A.N. Thankyous to Bubblez-rocks-your-socks, Kaykalia, gaiafreedom21, DoctorWhoRules, Lady Ardana, and Montypython203 who unknowingly gave me some interesting ideas for the rest of the fic. You rock!
Sorry to have made people wait so long for this. Life has been hectic. Job hunting, deciding not to return to Uni, new boyfriend…craziness. Anyway…here it is.
XXX
They lumbered through the woods as best as they could. Neither could see more than a foot in front of their faces but they kept a tight hold on each other's hand so as not to loose one another. The weight of hand on hand also delivered comfort as each felt a clinging dread settle in their hearts from the crushing mass of the forest.
Trees were creaking a haunting yet harmonious melody as they reluctantly swayed in the nighttime breeze. Nocturnal animals and birds made their calls to one another, warning of dangers and signalling the triumph of the hunt. Rose and the Doctor could hear the faint scurry of the smaller animals, running to hide away from the bigger animals. They felt akin to these smaller animals, for they knew of the dangers that lurked in these woods and wondered just how many predatory creatures were eyeing them as they would the smaller animals, like a fresh and interesting meal. Something small and powerless to be chased played with and then devoured.
The thought sent a shiver through Rose, a shiver that the Doctor did not fail to notice. He squeezed her hand lightly, attempting to soundlessly communicate his reassurances. They were being as quite as possible so as not to draw unwanted attention to themselves. They certainly did not want to become the object of curiosity to anything large, lumbering and potentially dangerous.
Rose squeezed back an affirmation that she was okay. They could not even see each other in this dismal darkness, they just had to keep hold of each other and hope that nothing would tear them apart.
They walked on shakily, the Doctor in the lead, reaching out with his superior senses and his free hand, feeling for a clear way. His hand scraped over bark and through braches of sharp twigs and rustling leaves. Scrapes and cuts littered his knuckles and his face and there were tears in his clothes. Rose also had her fair share of tiny injuries yet the Doctor bore the brunt of it
So they continued through, twigs and thorns, biting and scratching at their faces and arms, continued through with growing fatigue, utter desperation clawing at their hearts. Would they ever find a way out of this desolate labyrinth?
They were hopelessly lost, trudging through endlessly, possibly walking in circles for all they knew. They had been walking for hours and the dense foliage had not been getting any thinner or easier to navigate.
Rose felt the worry and anguish settle heavily within her. She trusted the Doctor with her life, she knew that he would protect her from everything with his dying breath and beyond if he knew a way, but she could sense his deep unease. He was doubting her safety and feeling the guilt that went with it. If they did not find some form of shelter or civilisation soon, she knew the Doctor would feel like he had failed her and that was the last thing that she wanted plaguing his mind. She held no blame against him. She never would.
Just as she thought that her eyes would never see again, a faint light seemed to come upon them through the darkness. The unidentified light drew the Doctor to a halt and pulled a gasp involuntarily from his throat. Rose could feel him moving back closer to her, as if to shield her from whatever danger this new mystery presented. But as Rose saw the light, she felt no fear but a deep sense of familiarity and relief, like a homecoming. It was like the light was a part of her, coming from her, but a different her. Like she knew she could control it, should be able to control it, but had forgotten how. This light was hers. It belonged to her and would answer only to her. It grew brighter and nearer as her realisation grew in strength and certainty.
It was close now, so unbelievably close.
The doctor had his hand raised to his eyes, shielding them from the harshness of the unnatural glare, but Rose remained infatuated. Her eyes stayed open and unblinking, marvelling at this piece of herself returning to her aid.
She didn't know how she knew it, but she felt a fierce and unquestioning knowledge that there was something else in the light. Here was more of her than she originally thought. Some piece of her that was until now wild and untamed. It still was in a way. It had started out clawing and growling its defiance and its disapproval to the hand that sought to contain it, yet it now came willingly. She could already feel it even though she could not see it. A large bulk of mass, furred and deceptively soft, curling up within her mind, offering protection and assurances, nuzzling her with its submission and its affection.
The large shape started to emerge from the light. The Doctor drew back further, shielding Rose as much as he possibly could, his hand in hers, thumb gently stroking her knuckles, telling her not to be afraid.
But she wasn't afraid. She had never felt so content. So sure.
She felt waves of calming unity sweep over her, as the figure of the slate grey wolf materialized from the blinding radiance of the divine light.
XXX
A.N. Thanks for reading. I hope people enjoyed and I'm hoping to update again soon. Let me know what you thought of it.
I would also like to take this opportunity to shamelessly advertise the fic I am currently co-writing with the lovely Adia Rose. It is on her profile and is called "Infinite Improbability".
