The Master was hungry, more than hungry, starving really, as he slowly walked around some unimportant city when a sign caught his eye. "All you can eat buffet" said the shimmering lights. The Master ran to the store and blasted his way in causing everyone to run in a panic.
"I'm so hungry." The Master said with a manic grin on his face. He was shown to a table by a quaking boy, not even old enough to vote.
"Wh-what would you like to drink, s-sir." The boy asked, hoping the cops would arrive soon.
"Water," and with that he leapt out of his seat and started eating, not even bothering with a plate. He started with the salad section and made it all the way through the deserts. Everyone that was still there stared wide-eyes and mouths gaping at the man that had ate his way through a buffet. The Master had found a toothpick and started picking out any food caught between his teeth when The Doctor showed.
"Hello Doctor. Sorry, seems I've finished off all their food." He grinned before attempting to run past the Doctor. Suddenly the Master was on the ground, nursing a sore leg. "No fair!" he shouted. "You did that on purpose."
"I just want to help you." The Doctor stated, placing a gentle hand on the Master's shoulder.
"How could you possibly help me?" The Master spat. "You can't hear it!" he shouted hitting his forehead repeatedly in the rhythm of the Time Lord's heartbeat. "One, two, three, four." He repeated, smacking his head with each word.
"Stop!" The Doctor said, quickly grabbing The Master's hands before stating, "Stop." The Doctor and the Master locked eyes for a brief moment when the Master screamed pulling away from the Doctor.
"Release me! Release, Release, release!" The Master screamed. The Doctor, for a moment, released him due to shock from the sudden scream before quickly grabbing him again.
"No, you're my friend. I am going to help you." The Doctor said, pulling the crazed Time Lord into an embrace. The Master screamed and struggled for what seemed like hours. His voice had gone hoarse and his struggles became weaker, until finally he stopped.
"Why?" The Master whispered, confusion coating that one solitary word. The Doctor made it so he could look the Master in the eye. What he saw nearly broke his hearts. He saw, in the Master, a young Time Lord alone, scared and lost. Pulling the Master into another embrace he whispered.
"I'll find a cure. I'll help you. I promise." A tear fell down the Doctor's face for his once friend.
