They had made a habit in the past few weeks of locking all the doors and windows. They had even installed a chain on the front door. She had latched it and felt very safe in her own home and was going to enjoy an hour to herself for a change, maybe even a nap. The weather had turned, and she got cozy with a blanket and a glass of wine next to the fire, and opened her book.

After almost an hour there was a knock at the door.

Chapter 28 When Evil Comes

Rose was startled because no one had ever knocked on that door. She got up to open it. Rose stopped and asked through the door, "Who is it?" A man's voice came from the other side of the door. "Can you help me? I got lost in the woods and fell. My leg's bleedin."

She opened the door on the chain to see. A man in his late thirties was leaning on the door frame, holding his right leg up behind him. She was suspicious but wanted to help if she could. "I'm sorry, I promised my husband not to let anyone in the house. If you wait here I'll get you a blanket and some bandages. When he comes back he can take you to the settlement. He should be here in ten or fifteen minutes."

The way the man laughed made her blood run cold. She tried to push the door closed, but he slammed his body against it, pushing it in, ripping the chain from the door jam and sending her flying backwards onto the stairs.

"Get out!" Rose shouted, getting up. He only grinned at her like a maniac. "Who are you! What do you want?"

"My name's Pete, Pete Henderson. Your husband tried to make a fool out of me today. Let's see what he thinks of me now."

Rose heard the Tardis cloister bell ringing. She knew what it meant and tried to think of a plan. Rose rushed him to get to the Tardis but he was fast and blocked her way. He could have caught her then, but decided he would play with her a bit and make her beg for mercy.

She slowly backed up into the living room to try to talk her way out of this. "Don't do this. They'll send you back to earth for this. If you leave now I won't say anything." "I know you won't" was his reply. He licked his lips with a wicked smile. He had the look of a man who liked to hear his victims plead for mercy.

She changed her tactic. "If you think I'm helpless you're very wrong." Rose blanched as she felt the thoughts of the mind of the man in front of her. His plans for her were sick and twisted. Rose had to find a way to defend herself. She would get no mercy from him.

He had backed her up to the picture window overlooking the lake. He laughed and wiped his face with his sleeve, thinking she was cornered. "Now why don't you just be nice to me and I'll go." Rose had a plan. Just a little bit closer. I can do this.

He started to advance, thinking she wouldn't be able to stop him, a stupid, weak woman, just like all the others.

She held her ground and was ready. "DON'T DO THIS!" she shouted a warning.

He lunged at her like a rabid animal, grabbed her sweater, and ripped it in two down the front. Pulling it and her bra strap from her shoulder and then slid his fingers lower.

She managed to keep her wits, pivoted, and put his head through the window. It shattered on impact. He screamed and tried to turn away, still holding on to Rose's sweater by reflex, throwing blood in all directions. She kicked him and he lost his grip and let her go.

He wasn't used to them fighting back, he went insane with rage. Rose had enough time to get to the steps at the door. It was only another ten feet to the Tardis.

Suddenly Captain MacAbee was at the door, calling her name, distracting her. He pushed her to the floor and shot Pete Henderson in the chest with his laser pistol. He was dead before he hit the floor.

She was in shock. Everything sort of went in slow motion. She looked at the Captain and then at the body of the man. A butcher knife in his hand.

Rose began to shake as she looked at her hands. She was covered in blood and glass and couldn't speak. "Easy now Rose, it's gonna be alright." She stood, looking at him terrified, but found her voice. "Alice! Where's Alice?"

"She's safe at Louise's house. Your husband took her there. He should be here any minute." Rose nodded and then collapsed. The Captain caught her before she could fall and put her on the couch next to the fire.

He went to the kitchen for towels and water. He was cleaning off the blood when she woke up. "Are you injured?" he said sternly. Rose was still shaking and trying to regain her composure. "No. No, he didn't hurt me."

The Time Lord ran into the house and saw the carnage. The body on the floor and the bloody shattered window. "Rose!" He screamed. "In here" The Captain replied.

As he entered the room all he saw was Rose covered in blood and the bowl of red water the captain was rinsing the towel in. "Rose" he whispered, his eyes filled with horror. The Captain stood and backed away from her so her husband could replace him.

"Easy John," He put a hand on his shoulder. "She's unharmed but in shock. I'll be out front if you need me." The Time Lord gave a quick look of thanks to MacAbee as he turned back to Rose. He knelt and began to clean Rose's arms and face, seeing the torn sweater and exposed skin. When he was done, he was glad to see that she only had a few minor cuts and scrapes.

She looked up at him and calmly said "I'm sorry." He was confused, "Why should you be sorry? You didn't do anything wrong."

"I shouldn't have gotten out of the Tardis." Her face distorted as she began to cry. He dropped the cloth and held her close, rocking her gently.

"It's ok Rose. He's gone. He won't come back. Shhhhh, I'm here. I'm here." She clung to him as her chest heaved with uncontrolled sobs." He held her until she began to only whimper from exhaustion.

He made her drink the wine that was in a glass on the table. She took it and swallowed it all. "Rest now Rose." putting a pillow under her head and wrapping her in a blanket. She had stopped shaking, but stared at the fireplace unblinking. He stroked her hair and kissed her cheek before going to speak with the Captain.

He came up behind him as the Captain examined the body. "Quinn. Thank You." Quinn gave a nod of acknowledgment, "I was told about the fight you two had. I knew where he would go." Rose's actions had surprised Quinn. She was a brave woman to fight that animal, and she gave him a clear shot.

"I've called back for a stretcher to get him out of here. I'm afraid there will be an inquest. Rose will need to make a statement in a few days when she's ready. For now, just take care of her. Is Alice ok?" "Yes, She's with Louise. I asked her if she could stay with her tonight.

Alice has never been away from us. But she's her mother's daughter, She'll be ok." Quinn's eyebrows turned down, "I'll stop in and make sure on my way back. Can I help you clean up? Sooner this is behind her the better." The Time Lord was grateful for the help so he could get back to Rose all the faster. "Thanks I could use a hand."

Before they began, Quinn took the pictures of the scene that would be required by the inquest. He apologized, but he needed a picture of Rose as well. The Time Lord refused. "Please John, don't make me do this by force."

The Time Lord looked at him with menace, cold as ice. "You could try." It would be no contest. The Time Lord could easily break Quinn in two.

Quinn took his duties seriously and no one would stand in his way. He replied with the same icy stare. "I have to. It's the law." His eyes filled with sympathy, "I will be as discreet as possible."

The Time Lord didn't want to hurt Quinn, after what he had just done for Rose, and he agreed.

They went to Rose on the couch. Her eyes were staring into space unblinking. "Rose?" The Time Lord began. "Rose, Quinn has to take a picture of your sweater, Can you sit up for me?" She was unresponsive and he gently lifted her to a sitting position, pulling the sweater together as much as possible. The bloody broken threads of yarn making it clear where the tear was. Quinn took one picture, without her face, and showed it to him.

"No one will see this picture unless absolutely necessary. I will destroy it after the inquest. You have my word." The Time Lord nodded acknowledging the courtesy.

Chapter 29 Aftermath