Chapter 9...there's more coming today...anyway I hope you're enjoying it if you've read this far...I think I'm getting better...more into the swing of writing...I hope anyway.
Chapter 9
The doctor and Lori looked on stunned as a large form rose out of the water thrashing wildly. It was a brilliant blue with scales that shone in the light. A pair of great silver eyes rolled around until it was fully out of the water glaring down at them. Lori gripped the doctor frightened as the creature leaned down on the beach a pair of great arms keeping it suspended. It looked as if it would have had no trouble smashing the entire city of London. A forked tongue flicked out stopping just short of them and its mouth opened a pair of fangs detracting.
"Lori…when I tell you…go back to the TARDIS" The doctor said softly "Understand?"
"I'm not leaving you" She replied "Not with this thing…"
"Just do it…"
"Look out" She shoved him down as the thing lunged forward barely missing them.
The doctor rolled getting to his feet Lori's dagger falling out of his coat.
"Let's go," He said reaching down for her.
She noticed the dagger and grabbed it before gripping his hand if she had to fight she would do it armed. They started to run towards the TARDIS when the creatures tailed whipped out stopping their progression. Lori turned in time to see the creature level with her one of its eyes meeting hers.
"I think we're in a tight spot," He said looking at her.
"Yeah…and about to get tighter" She told him.
The sound of shouting and gunshots rang out causing the creature to whip its body forward. It released a loud hiss as bullets bounced of its scales causing it to shrink backward.
"You two alright" An older man shouted at them "Get over here…get away from that thing."
The creature began to slither away retreating into the ocean Lori noticed its tail.
"Look out" She tacked the doctor right as it whipped over their heads "You okay?"
"Oh…yeah…peachy" He said, "Mind getting off now."
She laughed and rolled off him getting onto her knees as the people came towards them. The doctor raised up looking over at them as Lori pocketed her dagger knowing it would be useful.
"You folks alright…it didn't hurt you?" The same older man from earlier held his hand out to Lori "Name's Larson."
"I'm the Doctor…this is Lori" He said with a nod "We're fine."
"You picked the wrong time for a Honeymoon" Larson said shaking his head "Where'd you two come from?"
"Oh we're not married…" He said "We're not even dating…we're just traveling buddies".
"Yeah…" Lori agreed "And uh…we're from…"
"A small colony" The doctor said, "So…can you tell me what that was?"
"Serpentrallax" The man answered, "They come up from the sea during the seasonal shift…when its food migrates."
"Really…wow…first time I've seen one…I mean I've read about them…" He looked at the man "Why'd you try to kill it…aren't they protected?"
"Oh no…bullets don't hurt it's scales…though if we're lucky it knocks one or two loose" Larson explained "Hard as diamonds those scales…make great trinkets for the tourist season."
"Ah…the impact drives it away" The doctor said "Great plan…brilliant…"
"Good thing I didn't try to fight" Lori said shaking her head, "Larson was it…thank you…"
"Oh yes…thanks…" The doctor said, "I get carried away sometimes…"
"Can't blame ya…we get tourists to see the Serpentrallax too" He said, "I take it you aren't one of them."
"Uh…no…no we're not…" He said with a nod "We just came for the beach…so I take it it's your winter then?"
"Yeah...but it's just the rainy season here" He said "Caught us between storms…but another's bound to roll in…care to come into town?"
"Oh…no I've got my ship to take care of…Lori d'you want to go..." He asked.
"Oh we can tow, your ship into town" Larson suggested "Leave it out here it's liable to be washed into the ocean…then you'd be stuck."
"Well then…" The doctor said, "Want to see the sights?"
Lori smiled with a shrug she would be interested in learning about this place.
"Just be careful with her…she's the blue box over there," He said indicating the TARDIS "Don't scratch the paint."
"Jimmy…Go'thrain bring the Doctor's ship into town" He called to a young man and a man with mottled blue skin.
"Undine" She breathed softly.
He had a device attached to his neck but she could see the gills and the webbed hand.
"Oh…no he's a native of this planet…they have colonies underwater" The doctor explained "They let the humans call them Aquians…not really sure what they name for themselves is…a handful have stayed on land among humans."
"I see…" She said softly.
"Yeah…a few landed on earth a long time ago…started a colony" He added "But they didn't last…but they were there long enough for humans to create legends…I suppose your kind did too."
"I suppose we did…" She said.
"Hey you two…come on" Larson called.
"Well…Allons-y" He said gripping her hand "Stick by me…this place isn't well known for its hospitality after tourist season."
She nodded as he led her to Larson's car glancing at the TARDIS, which had been loaded up onto another. The doctor helped her into the backseat of the car before climbing in beside her with a bright smile on his face.
"Well…what an exciting day" He said with a smile "Survived a Serpentrallax attack…now we're going into one of the busiest worlds in the universe…during its down time."
"Glad one of us is excited" She said shaking her head "We're surrounded by humans."
"That's the beauty of it…no one will look twice at you" He said softly "Even with the ears…we're in the future…humans have scattered across planets and galaxies…seen more than you could dream…"
"I won't be noticed…but…how" She looked up at him "How is that possible?"
"There are more things strange out there…than a human with pointed ears" He explained "You'll be fine."
She shook her head leaning back against the seat with a light smiled, she would not have to hide.
"What'd you think of it?" He asked "The Serpentrallax"
"Breathtaking…" She said, "Once you get past it trying to kill us…but…why would it wan to eat something small like us?"
"Ah well…its normal food source is a fish about the size of us…" He explained "It could kill something as large as it…but it likes an easy meal…it just swims into the school eating as much as it wants…when those fish migrate it looks to other sources…things about human sized…the Aquians have developed technology and secreted poison to protect themselves…that's why it tasted us first…".
"I see…so just wrong place…wrong time?" She asked and he nodded.
"You know a lot Doctor," Larson said glancing back at them.
"I like to read" He explained "And I've got a great memory."
Larson nodded but Lori picked up on a sense of suspicion from him and her brow furrowed. They had done nothing to earn suspicion but she stayed silent.
"Could you take us to a place I can get money…atm or whatever equivalent" He asked.
"Oh sure…there's one in the hotel" Larson said "That where you wanna stay?"
"Yes perfect" He said then looked over at Lori "You okay with that?"
"Yeah of course" She said with a nod.
Larson nodded as a light rain started to fall Lori looked outside her smile dropping. The rain brought back memories but she did not let it show on her face. Larson pulled up to the hotel before looking back at the two of them with a light smile.
"Here you are" He said "The Washburn Hotel…welcome to Lithlin Heights."
"Thanks for the lift" The doctor said climbing out of the car "Come along Lori…let's get a room".
She nodded as he helped her out of the car into the rain, which had become a downpour.
"I'll tell the guys to tow your ship into the garage round back" Larson shouted over the rain.
"Thanks" The doctor replied, "See you round town then."
Larson nodded before he pulled away and the Doctor led her inside the hotel shaking the water off his arms.
"Let's see…ATM…ah here it is" He walked over to a small monitor "Ooh credits…perfect…easier to get…keep watch h would you".
She nodded and looked around as the Doctor used his sonic screwdriver to charge up a bunch of credits taking a small gold looking bar out of the machine.
"We're set for a good while," He said flipping it in his hands.
"Amazing…" She said with a smile "Well…then…can we get a room…I could use a good dry off".
"Oh right…sorry…come on" He said with a smile.
She followed him to the front desk and rang the bell a young woman immediately coming out to see her.
"Hello" She said "Welcome to the Washburn Hotel."
She eyed their wet clothes but kept her sweet smile as she pulled up something on a small screen.
"We're looking for a room…preferably a double," He said, "Or adjoining rooms with a door connecting them."
"Yes sir I know what you're looking for…and what name will the room be under" She asked politely.
"Doctor Smith" He said with a nod "Doctor John Smith."
"Alright sir" She said a knowing glint in her eye "Are you sure you and your lady friend wouldn't prefer a single room with a double bed?"
"No…" He said "We're not here on that sort of business…she'll take her own bed."
"Very well" She said "That'll be 5000 credits a night."
"Oh wow…this had better be five star," He said "No 25 star."
"I assure it is the top luxury hotel and you're getting an expensive room," She stated.
He nodded and handed the golden bar over while the lady scanned it and handed it back to him.
"And how long will you be staying?" She asked.
"Not sure…however long we stay I guess," He said with a shrug "We've got enough credits."
"Very good sir" She said typing in the information "You're room is 575…the elevator is just over there…here are your keys…enjoy your stay".
"Thanks" He said with a nod "Come along Lori."
"She thinks we're…" Lori said once they were out of earshot.
"Of course…John Smith…common use of the name" He said with a laugh, "We could have gone with it…"
"No thanks" She said immediately.
He noticed the sudden change and cleared his throat as they made it to the elevator.
"Sorry…didn't mean to…"
"Don't worry about it" Lori interrupted "Come on…I need to go dry off…"
"Right…you go on up" He said giving her the key "I'm going to get us some clothes…luggage and such…go dry off I'll meet you up there".
"Uhm…alright" She said.
"Oh the elevator is voice activated by the way" He added as the doors slid open "5th floor just like on earth."
She nodded stepping into the elevator watching the doors close leaving her alone.
"Uhm…fifth floor…" She said jumping when the elevator sprang to life.
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The doctor walked to the garage thinking about why Lori had reacted to his joke. He knew she had to have had experiments and such done to her but they could not really have.
"That's just sick," He said in disgust "Torchwood…they didn't protect anyone but themselves."
He quickly grabbed clothes for him before thinking about what size Lori would wear.
"I'll just grab a bunch of different sizes…who'd think twice about a woman with a lot of luggage," He said with a light laugh as he piled clothes into different cases "Been awhile since I've carried this much."
He looked over at the TARDIS who seemed to hum in annoyance and gave a smile.
"It's alright old girl," He said with a smile "Lori just needs a bit of normal tourism…we'll go traveling again…don't worry".
He gathered the luggage slowly moving it out of the TARDIS surprised to see a young man with a trolley waiting for him when he stepped outside.
"Let me help you with that sir" He said, "It is my job."
"Oh…uh sure…here ya go" He said handing bags to him, which he expertly piled onto the Trolley.
They began the walk to the room once the TARDIS was locked, he did not want to risk someone wandering inside.
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Lori was drying her hair with a towel and her clothes hanging up to dry, she was wearing one of the robes provided. She had sat down on a chair looking around at the luxurious room smiling at the thought of being here.
"Nothing compared to a forest…certainly not a 1911 era home" She said to herself "It's really rather nice."
She noticed what looked like a television and wondered how to turn it on when it jumped to life showing a news report.
"Never getting used to that" She shook her head.
She remembered the first time she had ever seen a television, a man from Torchwood had used it to punish her. Showing her the things she could not have and enjoying the sight of her crying. The sound of the door opening broke her from her thoughts and she looked up seeing the Doctor walk in followed by a young man.
"Here we are sir," He said.
"Thanks" The doctor replied, "You have a credit scanner?"
The young man nodded producing a small object for the doctor who scanned the gold bar with a smile.
"I think 50 ought to do it…good job," He said as the man beamed before leaving the room.
"Big tip…makes em happy…and they leave faster" He said with a chuckle turning to Lori "Good…well you've got clothes".
He took one case off the top of the pile and carried it over to the other room.
"The rest are yours…didn't know your size…so…" He explained.
"Thank you" She said with a smile.
"No problemo…" He said then thought about it "Problemo…no…not a word I'll say again."
She laughed indicating his door and he obeyed leaving her to get dressed in peace. After rummaging and trying on clothes for a while, she found a pair of jeans and sweatshirt, which fit.
"Are you decent" She heard the doctor as he knocked on the door.
"Yes" She replied with a smile "I'm decent…come on in".
"Good…" He stepped into the room wearing a blue suit but not his trench coat "Nice choice…"
"Always a suit eh?" She said with a laugh.
"Of course…I look good in a suit," He said with a smile "What guy doesn't…how do you like the room?"
"Nice…TARDIS is nicer…but this is fine," She said with a nod "It's got television."
"They didn't have telly in 1911…" He said.
"Torchwood did eventually…" She explained, "Great pastime really…five minutes just to see what I'm missing…"
She shook her head sadly but smiled brightly at him sitting down on her bed looking up at the ceiling.
"So…what time are you from?" She asked him.
"Can't really remember," He said with a shrug "I bounced around a lot…so I dunno"
She nodded her eyes falling outside the window at the torrential rain noticing that it was darker than before.
"No time for a shopping trip eh" She commented.
"Nah…not safe to wander around at night" He stated.
"I'm sure I'll be safe with you" She replied with a bright smile "Or maybe it's the other way round?"
"Whatever…" He said with his own smile "Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Immensely" She answered, "This is freedom…"
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