The Changing Man (Doctor Who Fan Story)

Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

I kept on running, the wind blowing my hair back and cooling my warm skin, big fat tears were streaming down my eyes and rolling off my chin, but that didn't stop me, I just wanted to get away and run. The rainforest surrounded me, no more mechanical noises, no more soldiers, no more smoke, just the musical sounds of rustling trees and chirps of songbirds, but the smell of Jake and dried blood was strong, clinging to me, it was repulsive and vile, I wanted to get rid of it. Without any rational thought, I ran off the road and into the thick brush of the forest, jumping over bushes and weaving in between the thousands of trees, I didn't even hear or notice the mental voice of the Master urging me to stop running, telling me it was safe. My instincts had taken over and I ran further into the forest. I detected many scents but all was over powered by the scent of Jake, i wanted, no, I needed to get rid of it at any cost. And just like that, my need came true as I crashed out of the edge of the forest and over a small ledge, plunging into the cool depths of a clearwater pool, knocking the breath out of my lungs in the process. I sank slowly, millions of bubbles rose in a beautiful pattern as I made no attempt to swim to the surface, my hair floating upwards with the sunlight transforming a few strands into golden threads. All around, weird formations of marble-like rock floated around me, all were different shapes and sizes, and I could swear that a few of them had faces, almost human like. This would have worried me, but the unusual calmness crashed over me once more, extinguishing the thought of swimming back to the surface. Small fish darted around like a tornado, their scales shining like moonlight, and as my feet found the bottom of the pool, I noticed it was covered in small rock like gems, all were different colours and shapes making it seem like I had landed on Okato, the rainbow planet. For some unknown reason, my shoes felt heavier and the soles of my feet began to tingle ever so slightly. My lungs were screaming for air but I was calm and content, all the fear had seeped out as if the water was a sponge. However, on the edge of my subconscious I felt a pressure building, something was trying to enter my mind but I didn't care, everything was calm and so was I. Above me, a small dark shape in the sky grew closer and closer, casting a large shadow on the waters surface but it was contorted and morphed into a different shape, then it crashed into the water and a torrent of bubbles surrounded him. His strong hand grasped my upper arm and pulled me up to the surface against my will, I wanted to stay in the pool where everything was calm and beautiful, I tried to tell him that I wanted to stay mentally, but he kept on swimming to the surface with me in tow.

I gasped for air as we broke the surface, and the calmness was replaced with a strong wave of fear and anxiety, I splashed about, heading towards the banks as I realised that I'd almost died. The Master still had a hand on the arm as he pulled me over to the bank and I collapsed into the grassy verges covered in purple wild flowers. I rolled onto my back, taking in a big lung full of air while the Master quickly bent down to grab my shoes off from my feet and throw them on the floor away from me. He glared at me, breathing heavily while the water quietly dripped from his hair and clothes.

"I didn't... Know why I did that... Why I wanted to stay in there, it was so calm..." I whispered, my lower lip trembling while my wet hair dripped down the sides of my face.

"You should have stopped when I told you to stop. This planet is extremely dangerous!" He growled, he then gestured to the pool behind him "That is known as the 'Pool Of Marble' and the small gems you saw on the floor turns you into a marble statue when you come into contact with them, like your shoes!" I looked over towards my converse sneakers, and sure enough, the soles of them were white marble with light pink veins running through them.

"I'm sorry, I was scared" I mumbled pathetically, my eyes focused on my feet.

I heard him sigh deeply as he knelt down beside me, both of us still soaking wet and I began to feel cold in the shade of the trees.

"No, you shouldn't be sorry, I wasn't there quick enough when that ass Jake was touching and...kissing you" a visible shudder ran through him, his eyebrows knitted together "and besides, the reason why you didn't want to leave the pool was because the water terminates any self preservation instinct if your in there long enough, keeps you calm until it kills you" another shudder ran through him, and i started to shiver too, but it was from the cool shade and the cold water still clinging to my skin and clothes.

Furthermore, to add to my list of misfortune, my stomach growled angrily, reminding me that it has been a while since I last ate. My cheeks burned red as I peeked up at The Master who seemed to smirk as my stomach gurgled again, piercing through the silence.

"Come on, lets get to the place where we were originally going before all this happened, there will be food and warmth from the sun" he held out his hand and I took it shyly, he pulled me up to my feet and we began to walk, following the small animal trails that led between the tropical bushes covered in bright petals and broad green emerald leaves. My bare feet were cold and were being constantly stabbed and pricked with small sticks, so i tried to stick to the soft green grass, but in some places it was no use. It got to the point when the Master stopped and told me to get on, gesturing me to jump onto his back by stooping down to my level with his hands held out behind him.

"Come on" he urged impatiently

I took a shy step towards him and carefully climbed onto his back, holding onto his shoulders for balance and support. He then carried on, his long ears flicking this way and that way at every sound, even if it was just a song bird or the wind caressing the canopy of the trees above us. We were both still soaking wet and I was shivering uncontrollably, but I managed to rest my head on the Masters shoulders trying to absorb his warmth and his smell, which has seemed to have amplified due to the water, which made it more mouthwateringly good.

"Are you sniffing me again?" He asked quietly as he carried on walking through the forest.
"No, i'm just trying to keep warm" i answered quickly, maybe too quickly as the master chuckled.
"Well, if your that cold, you might need to take off your clothes when we get there" he was still chuckling
"What!?" I squeaked nervously, my hearts began to pound louder and faster, and I was sure that he could hear it.
"Y'know, survival 101. You'll get warmer quicker if you take those cold, damp clothes off... Never mind" he shook his head and I swear I could see a slight red tinge appear on his cheeks.
My wild imagination began to play again, imagining the Master taking off his wet clothes...it sent delicate shudders down my spine, making me close my eyes in delight and I almost purred to myself. But I stopped once I remembered that The Master could hear and see what I was thinking. I was hoping that it was too quick for him to see what I was thinking, but of course, it wasn't.

("You and your strange imagination") his mental voice almost sounded amused.
I buried my face once more into his shoulders trying to smother my embarrassment into the contours on his strong back.

I could have almost fell asleep, his movements were gentle rocking motions and the birds sang a beautiful lullaby, his breathing constant and rhythmic, it was like I was a baby in a cot. My eyelids were heavy, and my arms began to come loose from his neck.

"Hey, don't go sleep, we're here" his voice was the antidote to my drowsiness as my eyes snapped open and I took in the magnificent vista that stood before me.