"I was born in London but when I was ten, I was sent to America to live with my uncle a few months after my parents' deaths. I had met Rose a bit before that and it was horrible to leave her. But anyways, my time in America wasn't the best, memorable in all the worse ways. My uncle was a drug addict and a drunk, often using me as a punching bag… or worse," I shuddered as the memories of my past returned. "He put me in the hospital five times, but after my thirteenth birthday, I ran away, returning to London. I spent the first few months wandering the streets, doing whatever I could to survive, but I was caught stealing some clothes from a shop and ended up in police custody. The only person I knew was Rose so I told the officer that I was Jackie's niece. Jackie was furious but she took me in, treating me no different than she did Rose. She didn't have to, things were hard and she didn't need another mouth to feed, but she still took me in, treating me as her own," a tear trailed down my cheek. "I'd stayed with her from that day on, only moving out after my seventeenth birthday. I stayed close to her, and Rose, even when Rose left for a while. The Tylers are my family and I'd do anything for them but anyways, here I am now, travelling the stars with my best friend and the alien man."
"I'm guessing there are some things you are not telling me. Where do the nightmares come from?" He ignored the alien comment, to my surprise and disdain. I wanted to lighten the mood but he was deep in thought about what I had told him.
"I don't know. Some are from my time in America and others are not. Those normally end in my death, or so it seems."
"How about we figure it out, you and me?"
"And what about Rose? As my best friend she knows more about my nightmares than anyone else and seeing as I don't know you, she'd be the best person to help me, not you, Doctor."
"Well Rose isn't an alien with vast knowledge of the universe," he smirked cockily. I laughed but waited for him to continue. "Rose can help but there are some things she doesn't know."
"And you do?"
"Yes."
"Well then, I look forward to working with you, Doctor." He stood, thinking that I was finished but I was nowhere near done. I enjoyed his company and due to my inability to sleep, I didn't want him to leave the library just yet. "Um, Doctor?"
"Yes, Cerys?"
"Would you mind staying? There are so many things I want to talk to you about. If I were to ask, would you answer my questions?"
He returned to his spot on the sofa. "Depends on the questions."
"I won't ask anything about your home, or the war, even if I'm extremely curious." He nodded and waited for me to ask my first question. "The Tardis, is it infinite? It seems like an entirely different dimension. But it seems so- she seems so alive. Then there's the fact that our rooms seem to fit us perfectly. Is she alive? Is this all just something I'm making up? Who invented such amazing technology? Are there more out there? How are they built? What-" I stopped when I saw the smirk on his face, realizing that I had asked more questions than I had originally intended. "Sorry, I'm just curious."
"It's fine. The Tardis in alive and infinite. The telepathic field, like I said, it gets in your head. The Tardis can design a room to anyone's liking due to it. As for the inventors, my people created them."
"Oh, very advanced. I like it," I stopped, thinking of my next question. I didn't want to ask him anything too personal but I had told him my story and I was itching to know his. "I am curious about you, if you don't mind me saying. You're eyes are so old and troubled from the burdens you bear. I said I would not ask of your home, or the war and I won't. I will however listen to whatever you feel comfortable telling me. I am a friend, Doctor and I am here if you need me," I said, setting the book aside and standing. With a quick stretch, I began to leave the room.
"Cerys," the Doctor called. I turned to him, cocking my head to the side as an answer. "Thank you." I smiled and bid him a goodnight before I returned to my room.