I hit the ground with an almighty thud, concrete...great. Why couldn't I have landed on a carpet? A sofa even! As my head collides with the ground my vision blurs and I lay there for a second to try and shake off the disorientation.
"Are you alright love?" An elderly looking woman asks, her back hunched, she has round black glasses and a pink cardigan. She must've been wheeling her shopping home in that trolly before I blocked the path. I realise I am still lying in the middle of the path before I quickly force myself off the ground, trying to appear perfectly fine and normal.
"Yes, yes thank you. I'm sorry, I must've tripped or something..." I find a reasonable and believable excuse for the sweet old woman, not wanting to startle her.
"Oh, bless you. Do you need me to call an ambulance? Mind you, its usually people asking me that these days" she mutters to herself.
"Oh no, I'm fine now, must just be hungry and tired. I'll head home. But thank you for your concern anyway" I brush her off and allow her to pass and continue her route home.
It is at this point I realise that I am actually on Earth, like, real life, normal Earth. This is a street, with ordinary people and ordinary houses! I can find my way home, the lady had a British accent, and with weather as grey and miserable as this I instantly recognise that I am at least in the right country. I could call mum. Call home! I could get help, finally...
Quickly I head down the street, looking for some kind of public information centre or a shop, the police even, any place that would lend me a phone as god knows where mine is anymore. Prioritise: find out where you are,get home. Simple.
BAM! I slam straight into a body, a mans torso it seems. It's then that I realise that he's actually with a group of men. They're all in matching blue uniform with 'Kings Arms' written on them, a football kit maybe? They're certainly a rowdy bunch. The man I hit into is large and has a kind face, he looks pretty startled and quickly rushes to give me a hand up.
"Oh God! I'm so sorry... I got distracted, my mate..." He rambles on before a blonde woman wearing a white wooly hat intervenes.
"Are you ok, sorry, Craig is hopeless, honestly you can't take him anywhere!" She continues lightheartedly giving him a shove.
The man, Craig, laughs too and awkwardly moves to put his arm around her waist before seemingly changing his mind and returning it back to his side.
"Alright love, where'd you come from then?" A bloke hollers over Craigs shoulder.
My cheeks immediately heat up, I stutter to reply, not really knowing what to say. Just wanting to get past the group and continue my mission to get home.
"What is it with you and finding fit blonds, hey mate?" Another lad chortles, shoving Craig way harder than the woman did, right into me in fact.
We both fall over again, and he yet again breaks out in apology as the woman gasps and offers me a hand up while berating the men for laughing.
It is then that my world freezes.
"Nadine?" A man with a massive mop of hair on his head who I've recently come to know as the Doctor states, this time minus his staple tweed jacket.
I am in shock. How can he be here? He's an alien! Shouldn't he be on the planet Zog or something! Not wearing a football kit hanging out with some blokes.
Wait a second. No. He can't be here. I should be getting away from him, I need to be at home. Not stuck with this strange man.
I don't even attempt to respond. I simply swivel on my feet and march off in the opposite direction I was walking. I realise this is counterproductive, as I have already walked this way, but needs must. I need to avoid him and get back to normality.
I can hear him briefly speaking to the men before calling after me.
"Nadine!" He yells.
I continue to walk, if not slightly faster.
"Wait, Nadine... Just, please! Wait!" His voice is getting louder, he's catching up.
"Leave me alone!" I snap over my shoulder at him, not breaking pace.
"Just wait, if you could just explain. Whats wrong? Where have you just come from?" He's hot on my heels.
"You! I've just come from you. And now I am leaving and going home" I bellow over to him.
He's caught up with me now and sighs, letting out a grunt of frustration as he keeps pace with me.
"I know that... but which me. God, don't be difficult. The password Nadine, what's the password?" He says trying to keep a patient tone in his voice but clearly annoyed by his lack of understanding right now.
"Pears... stupid pears... thats the stupid code word. The same one as last time, the only stupid password" I mutter bitterly, desperate to just see a shop.
He falters in his step for a second, before quickly snapping out of it to catch up with my unrelenting pace.
"You're... young. Wait, but you recognise me so you haven't just come from pinstripes?" He tries to figure out.
"Nope, jumped twice now. First stick man, then bowtie... on a pirate..." I explain halfheartedly. He cuts me off.
"Spoilers! Stop, you can't tell me my future Nadine. Thats why we need the password, so we can keep track, maintain temporal balance" He goes on to explain. To be honest, I really don't care.
"Right, well, it doesn't matter, I'm heading off now. Never gonna see you again I expect, so let's just forget all this and head our separate ways" I put it bluntly.
"Nadine, wait, just listen to me for a second" he begins.
"Nope. I'm done talking to you, leave me alone" I cut him off. Just wanting to avoid this whole situation, I don't want to hear whatever bad news he wants to break to me.
He grasps my hand, pulling me to a stop. I attempt to pull away but he quickly places his other hand on my shoulder, holding me in a firm grip.
"Listen to me, it won't work. This isn't your home anymore" he continues.
"You're wrong! Don't you dare say that. Don't you dare!" I yell, forgetting that we are in a public place.
Wait, a public place. Surely I can use this to my advantage.
"You cant go home, I'm sorry. But trust me... if you do... you'll only get your heart broken" he ignores my outburst, continuing to try and explain. But I am done listening.
"Help! Help, please... He won't let me go!" I scream at the top of my lungs, quickly drawing the attention of passers by, and a car. The Doctor lets me go in response, arms going slack in shock, clearly having lost control of the situation. He looks devastated, I don't understand why. But I don't have time to either. I rush over to the car that has stopped, there is a woman with a child in the backseat.
"Are you ok dear?" She implores, looking from me over to the Doctor.
"Can I jump in, that man, he won't leave me alone and I just need a lift to the local police station?" I beg her, a desperate look in my eyes.
"Of course, hop in love. My names Abby by the way, and thats Lisa" she indicates to the child in the back, who waves over shyly.
"Thank you, I'm Nadine" I introduce myself, waving back the the little girl.
"Are you hurt at all dear?" She sounds concerned.
"No, no. I'm fine, I'll be ok once I'm with the police" I try to explain.
We continue to make small talk until she pulls into the police station and I thank her profusely then head in.
"Excuse me, I need help please. I'm completely lost and need help getting home" I explain at the reception desk.
Hours pass. Monotonous hours of filling in endless paperwork and explaining a million times that I collapsed and woke up here, choosing that as the most sane cover story, at least its not too far from the truth. Then finally I was provided with a lift home, it turns out I am one county along from my home county. About a 2 hour drive away. Because I'm lost and young looking, they take pity on me and offer me a lift home. Which I quickly accept.
The drive itself seems like far longer than 2 hours, I just cant wait to see Jamie, my parents, my home. I am buzzing with excitement. Finally there is an end to this nightmare.
When the police car finally stops I rush to jump out and am immediately overwhelmed at the fact that I am home, on the one street I recognise best. The street that Jamie and I learnt to ride our bikes on, where we would go sledging in the snow or have water fights in the heat of summer. This was home.
Mum's car is parked in the drive. She must've just got home from work. That means Jamie will be back from school. Dad is probably still at the office. I thank the police officer and confirm my house by pointing over at it. He pats me on the shoulder and explains that he will wait by the car to ensure I get in safe, but I am still in such shock I can barely respond more than repeating my thanks.
I never thought I'd see this place again. My home, my one sanctuary. I can't walk up the path quick enough.
Then the door opens, my front door. Have they spotted me? No, its Jamie, he's staring at his phone having not looked up yet. I cover the final distance...
"Jamie!" I exclaim in pure joy and relief. Holding back a laugh, waiting for the shock and surprise to hit his face!
He looks up startled. Then confused... wait, confused?
"Sorry, do I know you?" He responds.
"That's not funny, Jam, you have no idea the things I've been through recently..." I try and laugh, try and not think too deeply. He's kidding, he has to be.
"I think you have me confused... I really don't know who you are" he is genuinely unsure about my identity. It's like a slap in the face, or that sinking feeling of having a rock in the pit of your stomach.
This is my house. I know it is, there, right there on one of the bricks underneath a window is a carved smily face I spent weeks doing one summer when I was younger. Jamie never had the patience to do one too, but I remember making that mark. Leaving my mark. Evidence of my existence.
"But this... I'm your... this is our home! There... Look on the wall! I carved that face on the brick years ago!" I implore, desperation in my tone.
"Ummm... I mean, I think mum and dad said I did it when I was younger. I must've, I'm an only child you see" he looks afraid of me, attempting to explain and not anger me. This is all wrong.
I shove past him, through the front door, my front door, and call out to my parents.
"Mum, Dad! Hello? Anyone there? Please!" I cry out, tears are streaming down my face and I begin to shake, fear like I have never felt seeps into me.
My mum then comes through from the kitchen and into the living room looking concerned. Her eyes land on me briefly before remaining on Jamie who has followed me in.
"Jamie, what's all this?" She asks him, ignoring me. I stare blankly back at her, my heart breaking.
"I don't know, she thinks she lives here or something... I don't even know her name! She just barged in..." He recounts to mum.
Mum now looks concerned, and protective. She moves past me and grasps Jamie's arm, tugging him behind her.
"Right, now, let's calm down then. Can I ask you to leave please, this isn't your property. I certainly don't know you I'm afraid, I'm sure this is all one big mix up. We don't want any trouble, if you just leave us without a fight, this doesn't have to be a problem. Ok?" She is looking at me in a way I've never seen before, like she isn't seeing me. There is no love in her eyes, no warmth, just a wall of concern... concern that isn't directed at me but all for Jamie. They're afraid of me, they think I'm mad.
"Mum..." I sob... unable to get any more words out. I step towards her, she reacts by stepping back.
Then another voice enters from behind.
"Is everything alright in here, Nadine, are you settled now?" It's the police officer, obviously checking it's alright for him to leave now.
"I don't know what's going on here. But this is my home and I don't appreciate intruders being allowed in" Mum begins.
"Intruders? She is your daughter? Thats what we were told..." he cut in, confused and looking over to me.
"Let me just explain..." I plead, realising how bad this must look.
"No, I've had enough now. Look, she's clearly not well and I want her out before she hurts..." My mum continues.
I move towards her, desperate to just reach out and take her hand. Maybe then she will recognise me. But before I can she lets out a yell in fear and the officer has moved to grab me around the waist, pulling me away. I blink and I am outside, facing the wall, the same brick that I carved a face on when I was younger glares up at me, goading me, laughing at me. It smiles up, but I'm not smiling back. I continue to stare at the one thing that proves this is my home, the one thing that hasn't been erased.
The officer is reading me my rights. I don't listen.
"Anything you do say may be given in evidence and later relied on in court..." He relays to me.
Then I feel cold metal on my wrists, handcuffs. I am bing arrested. I don't care.
"This way then, waste of police time... Trespassing... Faking your identity...psychotic..." He mutters, obviously annoyed that he drove me all the way here.
Time passes different. One minute I am being put in the police car. The next I am in a holding cell. That's shock I guess... I've become accustomed to it recently. At least its stopping me from feeling, that's a small mercy.
I'm not sure how long I've been in the cell before the door is opened and I am told that I have a call, legal advice apparently.
I take the phone from the wall and wait for a voice on the other end.
"Nadine, is that you? It's me..." I instantly know who it is.
"Doctor" I let out a choked sob, not sure if I am relieved or devastated.
"Hey, hey, it's ok Nadine. Don't worry, I'll sort this. Give me one night, I just need to fix something in this flat, Craig, he needs me, and Amy... I need the Tardis. I'll be there as soon as I sort this tiny bit of an alien incursion..." He begins to try and soothe me, but suddenly the line cuts off and I am left with a buzzing.
I replace the phone and allow the officer to guide me back to my cell.
He starts to explain the situation to me.
"Now, we wouldn't ordinarily keep you in overnight for such a minor crime. We'd charge you and allocate a court date, but it seems until we work out where you live and if youre in a fit state to leave we can't do very much else but keep you in overnight. The hostels are full and we cant let you leave without an address, or someone to collect you. Do you have anyone?" He questions.
"No" is my simple response. That annoys him.
"Right then, we'll have to sort you out tomorrow then, you want to spend the night in a cell, fine" he grunts out, frustrated.
He locks me back in and again I am greeted by the small white room with a thin mattress on a bench that is meant to be a bed. I lay down, look up, close my eyes. Silence. Time has never felt so slow at passing. The thought of being alone with my thoughts scares me, I don't want to think of mum or Jamie right now. But I can't help it. When I close my eyes, all I can see are flashes of memories with my family.
I finally drift into a restless sleep.
The next thing that happens is the door swinging open and the Doctor standing next to the officer. His face looks grim, although I expect it's not as grim as mine.
"That's her then" the officer confirms.
"Yeah" he agrees, not breaking eye contact with me.
"Nadine. This is the social worker you've been assigned to, Dr smith. He's here to take you to some accommodation" the officer explains.
"I don't..." I begin, not really sure what to do.
"Lets go then, busy day, lots to do" The Doctor cuts me off.
"Right you are, I'll sign you both out then" the officer shakes the Doctor's hand before nodding to me and leaving us.
I don't move. I just sit on the bench staring at the ground. He moves, however.
"C'mon then, I expect you've had a rough night. They said you haven't eaten. You must be hungry, and you look like you could do with some proper rest" he talks, probably just trying to fill the silence. I can hear the underlying tone of concern in his voice. He's trying to keep things light, I can tell, he doesn't want me to breakdown here.
The Doctor waits a moment for a response, realising he won't get one, he then helps me up and puts an arm over my shoulder leading me out onto the street, then over to the blue police box, the Tardis.
He leads me inside, taking glances over at me at every opportunity. Then deposits me on the jump seat.
This is followed by him moving around the console and the groan of an engine firing up as the central column begins to move up and down.
"This way" he states, directing me to a corridor.
I follow numbly, and we walk and walk until we arrive at a library.
"Crisps, not the healthiest but they're full of fat and salt and not too heavy on the stomach. Should tide you over for now" he passes me some salt and vinegar crisps that I eat without much thought. He breaks the silence again.
"Help yourself to a book, I know how much you like to read, try and distract yourself" he suggests.
I don't respond immediately. He sighs, then gets up and heads towards the doorway.
"Why are you doing this?" I ask just as he is about to leave.
He is giving me instructions, but not asking me how I feel, it's unexpected.
Our eyes meet, he looks lost and tired. Guilt fills me. It's my fault he's upset.
"I don't know what else to do" he admits.
"I'm sorry" I whisper as a tear slides down my cheek.
"No. This isn't your fault, you're hurting and thats only natural. But you need to look after yourself, so please, at least try and get some rest. Read for a while and when you're tired I'm sure the old girl won't mind showing you to your room. You need space, and thats ok. Just take some time to rest" he implores.
I nod, unsure of what else there is to say. Not wanting to make matters worse for either of us. I head towards a table and pick up any old book, Alice in Wonderland. He watches me sit on a sofa by a fireplace and open the book. I nuzzle into the sofa, getting cozy as I become lost in the novel.
Then, silently, he leaves me to the adventures of Alice. Knowing full well they are nothing compared the the adventures they will have in the future.