Clara was unsure what had compelled her through the door, but when she heard the smart click of the lock behind her she realized what a grave mistake she had made. A darkened hallway stretched out before her, lit only by the small gas lamps that hung in a straight line along the walls. She turned to go right back through the door she had just come, but the door had vanished, and in its place was a wall. A gas lamp flickered mockingly, and she tried in vain to calm her pulsing heart. She placed a trembling hand against the green wallpaper, and tried in vain to call out to her companions; only silence echoed back.

Turning she noticed the lone door at the end of the hallway, and though uncertain, approached it slowly. It was a plain wooden door, but with a very intricate golden handle, and when she reached to turn the knob, she thought she heard her name being called from beyond the walls. Quickly she jerked the door open and the walls around her fell away. What she saw made her stumble in confusion.

A bright moon hung high in the sky, lighting a darkened lonely street. Ruins of buildings crumbled around her, their skeletal remains cast in the shadow of the moon. She stood in awe of the world around her, trying to comprehend what lay before her. Where was she? Where was the Doctor? She turned about herself, but saw no sign of a single soul; though she felt thousands of eyes watching her from the darkness. The street she stood on was narrow, and nearly completely blocked with debris from the once tall buildings. Hesitantly she stepped over a large beam and tread softly down the road. She barely had time to acknowledge the shadow that darted from its hiding place as it let out a screech that nearly burst her ears. She stumbled back, barely avoiding the sharp claws and gnashing teeth. It darted quickly between the shadows, avoiding the moonlight, but she caught sight the long nails and the red eyes that stilled her pounding heart. With quick precision she snatched up a metal rod, waiting for the monster to attack. The red eyes narrowed, its teeth gleaming in the moonlight as it snarled. A low growl rippled from its maw, and it leapt, claws aimed for her throat. Clara would not have survived the attack, had it not been for a well placed bullet that forever silenced the monster.

Trembling, Clara gasped at the fallen creature. It's enormous body motionless but its eyes still gleamed menacingly up at her. Shuddering the girl looked about for her savior, and was in utter shock when she saw the familiar curly haired women walk out from the shadows.

"River?" She barely believed her eyes.

The woman smiled, and holstered her gun.

"Its been a long time, hasn't it?" River acknowledged.

Clara laughed in relief.

"Yes. I never thought I'd see you again," the girl said affectionately, "and thank you. Seems you're always saving our lives." Still gripping her makeshift weapon, she stepped gingerly around the hideous beast and joined River's side. The two slowly paced down the street, now careful of the creeping shadows.

"Where are we? Am I dreaming?" Clara asked, looking up into the sky. Had she traveled across the stars?

"Not this time, no. This is a memory." River said softly, and looked forlornly at the crumbling buildings; an echo of the nightmares that had once transpired.

Clara stopped in their walk, aghast at River's words.

"Yours?" She asked uncertainly.

River shook her head pausing to look back at the young woman.

"No. Not mine," her voice was sad, "come, I want to show you something." She motioned up ahead of her.

They continued their walk in silence, though Clara had thousands of questions pushing against her tongue, she sensed the need for silence. The shadows around them shifted, glowing eyes peeking at them from the darkest corners. While they walked, Clara noticed a golden light emitting through the broken buildings. It was a peculiar light for it seemed to beckon her to come closer.

"Careful," River whispered, "don't get too close."

They came around a bend, and the world opened into a wide ravine. What once had been a marvelous forest was now a graveyard of trees that burned with the golden light. The light consumed and flickered about the trees like a fire, reaching up into the darkened sky. A presence lay within the golden light, and she felt unseen eyes staring back at her; fear raced up her spine.

"What is this?" Clara whispered, her voice wavered betraying her fear. River gripped Clara's arm and slowly backed into a darkened corner of the remains of a building.

"I do not have long, but you must find the Doctor…find Rose and tell her..."

"Rose?"

"Course," River shook her head in amusement, "the women you've been traveling with, she will kill me for saying, but her name is Rose. Tell her I've kept my end of our bargain and to come find me."

Confusion consumed Clara's mind, too many pieces of the puzzle were missing.

"Will you not come with me?" She asked in hope.

"I cannot. I can only stay so long; it doesn't like me here." River looked gingerly at the burning wood.

"What is that?" Clara dared to ask.

"I'll let her explain. I don't fully understand myself. Be careful, Clara." River turned to her then, a warning in her tone, "she's dangerous. The sooner she finds me the better." And with in the span of a second, River disappeared from view.

"Wait!" Clara called, but then terror struck her. An invisible being was watching her. She could feel the pin pricks of eyes watching her, approaching her. With out knowing what direction, she began to run. The need to run built into hysteria, she needed to get away. Away from the presence running after her, away from the golden light that consumed the forever burning forest.

Run away, a voice whispered in her ear, run far, far, away.

She rounded a corner, and missed a step. She expected the hard impact of granite, and squeezed her eyes shut waiting for the pain. But it never came. She kept falling and falling.

Like Alice down the rabbit hole, she thought.

For she was falling down a dark tunnel. How long she fell she could not say, but after for what felt like hours, a white light emitted at the end of the tunnel. Blinded, she plummeted into the unknown.