Jumping For The Stars

Chapter 26 - Human Nature

Chapter 26

Human Nature

Ailia ran down the slope of the hill, over the grassy ridges and rocky slopes, her heart was pounding faster than it usually did. Thudding, a deep thundering bang, crashing through her very being. It wasn't because she was running, she didn't perfer to notice her heart beat when she was running, no it was something else. Something else that she dreaded to even think.

Emotions...Feelings...

They were an inconvience, Sherlock Holmes said. Right then she understood what he meant. With her heart shaking her to her core, vibrating in tune to her sweaty palms, a sickly feeling settled in the bottom of her stomach.

But she didn't like the Doctor...the Doctors. She couldn't. Wouldn't.

Amy would know, Amy knew these things. Explained things like boys to her, even if Amy never thought that she was listening to her lectures. And if Ailia asked then Amy would laugh, saying you have a date to prom already.

Amy's school prom, the one that Amy set up all by herself after the school had said that they wouldn't have one. But Ames even now at 15 was stubborn, who could tell her no and get away with it? Besides Tea that is.

Would Ailia ever get back? Would she get back in time for her sisters prom?

She didn't want to break Amy's heart, not now, now ever.

Ailia broke out of her stupor, seeing the end of the green around her turn to blacktop, the TARDIS getting nearer.

"Lia," the Doctor's voice, the one she knew, the one that wore converse and had spikey hair that was a stark contrast against his business like suit.

"Doctor," Ailia nearly ran into the man, steadying herself on his outstretched arms.

"Lia," he relaxed, giving the girl a hug.

Ailia stiffened under his touch, remembering what just happened, remembering what happened long ago when she was Teanna protecting Amy, not liking the touch, "Doc."

The Doctor pulled away, an expression showing that he thought something was not quite right, soon replaced with a look of joy, "You...You're okay."

"The TARDIS kind of...kicked me out," Ailia shrugged.

"Why would she-?" the Doctor was cut off by Ailia tackling him.

A blast of red passed over where the two once stood.

"I thought I fixed it," Ailia muttered under her breath, the Doctor's ears perking at the comment.

But Ailia gave him no room for thought, dragging him to his feet, peering out from the cover that the TARDIS provided.

The Doctor pulled her back just as a bolt of red skimmed past her head, "What are you doing?"

Ailia didn't answer, a haunted glaze over her eyes.

"Lia?" His brow furrowed, "What'd you see?"

Ailia jerked her arm away, despretely trying to get another glance, and she did, not liking what she saw.

Four people, only three Ailia knew, the Chief, his bushy mane of a beard swirling around his head. Emma, a smile unlike one Ailia had seen before, not on her or anyone else. Except, maybe, a pyschopath. Then there was Kalob, the big sweet puppy with an ugly scowl stretched across his face. And then, the skin around the Chief blistered, swelling and bubbling to reveal something else entirely.

The Doctor tugged her back again, "Are you trying to get killed?"

"Look," she whispered, staggering back.