The Doctor made his way to Laura and Nal and saw them embracing. "Ah...emotions... um, I've got information, Laura. Sorry to interrupt the hugging. "
"What is it?!" Nal said, quickly getting to her feet.
"Well, I've got them to drink some water and they're cooling down and resting more comfortably..."
"Tell me what you've really learned, thief!"
"Yes, well, it maybe a bit hard to grasp...
"Just tell us, Doctor." Laura begged.
"Well, It seems that those missing organs, have been temporally displaced..."
"...Temporally displaced? Their organs time traveled?" Laura said, confused.
"It would seem so, yes." The Doctor said, his hands slapping together in only the way his hands do.
"How is that possible? I mean how are they still alive?"
"I'm not sure...Something is keeping them alive. I'm not sure if its on purpose or if it's just some unforseen result of the temporal extraction." The Doctor, rubbed his hands together. "I think we need to make our way to the TARDIS. There are instruments in there that may help us figure out exactly what has caused this and to see if I can return their organs."
"No. You can not go out in the darkness. Those monsters lurk out there! They'll steal your insides as well!" Nal shouted as she grabbed Laura by the arm.
"That's true Doctor. What ever did this, might do the same thing to us." Laura said.
"It's a risk we have to take."
"Yes. But not one you have to make alone." Nal said, picking up her spear. "Daar, look after San." Daar nodded.
"No, Nal, you don't have to do this. You might die." Concern filled Laura's voice.
"If it means finding the monsters that hurt San and ripping them to pieces, than I would gladly risk my life for that."
"Okay...don't usually like that sort of talk, but it's very spirited..." The Doctor said, turning his attention to Laura. "Are you okay with this. You could stay here."
"No. I knew there'd be risks when I decided to travel with you. Plus, I think you need all the eyes you can afford watching your back."
"Alright! To the TARDIS then!"
The trio were once again out in the tall grass. This time under the shine of moonlight.
"Nal, do you know what these monsters look like? You know, so we know what to watch out for." Laura asked, quietly.
"San said they were pale white, whiter than bone. She said they almost shined in the dark." Nal answered, leading the way, spear at the ready.
"Does that ring a bell, Doctor?"
"No, unfortunately." The Doctor whispered back.
"I thought you knew everything about the universe."
"No. Just most things." The Doctor grinned.
"We are nearing where we met, Doctor." Nal whispered back, her eyes scanning the darkness.
"Good. The old girl should be right up that hill."
"I wish we had some flashlights or something...This is so nerve racking." Laura said, breathing deeply.
"Relax. If we move with speed and caution we should get to your box safely." Nal said with an sharp and focused calm.
"Uh, thanks Nal. You're very reassuring." Laura tried to not be sarcastic because she really was glad that Nal was there and she did really seem to want to reassure Laura. It was just that, being sarcastic was a reflex.
They slowly made their way up the hill, fanning out as so not to be caught off guard. As they reach the top Nal stood frozen. Laura stared at her for moment. Nal pointed toward the TARDIS and Laura turned her head to see a creature, pure white, planted against the TARDIS. It's hands, with their long crooked fingers, pressed against it's blue wooden frame.
"Doctor..." Laura whispered.
"I see it."
"What do we do?"
"I don't know..."
"I'm going to drive my spear into it's neck." Nal let out, lifting her spear and readying an attack.
The Doctor grabbed her hand. "No. Let's try and talk to it first. Maybe it will give us some answers." The Doctor turned to face the creature. "Hello. I'm The Doctor. What is it that you want here?"
The creature turned its head to The Doctor. Its hands still firmly pressed against the TARDIS.
"I think I've got its attention..." The Doctor slowly moved toward the creature, his hands above his head. "Do you understand me? What do you want with these people? Why have you taken their organs?"
The creature let out a rattling, guttural growl.
"That wasn't a good sound." Laura whispered.
"I would say not." Nal whispered back.
The Doctor moved closer to the creature. "Well, do you have any answers? Explain yourself! Why have you done this!?
The creature slowly pulled its hands off of the TARDIS and turned its whole body to face the three. For the first time they got a good look at the creature. It did seem to shine like San said. It's eyes looked empty, cold and black. Its face looked sullen and sharp and its seemed to lack any lips. It's mouth looked like it was all teeth. It was lean and tall.
It stood and stared at The Doctor for what seemed like an eternity as the cold air hit against Laura and Nal's backs. The Doctor's long Purple Coat flapped in the wind.
Suddenly the creature leap at The Doctor with immense speed. It grabbed a hold of The Doctor and with a flash of light, stuck it's long, pointed fingers deep inside the Doctor's abdomen.
"DOCTOR! NO!" Laura shouted.
The Doctor screamed out in pain as he felt the hands play with his insides.