Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who (I wouldn't be here other wise) or any of the locations mentioned in this story. Please enjoy.
Ghost Train
Chapter 2
The sudden blackout on board instantly created serious tension. All the passengers seemed anxious, as if speaking of the ghost had caused. Before they could panic and as carefully as possible, the Doctor pulled out the sonic screwdriver and brought some of the lights back on. Luna stayed close, helping to hide the trick. Also this was a perfect opportunity to ask questions.
"So, what do you think?" She asked, "Could that journalist have really seen a ghost?"
"Who knows what he saw," The Doctor replied, "It could've been a hoax."
"But do ghost exist?" She asked.
"There's no real scientific evidence of them but some stories seem to very real."
"Have you seen ghosts?"
"Not real ones."
"I remember when the ghosts appeared across the world. It was too strange. Then they turned into the Cybermen."
Luna looked at him. She could see the heartbreak on his face. He had told about her what happened to Rose that day. But that was one reason for ghost not being real.
"But there's no way that the journalist was found in the state he was in without some influence other than his own." The Doctor pointed out.
"So something must have attacked him." Luna replied.
"It looks likely."
Any normal person would have been made nervous now, but Luna was now very interested.
Once all the lights were back on, the passengers all sat down and calmed down. The tension from talking about ghosts was still there. It made a few people uncomfortable, obvious by the restlessness in the way they sat. After a few minutes, Luna finally got bored and headed off to explore the train. The Doctor watched carefully. He was tempted to follow but the suspicious man from early was still sat by the opposite window. He really wanted to watch him so trusted Luna would be ok.
As Luna strolled along the carriage, she took in her surroundings. The passage was only just wide enough for two small people to walk through and was light by the sun passing through the large windows. The wood she could see was dark mahogany, the curtains and carpet were dark red with gold detail and the cushions she could see in the compartments were dark green. It reminded her of the Hogwarts Express.
"This is amazing," She smiled, "Mum would love this."
Luna's mother, Victoria Edwards, wasn't biologically related to Luna. She had found Luna wrapped up on her doorstep. Luna was only a few months old and there was so sign of her biological parents. Victoria took Luna in, having no children herself, and raised her. She was well aware that her adoptive daughter was travelling with the Doctor. The time lord had actually introduced himself to her, after Luna had helped him stop an alien when they met, and asked for her permission to take Luna with him. Victoria agreed, knowing how probing Luna's mind was. The young traveller called her mum nearly every week.
Continuing her tour of the train, Luna came to the door between the second and third carriage. As she went to open the door, she heard someone call out miss. She turned to see a girl, younger than herself, dressed in a serving girl's uniform. She wore a black dress with a white pinafore. She had dark brown hair and olive toned skin and dark eyes and looked nervous.
"Excuse me?" Luna replied.
"I'm so sorry, Miss," the girl said, "But you mustn't go through there."
"Why not? What's through there?"
"It's dangerous in there. You'll be hurt."
Luna was stunned and bewildered. What was the matter?
"Just tell me what's through there?"
"It's the ghost, Miss."
This took Luna back a bit. This girl was claiming that there was a ghost.
"What's your name?" Luna asked.
"Maria, Miss," The girl replied, "Maria O'Leary."
"I'm Luna. So, you've seen the ghost?"
"Oh yes. It was only for a few minutes but yes I did. It's a young girl. She stalks carriage three, looking for something."
Talking about the ghost clearly upset Maria, she started crying and shaking. Luna stepped closer and hugged her.
Back in the lounge carriage, the conversation of the passengers went from the ghost to something more sinister.
"Of course if there is such a ghost," One woman said, "It could be to do with the murder twenty years ago."
The Doctor's ears were alerted to that sentence. He turned to them and asked what they meant. At first they just stared at him as if he was an idiot for not knowing.
"I'm not from around here," He replied, "Just bring me up to date."
"Very well then. About twenty years ago, there was young girl travelling on this train to Harrogate from York."
"The same journey we're taking."
"Exactly. Anyway, she was with her fiancé and in the night she was asleep. The next morning, her body was found dead by her fiancé. There were no marks on her, making the police think she was strangled."
"And was anyone caught?"
"No, that's what's most tragic, the killer was never discovered. But now this ghost has appeared. Maybe that young journalist was trying to revisit the case."
Now the Doctor was a bit worried. He carefully looked over his shoulder at the mystery man he had been watching. By now the man had realised that the Doctor was watching him. He tried not to make eye contact with the time lord.
Meanwhile, Luna and her new friend had finished hugging. Although Maria was still upset, Luna wanted to reassure her and prove there was nothing to fear. Also she wanted to investigate carriage three.
"Maria," She said softly, "Take my hand and come with me."
"Miss," Maria sniffed, "We can't go through there."
"Listen; if there is a ghost, I have a friend who can stop it. But I don't think we need to worry, even if there is."
Maria stared at Luna for minute then reluctantly agreed to follow her. She took Luna's hand and the more confident girl pushed the door open.
Carriage three wasn't any different to the previous carriage in any way. Luna was already getting sceptical. Then the whole carriage went cold and something made a shiver run right up Luna's spine. Suddenly the lights in the carriage went out. Maria tensed and started shaking. Luna's confidence waned slightly. But she wasn't going to give up now. Suddenly, they heard a loud bang. Both screamed and spun around. Luna's heart was racing, her mouth felt dry and a sickly feeling was gathering in her stomach. Then when they turned back around, there it was. A few metres away from them was the ghost. It looked like a girl Luna's age, complete with legs, arms, hands and feet but they could see right through her. She was staring out the window longingly.
"That's the ghost!" Maria gasped in a hushed tone.
Luna's curious nature compelled her to step slowly closer and try and communicate with it.
"Uh, hello," She called, trying to hide her nerves, "My name is Luna Edwards. I was hoping to find you."
"Don't attract its attention, Miss." Maria hissed, "It will attack us!"
Ignoring her, Luna kept trying.
"Are you looking for something? We may be able to help."
Then the ghost turned to face her. Its expression was sombre and unimpressed. Luna froze, hoping she wasn't pushing her luck. She had no idea what a ghost might do to her. Suddenly, the ghost's expression changed. It narrowed its eyes and now looked furious. Then it screamed. The scream was high-pitched and loud. It then flew at them at immense speed. Luna and Maria both screamed in fear and ran as fast as possible out of the carriage door.
"DOCTOR!"
