Doctor Who and the End of Days (The Future Doctor Chronicles Part Three)

Chapter Six

After the initial excitement of the news report the rest of the morning had turned out to be as uneventful as ever. John's legs ached as he paced around the archaeological gallery for what seemed like the hundredth time. He glanced at his watch and thought he'd pass a bit of time by making a cup of tea so he headed for the orientation hall.  

He passed underneath the glass roof and for some unknown reason stopped and looked to his left. Heavy rain rattled against the narrow window that ran the full length of the wall. Such weather wouldn't normally bother him but if it was so dull outside then why was it so bright above his head. He craned his neck upwards and squinted against the glare.  

Four round discs shone down through the glass with an intensity that increased with each passing second. A flare temporarily blinded him but once his sight returned he was confronted by four columns of light. As he stood open mouthed not quite believing what he was seeing the light faded to reveal four shimmering human forms clothed in white robes.  

All four angels slowly put their hands together as if in prayer and smiled sweetly. John stared into their bright blue eyes and immediately felt calm. 

"We can sense your fear John but there's no need to fear us. Gather together the people of this city and you'll receive answers to all the questions racing around your head." said the nearest angel in a voice so serene it made him feel drowsy.

John couldn't quite believe the amount of people they'd managed to pack into the orientation hall. It had to be breaking health and safety but somehow given the nature of the event that didn't seem to matter. All manner of people from the homeless to local government officials had turned up following an announcement on the local radio station. They were all eagerly waiting to find out what the angels proclamation meant for them and their families.  

As he gazed across the crowd he considered for the first time how he felt about the angels and whether he really believed in them. For centuries people had investigated all aspects of the supernatural but being confronted by it left him unsure of what to believe. What was more disturbing to him though was that when he tried thinking too deeply about what they might be and where they originated from his mind became foggy. 

"Where can we set this lot up mate?"  

John turned around to see a man of about thirty with short black hair holding a heavy video camera and behind him stood a man of similar age carrying a boom microphone. 

"Follow me." he said with a smile before leading them to the top of a gentle slope that led down to the orientation hall "You should get a good view from here." 

"What times kick off?" asked the cameraman as he gently place the camera onto the tripod he'd set up. 

"We're only a few minutes away now." he replied after he looked down at his watch. 

Regardless of whether his bosses would be annoyed or not he decided to abandon his post and stand as close as he could get to where the angels would appear. With a multitude of mumbled apologies he made his way through the crowd to a small roped off area with a sign that read 'Please keep clear for the angels'.  

Behind him he could hear great tom in the Cathedral's central tower toll. Once this had ceased the columns of light returned and gradually dispersed to reveal four angels. They spoke in the same calm and melodious voice, which along with their piercing blue eyes seemed to completely captivate the audience. An elderly lady next to him even began to weep uncontrollably. 

"We greet you all with love and compassion and make a promise that when the end comes we will reward God's faithful servants. It's not too late to turn your back on your sins and feel the warmth of God's love in your hearts. In order to fulfil his promise God needs four of the most faithful to serve him. Come forward if you believe yourself to be worthy of such a task."  

To his amazement four people silently stepped forward and knelt before each of the angels. He'd expected more people to volunteer themselves. It seemed odd that the exact number they'd requested had come forward. Each angel raised its right arm and made the sign of the cross on the forehead of the person in from of them. Once this ritual had been completed the volunteer stood up and turned to face the crowd. All of them now had a cross burned into their forehead. 

"While we carry out our holy mission we will base ourselves in the plant room of this museum. This area will be out of bounds to all except the four servants of the Lord. We say this not to hide anything from you but for your own safety. Too long spent in the presence of God's messengers can have a painful effect on human eyes. May the Lord's grace be with you always." with the last comment spoken in unison they dissolved into the air.