The Lost Series (A Doctor Who fanfiction) - 'Episodes '1-4

Episode 3 SiN part 6

"You can't!" Peggy stepped forward an anxious look etched on to her features.

The doctor stuck his hands in his pockets and rose his eyebrows as if to ask 'and why not?'

"You're the only ones who could help us! If you go there-you won't come back the same."

The doctor placed his hands calmly on the oung womans shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "Peggy, I'm the Doctor-No one is 'converting' me today or any day. I will get you're daughter back, I promise."

Looking into his eyes Peggy felt not only suddenly certain that he was the answer to this terrifying riddle but also like she was looking into something impossible & vast, like the sky. He had a young face but his eyes, she felt as if she was looking into the eyes of someone older than her grandfather.  She glanced at his petite companion- The girl who looked a little lost and swallowed, turnign her eyes back to the man standing in front of her, all she could do was nod.

"Did he say 'The doctor'-did you say 'The Doctor' ?" Her aunt interrupted pulling Peggy away from him.

"That's me!" He grinned before springing to life and yanking open the door "Come on, Kitty!" he called as he swept out the door.

"Did he-" Nora began again catching the girl by the arm.

"Oh yeah- 'The Doctor'-Doctor Smith...." She smiled "...he's got a bit of an ego..."  she added in a whisper as she slipped out the door after him.

"Bit of an Ego?" The Doctor echoed in a girlish voice as Kitty joined him in the empty street, the grey sky pressing down on them.

"Yeah, well....you're better than a laboratory." She flashed him a smile. "So.." The doctor followed her gaze toward the shadowy looking church sitting among the quiet trees on top of it's low hill. "Shall we?"

"We shall." Replied the Doctor, shoving his hands in his pockets and setting off across  the worn cobbled path. Kitty fell silently into step beside him.

They felt the curtains of the various cottage windows twitch as they passed. Not a breath of wind dared to breathe in the entire village and it made Kitty almost hold her own breath as they walked. That odd tingly feeling in the air kept giving her shivers which she tried to repress. The silence made thier otherwise quiet footsteps seem too loud.

They neared the church, pausing momentarily outside the wide archway that led into the church yard.

"You don't have to come with me." The Doctor stated, glancing down at Kitty as she looked into the church yard with some trepidation. The greystoned church with it's low thatched roof and tall square tower staring back at them, almost at one with the deathly quiet and dull cloudy sky.

"Some one has to keep you in check." She nudged him, hinting for him to take the first step.

As the doctor stepped forward he felt a sort of magnetic yank-as if something was pushing him backwards. Something-or someone, did not want him here.

"Did you feel that?" He asked Kitty

"Feel what?"

He didn't answer her, it wasn't important, for now.

She repeated her question but his hollow knock on the large heavy wooden door of the church made her pause. He could feel she was tense and he tried his best to look a little more relaxed by shoving his free hand back in his pocket . He raised his fist to knock again but just as he did the large door creaked open a few inches.

The Doctor exchnaged a quick glance at Kitty, who shurgged and mouthed 'Go in'.

"hello?" The Doctor pushed the heavy door the rest of the way open as he stepped inside the cool church. The smell of candle wax and incense hung in the air.

The Church seemed empty. The pews empty and only a few candles burned near the altar.

"Hello?" the Doctor called again as they edged up the aisle cautiously.

They stood before the altar, looking around the old church. The mahogny pews stark agaisnt the whiteish stone walls and pillars.

"Look at this." Kittys voice echoed as she stepped up onto the  altar towards a large marble font.

The Doctor was about to follow her when a Voice in his ear spoke "Ah, so nice to see visitors to our church."

The Doctor spun around, expectign to come face to face with the speaker but instead his eyes locked on a priest dressed in his white gown standing in the middle of the aisle. With a stretched smile he swept up towards them. "Welcome. How can I help you?"

"Well...That was clever" The doctor furrowed his brow, taking in this grey haired man with a round pleasant face which showed to have seen much worry over the years.

"Please, Miss, Can I ask you not to go near the Font-the Altar is a sacred area." He asked kindly turning to look up at Kitty who had been inching closer the font.

"Oh, I'm sorry Father, I forget. It's been a while since I came into a church." She gave him a warm smile as she stepped down and joined them.

"What brings you to our little parish?" He asked clasping his hands together.

"What better place to get an idea of how your village is doing?" Kitty gave another pleasant smile. "We're from London, Well, Doctor smith is from Scotland but we've been sent by the government to check that all the villages across the country are holding up well and ready for to welcome our heroes home. It's nice to meet you Father..?"

Father McClellan smiled back and nodded "McClellan. Father McClellan and yes, I believe our parish here is very content."

"Great. That's wonderful. We hear you're quite an active paish?"

"Have you now? We are no more active than any other parish I should imagine, though we have been holding extra vigils for the safe and swift return of all our 'heroes'."

"We were invited by two lovely ladies of your parish to come and have a look around, so we did. I have to ask-why is the font so full?"

"A baptism." Replied the father flatly. "Now if you don't mind I must continue getting ready."

"I wonder, if I may trouble you father for a blessing?" Kitty asked

"A blessing?"

"If you don't mind?"

"I really don't have the time at the moment I'm sorry." The father took Kitty by the small of the back and began to guide her down the aisle back toward the door.

The Doctor-who had been observing this cleverly constructed impromtu conversation watched carefully.

He had noticed Father McClellan seemed to have a perspiration problem. Beads of sweat seemed to acculimate in great volume on his brow despite the cool air and now, as KItty stopped him to ask about a pariticular saint depicted  in a panting he saw Kitty descreetly point to the wall. Following her direction the Doctors eyebrows rose a little as he noticed the shadow cast of father McClellans figure by the few candles. Instead of the figure of a portly man portrayed in a light shadow was a large outline of a serpent like creature, swaying and strecthing it's mouth. Suddenly it's head snapped toward the doctor, it's head almost disappearing in it's translucant shadow.

"Are you Alright?" Asked the Father politely, though his expression darkened as he too, turned to face the Doctor.

"OH....yes. Yeees. Just fine." He strode quickly over to Kitty. "Sorry, she does ramble on a bit I'm afraid." He said placing an arm around her shoulders "Thank you for the....well, Thanks!" He steered Kitty quickly out of the Door and backdown the pathway. Aware the Father stood in the doorway watching thier hurried descent back down the hill.