The Time Guardian
Chapter One: Salem
I've never known who or what I was. It was a long time ago I landed in Salem, forced to live on my own with no family, in a world full of suspicious strangers and neighbours who will turn you in as a witch if you do something they don't like… or even if they want your husband. I don't know where I came from but I can't imagine it was anything like this. I don't understand what made these people the way they are.
Now I've been living here for almost three years, and I've lived every one of those days in fear. Because whatever I am it fits their description of 'witch'. I know I'm not, I can't be. I may have no true memories from my past but the description of witch just doesn't seem to fit. It can't… because if I am… I'm doomed.
She saw the firelight in the night as they approached; still she kept by her desk and dutifully wrote in her journal. She felt confident they could do her no harm. Even as the light grew stronger she didn't make a move for escape. It was only when there was a tap on the door that she got up from her chair.
"Open up!" A voice outside demanded.
"I'm comin', I'm comin'" She picked up her skirt and headed to the door. "What is it you want?" She opened the door and her heart skipped a beat. "No…" There was a large group of town folk, each carrying a pitchfork or torch, and some even had both.
"Get the witch!" One yelled. She shook her head.
"No…" This should be the time to defend herself, but it would prove she was exactly what she didn't want to be. "I'm not…"
"Get her!" Some stormed into the house from the back door. She was surrounded.
"Please…" The warmth of their torches burned against her. "I'm not… I'm not a witch, I swear it."
"You were seen by Mable to be practicing the craft in the woods, dancing… naked."
She shook her head. "No…" She began to struggle against the hands that were beginning to bind her with a strange metal clasp that was unusual for the time to say the least. "Please…" and with that word a large metal object hit her square in the back of the head, the harsh movement knocking her unconscious.
(One Day Earlier)
"Here we are, Amy: Salem, during the witch trials!" The doctor speaks with an enthusiasm Amy can't imagine any one else in the world would feel for the time period.
"And you consider this… amazing...?" Amy says doubtfully.
The Doctor doesn't answer, he just smiles.
Amy rolls her eyes and smiles too, "Don't you think they'll notice a giant box showing up in the cornfield?" Amy smirks.
The Doctor shrugs, "They haven't before."
It's then that they notice a small girl collecting corn, her basket lying discarded on the ground. She is standing utterly still with shocked horror wrought about her face.
"Was she there before?" Amy wonders aloud.
"Witch!" the girl's bloodcurdling cry rings.
Amy's brow furrows, "Witch? Is she talking about us?"
"Witch!" the girl cries again and already, several towns folk are on there way to see the commotion. The girl runs up to the old man who seems to be the leader. "They came out of nowhere sir. In that – that box." She points over to the TARDIS.
"Told you someone would notice." Amy mutters to the Doctor.
"We're not…" The Doctor starts to explain but he and Amy are already in the middle of the group and being tied up.
"Worst time trip ever," she says through gritted teeth., "By the way"
Amy is soon kneeling on a horse and strung from a high, sturdy tree branch. "I hate you," she says "I hate you so much right now."
"No you don't. You don't mean that." A soft wind touches them.
"Oh no I definitely do." she says, nodding.
"No, if anyone should be mad at me it's me. I mean who knows what their going to do to the TARDIS." His face is full of concern and Amy looks at him in disbelief.
"Really?" she sighs. "You're worried about the TARDIS right now?"
The Doctor's expression remains unchanged.
"You've got to be kidding me."
"You have been accused of witch craft." The old man from before begins to read. "Do you wish to plead?"
"Not guilty!" Amy protests. "I… We are definitely not witches."
"Unfortunately no matter how you protest the proof is too clear that you two have the devil in ye."
"The devil?" she says skeptically, "You've got to be joking."
"A joke? Is that what you think this is?" the old man sounds fearful.
"No I guess not…" she mumbles.
"Riders?" He yells to the men seated on the horses. "On your mark…" He turns to the Doctor and Amy. "May the lord have mercy on your souls." He turns away. "Ride!" The riders take off, as does the old man, leaving The Doctor and Amy to swing.
Suddenly the birds stop chirping, the wind isn't blowing, everything has stopped moving, all except the Doctor. He looks around for the cause then looks at Amy.
"Amy?" She doesn't respond. He tries again. "Amy?"
"How come you can move?" From behind a bush a young brunette comes into sight. "You should be frozen too."
"Who are you?"
The girl comes forward to help Amy down from the tree, then The Doctor. Everything goes back to normal.
"Well?" He urges.
Amy chokes, startling back to consciousness.
"My name is Mae."