Part 1
His hearts were hammering against his chest. Small beads of water rose on the surface of his skin, like condensation on a window. His hair stood on end, in its usual dishevelled look, strands reaching across his forehead. A grimace was painted across his face, an unfamiliar expression. Deep within his eyes was great torment and suffering, at the root of which was his soul.
He stood supported by the red-brick wall of a tall building behind him. He wore a navy pinstripe suit with a light blue shirt underneath. Raising his hand to his throat, he loosened the burgundy tie at his neck. His breathing was becoming more regular and the beat of his hearts returned to their regular pace.
He was standing in an alley way of sorts, sandwiched between two tall red-brick buildings with large school-type, white-rimmed windows spaced at regular intervals along the walls. To his left he could see the deserted road where he had just come from. He knew that the quickest way back to the TARDIS would be along that route. But, uncertain of the dangers that lurked there and unwilling to push his luck too far for one day, he opted for the longer route.
He turned then, walking fast through the musky alley, determined to reach the TARDIS without further trouble. With his eyes roaming over his surroundings and his feet keeping a regular beat against the pavement, he let his mind wander to the events which had taken place today.
He had been travelling on his own for some time now; since Donna had declined the offer to join him he had spent his time wandering the universe aimlessly. Today had started like any other: an adventure, a new place everyday, although he was careful not to return anywhere in time and space which he had travelled to with his former companions. He justified this to himself by claiming that his thirst for new adventures everyday meant there was no point in visiting the same place twice. However, deep within his heart he knew that the true reason he avoided Earth and those other places was that is was too painful. People think the real burden of being a Time Lord is the inability to change past events, to have to watch people die whilst knowing you have the power to save them. But, the true agony of the Doctor's situation is the memories. The memories he has to carry around forever. The memories of what had been.
Lonely, and with only his ship for company the Doctor spun the dials, turned the knobs and let himself be brought to wherever the TARDIS desired. After a rather bumpy ride that lasted all of 2 minutes, it came to a standstill. Curious as to where he had been brought, the Doctor moved quickly to the door. Opening the door wide he breathed in his new surroundings, soaking up every tiny detail. From the huge metal machines piled on top of one another in the small space, to the overwhelmingly floral smell of detergent emanating from the white-washed walls, he realised he was in a Laundry room.
I am so sorry it has taken me so long to update. I know this chapter is not the most thrilling, but please bear with me and please review- criticism is welcomed (as long as it's constructive).
Also, the title of this fic is based on a song by Florence and the Machine, which gave me the inspiration to write this fic.