'Life pod discovered in local forest.'

Such a headline harked back to her encounter with the Judoon, thought Sarah Jane. Or, since it was a forest, the Sontarans.

Far more terrifying than her usual story as a journalist.

She and Rani could maybe have a look tomorrow, for perhaps it would take Rani's mind off her strange experience from the other night.

What would a man(?) want with either of them?

At that moment, Mr Smith beeped.

'Incoming call from Luke.'

He appeared on screen, in his residence hall.

'Hi, Mum.'

'Everything all right?'

'Yeah,' Luke replied. 'Going to come up a bit later with Sanjay, if that's all right?'

Sarah Jane smiled.

'Sure. I'll make some tea, if you like. Rani'll be pleased to see you both, I'm sure.'

'Great, see you then. Love you.'

'Love you,' Sarah Jane said, and signed off.

She sat back and sighed.

Tomorrow couldn't come sooner.

Colin may never have slept, but he certainly knew how to work up an appetite. Five more minutes, and he could grab a bite, then return to the depot - if the cloying stench of blood from the back didn't diminish his appetite. No doubt Cromley would already be there, terrorising their fellow drivers with his pedantic diatribes.

The red light turned green, and Colin glided forward.

Ten minutes past the hour.

Two others sat to his far right, any conversation perhaps yielded by the fatigue brought on by long working hours.

'All right, Don?' he said, sitting at his usual spot at the diner counter. 'Egg and chips, ta. A shot of gin in the meantime.'

The plump man behind the counter flashed a smile, produced the shot, and head for the kitchen.

Colin swigged. Not terribly busy for this time. Strange.

'You said she was dead,' Cromley snapped from behind.

Colin didn't budge.

'Oh, has it put you off your salad?'

'Harrison won't be-'

Cromley's face froze, as he held his throat. Colin kept his gaze ahead.

'Wormwood's dying,' he said, his voice low and cold. 'You're going to help me finish her off. Capisce?'

Cromley held on to his throat, as it tightened, turning blue.

'Well?'

Cromley nodded, then spluttered and coughed as Colin released him.

Colin smiled.

'Can read you like a picture book, Cromley. Same suit, same salad sandwich, same...parking space.'

Cromley looked at his taxi, then Colin's. Oh.

'Ten minutes,' Colin said, patting Cromley's shoulder, and then left.

In his flat, Colin and Cromley stood either end of the pale, sweating Wormwood, who lay on a table placed beside a tub, hands still bound.

Cromley held his nose in disgust.

'Christ, she stinks.'

Colin smirked.

'Good thing I have acid, then.'

Wormwood's eyes darted between them, whilst they watched her breathe occasionally.

'Acid? You're sure?'

'Unless you'd prefer the rotting flesh smell?'

Cromley glanced at him.

'Will there be enough, you think?'

Colin looked at him.

'Of course. Now, pass me that bucket.'

Cromley complied.

'Smells beautiful,' Colin said, inhaling.

Placing it aside, he looked at the woman below them.

'Gloves on like me, then help me undress her.'

Cromley looked at her feet, and one by one, peeled off the heels stuck to them.

Such a slender body - shame that Benson couldn't do the job properly, thought Colin. Piece by piece, he tore away the saturated silk dress, and smiled, as he gradually ran his hand over the once smooth parts of her legs and stomach. Such a ravishing body. He reached for the thick wire around her wrists and pulled, the wire separating like stringy cheesy on a pizza. Just beautiful.

Colin spied her closed eyes. Oh, well.

'That's it, now, Colin,' Cromley said. 'Come on.'

'And have Harrison set her dogs on me? Yeah, right.'

Cromley looked at him, then-

Colin staggered, fingers going to his red, blistering skin.

'You bastard! I'm blind! I can't...'

Cromley lowered the bucket, staring at Colin.

'You stupid-'

Colin removed his hand, as the red rims gradually faded, forcing Cromley's hand two inches from the bucket.

'Unless you want to end up like this bitch...'

Cromley's eyes darted.

Colin released his hand, then grabbed the bucket, and poured.

'Take her legs.'

Cromley complied - the only consolation being his gloves' protection from the sticky, slimy flesh.

They lowered the rotting Wormwood into the tub. Her flesh began to break up, then dissolve. Colin smiled. Simply breathtaking.

'It happened again last night.'

Rani sipped her tea. 'That same taxi.'

Sarah Jane blew on hers.

'Sorry that Luke couldn't have been of more help. But if it occurs a third time, Rani, call the police.'

Rani placed down her mug.

'I just don't understand. Why me?'