13 Novella 4

Dark

You sit and watch The Tardis thrum and glow, lulling you into a waking sleep. She was mesmerising and beautiful like this, and for once you felt totally at peace.

Having just had another therapy session with The Doctor, your head felt suitably mashed and sore from the emotional turmoil.

Now however, you felt calm and collected.

The Tardis responds to your happiness with resonating thrums. You smile some more.

Behind your eyelids you see a faint red glow and you squint slightly. One of the screens is lit, showing a pulsing red dot.

"Doctor?" You call uncertainly, and you see her approach in your mind seconds before she enters.

She catches sight of the screen and hops lightly onto the deck like an agile cat, typing steadily. Jenny enters soon after, and it still annoys you that you had no foresight of her approach.

She raises her eyebrows and you relax. She smiles and you do to. You didn't really know where you stood with her at the moment, but it didn't mean you couldn't enjoy her company.

"Mmm I think we're going to need to check this one out" says The Doctor with a small smile, and you nod.

Ten minutes later and you are all gathered as The Tardis sets off, with much eye rolling from Missy.

She was still here despite having said she was going to leave soon multiple times. None of you minded, in fact you more than liked her company. The Doctor was strange with her, constantly giving her satisfied looks as though waiting for something to happen. You just didn't know what.

"Do you need lessons again?" Missy asks irritably as you all stumble around.

"I can fly her perfectly well! She's just temperamental!" Replies The Doctor curtly and you giggle.

The Tardis apparently takes offence and so works even harder to dislodge you all. Landing with a dramatic thump, you just about manage to stay upright.

"Brilliant, really smooth" mutters Missy sarcastically and The Doctor scowls. She strides out the door but re-enters seconds later.

"We've got a problem. It's pitch black" she mutters, annoyed.

"Well do we have torches?" Inquires Jenny and The Doctor looks thoughtful.

"Yes, but I really don't like the idea of us relying on just them. If there's something out there it really won't be hard to pick us off." She mutters solemnly and you feel a chill go down your spine.

"Fine, only a few of us will go" concludes Missy and you snap your head up in alarm. You didn't care how indestructible Time Ladies seemed, the thought made your breathing pick up.

"Ok, me and Missy?" Suggests The Doctor, and you find it hurts to picture her in danger too.

"No, me and The Doctor" says Jenny confidently and you blanch. But you have an idea.

"Actually, I think only one of us here has a distinct advantage...?" You say and they turn to look at you in surprise.

"Absolutely not" says Missy and you scowl.

"Come on, chances are I'll hear anyone coming before they get too close, plus their intentions if I'm lucky." You say, trying to lighten the mood.

"No. Missy's right, you're not going" says Jenny firmly and you find your anxiety peaking, as well a slight offence at being treated like a child.

"Why not? Doctor you know this is the best idea!" You say, turning to the last Time Lady.

She looks unsure.

"You're walking blindly into danger, all of you except me! Please?" you say and her expression lifts marginally. She was deliberating.

"(Y/n) it could be very dangerous, you can't rely too heavily on your abilities, not when you're not completely in control" she warns and you nod understandingly.

"I could put an earpiece on you... so we could track your every move..." she suggests slowly and both Missy and Jenny open their mouths to argue.

"I'm not a child, and I'm not stupid. This is my decision- and I accept the consequences" you say
sternly.

Neither look appeased.

"Well at least let one of us go with you..." Jenny starts but you are already shaking your head.

"I'll need to concentrate completely, no distractions, internal or external" you add as Jenny opens her mouth to argue as the lone exception to your abilities.

"We'll be with you every step of the way?" Says Missy slowly with a strong face.

"Yes" you breathe determinedly as The Doctor runs off quickly down a corridor. You catch a fleeting image of yourself wearing a headpiece, so try not to be alarmed when she returns and places one on the right side of your face, zapping it with the sonic where it crackles and pops to life.

You wince as The Doctor tests it out, clearly still too close.

"(Y/n) is it working?" She asks and you nod. It was a weird feeling, seeing her talk and hearing it close to your ear at the same time. "Ok, when you're ready" she says normally and you nod again, suddenly feeling quite nervous.

Missy hands you a torch which you click on. It's suitably bright and you relax a little.

"No heroics." She whispers, squeezing your hand warmly. "First sign of danger, you turn right back" she says and you smile.

"I'll be fine, seriously, what's the worst that could happen?" You ask, but no one seems to appreciate your humour.

"Alright alright I'm going" you mutter, nodding at all four of them. "I'll be fine" your repeat but they still look unsure.

"Maybe there's a different way" bursts The Doctor suddenly, looking apprehensive.

"Stop it, I'll keep in contact" you say firmly as Yaz looks at you earnestly. Sighing, you step confidently out the door into pitch black darkness.

You blink and shine your torch, but all that surrounds you is dense forest.

You begin to trek through and almost jump out of your skin when your headpiece comes to life.

"How are you doing?" Asks The Doctor worriedly and you breathe.

"Well I can't see for shit, it's just forest everywhere" you respond and you can feel her disapproving expression thought the headpiece.

"Language!" She says and you mutter under your breath.

You continue to walk but find nothing of consequence. You're plenty warm enough in your jeans and long coat, but it catches on some of the lower branches. Frequently you have to stop and untangle yourself.

"What am I actually looking for?" You ask after fifteen minutes of walking in uneventful static filled silence.

"Anything out of place. You should be at the target of the distress image the Tardis picked up in twenty feet." She replies and you nod, trekking further.

You gasp as you make out a human sized shape in the shadows, but breathe when you realise what it is.

"(Y/n)? What was that? Are you ok?" Comes The Doctor's hurried voice and you giggle weakly, examining the extraordinary statue.

"It's ok Doctor, it's just a statue, just a stone Angel" you respond nonchalantly.