"You would not believe the assignment I have," I groaned as I entered the apartment, "Oh..." I stopped when I saw the Doctor, Rose and Jackie sitting at the couch, "You're back again? Weird, you were just here last week," I threw my school bag on the floor,"I haven't even ate whatever the stuff was Mickey brought me. I don't care what he says, it doesn't look edible. Where is Mickey anyways?" I looked around, "Eating?" They remained quiet. "I just asked a question? Did he go home for clothes or...?" I waited but still I received no answered. I took a moment and studied their faces. "Wh-what happened?" My heart started picking up. "Doctor, don't tell me he's dead-"
"He's not," he assured, standing up, "He's perfectly fine and alive. In fact, I'd say he's pretty happy."
"Then where is he?" I asked, swallowing hard with a nerve-wrecking feel.
He sighed, reaching inside his coat and taking out an envelope. He handed it to me without a word. I looked at the envelope and him for a moment before taking it, knowing however happy Mickey apparently was, I wouldn't be.
Dear Minnie,
You're probably the only regret I have of staying here because I won't be able to say goodbye to you in person. I'll never give you a hug and a proper goodbye. And for that, I'm really sorry, please forgive me. I'll admit, this idea started out as an impulse but...then it became important for me to go through with it, because I really wanted to.
I'm in a parallel universe and I don't believe we'll ever talk to each other again, much less see each other. I am staying here by choice, and that's because I don't believe I have anything else in your world. Besides you, I'm pretty much on my own. Here, I have my grandmother whom I loved so much and had to bury in your world. But in this world, my new home, I still have her. And I know you'll understand me because of Isadora. If she had died in your world but you had the chance to stay in a world where she was alive, you would do it, right?
I know you'll be fine because you're with them. You're with Jackie and Rose and the Doctor. They'll take care of you or you'll take care of them. You don't need me. Just last week we spoke about Isadora and the rest, and my advice still stands. Talk to everyone, beginning with Rose and the Doctor. Tell them how you feel then go for the rest. Talk to them. I'm sure it'll do you good. I know it will.
Good bye my Minnie. I guess this Mickey has to find you in this world too. Wonder what you're like here? I hope you're not as stubborn too! Please take care of yourself, just like you always have. I'll miss you.
Love,
Mickey Smith.
I looked up, my tears hurriedly strolling down my face. I shook my head, as if denying this would help anyone.
The Doctor sighed, "Joy I'm so sorry-"
"No. That's not true...this isn't true," I started sniffling loudly, "Please tell me it's not! He can't be gone!"
"He chose to stay."
"Noo..." my voice cracked, "He just left...he was supposed to come back!"
"Joy we're really sorry," Rose stood up, "If he could've he would've returned to say goodbye but parallel universes are impossible to travel through."
"So I'm never gonna see him anymore? Possibly my best friend and he's gone now. Forever!" I threw the letter down and rushed to Rose's room, slamming the door and bursting into sobs.
The only person who knew every last detail about me was gone. And he'd never come back. If I thought I was alone before now it's really true. I wouldn't be able to talk to anyone now. Jackie was a fine woman, but she was like a mother. I needed a friend.
My best friend was gone. What would I do now?
~0~
"Joy, can I come in?" the Doctor was knocking on the door. With no answer, he slowly opened it. "I don't...I don't really have words for you..." he admitted, slowly approaching me by the bed and sitting down, "I wish I could comfort you but...there's nothing I could do to make you feel better and I'm sorry."
"Did he have fun?" I asked, keeping my head rested on a pillow. "Did you bring him to fantastic places?"
"Yeah, we had amazing times," he quickly said, sensing that'd make me feel knowing Mickey had had fun, "You saw how excited he was when we were going to leave."
I smiled, remembering it all, "Yeah..."
He sighed, "I'm sorry, Joy. I know how hard it is to say good bye to people you care about."
I looked at him, sitting up, "Thank you for bringing me the letter."
He smiled, handing me the letter I had thrown earlier. He took my hand, gripping it as he stared deeply into my eyes, even startling me with the sudden intense. "Joy, whenever you need me, you just call and I swear to you I will come. If it's four a.m and you need me, call and I will be here by 4:01. Do you understand?"
I blinked, replaying his words to make sure I had heard right, "But...why do you say that?"
"Huh?" He frowned, clearly not expecting that as a response.
But I mean really, after nearly a year of knowing him he'd never told me anything like that, much less given me that intense stare. "It's just out of character that's all..."
He sighed, seeming to struggle with something, "Before we left Mickey he said some words to me..."
My heart skipped a beat, my eyes wide as the thought of Mickey spilling everything to the Doctor came to mind. What if he had? No, no...the Doctor would have said something already...right?
"Joy, perhaps, I haven't been around very much but...you know I consider you my friend, right?"
I swallowed hard, gathering my courage for what would come next, "Doctor, what did Mickey tell you?"
He shook his head, faintly smiling, " It's not important. All you should know is that I'll be here when you need me. You and Rose are the two most important people in my life. My glimpse of happiness, I call both of you."
" You've never called me that..." I said quietly, looking down at my lap.
"...no, I guess I haven't," he said after a moment, as if realizing it as well. Good. "But you listen to me, Joy Souza, I care about you, I always have."
"R-Really?" My eyes watered up, never hearing so kind words from him like that.
"Oh Joy," he scooted closer, taking me into a hug.
I cried for Mickey and for his touching words. I supposed Mickey hadn't told him everything just something that'd get the Doctor's mind working towards the grand realization.
"And, sorry for being nosy but, we went through your bag and I happened to have found an assignment..." he began, pausing as I looked up, "...how about I help you with that?"
I knew exactly where he was going with this. A dim smile spread on my face, already accepting the offer. Right now, I just needed to get out of here.
~/~
"London 2012!" I exclaimed, walking excitedly down the streets, "30th Olympia!" I twirled around.
"Careful, you'll fall," the Doctor warned, "Tell us again why you wear heels to school?"
"Huh?" I immediately looked down and realized I was still in my school uniform, "Oh c'mon," I turned around to them, "You didn't even give me a chance to change."
"Well when I said 30th Olympia you didn't exactly give me the chance to tell you," he countered.
Rose laughed, "I like it. Wish they were that fashionable back when I was there."
"Hm," I crossed my arms, "I don't like this."
"Oh you look fine. We're in an amazing time, Joy," the Doctor walked up, "Forget about it."
"Yeah, you're in the brink of the Olympics," Rose joined us, linking arms.
"Exactly, I'm in London and in the middle of the streets during the Olympics...in my school uniform," I frowned.
"Oh just focus on your article will you?" The Doctor linked arms as well. "Make this the best damn article you've ever written."
Rose chuckled, "I still don't understand why'd you join the journalist club."
"Sarah Jane," I admitted, "She talks so much about it I figured I'd give it a try. And plus, this academy's got a well rounded club for it."
"No more public school?" She raised an eye brow.
"After the Krillitanes I said no. And thanks to the Doctor for pulling some strings, I got into an even better school."
"Least I could after blowing up your old one," he swayed his head.
"And I'm almost caught up now. I should be graduating by the end of the year."
"We'll be there front row," Rose nodded.
"You better be. I already reserved seats for you two and Jackie and Mick-" I stopped, my smile vanishing.
The two stared sadly at me, "You know, you're name's Joy, live up to it," the Doctor poked my arm.
"Yeah..."
"You know, fun fact, I was here for the last Olympics they had in London; Wembley 1948. I loved it so much," he began his rambles and I knew he was telling us this just so that I'd keep distracted.
Rose suddenly let go of my arm and stayed behind, looking at something. The Doctor didn't seem to notice as he continued leading us ahead.
"Now what was his name...?" He thought, "Mark...? John?...Maybe Mark? Legs like pipe cleaners but strong as a whippet."
I chuckled, "That's a good way to remember someone. I dread to think how you'll remember me," And truthfully I did. Would he even remember me?
"The annoying, clever girl who challenges me on everything I do and say," he teased.
I smiled, proudly, not accepting the tease, "Well, I don't know how clever I am but I do challenge you because you're wrong sometimes. And, if we're being descriptive, I'll remember you as the daft, ridiculous alien."
He stopped walking and thought about it for a moment, making me snigger at his expressions. "You don't really think I'm ridiculous, right?" He frowned.
'What if I do?" I crossed my arms, deciding to tease him for the moment.
"I wouldn't like it..." His gaze fell to the ground.
I slightly ducked and caught his gaze, "I also think you're a kind, funny man."
He smiled softly as I stood straight again, "Yeah?"
I nodded, "Yes."
"Well," he swayed his head as he pretended to think again, "That's okay I guess."
"Doctor? Minerva?" Rose cut in, and we glanced over to find her not so pleased.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
I could have sworn she gave me a quick glare before reverting to a smile. "I just thought you should come and see this." She gestured to a paper on the wall as we approached her.
There was a flyer of missing children, with no leads on either case.
"What's taking them?" I asked, still reading through the information.
"Snatching children from a thoroughly ordinary street like this. Why's it so cold...?" the Doctor looked around, "Is something reducing the temperature...?""
"It says they all went missing this week. Why would a person do something like this?"
"What makes you think it's a person?" The Doctor challenged.
A door opened, not far from us, and a woman was seen throwing out her recycling bag in front of her house. I noticed she was giving looks all around, like she was afraid. She quickly returned back in her house and shut the door.
"It's got the whole street wise scared," I remarked, "What could get-" But I saw the Doctor had already left and Rose right behind him.
I rolled my eyes, "Kind, funny and forgetful man," I mumbled as I hurried to catch them.
We stopped by a front yard with a mini-soccer goal on it. The Doctor stuck out his hand in front himself then knelt down and moved his hand around the grass.
It seemed strange to me and so it prompted for me to ask about it, "What are you-"
"Sh," He held up a finger.
I rolled my eyes and looked around. I noticed Rose was helping some people move a car on the street.
The Doctor giggling brought my attention back to him. "Tickles!" He exclaimed.
I made a face, "What are you-"
"What's your game?" A man suddenly approached us, not very happily.
Must be his house...
The Doctor struggled to come up with an answer as he got up from the grass, "My...um...Snakes and Ladders? Quite good at...Squash. Reasonable," the man only grew more irritated and the Doctor more nervous, "I'm...being facetious, aren't I?"
I nodded, "Annoyingly."
"What the hell do you think you're doing on my property?" The angry man advanced towards the Doctor.
"Woah, there," I cut in between the two, "We should calm down."
"Move aside, girl," he put a hand on my arm.
"Try anything and you'll have to learn how to eat with your feet," I snapped, pushing his hand away.
"We're police officers!" The Doctor pulled me back, "And I've got a badge and...and a car."
"This one is an officer?" The man looked at me.
"She's in training!" The Doctor flashed his psychic paper to the man. "It was either that or hair dresser."
"I still could make you look like a fashion disaster," I remarked, trying to follow with the lie.
"What are you two doing?" Rose joined us with a few other people.
"Are you officers?" A woman beside her asked.
"The police have knocked on every door but there's no clues or leads," came another neighbor.
"Look, kids run off sometimes, alright?" The man snapped, "That's what they do-"
"Dale Hixon in your garden, playing with your Tommy and then..." one of the women began, "Right in front of me he vanished. Like he was never there to begin with! There's no need to look ant further than this street. It's right here amongst us."
The Doctor looked from one to another, not quite following, "Why don't we-"
"Why don't we start with him?" A new woman pointed at one of the men with us. "There's been all sorts like him in this street, day and night!"
The accused man looked indignant at such an idea, "I'm fixing things up for the Olympics!"
"Taking an awful long time about it," snapped the man from the garden.
"I'm of the opinion that all we've gotta do is just-" the Doctor tried again but the arguments continued.
"What you just said is slander!"
"I don't care! It just makes sense!"
"I really think we need to just-" the Doctor tried once more but in vain.
"I want an apology from her!" The man pointed to the woman.
"Stop picking on him!" another woman yelled, "And stop pretending none of this is real!"
"EVERYONE SHUT UP!" I screamed, making them all flinch, "Shut the hell up already!"
"Fingers on lips!" the Doctor yelled over me, "Now!" He placed his finger on his lips and prompted for all of us to do the same. Everyone slowly obeyed, even myself.
I sighed, "I feel like I'm a second gra-"
"Sh!" He gestured with his finger.
"But-"
"SH!"
I only made a small noise again before he did the same again. Eventually, he won and I was shut.
"Alright, in the last six days, three of your children have been stolen," the Doctor began, "Snatched out of thin air?"
"Erm...can I...?" One of the woman slowly removed her finger from her lips. When the Doctor nodded she went right ahead. "Look around you, this was a safe street 'til it came. It's not a person. I'll say it if no one else will. Maybe you're coppers or maybe you're not but I don't care. Can you please help us?"
And that was all we needed to hear before we quickly agreed.
The Doctor sent everyone home until further notice while he, Rose and I remained on the crabby man's front yard.
"Sorry you can't write your article," Rose said as the Doctor sniffed his way around the yard.
I shrugged, "It's alright."
"Now Joy, we'll help you with that article right after this," the Doctor called.
"Don't worry, I can always search it up on the internet...like a normal student would do."
It wasn't so much for the assignment I had joined the pair for the trip. I knew that if I was at home with Jackie, all I'd do was sulk over Mickey...like he was dead. And he wasn't. He was breathing and happy. I couldn't sulk over that. Yet, I miss him so much. I needed a distraction...
"Too bad you're not, though," the Doctor looked up. I mock glared. He stood straight and inhaled deeply, "Do you smell that? In the air?"
Rose and I sniffed the air and there was indeed something different in it.
"It smells like metal," I remarked.
The Doctor pointed, nodding. He walked past us towards the alleyway again, "So, Danny Edwards cycled in one end but never came out the other, " he explained and suddenly stopped walking, "There it is again!" He exclaimed, showing us the back of his hand, "Look at the hairs on the back of my manly hairy hand."
"There's that smell again," I made a face as I looked around, "Like a burnt fuse plug..."
"There's a residual energy in the spots where the kids vanishes. Whatever it was, it uses an awful lot of power to do this."
We continued walking down the streets. The Doctor started going ahead of Rose and I.
Rose suddenly turned for a cat. "Aren't you a beautiful boy?" She cooed, reaching down for it.
"Thanks! I'm experimenting with back-combing," The Doctor was quick to respond.
I giggled when he noticed Rose had meant the cat.
"Look Joy," Rose returned with the car in arms. I sneezed. "Isn't he beautiful?" I sneezed and I covered my mouth to sneeze again. "Are you okay?" She asked and the cat jumped off her arms.
"Yes-" I sneezed again.
Rose followed the cat towards a cardboard box, "Come here!"
I sneezed and sneezed, even making the Doctor turn. "Joy, what's the matter?" He walked over to me. He placed a hand over my shoulder but my continuous sneezing eventually shook it off.
"Doctor!" Rose called with an urgent tone.
I sneezed one final time again. The Doctor was in a struggle between who he should take care of first. With a hand, I motioned for him to go to Rose.
"Hold on, Joy," he said before running to Rose.
It's not like I needed him anyways; I was quite used to being on my own. And besides, I knew exactly things hadn't changed. I was on the trip for the assignment and distraction, not to be noticed...though it wouldn't hurt as usual.
I looked up to the sky and took a deep breath multiple times, "Stupid cats," I muttered. I could hear the Doctor rambling on to Rose about some iron residue but I couldn't make out the rest. My eyes felt watery and I knew it wouldn't stop unless I had my pills.
Too bad I was kind of far away from home.
"Alright, now what's wrong with you?" the Doctor returned.
"I'm fine now," I said with a scratchy voice.
"Are you sick?"
"It'll pass," I coughed, "Can we just get out of this spot, please? That would be a major help."
He nodded and led us down the street, "I sent Rose looking."
"What for?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.
"For anything, really. I don't know what we're dealing with."
"You know, that metal smell is kind of familiar..." I looked at him, "It's at the tip of my tongue but I can't say it."
"It'll come to you later. Are you feeling better now?"
I nodded, "Yeah, like I said, it'll pass. Although a glass of water could be some good use...and maybe a good distraction."
He chuckled, "I'm good at that!"
"I bet you are," I smiled, going ahead of him, "I think I'm smelling that scent again."
"I was talking to Rose about these little cakes, you know, cause I thought I saw some in the last street," he started to ramble as I sneezed more, "Did you ever hear have one of those little cakes with the crunchy ball bearings on top?"
I sneezed, and felt the scent getting stronger, "Actually..."
"No, but do you know those things?" He continued rambling and didn't listen. This was probably the first time he was talking to me about something he liked. That didn't happen too often. "Nobody else in this entire galaxy's ever even bothered to make edible ball bearings. Genius."
"Yes, but, I think-"
We heard a yell from our blonde companion and so we quickly rushed to go and help her. The Doctor arrived first and when I saw what she was being attacked by, I had to stop and process it.
"Stay still!" the Doctor instructed as he pointed his screwdriver at a ball of scribble. The ball stopped and dropped onto Rose's hands. "Are you okay?" He pulled her up.
"Yeah, cheers," Rose mumbled.
As they hugged, I stood watching with very much intrigue what Rose was holding in her hand. When they pulled back I quickly joined them and took the scribble ball from her.
"Hey!" She frowned but I ignored it and turned the ball over.
"I'll give you a fiver if you can tell me what the hell it is," the Doctor pointed, "Cause I haven't got the foggiest."
"Well, I can tell you you've just killed it," Rose shrugged.
"It was never living. Just animated by energy."
"And I assume it's the same one taking these people?" I asked, my eyes fixated on the ball.
"Correct."
"It's weird," I tilted my head, "I can tell you that this is familiar to me. But I don't know why," I looked up to them.
"Get out of here, you can't think it's familiar," Rose pointed at it, "It's not possible."
"I'm telling you!" I insisted, "It's like...I can't put my finger on it."
"You might be clever but not that much," she mumbled, making my eyes snap at her.
Had she really just said that? That was...rude. And I didn't see Cassandra anywhere which meant she wasn't possessed...
"Well, let's take this into the TARDIS then," the Doctor grabbed the ball and started walking, leaving us behind to have a sort of stare down.
"What?" She asked.
"You tell me," I said, my eyes half-wide as I turned away from her and followed the Doctor.
~0~
As the Doctor analyzed the ball, my mind racked itself for the word I was looking for to identify the similarity I had thought of between it.
"Get out of here!" the Doctor exclaimed as he read from the console's scanner.
"What it say?" Rose asked as he grabbed the ball again.
"Joy, by any chance, does this answer the word you were looking for?" He took out a pencil from his pocket and actually erased a part of the ball.
"Graphite!" I yelled immediately, pointing. "Same thing as a pencil!" I laughed excitedly and clapped my hands. "That's what I wanted to say!"
"You had it way before any of us," the Doctor smiled, handing me the ball to examine, "Maybe you should lead the trips."
"I would," I quickly approved the idea, "And I'll start by saying why make a scribble to attack people if that person or thing has enough power to create something much bigger and stronger? Thoughts, Doctor?" I glanced at him and smirked as he thought. Even Rose was thinking, although she still didn't seem happy and it was kind of getting to me honestly.
"I..." the Doctor said, clearly not having the answer, "Well..."
"It's like a child's drawing," I continued, turning the ball over, "When I made mistakes I'd scribble the heck out of the paper. I still do, actually."
"The girl," Rose suddenly said, her eyes widening.
"What girl?"
"Something about her gave me the creeps...even her own Mum looked scared of her," Rose continued, but to herself more than answering me.
"I don't know what has me more," the Doctor shook his head, "The fact that you figured this out before me," he pointed at me, "Or that you're actually deducting," he glanced to Rose.
"Actually, it's the fact I've done this more than once to you already," I leaned closer to him, smiling sweetly as he frowned at the revelation.
~0~
"Are you sure she'll let us in?" Rose asked as we approached the house of the little girl we had as suspect.
"Why wouldn't she?" the Doctor replied.
"Three strange people wanting to see someone's little girl? Yeah, I'd let them in," I said before knocking on the door.
For the first time, there was no response. The Doctor went ahead and knocked again, slightly louder than I had. A woman suddenly opened up.
"Hello! I'm the Doctor and this is Rose and Joy! Can we see your daughter?"
"No, you can't," the mother replied.
"Okay. Bye," the Doctor surprised me as he turned around and started walking away.
"...Why?" the mother suddenly questioned. The Doctor stopped and turned around. "Why do you want to see Chloe?"
"There's something interesting going on in this street and I just thought...well, we thought, she might like to give us a hand."
"Sorry to bother you," Rose caught on and began backing away.
"Yeah, we'll just let you get on with things...on your own. Bye again!" the Doctor waved.
"Wait!" the mother called, "Can you help her?" She looked so desperate now.
"Yes, I can."
"I'm Trish," the mother greeted as she brought us into the living room, "My daughter, Chloe, stays in her room most of the time. I try talking to her, but it's like speaking to a brick wall. She gives me nothing and just asks to be left alone."
"What about her dad?" I questioned.
"Died a year ago."
"I'm sorry," I said quickly said.
"You wouldn't be if you'd known him."
"Well let's go and say hi!" Rose exclaimed.
"I should check on her first..." Trish was hesitant, already backing for the staircase behind her, "She might be asleep."
"Why are you afraid of her?" the Doctor asked.
"I want you to know before you see her that she's really a great kid. Really, she is."
"I'm sure she is."
"She's never been in trouble at school and you should see her report from last year. All A's and B's."
"Can I use your loo?" Rose stood up. Trish nodded and Rose went off, giving us a slight nod as she walked for the stairs.
"She's in the choir!" Trish continued. "And she's singing in an old folks home. I just want you to know all these things because right now, she's not herself."
I heard some noises in the kitchen which drew me to go. I poked my head inside and saw a little girl by the fridge, which I assumed to be Chloe, "Hello," I waved. She turned around and drank from her glass. "I'm Joy Souza."
"I'm Chloe Webber."
"How are you doing?" I took a step forwards.
"I'm busy. I'm making something."
"I heard you draw some really neat things," I continued, hoping to make small talk, "You know, I draw too. I'd love to see your work...maybe even share ideas?"
"Joy?" the Doctor walked in with Trish.
"Just making a friend," I pointed to Chloe.
"Oh, hello there," he turned to her, "I'm the Doctor."
"Chloe Webber. I'm making something so I must go."
"Wait!" I exclaimed, "If you're drawing something, you wanna show us? We could give you pointers or something...?"
"They don't stop moaning," She suddenly said, looking straight ahead.
"Chloe..." Trish called.
"I try to help them but they don't stop moaning."
"Who don't?" the Doctor asked.
"We can be together," Chloe whispered.
"Sweetheart," Trish walked to her.
"Don't touch me Mum," Chloe snapped, making Trish freeze in her spot, "I'm busy," she spat then walked out.
"But I really wanted to see your drawings!" I called, rushing after her. "C'mon, Chloe!
"Doctor!" I heard Rose call from upstairs.
"Uh oh," I glanced back, "Doctor, Rose needs your help and fast!"
Like light speed, the Doctor went up the stairs with I, Chloe and Trish behind. We entered Chloe's bedroom and saw Rose staring to the closet.
"I'm coming to hurt you!" a roaring voice from the closet yelled.
The Doctor quickly shut the closet doors and turned to us.
"What was that?" I pointed.
"A drawing," Rose answered, "The face of a man."
"What face?" Trish went to reopen the doors.
"No!" Rose quickly barricaded the doors with her body, "Best not."
"What have you been drawing?" Trish demanded from Chloe.
"I drew him yesterday," Chloe replied, not seeming to be bothered by any of this.
"Who?"
"Dad."
Trish frowned, "But he's gone now. With all the lovely things in the world, why him?"
"I dream about him, staring at me."
"I thought we were putting him behind us. What's the matter with you?"
"We need to stay together."
Trish sighed, "Yes we do."
"No. Not you. Us," Chloe corrected, "We need to stay together and then it'll be alright."
"Trish, the drawings," Rose gestured to the wall covered with them, "Have you seen what drawings she can do?"
"Who gave you permission to come into her room? Get out of my house," Trish ordered, seeming angry.
"Tell us about the drawings, Chloe," the Doctor turned to us.
"I don't wanna hear any more of this."
"But that drawing of her dad," Rose insisted, "I heard a voice. He spoke."
"He's dead!" Trish snapped, "And those are kids pictures. Now get out!"
"Chloe has power. And she's using it to take children away. She's snatching them."
"Get out."
"Have you seen those drawings move?"
"I haven't seen anything."
"Yes you have," the Doctor slowly walked up to us, "Out of the corner of your eye."
"No," Trish stared him dead in the eye.
"You've dismissed it, because what choice do you have when you see something you can't possible explain? And if anyone mentions it, you get angry so it's never spoken of, ever ag-"
"She's a child," Trish reasoned.
"And you're terrified of her. But there's no one to turn to because who's gonna believe the things you see out of the corner of your eye? No one. Except me."
"Stop it!" I exclaimed, causing them to look at me. I knew my eyes were watery but I shook my head, hoping to get rid of them quick. "I don't like arguments in front of a child, okay? So either quit this and let us help, or take this down stairs away from Chloe," everyone remained quiet. I looked around, taking in a deep breath. "Now get out."
"Excuse me?" Trish raised an eye brow.
I glanced at her, my watery eyes making her shift uncomfortably. "I'm just gonna talk with her."
She sighed and nodded. My two companions however, did not seem very pleased.
"Joy, I don't think you do this," the Doctor said as Trish was walking out of the room.
"You don't get it. Neither does Rose. Only I do," I said quietly, rubbing one of my eyes.
"What's there to get?"
"Just go downstairs. I know what I'm doing," I snapped and gestured for the door. Chloe looked at me as the three walked out of the room. When Rose closed the door behind them I let out a big sigh. "Chloe..."
She walked towards her bed and sat down, "You're alone."
"I get it. I really do," I walked up to her, reaching for her desk chair and bringing it in front of her, "I know what it's like being afraid of a parent," I smiled faintly, holding up two fingers, "Try two," she stared at me with no response, "Mine never hit me though, I don't know about you..."
"I'm alone," She said, "But we can be together."
"Like...you don't have any friends?" I tried, "Because, I know how that I feels too. I don't really have much friends either...and the ones that I have right now, they don't even know my name," I sighed, "I had one best friend though, and he knew so me well, but..." I looked away, "He's gone now...so I feel alone again. Is that how you feel? Plain alone?"
"You are alone," she said, coldly, "Your people are gone."
'Yeah..." I faintly smiled, "...I have a lost some."
"We can be together."
"Yes, we can. Everyone can be," I agreed, "But, you have to tell me what's going on. I may not be much of a help but...one of the people I'm with...he can help you."
She pulled her legs up and crossed them. I believed that would be all I'd get out from her. Although I don't think I got much to start with. The door opened and I glanced to see the three coming back in.
"What did you do?" Trish quickly demanded.
"Nothing," I replied quietly, "Just talked."
"I think it's my turn," the Doctor walked to us.
I stood up and brought Chloe's desk chair back to her desk. I looked back and saw him placing his fingers on Chloe's temples. A few seconds later, she fell back on her bed with her eyes shut.
"I can't let him do this," Trish began walking to us.
I joined her and moved her back to where Rose was, "It's okay, just trust him."
"Now we can talk," the Doctor stood straight.
"I want Chloe. Wake her up. I want Chloe," Chloe was whispering but I didn't think it was her that was speaking.
"Who are you?" the Doctor asked.
"I want Chloe Webber!"
"What've you done?" Trish cried, frantically.
"What is it?" Rose asked.
"I'm speaking to you," the Doctor continued, walking around the bed, "The entity that is using this human child. I request parlez in compliance with the Shadow Proclamation."
"I don't care about shadows or parlez," snapped 'Chloe.'
"So what do you care about?" the Doctor asked.
"I want my friends."
"You're lonely, I know. Identify yourself."
"I am one of many. I travel with my brothers and sister. We take an endless journey. A thousand of your lifetimes. But now I am alone and I hate it. It's not fair and I hate it!"
"Name yourself!" the Doctor ordered.
"Isolus."
"Oh..." the Doctor breathed, "You're Isolus. Of course."
"Our journey began in the Deep Realms when we were a family," 'Chloe' began drawing on a paper beside her but not needing to open her eyes for it obviously.
"What's that?" I asked.
"The Isolus Mother, drifting in deep space. You see, she jettisons millions of fledgling spores; her children. The Isolus are empathic beings of intense emotion, but when they're cast off from their mother, their empathic link, their need for each other, is what sustains. They need to be together. They can't be alone." the Doctor looked to the drawing.
"Our journey is long," 'Chloe' continued.
"The Isolus children travel inside pods individually. They rid the heat and energy of solar tides. It takes thousands and thousands of years for them to grow up."
"Thousands of years just floating through space?" I raised an eye brow, "Don't they get bored?"
"We play," 'Chloe' answered my question.
"You just...play?"
"While they travel, they play games. They use their ionic power to literally create make-believe worlds in which to play."
"In flight entertainment," Rose remarked.
"Helps keep them happy. While they're happy, they can feed off each others love. Without it, they're lost."
"So they need love to survive," I smiled.
"One more thing we have in common," 'Chloe' spoke.
My smile faded, "Okay..."
"Why did you come to earth?" the Doctor inquired.
"We were too close," 'Chloe' began drawing on a new paper.
"That's a solar flare from your sun. Would've made a tidal wave of solar energy that scattered the Isolus pods," the Doctor studied the drawing.
"Only I fell to Earth. My brothers and sisters are left up there and I cannot reach them. So alone."
"Your pod crashed...where is it?" the Doctor asked.
"My pod was drawn to heat..." 'Chloe' answered, "And I was drawn to Chloe Webber. She was like me. Alone. She needed me and I her."
The Doctor stroked Chloe's head, "You empathized with her. You wanted to be with her because she was alone like you."
"I want my family. It's not fair."
"I understand," the Doctor nodded, "You wanna make a family but you can't stay in this child. It's wrong. You can't steal anymore friends for yourself."
"I am alone."
A sound from the wardrobe made us turn around, "I'm coming to hurt you," that same voice roared, "I'm coming."
"Trish, how do you calm her?" the Doctor asked rapidly as Chloe began jerking about. "When she has nightmares, what do you do?"
"I...I..." Trish hurried to her daughter, "I sing to her!"
"Then start singing!"
"Chloe...I'm coming," Chloe's dad warned, "Chloe...Chloe..."
Trish began singing to Chloe but the banging on the closet wouldn't stop. Slowly, it began to dissolve. Trish became in tears as she hugged her daughter. "He came to her because she was lonely..."
When everything became calm we left Chloe in her room, fast asleep. We walked downstairs to the living room where Trish began picking up every pencil lying about.
"I thought it was over..." She said, picking up a few pencils from the floor, "When Chloe's dad crashed the car, I thought we were free."
"Did you talk to her about it?" I asked.
"I didn't want to," Trish looked down.
"Trish, that's why Chloe feels so alone," I said, walking to where she stood, "If there's no one to speak to...you feel alone," I looked down, "No one to hear what you feel..."
"Her and the Isolus...two lonely kids who need each other. It's so desperate to be loved. It's used to a pretty big family," the Doctor said.
"So it's gonna keep pulling kids in," Rose shook her head.
I felt sad for the little creature. Maybe in a way, we were the same. But just like I got my help, so would it.
"We need to find that pod," I announced.
"But it crashed," Rose said, "Isn't it destroyed?"
"It's been sucking in all the heat it can," the Doctor reminded, "Hopefully that should keep it in a fit state to launch."
"Then let's go!" I exclaimed, rushing for the doors.
"It must be close. It should have a weak energy signature that the TARDIS can trace. Once we find it, we can stop the Isolus," the Doctor looked around the streets, "Let's get to work!" he rushed off.
"C'mon, Rose!" I pulled her away as she had gotten distracted with something.
We caught up with the Doctor and entered the TARDIS. As he worked, Rose and I fiddled around the console, not really having any other purpose for the moment. But, while she stood across from me around the console, I kept trying to think of a reason as to why she was suddenly so different around me. But I couldn't think of anything! I don't consider myself a white dove but I hadn't been rude or anything...
"You know, Joy, I'm impressed you knew the Isolus was lonely before it even said anything," the Doctor said as he worked, bringing me out of my thoughts, "Almost like you knew what it felt."
"Funny..." I said quietly, ignoring his eyes that were on me and silently questioning the reason.
"I knew it was lonely too. But, that's normal. I know what it's like to travel a long way on your own. But...you?"
"Well...that's...that's just coincidence."
"Is it?" he eyed me as he walked to the chair beside the console. Rose joined him and helped him with whatever he was building in his hands.
"Yes..."
"You know what I find very interesting?"
"What?"
"The way you ordered us out of Chloe's room like you owned the place. Impressed, don't get me wrong. But the way you looked at us...like we were doing something ungodly."
'I just don't like arguments in front of children."
""Did you have that around as a kid?" He asked.
"...no," I said quietly, "I've seen it but...no."
He didn't believe me, that was obvious but he let the subject go, "Well, hopefully with this thing, we can get the Isolus back home."
"If you ask me it sounds more like a tantrum," Rose shook her head.
"You were a kid, Rose." I reminded, faintly smiling.
"Yes! And I know what kids can be like. Right little...terrors."
The Doctor stood up and walked to the console, "Gum, please," he held out his hand to Rose.
She spit her gum into his hand which he then used on the device. "I've got cousins, and they can't have their on way. That's being part of a family."
"What about trying to understand them?" the Doctor asked, sticking the gum into the device.
"Easy for you to say," Rose walked to the chair, "You don't have kids."
"I was a dad once," he replied absently.
Rose dropped to the seat, eyes wide. "What did you say?"
I admit, I had to stop and process that one too. Of course, it didn't bother me as much as it did to Rose. I moved beside him and peered down at the device.
"I think we're here!" the Doctor exclaimed, "Now then, this Isolus doesn't want to conquer or destroy the world."
"It's just lonely and wants to get back home," I smiled.
"There's a lot of things you need to get across this universe," He continued, "Warp drive...wormhole refactors..."
I looked around and realized the idiot had missed a blinking, flashing screen. I pointed to it but he kept rambling on.
"You know the thing you need most of all? You need a hand to hold," he glanced over and saw my hand which he took into his with a big smile.
I giggled and pointed to the screen, "No, I meant look over there, you idiot."
"Oh..." He looked down to the screen, "It's the pod!"
"Is it in the street?"
"Yes!" he grabbed the device and ran to the doors.
I looked back at Rose, going to tell her we should follow but instead found her directly glaring at me. She stood up and marched up to me, thinking she'd probably do something but then pushed past me towards the doors. I turned around and watched her leave. I sighed and threw my head back, looking up to the ceiling, "You're alive," I gestured to the TARDIS, 'Can you tell me what I did?" There was a faint wheezing sound, causing me to chuckle, "Now if only I could understand you," I headed for the doors.
"So it's about two inches across. Dull grey, like a gulls egg. Very light," the Doctor was explaining when I had caught up.
"So the pods travel from sun to sun using heat?" I questioned, moving ahead of him. "And that's why it was attracted to a heated part around here?"
"Wouldn't that mean the pod needed just heat then?" Rose added, closely following me for some reason.
There was a crash behind and when we turned we saw the Doctor's device broken into pieces on the ground. What's worse, the Doctor had vanished!
"Doctor?" Rose called.
"Rose," I tugged on her arm, my finger pointing to the now-vanished TARDIS ahead.
"Oh no..." she whispered, "Brat tantrum," she muttered then dashed to the Webber's home.
We pounded on the door like our lives depended on it. Trish opened but didn't get a word out before Rose pushed past her to the stairs.
"It's okay! I've taken all the pencils off her!" Trish called after her.
"I don't think you did," I said, following Rose.
Rose burst into Chloe's room and ran to her desk, snatching Chloe's newest drawing.
"Leave me alone!" the Isolus now demanded, "I want to be with Chloe Webber! I love Chloe Webber!"
"You have to bring him back!" I exclaimed.
"No."
Rose let the paper go and grabbed Chloe's shoulders, "Don't you realize what you've done!?" She yelled, "He was the only one who could help you, now bring him back!"
"I love Chloe Webber."
"I know," Rose sighed, "I know..." She looked down to the paper and picked it up, "Doctor, if you can hear me, I'm gonna get you out of there. I'll find the pod," she looked up at us, "Don't leave her alone. I'm gonna go find the pod." she rushed out.
I sighed, looking at Chloe, "He was gonna help you."
"I could draw your people. Make you be together again."
"Can you just stop?" My voice broke, "No matter what you say or do will bring back my best friend or my family. Everyone's mad at me and I don't want to see them. So please, have pity on me and just stop," I walked out as well, close to tears again.
I sniffled quietly, wanting so bad to be alone myself. But I had to go and help Rose. I walked out and saw her speaking to one of the road workers. She was picking at the newly fixed pavement so I knew she was finding the pod.
"I found it!" She exclaimed, looking up, "Joy I found it!" I smiled as she rushed back, "Look," she held up her hands.
"That's great! C'mon!" I pulled her back inside.
"Trish! We've found it!" Rose exclaimed, "I don't know what to do with it but maybe the Isolus will just hop on board." Trish sat on the couch. "Hang on, I said not to leave her alone!" Rose's eyes widened.
My God. Em...what's going on here?
The TV suddenly became audible to our ears.
The worker Rose had taken the axe from came marching into the house. "I don't care if you've got Snow White and the Seven Dwarves buried under there, you don't go digging up-"
"Shut up Kel, and look!" Rose yelled and pointed at the TV.
The crowd has vanish! They're gone...everyone. Thousands of people have just gone. Uh...right in front of my eyes. But this is impossible!
"That stadium won't be enough," I shook my head, "The Isolus has four billion brothers and sisters. We're in trouble."
"Chloe!" Rose yelled, running for the stairs, "Chloe!"
We rushed up and found the door unable to open. "Chloe open up!" I pounded on the door. "We have your ship! We can send you home!"
"Chloe!?" Trish joined in.
"Back up you two," Rose instructed then with her axe, crashed down the door. She stuck her hand in the hole of the door and opened it for us.
As soon as we got inside, Chloe's 'Dad' was yelling from the closet. Chloe was busy drawing what looked like the planet on her wall!
"We've gotta stop her!" I pointed.
"If you stop Chloe Webber I will let him out," the Isolus warned as the closet doors rattled, "I cannot be alone. It's not fair."
"Look!" Rose held out her hands with the pod, "I've got your pod!"
"The pod is dead."
"It only needs heat!"
"It needs more than heat."
"It needs love," I whispered, "Doesn't it?"
Because when someone is or feels alone...all you need is love to remind you that you are never alone. Platonic or not, you need it.
"I don't..." Rose looked around, desperately, "I don't know..."
"But I do," I snatched the pod from her hands, "Because I understand," I looked at everyone for a moment. "And while I'm gone, you might want to check the drawings."
"Why?" Rose asked.
"Because I think they just moved," I nodded then rushed out. I looked around the street and saw a crowd at the end. "The torch was the symbol of hope, fortitude, courage...and love," I recited Sarah Jane's story, recalling the short story she had given to me as an example before taking the school's assignment, 'And that's exactly what I'm looking for." I smiled, dashing towards the crowd. I pushed myself towards the front of the crowd but was stopped by a policeman. "I've gotta get closer!"
"No way," he shook his head.
I groaned, "Moron!" He gave me a dirty look but I didn't care. The pod chirped in my hands and so I backed out from the crowd and turned my back on them. "You felt it, didn't you?" I asked it, bringing it closer to my mouth. "I understand you. Believe me. And here's my help: Feel the love," I whispered then threw the pod into the air. When I saw it rush to the torch, I jumped up and down in excitement. "Yes!"
One by one I saw all the children that had gone missing materialize on the street.
"Now then, where would that alien be?" I looked around, remembering where he had disappeared but not finding him. "But everything came back to life...all the drawings..." I started blinking rapidly with realization, "Hold up..." I turned around, "Everything came to life. Oh my god..." I ran back to the Webber's home as the thought of the closet returned to my head. I arrived but found the door shut. "Rose! Trish! Chloe!" I pounded on the door.
"The door is stuck!" Rose shouted, pounding on the door. "Where's the Doctor?"
"Uh..." I looked around, "He's not here..."
"WHAT?"
"Not important right now, sorry," I looked for another way in. I could hear Chloe's dad advancing to them.
"Help us!" Trish yelled, "Please!"
"It's not real!" I yelled, "Rose, tell them it's not real! It's just because they're so afraid of him! Rose!"
And she did. I could hear but I could also hear Chloe's Dad and he sounded much closer. Suddenly, I heard singing...? They were singing!
"Keep singing!" I yelled.
Boy I could really use Rose's axe right now.
When everything died down, the door finally opened and out came Rose.
"Are you okay?" I asked but her only answer was a silent nod.
She walked past me and into the streets, to which I assume she would be looking for the Doctor in. While we didn't work together, we had both went looking for the Doctor only to come up with nothing. We returned to the Webber's in defeat, hoping he'd be there instead.
"Nothing?" Trish asked when we returned.
I shook my head and took a seat on the couch, "Kinda hoping he'd turn up here..."
She smiled and turned the television on where the Olympics were being broadcasting again. Everyone had returned to the stadium and it was as if nothing had happened.
"Eighty thousand people, so where's the Doctor?" Rose whispered, "I need him."
I looked at her and saw she was almost going to cry, only adding to the tension we felt.
"Chloe?" I sighed, turning to her, "You think I can borrow a pen and a paper? I have to do some school work," she stood up and went for the things.
The torch bearer seems to be in a bit of trouble. We did see a flash of lightening earlier which seemed to strike him...um, maybe he's injured...he's definitely in trouble.
Definitely. He just collapsed.
Chloe returned with a pen and a journal. I smiled, taking it into my hands, "Thank you," I looked back to the TV as I placed the journal on my lap, "Guess I better get started."
Does this mean that Olympic Dream is dead?
"Joy, look," Chloe pointed. I looked up and saw the Doctor on the TV screen running with the torch in hand,"It's him!"
There's a mystery man, he's picked up the flame...we've no idea who he is...he's carrying the flame, yes! He's carrying the flame and no one wants to stop him!"
It's more than a flame now, Bob. It's more than heat and light.
"It's hope, courage and love," I smiled and looked down, beginning to write.
~0~
It was night by the time I had finished the article. The people were out in the streets, celebrating, including Rose who had been dragged out by Trish and Chloe. Once I had properly finished, I left the Webber's house and hurried into the streets to go find the TARDIS and type it up. Of course, at the whiff of a dessert, I had to stop and find its source. I found a table and saw it was filled with small cupcakes.
"Oh..." I said, taking a deep inhalation of their scents.
"You can have one," a woman said, coming up behind the table.
"Don't mind if I do," I grinned and took one of them off the table. I turned and began walking again, getting ready to take a big bite out of my dessert when I saw the Doctor across the street. "Hey!" I called, making him turn around. "You are in so much trouble you ridiculous alien!"
"Annoying, clever girl," he strolled right up.
I mock-glared for a minute before holding out my cupcake, "I might be those things but I listen to you."
Hopefully he'd start doing it as well...
He became ecstatic with it and took it right off my hand, "Top banana!"
I nodded, "Yup!" He took a big bite out of it, causing me to chuckle, "Do you like it?"
"Mm. I can't stress this enough. Ball bearings you can eat - masterpiece!" He exclaimed.
"Ridiculous, banana-loving alien."
"You have got to stop that," he mock glared and took another bite.
"Stop what?" I asked innocently.
"That," he pointed.
"I have done nothing except bring you your cupcake, so quiet." I said, pointing right back.
"What's that?" He looked down to my paper I held.
"It's my article," I waved the paper, "See?"
He took it from me and read it, "This is brilliant!"
I chuckled, "You think so? I wrote it in the heap of the moment!"
"You're an excellent writer, Joy!"
"Thanks, I dabble, I dabble."
"Do you also dabble in saving the world?"
"What?" I raised an eye brow.
"I know what you did. Once again, I owe you a thanks," he smiled.
"Thank you for bringing me here. Believe it or not, it actually did help me," I said quietly, "I hope Mickey lives a good life."
He nodded, "And he hopes the same for you," I swallowed, my eyes slightly becoming teary, "Oh, none of that," he pulled me for a hug which I immediately retreated to.
It reminded me of our last hug before he had taken Mickey along. He never did ask me what made me cry. But for that one split moment, I didn't think he was doing it to ignore me...he did it to avoid more pain. For once, he thought of me and did something to help. It wasn't the kind of help where he saves my life, but one that a friend would do...
"I'm gonna miss him," I sniffled and pulled back, "But I know he's going to be so happy and that makes me happy." I saw Rose coming up from across the street and looking directly at us. Wanting no problems, I backed away from him.
"What are you doing?" He frowned.
"Um...Rose," I pointed past him, "She's been kinda worried."
"Oh..." He glanced over his shoulder and she immediately smiled.
"I'm gonna go back to the TARDIS," I announced, "Have fun."
"Oh, Joy, wait," he grabbed my arm and pulled me back, "It's a night for celebration."
I looked at him then at Rose who's smile was faltering. Finally donning on me, I smiled, "I think I'll be better in the TARDIS," he didn't seem convinced as I released myself from his grasp, "I'll just wait over there," I turned around and walked towards the direction Rose was coming from, ignoring her glares, "Oh, Joy, you're such an idiot," I said to myself as I walked farther away.
She was jealous.
~0~
I was just about to open the TARDIS doors when Chloe came around and leaned against it with a smile, "Hey!"
I smiled and desisted from the doors, "Hello, feeling better now?"
She nodded, "I remember what you said back there...in my room."
"I said a lot of things, Chloe. Gonna have to be more specific."
"You said you were alone...like me."
It took a lot in me not to stop smiling for her sake, "But you're not. You're gonna make friends and be the great little girl you are!"
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"You said you didn't have friends."
"Well, I have two," I corrected, but then I remembered Rose and thought I should reconsider the amount now.
"But they don't know you."
I sighed, "Maybe one day they will..."
"What's your name?"
"Joy."
"No, I want to be your friend. What's your name?" She grabbed my hand and looked up at me.
I smiled softly, touched by her gesture, "...Minerva."
She smiled back and gave my hand a small squeeze, "Thank you, Minerva."
Author's Note:
So I wasn't going to update until Friday or so but then my classes were cancelled and I got stuck at school and I figured...what the hey? Let's update!
Quick note, also to avoid any confusion, as we know for good now, Joy is actually called 'Minerva'. Why she's switched names, we won't know for a couple chapters more. But yeah, just wanted to avoid any confusion! Also, the nickname 'Minnie' will be explained as well, if you haven't figured that one out :)
Like I said last chapter, the next chapter will also be switched. It's actually one of my favorites because of the ending *smirks because you don't know the reason why* ha!
*avoids pointed glare desperately*
Thank you & comments are always appreciated :)