A/N: Ok… so I've finally bullied myself into typing up another chapter. Don't get me wrong – I love writing… but typing up 51 written pages is not exactly the most exciting thing to be doing in half term… and I STILL haven't finished my biology coursework insane laughter
Chapter 7
Rose couldn't think straight. She had to get away. To pretend this wasn't happening. She flew out of the house; tears streaming down her face. She couldn't believe it! She ran on, numb with shock.
The sheets of rain swallowed her up in moments, and she quickly disappeared…
The Doctor threw a fierce look at Lyrin and ran after Rose. He raced to the door and looked out… He couldn't see anything through the rain. Rose had disappeared.
Oh God – he'd lost her.
He ran out into the rain. "ROSE!" he bellowed, "COME BACK! ROSE!"
It was useless. His words were lost through the torrents of rain and deafening thunder. Anyway; even if she could hear him, she would never have come back.
"Rose…" he sobbed. There was no way he'd be able to find her in this. He turned to the house and trudged towards it helplessly. He was going to have a little chat with Lyrin…
Rose ran on relentlessly. She ignored the pain in her muscles as she sprinted; urging herself on and on. Her hair was plastered to her face and she ached from the cold. Just ahead she could vaguely make out the hazy outline of a forest. She panted through the last few metres, and abruptly came to a halt under the canopy.
It was completely dry.. The trees provided a thick shelter from the rain. The forest floor was carpeted with dry leaves and soft brown pine needles.
She wandered further into the forest where the howling wind couldn't penetrate through. She vaguely wondered if there were any dangerous creatures in here that would harm her. Then she wondered if she actually cared.
She threw herself down to the soft floor and leant against a tree, her mind whirling with furious accusations. How could the doctor do that to her? He'd told her he loved her. She'd been stupidly naïve enough to believe him. She angrily brushed tears away and hit her head back on the tree in anger. She was so STUPID… How could he ever love her? She was just a stupid ape.
She sobbed and curled up into a ball… and cried herself to sleep.
The Doctor had just finished a heated argument with Lyrin. It had mainly consisted of him simply cursing and yelling at her, and had ended with him storming out and stalked to the TARDIS, slamming the door behind him.
I need your help, he said bluntly
Of course, the TARDIS replied soothingly. She knew how much Rose meant to him. What do you want me to do?
How far can you project your mind?
All my power is directed on the inside. I must use all my energy to focus on all of my rooms and corridors and parts and:-
And if we joined minds? The Doctor interrupted. If you stop focusing your mind on the vast mazes of yourself, and joined minds with me… How far then?
The TARDIS paused to calculate. Maybe… A mile or so? Maybe more. Maybe less. She replied dubiously. Why?
I need to talk to Rose…
Rose was tossing and turning. She'd woken up a few minutes ago from the cold, and was at a loss as to what she could do. She had no idea where she was, no money, no warm clothes, no food.. and no Doctor. She was debating with herself what to do and what her options were (of which there were not many), when she was rudely interrupted.
"Rose!"
She sat bolt upright. He couldn't have followed her. There was no way he'd have done that, the slimy little:-
"No no," a hasty reply cut her off. "I'm inside your mind again."
Rose slumped back. Great..
Rose. You MUST listen to me!
Sod off. Leave me alone.
Rose, please! It wasn't anything like that.
Oh WHAT? Rose scoffed, She was just giving you a friendly snog?
No! The Doctor sounded frantic. It wasn't me – she just kissed me. I didn't do anything. Please! You have to believe me?
Rose wanted to scream at him, but refrained, and kept her tone deadly calm. Doctor, put yourself in my shoes. You walk in to find the one person you love more than anything else. More than life itself. And you find them in the arms of someone else. And this happens after the person you love has just told you that they love you. Now tell me doctor… how could you ever trust and believe in that person again?
Rose, He trailed off, trying to think of the words. I know you hurt. I know that you must think I'm the most uncaring, disgusting…
He tried to find the right word to convey his message.
Bastard… Yea that sounded about right. He certainly felt like a complete bastard anyway.
But I am telling the truth. I did try to stop her bu:-
Don't give me that bullshit! Rose practically screamed inside her head, You weren't exactly sticking up for me before, when she was going on about me being a SERVANT for god's sake. Why don't you ever STICK UP FOR ME? She was practically in hysterics by this time. I HATE YOU!
The Doctor was silent for a moment. No you don't… He replied quietly. Rose? You don't hate me. He said again, with less conviction.
She narrowed her eyes. She wasn't going to answer that one. She didn't think she'd ever be able to stop loving the Doctor… But she also knew that she wouldn't stand by and let him abuse her trust in him. She pursed her lips.
There was an awkward silence for a few moments until the Doctor broke it. Rose, where are you? Are you near the house?
In some forest somewhere. She shrugged.
The Doctor gasped. You've got to get out of there. NOW!
Oh PLEASE! Just go AWAY! Can't you leave me alone?
Rose, it's DANGEROUS out there!
I can look after myself you know! I don't need you constantly watching over my shoulder.
FINE! He yelled, full of unrepressed anger. I was taking a general interest in your safety. But if you don't NEED it, then fine. Don't expect me to come running to your rescue when you get hurt.
And he severed the mind-link.
For a fleeting moment, Rose regretted her words – but then the haunting image of the Doctor wrapped in the kiss of Lyrin flashed in front of her eyes, and her anger overcame her guilt. "Fine!" she spat, and rolled back to sleep.
Rose was fast asleep when they came. Long, tall creatures. They were thin and black, and shimmered through the air. They wavered and wafted through the breeze – acting all for the world like shadows. Their faces were lighter in colour, and their silver eyes gleamed as they surveyed their prey. It had been a long time since they'd tasted human flesh before. They'd been feeding off insects and small mammals for as long as they could remember.
They closed in on Rose, silently getting nearer and nearer. One of the younger ones tried to take a bite – it couldn't help it; it hadn't ever had human meat, and wanted to desperately taste it. It was swatted away by the eldest and was hissed at, "No no – not for us. They want us to take the humans alive," there was a hint of regret within its rasping voice, but it would never dare to go against its masters, and would obey every order it was given from them.
And so they quietly and gently picked her up, careful not to wake her, and carried her off into the night.
