He had lied. And they didn't suspect a thing.
Twice the secret had nearly come out, twice his carefully wrapped ball of yarn nearly frayed and unravelled and came apart before his eyes.
He'd be more careful now. He had to be.
He felt terrible for lying, but not just for that. He'd made River lie too. Lie about who she was. Lie to protect him.
And her.
He knew it would kill him.
Leave an aching hole burning and smouldering at his hearts every day for the rest of forever.
But it was best.
He wouldn't do it. Not again.
Another child would not cry for him, another friend would not die for him.
Demons Run. Where a good man goes to war. The sun will fall and the dark will rise when a good man goes to war. Friendship dies and true love lies when a good man goes to war.
No. No one else would die for him. No one else would cry for him.
But people must still lie for him.
For once it wasn't to protect him.
It was to protect her.
His daughter.
Melody Pond.