A Breath Away

Previously, in Chapter One...

Bringing his hand out of his pocket, the Oncoming Storm showed his enemy what he revealed. "Hmm, this isn't breath mints. Sorry," he winked, then turned on the sonic screwdriver. The flash of light and piercing hum brought the man to his knees, moaning in significant pain. When he fell to the ground unconscious, the Doctor shut off the instrument, turning back to Rose.

Calling to her, he bent down, feeling her pulse beneath his fingertips. It had grown stronger, and he was grateful. However, she was still unconscious, and the man lying insensate had clearly stated 'our' gathering, which meant there were more of them. And that meant he had to get them out of this place. Now.

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Chapter Two

And They're Off

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Gathering Rose into his arms, the Doctor held her closely, adjusting her against him so that he was able to use his left hand for door handles and the like. His right hand, while holding onto her legs, also held the sonic screwdriver, which he felt would be needed at some point.

Turning sideways, he poked his head through the doorway, looking down the hallway each way before slowly entering it. There was no one else there, and as he stilled for a moment, he heard no sounds indicative of other beings close by.

The Time Lord sighed, wishing he could bring forth at least a few memories of coming here so that he could discern which direction to take. Turning left, he decided that moving would get them somewhere at least, and hopefully back to the TARDIS, wherever she may be.

The long hallway ended at a staircase that led upwards, and that had him quickening his steps. He'd known that he was in a basement, or perhaps even a dungeon, judging from the structure's aged look and the distinctly oppressive feeling he got. Regardless, up was the direction he was hoping for; he could mull over the wheres and whens after he achieved their freedom.

The Doctor took the steps slowly and soundlessly, ushering them upwards, his face showing his utter determination and concentration on his task. Reaching the top, he stilled once more, listening through the door which separated them from the upper level.

There were muted sounds of voices. His superior hearing told him the talking he heard was perhaps in another room, but not just beyond the door, and he detected what he believed was the aroma of a meal either being prepared or having already been served. Nothing to stop their forward momentum then.

The Doctor reached for the handle and turned it, opening the door slowly. He was grateful it had not been locked, but silently he cursed the creaking his movement caused. Peering around the barrier, he saw no one in the lofty hallway their escape path had led them to.

Adjusting Rose in his hold and looking her over quickly, he began moving down the hallway. He saw no light from the windows within the open rooms he passed, and began feeling a little more hopeful. After all, he could see fairly clearly in the darkness of night, and that could very well be to their advantage when their escape was ultimately discovered. He stealthily stepped forward.

The hallway opened out into a wide, expansive foyer, and the front door stood tall ahead of him with two more rooms on opposite sides. The Doctor hastily made his way towards the massive oak exit, only to stop suddenly and step ever so slowly backwards. There were at least three men within the sitting room to his right. They were hovering near the far wall, circling a large fireplace that crackled and popped as the wood burned within it.

The Time Lord back-stepped slowly, hoping they hadn't heard him. When he realized he hadn't been seen, he continued stepping backwards, knowing he was quickly running out of luck. Surely there were staff in the kitchen, which would now be his only means of escape with the fragile load he carried.

Turning toward his intended destination, he came face to face with a woman of middle age, short and pudgy, wearing clothing appropriate for servitude. "What are you doing here?!" she yelled loudly enough to wake the dead.

"Shh sh-sh-sh-sh!" The Doctor tutted angrily, but it was too late; the men in the nearby room came bounding out clumsily, surrounding the Time Lord and his unconscious companion.

"What's the meaning of this?" the stoutest of the men practically growled as he nodded at the servant to go, probably to fetch reinforcements. "Who are you and why have you invaded Lord Lupus's home?"

"I invaded no ones property, sir," the Doctor began, watching the housekeeper step quickly away. "This young lady and I were brought here and held against our will in the cellar by this home's owner. I only just managed to escape him."

"That's preposterous," the man in the middle of the three barked with laughter. "What reason would he have to restrain you? In his own confines, I might add."

The Doctor eyed the three warily before speaking. "For your evening sacrifice, I presume," he answered with his best annoyed tone. His right eyebrow rose somewhat with the men's chuckles. "I'm glad you find this so amusing."

"What ails the lady in your care?" the more timid of the three spoke after calming his mirth.

"She's been drugged by your host and nearly suffocated, to begin with," the Doctor answered briskly.

A squeaking, grating noise sounded from behind the Doctor, and as he turned around, he saw the staff member he'd startled just moments before pushing an elderly man in a wheelchair.

"What's the meaning of this intrusion?" the man demanded from his seat.

"Lord Lupus, this man has entered your home with dishonorable intentions," the largest and loudest of the group replied, waving a hand at the Doctor.

"Lord Lupus?" the Doctor inquired. "This is not the man who held us against our will," he stated.

"I dare say not," the disabled man grumbled. He eyed the Doctor and his companion, staring at Rose for a few seconds. "She has been injured?" he asked with a slightly softer tone.

"Yes," the Doctor replied with exasperation.

"Let's move into the library. You can lay her on one of the couches while Dr Raddermore looks her over." He waved a hand toward the man who had asked of Rose's condition.

"I'll take care of her," the Doctor replied sternly while walking with the group into the room to the left of the entry door. "I am her Doctor."

Once he'd laid Rose down the Time Lord sat beside her and began checking her vitals, looking for any signs she was nearing consciousness. A slight touch of his fingertips to her right temple told him his answer, reflected in the scowl upon his face. Dr. Raddermore began checking her pulse, mimicking the Doctor's previous actions. The Time Lord simply glared at him.

Lord Lupus cleared his throat. "Please explain why the two of you were in my home, uninvited," he addressed the Doctor calmly.

The Time Lord took a deep breath. "As I explained to your guests, we did not come to this place willingly. We were drugged and brought to your basement. I was able to free us from the confines we were held in and then met up with a very tall ... man," he hesitated for lack of a better description, "who said we were in his cellar in Glasgorn and since we were strangers in town we wouldn't be missed like the others and would to be sacrificed." The Doctor took another long, deep breath following his many words, looking around at everyone to study their reactions. They all appeared shocked, though not surprised. "I carried Rose here up the stairs and you all know the rest of this story. Unfortunately, I have no memory at the moment of how we arrived in Glasgorn to begin with."

Lord Lupus looked toward his faithful staff member and spoke, sending her out of the room to fetch water and cloths and bandages for his unexpected guests. When he was finished, he looked first upon Rose, then up at the Doctor. His expression was somber.

"I am sorry for your experience here, visiting our small town only to have such sinister actions imposed upon you," he said sincerely.

"What? You believe me? Just like that?" the Time Lord asked incredulously.

"Such a story could not be told in jest," the man responded. "And there have been disappearances with similar circumstances before your arrival."

The Doctor stroked Rose's cheek affectionately before standing, looking around at the men surrounding him. "Yes? Well what are you all doing about it?" he asked a bit coldly.

"We were gathering here tonight to figure out a plan of action to stop these disappearances and capture the person responsible. And now we have learned this predator was about to sacrifice the seventh and eighth victims, right below us as we met in my residence. I'm, I'm just overwhelmed."

"Yes, well, ironic that, isn't it?" The Doctor said softly. "Which is probably why he planned to kill us here. Tempting fate as it were, while rubbing your noses in it."

"Pardon my interruption, sirs," the servant spoke as she entered the room, carrying a large tray of bandages and strips of cloth. A small pail of steaming water swayed slightly as she stilled in front of the Time Lord.

"Well, talk about coming prepared," the Doctor grinned at her. "What's your name?" he asked.

"Estelle, sir."

"Estelle. Lovely name. But I think you've brought too many things. Rose only has a few scratches and bruises. Shouldn't be needing all that," he added, nodding toward the tray.

"But sir, these are not for her injuries. They're for yours."

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