In Hiding

Chapter 4 - Shared problems and new plans


George POV

For the third morning in a row George found herself waking up with a canopy of trees above her, except this time she was in the sleeping bag that Ross had loaned to her because of her current head injury. She rolled onto her back, careful not to jostle her aching head too much and looked to her left to find Ross still asleep on the ground a few feet away.

She tried to recollect her memories of what had happened yesterday before she was found by Ross who seemed to think that she had been attacked and then tied up. But neither of them was saying what was obviously wrong about that theory; if she had been mugged then why didn't they take her rucksack? She could remember running through the forest after something had woken her up and forced her to flee but nothing after that. Struggling to recount anything more she sighed in frustration and got up to wash away the mud and dirt from the forest floor that had lodged in her hair as she slept. The little stream they had sat by the day before was not deep enough to sit in, so she had to settle for cupping her hands to scoop the water up and tip it over her.

A short while later when she was sat watching the water flow with leaves and twigs getting caught in the current, she heard someone approaching and turned around to see Ross walking towards her.

"Morning, how's your head today?", he asked as he dipped two water canteens into the stream then popped sterilising tablets inside them.

"It's not too bad now, I don't feel dizzy anymore. Thanks to your help yesterday", she replied gratefully, taking the bottle of water that he handed her.

"Hey, no problem. I'm pleased to know it helped", he responded but his smile faded slightly as he added, "I suppose that means you'll be wanting to leave now?".

George took another drink from the bottle as she thought about what Ross had asked. She still wasn't exactly sure how to answer that question or what her plan was next. Up until yesterday it had been to continue running further into the woods to try and find a small village that she could reside in for a while then maybe risk going to a train station and travelling to the other end of the country. But now she was unsure of where she should go next, she knew she would have to stay away from people in the towns to avoid being spotted as a missing person, but now it seemed she wasn't safe by herself in the woods either. She decided to confess as much to Ross.

"Honestly, I'm not sure what my next move will be now, it seems like I'm not safe here in the woods and I can't go back into the towns either. That coupled with my inconvenient memory loss has kind of put a damper on my plans", she explained still trying to sound as optimistic as possible, so Ross didn't see how lost she was feeling at that moment.

"If you don't mind me asking, what were those plans exactly George? I don't want to interfere, but it might help us work out what happened to you yesterday if I know why you were in the woods in the first place", Ross asked inquisitively. George knew that he was only trying to help and that she probably did owe him an explanation after helping her yesterday without demanding any questions first.

"Remember yesterday when I let slip that I felt like I'd been running for six months too, well technically I only left home three days ago but really all I was waiting for was the right time to do it", she started as Ross sat back down on the rock opposite her, nodding at her to continue with her story and explain further.

"Six months ago, when the sky was filled with ash and smoke as the ATMOS car systems tried to poison the planet, I lost my parents when they got trapped inside our car. I couldn't get them out in time, I couldn't break the glass and they ... didn't make it. Ever since then I have been surrounded by claustrophobic relatives attempting sympathy but really blaming me for not preventing my parent's death. I felt like I was losing control therefore I thought that I might as well be literally lost as well and when I couldn't take it anymore I ran. I know that makes me sound like a coward, right? But that's why I ended up here", George finished her story and looked up from the spot on the floor that she had been talking to.

The expression on Ross' face was a cross between sadness and something she couldn't quite discern but it was not pity as she had received from many other people over the past six months and she did not expect the answer he gave her next either.

"George, I'm so sorry to hear about your parents. I lost people too that day, good men on my team. I understand what you mean about people throwing sympathy around without really meaning it then in the end they go away too. I guess that day really messed both of us up didn't it", Ross responded his usual light tone downcast and sincere and George could finally work out the second emotion that was hidden in his eyes; guilt.

George reached over to grip his knee in a gesture that she hoped would offer some comfort. Her eyes finally met his and despite being near strangers a look of mutual understanding passed between them about what happened that awful day. Then just as quick Ross' easy smile was back on his face as he swiftly changed the conversation to more pressing matters.

"If there are relatives looking for you here then it would probably be a good idea to leave this part of the woods as soon as possible. How'd you fancy a trip somewhere else?", he suggested.

"Are we partners in crime now?", George laughed.

"Just looking out for you that's all, plus being on the run would probably be better with someone else", Ross replied apprehensively. George couldn't help but agree, Ross had more experience than her when it came to travelling around and he seemed good company.

"Guess I'm staying with you a little longer".


A/N: My OC George represents what happened to the normal everyday people when the Sontarans came to invade, the ones that weren't trained by U.N.I.T or the Doctor to deal with things.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with Doctor Who, only my OC character George.