Fandom: Doctor Who
Trigger Warning: sudden death of a loved one, drug overdose, suicidal, depression, homophobic mentioned.
Warning: ooc, angst, bad grammar, plot holes (serious case of plot holes, guys, please don't chew me), etc.
A/N: This one is very cringe-worthy but I thought I would post it anyway. I might edit it again if ever I would be hit with a better version of it. The villain here is based on Jasmine from Angel.
You know how we always think we have more time in life with the people you love? Well, you're wrong. You have to make sure that you tell them every day that you love them and make happy memories with them. Because you've no idea when and where they would be ripped away from you.
My name is Josie and I'm a traveller in time and space with the Doctor. I have been traveling with the Doctor on his twelfth incarnation and I was best friend with Clara. After Clara died, the Doctor never come back for me until after he has regenerated. And now he is a she. And she is so beautiful and amazing. I can't help but start to catch feeling for her.
She invited me to travel again with her and her other companion, Yaz, Ryan and Graham. I love being with them. The Doctor called us her fam and our dynamic did feel like a close family.
The only other family I have is my Dad and I love him very much. He raised me alone. My mom died after giving birth of me. It has always been the two of us. We have no one else. Mom and Dad were married without consent from their respective parents. They never went back to reconnect and their parents didn't bother to look for us either so...
I wanted Dad to know who the Doctor is and I would really like to share my adventure with him. I hated keeping secret from him the first time around and now that I was traveling again with the Doctor again, I would like it for them to meet already.
My dad is a fan of Elvis so I begged the Doctor to let me tell my dad about what it is we have been doing and to request a favour from the Doctor to allow my dad one trip to travel the past and meet Elvis. The Doctor eventually agreed.
I told my dad about the Doctor and of course, he didn't believe me up until he saw the Tardis. My dad is concerned that the trips I have been taking will be dangerous. I have to lie that we are always safe with the Doctor. Of course, I know the Doctor can't always save everyone. Clara is the proof of that. But that doesn't deter me for wanting to see more of the universe that the Doctor offered. So I distract my dad with the trip to meet Elvis and I was glad to see him so happy.
My dad has always known that I like girls so he could spot that I have feeling for the Doctor.
"Shut it, Dad, it wasn't like that. The Doctor is so out of my league. There is no way she would go for someone like me."
"Now don't say that. You are a wonderful person. Any women would be lucky to have you."
"Oh, dad, you're the only one who said that and that is only because you are my dad."
"But it's true though, you are a wonderful person and you have to believe that yourself, dear."
We hugged each other.
"So what do you think?" My dad asked me as he showed his outfit to resemble Elvis.
"You are very handsome, dad." I answered with a grin. "So, let's go meet Elvis."
7777
Now that my dad knows what I have been doing, I felt less guilty for keep ditching him for the Doctor. Though now I get to brag about my adventures to him. We went to watch movie together the day after the Doctor dropped us all back on earth for a break from our routine adventure.
And that is when thing turned ugly in a blink of an eye.
We are going home after the movie when someone threaten us with a gun, demanding we gave him our bag and wallet. Dad is trying to calm the agitated man down. I gave him my bag and prayed that he would go away. I didn't know what happen next, it was all a blur. Next thing I know my dad was shot.
"Dad! NO!" I screamed as my dad fell into the ground. "Help! Please someone help!" I yelled.
The man who robbed us has left with my bag and my dad's wallet. He got what he wanted so why did he have to shot him?
Such a senseless violence. One bullet and my dad are just gone. I didn't even get to say goodbye.
7777
I sat staring blankly at nothing. My hands were covered in blood, my dad's blood. I ignored the officers who are trying to get me to respond.
Yaz, Ryan and Graham ran through the corridor until they spotted me sitting in a bench, still in a state of shock.
"Josie!" Yaz called out and bend her knees in front of me. "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"
I glanced at her and tears started falling down my cheeks. "My dad is gone..." I whispered brokenly.
Yaz hugged me close and rubbed my back soothingly. Ryan and Graham exchanged a sad look with each other.
7777
The Doctor finally come to see me. I know she was bad at social interaction. She didn't know what to do to console me.
I suppose it was unfair of me to corner her like that but I wasn't exactly in my right mind.
"Save him." I begged, no, I demanded. "Save my dad."
"Josie, you know I can't do that."
"Why not? You did it for Clara. You got Danny Pink back for her."
The fam is confused because they didn't know Clara or Danny but I do. I remembered what Clara did to ensure that the Doctor will save her boyfriend. I knew it didn't work in the end but the Doctor was willing to help her, even going to 'hell' with her to get Danny back. Why can't she do the same for me? I have been her companion a whole lot longer now. Don't I get special treatment too like Clara?
"I'm sorry, Josie, but I can't do that. Your dad's death is fixed."
"NO."
"Josie..."
"Doctor, please save him. He is my dad. He's the only family I got. Please?" I begged.
"I'm so sorry..."
"Then what's the point of you?!" I yelled angrily.
The Doctor didn't say anything, only looking at me with a sad expression.
I left them. The fam called out my name but I ignored all of them. I was in too much pain. Tears started to fall on my face again.
7777
I was depressed.
After the funeral, I locked myself in my room. The fam contacted me by phone, left messages and even come into my house but I ignored all of them. The Doctor didn't come for me. I suppose she knew I needed the space away from her.
Honestly, I don't have any energy to do anything. I was a mess. And after the Doctor's refusal to help me get my dad back, I didn't want to see her either. I resented her.
It has been two months and I still have not sorting my life in order. I never go back to the Tardis. I think the Doctor and the fam went adventuring without me. But they still attempted to contact me from time to time.
I just want to be left alone. I wish the world would just go away.
There is insistent knocking on the door much to my annoyance.
"Go away!" I yelled.
More knocking.
I had enough. I walked and opened the door, intending to give hell to whoever it is on the other side of the door. It was Yaz.
"Hey."
My anger is gone as I saw her hesitant smile.
It was awkward.
"We miss you. The Doctor, too. Come back to the Tardis, Josie."
"I can't."
"You shouldn't be alone."
"I don't have anyone now."
"You still have us." Yaz said.
I shook my head. "Just leave me alone. I'm done with the Doctor and everything." I said and closed the door despite Yaz's protest. I know what I said probably going to make her worry more about me but frankly I didn't care. Sooner or later they will just give up and leave me anyway.
7777
I overdose on my sleeping medicine. But the Doctor and Yaz rescued me just before I succumb to the darkness forever. Apparently Yaz has been persuading the Doctor to try to talk to me and she finally relents. Of course, they came on the day where I was at my lowest point in life and they saved me. But I didn't want to be saved.
I distinctly remembered seeing the Doctor's face as she attempted to give me CPR while Yaz is calling ambulance.
"Come on, Josie, breath! Don't do this to me! Josie, breath!"
7777
I woke up in the hospital to the concerned face of the fam. I was confused at first and then everything that is painful started to sink it again. I cried, wishing to die just to make the pain stop.
The fam insisted I got help and I was too weak to argue so I agreed. I went to seek help from a therapist. But I still couldn't come back into the Tardis. I couldn't face the Doctor. The Doctor probably is relieved that I didn't come back. I would just be a burden to her. Part of me is still angry at her and I think giving her cold shoulder is my way to hurt her back. But I wonder if she even care.
She is not here so she probably doesn't care, I thought, and that thought made me want to cry again.
I went to see a therapist and being prescribed medicine to help me with my anxiety and managing my mood. I started on a normal speaking term with the fam via phone call and messages but we have unspoken mutual agreement not to mention the Doctor or Tardis.
We seemed to agree what I need right now is normal life, away from the idea of time travel and changing the past. I started working again in a coffee & breakfast shop as a waitress. I was just going through the motion every day.
The fam always asked me to hang out with them from time to time but I have no energy to do anything but work. They will always remind me of what I've lost. I know it was my own fault that I lost my friendship with the Doctor.
It was hard to pretend to try to live every single day. Why does everything have to be so hard? Why is life so hard? I can't do it. Sometimes I felt like I couldn't breathe. But I have to fake it so I didn't make everyone worry over me anymore. The sooner they deemed me safe to be left alone the better. So, they can happily travel with the Doctor again without worrying over me.
Eventually, they did convince that I'm getting somewhat better than before. We grew apart slowly with time. It wasn't their fault. I didn't make effort to be a good company anyway.
7777
Of course, the universe decided to play a joke on me. One day, after finishing my night shift and as I walked home alone, I got mugged. The guy even waved a knife around me to frighten me.
I snapped. Everything was a blur. I remembered the guy cursed me, calling me crazy bitch. I think I even got hurt at some point. But all I feel is anger.
I was enraged at the violence people are capable of. I lost my dad to some jerk face and now another one dare to show up and threaten me again?
No.
Just NO!
Why? Why do people just keep hurting each other? Why do people just actively trying to be cruel? Why does everyone have to be mean to one another?
I can't live in a world like this. I hate that I even still breathing in this world. I don't want to live in a world like this anymore.
I sobbed and started wailing in tears. I think I really lost my mind that night.
I wished so hard for someone to make the pain stop. My mind flashed into the beautiful smile of the Doctor and I cried. I pushed her away. She is gone from my life now. I was alone.
I didn't know it at the time but I wasn't alone. I could feel this warm presence envelop my mind and all the sorrow and pain inside of me seemed to fade away.
I welcomed the presence gratefully. I let it in.
7777
The Doctor could feel the shift in reality. As she regained her bearing, the feeling that something is off gone from her mind. She glanced around in confusion.
"Doctor, what's wrong?" Yaz asked.
"Hmm, nothing maybe..." The Doctor shrugged it off. "So, fam, where to next?" she asked them with a grin.
7777
I woke up in my bed that morning. My mind feels refreshed today. I dare say that I feel better?
As I got out of my house, a neighbour greeted me happily. I smiled back at her.
Everyone seemed to be in a good mood today. The usual grumpy mailman is humming loudly and smiling. People are extra friendly today. When someone dropped something, most people nearby will eagerly help pick it up.
I also smiled as I walked inside the coffee & breakfast shop where I worked. Even when today is my turn with cleaning duty, I was very happy to do it.
Today is a very special day because it is the day she spoke to me. Ivy.
I accidentally broke my nails during cleaning and I asked my fellow workers for a nail clipper when suddenly this young cute woman offered her nail clippers. She gave me a friendly smile at my stupidly confused look.
I have seen her around a few times. She loves to hang out on her own in the shop, ordering coffee while work on her laptop. But I never paid extra attention to anyone before because I was being a robot going through the motion. Now, though...
I muttered a shy thanks to her. She nodded and grabbed her second drink of the day and went back to her table. After cleaning her nail clippers, I walked toward her and returned it. Also I gave her a plate of cake as my gratitude. That would come from my own pocket money but it will be worth it, I think.
She smiled at me, making my heart skipped a beat. She looked happy as she took a fork and eat the cake.
I smiled. She is adorable, reminded me of... I stopped myself from thinking about that person. Strangely enough, the pain associates with thinking about her is no longer bother me.
Ivy is very nice. She rambles when she is nervous and she revealed information about herself. She said she is a romance novel writer. I was very excited to learn that I am in the presence of a writer. I would have like to stay with her some more but duty calls.
After that days though, whenever she come by, she would spare some time to talk to me. We started to exchange numbers and send silly messages to each other when we can't talk in person.
I couldn't help grinning stupidly whenever I saw her. I walked home after my last shift as I thought about Ivy. She made me really, really happy. Not even, a rude guy who bumped into me just now and called me stupid, will ruin the day for me.
Suddenly I heard a scream. I turned around to locate the source of scream but couldn't find anything in sight. I frowned for a second, glancing around and saw nobody else seemed to react to the scream earlier so I thought I imagine the whole thing. I resumed walking.
7777
The Doctor took her fam to attend a party and they are having fun with the friendly local until one person won't take no for an answer from Yaz. Yaz, of course, can handle herself and tell the rude guy off.
Ryan looked livid when the guy called Yaz a bitch. The Doctor herself is about to intervene when right before their eyes, the guy disintegrated into nothing.
She ran toward the fam and asked them what happened when they just gave her a blank look. They said they have no idea what the Doctor talking about when she asked them about the rude guy and they went back to partying.
The Doctor pulled her sonic screwdriver and scanned the spot where the man disintegrated but found nothing out of ordinary. It was like that man just never there.
She also scanned her companions but the result is normal too. She is confused. As she wants to think further about it, she could feel something pushing in her mind and all her worry is gone again.
7777
Today is my day off, and Ivy decided to spend the day with me.
"It's a date." She said with a wink.
I blushed.
We have a good time walking in the park to smell the roses, reading books and exchanged stories about it, cuddle up in a sofa at home to watch movie together, ordering food for binge eating and share a hot chocolate drink together.
"You are amazing, Ivy. That book of yours, I love it. I can't believe I never pick up on it before. It should be a best seller." I said, my head is on her laps.
"Aww, thanks, it meant a lot that you love it." She grinned and kissed my forehead.
"I'm going to recommend this book to Yaz."
"Yaz?"
"My friend. Old friend, I suppose. We sorta lost contact recently." I sighed sadly. "All my fault..."
"Well if you think this Yaz will be liking my novels, go ahead rec away. Also it would work as an excuse for you two to reconnect."
I hummed. "If she has time to read it, she probably going to like it but she probably busy saving the world with the Do..." I stopped myself when I realized Ivy didn't know about the Doctor and I probably should keep it a secret. Besides I'm no longer one of them so I have no right broadcasting the Doctor's identity.
"Saving the world? Sound exciting. Who is this Yaz?"
"She is a very busy, very smart police officer."
"I bet she is." Ivy teased. "Is she and you...?"
"She is just my friend. She doesn't like me like that. Not like you." I moved away from her and gazed at her in adoration. I took one of her hands. "You make me happy."
Ivy gave me a soft smile. "Mutual." She pulled me closer to her and we kissed.
7777
As time goes by, the Doctor realized something is wrong with the world but everytime she tried to think further, all her worry just washed away out of reach. It seemed nobody but her realized but she can't even hold on the thought for too long before she forgot again.
Until she met the Master again. He showed up out of nowhere and grabbed her, more like knock her out.
The Doctor woke up in an empty bar, save for the Master.
"Welcome back..." The Master said with a grin. "Sorry for the harsh greeting earlier. I have to make sure we will not be interrupted."
"What?"
"So, Doctor, what exactly have you been doing to the world?"
"What do you mean? And why do you assume it was me? If something has gone wrong, I would suspect you instead of me."
The Master rolled his eyes. "The world has gone bonker, Doctor. The people are all happy, giggly and way too friendly. Not my kind of world." He said with disgust. "Also I just got out from the Kasavin dimension so this can't be my doing."
The Doctor frowned. "It wasn't my doing either."
"Then how do we fix it?"
"And why should we? Like you said, the people has become peaceful. Why would I ruin that?"
"You can't fool me, Doctor, you wanted the chaos too if only for you to solve it and be the hero you always make yourself to be. Peaceful world would be too boring even for you." The Master said. "Also, a world with pink cybermen and happy daleks form a singing band together? I'm gonna barf."
The Doctor scrunched her nose at the mention of two of her enemy race. "Seriously?"
"Deadly." The Master said flatly. "Also you must feel the timeline is shifting and unstable. Seemed like lot of humans and aliens alike has gone missing."
The Doctor nodded with a frown.
The Master stared at her. "It is hard for you to hold on the thought that something is off, isn't it?"
"Yes, that's exactly how I have been feeling these days but I keep...forgetting... Wait, why aren't you infected with whatever this is?"
The Master shrugged. "Time lord."
"I am Time Lord too but I was affected..."
"You are stupid Time Lord."
The Doctor gasped, looking offended.
The Master grinned. "My guess because I was still at Kasavin when this, whatever this is, cause the world to go bonker." Then he frowned. "But I could feel it...something trying to convert me...making me...peaceful..." He looks absolutely disgusted by the idea. "So, I made a few of this." He showed the Doctor some kind of earpieces. "It helps me to shake off whatever influence trying to get to me."
The Doctor observed the earpierce with interest and she is a bit impressed.
"Take one, Doctor, use it and concentrate." The Master urged.
She glanced at the Master, contemplating whether to trust him just this once or not. Whatever she saw with him seemed agreeable to her so she picks up the earpiece and wear it on one of ears.
Immediately she shook her head as the smokescreen within her mind cleared. But gone all the peaceful feeling that made her happy before and were replaced by this profound sadness. The Doctor is good at hiding her emotion and so she did what she usually does and started to focus at the real problem.
"Oooh. Something is wrong. The people become peaceful but not everyone? Some stilll...a bit rude? And they just vanished as soon as they were rude to others. But whoever did this? How can they know when someone is rude? And how did they do all of this? Mind-controlling everyone, not just humans, but aliens..." The Doctor started to rambles and started walking back and forth.
The Master just rolled his eyes and poured himself a drink.
"And...pink cybermen and happy daleks? Really?" The Doctor whirled around to face the Master.
"Really. It was very wrong."
"We need to get to the bottom of this. I will need more of that earpieces and I need my fam with me."
"Ugh, do we have to involved your humans?"
"Of course, we have to. We will need their help. This is going to be a tricky one."
7777
Yaz, Ryan and Graham are depressed after wearing the earpieces. All their happy emotion was replaced with a sorrow they can't comprehend. They knew the world is not all unicorn and rainbow and that most of the time, the world is a cruel place but the second revelation of it are giving them despair. It was like they were high on drug and now they suddenly come down from it, cold turkey.
The Doctor are worried for the fam but she knew that they can overcome it eventually.
"That guy who called me a bitch, did he die?" Yaz asked.
"I don't know, could be... We didn't know enough to make assumption." The Doctor said.
"If whoever did this to the world intend to wipe evil rude people, why is he still here?" Ryan pointed at the Master.
The Master rolled his eyes at him. "Because I'm clever, I beat their games."
7777
In the end, the Doctor put the Master as a bait. He disintegrated right before their eyes and through the tracking device on his person, the Doctor found out he was actually teleported by whoever in charge, taken to a dungeon cave somewhere.
The Doctor and the fam rushed on the location via Tardis. There, they found a bunch of people, humans and aliens alike, in cages in unknown deserted planet.
Tension are running high, everyone was scared that 'he/she/it' (everyone seemed to see different captor) would return soon and eat them.
The Master has got out of his cages and take a look around and found a sealed cave with ancient writing and drawing on the wall about something called the blessed devourer.
The Doctor observed the wall in excitement. She can never resist a mystery. She helped translate the writings for the fam.
The blessed devourer can take many forms and be in many places at once. It consumed emotions as a source of energy and consumed flesh to stay corporeal. It won't have full powers unless it was invited. The more it gets invitations from the people the strongest its hold is upon the world it descends to. Usually it kept the ones who invite it happy and safe, creating a perfect world for them.
Some people form resistance knowing the world has gone wrong but no one able to stand in its ways for its power is strong. The only way to reset the world is to make everyone who invite it in to reject it. Every last one of them would have otherwise it will still have powers to overwhelm you.
One person refuses to reject it and as a result, the world didn't get a reset but it was beaten down and weakened to the point of hiding. The world returned to normal somewhat but the casualties of the people it consumed remained true.
The Doctor and the Master exchanged a look at each other, confused. If this had happened before, how come the Time Lords were not aware of it? Back at Gallifrey, all of histories and aborted histories on the tips of their fingers and they never learn about this so-called blessed devourer. Why?
The Doctor is angry at the Master for destroying Gallifrey and now they will never know the truth.
7777
I was with Ivy, holding hands, kissing and having a laugh while walking together when a man looked us over with disgust. I could hear him muttering 'freaks' as he walked away. I felt saddened that there is still people who are homophobic but I let it go. Ivy didn't look happy and despite my protest, she went to the cafe where the man entered. I didn't follow her as requested by Ivy but I was getting worry that he would hurt her so I was about to get inside when Ivy got out.
"I chew him up." Ivy said with a sweet smile. "He won't be a bother to anyone again."
"Ivy, you really don't need to do that."
"Oh, Josie, trust me, it was for my own pleasure..." she said a little viciously.
The Doctor and company hid themselves when they felt unsettling presence washed over the area. There is this blurring creature who keep flashing its appearance between men/women/children as if it can't make up its mind and settle into one appearance. But those who are in cages are panicking, screaming, cursing, begging for mercy.
The Doctor had to look away when the creatures' mouth opened wide, showing white sharp teeth and sink into the flesh of its chosen snack of the day. Her companion felt sickened by the whole thing to the point of puking. The Master regarded the creature curiously.
The creature finally settled its appearance into those of a child, a ginger-haired little girl. She smiled happily and walked forward to her secret chamber.
The Doctor and company followed discreetly. They took a peek of the chamber that resembles a console. Seven holograms appeared in circle around the little girl. She saw the little girl murmuring soothingly to one of the holograms
As the little girl moved to the next hologram, so does her appearance, sometimes a human, sometimes an alien race. And he/she/it will talk to the hologram soothingly. Afterward, the creature vanished from the chamber.
The Doctor and company got out of hiding and into the chambers to observe the holograms.
The Doctor felt her hearts sinking when she saw one of the holograms displayed is in fact her former companion, Josie.
"Oh my God..." Yaz, who also finally noticed, put a hand over her mouth. "Josie?"
"What? How can she be here?" Graham asked.
"Is that really her?" Ryan asked.
The Master rolled his eyes. "Of course, your companion will be one of the stupid apes who invites the creature in."
The Doctor ignored them as she walked toward Josie's hologram and touched it. She closed her eyes, feeling for something and she found, no, heard it.
"Why? Why do people just keep hurting each other? Why do people just actively trying to be cruel? Why does everyone have to be mean to one another? I can't live in a world like this. I hate that I even still breathing in this world. I don't want to live in a world like this anymore. Please, someone, please make it stop. It's hurt so much." The Doctor could felt Josie's inner pain. "Doctor... I push her away. She is gone now. I am all alone. Please, God, please help me, just make it all stop, please, I can't...I can't..."
The Doctor's eyes turned glassy with unshed tears. "Oh, Josie, I'm so sorry..."
"Doctor?" Yaz called out.
The Doctor moved to the other holograms and every last one is the same, one way of another, they are all a victim of violence whether by another human or alien. A young mother who lost her little girl to a bad person, a young teenage alien who lost his family during the war with another alien, a female alien who is a victim of sexual slavery and so on.
One of the alien race in the hologram, whom the Doctor recognized as a pacifist, her inner pain is actually about the Daleks and Cybermen and her wish is for every races to get along and stop making war in the world which might explain the sight the Master saw of those two race being eerily friendly with each other.
Had the situation not dire, the Doctor would probably find it funny that her enemies have turned into peaceful being. The Doctor is worried that the creature is so strong to even convert Daleks and Cybermen. To think that herself, a Time Lord, also almost fell under its thrall is frightening. She has to put a stop on the creature and reset the world.
The Doctor turned toward the fam and the Master and started telling them what to do.
"We have to make them reject the creature. It won't be easy since the creature is basically giving them everything they wanted, a revenge and a peaceful world. But, our future is at stake, at all cost, we have to make them reject the creature." she said to the fam before turning to the Master firmly. "No killing them."
The Master scoffed. "Wouldn't it be easier to just kill them?"
"This isn't like the Monk. Killing the host still won't sever the connection."
"What monk?" Graham asked.
"Story for another time. Let's go." The Doctor gave them each one person to deal with. Since they are only five people, the Doctor decided to take two.
Yaz wanted to help Josie but the Doctor said she will do it.
"You were right, Yaz, I shouldn't have ignored her. I have to fix this." The Doctor said sadly.
"Remember, look for the new person in their life and be careful not to upset them more than you need to. Take this earpiece and make them wear it and help them see the truth, appeal to them..." The Doctor declared. She gave each one a communication and teleportation device for when they are in trouble or when they have done the job.
The Master groaned in annoyance. "Helping an ape..."
"Well, you didn't have a choice. You want the world return to normal, don't you?" The Doctor said with a glare. "Behave, Master. You love playing a game? So play this, be the good guy, convince your person to reject the creature and you win."
"Ugh, fine!"
7777
I was reading Ivy's draft novel excitedly while drinking my favorite beverage when the bell rang. I thought it would be Ivy. I can't wait to tell her how awesome her new novel is.
I was speechless when I saw the Doctor instead.
She smiled at me hesitantly. "Hey, Josie..."
"Doctor...?" I still can't believe my eyes. The Doctor is here? "What is it? Are the fam...?"
The Doctor hastily said, "Oh, no, they are fine. I actually am here for you, you know, to hang out. It has been a while since we talked after all..."
I narrowed my eyes at her, not believing that she actually wanted to hang out with me.
She smiled at me with a hopeful puppy look that she probably knew I couldn't resist.
I sighed and let her come inside.
She grinned and entered the room and made her way to the cushion. "What are you reading?"
"Just some book." I refused to talk about Ivy's book with her.
"I love book. What is it about?"
"Doctor, why are you really here?" I asked. "I get the feeling this is not a social visit." I said. "Or is it? If you are worry of me being suicidal, don't, I'm fine now."
"It's not about that. Well, It is about that and more. It's also about your new friend."
I frowned. "Ivy? How do you know about her? Have you been watching?"
The Doctor glanced at me with a look of sad and guilt. "Josie, I'm so sorry but Ivy is not what she said she is. She is not human."
I was surprised at the mention that Ivy is not human but... "So what? So she may or may not be human, so what? You are not human either, Doctor." I felt the need to defend Ivy, she is my girlfriend after all.
"This is different."
"How?"
"She changed the world, Josie."
"I noticed."
"yeah, she... Wait, what? You know?"
"I mean I didn't know she is the one who did it but I do notice the world is changing and for the better." I said. "And she did make my life better. I was at my lowest point in life after I lost my dad, Doctor, and she make it better, make it more bearable."
"But it's more than that though, Josie, she is eating people."
"What?"
"Yeah, she took people who are evil or has bad manner and she ate them...chew them up inside her stomach, I saw it."
My mind flashed at what Ivy said before regarding the rude man who called us freaks, about how she chews him up and that he won't be a bother anymore. My face turned pale in realization. My girlfriend is actually an alien, I thought in confusion but for some reason I'm not afraid.
"Josie, you need to wear this." The Doctor said as she handed me an earpiece.
"What is this for?"
"She put the world under her thrall. This will help you combat it. I worked it with the Master to make more for the rest of you."
"You worked with the Master?" I asked in disbelief. I took a step back. I didn't want to hear about this. I suddenly feel the urge to run.
The Doctor suddenly moved in front of me which make me jump in surprise since I didn't notice her. She put the earpiece inside one of my ears despite my protest.
I closed my eyes as I felt like the world is sinking before me. The happiness is gone. The sorrow is back full course. I opened my eyes as tears started to fell from my cheek. "Why? Why would you do this to me, Doctor?"
"I'm sorry, Josie, but I have to make you see." The Doctor said as she grabbed both of my arms. "Ivy is dangerous. She will eventually turn against you too after she has her fills with the world."
"So let her..." I whispered.
"What?" The Doctor stared at me in disbelief.
"Why would you want to change this world? Why would you want it to return to the chaos? Ivy made everyone happy and safe. There is no crime, no wars."
"Yeah, but at what price? She has been consuming people and not just the rude. She is snacking on the happy people too. Her true self consumed emotion and flesh and the whole world is her all-she-can-eat buffet."
"So?"
The Doctor looks confused. She didn't understand why I didn't jump on board the Doctor's train anymore.
"If it's the price of peace..."
"What? The price of peace is her stomach?! Are you listening to yourself, Josie?"
I didn't reply as I stared at Ivy who has suddenly appeared behind the Doctor.
"Step away from her, Doctor." Ivy said with venom.
The Doctor turned toward Ivy and smiled grimly. "So you know who I am..."
"And I also know your friends...the one you sent to disturb my peace. I am with them too right at this moment."
The Doctor looks nervous. "If you hurt them..."
"You hurt me first! And if you and them don't stop soon, I can't be held responsible for breaking my promise." Ivy said as she glanced at me.
"Promise? Your deal with Josie when she let you in?" The Doctor asked. She turned to me. "What is the promise?"
"To keep you and everyone I have left safe. To not be alone and in pain anymore. To live in a world where everyone is happy." I whispered.
"Except you don't have them, Josie, they never come back for you. Even now, they show up here just to tear us apart." Ivy said with a touch of anger and sadness.
I glanced at the Doctor and Ivy in sorrow, not hearing what they are talking about. I didn't know what to do.
The Doctor is begging me to reject Ivy and save the world once more. Ivy begged me to stay with her and promised to make me happy until the day I die.
Ivy is in pain. It seemed the Master and the companion has managed to convince the others to reject her. She is having a hard time to maintain her appearance. She keeps flickering in and out of existence. She glanced at me sadly.
"Josie, please help me."
"You are the last, Josie, please, I know you are still in pain right now, but you need to reset the world to the original state." The Doctor begged me, appeal to my humanity. "I promise this time around I will be there for you. I won't abandon you. I'm sorry I couldn't get your dad back for you. But I will be there with you."
I gazed at the Doctor and saw her sincerity. But I also know the Doctor is good at lies. And yet, what is it about her that make me still want her approval?
I turned to look at Ivy and I walked forward to her ignoring the Doctor's protest. I put a hand over her cheeks. "Ivy, thank you, for everything, for making me happy and at peace with myself. I love you for it. But I guess...it's time for me to grow up and face the consequence..."
Ivy gazed at me sadly. "Are you sure about this? You know how this will end..."
"I know. And I'm okay with it." I said and it will be the truth because I would revert back to that moment where I already give up.
Ivy nodded and turned to the Doctor. "It seemed like you have won, Doctor. But know this, now that Josie has rejected me, time will reset back to the moment she let me in and she will die."
The Doctor froze. "What? What are you talking about?" she asked in panic as she glanced between Ivy and me.
"The night I found her, she was dying, if time is reset, that's meant she never let me in, which mean I never save her. She will die on that road, all alone."
The Doctor turned toward me. "What is she talking about, Josie? You are dying?"
I chuckled sadly. "The irony, Doctor, I died more or less the same way as my dad..."
The Doctor shook her head. "No. That's not going to happen. I will save you."
Ivy sighed in amusement. "oh, Doctor, haven't you realized yet? No one will remember this moment in time. It is erased, no longer exist, which mean you will never know either."
"I am a Time Lord! I will remember! Aborted timelines or not!"
"And yet Gallifrey didn't know of my existence, didn't they?" Ivy asked. She sighed. "You save everyone but her, Doctor."
"No." The Doctor turned to me pleadingly as the timeline shattered before us.
7777
I snapped angrily at the man who dared to threaten me with a knife. It reminded me too much of the day my Dad got shot. I didn't remember exactly what happen next, only that I lost my sanity and fought back stupidly.
And then there was pain.
I realized I have been stabbed or more like I tripped and fell straight to the path of the knife in my fit of rage.
"You crazy bitch!" the man shouted at me. He left in a hurry.
I was alone and in pain.
I stared at the night sky. Strange enough, I felt calm and at peace.
7777
Yaz got a phone call. Her face turned pale as she turned to face the Doctor, Ryan and Graham. They were still laughing at something before they stopped upon seeing her state.
"It's Josie..."
7777
The Tardis landed on alley nearby and the Doctor and her companion ran outside immediately toward the road.
They saw the road is full of spectator. There are police cars.
The Doctor gulped as she walked slowly toward the crime scene.
There, on the road, a body covered in white sheet. A stabbing victim. They said it was mugging gone wrong.
Yaz talked to a fellow police officer to get more details.
Ryan and Graham stood with the Doctor each by her side.
The Doctor stared at the body with one forlorn glance, unable to comprehend what is happening. Yet another one she lost, another one she let down...
A/N2: So…sad ending again because not everyone gets their happy ending. So what do you think? Please leave review if you like it. Thanks.