The TARDIS Trap

Fourteen

FOURTEEN

 Ravonite suddenly turned away from me, a blue electrical charge of artron energy flowing from his fingertips as he fired at the Doctor instead of me…I could only watch as raw time energy, waves of jagged lightning streaked its way across the dark attic. Ravonite was harnessing the TARDIS’ power, the Doctor had become his proxy, to vent his terrible rage, his vengeance against the last surviving Time Lord. But I could not understand his motives to mortally injure, if Ravonite still required the Doctor’s body. The Doctor’s screams of agony filled the attic, I watched with sickening horror, completely helpless as the Doctor curled up tightly, thrashing against the floor, his clothes smoldering as smoke poured from him. Surely not even the Doctor’s hearts could hold out for much longer on such an assault, he was going to die.

 “Stop!” I screamed out at the murderous creature, the cold sweat trickling down my back, wondering whether that twisted scene of torture was purely for my benefit, to intimidate and blackmail me into joining him.

 Ravonite paused from his torturing and then cocked his head to one side and contemplated me with renewed interest and vague disappointment.

 “A pity you will not come to me willingly…”

 But I looked away quickly from Ravonite’s searching eyes, I was beyond his threats, transcending the fear the monster had engineered, the terror and mindless worship that had reigned for decades in that house. Seizing my window of opportunity, I ran like a maniac past the creature, every fibre of my being focused on the Doctor, as I bridged the gap between us, the ferocity of the attack having flung him closer to the TARDIS. The Doctor’s eyes snapped open, his blackened scarred face etched with pain as he croaked.

 “I’m sorry Anna that I lost faith, that I didn’t believe you. But I had to… Had to face him alone.”

 “I know… But I’m here now, we both are…”

 With my back to the creature I knelt down and with a slight of hand worthy of a pick pocket, careful not to let the light spill out into the attic, I unclenched the Doctor’s fist and placed the coral piece into his hand. Upon contact with the uncontaminated piece of his TARDIS, the Doctor jolted slightly with surprise and then recognition as though reunited with an old friend, his eyes lit up, their brilliance almost rivalling the creature that stood a few feet away. After everything I had seen, I was certain the TARDIS piece recognized it’s true owner, they were emotionally and physically connected, the time machine and the Doctor, co-dependents, travelling companions and friends for centuries. The Doctor looked up at me and smiled slowly and mysteriously, hope flooded through me. I knew that look, I had seen it countless times…The Doctor had a plan.

 “Move away from the Doctor…” Ravonite ordered, I clutched the Doctor’s other hand, the last thing I wanted to do was to comply with that creature.

 “Help me to stand Anna…” And for a moment it was like it was just us two, our tormentor had melted away into the background. It broke my heart to see the Doctor, in such a weakened state as I helped him to his feet. “You’d better do as he says.” The Doctor spoke under his breath, his lips barely moving but I could see the defiance blazing in his eyes.

 “Let’s finish this Time Lord…Will you come quietly now or will I have to take you by force.”  

 Ravonite interrupted impatiently, I turned round and faced him, making sure my gaze was slightly downcast, not making eye contact. But I could detect he wasn’t as arrogant as before, his tone less certain. I hoped that he could not sense the TARDIS piece, our secret weapon.