The Rose & Crown

Chapter Twelve

The embers burned bright as they devoured the remaining fragments of the fallen structure, spreading like a virus within the ruins of what once was. A blanket of ash filtered through the air as the flames subsided amongst the wreckage of the factory. The surrounding scorched earth was littered with the debris of mangled limbs torn from their inhuman frames.

From within the settling dust, a figure parted its way through the dense smoke - rising from the ashes like a phoenix. Its flesh, barren of garments and unscathed by the devastation surrounding it, strode through the fiery path like an indestructible army, leaving the remains of the structure behind it. As the figure drew farther from the heated source, its skin was welcomed by the icy chill of the night's most recently departed snowfall. Gazing towards the clear night sky, moonlight pierced the darkness - providing the only source of light for miles in any direction. Its brilliant beams shined brightly over every reflective surface it could inhabit. The being turned its head towards a glistening object buried halfway under the fresh powder. It approached with curiosity, slowly reaching down to spare it from its inevitable fate. As it brought the object closer for inspection, the powdered snow fell off its surface to reveal a familiar sight; a dark mask. Its scorched outer layers retained most of its original integrity. The shaded glass was still intact. The being ran its fingers over its recognisable features. Bringing the mask to its face, it glared at the new reflection displayed upon its surface.

Her amber hair burned brighter than the flames she had resurrected from. Her eyes, once cold and calculated, were now consumed with vengeance and hatred. The scars of war she once wore proudly like a badge of conquest had vanished. Her once youthful features had been upgraded to a level of maturity matching her experience and wisdom.

As Quynn took in every detail of her new form, a disturbing presence was felt from behind her as if waiting for the right moment to strike. Tilting the mask, its shaded glass caught the distinctive reflection of a familiar lifeform. It stood but an arm's length away as if it had appeared out of thin air. Like a phantom merely passing through the world of the living. Quynn recognised the lucid apparition immediately. Its unforgettable, terrified expression burned into her memory not so long ago. The first menacing smile of her new body was born the moment their eyes shared a connection. A moment which would fully ignite her inevitable pursuit of revenge.

Quynn knew of all the phrases in all the languages of the universe, there was only one thing she wanted to say to this unfortunate soul she now sought to destroy. One undeniable truth that would follow it wherever it fled. The single most terrifying thing it would forever fear until its inescapable death. Breaking the silence between them, she finally addressed the infiltrator of her mind.

"I'm coming for you, Clara."

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Clara gasped for breath as she flung the blanket off her trembling body and brought herself to a sitting position. A cold sweat clung to her damp brow as the nightmare faded from her consciousness. She observed her surroundings as the fragments of her last attainable memories bled into her mind. She had awoken on the couch, assuming the Doctor placed her there after she fainted. Peering down the length of her, she noticed her day dress and corset had been removed, leaving her modestly clothed within her remaining undergarments. As she recalled the moments prior to the darkness befalling her, she realised the pain from the tearing had subsided, bearing no trace of its former existence. Looking around the ship's control room, she discovered she had been left unaccompanied. There was no sign of the Doctor anywhere to be found, leaving her alone in silence.

The TARDIS seemed eerily quiet without the presence of the Doctor banging together some project he was working on. Not that she hadn't been left to wander the ship on her own before. She had many fond memories of it entertaining herself by hiding Clara's room from her while they were in the getting-to-know-one-another phase of their relationship. The ship had a way of feeling much smaller whenever the Doctor occupied her as if his larger-than-life persona filled all the empty spaces inside of it. The thought of going out to look for him crossed her mind when the door opened and he walked in, shaking the snow off his clothing.