This chapter is just the introduction, so my other chapters will be longer. School is starting up for me, so I apologize is my posting is irregular. Anyways, please review, I cannot stress how important it is for writers to get feedback. I appreciate any constructive criticism you have to give. Also, I know most of my stuff is way sadder and angstier, so I am just trying something different.
"At last! Barcelona!" Said the Doctor as he stepped out of the TARDIS.
"Where the dogs have no noses!"Said Rose as she followed.
"Yes! Did you know that because they don't smell, their eyesight is incredible? They can see a cricket from 200 feet away. And their hearing! Oh, they can hear intruders from a mile away! Best guard dogs in the universe, right here. Yep, if you're afraid of prowlers, just pick up a dog from Barcelona!Oh look, here's the dog market!"
"I'll keep that in mind," laughed Rose as she linked arms with him. They stood in front of an entrance to the market place. Though they weren't actually in the market yet, the noise was deafening. Shouts, laughter, cries, yelps, and just about everys sound of life was emanating from the metal gates. Rose was apprehensive when they entered. Most of the stalls were built of dirty wood and the people who tended them had rotting teeth, overgrown hair and dirty clothing. The dogs they were selling weren't any better. They looked pleadingly at her with scrawny bodies, ribs painfully noticeable.
"Doctor," She said, tugging on his arm.
"What?"
"Look at them. They look as if they haven't been fed in weeks."
"Rose, I know where this is going. You know perfectly well we can't get a dog." He started. "It would muck up the TARDIS. Probably destroy the- Rose, stop it. You know big eyes don't work-. Oh, here's fifty credits. Try not to buy one that's too dirty."
Rose squealed and went straight for the cutest one. She reached out to stroke its square head, but her hand was slapped aside.
"That'll be 30 credits, miss." The stall owner said, staying her hand from petting the dog.
She's probably afraid I'll steal it, Rose realized. "Oh, I'm really sorry. Here's fifty credits, do you have a twe-"
"Sorry, price just changed to fifty. Thank you for your business, now here's the dog and be off with you." The old woman rudely shoved the dog into Rose's arms with one hand while snatching the plastic credit with the other. Rose walked back over to the Doctor, her jaw dropped.
"She just stiffed me!"
"Well, you've got to watch your back in these parts. Not exactly the nice part of town. I think this part of town is called the Arusfa. It's Barcelonian for 'inelegant'. Funny choice of words, but then those Barcelonians have always-" The Doctor cut off when he realized that Rose was far too enamored with her dog to listen.
"Oh, you're adorable! Hm, what am I going to call you? You know, you look like a cute little Voldemort without a nose... That's it! Your name is Voldy!"
"You're going to name a innocent puppy after a dark wizard that killed thousands?" He said distastefully.
"You're a cute little Voldy! Yes you are!" Rose said, completely ignoring him.
Voldy leaned back in Rose's arms and made the dog equivalent of a sigh of content. He was very thin, but definitely adorable. He had a dark brown coat with a white splash on his head. It was true, however, that he resembled Voldemort. He looked like pug, but instead of the wet little nose that usually adorned a canine face, there was simply smooth fur. Luckily, this did not detract from his looks.
They continued to walk through the market place. While the number of poor breeders and unfed dogs remained high, taller and much cleaner looking stalls were visible now. There were more buyers now as well, strolling around. Some of them walked with a snotty air, as if to say that only the best should be offered to them. A man who fit that description stuck his nose in the air when he saw the state of Voldy. Rose glared at him and held Voldy a little tighter. Others walked quickly and bought dogs with a furtive air. Rose guessed they probably worried about safety, and were getting a guard dog. And some were children, off to get a playmate.
By now almost all the stalls were made of ornate metal. Some of them were even made of marble and granite. All of them were pretty. But there was one that outshone them all, quite literally. There was a huge crowd of people around it, jostling and waving their credits in the air. This was obviously the most popular stall. And for a good reason. It was made of gold.
"Look, Doctor!" Said Rose, her eyes wide with almost childish astonishment.
To her surprise, the Doctor grabbed her arms and whispered to her in a serious, hard tone. "Rose, listen to me and listen carefully. There is a man following us. No, I don't know who he is. He's been covering his face. Listen, we're going to get into that crowd by the golden stall, then slip out when he joins it. Just hold my hand and follow." The Doctor gazed into Rose's eyes for a long second before she nodded. "Alright, let's go. Allonsy!" They elbowed their way into the crowd, getting pushed from all sides. Rose wrapped Voldy in her blue jacket, eager to protect him. The Doctor almost panicked for a second when a woman ran into him and almost tipped him over, but he balanced and kept moving. He scanned the crowd, and saw him. The man in the black robe was looking straight at him. Chills ran down the Doctor's spine when he realized all he could see of the stranger was bright blue eyes. The mysterious man started to make his way towards him, and the Doctor tugged hard on Rose's hand.
"Come on!" He yelled. After what seemed like ten minutes but had really just been a few seconds, they broke free of the throng and ran down an alley between two stalls, only to find a dead end as he realized the path was blocked by huge crates. Knowing the stranger was at their heels, he pulled Rose behind him and turned to look at their pursuer. He was sauntering down the alley.
"Hey, Doctor. Looking as good as ever. You too, Rose. Cute dog you have there." The stranger called out.
The Doctor whipped out the sonic. "Look, I don't know who you are, but this device is extremely dangerous. If you value your health-"
The man came to a complete stop about 10 feet away from him. "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you knew who I was." He pulled the hood back. "Miss me?"
"What?" Said Rose and the Doctor in unison.
Oh, I am ever so evil... Don't worry, his identity shall soon be revealed.
