The Changing Man (Doctor Who Fan Story)

Chapter 21

Chapter 21:

        A few hours later, the truck coughed its last. Kara managed to slow the truck down and park it behind a huge, white flowered bush, invisible to anyone who might follow them down the beaten track. The stars were out and planets could be seen in the night sky, the insects that once sang a lullaby to the surrounding forest were now silent as the freed prisoners helped each other off the back of the truck, the injured groaning as they moved an inch. I jumped off the roof and landed agilely on my feet, and went to stand next to the Doctor as people started to crowd round us, waiting for instructions.

"Thank you for saving us, we are in your debt" some of them wheezed at the Doctor, trying to grasp for his hand with feeble fingers.

"Oh no, I am not the one you should be thanking, it was my daughters plan..." The Doctor tried to explain but none of them would listen as they went about their business hugging and shaking hands with their loved ones. I was kind of glad that they didn't listen, I didn't feel like I wanted the attention as my thoughts burned with The Master in the centre. I watched as an elderly lady waddled over and patted Jacks behind, she flashed him a frail cheeky smile and Jack returned with a slightly nervous one.

"We've got to keep moving" Jack said as he slowly trudged towards us through the long grass, looking nervously about the dirt road, watching to see if anyone was coming. I was on the look out as well, using my keen hearing to sense danger, but there was nothing, just the sound of the wind and distant grazing animals.

"I know, we need to head back towards the TARDIS, but some of these people are injured so we need to be alert when we go" The Doctor explained, not only to us but the rest of the large group who stood there with wide eyes, clutching each other for dear life,

"We're so hungry" A young girl, no older than 13 whispered as she clutched at her mothers knees.

"I've found some supplies!" Martha shouted from the back of the truck, I saw that she had managed to get the floor boards up to find boxes of food, medicine, weapons and at least 25 small silver cubes. "What do you think these are?" Martha held one up, inspecting the outside, only finding a small green button in the shape of a diamond.

The Doctor reached out and examined the small silver cube, a small smile crept upon his lips

"They are portable tents! How lovely... Ok, we need to sort ourselves out, people who are not injured and are strong enough should help and carry as much as possible in those rucksacks. We need to keep away off from this road and go through... there" He pointed at the thick rain forest, which stood their eerily silent. "I know this is going to be tough, but we need to try and escape. I have a way to get everyone here away from this planet, but for me to do that, we need to travel far to get to my ship" The Doctor explained, his voice calm and confident as he addressed the freed prisoners. 

When everyone was ready and packed, the Doctor took his first steps into the rain forest and led the freed people into the tangle of vines, trees and roots known as the great rain forest that never ends. The people trudged along quietly, trying to stifle their yawns, scared that it might alert others to their presence. Some people who were seriously injured and unable to walk were dragged along on make-shift boards with rope found in the truck, securing them onto it. Martha was skittering around here and there with bandages, trying to tend to the injured while on the go. Me and Kara were in charge of handing out rations of plain cracker and dehydrated salted meat, that didn't really look appetizing. My own stomach growled, but I ignored it as I handed the small silver packets to eager and hungry hands, but their eyes stole sneaky glances of me, taking in the big cat ears and the tail, whispering and murmuring to each other. I pretended not to notice.