Chasing the Blue Box

11: The Doctor is a Douche

I found it slightly comforting to wake up outside of the TARDIS. Just being inside of it caused my brain to hurt. I liked being on top of most things, knowing an explanation for everything. The TARDIS was not that. However, the raging pain in my head and the nonsensical explanation of "funny water" told by Faye wasn't helping either.  I held my head as I slowly rose to my feet from the cobblestone street. I dusted the snow off from my pants and I could feel chills take over my body. 

"Where are we?" I asked.

"London." She sighed, she seemed upset.

"So, we just came home?"

"Apparently she wanted us to come back home for some reason.."

"She?"

"The TARDIS is a ship, right? Ships are always girls."

"Yes, I've heard so. Mind telling me why?"

"They constantly need new paint jobs," Faye joked as she slugged a bag over her head and shoulder. "perhaps there's something wrong?"

"Hmph. Cigarettes and liquor bottles on the side of the street? Obviously, we're in the lower parts of London," Astrid pointed out, walking toward a  crinkled newspaper, wet with melting snow. She picked it up and held it out from her body as she read it out loud. "Six men missing on the Thames river. Fish turning up dead. Some suspect the Thames river is infected."

"I heard about that. They said there was a disease that infected the fish. That was like, five years ago. Did it come back?" Rey asked. Faith nodded in agreement to her question.

"Well, the date says December 2018. I guess the TARDIS took us back?" I took the newspaper from her hands and showed it to Faith and Rey. 

"Where's Jake?" Faye asked, looking around. "Please tell me he isn't stripping again.."

"Um. What?" I cocked my head.

"Horribly long story, love," she dismissed, walking towards the Tardis. She opened up the door just as Jake came barrelling through, his shirt on backward but all parts of his clothing seeming to be there. 

"I'm here. I'm here," he mumbled, running his fingers through his hair, he smiled at me. "Hey, you're up. That was the funniest thing...you getting high on some kind of alien water. So, where are we?"

"Five years back," Rey responded. She tugged her thin jacket's hood over her head. "And it's cold."

"When is it not cold," I asked, starting to make my way through the alley. "We are in London after all."

"Where are you headed," Faye asked, walking after me with the rest following behind.

"To the Thames River," I hoped I wouldn't have to explain, but they all looked in need of it. "I really wish I didn't have to admit this, but I've been listening to your conversations for the past year or more about conspiracies. The "Doctor" guy is obviously real, now that we have solid evidence. That means your conspiracies about the river incident might...also be true.."

"Good idea," Jake agreed, quickening his pace to walk next to me. "Who knows, maybe we'll finally meet the guy."

I smiled at him, in silent thanks for backing up my idea. The others continued to complain, wanting to explore the TARDIS more but they knew I would go alone if I had too. The walk wasn't far, but the river was taped off by police. It may have been frozen, but their cars and people patrolled the shore to make sure no one tampered with the river or caught whatever was inside it. I paused, trying to come up with a plan. I looked over at Faith who stopped next to me.