13 Novella 4

Negotiate

"Come on my love, wake up now" Missy says, lightly tracing your facial features. You sense movement around you, pacing probably, and lowered voices.

"Is she awake?"

"I don't know Jen, does she look awake?" Says Missy sarcastically. Worry is making her short tempered.

"Behave you two" scolds The Doctor, and you feel her scan you with the sonic. It flicks off when you squeeze your eyes together and open them, looking vaguely into Missy's warm brown pair.

"Morning" she says with a chuckle and you blink, frowning.

"Answers?" You say as The Doctor and Missy help you to your feet where you survey your new location.

You're in the middle of a bright room with no windows, very different to the corridor you had last been in. You notice now that everyone looks very stressed.

"Well, now that you're all awake, we can begin" someone says, and you turn to see a being with the torso of a man, and the lower half of a horse. So maybe a centaur, but you're not sure if you can call him that. His body is a beautiful chestnut colour, easily the most handsome of the five surrounding him, coloured bay, Black, palomino and two greys.

"Begin what?" Demands Missy, pushing you behind herself. She sounds seriously angry. The centaur man smiles maliciously.

"A new age" he replies simply.

"What do you want? We mean you no harm." Says The Doctor calmly, and you have to admire her steady control, like you weren't facing five alien centaur men in outer space on a ship that apparently wasn't in place. Then again, this was her every day.

"Very sweet. You'll do nicely. Certain fire, mixed with that one" -he points at Missy- "intelligence too, yes yes, very good" he mutters in satisfaction.

"We can help you if you tell us what you need" The Doctor says evenly. She keeps a tight grip on Yaz.

"We need your DNA, but only the best parts. We need to create only the strongest for our new race. We shall be superior" he declares, the others stomping their approval. Their hooves sound eery on the grated metal deck, sending a resounding shiver down your spine.

"I can't let you do that" says The Doctor. You weren't sure if her determination was brave or stupid. These men weren't messing around.

"You're not having our DNA, trot on" hisses Missy, and you catch an image of her shooting the lead centaur through the skull, making you flinch. She apologises in a quick glance and you shake your head to rid the picture.

"We thought you might be difficult, no worry, your cooperation is unnecessary. Alioc, Crahu, seize them" he says coldly, turning and walking towards you. The remaining four begin to approach too, and you feel the others backing against the wall. One centaur swipes for your arm but Jenny dislodges him, making him snarl.

"Don't you fucking touch her" she growls with unprecedented fire.

"It doesn't have to be this way, we can help!" Says The Doctor over the sound of their approach, but they ignore her.

They swipe again and this time he has a firm hold, you twist and shriek but the others are all fighting off one each too.

"Missy! Jenny!" You shout and watch their eyes widen in fear as you are yanked away by the palomino. He is so strong he half carries you, and you feel your breath hitch as panic consumes you.

You shriek and flail but his grip is strong, until you watch Jenny collapse in the corner of your eye.

Desperately you try to turn, only to watch her carried away by the black centaur, Yaz following in the arms of a grey, The Doctor and Missy still fighting.

Panic is clouding your vision and hysteria is threatening to knock you out, but still you scream, until you are hit in the back of your head by your centaur, shutting you up.

"Please, please! My friends, we mean you no harm! You can have me! I have more than anything they can give you!" You shout and he stops, having dragged you into a whole new room. You rub your throbbing head as he surveys you uninterestedly.

"Explain" he says impatiently, and you don't hesitate, showing him yourself in his mind, just a few images but enough to show your abilities.

You steer clear of showing him what three Time Ladies could offer.

Finally, he drops you.

"Sorcery" he whispers and you shake your throbbing head.

"Telepathy, of a kind. Let my friends go, unharmed, and you can have it. Have it all, a perfect and unmatched weapon." you say and he observes you closely.

"You are in no position to negotiate"

"I know, but this will be much easier with my participation." You finish and he raises his eyebrows, contemplating. You hold your breath.

"You will put up no resistance, you will not struggle, you will obey every command, and you will perform to the best of your ability on all tasks."

You nod, waiting with bated breath.

"Then we have a deal, follow me."

You obey silently, allowing him to lead you into a bare and basic room. One bed, a small bathroom and a dresser. A prisoner again.

"How long will you keep me here?" You say quietly, feeling an overwhelming dullness spread through you.

He turns his head as he shuts the door, grinning slyly.

"Depends how long it takes to bleed you dry."