So it's pretty short - again. But remember these are brief encounters, so I'm not going to be writing a full-fledged novel anytime soon. Anyway, thanks for reading!
The third time it happened, Claudia was beginning to wonder whether she should just check out of the Warehouse and back into the bell jar, because once could be written off as an artifact disturbance, twice as coincidence, but three times? There was definitely something off.
She and Artie had been returning from a routine trip to the Dark Vault, but the wheezing old man had stopped for a rest several aisles back, so Claudia had gained some distance on him by that point and was by herself. The wheezing had picked up just ahead and she'd found herself rushing forward with a familiar sense of curiosity as the blue police box flashed into view.
She had kind of been expecting it, but the curly grey-haired man that emerged that emerged from the box was unlike either of the two before him. Still a geezer, sure, and still wearing old-fashioned clothing, but an altogether different-looking guy. And this man wasn't alone, like bowl-cut dude had been. Though the brunette that appeared behind him wasn't familiar, either.
Claudia huffed in frustration, determined to get some answers this time around. She opened her mouth to speak but the brunette beat her to the punch.
"Doctor, where are we? Some sort of warehouse?"
The man nodded, glanced around. "Yes, it appears so, doesn't it, Sarah?" He trailed off, mumbling less than discreetly, "Hm, this place looks a bit familiar. Can't seem to place it, though."
"Why, it's huge!" the woman, 'Sarah,' exclaimed. "Just look at it!" Her eyes came to rest on Claudia, mouth still open to speak and a determined glare fixed in place. "Oh, hello! I'm Sarah Jane Smith, and this is The Doctor." Sarah Jane gestured to the man, who was paying very little attention and still mumbling.
"...for some sort of museum, perhaps. No use staying..." He looked toward his companion. "Let's be off now, Sarah. Not much to see here. An old Earth warehouse, is all. I'll take us somewhere far more interesting. Come along." And at that, he stepped inside the box.
Sarah Jane watched him go, then looked back at Claudia, frowning. "Oh but, Doctor, this place looks fascinating!" Despite her protest, she followed him inside, the door shutting behind her seemingly of its own accord.
By the time Claudia's voice caught up with her questioning brain, they were gone, and Artie was grumbling and bumbling up behind her.
"What are you doing?" he asked gruffly. "Why have you stopped here?"
"Huh?" Claudia spun, red hair flying around her face. "Oh," she paused, considering telling him about the old men and the blue box, but eventually deciding against it. "Just waiting for you, grumps," she declared and stalked ahead, determined to forget about her temporary bouts of possible insanity.