The Master Calls

Chapter 14

They landed at the airport and got into the rental car that the Master had reserved and headed to the hotel. They checked into their room and the Master started rummaging in his bag for the things he would need.

"Did the device give an exact location?" she asked, praying that it would not be that beach.

"Not really. I've estimated that it's about forty miles from here. I checked on the map and it's in the country."

She nodded, relief flooding her. Anticipation suddenly washed over her, the feeling she always got when she was heading into a mystery or adventure. She couldn't help but get excited.

He stood, all his bits and bobs shoved deep down into the abyss of his pockets. "Ready to go exploring?" he asked, his eyes alight.

She grinned back and took his proffered hand. His whole attitude and demeanor had been lighter since they had made love, as though he had been reassured of her love for him. And she realised that she had indeed grown to love him.

They drove until the device started beeping insistently. He pulled up to the side of the road and parked the car. "We'll have to walk the rest of the way."

She got out the car and looked around at the scenery. The countryside truly was spectacular, with the snow-capped mountains in the background and the lush green fields with thick copse of trees surrounding them. The air was chilly and she zipped her jacket right up to her neck. The Master stood there in his suit, looking impervious to the cold, looked down at the device in his hand.

"Not too far from here. I'd say past that field and beyond that forest."

She smirked. "Are you sure you can handle getting your shoes muddied?" she teased.

He sighed dramatically. "It's a sacrifice. But I have plenty more," he said, flashing her a grin.

She shook her head, still smiling. "I really don't want to know. Come on, let's go solve this mystery."

They walked through the field that was thick and dense with the brightest green grass Rose had ever seen. They came to the outskirts of the forest and the Master stopped, turning to her with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Not afraid of the dark, are you, Rose?"

"Depends. Are you afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?"

"Terrified," he replied in mock terror.

She grinned and took his hand. "Don't worry. I'll protect you."

He chuckled. "I've gone soft in my old age. Never thought that I would need protecting." Then he became serious as the beeping started getting louder as they made their way through the dark forest. It was eerily quiet, all noise hushed by the dense growth. They weaved their way through trees, stepping gingerly over roots. Soon light started pouring through the trees as the denseness thinned out and they suddenly found themselves in a clearing. There in the middle of the clearing stood a dilapidated cottage, the roof covered in lime green moss and a tree even growing through the roof.

The Master looked at the cottage and then at the device. "In there, would be my guess."

Rose frowned. "I wonder what the significance of the tear being in that house is?"

"Things like this don't usually have a significant meaning behind them," he commented as they made their way to the cottage.

"Oh, I don't know. Has been known to happen."

He glanced over at her with a sharp gaze. "Elaborate, please."

"When the Doctor left me on that beach, the name of that beach was Darlig ulv stranden, which translates to Bad Wolf Bay. That was where the tear opened up the last time."