going insane. They had diagnosed you with psychosis, and you had accepted it. But now you were out, and safe, and they weren't stopping.

You shiver slightly, leaning back on the hard stool.

So maybe they were stronger when you came in contact? But close proximity also triggers it? Or was it the intensity of the thought? Or both? You had noticed that the time you spent alone with Yaz or The Doctor, you found yourself thinking about the other, was that a reflection of their thoughts?

Actually that was sweet, how pure their love was.

Taking inspiration, you pull a song to the front of
your mind and rest your fingers gently on the keys.

Inspired by them, you play steadily, humming along to the tune, utterly losing yourself in its power. It swells and drops, melody fading and rising back again with sure love. It was blissful, and reminded you of summer rain, and honey and fluff and slippers and chocolate.

You finish but leave your hands resting on the keys, breathing deeply. Truly, you were happy they were able to share such a beautiful and unique connection. But that didn't stop the creeping horror at what you could do. Were you a mind reader? Of sorts? Did it matter? You feel a chill spread across your bones at your next thought. How would they react when you told them? If you told them? You couldn't, you just couldn't bear to see the shock and betrayal in their eyes. It wasn't going to happen.

* * *

The next morning you pad softly to the kitchen to grab some food. You'd slept on it, and reasoned that if anyone could help you, it would be The Doctor.

At that moment you feel an image and see a corridor with the door to the kitchen ahead. So she was coming. Sure enough, she steps around the door and is surprised to see you up so early again. Safe to say you hadn't slept well last night.

"Morning" she says and you nod, a little flummoxed and worried.

"Is everything alright?" She asks mildly and you shrug carelessly, sticking your hand in a packet of cornflakes and nibbling at a handful. She smiles and you grin back, trying to ease your racing heart.

"(Y/n) is something up? Your heart is racing." She asks concernedly and you groan internally. Damn Time Lord hearing.

"Yeah no all good" you stammer and she scrutinises you carefully. You catch another image of the same corridors; so this was Yaz's point of view.

You look up expectantly and she arrives moments later.

You catch another sudden image of The Doctor throwing a cake at you, and whip round right as she actually launches it. You catch it in one fist and crush it, glaring at her.

"The hell was that for!?" You say, flicking your buttercreamed hand around to release the sticky cake. You look up and she is wearing a strange expression, a mix of a frown with a little apprehension.

"Good reactions" she comments lightly and you freeze. There's was no way she knew, she couldn't be testing you, absolutely not... but still...

Yaz hands you a tea towel and you scrape the last of the cream and sponge mess off, flicking a bit at The Doctor who dodges and smiles.

Scowling, you turn to leave, skulking along to the console room. It was also a waste of a perfectly good cake.

Entering, you find The Tardis working to avoid you.

"What?" You say and you feel her thrum in amusement.

"Oh you were watching, of course" you say, flopping down next to a pillar and crossing your arms.

"It's not funny, this is serious" you say crossly and she hums sympathetically.

"Absolutely not, you have no idea" you say, voice catching. She is intrigued and you sigh.

"They know I'm a freak, they know I self harm, that I'm suicidal, that I disregard my life as worthless so easily, and they still accept me. Who else would ever do that?" You ask and she warms her floor beneath you, and you pat the dash gently in response.

"I can't make them deal with this too, it's too big, too scary. Am I... am I even human anymore?"  You whisper and she hums again in comfort. The Doctor's POV of approaching the console room makes you stop.

You really didn't want to talk to her right now.

Jumping to your feet you run out the opposite corridor you know she's coming down, planning on heading back to your bedroom. Only you stop when she enters the room, looking around then sighing.

"Where did she go?" She asks the machine. You hold your breath but The Tardis is silent.

"Come on I need to talk to her, where did she go?" Repeats The Doctor, and the Tardis thrums in innocence.

"I'm just worried" mumbles The Doctor and suddenly you feel bad. She always wanted to help you, you got that, but this, surely she would turn away. So you would do it first.

Suddenly you get a picture from The Tardis of your location and you scowl at the betrayal. Wasting time, for the blonde looks over and raises her eyebrows.

"I know you're there" she says and you sigh, stepping out.

"Traitor" you hiss at The Tardis who thrums in apology.

"Yeah you're right, I could never be mad at you" you say fondly, rolling your eyes.

"You can hear her very well" comments The Doctor, and you keep her distance as she leans casually against a golden pillar.

"Yes..." you say suspiciously. Maybe that was part of your abilities?

"What are you thinking?" She asks shrewdly, looking you in the eye.

"Nothing" you reply and she frowns.

"(Y/n) I'm not stupid, I know something is going on. I could help" she offers and you shake your head.

"(Y/n)?" She encourages as you shuffle your feet.

There's just a lot going on right now" you say carefully and she nods understandingly.

"If you ever want to talk, you know where I am" she smiles sadly which you return, before taking your opportunity and leaving her in silence.