Doctor Who - Incarceration

Part Seven - Old Friends

Clara huddled in the corner as the massacre unfolded in front of her, desperately looking round in vain for some way out as the girl whimpered softly next to her.

It had started with the Valeyard's announcement that the Great Vampire was coming their way, an announcement which had prompted some of the larger and meaner people in the room to take exception to the thought of being held as prisoners. They had confronted the Valeyard, and for a moment Clara thought that he would be murdered by them without a second's thought.

The Valeyard's supporters had squared up to these usurpers and, in no time at all, a battle had broken out. The Valeyard stepped back and watched the violence with a broad grin, which widened even more as three blood-soaked beasts entered the room. "The Chosen Ones!" he shouted. "Welcome, friends--and enjoy!" The Chosen Ones entered the fray hungrily, tearing through the combatants like a forest fire.

The Valeyard appeared at Clara's side. "Enjoying the view?" he leered. "Don't worry, I'm sure he'll be here soon enough." He looked up and raised his voice. "Tick-tock, Doctor: time's running out!"

"Who are you?" asked Clara. "Why are you doing this?"

"Why? Why, because I can. Oh, don't feel sorry for them--they're terrible criminals, the lot of them. Vicious slaughter at the hands of bloodthirsty vampires is too good for 'em!" He licked his lips as he watched the vampires' cruel efficiency. "As for who I am, let's say that you and I are old friends. Very old friends."

"You're him, aren't you?" asked Clara. "Except you're not. He would never do something like this."

"Oh, but he would," said the Valeyard. "He's done all this and worse, and you know it. Your precious Doctor isn't the whiter-than-white hero you'd like him to be: never has been, and certainly never will be."

"These vampires," said Clara, watching as they picked off the last of the combatants. "How do you know they won't just eat you too?"

"I'm sure they would, but I also know that the Doctor will come and save the day, just in the nick of time, as always."

"Sorry, but he's a bit busy at the moment," said a voice from behind the Valeyard. They turned to see Jenny standing there, a tall, dark man and a couple of other aliens at her side. "He sends his regards, though." She swung an iron bar at the Valeyard's head.

He caught it in one hand and rose to his feet, face twisted in fury. "Stupid child," he snarled. "Can't you see I'm busy here?" He threw the bar aside and advanced on her, but Daak stepped in his way.

"Don't know about you," Daak said. "But I've got a fair amount of pent-up aggression to work off. Let's dance." He head butted the Valeyard and then followed up with a sharp jab to the stomach.

"Quick," Jenny said to Clara. "This way!"

Clara pulled the girl to her feet with her. "Come on," she said.

"Who's she?" asked Jenny.

"I'm not leaving her here," said Clara.

Jenny shrugged and thrust them toward a newly opened side door, through which Daak's companions were already retreating.

Daak stumbled backwards under a vicious attack from the Valeyard, his face bloody. Jenny pushed Clara and the girl ahead and then turned to face the Valeyard. "You know, if there's one thing I can't stand, it's a bully," she said.

The Valeyard advanced on her with a roar, to be met with a sharply aimed kick to the face. She followed up with another two kicks before Daak shoulder-charged the Valeyard straight back into the path of the Chosen Ones. "No!" shouted the Valeyard as the vampires circled him.

Daak grabbed Jenny's hand and they ran for the exit. "Teamwork, eh?" he grinned through bloodied teeth.

They caught up with Clara and the others after a few minutes. "What now?" asked Clara.

"We keep running," said Jenny.

"Where's the Doctor?"

***

The room was dark and still, a sanctuary from the chaos without. A life support machine hissed gently, a rhythmic sound which gave the only clues to there being any form of occupant in that place. He had been put there as a punishment but he rather liked it there, a place where he could allow himself to be consumed by his thoughts and dreams. When the doors had finally opened he had ventured out, but the draw of his cell had been too strong, the seclusion too tempting, for him to leave his home for too long.

The door opened, a rectangle of blinding light which transformed the room from sanctuary into something much more real and forbidding. He put a withered hand over his eye, shielding it so he could make out the silhouette standing in the light.

"Doctor..." He hissed.

"Hello Davros," said the Doctor. "Missed me?"