Hide and Seek

Chapter 25 – Missing Persons – Part One

The Doctor was beside himself as soon as he realised Maddie had gone. He'd spun on the spot as soon as the signal blinked out of existence and then it came back seconds later pointing them in a totally different direction. But already he could see the bikes fleeing in the distance. He found it hard to handle the fact that she'd been snatched from under their noses. Although he was desperate to find Donna he knew he had to deal with this matter first.

He hadn't spoken to Maddie since they'd left the house. He'd expected Jack to keep her safe, and Jack had let him down. Though it annoyed him, he knew deep down it wasn't Jack's fault. He knew full well his reaction was childish. He now had to worry about where they had taken her and what they wanted her for. Despite his anger, he couldn't help but feel responsible for her. He resolved to protect her personally from now on. In the end there was nothing for it but to find her, and he knew his attitude to her would have to change soon enough.

"I don't believe it," the Doctor fumed. "Stay with us, I said. I told you to keep an eye on her."

"Come on," Jack said. "She was right with us. We didn't have a chance."

"Okay back the way we came!"

An hour later they were back in the heart of the city and the Doctor began to relax, knowing from the signal that she couldn't be far. He had not said anything more to Jack, simply concentrating on the task at hand and unsure what to say after his outburst. He hoped that they would find Maddie soon, so that the tension between them would dissipate.

They were running down one of the streets when Jack called to him. "How close is she now?"

The Doctor slowed down and kept pace with Jack, crossing a courtyard behind a group of houses.

"Are we any closer?" Jack repeated hesitantly.

"Not far," said the Doctor promptly and he grimaced. He hoped she wasn't far.

"Maddie was my responsibility and I'm sorry I lost her," Jack said seriously. "I know its delayed things further, but I am sure we will find them both. Is there any chance you can slow down?"

He sounded frustrated but sorry for what had happened and the Doctor kicked himself mentally for being so insensitive. "Sorry, Jack. I'm just impatient."

Jack's relief was obvious and immediate as he walked steadily next to the Doctor. "When I get hold of the Master, I'll break his neck. I'll get them both for you. I should never have let her out of my sight. Sorry."

"Its fine," the Doctor assured him. "She was both our responsibility. I wasn't paying attention after being in that house, so it's my fault as much as yours."

Jack nodded. "We're still the best chance that they've both got, though!"

The Doctor shrugged. "I am brilliant. You're not quite in my league – but you'll do. More than do." He turned to him and gave him one of his boyish grins and then tapped the tracker. "Allon-sy."

Jack smiled after him and laughed.

They continued on their quest and the Doctor had led them through the older part of the town and now the density of the buildings gave way to wide open space and eventually trees lining the coast. The area was deserted and they peered over the edge of the cliff top with a sigh. The cliff top stopped abruptly and gave way to a rocky descent into the sea.

Jack stood still, legs braced against the buffeting wind. "Down there?" He looked disbelievingly at the Doctor. "She's drowned?"

The Doctor assured him that she was very much alive but she was down there somewhere. "I'm going down," he said, removing his coat and dangling his long legs over the edge. "We are not far now, I need to find her."

Jack removed his coat as well and lowered himself over the edge after the Doctor. The cliff-face was craggy with bushes growing at various intervals. It was obviously a dangerous climb and they gingerly made their descent. The Doctor could feel he was within touching distance almost, but despite his urgency, this was one action that had to be done carefully. Nothing was said about the ferocity of the sea and it was certainly something the Doctor didn't want to think about.

"I hope that thing's waterproof, Doc," Jack said, watching the Doctor feel for the tracker, which was now in his jacket pocket.

"It's Galllifreyan, Jack, of course it's waterproof."

Jack lost his footing then, and slid partway down the cliff face.

"Careful!" the Doctor called out.

Together they lowered themselves to the sea. The surf sprayed up into their faces, drenching them before they even touched the ocean. Grabbing onto the side of the cliffs, they lowered themselves waist deep into the water.

The tracker by now was grasped between the Doctor's teeth and he removed it to check on Maddie's location. "Around to the right Jack, is there anything over there?"

Jack began moving along to the right, taking care to keep a handhold on the Cliffside. "I think there's a cave up here, Doc. It's partly submerged underwater though.

They moved round to the cave entrance and then the Doctor using his torch to illuminate the inside. The white light blinked for the moment and then went out. "Damn thing," the Doctor said shaking drops of water from it, until it came back on again.

"That Gallifreyan too, Doctor?" Jack asked.

The Doctor gave him a look, and Jack thought it best to shut up for now.

Inside the cave was dark, and the white light of the torch leant an eerie glow to their surroundings. Strange seaweed floated on the water's surface and coral grew from the sea bed to the roof of the cave, blocking their way, so that they had to carefully manoeuvre around it.

"Watch out for the Streeps," the Doctor said.

"Streeps?" Jack asked.

"Yes, you know, nasty spine fish," the Doctor waggled his fingers in front of his face.

"Thanks, now you tell me," said Jack continuing to wade through the water.

Eventually they reached deep into the cave and at the back, they could see in the distance a person sitting huddled up on a ledge.

"Maddie!" The Doctor called out. "Maddie is that you? It's okay I'm here."