Sorry for the delay, I've been away on holiday :)
Please review, constructive crit. is welcome too :D
Aobh is pronounced Eve
Disclaimer: If you recognise it, it's not mine.
Chapter 1
The sheep were grazing in the field, mouths churning the grass around and around and around. The mist didn't bother them, after all, they were bred for the rough conditions. This was generally how they spent their day. Eating grass, with the odd nap when they got tired. So it goes without saying that it wasn't everyday that a large blue box materialised in front of their eyes. But they weren't too bothered about it.
As a deep, grating noise that seemed to be everywhere but nowhere at the same time, filled the field, and one lone sheep raised her head, chewing grass. The noise stopped with a dull clunk, the police box now fully visible. After a few seconds, the door opened with a creek, a spiky haired head poking out.
"Here we are!" The Doctor proclaimed to no-one in particular. The sheep gave a loud "baa!" before returning to the lump of grass she'd been shredding.
"Blimey! It's a bit misty. I'll have to watch me s-" The Doctor began before falling face first over the sheep in question. "-tep. Spoke too soon. Sorry about that! Poor visibility and all,"
The sheep stared at the strange man who was now grinning apologetically, before lowering its head to the ground and taring up more grass. Shaking himself down and brushing off the dust, the doctor produced his sonic screwdriver, set it, and began to wander off, the mist thinning slightly as the buzzing blue light hit it.
It took him quite some time to reach the road, a small single track running through the hills towards the distant glowing of village lights. By this time, the rain had come on, and the sky was darkening, night setting in early. HIs coat was soaked through, his hair was plastered to his forehead, and his feet were sodden, but the rain was doing nothing to dampen the Doctor's spirits.
A beam of light cut across the road, and he spun around to find an old beaten up car trundling towards him. Standing into the side of the road to let it past, he put on his most innocent grin. The car slowed beside him, and a weather beaten face of a man emerged from the darkness.
"What're you doing?! Out at this time! Walking?!" The shock was evident on his face.
"Just heading for the village. Been doing a bit of hill walking," The Doctor replied with a grin
"In this weather!? That's madness! Get in, get in, I'll give you a lift to the village. There's nasty things that lurk around here after dark!"
The Doctor swung the passenger door open, sitting down and curling his knees up. The car had clearly not been made for someone his height.
"Hello! I'm the Doctor," he offered his hand, and the man shook it warily
"Archie MacLeod," he replied before setting of down the road.
From his position in the passenger seat, the Doctor watched the world flicker past outside. The deep, clinging mist blocked the mountains from view, with icy rain pelting the windows. The car rocked as it was buffeted by the wind, slowly rolling down the road towards the village.
"Weather's a bit nasty," the Doctor said frowning at the wall of mist.
"A bit? It's july, not December! Been like this for nearly two months now. Mist willnae shift. Tourist season's gone to pot too. No hill walkers, the B&B hasnae been booked. That creatures ruining everything. Old Padruig disappeared last week. Body was found half way up the hill. Unrecognisable, had to identify him by his watch. Or so the rumors say," The old man was in full flow, eyes glinting with excitement. It was obvious who the village gossip was.
"So what's this creature?" The doctor asked, attention caught
"Well, some say its a beast of the devil, bringing its fowl mist from hell with it. Others think its a Kelpie, using the mist to feast on those too far from its watery lair. And a few think the witch is behind it,"
"Witch? What Witch?"
"The one that works in the village store. She's a funny girl that one, comes out with the strangest of things that one. Aye, they say she's a witch,"
Cottages began to emerge on either side of the car, some thatched, some crumbling. It would have been a cute little village on a nice day. But the weather seemed to make it dark. The car pulled up, and the Doctor climbed out, stretching his stiff arms and legs. A sign creaked above their heads, announcing the presence of the B&B and Archie moved to the door before stopping.
"Your welcome to stay the night. All the rooms are free,"
With a grin, the Doctor followed.
The nights were always boring. While the village slept, the doctor paced, itching to get on with the investigation.
"A snoop around this Padruig's place would be a good start. See what signals I can pick up. And a stop of at the shop might help, see this supposed witch. At least they have a shop. Everywhere needs a shop, in fact, most places should have one..." He trailed off with a sigh.
He hated to admit that he needed someone. But it was the truth, and in these past few months, he'd been so...lonely. He need someone to bounce ideas of, someone to laugh with. A friend. But after what had happened to Martha, to Donna and ,his biggest regret, Rose, he'd decided it was too dangerous. He wouldn't risk another friends life.
Flopping down on the bed, he gave a sigh, resting his head on the palms of his hands and staring at the ceiling. The minutes ticked by, as he waited, the rain pelting the window outside. And then he heard it.
A deep, rattling roar echoed beyond the room, and he was sprinting down the narrow staircase, coat flapping as he struggled to put it on. As he reached the door, a figure stepped out in front of him.
"Oh no you don't lad! Are y'an idiot! Going out after hearin' that?" The old woman batted him back with her broom, sending hits on his arms and hands."Archie? Archie get down here! NOW!"
"Oy! Ger'off!" The Doctor huffed, shielding himself form the blows, "Listen to me, I need to see what that thing is!"
The sound of footsteps came from the stairs, and the old man appeared, hurrying over.
"Mary! Mary stop, do you want to drive our only customer out?! Mary!" He managed to wrestle the broom of his wife, putting it out of her reach, "I'm so sorry Sir, the wife..." he tailed off, interupted by the Doctor.
"Sh-sh-sh-sh-sh! Listen!" He stuck his ear to the door listening. "There! Further away!" He swung the door open, running out into the dark.
"Did you hear anything else?" Archie asked his wife.
She shook her head in reply.
The rain lashed into the doctors face as he sprinted through the puddles, trainers soaked through. He stood at the edge of the village, sonic screwdriver buzzing. With a frustrated grown, he ruffled his wet hair. The signal had gone.
He trudged back up the road, a frown on his face. A flash of light in the end house caught his attention, and he peered at the window. The face of a young woman stared back, giving a start when she noticed he'd seen her and disappeared behind the curtain. Interest caught, the doctor headed back to the B&B.
"Who lives in the end house?" he asked as Mary fussed about, bringing him a towel and a mug of hot tea.
"Ahh, that's Aobh. The witch or so they say. Why?" Archie replied, puffing his pipe as he sat beside the fire.
"She just seemed interested that's all,"
"Aye, I bet she did! I bet their right about her! Bet that its her beast! Strange lass!"
The Doctor switched off from Archie's ramblings, his brain working overtime. Tomorrow, he visit the girl, and maybe then, he'd get some answers.
Again, this fic is set in Scotland, so I warn you now, it will contain Gaelic names, Scottish words and other general stuff from the country :)
Aobh is a variation of Eve