The Walking Shadows

Chapter 3

        "Doctor, what is that thing? Am I crazy, or was that a shadow walking by itself?" I ask.

        The doctor is pushing what seem to be random buttons in a hurry. "Scavengers," said the doctor. "They feed on misery. The lurk in the darkness. The suck out all light, all joy, all love, everything that is good until there is nothing left."

        "They're alien like you," I say.

        The doctor stopped pushing buttons and turned all his focus onto me. I'm betting I said something wrong here. The doctor looked straight into me. "Why is it that some men are handsome when they're  mad? Shut up Anna now is not the time," I said to myself inside my head.

        "No like me," said the doctor. "Never like me."

        "Sorry," I said gently. "I'm a little new to this talking to people from other planets thing."

        The doctor softened his gaze. "It's alright, Anna," he said. 

        "No it isn't," I said. "Thinking all people from other planets are the same is racist. Or is it planetist? Alienist?"

        The doctor rolled his eyes and walked back to the console panel.

        "Doctor can I ask you another question?" I said.

        "Sure," said the doctor flashing a dashing smile.

        "You said you're from the planet Gallifrey right?"

        "That's right," he said. "I must say, Anna, you've got a sharp memory in the midst of turmoil. That comes in handy with me."

        "So why do you sound like you're from London?" I ask.

        "What?" said the doctor looking surprised.

        "Does Gallifrean English sound like England English?" I asked curiously.

        "I'm not speaking English he said. I'm speaking Gallifrean. The tardis translates it to English in your head," the doctor said looking puzzled and annoyed at the same time.

        "So the tardis likes a London accent then? She must since we're in America right now," I said.

        "It's not the accent," said the doctor, "It's the lowering of the language barrier."

        "What about the period of the language?" I ask. "Old English is much different than current English."

        "It's 2009," said the doctor. "You're hearing 2009 English. Now can we please get back to the scavengers that are threatening us just outside the tardis doors now?"

        "Lead the way," I said giggling. I don't know why, but even though life as I know it has been completely turned upside down in the past half hour, I feel completely at ease with the doctor.