Chapter Four – Missing on the Moor

Watching Coast was always a pleasure, and this Sunday evening was no different. The glorious Scottish landscape never failed to amaze me, the wilderness at times so beautifully rugged. Wisely I chose this as my last programme before bed. Tonight I would dream of heather and mountains and leave the monsters behind.

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My subconscious however had other ideas, and as soon as I fell asleep I was swept along a river in a boat totally out of control. I couldn't cut the engine and I couldn't steer. I was cruising ahead in this barge aiming for that white door.

I knew what would be written on it before I even reached it, and sure enough scrolled in bright blue letters were the words, 'The Doctor'.

Once through the door, I found myself on an unwelcoming, desolate hillside. The wind tore at my plaid skirt and my pullover was not sufficient to keep me warm. I had no idea where I was and yet something seemed strangely familiar.

Turning to the right I started walking, my feet brushing through bracken and long reeds of grass. I blew on my hands to try and warm them up and hoped that civilisation wouldn't be too far off.

I have walked for what seems like an age and it appears to be getting dark. With concern I quicken my pace and my mind races with thoughts of what to do if I am stuck out here all night. I need not have worried though, before long I reached a village and with a sigh of relief I went in search of an Inn.

I found the Inn overlooking the green and stood on the threshold for a moment as I didn't have a penny on me. Would I get away with room for the night? Would I be bold enough to try and get something for nothing?

I squared my shoulders and pushed open the door.

Inside was dark and quiet and the innkeeper was polishing his taps with a cloth. He looked up as I walked in then glanced over to a closed door on his right, he was anxious about something, but I had no idea what.

"Evening," he said in a broad Scottish accent.

"Hello," I replied. I swallowed hard and then carried on. "Do you have a room for the night?"

"Fully booked," he answered and then turned his back on me.

I watched his back for a moment and then piped up again. "Could I have a drink please?"

He turned back to me, and waited expectantly.

"A white wine would be nice?" I suggested.

He didn't pour the wine for me. Instead he looked over my shoulder and addressed someone else.

"Evening Sir, would you be wanting a drink or are you going straight through?"

"Not tonight Angus, important work to be done."

I turned to find a tall dark gentleman standing behind me. He had a moustache and was clad in a military uniform.

He tipped his head at me in acknowledgement and headed over to the closed door.

Instinct made me call out after him. "Doctor?"

He turned round instantly bolt upright, standing to attention. "No miss, why do you ask?"

"Oh." I answer confused. "I thought you might be the Doctor. I've met him before and I thought he might be here."

He walked towards me. "You did, did you? And who might you be?"

"Alice sir," I answer. "Alice Chapman." I'm not sure why I called him sir, I don't generally go around calling people sir, but his demeanour suggested I should, even demanded it.

"Right. Well I'll see what I can do." With that he walked off through the closed door.

I stared at the door for a moment and then turned back to Angus, the landlord. "White wine?" I asked. Then added, "Please." The man's brusque manner was rubbing off on me.

Before I could retrieve my tipple from the counter, the door burst open again and a fireball of energy strode through. His head was a mass of curls and his eyes twinkled, bordering on madness. I could see a white shirt hidden beneath a great brown coat. Around his neck wove a tartan scarf and in his hand he held a bobble hat.

It's so rude to stare, but I really couldn't help myself. I was overwhelmed by the effervescent nature of the man and it took me a moment to take a hold of myself.

"Doctor?" I asked. But really in no doubt this time.

"Alice! Good to see you again. Wholesome and well." He chuckled.

I looked at him awestruck again. He remembered me. How did he remember me? I'd never seen him before. Or if I had, he looked very different now.

"I'm off to the Loch," he addressed Angus, and then turned to me, rubbing his hands together in excitement. "Coming?"

"Of course," I answered, mentally waving goodbye to my free drink.

"Good girl." He walked off to the lounge door and I ran to catch him up.

"Why are we going to the loch?" I asked.

"Monsters!" he laughed at me.

I follow the Doctor out onto the moors. Deep down I feel this is a bad idea. My legs feel like lead and I am wading through treacle. The Doctor is far ahead now and I fear I may lose sight of him completely.

I am breathless now, gasping for air and totally alone. The Doctor has left me. There is nothing I can do but try and carry on but it is struggle. Suddenly, from out of the silence there is an almighty roar. It makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on edge and I squint through the darkness trying to make out where it's coming from. I can see nothing. I can hear nothing except my breath rasping in my throat.

Then I can feel it. The earth beneath my feet is trembling. I immediately think of Jurassic Park and look around for dinosaurs a Tyrannosaurus Rex maybe. But it is bigger than that, and much more powerful. 'The monster, Doctor, I have found your monster,' I think to myself as it bears down on me. I cannot move, rooted to the spot.

I shut my eyes waiting for the thud and it comes without fail. I am flying now, flying through the air, I still have my eyes shut but I can feel it. Then I am falling and I crash to the floor with a sickening thud.

My body is broken I can feel that too. I know I am dreaming and I wonder why I didn't wake up. You are supposed to wake before you hit the bottom I think to myself angrily. Why didn't I wake up?

I try to move but I can't and eventually through my closed lids, I see a shadow fall over me. A cool hand runs down the side of my face and fingers gently open my eyelids. I am looking up into the Doctor's concerned face.

"Stay there, don't move," he says."

I want to tell him that I can't anyway, but the words won't come.

"Sssh" he says, putting a finger to my lips. "Be quiet."

I lay there on the cold hard ground, willing myself to wake up, but I can't and I feel myself spiralling away into nothingness.