Once Upon a Midnight

Phase 3: Fear

The room was tense with dread as everyone waited for events to change. Sky was still sitting in her awkward position, facing away from Rose and everyone else. Rose and the Doctor were trying to coax her to turn around.

"It's alright, Sky." Rose said. "All we want is for you to turn around and face us. To make sure you're okay."

"Face us, Sky. It's alright." The Doctor said tentatively from behind Rose.

Slowly, Sky began to rotate. Her movements were stiff and jerky as she swivelled around. A sense of dread and near relief filled everyone in the room.

As she slowed to a halt, her head began to slowly rise to face everyone. Then, her eyes flickered to meet everyone's gaze. And they all knew, just by her eyes.

She was insane.

Her eyes sent a shiver down every single person's spine. They were a pale colour, empty and obviously mad. Rose felt herself recoil slightly into the Doctor's legs behind her. Everyone but the Doctor took a step backwards. The Doctor stood his ground, even leaning forward for a closer look.

She sat absolutely still. She was still crouched in her corner. Her eyes darted between the small group gathered in the room, as if she was studying each individually, resting longer on Rose. Her gaze finished on Rose, stopping and gazing at the blonde. She glanced between the Doctor and Rose and tilted her head to the side.

There was a pause before the Doctor whispered, "Sky?"

A short pause of silence passed, and then Sky spoke. "Sky?" She repeated.

"Are you alright?" He asked. Another pause.

"Are you alright?" Something about Sky repeating and her cold, vacant voice sent a shiver down Rose's back.

"Are you hurt?" Rose chipped in, finding herself leaning forward. Sky was scaring her, but by no means was she going to leave a woman who needed help.

This time, only a beat passed. "Are you hurt?" Sky's eyes shot to Rose as she repeated the young woman's words.

"You don't have to talk," The Doctor said.

There was no pause. "You don't have to talk," Sky said as her eyes darted back to the Doctor.

"We're trying to help," Rose said, trying to ground the woman.

"We're trying to help." Her response was immediate as her eyes shot from the Doctor to Rose.

"My name's the Doctor and this is Rose," the Doctor began. As he spoke the second part, Sky began to copy.

"My name's the Doctor and this is Rose." Sky's eyes darted between the pair, a quizzical and curious tint to them.

"Okay, can you stop?" The Doctor inquired, starting to feel disturbed.

"Okay, can you stop?"

"I'd like you to stop."

"I'd like you to stop."

"Why's she doing that?" The professor spoke up from where he stood.

The room exploded. Everyone was talking. As they spoke, Sky's eyes darted to them and she repeated.

"Why's she doing that?"

"She's gone mad!" Biff said.

"She's gone mad!"

"Stop it." Val said, sounding frightened.

"Stop it."