IV
The Doctor's message
Eighteenth Century
England
Manchester
1775
Rose stumbles through the doors of the Tardis and throws herself onto the console, gripping onto the sides tightly to hold her balance. Sweat pours down her face and Rose tries her best to catch her breath from her sudden sprint across the city. The Doctor and Terry have suddenly vanished and April is trapped inside her own nightmare.
Rose is alone.
The Tardis hums peacefully around her constantly as if it is trying to help sooth her. Rose listens to the hum and after a few moments, her breathing starts to ease down to its usual rhythm and her shaking limbs relax. The tense muscles in Rose's shoulders ease as she slowly releases her tight grip on the console and stands up straight.
The Tardis lets out one last rumble just as Rose finds herself crying. Her tears sting her eyes, blurring her vision and she lets out a sob just as the tears stream down her face.
No matter what the cost will be, Rose will do anything to get the Doctor back. From noticing the statue of a weeping angel on the other side of the road, she knows that that is what has taken her friends from her. She is stuck completely on her own with no knowledge on how to fly the Tardis. Rose does not even have the faintest idea as to where the Doctor and Terry could be apart from somewhere back in time.
Something happened with Horace to change the Doctor's mind. He was so desperate to fly away from here. But the only evidence they have is stories about the Devil and God's disappearance. And for the first time since seeing Nathaniel, she knows that this is not a joke.
For all she knows, they might be in a completely different dimension.
Rose hastily wipes her nose with the back of her hand and looks up at the green tube in the middle of the console. "Okay then," She says in a croaky voice. "You allow April to fly you, you can at least have the decency to help be bring back the Doctor," Rose walks up to the console and aimlessly starts to press a load of different buttons. "Come on, help me!"
But nothing happens. The Tardis only continues to hum quietly.
Rose sits in the chair for a long while as she looks across the console over to the front doors. All she can think about is finding the Doctor and bringing him back to her. But she has no clue as to where to start. At first she thinks about finding these angels and see if they might take her as well, but the possibility of being taken back in time to exact spot where the Doctor and Terry are is very low. She knows that she has to stay in eighteenth century Manchester with the Tardis and find a way to bring him back. And she knows that she cannot leave April on her own in case she suddenly wakes up. In fact, it will be a miracle for April to wake up now.
The thought of being completely alone in a city she barely knows and in a century she wasn't even born in, suddenly hits her.
But the Doctor's words warning Rose that it is not safe for them to be there because time is being played with, rings in her ears and she can't help but feel curious about Phillip and Penny and these stories about the death of God and the rise of the Devil. Not like she believes in God or the Devil but with everything she has witnessed on her travels with the Doctor, she knows that anything is possible.
After a long wait of feeling sorry for herself as she sits on the chair, Rose thinks that it will be best to check up on April.
She leaves the console room and slowly makes her way through the dark corridors. With everything Rose has experienced that day in Manchester, she suddenly feels as if she is being watched as she passes through the long winding corridors trying to find April's room. Without the Doctor's presence around, the Tardis seems ghostly, just as the streets outside are.
Then April's painful cries run out from her room and Rose sprints down the corridor. She frantically calls out April's name as she turns corners, trying to find April's room. Once she finally finds it, she bursts open the door and stumbles inside.
There is a dark shadow over her for a split moment but it disappears a second later and April's screams cease into whimpers. Rose rushes to April's side and takes hold of her cold but clammy hand. She does not know how April's skin can be so cold yet so sweaty and clammy at the same time, but she doesn't bother to question it.
Before they left the Tardis earlier that day, the Doctor left a bucket of lukewarm water beside April's bed. There is a flannel left sitting on the edge of the bucket. Rose takes the flannel and rinses it out in the water before she gently patters away at April's stone cold forehead.
April twitches at the warmth of the flannel and Rose is careful not to wake her up. She doesn't want to make things worse, but Rose strongly wishes that April will wake up. Once she is awake, she will at least have someone beside her to help her in getting the Doctor back. Although Rose does not know how April will react to the news of the Doctor disappearing seeing as the last time they spoke, April clearly was let down as they left the parallel world.
April did tell the Doctor to clear off. And so he has.
As she suddenly starts to remember the day they left that world and the words April shouted across the console room to the Doctor, memories of the snow covered London, the Nobody's and the last battle in Antarctica suddenly comes flooding back to Rose. The images of Aaron Brimikawood lying in the blood stained snow with his leg blown off. The explosions that were dropped on the Antarctic desert during the battle. Being forced on live television to calm the world. Seeing Monroe Setzik being shot in the head and hearing the news of Harry Summerland's death. All these memories finds their way to sneak back into Rose's consciousness. It has only been a day since they fled the parallel world for good and all of a sudden, she has found herself in danger once more.
That is the curse of being with the Doctor and sitting in the middle of a continual battle for the Cytracik. It then dawns on Rose that now the Doctor and Terry has disappeared, there is less chance for them to destroy the Cytracik.
Despite her love of travelling with the Doctor, Rose strongly wishes to have some peace and quiet for a while. But she knows that that probably will not happen until the Battle of the Cytracik is well and truly at its end. Declan and Suzette really have left a lot of weight on the Doctor's, Terry's and Rose's shoulders and they seem to have found themselves in far more trouble than usual since April joined them.
Rose sighs knowing that it isn't April's fault that everything has happened. It is because of the Cytracik and the greed for power. She looks down at April's pale face and gently strokes along her hair line with her thumb.
"Here's the secret, April," Rose whispers in April's ear. "This is your fight. If you live or you die it's all up to you. Whatever fight you have in you, you need to use it all the way through. I'm here for you."
April's hand that is resting over her stomach, twitches as Rose speaks. Rose knows that somewhere in April's unconscious state, she can hear her words and she wishes that April will just fight and wake up.
Rose remains by April's side for an hour after, just watching April as she restlessly sleeps. Once April starts tossing and turning in her sleep again, Rose tries her best to sooth her until she is lying still again and her whimpers stop. Rose is thankful when she does not start screaming.
Once April is somewhat calm, Rose quietly leaves the bedroom and leaves the door open ajar. The long corridors are cold and Rose rubs her hands together as she ponders what she is going to do next. She doesn't want to see Max again until April is awake, so her only other option is to see Nathaniel or Horace and see how much they understand or know about these weeping angles.
As Rose makes her way through the corridor, she knows that she has definitely taken a different turn than before. Her mind is constantly elsewhere to the point where she hasn't even noticed that she is now walking in a completely different direction to where the console room is. But Rose somehow isn't sure if it is fate or purely a coincidence as she soon finds herself in a small cupboard room that is cramped with metal shelves stacked with rows upon rows of hundreds of VHS and DVD's from all over time.
Rose halts for a moment as she admires the cupboard room. She has never seen the room before and it only reminds Rose how huge the Tardis really is. Despite the many years she has travelled with the Doctor, there are still many more rooms in the Tardis she is yet to discover. This being one of them.
Rose walks around the perimeter of the small room and reads the names of the films on the side of each VHS. Some are names of films she recognises and some marks the date of a BBC news channel. She ponders as to why the Doctor has kept a cupboard full of VHS' of everything that was recorded on the telly. There are even films and television programs that are yet to be aired on the television sometime in the future. It is fascinating yet oddly strange.
Rose jumps in fright as one of the DVD cases suddenly slides off the shelf behind her and lands on the stone floor with a clatter. The DVD is held in a thick case and without further ado, Rose bends over to pick it up. There is nothing written on the outside cover stating what is recorded on the disc. Rose turns the DVD case over in her hands and opens it.
For a moment it feels as if Rose's heart leaps straight up into her throat as she sees the coffee stained, yellowing sheet of ripped paper that is sitting on top of the disc. In black ink that has been smudged, the words "To Rose" is written in the centre. Just underneath Rose's name is the date: 1700.
It doesn't take Rose long before she turns and runs out of the cupboard. She barely notices that once she turns the first corner in the corridor, she is back in the console room. But she is more concerned about what is recorded on the disc, then how easy it was for her to return to the console room. She pulls the disc out of the case and places it into the slot in the console screen with a shaky hand.
Rose's breathing is uneasy with nerves and the screen fuzzes for a moment before a black and white image comes into view. There is nothing but a grey wall and a stool in the middle.
Then the Doctor's voice is heard off screen.
"Yes Terry, I've got it, just give me a moment!" He hisses.
There is a click and then the image jolts ever so slightly and becomes a lot clearer.
"I've got it," The Doctor says. "Let's get this over and done with." His voice is low and serious, not the cheerful tone Rose loves.
The Doctor, looking exactly the same as he did earlier that day, suddenly comes into view, stepping out from where the camera is recording them. Rose calls for the Doctor aloud but she is only talking to the screen.
He takes his place on the stool and looks just above the camera line before taking out his black rimmed glasses and putting them on. He then looks into the camera with narrowed eyes. He opens his mouth to speak, taking in a deep breath before closing it again. He looks pensive for a moment before he shifts in his seat.
The Doctor then inhales. "This is test subject 555 coming from Manchester in the year 1700. This is the Doctor speaking and you are in trouble." The Doctor looks intently at Rose through the screen almost as if he can sense that she is standing there, watching him from the other side of the screen. "This is what I like to call an Easter Egg and by the time anyone watches this, Terry and I will be long gone, dead."
"No!" Rose cries.
The Doctor sighs heavily "Please don't cry for me, Rose. There's a limit on how many times you can watch this video before it destroys itself, so listen and take note on everything that I am saying, Rose, because this is important stuff. I'm recording this with my sonic screwdriver of course, there's no such thing as a camera at this time but that's not what's important. I've made one of these Easter Eggs before with Martha Jones for the exact same reasons; although this time the Tardis is writing your script for me. The more you talk to me the more I can respond and hopefully help," The Doctor sighs. "There is no definite answer as to if Terry and I will be able to make it back to you but-"
"Can you hear me?" Rose says, cutting across the Doctor.
The Doctor stops sharply and frowns. "No I can't, Rose, but your words are printed up on the transcript." He points above the camera line.
"But do you know what I'm about to say?"
"No but the Tardis can. Look, Rose, just listen."
"April is still asleep."
The Doctor pauses before guiltily looking away. "Terry and I have been pulled back in time to the turn of the century and there is no way either of us can turn back unless you help us."
"The angels took you."
The Doctor nods. "Yes they did and they have done so before. If you follow my instructions then you will be able to help me."
Terry suddenly appears on the screen. "Help us," She hisses. "We're stuck here unwanted and with him," She nods her head to the Doctor. "Who can't stop believing in Time Heals."
"Terry, do you mind?" The Doctor looks at Terry.
Terry looks sulky for a moment before she draws out another stool and sits beside the Doctor, looking at Rose through the screen.
"What exactly are these angels, Doctor?" Rose asks.
"That's the thing, I don't know," He replies. "No one really knows as we only see these creatures as their form. What they turn into when we turn our backs or blink is unknown to us. One second they're there as a statue, until you blink and they're not. Where they vanish to is not always seen. Sometimes they vanish, or move closer to you or you blink once and you're in a completely different time period about to die."
"But, Doctor," Rose says. "You're still in Manchester. Surely I can find where you are."
"That's seventy five years in my future."
"Our future." Terry mumbles.
"Thanks, Terry," The Doctor mumbles to her before looking back at Rose. "Rose, we need your help."
Rose looks at the Doctor for a long time. "What do you want me to do?"
"You'll find in the first aid room some medication for Max. It won't cure him from tuberculosis but it will prolong his life for a year or so."
"Max is going to die of tuberculosis for sure?" Rose raises an eyebrow.
"It's fixed. I think. I guess," The Doctor waves his hand as if to brush the subject away. "Just don't tell April about that when she wakes."
"What do you want me to do about her?"
"Absolutely nothing, just leave her. All I want you to do is give Max the medication and then bully Horace. He knows a lot more about these angels and everything that's going on in the city more than he lets on, you just need to coax him into explaining."
Rose nods as she makes mental notes. "Anything else?"
The Doctor sighs. "Just keep Max away from the angels please? They will go after him and we don't need that."
"Doctor I don't understand how that's going to help you and Terry come back. I can't do this on my own!" Rose cries.
"I can only read your words through this transcript and I'm hoping that you're not shouting or snivelling at me as that's not going to help. I'm sorry, Rose, but you can mentally hit me as much as you like but I'm going to have to be blunt and honest with you," The Doctor inhales. "There is no time for you to delay anything you have to act now, Rose. If April wakes up now then great because having the two of you work together will help things move along. But you have to make sure that the angels stay away from Max and for God's sake act like a bitch to Horace, even if he cries. I don't trust the innocence he shows. I'm leaving you the task of destroying the angels. If you do then we can return, but we don't have much time."
"And how do I do that?"
"They have to look at each other," Terry says. "You'll understand once you see an angel that's moved. They cover their eyes because they cannot stand the sight of each other."
"They're not weeping about God, are they?"
Terry and the Doctor shake their heads. Rose suddenly feels a shiver down her spine and starts to have a bad feeling that once again, she isn't the only one standing there in the Tardis.
There is a loud beep and the screen fuzzes.
"No!" Rose cries and hits the side of the screen. It suddenly comes back into focus and the Doctor and Terry are looking just above the camera line in confusion.
"Okay there is a little blip and we can't read what you are saying, Rose," Terry says. "That can only mean one thing."
"Mean what?!" Rose shouts hysterically but neither the Doctor nor Terry respond to her words.
"I can guess that you are not alone there, Rose. Just go and find Max once this tape stops. When you insert it again there will be a whole new video for you to watch, this information is wiped. After this you only have five more times to contact us. I'm so sorry but it's all up to you now," The Doctor still has his eyes above the camera line as if he is hopeful to see Rose's words up on the transcript but there is none. "Okay, Rose, I'm going to repeat the exact same instructions as I gave someone else when we were stuck here before and I want you to listen closely as I'm only saying this once to you. The angels will know that you and April have connections to me and Terry and if they see you intermingling with Horace they will be after you. I don't have much to say about the Devil superstitions but I can tell you this: the angels are coming. Your life can depend on this, Rose. Don't blink. Don't even blink. Blink and you're dead. They are fast, faster than you can believe. Don't turn your back, don't look away and don't blink. Good lu-"
But before the Doctor can finish his last words, the screen freezes.
Tears start to sting Rose's eyes again as she slowly reaches forward and touches the frozen image of the Doctor's face on the screen.
"Please come back to me." She whispers before pulling away. She has to fight to bring him back and she will not let him down. Rose takes out the disc and puts it back into its case. She then runs back through the corridor to the room she usually sleeps in and picks up her shoulder bag. She moves on to the first aid room and after a long rummage through the drawers and cupboards, she finds Max's medication. When she returns to the console room, she packs her bag, taking the DVD with her and without another look back, she leaves the ghostly Tardis, locking the door behind her.
