The Forest of Fear

(Susan is dragging herself around the cave looking for something. She finds it, a rock. Taking it, she slowly makes her way over to Ian and Barbara. Barbara is holding out her hands while Ian uses a rock to try and cut through her bindings. Next to them the Doctor is sat with the Princess.)

SUSAN: I've found another piece with a rough edge.

IAN: Thank you.

(Ian tries using the new rock Susan gave him. But too quickly it begins to break apart in his hands.)

IAN: It's no good, it keeps crumbling.

DOCTOR: Oh, it's hopeless, hopeless. Even if we do get free, we shall never move that stone.

(They all look over to the large stone that has been rolled in front of the way they came in, separating them from the tribe in the other section of the cave.)

IAN: There's air coming in here from somewhere.

BARBARA: Yes, there is. I can feel it on my face.

IAN: It may only be a small opening. Don't count on it.

DOCTOR: Well you obviously are.

IAN: (Snaps) Of course I am. Any hope is better than none. Don't just lie there criticising us. Do something. Help us all to get out of here.

PRINCESS: (To Doctor) He's right, you know.

(The Doctor snorts. Ian goes back to trying to free Barbara. He quickly gets frustrated however and throws away the stone Susan got him.)

IAN: Oh, this stone's no good.

BARBARA: Well, don't give up, Ian. Please.

IAN: Oh, all right.

(Ian starts dragging himself around the cave looking for a better stone to use.)

PRINCESS: (To Doctor, quietly) Come on. Stop being so stubborn and help him. We didn't leave our home just to die in here, did we?

(The Doctor thinks on her words.)

DOCTOR: (To Ian) No, no, don't waste time. Try those bones, they may be sharper, perhaps.

IAN: That's a good idea.

(Ian makes his way over to the bones dumped in the corner.)

SUSAN: Oh, Grandfather, I knew you'd think of something.

PRINCESS: (To Doctor) Thank you.

DOCTOR: We must all take it in turns and try and cut his hands free.

IAN: Surely we should get the girls free first?

DOCTOR: No, no, we've got to free you first. You're the strongest, and you may have to defend us.

(Ian has his hands held out while the Doctor tries to cut the rope around them with a piece of bone. He stops after a moment.)

DOCTOR: Susan, you have a go. My arms are tired.

SUSAN: All right.

(Susan takes the bone from the Doctor and continues the task of freeing Ian. Meanwhile, the Princess is sat with Barbara.)

PRINCESS: Barbara, if we manage to get ourselves free, do you think you will be able to remember the way back to the ship?

BARBARA: (Worriedly) I don't know.

PRINCESS: Well, try to remember it. Go through the journey again in your head. After all, freeing ourselves won't do us much good if we can't then get back to the ship.

(The Princess offers Barbara a light hearted smile, trying to lift her spirits.)

BARBARA: Yes, I suppose you're right. (She thinks for a moment) Well, we started off in the desert and made our way into the forest.

PRINCESS: Was it a straight line, or did you have to take some diversions?

BARBARA: No. No, it wasn't straight. We had to go around a large boulder, and a thick part of the forest. There was also a river stream we passed, and a sort of path part of the way that lead us here.

PRINCESS: That's good, Barbara.

BARBARA: Hold on, you're…you're trying to help me.

PRINCESS: Of course, I am. I'm not like Mr. Grumpy over there.

(The Princess nods over to the Doctor. Shortly after Barbara and she both chuckle a little.)

DOCTOR: What was that, my dear?

PRINCESS: Nothing for you to worry about.

DOCTOR: (Shaking his head) You princesses, you're all the same.

(The Princess sends him a spiteful look. She then turns to Barbara who is in curious.)

BARBARA: Princess? What does he mean by that? (The Princess looks guilty) Are you a real princess?

PRINCESS: Not anymore, and never on your world.

(Barbara is amazed, until Susan screams. They all look to see an old cavewoman – Mother – breaking through a brush and into the Cave of Skulls.)

MOTHER: You will not make fire.

BARBARA: (Scared) But…But isn't that what you want?

MOTHER: No.

IAN: Then what do you want?

MOTHER: I will set you free if you will go away and not make fire. Fire will bring trouble and death to the tribe.

DOCTOR: There will be no fire.

(The old woman studies him for a moment. She then takes the knife she is holding and uses it to cut the Doctor's bindings. She then does the same for all the others.)

MOTHER: Hurry, hurry. You must go across the tuft and into the trees.

(Mother quickly ushers them out the way she came in. Barbara helps Susan climb out through the bush. On the other side, after a squeeze, is freedom. Once Susan is out, she starts running towards the forest. Barbara follows, then the Princess and the Doctor and finally Ian.)

(Barbara frantically leads the way as she runs through the forest. Behind her Susan and the Princess follow as quickly as they can. After them is Ian. And lastly, the Doctor who is struggling to keep up. As they run, the Doctor falls against a tree, too exhausted to continue.)

DOCTOR: Stop… Stop. Just a minute, let me get my…

(Ian comes running back over to him. The Princess also comes over, but is much slower than Ian, and more tired too.)

IAN: (Urgently) We can't stop here.

PRINCESS: Are you, all right?

DOCTOR: (Breathless) Yes, yes… I…I just need a moment…

IAN: Look, we've got to go further on.

DOCTOR: I know. I know that… But I must get… I must breathe.

IAN: Try. Try. I shall have to carry you.

DOCTOR: Oh, there's no need for that. Don't be so childish. I'm not senile. Just let me get my breath for a moment.

PRINCESS: You are senile, and you're the one being childish, now come on.

DOCTOR: You don't get to boss me around, just because…because you're a…a princess…you know.

PRINCESS: You're right. I get to boss you around because you're slowing us down, now be quiet. Susan, come and give me a hand.

SUSAN: Yes, of course.

(Susan comes back and she and the Princess each take one of the Doctor's arms before carrying him off. As they continue on through the forest, Ian and Barbara lag behind them but are always in sight.)

SUSAN: I'm sure I remember this place. But we didn't come around it, we went across it.

BARBARA: Yes, there was a sort of trail.

IAN: If that's true, we must be quite near the ship.

PRINCESS: (To Doctor) How are you feeling?

DOCTOR: I'm all right. Don't keep on looking upon me as the weakest link of the party.

(They are about to continue on when Barbara gasps. She backs up, and Ian quickly grabs her, pulling her close. The Doctor does the same with Susan and the Princess.)

IAN: What's the matter?

BARBARA: I don't know. I saw something. Over there in the bushes.

DOCTOR: What nonsense.

BARBARA: The bushes moved. I saw them. I saw them! Oh, we're never going to get out of this awful place! Never, never, never!

(Ian pulls Barbara against him to stop her from shouting.)

SUSAN: What do you think it could have been, Grandfather?

DOCTOR: Oh, sheer nonsense, child. Imagination.

(Susan begins to shiver.)

SUSAN: I'm so cold.

DOCTOR: I'm hot with all this exertion.

PRINCESS: Susan, come here.

(The Princess brings Susan into a hug, trying to warm her up.)

IAN: We'll rest for a couple of minutes.

(Ian sits Barbara down on a fallen log.)

SUSAN: Oh, good. (To Doctor) Is there any chance of them following us?

DOCTOR: I expect so.

PRINCESS: (To Susan) But even so, it will take them time to catch up, so we can afford a little rest. Now, go and check on Barbara, make sure she's okay.

SUSAN: Yes, Princess.

(The Princess is about to correct her but Susan leaves before she can. As Susan leaves, Ian joins them.)

IAN: I think we should change the order. You two and Susan go in front, Barbara and I'll bring up the rear. Susan seems to remember the way better than any of us. And you two can help keep each other moving.

DOCTOR: You seem to have elected yourself leader of this little party.

IAN: There isn't time to vote on it.

DOCTOR: Just so long as you understand I won't follow your orders blindly.

IAN: If there were only two of us, you could find your own way back to the ship.

DOCTOR: Aren't you a tiresome young man!

PRINCESS: Stop it, that's not helping! We're all in this together, so the sooner you accept that and stop the stubborn old man act the better!

DOCTOR: Oh, so you're taking his side are you?!

PRINCESS: It's not about sides, it's about surviving!

IAN: She's right. (Looks around uneasily) Anyhow, Barbara was probably right. I thought we heard something when we stopped back there.

DOCTOR: Oh, sheer imagination.

IAN: Why are you so confident about it?

DOCTOR: I won't allow myself to be frightened out of my wits by mere shadows, that's all.

(The Doctor stomps off to sit on the log with Susan and Barbara.)

IAN: (To Princess) Your friend leaves a lot to be desired.

(The Princess gives him a look of agreement.)

(A little while later, the Princess and Ian are now also sat down with the rest of the group. Ian then stands.)

IAN: I think we'd better get going. Doctor, will you lead?

DOCTOR: Yes, yes, yes, yes.

(Everyone else pushes themselves up. The Doctor leads the way with the Princess and Susan close behind him.)

IAN: Come on, Barbara.

(Shortly after starting, Barbara trips on something and falls. She then comes face to face with a dead boar. Barbara screams. Ian quickly pulls her back and holds a crying Barbara closely.)

IAN: Barbara, Barbara.

(Susan kneels down beside the boar.)

SUSAN: A dead animal.

(She goes to touch it.)

PRINCESS: Keep away from it, Susan.

DOCTOR: It must have just been killed. By a larger animal, too.

(Suddenly the sound of a snapping twig catches their attention.)

IAN: (To a crying Barbara) Shush, shush. That must be them. They followed us. Quick. Quick, over there.

(Ian points to a thick tree nearby. They all quickly take cover behind it. The five of them pressing against each other and the tree in order to stay hidden. On the other side, Za and Hur enter and see the dead boar.)

IAN: (Quietly) Keep down, and not a sound.

(They all remain very still. The only sounds around them that of the forest. A few chirping birds and angry growls from nearby predators. After a moment they hear a large growl from something close, followed by the screams of Za and Hur.)

IAN: Quick, now's our chance! Let's get away! Run!

(But Barbara refuses to move.)

BARBARA: Look at them! We can't just leave them! I don't care what they've done!

IAN: Barbara. Barbara, come on.

BARBARA: I think he's dead. There isn't any danger.

IAN: Barbara, for heaven's sake!

BARBARA: No!

(Barbara breaks from cover and runs out towards Za and Hur. Ian quickly follows her.)

SUSAN: I'm going too!

(Before she can though, the Doctor grabs her and pulls her back.)

DOCTOR: Susan! You stay here with us.

SUSAN: No, Grandfather. We can't leave them.

DOCTOR: Silence! We're going back to the ship.

SUSAN: No!

(Susan push away the Doctor and runs after Ian and Barbara.)

DOCTOR: What are you doing?!

PRINCESS: She's right, we can't just leave them.

(The Princess then follows them.)

DOCTOR: Now you as well? Have you all lost your minds?!

(Reluctantly, the Doctor follows them. In the opening, Za is on the ground, blood covering his chest. He is in pain. Hur is knelt beside him, crying. As Ian approaches, Hur grabs Za's knife and holds it up.)

HUR: No, keep away.

IAN: Let me look at him.

HUR: No.

(Behind Ian, Barbara stands close by. Susan behind her with the Princess and the Doctor who then joins them.)

IAN: (To Hur) I am your friend. You understand? Friend. (He crouches down) I want to help him.

HUR: Friend?

(Ian thinks for a moment.)

IAN: (To Hur) I want water.

HUR: Water?

IAN: Go and fetch some water for his wounds.

(It takes Hur a second to understand.)

HUR: (She points beyond the trees.) Water is there.

(Barbara steps forward.)

BARBARA: (To Ian) Give me your handkerchief, I'll go and get it.

(Ian pulls out his handkerchief and hands it over.)

IAN: Here you are.

(The Princess now steps forward, pulling her own handkerchief from her sleeve.)

PRINCESS: I'll give you a hand, that way we can get more.

IAN: Yes, that's a good idea. Thank you. Now be quick.

(The Princess and Barbara follow Hur's direction and vanish behind the trees. A moment later, they return with soaked hankies. The Princess hands her handkerchief to Ian, while Barbara kneels down next to him.)

IAN: (To Princess) Thank you.

(Barbara and Ian begin to clean Za's wounds. Ian squeezes the handkerchief to dribble water, diluting the blood.)

HUR: (Amazed) Water comes out of the skin!

IAN: Yes. (To Barbara) I think most of this is the animal's blood.

BARBARA: Good. There's a scar on the side of his head.

IAN: Well, we've lost our chance of getting away. Your flat must be littered with stray cats and dogs.

BARBARA: These are human beings, Ian.

IAN: Yes, I know.

(Za begins to groan loudly in pain as Ian presses on one of his wounds.)

DOCTOR: (To Ian) What exactly do you think you're doing?

PRINCESS: Oh, don't start.

(The Doctor and the Princess proceed to glare at each other.)

IAN: Have you got any antiseptic in the ship?

SUSAN: Yes, lots.

DOCTOR: One minute ago, we were trying desperately to get away from these savages.

PRINCESS: Yes, and now we're helping them.

IAN: You're a doctor, do something.

DOCTOR: I'm not a doctor of medicine.

SUSAN: Grandfather, we can make friends with them.

DOCTOR: Oh, don't be ridiculous, child!

PRINCESS: Don't speak to her like that!

BARBARA: (To Doctor) You treat everybody and everything as something less important than yourself.

DOCTOR: You're trying to say that everything you do is reasonable, and everything I do is inhuman. Well, I'm afraid your judgement's at fault, Miss Wright, not mine. Haven't you realised if these two people can follow us, any of these people can follow us? The whole tribe might descend upon us at any moment.

HUR: The tribe is asleep.

DOCTOR: And what about the old woman who cut our bonds? Hmm? You understand?

(Hur doesn't have an answer.)

IAN: He's right. We're too exposed here. We'll make a stretcher and carry him.

PRINCESS: Good idea.

DOCTOR: You're not going to take him back to the ship?!

PRINCESS: Only so that we can save his life. Then we'll leave him outside.

DOCTOR: This is insanity!

IAN: Take your coat off, Barbara. Susan, try and find me two poles. Long ones, fairly straight.

PRINCESS: I'll go with her.

IAN: Good idea. And don't go too far either!

(A little while later, Ian, Barbara, the Princess and Susan are trying to put together their homemade stretcher, with little success.)

IAN: It's not going to work like this.

(While Ian, Barbara and the Princess try to rearrange everything, Susan goes over to check on Za. But as she reaches down towards him, Hur jumps towards her and grabs ahold of Za. Susan quickly scurries backwards.)

HUR: No! He's mine!

SUSAN: I was only trying to help.

(The Princess holds Susan.)

PRINCESS: It's okay, Susan, it's okay.

IAN: She doesn't understand. She's jealous of you.

HUR: I don't understand what you are doing. You are like a mother with a child. Why do you not kill?

IAN: How can we explain to her? She doesn't understand kindness, friendship.

PRINCESS: No, I think you're underestimating her.

(Hearing this, Barbara slowly makes her way over to Hur.)

BARBARA: (To Hur) We will make him well again. We will teach you how to make fire. In return, you show us the way back to…to our cave.

ZA: (Weakly) Listen to them. (Hur quickly leans over Za to listen) They do not kill.

IAN: Come on. Let's get on with this stretcher. Let's try the sleeves inside. That's it.

(While the four go back to trying to construct a stretcher, Hur leaves to get water for Za. As she does, she passes the Doctor, who is stood aside watching them all.)

IAN: How about giving us a hand, Doctor?

(The Doctor turns away.)

SUSAN: He's always like this if he doesn't get his own way.

PRINCESS: (Muttering) Stubborn old man.

(The Doctor looks back at her, but he almost looks ashamed.)

BARBARA: The old woman won't give us away. And now that we've got these two on our side, we should get back to the ship.

SUSAN: Yes.

(While the others work, the Doctor quietly picks up a stone. He holds it firm, before suddenly the Princess grabs his arm.)

DOCTOR: Get your hand off me!

(The Princess looks the Doctor right in the eye.)

PRINCESS: (Calmly) I will, just as soon as you let go of that rock.

DOCTOR: Why should I let go of it?

PRINCESS: To stop you from doing something stupid.

(Reluctantly, the Doctor then let's go of the rock. In turn, the Princess lets go of his arm.)

DOCTOR: You know, despite your claims of not wanting to be what you are…you sure act a lot like royalty.

(The Princess glares heatedly at the Doctor, but he looks away.)

IAN: Is the stretcher ready?

BARBARA: Yes.

IAN: Right, Doctor, you take one end of it.

DOCTOR: You don't expect me to carry him, do you?

IAN: Do you want the women to do the job for you?

DOCTOR: Oh, very well.

(They all gather around Za and the stretcher which is laid out alongside him.)

IAN: Right, now move him over very carefully. (Half of them roll Za onto his side, while the other half move the stretcher underneath him) Now, back again, gently.

(Za groans in pain as they secure him to the stretcher.)

IAN: Good. Right, now, Susan, Princess, you get in front with her.

PRINCESS: I'm not…(sigh) Oh, forget it. Let's go.

(The Princess stands up with Susan and Hur and they begin to lead the others through the forest.)

(After making their way through the forest, the travellers finally reach the edge. Pushing aside a branch, Susan looks ahead and sees the police box standing where they left it.)

SUSAN: The Tardis! There's the Tardis!

(But then, from behind the dunes and rocks, cavemen come out of hiding. Each holding either a spear or a club.)

IAN: Back! Back! Go back!

(But as they turn to flee back into the forest, they find Kal blocking their path. He glares menacingly at them, as the cavemen surround them.)

Next Episode – The Firemaker