Chasing a Glimpse ((A Doctor Who Fanfiction))

4. A Narrow Escape

Is this really what you wanted?/ Is this really what you need?/ Is this this everything you dreamed it to be?

-What You Need by Satellite

 

After another tense shuttle ride and a while to steam about the nerve of Haegord, I stormed into my house and slammed my door shut. I then stomped over to my work desk, snatching a fruit on my way past and sitting down heavily. I yanked open the drawer and pulled out the vortex manipulator. As mad as he’d made me, I had to finish it and get out. If he knew who I was and that I was leaving, then there was no telling what could happen. So I gave myself a second to calm down, and then set to work, attaching the final piece and occasionally taking a bite out of the fruit. It was delicate work, but soon it was finished and calibrated and nearly ready to go. All that was left to do was set my destination and get there. With a sigh, I leaned back in my chair and stretched out my back, which was stiff from sitting slouched over the desk for so long. I then stood and set about gathering things I’d need to take with me. Various fruits. My sonic stylus. My few valuables that had been in the family for generations. A few clothes.

I stuffed all these into my small pack and slung it over my back, reaching for the vortex manipulator. Taking a deep breath, I called forth my most vivid memory of my father so it could begin the search for him.

We were both sitting in the open doorway of the TARDIS, watching a mass of swirling gasses and dust coalesce into a sun and 7 planets. He pointed to the third planet away from the sun and told me, “That planet, once it cools and begins to sustain life, will be known as Earth. It will be magnificent. I’ll take you there sometime.” And we sat there for hours, me listening as my young self as he described everything, from the formation of the universe to the inner workings of the space-time vortex.

Replaying that over and over in my head, I pressed the button that activated the physic translator, and it immediately began scanning and searching. While it worked, I wandered around the house to make sure I didn’t need anything else. Best case scenario, I’d never be here again.

Suddenly, there was an insistent knocking on my door. Warily, I went over and opened it, standing face to face with three Law Enforcers. I tried to mask my panic, and quickly hid the wrist with the vortex manipulator behind the door, putting on my friendliest smile.

“What can I do for you?” I asked cheerfully, and one of them stepped forward, with a dark visor over his eyes and lips set in a firm line.

“We received an anonymous tip today that you have been secretly building a device that allows access to the space-time vortex. May we please come in?” My eyes widened, and before they could react, I slammed the door shut and used my sonic stylus to keep it closed. I then ran back to the work desk and snatched my bag, checking the progress the manipulator had made worriedly.

79% triangulated

I could hear the Enforcers beating on the door, trying to force their way in. Frightened tears threatened to fall, but I pushed them back, running both of my hands through my hair nervously. Of course, it’s too much to ask for to just sneak away, unnoticed. Nobody paid attention to me before, so why now? It’s not like they’d miss me or anything.

With a crash that made both of my hearts stop, the door flew off its frame and the three enforcers stormed in, guns trained on me. I backed away slowly, taking one step backwards for every one they took forward. Soon, my back was pressed against the wall, and they were a few paces away, faces stony.

“Miss, hand over the vortex manipulator and we will not shoot.” One ordered, and a shook my head wordlessly, hiding my arm behind my back.

“Then you leave us no choice.” He said condemningly, and I held back a whimper.

“Ready,” I squeezed my eyes shut, letting the tears fall.

“aim,” I sucked in my final breath.

“Fire!” As the shots were fired, time seemed to slow. I could sense the shots nearing me in slow motion, and I prepared myself. But then, with a loud CRACK and the feeling of being sucked through a small pipe, the vortex manipulator kicked in.

After what felt like hours, but I’m sure was only a minute or two, the sensation stopped with another deafening CRACK and I found myself pressed against a cliff face. My eyes snapped open and took in my surroundings.

A few paces away, blue water lapped at sand, and I was pressed up against a red clay cliff face. The sky above was blue, and the grass at the top of the cliff was green. I could hear strange birds squawking overhead, and see odd fish jumping in the water. It had worked, I was on an alien planet.

Then, the reality of it all struck me. I could never go back. I was stuck as a wanderer, banished from the only home I’d ever known. The tears began to fall again, and I sat down, crying.

I was all alone, on a planet I didn’t know. Was this really what I had wanted?

(a/n) sorry if it's bad. I had to hurry and post it before I left for the weekend. But I was moderately happy with it, and I hoped you enjoyed it. Oh, and by the way, in case you haven't noticed, I went back and started adding song lyrics to the beginning of every chapter that in some way relate to the chapter. So feel free to check those out. Thanks for reading!