I'm not dead! Well, inside I am. Anyway, so sorry for the long wait, things just weren't so great at uni and then writer's block reared its ugly head...
But now I'm back and I've got a crappy chapter for you :D (do not be fooled by the smile, I am dead inside)
Chapter 9: Dance of Betrayal
He stood staring at his reflection. The black clothes Lioma had given him, by some wonder, hid how sickly thin he still was. He stood straighter. After this he can leave, so he might as well try to look respectable. He just hoped no one recognised him as a slave. That would most likely be the end of him.
He brushed a piece of imaginary lint from his shoulder and tugged at his sleeve. He just had to get through this night. Just hold out a little longer. He wondered where his TARDIS was being kept. If he was lucky, maybe he could sneak off to go look for his blue box and fly away. With a last glance and a sigh, he turned and left his reflection.
"Do you have your pin?"
He looked up at Lioma. She was looking at him expectantly. He stared at her. She raised her eyebrows, waiting for his answer.
"Oh, uh…" He searched his pockets, finally feeling the cold pin against his fingertips. He took it out and struggled to pin it onto his lapel, almost dropping it.
"Oh, come here," Lioma stepped up to him and attached the pin to the black material. "If all goes according to plan, this is your last night here."
The Doctor dragged his eyes away from the far corner to look down at her. "And if things don't go as planned?"
She smiled, stepping back to inspect her work. "Death is but the next great adventure," she said quietly, noticing his frown.
"Freedom or death? Seems a bit extreme," he replied.
The cold night breeze whipped at her dark blue dress as they made their way up the stairs to the palace entrance. Around them other guests dressed in expensive and flamboyant attires chatted joyously. The breeze carried their conversations and the Doctor scoffed at their chosen topics of wealth.
"Just try and behave," Lioma said next to him.
"You'd be surprised how often me trying to behave ends badly," he retorted and scowled at the couple in front of them.
They slowed as they reached the entrance, strolling along in a short queue. Four men in dark uniforms stood guard at the tall wooden doors, checking that each guest did indeed have their entrance pin.
The Doctor saw the men and stopped suddenly, memories of the work camps begging to flood his mind. One of the guards turned and noticed his stare.
"It's alright," Lioma whispered and hooked her arm around his, "they're part of the Royal Guard." He kept his gaze on the man and swallowed hard.
"Relax," she whispered again and led him forward. She nodded at the guard next to her who bowed his head.
"Terribly sorry for the wait, sir. Please, enjoy the evening."
The Doctor blinked. The guard on his right offered him an apologetic smile. He felt Lioma tug at his arm again and hesitantly followed her inside.
He hated to admit it, but the interior of the castle was rather elegantly decorated. The dimly lit foyer led to a large white staircase, splitting off to different parts of the castle. They could hear music from their left and followed the sounds through large wooden doors to were the main event was held. At the back of the room the small orchestra was performing on strange instruments, the soft melodies spreading through the circular hall. A few guests were on the dancefloor, gracefully moving around their partners and each other while the rest stood around the perimeter of the room, dining on fancy looking foods and talking to each other with wine glasses in hand.
The Doctor scowled at them all. He really didn't want to be here. He couldn't express how much he didn't want to be here.
"You're going to scare everyone away with that look."
He looked down at Lioma, a retort already forming.
"You don't have to say it, I know." She raised her eyebrows at him. "Just a little while, yeah?" He looked past her at the other guests and nodded slightly.
"We should probably have a go at dancing since you're physically unable to mingle with these people," she quipped as she took hold of his arm once more and dragged him to the centre of the room.
He started to protest but thought better of it when she shot him a look that would make anyone cower in fear. So, he let her pull him through the others until they reached an open spot where she turned to him expectantly.
He stared at her, slightly bewildered, unsure of what to do now. He glanced around him, somehow expecting an answer or maybe a sign that will help him.
Lioma sighed and placed her hand in his, the other on his shoulder. He awkwardly placed his hands and started to lead them in rhythm to the music. Luckily, he could still remember how to dance. He hoped. Well, he hasn't stepped on her feet or bumped into someone else. Yet.
"There are two guards behind you by the door, and another one to your left." He kept his gaze just above her head as she scanned the area. They turned, offering her a view of the rest of the room. "One more next to the band," she noted as he quickly glanced at those she mentioned first.
"You missed one," he whispered.
"Sorry?"
He glanced at her. "By the door. There's three."
"Great. So that makes five just in this room. Not including those by the entrance and I won't even mention those wandering around the halls."
"It does seem to complicate things just a little bit." Their plan heavily relied on there not being this many guards.
Suddenly Lioma let go and stepped away from him. He looked at her questioningly. Instead of explaining, she turned and hurried from the dancefloor, leaving him puzzled. A couple next to him looked at him sympathetically and he scowled at them. They danced in the other direction.
He went in the direction Lioma had disappeared in. How did she manage to just vanish among everyone? He looked around, trying not to attract attention to himself and trying not to look like a fool.
He noticed one of the guards eyeing him suspiciously and nonchalantly changed course, slowly making his way to the double doors where they had come through. A voice inside him, one he hasn't heard in a while, woke up.
Time to leave.
There were more guests now. Hopefully he could slip by the guards unnoticed. He weaved through the people, getting closer to the door. Then he saw her.
Don't stop, keep walking.
She had the full attention of the guards by the doors.
Keep your head down, don't look. You should get out.
He stopped as she turned, eyes locking with his. He went cold. The guards started to turn.
Run.
Something inside him snapped. He broke into a sprint, charging forward directly to the guards. One reached for him, but he ducked underneath the outstretched hands and fled through the doors.
"Get him!"
The band faltered and a woman he passed screamed. The guards in the foyer stormed to secure his exit.
It's fine, work the problem. Find another exit.
He skidded around the corner, looking for any sign of another way out. The footsteps of his pursuers echoed off the white marble floors. He dared not look back. If they catch him, it's all over. They'd execute him for sure. If by some miracle they don't, he still wouldn't last long.
His hearts hammered in his chest and his lungs burned. How long before they catch up to him? He could feel himself slowing down already, he hasn't fully recovered yet and now he's struggling.
The shouting behind him grew louder, more frantic. Was he nearing an exit that they're getting worried? He risked a glance behind him.
As he looked backed a guard crashed into him from the side and they went down hard.
Told you it was a crappy chapter. But, hopefully, the next will be better. Maybe if they could just show season 10 in my country I could write more in character :) But that's not going to happen any time soon so sorry, but you're stuck with this.
Wow you're still reading this?
