We were here, in the dusty bookshelves, books, being our constant company where ever we were on this world. We walked aimlessly, following Mr Lux, his short stumpy legs not making much progress. Light shone through the great glass windows, casting unwelcoming shadows that held more than most thought…
I found it creepy…wondering along the empty corridors of this vast world. There was nothing, not a single life form in sight…and that was what scared me the most. Traveling with Dad tells you things…like an empty room isn't always an empty room.
Both Libby and I knew about the Vastra Neravada… but that was it; that was all we could get out of Dad. But then who wants to talk about how someone you loved died? We did though manage to squeeze out that Mum had actually been vaporized to save the whole entire library…But right now though?…There wasn't really anybody to save. Let alone a whole library…if you keep out of your mind that every shadow could be infected…
"Professor Song?" Mr Lux said pointing to a bare wall, books surrounding it.
Mum nodded getting out her sonic blaster and pointing it at the wall. The wall quickly disappeared, becoming a square hole. We all stepped through...
I was so glad that we were wearing suits.
In front of us, staring with a frowning expression was…Dad. I knew it was him even though he looked so different to the Dad I knew.
He wore a long trench coat, with a stripy suit underneath. Completely different to the bow tie-loving dad he will be. His hair was spiky instead of floppy and made him look well…cool. He actually dressed better in this reincarnation then the one after. That was a definite shock.
I watched as Mum being the first one through swaggered up to him and said something that I hadn't heard for so long.
"Hello sweetie."
It was so sad what Dad did next and I knew that Mum was in for a lot of pain.
"Get out." There was no recognition at all that he had ever met her… Nothing. He just brushed her off like dirt on a pair of jeans. Dad didn't know who was standing before him and it hurt me to know this…I felt Mum's pain, even though I realised she hadn't noticed yet.
"Doctor," The red haired woman beside him said, really I hadn't noticed her I was a bit preoccupied with the fact I was meeting a younger version of my Dad. I knew she was a companion of Dad's…I didn't know which one…
"All of you," Dad says pointing to where we come from. "Get back in that rocket and fly away. Tell your grandchildren you came to the Library and lived. They won't believe you."
Mum typically ignores what he says saying, "Unclip your helmets every one. We've got breathers."
Following her instructions we do so…well a few of us.
"How do you know there not androids?" Anita asks still wearing her helmet.
"'Cause I've dated androids. There rubbish." Mum answers. Not really something I wanted to hear from my own Mum…
"Who is this?" Lux demands from Mum walking up to her. "You said we were the only expedition? I don't pay for excludes."
Mum just brushes it off, "I lied, I always lie. There's bound to be others."
"Miss Evangelista," Mr Lux says turning towards her, "I want to see all the contracts."
Miss Evangelista quickly starts rummaging through her bag looking what she needs. Everybody else just stands around not really doing anything. Libby was doing the same, so I presumed it was best to act like that as well, cover and all.
"Came from the north door, yeah? How was that? Much damage?" Mum asks Dad and like before he ignores it saying instead.
"Please just leave. I'm asking you seriously and probably to just- Hang on. Did you just say expedition?" Dad asks scanning every individual in question.
"My expedition," Lux supplies for him, "I funded it."
"Oh please don't tell me," Dad says pleadingly. "You're not are you? Please don't tell me you're Archaeologists."
Mum smirks up at him (I myself having trouble trying not to laugh) and says, "Got a problem with Archaeologists?"
Dad looks down at her, "I'm a time traveler I point and laugh at Archaeologists."
I couldn't help it the laugh escapes my lips, but I'm quickly shut up by Libby, her cold stare hitting me from the other side of the room. She seemed to be giving me a lot of cold stares recently...Everybody else looks at me weirdly, wondering why I laughed.
Mum carried on as if nothing happened. She held out her hand for Dad, still smirking, "Ah, Professor River Song, Archaeologists."
Dad took the shake, "River Song? Lovely name. As you are leaving," Dad started to herd us towards where we had come, "and you're leaving now. You need to set up quarantine, code the whole planet. Nobody comes here, not ever again, not one living thing. Not here, not – stop right there!" He shouts, Anita heading in one direction, only to be stopped by Dad and brought back to the middle of the room.
"What's your name?"
"Anita?"
"Anita, stay out of the shadows. Not a foot, not a finger in the shadows." Dad says looking her straight in the eye. "And go safely back to your ship that goes for all of you, stay in the light! Just find a nice bright spot and stand…" he turns to everyone, all eyes on him. "If you understand me look very scared…"
Blank faces responded.
"No, a bit more scared then that…"
Dad sighs before carrying on, "Okay that'll do for now. You!" he points to Other Dave still near the entrance Mum had made. "Who are you?"
"Dave," Other Dave said.
"Okay, Dave," Dad said, starting to lead him out to where we had come from.
Other Dave stops him, "Oh well Other Dave, because that's ah, Proper Dave the pilot. He was the first Dave. So when-"
"Other Dave," Dad says sternly, interrupting him and leading through the hole in the wall. "The way you came, does it look the same as before?"
"Yeah, oh it's a bit darker." Other Dave said, peering into the darkness.
"How much darker?" Dad asked.
"Well, I can see where we came through, just like a moment ago, I can't now…"
"Seal this door, we'll find another way out," Dad says walking back into the room.
"Would you-" Other Dave started but decided against it. Instead following Dad's instructions.
"We're not trying to find a way out," Lux said, then turning to Miss Evangelista, "Miss Evangelista."
Miss Evangelista walked up to the Dad and his companion, holding out sheets of paper. "I'm Mr Lux's personal everything," she said breathlessly. "You need to sign these contracts, agreeing your individual experiences at the Library, of the Intellectual Property of the Fundamental Lux Cooperation." She said struggling with the last words, Lux miming what she was saying.
"Right give it here," Both the red haired and Dad said, grabbing the paper and tearing them in half. Leaving a very stunned Miss Evangelista to walk away.
Lux angrily went up to them, "My family built this Library, I have rights."
"You have a mouth that won't stop," Mum said her face completely serious, then she turned to Dad. "You think there's danger here?
"Something came to this library and killed everything in it." Dad said. "Killed a whole world, danger? Could be…"
"That was a hundred years ago," Mum answered, "the Library's been silently for a hundred years. Whatever came here is long dead."
Dad turned sharply to look at her, from where he had been gazing across the room, "Bet your life…"
Mum smirked, "Always…"
Dad merely looked at her, before wondering off.
"What are you doing?" Lux asked angrily to Other Dave, who was standing next to our grand entrance.
"He said seal the door?" Other Dave said confused, tool in hand.
"You're taking orders from him?" Lux said disbelievingly, pointing his torch at Dad.
"Spooky isn't it?" Dad said taking the torch right out of Lux's hands, appearing where they were standing and walking away.
He strode past everyone in the middle of the room, going to the other far end, the red head following obediently. Everyone else taking shy steps closer to where they were. Dad turned his torch on shining it into the dark.
"Almost every species has an irrational fear of the dark," Dad said, everybody gazing into the deathly, quiet darkness.
"And for good reason," I said speaking for the first time.
If he had heard my words, Dad didn't show it, "But there wrong…it isn't rational…it's Vastra Neravada."
"What's Vastra Neravade?" the red head asked.
"It's what's in the dark…what's always in the dark…" Libby said her eyes transfixed onto the shadows themselves, I stepped closer to her, sensing her unease.
Dad turned to look at her. "You've heard of them before?" he asked.
Libby nodded, "I was only a kid…they took my mother…"
It wasn't completely true, but it wasn't completely false either.
Dad's old eyes betrayed his sorrow, "I'm sorry…"
Libby gave a half-hearted smile, "Don't be…it wasn't your fault."
And yet…in some way…
it was…
Sorry for the wait. I haven't had internet for three months, so I couldn't update.
If you enjoyed this chapter (hopefully it was better than the last one...I still have something against it...) then leave me a review! Even if you didn't enjoy it you can still review, just tell me why. That's all I ask.
Because I'm on summer holidays (Hurry!) I can update quicker. So expect the next chapter soon.