Cynthia told the whole story to the Brigadier. He was interested, but surprisingly skeptical.
- But you knew the Doctor, argued Cynthia.
- I have indeed seen things beyond imagination, but I always keep both feet on the ground, it is my nature. Whether you've lived something incredible, I want to believe it. However the fact that you are possessed by an alien lifeform and you just jump in time several time remains to be seen.
- I must insist. I saw a man with the same disease as me and this man died. This is what awaits me if I can't find the doctor.
- If he is in the future, as you say, it is up to him to find you.
- I have to let him know where I am, or rather when I am.
- The first thing to do would be to go to the mill. I could check your story and maybe find clues.
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In the Tardis, Nathaniel felt a growing discomfort. The place was so extraordinary that he dared not to touch anything and wait for the doctor's return. The sun was setting soon and the Doctor was still not returning. Why had he not insisted to accompany him?
To occupy his time, he had picked up debris from the box to examine them. The mark on the top had disappeared. For the rest, the box seem manufactured with the techniques of his time, at least in appearance. It connected him to a reality he knew. Only the strange blue metal lock looked different. There was no keyhole, and no mechanism that could explain how Nathaniel had managed to open the box.
Finally, he heard the noise of horseshoes outside. He opened the door, but only found Gus. The horse had returned alone. This was a bad sign. Nathaniel climb to the back of Gus, but did not take the bridle. He clung to his neck instead.
- You alone know the way, he whispered in the ear of the animal, lead me to him. Ya!
The horse set off.
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The car, rented by the retired military in vacation, took the same small country road that Cynthia had took with the doctor a few hours earlier, twenty years later. As they approached the mill, the warmth of her hand was becoming unbearable. At this time, the creature was still a prisoner of the ruins of the mill. He would be released in twenty years. If Cynthia approached, she would give to the creature the strength it needed to escape. She could not go to the mill. She explained the situation to the Brigadier.
- There is only one solution. I have to go to alone. But for that, I will have to leave you on the side of the road.
- In that case, you should hurry.
- Your pursuer could find you there.
She showed the palm of her hand to the brigadier. The marking was now swollen and very red.
- Do I have the choice? This disease continues to progress and I don't know the time I have left.
The bridagier stopped the car.
- I hurry, be careful.
- You too.