Chapter 1

An annoying buzzing noise broke through Autumn's peaceful sleep. She sighed and leaned over, pressing the button to silence the alarm. She stared at the ceiling, a soft sunlight streaming through her curtains, she thought over what she had to do for the day. She got up, grabbing her favorite shirt, yanking it on, and heading down the stairs. She glanced in the mirror, seeing that her hair was a mess of red again with her blue v-neck and jeans. She darted past her parents, grabbing an apple.

"See you guys later. I'll be back late.", she yelled from the door as she went to her bike.

"Be safe!", her mum yelled after her. She took off down the street, peddling quickly. She dreaded the day that she knew was waiting for her. The stupidity of her teachers, the gossiping and stares of her peers… She shook her head to clear the thoughts and just focused on her peddling. She tuned the world out, listening only to the sounds of her breathing and the squeaks of her Converse against the pedals.

She went around the corner into an alley, a short cut to school she'd used before. Autumn looks over briefly and sees a man staring there, watching her. She stops, seeing if she could help.

"You lost?", she smiled kindly at him. He only looks at her, but takes a step forward. She laughed nervously.

"Okay… Well, I've gotta go.", she turns around to get back on her bike, only to see more men standing there. She spun back around to see that the first man had moved directly in front of her. He was tall and bald, but his eyes were what made her scared. His eyes were empty. Completely empty of all life. He was a shell of a man. His arm snapped forward to grab hers tightly. She cried out in pain as he forced her around. She looked up and saw a device in the hands of one of the men. It was a seemingly perfect fit for her face. She realised in that moment what they were going to do… They were going to make her like them.

She laughed shakily,"Listen, you've got the wrong girl. I'm nothing special and I know plenty of really strong people. If you let me go, I can go find someone really nice!", the man said nothing and moved toward her. She started to panic.

"Please! Please just leave me alone!", she started to cry. "Please! Don't touch me with that thing!", he stood in front of her, holding it near her face. A crackling noise came from it and she closed her eyes, cringing away.

Suddenly, a wind came from behind them, along with a strange grinding noise that should have sounded mechanical, but it didn't. Like it was supposed to be there. As if it was natural. They all looked around, dragging her with them. As she looked at the empty space, a tall blue box appeared. Then as suddenly as the noise had started, with a locking noise it stopped. There was silence for a second that seemed like an hour, until a tall, thin man walked out. He leaned against the doorframe, smirking. His hair was… Puffy. Brown and puffy. He was dressed in a pinstriped, brown suit with Converse on as well. He smiled at the men around her, anger in his deep, brown eyes.

"Hello, boys. I'd let go of the girl now.", the man holding Autumn instantly squeezed harder. She cried out softly, tears filling her eyes.

"Help…", she looked at the strange man, whispering to him. "Help me please…" The man holding her slapped her.

"Shut up!", his voice had an echo of rage, yet it was as emotionless as his eyes were. She looked at the man, shaking with silent sobs. He looked at her, his face suddenly filled with anger. An anger that scared her deeply. He looked at the men around her, his voice low and threatening.

"I got your master's message. You've done what you were programmed to do. Now go. Now.", she felt the man let go and move away. She spun around, holding your arm against herself moving away as fast as possible. As she watched them group together, there was a gust of wind and they were blow away into dust. The man snorted behind her.

"Always a flair for the dramatic.", he smiled at her. "You're safe now. They knew I was in the area. I love this time of year." She smiled back a small smile, then looked down at her arm. It was fine, but there would be bruising at the least.

"You alright then?", she nodded slightly.

"What were those things? I know they weren't… This is going to sound mad, but I don't think they're human.", the man smiled slightly.

"I appeared out of nowhere. It doesn't sound mad to me.", he smiled widely, then his face darkened. "To answer your question, no they aren't human. Well! They used to be. That thing they were about to use on you is a Soul Detractor. It latches onto you by your face and it enters your brain. It changes the chemicals so badly that you stop having emotion. You stop being you. Then, after that lovely procedure, it goes deeper. It makes you unable to feel any kind of pain. Lastly… It takes your memories. It literally sucks the life out of you. Then you're left a shell. They control you afterwards. A robot soldier."

She gasps, horrified. What kind of horrible people… Things would do that. Her face obviously reflected her thoughts because the man nodded.

"I know. That's why I've been trying to stop them. They're breaking thousands of laws all across the universe.", she looked at him like he was joking with her. He just smiled and turned back to his blue box, walking toward the door. He opened the door, but turned back for a moment.

"What's your name, by the way?"

"Autumn."

"Nice to meet you, Autumn.", he went to go back in.

"Wait!", he paused."I need some help with this.", he grinned."Wanna come with me?"

"I… I just met you! I don't know what's going to happen… I don't even know you're name!", she crossed her arms. He stepped out and leaned against the doorframe.

"Yeah, but that's the fun of it. I can travel anywhere with this thing. It's called the TARDIS. It lets me go everywhere and in any point in time. I can take you anywhere… There's so many things to see. Aren't you bored… Don't you, you know! Wanna get out there! See the world! Touch the stars! Well, come close to the stars. I don't want to touch a star…", he shudders."Nope. Anyway, you can stay here, living you're boring life… Or… You can come with me.", he raised his eyebrows."As for my name? I'm the Doctor.", he goes back into the TARDIS, leaving the door cracked open. She fought with herself for a while… But he promised her everything she's ever wanted. To see the world. To see everything… More than that… It was an escape. An escape from the people that she had wanted to forget about. She looked at the box. It was so stupid! It was going to end eventually. There would be so much danger… She grinned and walked in without looking back.