Forgotten By Time (Book Three - The Double Era Series)

Chapter Four

"You're crying," the Doctor's voice startled me as I looked up from my breakfast.

"What?" I blinked, confused. He came over and wiped a finger under my eyes. He furrowed his brow when it came up clean.

"That doesn't make sense," he demanded, "The tears are pouring down your face."

"I'm not sad, Doctor," I insisted, hesitantly, "I'm just confused... And hungry."

"Come on," he grabbed my wrist and dragged me away from my cereal, "We have to figure this out." He dragged me through the halls to the control room, "TARDIS? Do a scan on Aeon, now."

He moved over to the screen as data started appearing on the screen. I made to follow him, but he held up his hand to stop me.

"But..." I argued.

"No, buts," he retaliated, "She's still scanning you... You need to stay still."

"Fine," I sighed, staying where I was.

"Vitals all check out... Memory... As it should be," he decoded the streaming numbers and letters and symbols, "Internal perception filter... It's going haywire. It... It seems to be fighting the rest of your body, Aeon. I don't think there's any immediate threat, but I don't like this. You're gonna be crying for a while until I can figure out what's doing this."

"But... I'm not crying, Doctor," I argued. He pushed a mirror in front of me and I peered at myself staring back at me. Sure enough, crystalized droplets of sodium chloride and water trickled down my face. After a second or two, I stared to feel tears come to my eyes. Real ones this time, "Doctor... What's happening?"

He looked over and wiped a thumb under my eye. Retrieving real tears this time, he drew me into a hug.

"Shh, Shh," he hushed, "It's probably just a memory relapse, Aeon... It'll be over soon."

"I don't know why," I squeaked, "I just... I feel so guilty... And alone. I suddenly feel really alone."

The Doctor didn't say anything and just kept hugging me.