Doctor Who: Silence and the End of All Things
Chapter 8: Return to Earth
"We have been friends together in sunshine and in shade." - Caroline Norton
The Doctor looked at the being before him. He had a dark overcoat and suit pants, completed with a top hat. He stood there, holding a cane and smiling at him.
"We meet at last." The man appeared to know him.
"Yes. Although I am curious as to how you found me, mate."
He chuckled.
"Oh, Doctor, if you knew the answer to that question, I would have no reason to be here."
The Doctor cautiously walked forward, analyzing his face. He seemed right out of Victorian England.
"Didn't you know, I'm dead?" The Doctor tested the man's knowledge. If he was indeed someone from his future, he needed to know if he threatened his incognito mission.
"Ah, yes. That little incident. I must say you've had all of your universe convinced. For now, that is. You can't hide forever, my friend."
"My universe? What are you talking about?"
"Doctor, Doctor, this is so much bigger than anything you've ever seen. Yes, you've saved the universe before, but that is child's play with what is about to occur. The Fields of Trenzalore, you will eventually arrive there, but not yet. I am not your guide, merely the messenger." The man didn't seem to be lying.
"If you really are from the future…where do I go next?"
"Back to earth, dear Doctor."
The Doctor had just been preparing to slip back into the dark. This was not part of the plan.
"Excuse me, but how do I know that I can trust you?" The Doctor honestly did not know what else to say. He didn't know what to do. All this uncertainty was overwhelming.
"You can't know. All of this has happened before, and will happen again. And you facing the Silence again is utterly inevitable. I'm sorry, old friend, but I must depart." The man turned and lifted his cane.
"Just tell me." The Doctor hurried up to the center of the TARDIS.
The man swung his cane and a rift appeared, black in color, floating in the air. The man turned back and lifted his hat in salute. He stepped inside, and he vanished.
As he left, the TARDIS seemed to grow brighter.
The Doctor punched in the coordinates for Earth into the TARDIS.
He would be seeing the Silence again very soon.
Geronimo.
