Well howdy, readers!
Quicker update this time around. Hope that's okay. ;) Let's see what things will happen next to our dear time travellers.
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Chapter 60: Sweet Dreams
Loud blaring suddenly woke up the blonde laying in bed. Emerald eyes peeked open. Though just barely as the woman squinted in annoyance at the annoying alarm on the end table next to the bed. Her hand came out from under the lilac covers, hitting the digital alarm clock to shut the stupid alarm off. With a sigh, she pulled her arm back under the covers and snuggled down deep into the bed. Nice and warm. Cosy. That was what she wanted right now. To just sleep and sleep and not think of whatever came of the day.
As she began to drift off back into slumber, a male hand slowly crept over her shoulder before roughly grabbing her and pulling her over. She let out a yelp as she was pulled on top of a warm body. Lean arms wrapped around her as an amused chuckle rumbled in the bare chest under her. She groaned, hitting the person who held her playfully. This only made them chuckle more.
"I was asleep, John," grumbled the blonde.
"Exactly. That's why I had to give you a wake-up hug," laughed her husband. He gave her forehead a kiss. "Come on, Alice, time to get up."
The blonde, Alice, looked up at her husband with a pout. The smug grin on his face only made her roll her eyes. Soon she was smiling as well, leaning up to kiss him. Their lips melded together tenderly as their hands ran over each other in a caress. She threaded her fingers through his floppy dark hair with one hand and the other thumbed his rather large chin happily. While he rubbed a hand up and down one of her arms, and his other travelled slowly downward. Alice let out a gasp, pulling away from their kiss while John waggled his brows teasingly.
"Oh, I see, you woke up be just to get frisky," she said, hitting him lightly in the chest while he chuckled in the back of his throat.
"Well, they do say it's always best in the morning," he replied huskily, pulling her down for another long, heated kiss. They broke away very quickly when their bedroom door burst open and a pair of light feet padded against the hardwood floor. Next thing they knew a small figure with messy brown hair jumped into their bed.
"Mummy! Daddy! Santa came! Santa came!" cried their child merrily. They smiled as their daughter bounced up and down on the bed, grinning at them with a bright smile.
"Oh? Did he?" laughed John as he sat up, beaming away along with his daughter.
"Yep! There's presents everywhere! He filled the house!" squealed their little girl in delight, her brown eyes shining bright with glee.
"Filled the whole house? Sounds like you've been a very good girl this year, then," Alice said happily, grinning away playfully. Their five-year-old daughter, Ember, giggled while bouncing on the bed some more before jumping off.
"Come on, come on, come on! It's Christmas!" Ember squealed as she ran out of the room. The two adults left in bed chuckled in delight.
"So much for my Christmas present," John mumbled as he wrapped his arms around Alice from behind, kissing her neck slowly.
"Maybe later," replied Alice, smiling as they kissed. "Merry Christmas, Mr Smith."
John smiled and snuggled up closer to her. "Merry Christmas, Mrs Smith."
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The family of three spent the morning in their small, cosy home opening presents and enjoying time together. Alice watched in amusement from the sofa, with a warm cup of cocoa in her hands, her husband and daughter playing together on the floor by the Christmas tree. It seemed they were more interested in decorating each other with leftover wrapping paper and bows than actually playing with the presents. Ember kept giggling as she placed all the sticky bows she could find on her father. Even placing one right on his nose. Alice and John's eyes met for a moment, grinning away at each other without a care in the world.
Alice hummed, brushing back her long, ash-blonde hair as her emerald eyes looked down at her warm drink. Her mind started to go blank as she gazed at the dark liquid in her white cup. The fluid rippled as she swirled her drink lightly, letting it settle once more as she continued to stare dully. The cocoa rippled again on its own, making her reflection shift. Her eyes blinked sleepily as an image formed in the drink. An image of a pudgy man with thinning blonde hair, grinning wickedly back at her.
"Mummy?"
Alice blinked with a start, sitting up straighter in her seat. "Yes, sweetie?" she answered, smiling at her daughter.
"Can we go the winter festival later? Please?" Ember said, holding her hands together and batting her big brown eyes at her mother.
"Of course, sweetheart. Anything you want," Alice assured her daughter, smiling as Ember cheered and jumped away, bouncing over to her stack of toys to begin inspecting what she had. Alice leaned back in her seat, getting more comfortable. She glanced out the window of the lounge room, seeing snowflakes trickling down here and there outside the neighbourhood. The suburban residence they lived in never often got snow. Being in a big city like London, even the small bit of snow usually went away quite quickly. But this year seemed to be much better for snow, with a nice layer blanketing around for the holidays.
"I thought you hated going to the winter festival," John whispered to her as he sat down next to her, throwing an arm around her shoulder to curl up more snuggly with her.
"No, I hate the cold that comes with the festival," Alice corrected, taking a sip of her drink. "But I'll brave the cold for Ember. She's been wanting to go all year with her school friends. She's reminded me almost every day for a month now. I'm not about to crush her hopes, am I? What kind of mother would I be if I did that?"
"Hmm. We can't stay out too late, though," said John. "Have to go in early in the morning."
"Yes, figures those blood hounds only give you one day off," Alice muttered into her cup, grumbling a bit. "You'd think they could last at least one day without you."
"Well, I am the only IT consultant who didn't leave the country for holiday. So guess who got picked to come in early?" He leaned against Alice in a sulk. "Next year, let's go to Hawaii."
"Oh, right. Like we could afford a trip to Hawaii." Alice laughed and bopped him on the nose. "We have mortgages to pay for, idiot."
John let out a huff. "Remind me again why we decided to settle down?" With a raised brow and point look from Alice, she nodded her head to Ember, who was currently flipping through one of the science books they had gotten for her. "Ah. Point taken." They smiled warmly at their daughter. John gave Alice one more kiss on the cheek before he decided to get up to go play with Ember once again.
It seemed like no time at all before they were getting dressed and ready for the evening winter festival. Something that was hosted annually in a park as part of a neighbourhood gettogether. John and Ember had a small snow battle outside in the yard while Alice gathered together some last-minute things to bring along, including a large thermos of cocoa. Always good to bring around during a cold night. She sighed as she stepped out of the house, beginning to lock the door.
"Now, isn't this all very . . . quaint."
Alice blinked, looking over her shoulder to see a rather short man standing at the bottom of the stone steps of the house's stoop. She took in the thinning, dirty blonde hair, brown tweed jacket, red bow tie, black trousers and boots to match. His teeth even seemed to be a bit crooked from the strange way he smiled at her. It was peculiar in how alike he dressed to her husband John.
"Of course you'd pick Christmas to dream about. You've always loved that holiday. A little sickly sweet I'd say. And the irony of it all is that you're going to die on Christmas," said the man, grinning snidely at her. "How poetic."
"Sorry, can I help you?" Alice asked, keeping her voice casual as she could, though a disproving frown did appear on her face.
"It's so delightful watching you actually believe in all of this," said the man joyfully. "Makes me think I'm doing my job a little too well. Maybe I should cut it back a bit. Then again, it'd be fun watching you squirm."
Alice blinked, staring at him blankly. She looked over, seeing her husband and daughter still playing in the snow. Blissfully unaware of any stranger being around them. She then looked back, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "Get out of my dream."
"Oh! So you do know it's a dream!" The man clapped his hands together, rubbing them enthusiastically. "And here I thought I was going to have to go through the same shtick as with the other three. Makes my job a little easier I suppose. That means I don't have to go introducing myself."
"No," Alice grumbled, shoving her keys into her coat pocket and began to stomp down the stoop steps. "Go be Dream Lord somewhere else. Just let me have this."
"And why would I do that, hmm?" He gave her a snide smirk. "Why should I let you go on being happy in this little dream of yours while your real husband and his friends suffer in their dreams?"
Alice turned on him, glaring at him. "Because, unlike you, I know the outcome of their dreams and I know they'll be okay in the end. So, all I'm asking is that you leave me in peace while you enjoy your mind games somewhere else. Can't I just have a nice dream for once?"
"Hey, honey, just got a message of Craig," she heard John saying as he came over to her with mobile phone in hand. "Looks like Sophie and Alfie wanted to join us. And Sarah Jane says she'll meet us there with Luke." Glancing up from his phone, John blinked when staring at Alice. "Are you feeling all right? You're looking pale. Is the cold too much for you already?"
"No, I'm fine," Alice assured him, smiling sweetly. "I've just been lost in thought lately. Why don't you go get the car warmed up? I'll catch up with you and Ember in a moment. I think I forgot something in the house." John responded with a quick kiss on her cheek before going over to the street curb, calling Ember to him as he got out his keys for their car.
"Ugh. You call this a dream? It's like stepping into a children's Christmas special it's so sickly sweet," the Dream Lord said in disgusted as he wrinkled his nose.
"It's my dream. It can be whatever I want it to be," Alice grounded out in spite, taking a step towards him. "So whatever trick you're trying to pull—."
"Oh, I'm not going to do a thing," said the Dream Lord as he rocked lightly on his feet. "Why go into big dramatics? I'm saving all of that for the Doctor and his pals. Nah, I think there's a better way suited for you, Wanderer."
"The name's Alice Smith," growled the blonde.
The Dream Lord rolled his eyes. "Whatever you call yourself, you can't run from the truth of what you are. Monsters can never hide from themselves. Just ask the Doctor."
"I am no monster. And neither is the Doctor."
"Are you certain about that?" The man smirked darkly as he saw the uncertain expression cross her face very briefly before being replaced with a glare once more. He began to walk away smugly but turned back around at the last second. "Since I just love irony and all, this is what we'll do. Every time you begin to recall or remember or even briefly think about your true self outside of this dream, you'll be forced to watch it all come crumbling down. Piece by piece. Until you've nothing left. Just like what's happening in reality, eh?"
Alice stormed over to him in rage, her eyes heated from anger. "Don't you dare touch my family!"
"Mummy?"
Alice whipped around to see Ember standing just behind her, blinking at her in question. The girl had a thoughtful frown on her face as she stared at her mother.
"Sweetie! Sorry, what were you saying?" Alice replied, giving her child a strained smile.
"Daddy says it's time to go. We'll be late for the winter festival," said Ember, frowning even more. "Who were you talking to?"
"No one, sweetheart. Just talking to myself. You know how we grownups are," Alice assured her daughter, bending down swiftly to pick her up. She gave her child a kiss on the cheek, making Ember giggle lightly.
"Daddy says grownups only talk to themselves if they're mad," Ember said as Alice began to walk through the yard while carrying her. "He says that's why you married him."
Alice burst out in laughter, tickling her daughter lightly. "Who else do you think would be mad enough to marry a madman with a box?"
Ember giggled while hugging her mom. "What box is that, mummy?"
Alice flattered in her steps for a moment before walking more quickly. "Never mind. Forget I said that." She saw the Dream Lord again in passing, standing far on the other side of the street from them. He waved lightly, mouthing 'sweet dreams' at her as they walked on. She forced her gaze away from him, refusing to believe him to be there.
Ember was quiet, leaning her head against her mother's shoulder as she stared off at the sky. The child held such a thoughtful and inquisitive gaze. Her brown eyes searched the area, always analyzing things around her. When something ever looked off, she would have always been the first to see it. So when she spotted a strange occurrence hidden just under a bush, it made her puzzled and curious by the sight.
"What's that?" she blurted out, pointing to the brush by the corner of their yard.
"Hmm?" Alice looked over to where her daughter pointed, seeing the tail of a grey squirrel sticking out from under the bush of their garden. "Looks like a squirrel."
"Why isn't it in its squirrel house? Won't it get cold?"
"Ah." Alice felt uncertain how to bring it to her daughter about the squirrel's fate. "Sorry, sweetheart, I think Mr. Squirrel must have passed on last night. He most likely got stuck outside his home in the cold. Old squirrels like that aren't able to run around in the snow like you young squirrels can." She tickled Ember a little, hoping the child was not too upset by the idea of the death that happened.
Ember frowned, staring more intently at the dead creature. "But why's he all dusty?"
"Huh?" Alice stopped short, looking more at the squirrel now. Sure enough, her daughter was right. Before their very eyes, the rodent was turning into grey dust. Crumbling away into nothing as though it had never been alive in the first place. The blonde's heart sped up as her grip on her child tightened. "It's nothing, Ember. That just happens sometimes."
Speeding away from the dead thing, Alice held Ember close as they came up to the car, seeing John waving urgently for them to hurry it along. All the while Ember gazed back over her mother's shoulder, frowning as she saw another live squirrel coming over to the dead dusty one. When she saw the live squirrel touch the dead one, she watched as the new squirrel limped away as though it were injured and sick. Suddenly seeming to feel unwell after coming into contact with its dead fellow.
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Children laughter greatly outweighed that of the adult chuckles through the park. Snow twinkled through the yellow lights from the street lamps, landing on top of people's heads as they travelled between different activities to participate in. All breaths wisped around in fog from each person as they either laughed or talked amongst one another. It was cold, but not unbearably so. As long as people had bundled up beforehand, each one felt comfortable enough. Plus, the activities themselves kept them moving enough to stay warm. All of which ranged from snowman making, snowball fighting, dancing, hot cocoa stands, and much more. All with the singing of Christmas carols heard throughout the area, and lights strung up all through the trees, walkways, and bushes.
Alice stood in the line of the cocoa stand, rubbing her gloved hands together as she tried to warm her fingers. She had just gotten done helping her husband and daughter in building their very own snowman. It mostly consisted of a snowball fight between Ember, Alfie, Luke, and John, but it had still been fun anyway. She smiled as she saw Ember crawling around the large inflatable houses in the middle of the park. Standing to the side watching Ember and the other children play was John and Craig. Both stood laughing and chatting away, enjoying time with each other. Something they did not get to do as much as they used to in the past. They have been really close since school, even ending up going to the same university together. It was there that Alice had met them. There where she and John had fallen in love. There where they helped Craig and Sophie get together. The rest was just history.
Alice smiled as she remembered the fun times they all shared. All the fun football games where she and Sophie would cheer on their boys. The times they spent together in Craig and John's shared flat. The times they got to travel together. Alice laughed as she remembered the time she and John actually lived together in his bedroom in the flat. They had to work together on getting the TARDIS back while Amy had been trapped on the ship, stuck in a time loop . . .
Alice quickly gasped and shook her head, getting rid of that thought as fast as she could. Nope, she did not even think of it. That was not real. No such thing as Amy or the . . . whatever that word at been. As quick as she could, she marched forward, grabbing two cups of cocoa to bring back to her husband and daughter.
"It looks like they're having fun."
Alice jumped slightly, startled by the sudden voice. She turned hurriedly with her heart racing. She only relaxed when seeing it was just Sarah Jane, an old family friend of John's. The woman had always been kind and welcoming to Alice since the very beginning. Their friendship had grown even more through Alice's social working job, which had helped Sarah Jane adopt her new son, Luke.
"Hey, Sarah," Alice sighed in relief. She had been worried for a moment there that it had been . . . It was not important. All that mattered was it just Sarah and not . . . someone else.
"Are you cold enough, yet?" the woman laughed lightly, seeing how Alice had so many layers wrapped around her tiny body.
"Just about," Alice chuckled, trying to hold back from shivering while she held the warm drinks in hand. "Truthfully, I've just been going up for cocoa just to get warm again."
"Me, too," Sarah Jane laughed, smiling pleasantly while they both watched their family enjoying the night away.
"Hello, ladies," came a male's voice. They glanced over to see Craig now joining them. He rubbed at his hands, seeming to also not really enjoying the cold, either. He bounced in place, shivering a bit as he had not really bundled up as much as he should have. Alice took pity on him, handing him one of her cups of cocoa to help him warm up. He smiled in thanks, taking a sip.
"Is Sophie still with Alfie?" Alice asked curiously as she also took a sip of cocoa.
"They're heading to the car now," said Craig. "It's getting a little too cold for Alfie. But I wanted to stay a bit later. You know, catch up with John. He'd said you would be okay with me getting a ride home."
"Of course!" Alice smiled, happy to chat up with an old friend.
Craig smiled, taking another drink. He then made a sound as he gulped, turning in interest to the two women. "By the way, have you two heard about all those birds dying over in Germany?"
"Oh, yes. I did a report on that," Sarah Jane added, nodding solemnly.
"Oh, no. What happened?" Alice asked in concern. "Was it some kind of chemical spill?"
"Not that anyone knows about. It's a mystery, really," sighed Sarah Jane, sounded solemn. "Whole flocks just dropped from the sky, dead on the scene."
"I heard that it's happened in other places, not just Germany. Is that true?" Craig asked Sarah Jane curiously.
"Oh, yes. All over the place. There have been reports from China, Philippines, Brazil, Egypt, Peru, Iceland, and the United States," explained the woman, nodding. "All the same. Not just birds, either. The strangest thing of it all is that there aren't any bodies left for professionals to examine. Every time something like this happens, the animals' bodies decay rapidly and turn into, well, basically dust."
"What?" Alice breathed in horror. Her mind jumped to a memory. A memory of Dr Simeon turning to dust as her fists pounded away at his body.
"I know," Sarah Jane nodded, seeming to think Alice's horror was of such terrible things happening to animals. "Then, the weird part is that people are getting sick, too."
"What, so is it like a virus?" Craig asked, sounding more worried now. "You don't think . . . people are catching it from the animals, right?"
"Not sure," Sarah Jane gave a shrug, frowning as she stared off at the people around them. "It's being sort of all hushed up. Even our own government seems to be sweeping things under the rug about it all. But I'll tell you what, the other day I swear I saw a man going through a shop I was in—."
Alice stopped listening after this. The words from Craig and Sarah Jane became muted to her as a ringing in her ears picked up. Her heart began to beat rapidly and a cold shiver went through her. Not because of the chilly weather, either. She hurriedly downed the rest of her cocoa, ignoring the burning of the liquid as she said quick farewells to Sarah Jane and told Craig they would be leaving soon before going over to John and Ember. She came up beside the inflatable house, watching as John scooted through a tunnel and onto the ground with a laugh.
"It's getting late, sweetie," Alice said to him, unable to keep the warm smile from her face. Seeing John and Ember enjoying time spent together always did bring a smile to her face. "You have to work in the morning, remember?"
"Oh, can't we stay a bit longer?" John pouted. He let out a noise of surprise as Ember came rolling out of the tunnel right on top of him. The two shared a laugh as Ember snuggled right up to her father.
"Can we stay longer? Please, please!" Ember pleaded alongside her father. They both held cute pouts, batting their big puppy eyes at her. Alice gave a pretend exasperated sigh, laughing a bit at them.
"Oh, all right. Ten more minutes, that's it," she told them, chuckling as they both cheered and dove back into the inflatable bouncy house. All the while Alice smiled, trying to ignore her mind that wished to remember alternate times of another life.
"That's the thing that people don't seem to get about Alpha's powers. It won't happen with a big bang when she finally decides to end the universe."
Alice tensed as an arrogant male's voice suddenly came beside her. She glanced over slowly, seeing the Dream Lord beside her. He stood there with a grim smile, shaking his head as though feeling disappointed with the world.
"Nah, it'll happen slowly," went on the Dream Lord. "Like a plague, creeping throughout the universe. It'll infect the smaller life forms, first. Then the intelligent species of the planet will wither away after that. Before long the whole planet, solar system, and the galaxy will follow. You can call it a mercy if you want, that Alpha will end up killing everyone first before taking their suns and planets away from them. All that's left in the end will be the dust that the universe will use to restart itself. It's funny when you think about it. The universe creating a weapon to help it create a new version of itself. You'd think it'd have a better plan than that."
"Why are you doing this?" Alice questioned him, her hands tightening into fists.
"Because it's fun," the Dream Lord replied smoothly, grinning widely at her. "Makes you think about what would happen if you ever gave into the wolf."
"Alpha won't do that. She wouldn't because—," Alice began to argue.
"Because you're there? To keep her in line? Make sure she stays sane?" The Dream Lord eyed her up with a pointed stare. "What makes you think you can control a beast like her when you can barely even control yourself?" They stared at each other for a long moment. The happy cries of children being the only sound made that disturbed their tense standoff. Soon, the man smirked, looking away to gaze off. "Did the Doctor ever tell you he agrees with Alpha's notions on the universe? Not always. But there are some days he thinks everything would just be better off with a big 'reset button.' He's always liked a big red button."
Alice looked away from him, her eyes hardening as she tried to keep her mind from remembering the Doctor and her life with him. It was not that she did not wish to be a part of his life. But this dream . . . it was just . . . too good to let go. Not yet. She just wanted a little more time. Just a bit more in this normal, peaceful life. To . . . have mortgages, family friends, front lawns, car payments, draining jobs, parent-teacher conferences, football games, and so much more than humans took for granted. Most of all, she wanted time with Ember. More time to be with the daughter she would never see. Never know. Never have.
"Time for dreams to end, I think," the Dream Lord stated suddenly, jerking Alice out of her thoughts. "In both this world and the real one. You've been living in a fantasy for too long, my dear. Time to wake up."
With that said, the Dream Lord disappeared and the screaming began.
"Oh, my god! Somebody help me!"
Alice whipped around, eyes going wide as she saw a woman stumbling around down the park. The woman's face spoke of nothing but panic and terror.
"Help me, please!" the woman continued to scream. A number of people went to her, in concern of the woman's wellbeing and what they could do for her. She grabbed onto almost everyone she could, desperate to cling to someone, anyone. Then, she fell to her knees, too weak to keep standing. Another person screamed as they backed away from her. Soon, all the rest followed in getting away from the woman as they looked on in pure horror. Right before their very eyes, the woman's skin cracked and broke apart, turning to dust until there was nothing left of her but her clothes. It was a long moment of complete stillness and silence as it sunk in of what everyone had just witnessed.
Then, panic began to seep in. One person screamed. Then another and another as more and more began to run away from the scene. Especially as they witnessed more people through the park collapsing, turning to dust and going through the same fate as the woman had. It happened so fast. Many people were still frozen in stunned silence, unable to process what was occurring in their once quiet Christmas night. A night that should have been filled with cheerfulness was now filled with terror.
"Alice!"
The blonde gasped as she was pulled from her dazed state. John turned her swiftly around to face him before pushing a scared looking Ember into her arms.
"Get to the car. Now!" her husband urged her, pushing her to the direction where they had been parked. "Don't let anyone touch you and keep running! I've got to get Craig."
"What about Sarah Jane and Luke?" Alice breathed, holding Ember tightly against her.
"They'll be fine. Now go!" John yelled, shoving her forward as he ran back towards where Craig had last been.
With her child shivering in her arms, Alice kept her full focus on getting her daughter to safety. No matter the cost. She ran through the park, avoiding every person like a dance as she stepped around them. Not once letting any of them to touch her. As she drew near to the streets, she saw vehicles racing through in trying to escape wherever they had come from. A few ran into each other, causing more people to shout in the distance. Sirens could be heard echoing throughout the city. It seemed the whole place had been thrown into chaos. How did things turn so wrong, so fast? Was it because of (no matter how much she tried not to) her remembering everything of her life outside her dream?
"Mum? What's happening?" Ember whispered weakly against Alice's shoulder.
"Nothing, sweetie. Just keep looking at mummy. Don't look at anything else, just at me. Okay?" Alice reassured her daughter, holding Ember even closer still. The child whimpered as another person let out a bloodcurdling scream, burying her head within her mother's hair. Soon, Alice got them to the car. She dug through her trouser pocket and pulled out her set of keys. Hurriedly, she got them into the car, locking the doors tightly behind them. She sat there in the seat, still holding her child close as she tried catching her breath again.
"Where's daddy?" Ember asked quietly, pulling away a bit to look around her father.
"He's just getting Uncle Craig. He'll be back shortly."
"Will he be okay?"
Alice pulled away, directly her child's eyes to her own, smiling as much as she could for comfort. "Of course he will, sweetheart. What makes you think he won't be?" Ember did not say anything in response. Instead, she buried her face away again against her mother's chest. Alice let out a gasp when a bang came from the side of the car. Only relaxing when she saw it was John getting into the car. He started the vehicle almost immediately, driving them as fast as possible away from the park.
"Where's Craig?" Alice questioned her husband. A chill went through her upon his expression of despair.
"I couldn't get to him in time," he said quietly, locking his eyes on the road as he sped them even faster through the chaos around them. They sat there quietly for a long moment with only the sound of the car's engine breaking the silence. "How did this happen? I've heard of epidemics, but to infect people this fast?" Alice did not reply to him, only holding her daughter closer still as she felt her heart aching for what was happening around them. Her mind reminded her how it was her fault. Just as it would be in the real world, she caused this to happen.
"What about Aunt Sarah?" Ember spoke up, snapping the adults out of their dazed state of dismay.
"She and Luke are fine. I saw them get to their car," John said, giving his daughter the best smile he could muster at the moment. The smile was forced, of course, but their child did not need to know the grownups' worriment.
John locked his eyes straight ahead after this as he began to weave them through the road, avoiding other recklessly driving vehicles and people running through the streets. There was so much chaos going on. Alice glanced out the window, seeing passing scenes of people turning to dust here and there throughout the neighbourhood. Men, women, children; they were all falling victim to whatever plague this was. Would this really be what happened if . . . if Alpha and she ever lost control? Alice shivered and shook this thought away, holding her daughter closer still. Soon, with relief, they arrived just outside of their small home. John did not even bother to park correctly. He merely drove right up to the curb and shut the vehicle off.
"Okay, we need to get into the house and lock up. I don't know what we'll do from there, but we'll figure it out as we go. Maybe things will calm down once the authorities get things together," said John as he opened the door and started to get out of the vehicle.
"Do you think it'll calm down just like that?" Alice asked quietly, sceptical that things could go back to normal just like that. Then again, John had always been the optimist. He paused from leaving the vehicle, looking back at her and Ember. He scooted over to them, giving as much of an encouraging expression as he could.
"As long as I have you two in my life, I know everything will be—."
He never got to finish his sentence. At that very moment, a very skinny man wearing a large brown coat came running over to them with a knife in hand. Ember screamed, Alice yelped, and John jumped back as the man grabbed at him and yanked him out of the car.
"John!" Alice screamed, getting out of the vehicle as fast as she could. Ember clung to her as she ran around the front of the car, trying to get to her husband who was currently trying to get the man off of him.
"Just give me the damn car!" shouted the man. Apparently, he was trying to make a break for it from the city. He was not the only one as more people were seen running through the streets. Already there were looters? How could people devolve so quickly? Alice held her daughter even closer. Part of her wanted to fight back the man, to protect her husband. But Ember was shaking in her arms, crying for her dad. The need to protect her child outweighed everything else. Soon John punched the man off of him, making the man stumble away and dropping the knife. The man yelled, about to come at John once more, but suddenly froze on the spot. The man's eyes widened as his skin began to crack.
"No! I don't want to die!" he screamed before turning to dust. The family of three stood there numbly, staring with wide eyes at the pile before their feet. John slowly turned around. All colour had drained from his face as he stared at his wife and daughter.
"Get into the house. Lock the door," he said quietly. "Go before anyone else comes."
"John . . .," Alice breathed, tears beginning to roll down her face.
"Daddy?" Ember whimpered, reaching out to her father. John backed away, shaking his head before swallowing heavily. With breath hitching, Alice saw his hands. Already they were changing colour, turning an unhealthy grey, his veins turning black.
"Just go," he said, keeping his voice steady. He gave the most tender smile to his daughter, taking in the face of his child for the last time. "Daddy loves you, sweetheart. Take care of your mum for me, okay?" He then looked to Alice, eyes gazing at her with such love. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Alice cried, backing away as she held her child tighter. She tensed as she heard glass shattering from a house. Even more people were beginning to scream.
"Go!" John yelled.
Alice turned swiftly, running as fast as she could. All the while Ember kept reaching for her father, calling for him to come back. Pulling out her keys as swift as she could, Alice rammed the house key into the lock. The door burst open as she threw herself into the wooden frame, stumbling into the home. She then sat her daughter down in the hall and turned to shut the door, briefly glimpsing her husband falling to the ground and disappearing from the world as she closed the door tightly.
Alice panted, her breaths coming out in gasps as she felt unsettled. She gulped repeatedly, trying to calm herself. Her child still needed her. She could break down later after Ember was asleep. So, Alice hurriedly bolted the door shut and even pushed a heavy hall shelf up against the door as a barrier against anyone who tried to break in. She then ran past Ember, going to the back of the house to do the same for the second door. This time using the dining table as a barricade. She only hoped this would be enough. There was no telling at this point. She turned to walk out of the kitchen, walking back to her daughter. Ember had remained by the front door, shaking on the spot, but holding as brave of a face as she could.
"Daddy's gone . . . isn't he?" came her quiet question. Unable to respond, Alice merely picked her up and carried her upstairs. Ember's room was small but very cosy. With walls painted a soft blue, a twin bed in the corner by the window with blue covers and pillows, a small cupboard with toys and play labs, and many books scattered all throughout the room. Alice turned on the lamp beside the bed before sitting Ember down on the covers. Alice tensed as she heard more sirens, screams, car crashes, and other horrid noises coming from outside the bedroom window. They were beginning to sound more distant now, though. Maybe things were calming down?
"I think we should stay up here for tonight, sweetie," she said quietly to her child, going over to shut the door, locking it firmly and placing a nearby chair in front of it under the doorknob. Just another barrier to keep her daughter safe from harm. "We'll worry about everything else tomorrow, okay? I'm sure things will be fine once morning comes." Alice went over to her daughter, sitting down on the bed with her. "Would you like me to read you a story to help you sleep?"
Ember looked at her before staring down at the ground. She rubbed at her face, wiping away all leftover tears that still clung to her cheeks. "Are we going to disappear like daddy?"
"No." Alice quickly pulled her child up for a strong hug, sitting back in the bed for them to get comfortable. "No, we're safe in here. I . . . I promise." Alice's lip trembled as she held her daughter even closer. Tears slowly leaked down her face as her heart ached for her child. "I promise. I won't let anything happen to you."
"But bad things already happened to me before . . . didn't they?"
Alice pulled away from her daughter, staring at the child with wide eyes. "What?" she breathed, gazing at her little girl as Ember's brown eyes gazed back with such a sad expression.
"Bad things happened before. That's why you hold me so tight and why I don't remember anything before today. Why don't I remember things, mummy?"
Alice's whole body quivered from head to toe. As she stared at those brown eyes of her daughter, all she could think about was another moment from another life. A moment Donna Noble had been trapped with CAL, going through something similar with her own dream children. Alice swiftly made her mind wipe away this thought. "You're just . . . scared, Ember. Mummy's scared, too. That's why I hold you so tight."
Ember frowned thoughtfully. "But you hold me tightly all the time."
Alice shook her head, holding her daughter even closer, gazing at the room blankly as tears slowly rolled down her face. "Let's go to sleep now, dear. No more worrying or bad thoughts like no memories for us. Okay? Just sweet dreams. Nothing but sweet dreams." Alice knew she was saying this more of her own sake. But she prayed it would help her daughter not think so hard about anything else of this night.
Ember stayed quiet, merely staring over Alice's shoulder. The girl glanced at her hands, seeing the greying of her skin. Her eyes began to droop as she rested against her mother, cuddling into the only thing keeping her warm. "Can you sing me a song, mummy?" she asked in a tiny whisper, clinging to her mother now. Her hands beginning to turn a darker grey from the blackening veins in her arm.
"Of course." Alice smiled, rubbing her hand through her child's hair to sooth away any woes. As she tried to think of a perfect song that would brighten up their spirits, keeping them from giving into their sadness, she felt a bit of her daughter's weight shifting on her. She held the child closer but felt her heart freeze as a hissing sound of dust came from Ember. Alice let out a gasp, clutching at her child's empty clothing as the dust settled around her lap. She shook, gripping the clothes tightly in her grasp, staring down in despair at the dust in her hands.
"NO! NO! PLEASE, NO!" Screams ripped from her as her hearts shattered. She clung to Ember's coat, pleading for her child to come back. But her cries went on, unheard by anyone, for she was truly all alone in her world.
The outside world began to grow quiet after a long moment of weeping from Alice. All she could do was listen to the cries outside growing weaker and weaker. Until there was nothing more than a cold, silent night. Then she was left in such a deafening quietness that it was unsettling. Streetlights outside even started to dim. Darkness crawling ever so gradually into the room. Even the lamp on the table by the bed began to flicker, on the verge of death. Still, Alice remained staring blankly at the ceiling as she laid in her child's bed. Coat still clutched tightly in her hands, the dust of her little girl settled around her, and tears slowly rolled down into her hair from the sides of her face. All the while, she thought of all that had been of this dream. All the fake memories she cherished. All the joys her dream had created for her. It was just . . . After all this time, she finally understood why Alpha had created that pocket world for her.
Alice lifted her hand, staring at the black veins forming under her skin. She would be gone soon, and she could not be any happier. Letting out a soft breath, she felt her heart stuttering as her body weakened. She wondered if the world around her would be okay. If Sarah Jane, Luke, Sophie, and Alfie would live on in the world left in chaos. Did it even matter in the end? If this dream had taught her anything, it was that eventually . . . everyone would die. And there was nothing she could do about it. It was all . . . meaningless.
Alice slowly closed her eyes as she felt her body giving way to death. Accepting it with open arms.
"I'll with you soon, Ember. John, please . . . forgive me," she breathed, smiling as the darkness consumed her.
XxXxXxXx
Wanda gasped, her eyes snapping open, blinking rapidly as her vision cleared. Some last few tears fell down her face. Both of her cheeks felt wet. Even the pillow beneath her head appeared rather soaked from tears. Apparently, she had wept in her sleep. It would not be the first time she had cried in her sleep since losing her daughter. Wanda sighed, sitting up in bed and slowly wiping her face. She rested her arms around her bent knees, eyes gazing towards the door blankly as she felt so numb from all the sadness. A stray tear slowly crept down her cheek. Another sight left her. Very gradually she lifted her hands to grip her head. She blinked and lifted her head once more to graze around the room quickly. For a moment she thought she heard crying coming from the room. However, she soon realized that the sniffling was coming from inside her head.
Alpha? Wanda asked gently. She felt guilty in having yelled at her other half. Perhaps she should have been more understanding with Alpha. After all, Alpha was never much in her right mind most of the time, and she also had a very . . . abrasive personality. So, of course, it would be hard for them to get along at times. The sniffling continued, however, making Wanda even more concerned. But before she could voice worriment to Alpha, the door of the room burst open as Eleven rushed into the room.
"Wanda!" he yelled, going over to her quickly. He crouched in front of her, gently stroking her face with his hands to wipe away her tears. "Are you okay? What did the Dream Lord do to you?"
Wanda opened her mouth but snapped it shut almost immediately, unable to tell him what she had dreamed. Instead, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him, shaking as she held in her tears. All she wanted to do now was hug him tight and never let go. Staring at him hurt for every moment she gazed into his green eyes, all she could think about was dream him as John dying before her. Then, her hearts hurt even more when thinking about their daughter. Whether it be real life or dream, she could never tell him what had happened. It hurt so much just thinking about it.
He held her for some time. Just keeping her close by his side and comforting her. Apparently, in his dream, the dark side of himself, Dream Lord, had constantly taunted him about her being hurt in another dream. Over and over again. Alongside making him choose with Amy and Rory on what was reality and what was dream. It had terrified him that something awful had happened. And no matter how much he pried for her to tell him about the dream she was forced to have, she refused to say anything. Eventually, she asked him if she could be alone, wanting to get herself cleaned up and dressed. He agreed but promised that he would take her somewhere to make it up to her over what his dark side had done to her. She could only nod, not really wanting to say much else.
After he left the room, she did not get ready right away. For she did not wish to join her time travelling family just yet. Best let them enjoy their happiness together. All she wanted, for now, was to lay in the quiet, contemplating on her dream. It had been . . . rather enlightening. Heartbreaking, yes, very much so. But it also was interesting to see the effects of what would happen if she and Alpha had ever . . . lost it completely. Would that really be the way the universe went out? Not with a bang, but with a slow trickle? She had never thought about it until now, but that would make sense in the way their powers worked. Alpha was only able to turn one species of dust at a time. If she sent out the command to the atomic matter of all lifeforms to cease, then it would be a slow, yet steady, process.
Wanda then began to reflect over her moments in the dream with her daughter. Though it had ended in heartbreak, it was just so nice having a moment with her daughter. Even it had been nothing more than a dream. Even dreams were better than nothing. She could still feel the warmth and happiness of simply holding her daughter in her arms, loving the child with every fibre of her being. Slowly she wrapped her arms around her stomach, crying quietly as all she wanted was to feel it all again. She just wanted that feeling of a child's love back.
Alpha, are you okay? Wanda eventually asked her other half after things became too quiet. I forget that you dream differently from me. What did you dream about? Did you run into the Dream Lord, too?
I don't want to talk about it. Alpha grumbled, seeming to refuse to discuss anything of which they had both experienced. Each of them remained quiet for some time before Alpha finally sighed. I'm sorry. About earlier. I didn't mean to make you upset. I never meant to cause you . . . or the Doctor, trouble, either. I jumped to conclusions again . . . I let my anger get out of control. Suppose I was just angry because I'd been caught trying to . . . change your thoughts around again. It was wrong of me. I was being selfish. I—I should be more like you.
No, Alpha. You need to be yourself. Wanda said gently. Just . . . work on that temper of yours, okay?
Yeah. I know. Alpha let out a huff in frustration. Omega just pisses me off sometimes.
I never asked, but why do you call him an omega? You don't really believe in the whole wolf dominance thing. So why?
I don't know. I just . . . Maybe it's just the only way I see people from what the Daleks did to me. Either they're vermin, or they are labelled as warriors. Everyone I grew up with had numbered labels, so I guess I ended up giving him one, too. But I'm still an alpha over him, and don't you forget it. Alpha had more humour at the end of her ramble. Only a little, almost forced. Wanda smiled as she realized Alpha was trying to make a joke for her. Soon, Alpha continued, more forlorn this time. I don't always mean to lose my temper. Kind of lose myself sometimes.
Only sometimes? Wanda teased her.
Oi! They ended up both laughing for a moment. Not really full blown happy laughter. Most a comfort chuckling as they felt more at ease with one another. I never told you, but . . . I like being able to actually talk with you, Wanda. I've always wanted to. It's . . . nice. I just wish I could make you happy again like I used to.
Don't worry about that, Alpha. There's no easy fix in making people happy. This isn't like that pocket world. It's going to take time, a long time, for things to be normal for us. I'll find ways to be happy on my own. Just as I hope to help you find your own happiness, too.
Don't worry about me. I'm content as I am.
Wanda laid there, thinking about this. Was Alpha really that happy, though? It made her wonder. Soon she smiled as she had an idea to make them pleased. Tell you what, I know something that will make me very happy. Wanda felt Alpha's curiosity spike.
What's that?
How would you like to stargaze with me?
Alpha let out a gasp of delight. Really?
Wanda felt Alpha's joy, excited to do something she had always loved to do in the past. Of course. Getting up from the bed, she turned off the lights and had the stars appear on the ceiling. Once she laid back in bed, Alpha began to point out fun shapes in the stars. Some of the very same ones she once used to come up with from the times of Tina and Shelly. Little by little, Wanda and Alpha felt their spirits rise while laughing together. Though they wished to live in peace amongst dreams, they knew that if they could simply have moments like these, then reality would not be so bad.
XxXxXxXx
I'm glad that Wanda and Alpha are talking again. Now just for the Doctor and our Wanderer to finally talk. Hopefully in the next chapter? Maybe? Welp, if anyone has any thoughts they wish to give for the story, just leave a review. It always helps me see where you all would like the story to go. Even if I have already written the end, I'm always willing to go back and edit a few things to keep everyone enjoying the story. :)
Reviewers:
All The Stories Are True 24601: No problem! I know I miss updates from fellow writers from time to time. :) Oh, yes, it's getting so hot now. We're in a heatwave at the current moment, with it getting up to 43 degrees Celsius where I live. Crazy hot haha. I don't think any of us have as much energy as Third Wanda. Glad you like the dynamic change. After horrible tragedies, many people tend to cope by latching onto a figure that reminds them of the ones they lost. Sometimes it's good to help a person to move on. Others times, like in Wanda's case, it can lead to an unhealthy method of healing. Hmm, well, Aleena is a whole other mystery to solve. Glad you enjoyed the second chapter just as much. I went to a convention that my friends go to every year. It's called Cosplacon. A local convention that my friends live nearby, so I travel to them and we have fun attending it. Thanks as always for the wandaful review! ;) Until next time!
TheBlueRiver: Happy to be back. And I know that I'm so happy to see you again. :) Sorry to break your heart again. Fluff will be coming on the way . . . eventually. I promise. See you again in the future!
normandy1701: Yep, Alpha is much like a wild animal at times. She just cannot help her wild temper. Yep, 5 years. Though I will say this: there is no quick fix when someone is in mourning, their sadness can last for a couple weeks, months or years. No one person's way of coping is the same. Though I think that mourning is a bit different for Time Lords anyway. On the show, they indicated that the Doctor had been on the cloud for much longer than just 5 years as I had done. So, who knows how long a Time Lord may mourn a loss. Agreed, I cannot wait for them to finally talk again and for things to begin to heal and move on. I have not done that one yet. But that one will come eventually. Can't wait to see you again next time! Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
grapejuice101: None of them can get breaks, can they? Let's hope that things can start getting better. Maybe not in the next chapter, but hopefully soon. I'm very worried as well. If they meet again . . . it won't be pretty. Mostly because of Alpha I think . . . Anyway, those adventures will be in part four. So, you'll just have to wait and see. ;) So glad to see you again! I feel like it's been a while since I've seen you. Cannot wait to see what you think of the chapter. Take care and see you again in the future! :)
Guest: Not quite certain if this is grapjuce101 or someone else. So, just in case, I will write this as a separate review. ;) Hope that's okay. So glad you enjoyed the chapter! Nah, I'm not that good of a writer. But thank you so much for the compliment! Welp, seems like things are better between Alpha and Wanda after this chapter. They just had to have a small spat to realize that they needed to communicate better. Now if only the Doctor and Wanda would do the same. *sigh* Oh, well, maybe next chapter, right?
SakuraRcoa: So glad you enjoyed it. It was not that Wanda did not recognize which TARDIS she was in, more of she just did not care or bother to notice for she was so worn by that point. Remember, she hardly slept while she had been waiting for Clara's phone call. And that argument with Alpha did not help any. So she basically just passed out. Hope you enjoyed this chapter just as much as the last one! Take care until we meet again! :D
mjahappy: Glad you liked! :D
bored411: Alpha tends to lose her temper quite frequently. Though first time ever having an argument with Wanda is rather rough on them both. At least they made up now. Hope you enjoyed the chapter just as much as the last. Until next time! :)
Momochan77: She will be rather confused, yes. Wonder how the Doctor will discuss it with her and all . . . Welp, guess we'll find out in later chapters to come. :) You'd be very correct there about Alpha. Though I think it's also because of the fact that Alpha is much more aware and active than she used to be that makes her more . . . emotional. Not used to interacting with others for years now. But at least we see in this chapter that Alpha knows that she tends to have a temper problem from time to time. You said that perfectly. One really cannot be happy all the time. Sometimes we need the sadness in our lives to make the happier moments all the better. :) Now that Alpha and Wanda are talking normally again, let's hope that the Doctor and our Wanderer will do the same next. Alpha had horrible timing there. At least we know she'll keep her cool for the next time. Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Can't wait to see what you think of it. :)
swimmjacket: Yay! Glad that you were happy. :) I know I'm always so delighted and ecstatic when I see a review from you and other readers. Don't worry, they will get their chance to get back to their usual lives again. Maybe not completely normal as before, but at least talking. It just might take some time. :( Aww, well thank you. Patience really is key when it comes to writing. I've learned that from taking literature classes haha. Though I will be doing something different when it comes to part four. I found that since I had things all planned ahead with this one, I couldn't make changes when readers pointed out how they wished to see the story. I still have most of the story planned out continuing on with part four, but I'm going to write a little closer to the updates that way if readers feel they wish to add something they want to see happen, I can accommodate. Just so the next part of the saga can be a bit more flexible. Do you like that idea? I hope so. :) Also hope that you enjoyed the chapter! Take care and see you soon!
cinnamon: Woo! So happy that you're enjoying the story so much! :) No one ever likes bad things to happen to those they love. But life is full of both bad and good. That's what makes life so worth living through sometimes. I'm just really glad that you're enjoying it all so much. I think all writer's stories are beautiful in their own way. Many my story much less enjoyable compared to others. :) Though I do see your point and I agree that there are a few stories that do tend to fizzle out after the first initial start of the story. It is very hard to keep track of plot points and timelines of any story. With Doctor Who it is especially challenging. The only reason why the story stayed well together was because of the timeline I put into place before even writing it. Which might change with part four as I plan to be more flexible with that part of the story. I hope that you will still enjoy part four just as much as the past three. Don't worry about long reviews. Those are my most favorites. :) Hope to see you again soon! Let me know what you think of the newest chapter!
QuirkyKim: Agreed. I think they all need hugs by this point.
Wyvernhandler: Oh? What theories do you have in mind? I'd love to hear them. :) New theories are always my favorite! It's a tough situation for them all. Hopefully things can be resolved soon for everyone. Hope you enjoy the new chapter!
Cash03: I like that theory as well. Suppose we must wait now to see where the story will go from here. Oh, they will. Maybe not right away, but they will. :) Until next time!
N7SpaceHamster: I know I'm excited to read your review and to see you again for the chapter. :D There are differences in a story's grammar. Such as commas are used with everything here in the United States and most European systems do not use commas so much. But the program I got mostly helps me with keeping track in how words are spelt. Living in the States for so long has made me lose touch with specific spelling types. Yeah, they both need some head slaps. It's a equal blame in my eye. Neither one is helping each other. Not really. Why thank you! I wanted to really make Wanda's mourning to be realistic. You're right, too many write through the mourning period too quickly. I think it's because many don't realize just how long it can take a person to get through such loss. Which I blame media, mostly, because they tend to always treat those who wish to mourn a long while as weird or dumb for feeling sad. Sadness is just as healthy as happiness in my eye. :) Just watch Pixar's Inside Out. They tell it perfectly.
Oh, many hints about Aleena have already been given in past chapters. I wonder if you can find them all. ;) You'd be correct that it's more due to Ember being lost that Wanda has been becoming very emotional lately. But there is also her not trusting herself, either. Though we must remember that even Wanda tends to forget about certain events from time to time. Yes, this story came out long before then. So Wanda only knows up to the end of season 7. The rest is unknown to her. I'm not certain about the promises . . . but I hope so! Could be. Though I based that more because in Classic Who they did a lot of time . . . errors, so there's been some years lost and gained that the Doctor lost track of. So I don't think Wanda even knows, though she could. Nah, Wanda was in such a state that she did not even realize that she had connected with him again in the first place for she really did not mean to do that.
Yep, first fight between Wanda and Alpha ever. Even the best of friends can have a spat every once and a while. It was time due for them, I think, to finally get their feelings out and talk about things. No, nothing bad. Just an argument. Alpha would never do anything to Wanda. Not on purpose, at least. You were right about something happening to Wanda and Alpha. The poor dears. :( But, hey, at least we got Thirteen to help make us happy! I cannot wait! XD I could do that! I was thinking about making a variety of one-shots of moments we all wanted to see. Maybe sometime in the future during part four. ;) Until next time! Can't wait to see you again!
Whovianeverlark17: I know. But I promise that things will get better . . . eventually. Please don't hate me. :( I know I'm awful. Glad you enjoyed the chapter though! Hope you enjoy the new one just as much. :)
Take care, everyone! And have a wonderful week to come. :)
~Tinker~