The Other God

by ThaneDynamo

A sighting of a tall beast. A stone circle riddled with peculiarities. A secret society studying the abstract. Something which hangs over the town like a fog. And an eccentric intellectual...who researches a mysterious wanderer from beyond. Captivated by the unusual occurrences which have taken hold of his hometown, the life of amateur journalist Howard takes a horrifying turn.

1. Introduction

This story may seem repetitive when put next to Healing Angels, in terms of it being a celebrity historical; the Doctor meets a famous historical figure and the two embark on an adventure with elements related to the figure themselves.

It is this which has influenced the nature of this story's narrative: it explores this dynamic in an innovative way.

The celebrity in question may not be as well known as the previous one. This person may not have made as much of an impact. Nevertheless, it is a meeting which has much potential, in that certain elements concerning this celebrity play a part in their encounter with the Time Lord, preferably an experience which inspires them to become what they are known for (stories such as The Shakespeare Code, The Unicorn and the Wasp have done this). Additionally, it would explore the psychology of the character using the setting of the show (executed successfully by Vincent and the Doctor).

This story is also my first attempt at writing horror. My preparation for this story took a longer time than anticipated due to my discovery of how difficult this genre is to write effectively. Fear is like comedy when it comes to the subjectivity of the matter. It is essential, I feel, to work on impact, and I have learned how some types of horror work more effectively than others. Jumpscares and gore may work to a certain extent, but nowhere near as much as the kind of horror that makes you think, the kind that lets your imagination work against you.

This attempt has taken much inspiration from various stories of that genre, as a way of inspiring me when it comes to using the genre as effectively as possible. Stories such as Silent Hill, Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem and The Haunting (1963) have been especially influential.

As far as letting the reader's imagination work against them is concerned, there are attempts at applicability in the narrative. In other words, it is told in a manner that lets the reader think for themselves, to interpret what the story is telling. It probably won't be perfect, but it is the mark of a good writer to learn as they go, and improve along the way. As J.R.R. Tolkien once put it, in comparison to allegorical writing, "[applicability] resides in the freedom of the reader, and [allegory] in the purposed domination of the author". These are words which I have begun to live by as a writer, as I have a great deal of respect for stories that encourage the reader/viewer/player to interpret and analyse based on what they have experienced.

If you are predisposed to the effects of psychological horror, especially when it feuds in varying degrees with the opposing themes that Doctor Who represents, then I would advise you to turn away. Knowledge is not always a gift to be treasured.

"I had no knowledge of what was to come. Nor did I care. How the knowledge changed me... It will also change you. As you read this, you will come to learn fear as I have. You too, will come to understand, or you will perish. To think that once I could not see beyond the veil of our reality, to see those who dwell behind. My life now has purpose, for I have learned the frailty of flesh and bone."

- Pious Augustus, Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem