Ruri Rogers: In Time

by Oswildin

Ruri Rogers wakes up in an abandoned library, coming face to face with danger and a man that it seems to follow. He knows her, but she doesn’t know him. Not yet, at least. Follow Ruri on her adventure through time and space, and why she finds herself being pulled from one time to another. And it all seems to revolve around The Doctor. (Inspired by ‘Jumping Through Time)

1. Nothing Ever Happens On Sundays

'Sundays.

Oh my love/hate relationship with Sundays.

Nothing ever happens on Sundays. But this Sunday was different. There was a chill in the air, the kind that makes your hairs stand on end. You know the feeling. That tingly, uneasy, weird feeling.

Sunday, 25th November, 2018…

That was the day my life changed forever.'

Sighing to herself, Ruri Rogers sat herself down on the old, slightly damp bench. She did this every Sunday. The same bench, in the same spot, in the same place…

"Hi Mum."

Ruri spoke aloud, peering at the gravestone that stood in the ground before her. A sad smile graced her lips as she felt the breeze brush her hair from her face.

"God this week has been so slow." Ruri groaned as she slightly threw her head back. "Work has been a nightmare. Tyler keeps changing the schedule, Meredith keeps refusing to work certain days, meaning I have to pick up the slack… Oh and you know I told you about that bloke? Frankie? Yeah he's been bugging me all week for a date." She ranted, being left in silence as she took a breath. "And I know what you're thinking, 'give it a go, you never know'." She laughed lightly, fiddling with her jackets zip as she looked down. "But I can't. I've got plans." She nodded to herself. "Only a few more months, then I'm off. I'm going to see the world." She declared, staring back at her mothers headstone. "I know I keep saying that, but I mean it this time. I'm going to do it."

Ruri licked her lips, before pursing them, allowing the silence to take over once more. She turned, grabbing her bag she'd brought with her as she reached inside to pull out a single flower. A white rose.

"Look." She held the flower up as she twirled it slightly, inspecting it herself. "The rose bush you planted is still going." She smiled. "And I know you'd probably kill me every time I cut one of these for you, but still." She slowly got up from the bench, taking a few steps before placing the white rose carefully in front of the headstone. "Dad hasn't called for a while." She suddenly blurted out. "But, you know how he is." She shrugged. "Busy, busy, busy." She sniffed before pushing herself back onto her feet. "Besides, I've been pretty busy my-" As she stood up, she jumped as she was suddenly face to face with a statue. "-self." She finished, furrowing her brows as she inspected it. "Where did you come from…" She muttered, taking a small step back.

Ruri turned her head to the left, looking round to see if anyone else was about, finding no one. Frowning, she turned her head back, jumping as she saw the statue had in fact moved closer, now standing in front of her mothers headstone.

"What the-" She gasped, stepping back once again. "Okay… Whoever is doing this…" She spoke louder. "This isn't funny. And quite frankly it's a little weird. And creepy." She half expected someone to pop out and say 'got you', but it never happened. She finally took in the statues appearance, seeing it covering its face with both hands, as it appeared to have wings. An Angel? "An Angel, showing up in a graveyard… A little cliche don't you think?" She called out, turning her head once again to look around, again seeing no one. Biting her lip, she turned back, gasping as the Angel moved once again, but this time it was a mere few centimetres away from her, it's hands away from its face as she looked in horror at its bares teeth. Its face had turned into more of a gargoyle appearance. Just as she went to step back, she blinked, which she didn't realise was a big mistake…

"So, We weren't just in the neighbourhood."

Dona raised a brow, looking at the Doctor as they began to walk down the dimly lit corridor.

"Yeah, I kind of, sort of lied a bit." The Doctor scrunched his face for a moment. "Got a message on the psychic paper." He reached into his pocket to reveal the said object, as he opened it, showing his companion as she read;

'The Library - come as soon as you can x.'

"What do you think? Cry for help?" He asked as she looked at him skeptically, a small smirk playing on her lips.

"Cry for help with a kiss?" She tilted her head slightly as he shrugged, placing the psychic paper back into his jacket pocket.

"Oh, we've all done that." He shrugged it off.

"Who's it from?" Donna furrowed her brows.

"No idea."

"So why did we come here? Why did you-" However, he quickly cut her off as he began to frown, noticing something wrong.

"Donna." He stopped her, as he turned slowly, beginning to see the lights behind them going out, one by one.

"What's happening?" She watched with him, before peering over at him.

"Run!" He exclaimed suddenly, taking off the opposite direction from the dark, as they approached a door.

Groaning, Ruri began to stir. Her back felt stiff as she tried to move, her eyes beginning to flutter open. Instead of the sky, she was faced with… a ceiling? Frowning, she pushed her body to sit up, looking round to see a load of books surrounding her. Wasn't she… Where was she? Slowly standing up, she dusted herself off, looking down to see she was still in the same clothes she was in before.

'Am I dreaming?' She wondered, taking a few steps forwards, coming out of the darker area of the room as she looked up to see a grand skylight above her. She looked at the room in awe. But her curiosity was quickly broken, as she heard a commotion from the other side of the door of the room. She could hear two voices, sounding anxious and rushed. Noticing she was alone, she realised perhaps she shouldn't actually be there, deciding it was best to hide. She quickly ducked behind a desk, as she peered over it slightly, just to see what was going on. Suddenly, the door flew open, revealing the two people she had heard. They looked panicked, as they quickly shut the door behind them.

"Nice door skills, Donna." The man complimented the woman, Donna, as he peered around the room.

"Yeah, well, you know, boyfriends." Donna shrugged. "Sometimes you need the element of surprise." She half joked as Ruri found herself watching the pair intently.

"What was that? What was after us? I mean, did we just run away from a power cut?" She asked, a little out of breath as the man narrowed his eyes.

"Possibly." He began to look around the room, as something caught his eye. He began to wonder closer to where Ruri was hiding as she ducked back down, praying he hadn't seen her.

"Are we safe here?" Donna asked.

"Of course we're safe. There's a little shop." The man answered, making Ruri frown at his logic. He eventually stopped walking, his footsteps coming to a halt as he bent down, picking up what appeared to be a metal globe. "I think this is a security camera…" He said to himself, picking up the globe as he began to mess around with it. "Gotcha!" Donna quickly came to his side, looking down at the machine as the words 'no, stop it' scrolled across its screen. "Ooo, I'm sorry. I really am. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." The man apologised. "It's alive."

"You said it was a security camera."

"It is. It's an alive one."

The words changed on the screen.

'There's someone else.'

"What does it mean?" Donna asked. "Someone else?"

"I think it means… we're not alone." The man said lowly, as he frowned, his eyes scanning the room. Ruri's eyes widened as she realised the camera had obviously seen her in the room at some point. She had two options, stay hidden & try not to be seen, or come out and see if they could help her. "Whoever is in here, we can help. I'm the Doctor, this is Donna."

"Hello." Donna greeted, as Ruri bit her lip. "We aren't going to hurt you." The woman reassured, as Ruri sighed, before slowly standing up from behind the desk and moving, anxiously looking at the two strangers before her.

"I'm sorry." She said quietly. "I didn't mean to be rude or break in or whatever-" She began, but was quickly cut off by the pair beginning to grin at her.

"Ruri!" The man exclaimed, moving quickly a few steps forwards as he didn't hesitate to embrace the woman. Ruri was taken back, unsure on what to do. She'd never seen this man before in her life. He grinned into the hug as he began to pull away. "Good to see you!" He greeted her. "You remember Donna right?" He asked as Ruri furrowed his brows, confused for a moment before the camera made a noise, drawing the man's attention.

'The library is breached. The others are coming.'

"Others?" Donna questioned. "What's it mean, others?"

"Well… It means what it says." The Doctor commented. "Looks like we aren't the only visitors to the library."

"Is the camera the one that sent the message?" Donna asked, Ruri watching the pair from the sidelines, silent.

"Na!" The Doctor shook his head. "It's still just a security system. Ruri, you didn't send me a message did you?" He turned to her as she looked at him confused, shaking her head.

"No, wasn't me. Don't even know where I am for starters." She replied as he frowned.

"So if it wasn't Ruri, or the camera, who sent it?" Donna asked.

"I have a feeling we are going to find out very soon." The Doctor said, before his head snapped to Ruri as she went to step back, but he quickly grabbed her, pulling her forwards as she gasped at the sudden action.

"Hey!" Ruri exclaimed as The Doctor looked at her darkly.

"The shadow." He stated. "Look." Ruri frowned, turning to see the shadow behind her as she shrugged.

"It's a shadow." She muttered as he shook his head.

"Count the shadows." He told her, causing her to frown even more.

"One?" She shook her head. "One shadow."

"Yeah…" He nodded. "But what's casting it?" He asked lowly, before suddenly letting her go as he yelled in realisation. "Oh, I'm thick!" He exclaimed. "Look at me, I'm old and thick. Head's too full of stuff. I need a bigger head." He sighed, as Ruri watched him in shock, getting distracted by a nearby light going out.

"The power must be going." Donna told them.

"This place runs on fission cells. They'll outburn the sun." The Doctor explained, shaking his head.

"Then why is it dark?"

"It's not dark."

"Then what is it?" Ruri asked, her voice quiet, the situation starting to put her on edge.

"That shadow. It's gone." Donna commented, her own voice quiet.

"We need to get back to the Tardis." The Doctor stated, beginning to walk back towards the doors.

"Why?"

"Because that shadow hasn't gone. It's moved."

"But shadows don't move!" Ruri exclaimed. "Not like that. Not unless the light source moves." She furrowed her brows, taking a step towards Donna.

"Exactly." The Doctor turned back to her. "The shadow isn't a shadow."

Before Ruri could ask what on earth he was on about, the door suddenly flew open, with a bright light pouring in causing the three to squint, their eyes trying to adjust to the new light. Six figures appeared, stepping into the room. Ruri stayed close to Donna, feeling safer with her as the figures became clearer, all appearing to be wearing some sort of spacesuits. What the hell was going on?

One of the figures, eventually reached up to remove their helmet, revealing a woman who was smiling at The Doctor.

"Hello, Sweetie."

"Get out." The Doctor looked at her darkly, before walking away from her. "All of you. Turn around, get back in your rocket and fly away. Tell your grandchildren you came to The Library and lived. They won't believe you." He spoke, with the woman seemingly ignoring him. The others eventually began to remove their own helmets.

"Who is this? You said we were the only expedition. I paid for exclusives." A man said, as the woman smirked.

"I lied, I'm always lying. Bound to be others." She raised a brow.

"Please, just leave. I'm asking you seriously and properly, just leave." The Doctor begged, before furrowing his brows, turning to the man. "Hang on. Did you say expedition?"

"My expedition. I funded it." He replied.

"Oh, you're not, are you? Tell me you're not archaeologists." The Doctor groaned.

"Got a problem with archaeologists?" The woman questioned playfully.

"I'm a time traveller. I point and laugh at archaeologists."

'Time-traveller?' Ruri thought, blinking as she shook her head.

"Ah. Professor River Song, archaeologist."

"River Song, lovely name. As you're leaving, and you're leaving now, you need to set up a quarantine beacon. Code wall the planet, the whole planet. Nobody comes here, not ever again. Not one living thing, not here, not ever." The Doctor ranted, with Ruri finally taking a step forwards, eyeing the stranger.

"Hold on, you said time traveller?" She questioned, raising a skeptical brow. He turned to her, looking confused.

"Well… yeah… That's what I am." He shrugged. "Technically so are you." He added as she laughed in disbelief.

"Okay, this is mental." She shook her head, earning a strange look from the man. "This is properly mental. So what, you're telling me you just travel in time? What are you going to tell me next?" She smiled. "That you're an alien?" She laughed again, causing the man to peer at his companion, as they shared a look.

"Ruri, where did you just come from?" The Doctor asked, his voice low as he took a few steps towards her.

"Now that it's clear, I'm dreaming, I'll entertain you." She quipped. "I was visiting my mum, when this statue appeared, and next thing I knew I woke up here. I've obviously just fallen asleep on the bench like a weirdo." She commented. "I hope no one robs me." She added, as The Doctor seemed to give her a sad look.

"Ruri, you're not dreaming." He told her seriously. "And I'm sorry. I'm really sorry." He said softly. "But this is real. And we are in danger." Ruri's smile fell as the man turned away from her, facing the others. "Stay out of the shadows. Not a foot, not a finger in the shadows till you're safely back in your ship. Goes for all of you. Stay in the light. Find a nice, bright spot and just stand. If you understand me, look very, very scared." He explained, as everyone gave him a blank stare. "No, bit more scared than that. Okay, do for now." He shrugged, before turning to one of the spacemen. "You. Who are you?"

Ruri zoned out, standing still as she processed his words. Real? This was real? But it couldn't be. Surely? Donna looked at the poor woman, seeing her internal conflict as she gave her a sympathetic smile.

"Hey." She said quietly, drawing Ruri's attention as she turned to see the ginger woman. "I know it's a lot to take in." She said gently. "But you're safe. With us. With The Doctor."

"How does he know my name?" Ruri asked, staring at the woman.

"It's complicated." Donna sighed. "But he knows you. Future you." She tried to explain. "It's sort of weird… but you travel with him."

"This doesn't make any sense." She said exasperated.

"It will." Donna gave her a smile. "I promise."

Ruri had been zoned out most of the time, trying to wrap her head around everything. Especially what Donna had told her.

'He knows you. Future you.'

How was that even possible?

She stood off to the sidelines, watching everyone in the room as they spoke and sealed the door. The Doctor seemingly commanded the room pretty quickly, and easily, which she noted. He was obviously a natural born leader, wasting no time. He held an aura of intelligence and wisdom, something she didn't quite get from the others. Sure, they were smart, but something about him was… Otherworldly.

"What's Vashta Nerada?" Donna asked, causing Ruri to peer over to her.

"It's what's in the dark. It's what's always in the dark. Lights!" The Doctor exclaimed. "That's what we need, lights. You got lights?" He asked the group.

"What for?" River questioned, reaching for her torch as he uttered another order.

"Form a circle. Safe area. Big as you can, lights pointing out." After River ordered her group to do as he said, they all quickly got into formation. "You too Ruri." His voice called to her as she reluctantly agreed, going to stand beside Donna. River quickly began listing off her own orders to her group. Ruri felt she held a similar authority like The Doctor, there was something different about her also. After she'd finished, she glanced at Ruri, giving her a knocking look, causing Ruri to furrow her brows. Did she know her too? Her eyes seemed to hold a sadness, but familiarity, like The Doctor had previously when he looked at her.

"Pretty boy, you're with me. Step into my office." River suddenly announced, going to walk to a nearby desk.

"Professor Song, why am I the only one wearing my helmet?" Her colleague, Lux, had asked.

"I don't fancy you." She quipped, causing Ruri to hide a slight smile in amusement. "Pretty boy. With me, I said." River called back again, as Donna gave The Doctor a look.

"Oh, I'm pretty boy?" The Doctor asked, pointing to himself, glancing at his companion.

"Yes." Donna nodded, before pulling a face. "Ooo, that came out a bit quick." She commented as he raised a brow.

"Pretty?" He seemed to glance at Ruri for a moment as she shrugged.

"Meh." Donna answered, also shrugging.

"Don't let your shadows cross. Seriously, don't even let them touch. Any of them could be infected." The man warned them all as he began to walk over to River.

"Excuse me, can I help?"

Ruri turned to see one of the women asking another group member, as the other gave her a brief smile, waving her off.

"No, we're fine." She told her.

"I could just you know, hold things." The woman, who was extremely pretty according to Ruri, tried again.

"No, really, we're okay." 'Other Dave' insisted, causing the poor woman to shrink, beginning to walk off. Ruri felt for the woman, she knew what it was like when co-workers acting like that. She quickly found herself, walking over to the woman, giving her a small smile.

"Hi." Ruri spoke, as the woman looked up at her. "I'm Ruri." She held out her hand for the girl, as she took her hand, shaking it.

"Evangelista." She told her, as Ruri let go of her hand.

"Pretty name." She smiled, causing the girl to blush a little. "Ignore them." She nodded to the group. "So… How comes you came to The Library?"

"Oh well," Evangelista began. "I always wanted to explore, travel… And there was a job opening with the exhibition crew, thought it was a good fit." She gave a small smile. "It was Professor Song that planned it all and got us here. My boss, Lux, he owns this place." She explained as Ruri nodded. "What about you?"

"Oh…" Ruri raised her brows. "Um… I just kind of…" She paused, but saw the expected look on the girls face as she shrugged. "Passing through, I suppose." She landed on.

"Are you with The Doctor?" She asked, causing Ruri to glance over at the man.

"I guess." She muttered. "I mean, it's weird. I don't really know what happened…" She paused, licking her lips before turning back to the girl. "One minute I was visiting my mum, the next I was here."

"Like a teleport?" The girl asked as Ruri pulled an unsure face.

"Maybe."

"They all think I'm stupid." Evangelista said sadly, looking down as Ruri frowned at her words.

"Well I don't." Ruri told her softly. "I think you're lovely. And don't let them define you. I've had run ins with people like that, and you can't let them get to you, okay?" The girl gave her a small smile, nodding slightly as Ruri gave her a smile on return.

"Thanks." River spoke to The Doctor as he furrowed his brows.

"For what?"

"The usual. For coming when I call." She glanced at him, a knowing smile on her face.

"Oh, that was you?" He looked surprised.

"You're doing a very good job, acting like you don't know me. I'm assuming there's a reason." She commented as he nodded slightly.

"A fairly good one, actually."

"Okay, shall we do diaries, then?" She asked, pulling out a blue notebook, starting to open the pages. "Where are we this time? Er, going by your face, I'd say it's early days for you, yeah? So, er, crash of the Byzantium. Have we done that yet?" She glanced at him, seeing his blank stare. "Obviously ringing no bells. Right. Oh, picnic at Asgard. Have we done Asgard yet? Obviously not." She laughed slightly. "Blimey, very early days, then. Whoo, life with a time traveller. Never knew it could be such hard work." She finally looked at him properly, as he stared at her, a frown on his face. "Look at you. Oh, you're young." She sighed, shaking her head.

"I'm really not, you know." He commented.

"No, but you are. Your eyes. You're younger than I've ever seen you." She reached up, placing a hand on his cheek as he glanced at it, looking confused by the interaction.

"You've seen me before, then?" He asked, glancing back at her.

"Doctor, please tell me you know who I am." She almost begged, removing her hand as he raised a brow.

"Who are you?" River looked sad, moving her eyes down as she closed her book, clearing her throat.

"All in good time." She spoke softly, causing The Doctor to purse his lips. "But, more importantly… Ruri." She said, causing the man to furrow his brows. "It's her first time, isn't it?" She looked back at him. "That's why I called you here." She said lowly. "Look at her." She nodded to the woman, who was stood talking to Evangelista. The Doctor followed her eyeline, also looking at the young woman. "This is where it begins for her. She's so young, so frightened." She explained, as The Doctor snapped her eyes back to her. "And she needs you."

"Who are you?" He asked, more force behind his question, but before she could answer, a ringing sound erupted.

"Sorry! That was me!" One of the Daves exclaimed.

"Is it some sort of alarm?" Ruri asked, frowning.

"It sounds like…" Donna trailed off.

"A phone. It's a phone." The Doctor commented, walking away from River as he headed back towards the group.

After a few minutes of The Doctor messing around with the security processor, he seemed to have got through to someone… Someone that sounded like a little girl. And she didn't quite seem to know what was going on. God this was a lot to be taking in, and Ruri still didn't believe it wasn't some sort of dream or delusion or something…

"Welcome to the world with The Doctor…"

Ruri turned to see River stood beside her, giving her a reassuring look.

"Full of wonder and danger all wrapped into one." She continued as Ruri gave her an unsure stare.

"Donna told me I know him in the future." Ruri stated, as River raised a brow. "And it seems like maybe you know me too." River gave her a slightly surprised look, before it was replaced with a knowing one.

"You always were so observant." She teased, smirking.

"Why am I here?" Ruri asked, her tone almost pleading. "If this is real, and I'm not dreaming or hallucinating, why am I here? Why me?" River sympathetically placed a gentle hand on the girls arm as she smiled sadly.

"Because, Ruri Rogers, you belong here." She told her confidently. "And you will get answers, I promise."

The Doctor glanced over at the two women, sending a curious stare Rivers way as he watched the two interact. River seemed to know Ruri, like she seemed to know him. But how? Obviously from the future, but what was she to them? He could see the confusion on Ruri's face, her mind obviously racing a hundred miles an hour as she tried to compute everything. He felt for her. He wanted to comfort her, and reassure her, but he didn't know how. Not with this version of her. She was so young, he was a stranger to her. And it hurt his hearts.

Suddenly, books started flying off the shelves causing everyone to become alert and move out of their path.

"What's that? I didn't do that. Did you do that?" The Doctor frowned, asking those around him as they shook their heads. As he messed around with the device, a notice came up saying 'Cal Access Denied'. "What's Cal?" He asked aloud.

"What is going on?!" Ruri exclaimed, anxiety in her tone as she kept avoiding the flying books, moving closer to the others.

"I don't know." Lux spoke, staring in confusion at the scene around them.

"How's it doing that?" She looked at The Doctor as he gave her a blank stare.

"I think it may be the little girl…" River answered, furrowing her brows.

"But who is the little girl? What's she got to do with this place? How does the data core work? What's the principle? What's Cal?" The Doctor kept listing off questions as River turned to Lux, giving him a stern stare. "Mister Lux. Right now, you're in more danger than you've ever been in your whole life." He pushed as the man sighed as he refused, rattling about protecting his family's pride.

"Whatever has happened here seems to be more pressing than your family's pride!" Ruri yelped, as the last book fell beside her.

"Ruri's right." The Doctor muttered, facing Lux. "Okay, okay, okay. Let's start at the beginning. What happened here? On the actual day, a hundred years ago, what physically happened?"

"There was a message from The Library. Just one. The lights are going out." River explained. "Then the computer sealed the planet, and there was nothing for a hundred years."

"It's taken three generations of my family just to decode the seals and get back in." Lux shrugged as Evangelista tried to get his attention. "Not just now." He snapped at her, causing Ruri to send her a sympathetic glance.

"There was one other thing in the last message." River announced.

"That's confidential." Lux frowned.

"I trust this man with my life, with everything." River told him, her look stern.

"You've only just met him." Lux scoffed, as The Doctor looked at the woman expectantly.

"No, he's only just met me." She told him. "Both of them. Him and Ruri." She paused, before pulling out a machine, walking to The Doctor to show him the screen. "This is a data extract that came with the message."

"Four thousand and twenty two saved. No survivors." The Doctor read out, furrowing his brows.

"Four thousand and twenty two. That's the exact number of people who were in The Library when the planet was sealed." River explained.

"But how can four thousand and twenty two people have been saved if there were no survivors?" Donna questioned, causing Ruri to nod in agreement.

"That's what we're here to find out." River answered.

"And so far, what we haven't found are any bodies." Lux added, causing Ruri to frown.

"But I don't understand…" She shook her head. "What was after them? Why did they need saving?"

"I told you… The shadows aren't shadows." The Doctor turned to her. "Vashta Nerada. So if the people were saved, where did they go?" He wondered, before taking a step closer to her, lowering his voice. "You alright?" Ruri looked up at him, shrugging as she let out a breath.

"I don't know." She muttered. "I feel like the answer should probably be no, considering I woke up in a silent library, where supposedly the shadows aren't shadows, and four thousand and twenty two people disappeared from." She ranted, as he gave her a small smile. "And to top it all off, I'm surrounded by strangers who three of supposedly know me, but I don't know them."

"I promise, I'll explain everything." He said sincerely, as she searched his eyes for deception, satisfied when she found none as she gave him a small nod.

"Better get out of here first though." She forced a smile, as he suddenly grinned at her. However, both of their smiles dropped the moment they heard a blood curdling scream from nearby. "What the hell was that?!" She exclaimed, before The Doctor quickly took off, torch in hand with Ruri close behind. The others soon followed.

"Everybody, careful. Stay in the light." The Doctor told them all as they began to walk into an empty room. "Who screamed?" He asked, looking round at everyone.

"Miss Evangelista." Dave answered as Ruri instantly felt sick. She prayed the poor girl was ok.

"Where is she?" She asked, her voice shaking slightly.

"Miss Evangelista, please state your current-" River began, but everyone heard her voice echoing from nearby. "Please state your current position." She repeated, as she turned, using her torch to light up in front of her. Ruri gasped, covering her mouth as she came face to face with what looked like a skeleton. "It's her. It's Miss Evangelista." River confirmed as Ruri shook her head.

"B-but how?" She asked, looking at The Doctor for answers. "She just screamed… We all heard her, how can that be her?"

"It happened in less than a second." The Doctor murmured.

"Hello?" Ruri jumped at the familiar voice of Evangelista.

"Er, I'm sorry, everyone. Er, this isn't going to be pleasant. She's ghosting." River explained, as Ruri and Donna gave her a confused stare.

"She's what?" Donna asked, but before River could answer Evangelista spoke once again.

"Hello? Excuse me. I'm sorry. Hello? Excuse me."

It was like she was on a loop, causing Ruri to feel tears beginning to prick at her eyes.

"That's- that's her, that's Miss Evangelista." Donna stuttered out, seemingly as upset as Ruri.

"I don't want to sound horrible, but couldn't we just, you know?" Dave asked, causing Ruri to send a slight glare at the man.

"This is her last moment. No, we can't. A little respect, thank you." River told him sternly.

"Sorry, where am I? Excuse me?"

"Why's she doing that? Can she hear us?" Ruri asked, her voice wavering as River turned to the poor girl, sending her a small smile.

"It's a data ghost. She'll be gone in a moment." She explained, as Ruri felt a tear fall. "Miss Evangelista, you're fine. Just relax. We'll be with you presently." Ruri swallowed the lump forming in her throat, before feeling a hand rest on her arm, causing her to turn to see The Doctor giving her a sad stare.

"What's a data ghost?" She asked him, a slight whisper.

"There's a neural relay in the communicator. Lets you send thought mail. That's it there." The Doctor nodded at the lights blinking on Evagelista's suit. "Those green lights. Sometimes it can hold an impression of a living consciousness for a short time after death. Like an afterimage." His lips went into a tight line as his gaze turned back to the now deceased woman.

"Does it hurt her?" Ruri asked, as he shook his head.

"She doesn't know what's going on, just brain waves. A footprint on the beach, and the tide's coming in."

"I can't see. I can't. Where am I?" Evangelista's voice echoed through the air. "Where's that woman? The nice woman. Is she there?" Ruri felt her breath hitch as The Doctor moved his gaze to her.

"What woman?" Lux questioned as Ruri let out a breath.

"I think she means you." Donna told Ruri, as she looked between River and The Doctor.

"Is she there? The nice woman."

"W-what do I do?" Ruri asked, her voice on the brink of cracking.

"Help her." The Doctor told her softly, as she shook her head.

"How? What can I do?" Ruri whimpered as he gave her arm a squeeze.

"Be kind."

"She's here." River said back into her own communicator, as she turned to Ruri. "Go ahead. She can hear you." She added a reassuring smile as Ruri licked her lips, stepping forwards, letting The Doctors hand fall back to his side.

"Evangelista?" Ruri called out.

"Hello, Is that the nice woman?"

"Y-yeah, I'm here. Are you okay?" She tried to keep her voice still.

"You said I had a pretty name." Ruri smiled for a moment, subconsciously nodding.

"The prettiest." She sniffled.

"What I said before, about being stupid, don't tell the others they'll only laugh." She said, as Ruri raised her brows, shaking her head.

"Never." She said, another tear falling.

"Don't tell the others, they'll only laugh." She repeated as Ruri frowned.

"I promise, I won't."

"Don't tell the others, they'll only laugh." Ruri looked up at River for help.

"She's looping now. The pattern's degrading." River informed the group, as Ruri took a step back, realising she couldn't do anymore.

"I can't think. I don't know, I, I, I, I scream. Ice cream. Ice cream. Ice cream. Ice cream."

"Does anybody mind if I?" River asked, receiving no objections as she turned off the lost girls communicator, leaving the room in silence.
"That was, that was horrible. That was the most horrible thing I've ever seen." Donna spoke, her own eyes glassy from unshed tears.

"No. It's just a freak of technology. But whatever did this to her, whatever killed her, I'd like a word with that." River said, her tone turning slightly darker towards the end of her sentence.

"I'll introduce you." The Doctor replied, a dark look on his own face. Ruri felt a wave of emotion hit her as she felt herself start to hyperventilate, before she turned, making her way out of the room, causing the others to watch. River shared a look with the Doctor as he quickly took off following the girl.

"Everyone back this way." River told them, following the pair as everyone began to retreat back to their original space.

As Ruri got back into the main room, she found herself leaning on one of the desks with her hands holding her up. She tried to calm her breathing, as she felt sadness, anger, confusion and desperation rake through her body. The Doctor slowly approached her as he stood beside her, wanting to console her the best he could.

"Ruri?" He asked, his voice low so only she could hear. She stood up straight, wiping her tears from her cheeks as she turned to face him, sniffling. "I'm sorry." He told her. "I'm sorry this is all happening, but I promise I will get you out of here safe, and I will fix this."

"Who are you?" Ruri asked, her tone with a hint of bite. "And please don't patronise me or fob me off." She flared her nostrils. "Someone died! I still don't know why or how I'm here, and you all keep looking at me like I'm supposed to know what's happening!" Her voice raised a little, causing the others to look over at the pair.

"Ruri, I promise, I will explain everything, but for now, we need to make sure no one else dies." He said calmly as she sighed.

"But who are you?"

"A friend." He blinked. "Now I need you to trust me." He raised a brow, as he held out a hand for her. She eyed it suspiciously, contemplating to take it. "Please." He added, causing her to purse her lips.

"Fine." She sighed, taking his hand as he gave her a small nod of thanks, directing her back to the group.

"Right!" He exclaimed, letting go of her hand. "I'm going to need a packed lunch." He announced as River went to fetch one. "What's in that book?" The Doctor asked, glancing at it as she placed it on a nearby table.

"Spoilers." She smirked.

"Who are you?" He asked, curious.

"Professor River Song, University of-"

"To me. Who are you to me?"

"Again, spoilers." She told him more sternly, before holding out a metal box. "Chicken and a bit of salad. Knock yourself out." He gave her one last glance before taking it, moving back towards the sidelines of the room as he crouched down, opening the metal box to grab a chicken leg.

"Right, you lot. Let's all meet the Vashta Nerada." He said, before throwing the chicken into the shadows, everyone watching in shock and horror as the meat instantly disappeared from the bone. "That's not darkness down those tunnels. This is not a shadow. It's a swarm. A man eating swarm." He told them all in a low voice, standing back up. "The piranhas of the air. The Vashta Nerada. Literally, the shadows that melt the flesh. Most planets have them, but usually in small clusters. I've never seen an infestation on this scale, or this aggressive." He explained.

"Every shadow?" River asked.

"No. But any shadow."

"It's going to get dark soon." Ruri spoke, biting her lip anxiously. "Then what do we so?"

"Daleks, aim for the eyestalk. Sontarans, back of the neck. Vashta Nerada? Run. Just run." The Doctor raised his brows, as Ruri felt her heart sink at his words.

"Run? Run where?" River questioned, anxiety also lacing her own tone.

"This is an index point. There must be an exit teleport somewhere." The Doctor turned to Lux who frowned.

"Don't look at me, I haven't memorised the schematics." Lux told him.

"Doctor, the little shop. They always make you go through the little shop on the way out so they can sell you stuff." Donna said, as the Doctor seemed to have a moment of realisation.

"You're right. Brilliant!" He exclaimed, grinning. "That's why I like the little shop."

"You can celebrate the little shop later." Ruri commented, as one of the Daves went to step towards the doors.

"Okay, let's move it." He said, but before he could reach the door the Doctor stopped him.

"Actually, Proper Dave? Could you stay where you are for a moment?"

"Why?"

"I'm sorry. I am so, so sorry. But you've got two shadows." The Doctor announced, as everyone looked to see he was right, looking down it was clear he had two shadows, pointing opposite directions. "It's how they hunt. They latch on to a food source and keep it fresh."

"There must be something you can do?!" Ruri asked, her voice urgent.

"Dave stay absolutely still, like there's a wasp in the room. Like there's a million wasps." He told him, almost like an order. "Where's your helmet? Don't point, just tell me."

"On the floor, by my bag." Dave told him, as Ruri spotted it, rushing to grab it.

"Don't cross his shadow." The Doctor told her as she followed his order, keeping a safe distance as she handed it to The Doctor. "Thanks. Now, the rest of you, helmets back on and sealed up. We'll need everything we've got."

"But, Doctor, we haven't got any helmets." Donna pointed out.

"Yeah, but we're safe anyway."

"How are we safe?"

"We're not. That was a clever lie to shut you up." He admitted, as Ruri suddenly felt exposed, obviously feeling the same fear as Donna who also looked nervous. "Professor, anything I can do with the suit?"

"We can increase the mesh density. Dial it up four hundred percent. Make it a tougher meal." River answered, as the Doctor grabbed a device from his suit pocket, aiming it at Dave's suit.

"Eight hundred percent. Pass it on."

"Gotcha." River told him, as she seemed to pull out her own device, similar to his.

"What's that?" He asked, furrowing his brows.

"It's a screwdriver."

"It's sonic."

"Yeah, I know. Snap." She moved towards her colleagues as she began to upgrade their suits. The Doctor approached Donna and Ruri.

"With me. Come on."

The trio walked towards the shop, as Ruri kept snapping her head round every which way to watch the shadows, making sure she stayed away. As they approached the shop, Donna frowned.

"What are we doing? We shopping? Is it a good time to shop?" She questioned. The Doctor ignored her as he moved her and Ruri to step on top of a metal circle on the ground.

"Right, you two, stand there in the middle. It's a teleport. Stand in the middle." Ruri frowned as she shuffled a little closer to Donna to make sure they were cantered. "Can't send the others, Tardis won't recognise them."

"What are you doing?" Donna asked.

"You don't have a suit. You're not safe." He told them both, causing Donna to narrow her eyes.

"Neither do you." Ruri argued, as he sent her a sad look, causing her to tilt her head slightly at his expression. "Doctor?"

"Ruri's right, you're in just as much danger as we are and we're not leaving-" Donna began, but before she could finish, The Doctor activated the teleport sending the two away.