Left for Dead – Chapter 3

Alexandra/Alex (age 9)

I find it hard to keep my grip on the door handle. The sound of their voices drowns out and my frail legs buckle. The corridor turns the moment I find Clara trying to support me. There's a tear by my eye and I wipe it away, but not before speaking.

"Why am I going there?" A look of daggers passes in my eyes as they fix on the Doctor. "Tell me."

His dark eyes meet with mine and I feel myself stiffening all over.

"Because there are people there who know what they're doing," the Doctor says, "They can treat you in the right way."

I built up the urge to shout back but I'm left watching as he walks away. My eyes shift to Clara and I sigh, only to find it comes out as a cough.

"You can look after me too," I tell her, giving it my best chance, "You're right to look after me."

Clara lowers her eyes. "I know, Alex, but the Doctor's right. I understand you're scared of him, but this time…he knows what's best for you." She tries not to cry. "I can't do anything about it."

"Really?" I ask.

"Really," she responds.

I squeeze her hand and it makes her smile.

"If my mum and dad knew you, they'd thank you for looking after me."

"Come on. I'll find you some things to take with you."

Clara leaves her room while I wait close to the door. She's back, minutes later, with a few sets of clothes and a rucksack. Clara lays the clothes and rucksack beside me. I shuffle over to her and peer at the selection.

"These look different to what we wear back home," I say.

"Good different or bad different?"

"Bit of both."

She hands me a set of the clothes and helps me put them on. They're clean and soft, but still a bit loose on me. The last thing I pull on is the jumper – at least that's what Clara calls it. She packs the rucksack while I put my shoes back on.

"The people at UNIT will know how to look after you. Even if it takes a long time, they'll make sure you get better," Clara explains.

"On the outside," I mumble.

There's a thud and the engines quieten. My eyes flicker to Clara, as I understand we've landed.

XXXX

I follow behind Clara. She stops and I see what she's looking at: guards. Lots of guards. They're still against a wall, while soldiers march in and out and big trucks pass them. Clara holds my hand as we walk behind the Doctor. That's the second I catch a glimpse of someone in the distance. There's a man there, motionless, wearing a navy-blue soldier coat. He remains staring at me, kind of like he's seen me before and it makes my spine jitter. My eyes meet his and the moment I blink, he's gone.

My grip on Clara's hand tightens while I remain glancing forward. It's not long before we reach UNIT. Clara and I left witnessing as the Doctor says something to the guards, while moving his eyes towards me. We wait a while and then they lead us in. My heart starts pounding and I build up a great strength to not hide my face in Clara's jacket.

A man in a red hat and dark green clothes approaches us. He looks older than the Doctor. The number of his badges makes me think he's likely the captain. He even seems so bossy when he talks, so much to the point where my stomach turns. I don't care how ill I am. I really don't to be left here. Eventually I register what the Doctor and Clara are saying.

"Her name's Alex," Clara says.

"Short for Alexandra," the Doctor adds, "She's from the 51st century and we discovered her abandoned in the Bedlam Outlands. That place won't exist until a very long time, so don't bother looking it up. Besides, more to the point, Alex needs to be safe and get better. I'm putting you in charge of that."

The Doctor must've glared, because I'm certain I saw the captain shift uneasily. We wait a few minutes before the captain returns. A woman, a few years older than Clara, stands beside him.

"I'm placing Sargent Eva Wilson in charge of caring for the girl," the captain tells him.

Eva glances at me. At the same time, Clara kneels down and looks directly into my eyes.

"We've gotta go, Alex. I'm really…sorry."

Tears well in my eyes. I can't stop them and I'm already trembling.

"You can't leave me here. Clara, please, let me stay with you. I trust you. My mum would trust you!" I cling onto her, my arms tightening as I press my face against her neck. "Please don't leave me. Please. I've already lost Gray."

I feel the weight of Clara's arms against my spine. Something drips on my head and I know it's a tear. She lets go of me and walks away. I don't even run. If I try, I'll only fall. All I do is watch as Clara slips out the gates – with him.

Eva leads me to the medical centre. She lifts me onto a bed, examines me, feeds me and comforts me – it's the not the same as Clara. I curl into a tight ball, shaking and sobbing; blocking out the memories and thinking of a time when I'll be better. When I am better, I'll go out and find a way to live again, even if it means the past stays with me.

A/N: Okay, this is seriously depressing – the feels are getting to me. The story will tie in with Exit Wounds but not till much later. Hope it's good so far. Reviewing is welcome.