The village was set along both sides of a large dirt road. Villagers bustled along completing their daily tasks. Everyone was dressed in the same garb that Lucy wore. Men in willowing shirts and brown pants made from rough material. The women's dressings were much like Lucy's though they were all the same drab brown and creme colors, where Lucy stuck out like single blue flower among endless dirt.
Though Lucy didn't acknowledge the fact that people muttered as she passed, it was impossible for the others not to notice.
"I'm not you and even I can tell there's something weird about this place" Amy whispered to the Doctor who for once was silently taking in his surroundings. The villagers stayed close to their homes, each of which's doors contained more then one lock. The women held tightly to their children, not allowing them to play with one another. And every minute or so the people would turn their attention to the giant clock that stood idle over the whole village, as if it were going to open some unseen mouth and scream.
"Lucy" the Doctor called forward to her, pausing "All of the people live in this tightly packed village. How come none of them live in the woods, there's more then enough room for them to spread out. It's vacant. Aside from your cottage, that is"
Lucy stared at him for a moment, pausing in a heavy silence. Suddenly there was a ruckus beside him.
"An apple, the child!" an old woman screamed, pointing across where they stood. There was a sudden flash of movement as the group of them were pushed aside. A child was standing beside them a plump juicy red apple in his hand. Several people grabbed for him, prying the fruit from his hands.
"Bury it, quickly" someone else screamed. The man who now held the apple scratched viscously at the earth until there was a deep hole. He then threw the apple into it, filling the hole over with dirt.
Everyone looked around, slightly calmer before their eyes fell on the boy. A clergyman parted the crowd, grabbing the boy by the cuff of his shirt and throwing a knowing glance to a woman who stood a foot away her face pale and white, tears puddling in her eyes. "He must be punished" the man told her.
"He didn't know any better" the woman said desperately.
"You know I have no choice. The village can't face any more danger. If other children see that they can get away with mistakes more will occur. We can't pay the price" the man said.
"Listen, listen!" the Doctor burst into the crowd.
"Doctor" Lucy whispered, reaching for him.
"Such an attention hog" Amy tutted.
"I'm not exactly sure what just happened? I actually don't have any idea. But it seems there's a bit of an over reaction going on here. If you could just pause this discussion for a short while I've got an interesting proposition for everyone in this village" he called to everyone in ear shot.
"Who are you?" the clergyman stared at him.
"Father Wilson, he may seem crazy but he's a good..." Lucy stepped forward.
"That's enough from those lips!" Father Wilson cut her off.
The Doctor stepped between them, "Just a moment and I think I can save your village"
"You can't be serious. We've lived in fear for generations and you stroll into our town for one day and claim you can end the terror we've endured our whole lives!" a man from the crowd called.
"That's exactly what I claim" the Doctor called to him, "We'll be back" he turned away grabbing Lucy's hand. She jumped at his touch, feeling like she hadn't made contact with another human for ages, his palm warm against hers. "Just gonna borrow your church for a moment. Rory, Pond, you just sit tight"
"Right" Rory sighed.