Chapter ten
***
They edge closer and closer. Bringing with them the cascade of a iron-tangy scent. Thousands of blank lifeless eyes stream into vision, clearing through the mist of fumes. The sound of hollow footsteps line in order towards me along with the sound of screeching tones of a chant. Behind them is the harsh rush of wind, blasting through their life-less limbs and ghastly pressuring against my small frame. A scream wells up in my throat but it's muffled by a giant swatting arm closing round my lips, directing a bitter taste of dirt and rust to glide across my quivering tounge. My body collides with the floor as a violent push thrusts towards me and the weight of thousands of creatures limbs tumble around me. Creatures of unique darkness.
***
I wake up to find a huge swarm of curls swallowing against my face. Sunlight strongly beams through the gaping glass doors bringing a soft glow to rise against my pale skin. Lucinda is bunched up next to me, her whole body shaking in fits of giggles. I peel myself away from the covers slowly suffocating me and strip of the giant emerald night gown.
"My, my Harriet dear. Your face while sleeping." Lucinda barks joyfully before collapsing into herself once more burning with an exceeding laughter.
"Lucinda." I mope, turning away and skimming my hand through the wardrobe. "Must you always do this?"
She looks up and with a discreet nod collects herself and rushes forward to choose a garment of her requirement.
Several days have passed since the cyber attack, and in those serene hours not one interestial sighting has happened. The panic soon turned into a quiet whisper of puzzlement and I found myself relaxing and streaming through a victorian life.
Course my half of my thought are still bound to the Doctor and locked inside the guesting battle of the TARDIS. I find myself continuously wondering about my true life, thinking about The Doctor and mum and whether they are both ok.
The stampede inside me is strongly building up, sorting itself into a large lump with-in the matter of days. Even Lucinda has began to notice.
"Is it me or are you getting fatter by the second?" She teases, once I'm dressed in a fine glamour of linen.
I slump down in the dresser chair, staring at my reflection in the mirror while my hair is tugged and strapped into a high bun.
Lucinda giggles and pulls me out the chair and towards the door.
"We're going to the market today!" She squeals, linking her arm through mine and skipping past all the maids.
"Cool." I reply, slightly dazed at how happy she seems.
"I'm most certainly not. I am indeed very warm for your information Miss.Williams."
Laughter squeaks through my mouth at my dopey forgetfulness of the extreme slang of my time.
Once downstairs I'm greeted by the soft smell of bacon, the sizzling steam still crisp in the air.
"Marther! Have you prepared the breakfast?" Lucinda sweetly shouts, her eyes still full of a calamity of happiness.
A following clash of pots and pans confirm her question and we are lead into the giant dining room.
Maids scurry from the kitchen, bringing with them the huge palates of fine, smoky food.
Lucinda and I chomp our way through the delicious feast, and every now and then I slip a small slice of toast or bacon in my pocket for the staff. Lucinda never noticed once.
The plates are taken away and we are greeted by the huge chime of the doorbell. Lucinda jumps up hazzily and runs towards the hallway, gathering her skirt in her hands to prevent a fall.
"Lucinda?" I call, but she doesn't reply and soon the sound of a opening door awakens in the room.
I slide out of the chair and peer slightly through the gap, where I see a fine young man standing with Lucinda.
His hat is raised high, arching in front of the view of his face, and a dark suite of greys hangs tightly to his body. Small creases of brown hair drops out of the hat, and with in seconds of noticing the bow tie, I know exactly who he is.
The Doctor.
Half of my body begins to tug towards him, while the other argues and protests, trying to bring myself away and hide.
I watch for a minute longer and the tricked beauty of Lucinda flirts and edges closer to him, her mouth moving in speaking tones.
"And why are you here... Doctor?" She asks sweetly, her mouth hanging in a wide open smile.
"I was in the area, and I picked up some odd activity." He replies, picking out his sonic screwdriver and smacking it against his hand, his eyes squinted shut.
"And what activity is that?" She dances, her face still concerted in a flirtatious glance.
"Cyber-activity." He warily speaks.
Recognisation seeps into Lucinda's eyes. "There was something here the other day. A large metal man. My fellow house-guest and friend stated it was a cyber-fellow-gentleman-thing." She replies picking up her skirt in an orderly manner and bringing herself and The Doctor closer to the room.
I look around quickly, spotting the huge oak cupboard that I always was confused as to why was here. I run to it, and jump inside, creaking the door shut a little enough to cover myself but still listen.
"How did you... Erm... Get rid of it?" The Doctor asks, looking round the huge room his eyes wide open.
"The girl, Harriet. She sorted the mess out." She says, her eyes travelling round to find me. "She was here a minute ago."
The Doctor looks at her, his face slightly confused. "Harriet Williams?" He asks cautiously.
"Yes, Harriet Williams. Doctor, do you know her?" She replies, her head cocked slightly to the side.
"Indeed I do, but it's impossible! I have her inside my TAR.... Urm, sorry. House." He says.
"No, she is here. Well, was here. Ginger hair? Quite an odd style and colour?" She replies and with a reply of a nod from The Doctor she jumps.
They back out of the room, still talking but all I could hear was slight muffles.
I creep out of the door, and onto the floor, attempting to make as little noise as possible.
A screeching, loud, horrific noise jumps through the silence, it coming from the kitchen.
A scream slips through the door, and The Doctor charges into the room.
His eyes find mine and his jaw drops slightly. But he runs to me and takes my hand and we fly towards the loud noise.
Inside the kitchen was chaos.
Maids screamed and cried and a dozen cybermen attacked.
"Oh." The Doctor says. And he turns to me and we both nod in unison.
That's when the whole place disintegrates. Thousands of tiny specs floating in the darkness that covers me.
The only noise is a sharp ringing whale of a laughter and in a instant of a second I recognise the voice.
The Master.
