Until time runs out \\ DW • OC

Chapter one

The Old House 

Here it goes. I'm going to tell my story. More specifically, the end of my story. Don't worry, it isn't particularly sad and it isn't just really about me. It's about someone who has saved so many people—me included—in many different ways. Someone who is the calm before the storm, the actual storm, and the relief you feel when it's over all at once. 

I'm getting ahead of myself. So, I'll take you to the day when we first met. I was running late like usual and I couldn't get my curly hair to de-frizz and I just had to wrap dark blue scarf on the top of my head to cover the worst of it. 

I was running late and my stupid friends still dared me to go inside the Maison house. The Maison house is the one abandoned property on our pretty old street. It's creepy and dark and kids always tell stories about it to scare other kids.

Anyways this is the start—

"Is there a reason your hair is like..." Nicolas trails off, pointing at my frizz.

"You're not allowed to judge," I playfully shove him. 

"So, your interview is today," Nicolas asks?

I pull at my backpack strap. "I'm so nervous, I need to intern there for my resume; I probably won't get it, only the smartest people get to intern for this magazine."

"You've got to be kidding me, Vi," he jokes, "You're an amazing writer."

We both stop to walk into the coffee shop. We order our coffee and sit down. I pull out my laptop and reread my sample story. It feels really boring. "Ugh, the more I read the lamer it sounds."

"Because you've read it too many times," Nicolas scolds me, "I've read it and it was great." I notice that he's staring at something that's out the window. "If you want inspiration for a horror story just look at the Woodson House."

I roll my eyes, "It's just an old empty house with angel statues."

"I heard the statues move." Nicolas whispers.

I scoff, "From Who? You're six year old nephew?"

"No, and he just turned seven, I saw pictures of his superhero birthday party."

I laugh once and take another sip of coffee. Once we finish, we walk outside. We still have half an hour till our first class. We live near enough to our college to do things like this.

"Hey, Vera," Nicolas says randomly.

I look up at him. "Yeah, Nicolas."

"We've been friends for a long time, and there's something that I've been meaning to tell you." Nicolas gets more serious than I expect, "I really don't want it to change our friendship."

I smile sympathetically at him. "Nothing could ever change this."

He blinks nervously. "I..." He picks up my hand, which isn't uncommon for us, "I—it's kind of a big deal, dinner tonight? That Italian place?"

"Ominous, but okay," I squint at him.

"It's just—"

"Look," I point across the street, "the gate's open. It's never been open." I drop Nicolas' hand and run down the street.

"And now she's running down the street," Nicolas sighs while following me, "Y'know cars drive down here."

"You think we should go into the house?" I ask, ignoring him.

"You're selective hearing is remarkable." Nicolas stops and stares at the House with me. I run inside. "This is breaking and entering," Nicolas mumbles.

"The door is unlocked," I open the creaky door, "so technically it's only entering." 

Nicolas sighs again but he follows me. He complains but he wouldn't leave me. We walk around, I don't know why I do this, I just get so curious that I can't help it. I run up the stairs as quietly as I I can. Not that I think anyone is here, but better safe than sorry. I walk into one room and I see some old furniture and a blue police box. 

"Vera, slow down, I'm only in here to keep you out of too much trouble," Nicolas finally catches up to me.

"Like I ever actually get into trouble," I mumble. "What kind of eccentric rich people get a telephone box? We should go inside."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Nicolas sighs.

"Whatever, loser," I ignore him. 

He grabs the back of my backpack so that I can't get too far. "Nicolas?"

"We should get going," Nicolas ignores my complaints.

Stupid tall people, he pulls me along easily. Suddenly, someone bursts into the room. "Why do people show up at the worst moments?" The stranger mumbles, "Into the box."

"We don't know you," I counter.

His eyes meet mine and he freezes. He looks very familiar, too. "Have we met?"

"No, couldn't have," he shakes his head once. "All you two need to know is that you have to get into my Tardis?"

"Tardis?" I repeat. "I don't think we'd even fit."

"Looks can be deceiving, and I need you to know that following me is your only hope."

The man then opens up the 'Tardis' and runs in, I reluctantly walk in after him. "Wow! Nicolas!"

"I'm right behind you, V." 

When he walks in, he sees what I'm talking about. It's huge. "It's bigger on the inside," I state in awe.

"I love it when they say that," he grins.