The Beginning of the End (Doctor Who)

Chap. 12

The artificial night has set in, but you've got no desire to sleep. You haven't slept for many nights, however many have passed. You just can't seem to make yourself. Instead, you wander around the artificial countryside. Everything here is artificial, the sky, trees, ground, even the air. 

Hell, there aren't even any stars at night- and that's what bothers you the most. Not the impending doom the cybermen will bring, not the containment of being trapped in a ship awfully close to a black hole, and not the fact you haven't eaten in days, or slept in longer. It's the empty sky at night, washed of all stars. That's what bothers you. It's a mystery how the people here stand it.

As for the forest, the farther you go the cooler it gets. Tonight is really pushing your limit, though. Back in London you would have snow at this temperature. Maybe you've been walking too long. Maybe it's your body's way of demanding proper care. It could all be in your head, for all the hell you know all this walking may have been in circles.

You really wish you wore your jacket.

A rustle of leaves sends you jumping, and for a good reason. An older cyberman with a drooping posture stalks up to you.

"Do. Not. Be. A-fraid." It croaks, "You will be up-graded."

"Eh, no thanks." You pull a knife out of your tall boot, a constant precaution. Stabbing the control box, the cyberman falls as sparks fly. You rip it apart, seeing two sparking wires. Curious, you shove them together & jump back as a fire erupts.

To your surprise, and dismay, the fire stays contained to the body. It warms you up, though, and doesn't take long for the smoke to dance with the branches and leaves.

You close your eyes and- cautiously- breath it in. Standing between the fire and a tree, you don't see who it is that extinguishes your sole heat source, but you've already got your weapon in hand.

"Oi, you've just made a big mistake." You shout, waving a hand to clear the flames.

"Y/n?" Nardole's voice answers, "You know there's a delicate carbon dioxide- oxygen balance on this ship." He scolds.

"You're assuming I care?" If you squint you're able to make out a red extinguisher & his ugly jacket.

"I'm figuring you don't." 

"Bingo." You walk around the sizzling body to see him eyeing you in surprise.

"You look like hell."

"You flatter me." Turning to walk away, you notice his following you, slowly, but the footsteps aren't fading. "Waiting for another fire?"

"It's - I - well, um," You turn around, glaring, "Would you mind coming back to the Homestead?"

You don't even consider the request.

"No."

"Why not? Your hair's a mess, you're looking awfully thin for a human and-"

"Nardole, you don't have to spell it out."

"You're avoiding my question. Why not?" He cheekily says.

"You just want to impress the Doctor - look- I kept the rogue one in my eye line." You imitate his squeaky tone.

"I do not sound like that! Besides, you've been gone for nearly two weeks. Anyone would be concerned." He pleads.

Two weeks, then.

"I bet your head no one is concerned." You spin around in time to see him protectively place two hands on top his head.

"Would you at least come back to keep Missy and her previous self from doing something rogue? I think they're plotting something and they won't listen to me!"