Before Rose

Chapter Five - The Sonic Helps

Hazel Grace woke up on the floor.

What happened? I was... I was looking for the Doctor... Doctor... But I was falling, for so long I was falling... then... I'm dead. I must be dead. Might as well open my eyes, or at least try to move, to see if I'm really dead.

She moved her hand slightly, just to see if she might feel anything. She felt the hard packed dirt floor of the mill. And she heard a voice.

"Oh thank the heavens... You're at least moving. I didn't know if I had been too late..." His voice trailed off.

"Doctor?"

"It's me, Hazel." He touched her arm gently to let her know that he was there.

He seems so gentle... He's so confusing, but I think he's a little lonely... Maybe he covers it up with ignorance and stubbornness.

"Wh-What happened?" Hazel opened her eyes and went to sit up.

"Stay down for now, Hazel Grace. You took a thirty foot drop. The wood of the ramp was old and unreliable."

"I don't feel hurt..."

"Remember the sonic screwdriver?"

"Yes..."

"I used it to help speed up the healing of your cracked ribs. I got to you in time to make sure your head didn't take any of he blow, but I couldn't help your ribs except for speeding up the healing process."

"... Thank you."

The Doctor was silent for a few moments. "I found evidence of what I was looking for, but no sign of them."

"What are you looking for?"

"A race called the Daleks. I'm sure they're the reason that the TARDIS brought me here to this place and time period."

"Okay. Quick questions. One, What are Daleks? Two, You continue to talk about that TARDIS thing. Why? And Three, Place and time period? You must be crazy."

"I'll explain it later, if I'm given the chance. Let me help you up. I think we should get out of here."

"Alright." Hazel allowed the Doctor to help her up, and they were right about to get to the doorway, when a shrill voice cut throughout the air like a knife.

"EX-TER-MIN-ATE."