3. Seriously
The sun was starting to feel hotter against my skin. As I had suspected staring at sand and water only remained interesting for a couple of minutes after the Doctor left. Rather than stare at the emptiness around me I chose to watch the different species of creatures that crowded the endless stretch of sand. I couldn't name any species and found it a bit disconcerting.
"Who is that man," A green lady- thing with spikes all across her skull asked. I stared at her and felt words completely escape my grasp. Instead I sat there staring with my mouth opening and closing like some codfish. The - thing mistook my silence for forgetfulness for she continued, "The one who was sitting there a while back, he looked quite severe if you asked me. He walked off that-away."
"Oh, him," I croaked failing at casualness. "He is my - friend. He went for a walk to clear his head."
"What's his name?" I couldn't understand why she was so curious about the Doctor. My face clearly showed that as she just stared back with a defiant look.
"His name is -," I struggled to come to terms. Never before had I met a man who went by such a peculiar title. "His name is the Doctor."
No sooner had I said this than a blood curdling screech cut through the peaceful silence like a sword. Instantly I looked in the direction of the commotion to see a crowd already gathering, hiding the cause from view. Despite my better judgement I stood up, grabbing my sarong and tying it smartly around my waist, and strode over to the group. I was vaguely aware that I was accompanied by the green lady. I pushed through the crowd to see a small, what appeared to be, human girl laying on the sand. Her eyes were rolled back into her skull and she convulsed horribly as foam fell from her gaping mouth. It was a sight better left unseen. There was a strange bite mark on her wrist though there didn't seem anything particularly alarming about it.
"WE NEED A DOCTOR!" A woman, who I assumed was the girl's mother, cried.
Just as if he had been there the whole time the Doctor popped his head through the crowd an inappropriate grin spread across his face. Much to my astonishment he was no longer dressed in his beach attire. He wore a brown suite with a blue undershirt and a matching tie. He looked quite smart, if not out of place on this beach scene.
"Did somebody call for a Doctor?" He winked at me and I just gaped in return.
"Thank God!" The hysterical woman cried. She motioned towards her convulsing daughter, who seemed to be shaking harder than ever, and he went to her side.
I watched as he pulled a small, thin silver thing with a blue top from his pocket. He pointed it at the ailing girl and it let out a weird noise, I couldn't quite place it. The woman just watched as he seemed to read something from the side of the device.
"Nobody touch her," he ordered as the mother reached down to stroke her daughter's hair. He stood up and gazed at the crowd. "You," he said seeming to point at random, "do you have a medical facility nearby?"
A multicolored skinned creature approached. I looked at her in complete awe, for it was clearly a female. The skin, no the scales started off a green and gradually turned to a striking purple at the top of her head. She didn't have hair but, instead, had fish line fins. Do add to the mystery on each side of her neck I could have sworn to spot three gills. Between each finger was webbing, perfectly adaptable for swimming. Her feet were similar, though I could count every toe separately.
"We have one," The creature nodded, "I show you?"
The doctor nodded and, despite his previous orders to refrain from touching the child, stooped low and scooped her into his arms. I remained where I was, unsure if I was welcome to tag along. Doctor, sensing my delay, turned around and looked back at me.
"Come on Celia," He invited, "I may need you."
The medical center was high-tech and a pristine white. There were many patients, though none as bad off as our little patient. I walked along side the Doctor as a cat nurse led us to a private corner of the hospital. I still was in shock for seeing a cat perfectly capable of speech and standing upright like a human. Somethings just weren't natural.
Once the girl was settled on her bed and stabilized the Doctor stepped aside. I didn't need an invitation to follow his lead out into the corridor.
"What's wrong with her?" I asked in a hushed voice. I could still hear the mother's subsiding sobs and worried that she may overhear our chat.
"I don't know." Strangely hearing him say those three words sunk my stomach. "My screwdriver detected a hint of poison entering the bloodstream, obviously administered through that bite mark on her wrist."
"But what would have given her that bite?" I asked.
"Any number of creatures on this blasted planet could have given a deadly bite such as that," Doctor said running his hands through his hair, making it crazier than ever. "The symptoms just don't make sense."
We were silent for a while. I stared at my sandaled feet, unsure what to say next. Luckily I discovered there was no need as that mutli-colored creature thing walked down the hall. The Doctor turned around and smiled at her.
"All Irsamdraldans are accounted for," Her voice was like a chirp, high pitched and difficult to decipher the words she was speaking.
"Excellent!" He praised. He started walking off but turned eyeing the Irsamdraldan as if he had forgotten something important. "What's your name?"
"Lia, sir." She looked down. Suddenly bashful.
"Excellent name, Lia, I like it." He looked incredibly proud of himself. "Carry on."
Lia nodded and strode away. I hurried to catch up with the Doctor.
"Incredible creatures Irsamdraldans are." He said whilst gazing down at his - screwdriver. "They are actually where the myth of mermaids came from. Years ago they came to your planet in search of an appropriate, yet solitude, planet to call their home. Some lonely fishermen spotted them and, mistaking them for beautiful women, fell into the sea. Those that survived told the story to their friends and that, my friend, is how myths are born."
"So, they are mermaids?" I asked finally seeming to get a better grasp on the situation.
"Yes, well, no." He spoke quickly, as though trying to piece together a mental puzzle. "They are Irsamdraldans. The closest thing to merpeople your ever going to find in all the universe."
We continued walking until we reached the outside of the medical center. Every creature on the beach was carrying on with their day, totally unaware that there was a little girl barely hanging onto life. It seemed selfish and I wanted to slap every one of them. I knew how it felt to be so close to loosing someone and to hold onto every last bit of hope only to have that life slip through your fingers like water. It wasn't fair how someone, or something in this matter, could take a life so selfishly.
I felt tears prick at the corner of my eyes and quickly wiped them away. I knew it was useless, this was too close for comfort. I didn't want to witness another death, I couldn't witness another death.
"Celia, are you okay?" Doctor asked grabbing hold of my shoulders. He looked at me as if trying to discover my ailment.
"I'm fine," I said then cleared by throat. "Just worried for that little girl."
"She'll be fine," He promised. I nodded, desperately trying to find comfort in those words but it was impossible. I'd heard that promise before. He caught wind of my doubt and his face grew dark. "Trust me, I know what I'm doing."
I shook my head trying to dodge his intense stare. "I can't do this, stand by idle while that girl lies there dying. I - I just can't."
"Then don't," He spoke as if he was offering me an alternative. "Celia, this is what I do. I travel the universe and stumble onto trouble. I've saved galaxies before, I can save one little girl."
I met his stare with cruel disbelief. Despite his promises I couldn't help but feel there was more to him than what he was sharing. There was danger in his tone, danger that suggested that he was also capable of destruction. It was that side of him that I didn't trust. I sucked in a deep breath and resolved to trust him on this subject.
I opened my mouth to confirm my loyalty only to have a shocked scream interrupt me. Without needing to speak a single word we both ran in that direction. Creatures of all sorts recognized us and parted, allowing us to examine the convulsing body laying on the sand. This time is was a short, yet grown, man. His neck had a huge chunk bitten off and blood spilled onto the ground, painting it red. I covered my mouth, suppressing my whimper. Before the Doctor could do anything to help the man the shaking suddenly stopped and his eyes closed. I looked for any sign of life only to be met with chilly stillness. He was dead. A loud cry erupted from those that gathered around.
"Doctor," I finally managed. I touched his shoulder, looking for answers. He stood, his brows furrowed and his teeth bared in anger. His gaze was stormy and I couldn't help but flinch away.
"Everybody, off the beach!" He ordered. "Don't leave the planet just stay away from the water. Spread the word, NOW!"
Nobody argued. They all rushed to do his bidding. Mother's escorted their children far from the water's edge, some retreating as far as the hospital. I stood by the Doctor's side as he stooped over the deceased body.
"What is it, Doctor?" I asked.
"What was one thing that both victims had in common?" He demanded, taking me off guard. I swallowed and racked my brain. I stared at the dead man trying to catch similarities. Despite my efforts I found nothing. "They were both wet!"
I hadn't noticed that. Now that it had been made aware I was able to remember the girl had just been pulled from the surf, just as the man had. It was so obvious, yet I still wasn't certain what caused the bite marks.
"We need to return to the hospital." He said already running off in that direction. I followed on his heels while my braid struggled to understand what haunch he was working off of. I knew he suspected who was responsible, yet wasn't sharing his knowledge.
I couldn't help but feeling that I was now apart of a bigger plan. I was the Doctor's companion in every way and I understood what that job entailed. I would be there to help him save lives and galaxies. For a moment I couldn't help but experience a spike of fear. Was I capable of doing this job? I wasn't sure but I wasn't about to give up on that little girl's life. I would do everything I could to help the Doctor solve this mystery.