Before Rose

Chapter Four - Keeping Promises

"Come on then." The Doctor's hushed voice had a bit of urgency and a hint of excitement to it. He reached down and grabbed Hazel Grace's hand. He then got in to a crouching position, motioning for her to do the same.

"Why are we crouching?" Hazel asked in a hushed voice.

"We don't know what, or who, could be around us. It's better to be safe, right?" He walked slowly toward the mill, leading Hazel by her hand.

"Makes sense." Hazel looked over at the mill. It wasn't completely destroyed, and some parts of it were still standing. It doesn't look too stable, but hopefully we can get in and get out with all we need. Actually... Why does he need this information anyway?

Hazel Grace was just about to ask the Doctor this when he suddenly stuck out his arm, stopping her.

"We need to be really careful from here on."

Hazel nodded in response and crept forward slowly, following the Doctor, who was holding out his weird metal device. A blue glow was emitting from the side facing away from the two.

"You never did explain how th-" Hazel felt the strong hand clamp over her mouth, and, remembering her promise, bit down hard on it.

"Oi! What was that for?" The Doctor whisper shouted, rubbing his finger. Hazel tasted something like blood in her mouth and spat it out, looking at the finger that had been bitten. Blood was seeping out of the wound, only slightly, but it was enough to make her feel guilty.

"I told you I would, Doctor. I promised it. I don't break any promises I make. Not even if it's something like that."

"Let's just get on with it." The Doctor ran inside the mill.

Maybe I shouldn't have bit him so hard... Or maybe not at all.

With that guilty thought, Hazel Grace ran in to the mill, looking for the Doctor. He was nowhere to be seen. She looked around her. There was a ramp to her left, leading up to a few rooms. There was a huge flour grinder right in front of her; to her right was the storage cellar doors.

I guess I'll try the ramp. I mean, the cellar's probably nothing but old flour, and anything past the mill is blocked off by all the rubble from the quake.

She started up the winding ramp, staying as close to the wall as she could, as there was no railing along the edge of the ramp.

What am I even looking for?

She took a few more steps, choosing her footing carefully.

This stupid ramp doesn't feel stable...

Hazel didn't trust her own footing.

I don't like this... Doctor, where are you?

All of the sudden, a huge groan, then the sound of wood splitting sounded throughout the mill.

All Hazel could see was the ground getting closer as her surroundings moved up.

Funny, this is like slow motion.

But she knew it wasn't. She was really falling, and was going to hit the ground.

She closed her eyes and wished for it to all be over, for her to finally hit the ground.

Just let me hit the ground, this slow motion is torture, just get me on the ground.

That was the last thought that raced in Hazel Grace Water's head before she blacked out.