Footsteps bounded after me, mine as frantic as my own heartbeat. The security guards' flashlight shook as he gave chance, leaving a burning imprint of the ghastly creatures I was passing. My head was dizzy, my lungs burning from lack of oxygen. But I had to run, if I didn't I would be caught, and I'm not sure I could face the harsh reality of that.
There was a large door ahead of me, that was my only visible escape. I burned up whatever energy I had left and raced to the door, gripping onto the handle and pulling. The whole door shook with the effort.
"No, no, no," I cursed, the footsteps getting louder. There was a faint buzzing noise coming from the other side, but I was more worried with the fact the security guard wasn't far behind me.
The door burst open, and the man from before, the Doctor, stood there, eyes wild.
"Might not want to be going that way," he gasped, indicating behind him, a flashlight shaking not too far behind.
"Same could be said for this way," I puffed. Honestly, I don't know how we managed to fit in a conversation.
He looked over my shoulder, realising how close my security guard was.
"Good point," he said grabbing my hand. "Run!" Before I had any room to object we were running again, this time, to my left. He dragged me by my hand, my breathing heavy as wind whipped my face. I couldn't help but use this time to wonder what he was doing here, and if I should be following him. Also the fact that my lungs were collapsing and my legs were turning into jello.
He raised his hand that wasn't holding mine, in it an odd silver stick. He pressed a button and the tip of it shone blue, the familiar buzzing sound emitting from it. Ahead of us was a small metal door, which lead to a room where children could sit and do activities such as colouring in. There was a loud thunk, and then the door opened slightly. Shit he is a magician. We ran inside, the Doctor letting go of my hand as he shut the door. Using his...wand, yes wand, to lock it.
"That should hold them off for a while," he stated as he examined the room.
He walked around, examining every corner, as I stood hunched over, trying to catch my breath.
He stopped at a map posted on the wall, pulling out thick black glasses, inspecting it, as if trying to memorise the whole layout of the building.
"Where are we on this?" He asked.
I stoop up, placing my hands on my hips, taking deeper, steadier breaths as I walked over.
I pointed at the red cross that clearly stated 'You Are Here'.
"Well look at that. Isn't that smart," he marvelled.
"Yes, truly astonishing, how do we get out?" I puffed.
"Well," he said, taking off his glasses, clearly assessing the situation.
"There's no way out is there?" I deadpanned.
"You underestimate me dear Melissa," he smiled.
"Well lets see. We can either go back out the door which we just came through. Which, I don't know. Something is telling me that isn't the best idea." To prove my point the pounding of fists rattled the door. "Or," I continued. "Jumping out the second floor window, which isn't exactly appealing to me right now."
"You've forgotten one other way."
"Oh I'm sorry, I forgot. We can dig ourselves out. You don't happen to have a spoon on hand do you?"
He just looked at me, and I instantly felt guilty.
"Sorry, I become hell sarcastic when I freak out. I am open to any suggestions, just as long as it doesn't involve dying. I'm up for not dying."
The Doctor smiled, nodding to the corner at the back of the room. I turned to face it, noticing a small ventilation shaft. Did I mention it was small, which means it's small, and tight, which equals no movement, which means me being stuck.
My face dropped as I looked from the small space, back to the Doctor.
"There didn't happen to be another escape route I happened to miss?"
"Nope, you pretty much covered it," he said walking over to the shaft. I followed after him, my legs shaking at the thought of being in a confined space.
"Now lets have a look." He pulled over a table and climbed on top of it. He raised the silver stick, and once again after a few seconds of buzzing it opened. He pulled the grate away from the wall and placed it down, examining the gaping hole.
"If I am correct, I should be able to navigate our way out."
"Should be? You should be? And what if you're not correct? We're stuck. I don't exactly want to die in something that resembles a coffin." I said frantically, my breathing getting heavier.
"We'll be fine," he blew off my slight panic attack.
"Doctor please. I can't go in there."
He turned and seemed to notice how pale I was. He jumped off the table and walked over to me. He grabbed my hands in both of his, and pulled them close to his chest. I looked up into his eyes as he stared into mine.
"Melissa, I promise. Cross my hearts that I will not allow you to get stuck. I'm bigger than you, and I will go first. I will clear the way. I know that in you mind, when you are in there, all that I'm saying will mean nothing. But you need to try."
I nodded solemnly, as he led us over to the table.
There was a loud bang, causing both of us to turn around. There was a hole in the door, the edges of it singed.
"Ok we have to go now," the Doctor insisted.
"But what was that?" I asked, hoping to stall. I seriously didn't want to be in there.
"A gun, now we really need to get moving."
Okay gun, maybe not so good. Alright Mel, you can do this. Watch the Doctor. Do what he does.
He hoisted himself up into the air shaft, dragging his body the rest of the way in.
"Come on Mel," he encouraged, his voice echoing off the small space.
You can do this. Simple.
I put my hands in, ready to pull myself in. On three. One. Two. Three. I jumped, crawling through. I froze, my legs still dangling in the air. Nope, tight space, too tight. Ahead, the Doctor was sitting, hunched over as he positioned himself to face me.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me the rest of the way in. No no no, not happening get me out. My eyes widened as my breathing instantly intensified. The walls were closing in on me, don't move, don't move. I shut my eyes tight, wanting to get as far away from reality as possible.
"Mel," the Doctors voice came. Gentle, but controlled. "Mel listen to me, we have to move, it's not far I promise."
"I can't," I gasped, trying to preserve the little air. My heart was pounding, and my hands were shaking, but my legs were locked, preventing me from moving.
"I'm sorry, I know this is tough. But I also know you can do this. Melissa, trust me. We can take it slow, but we need to move."
I took a deep breath, slowing down my heart rate. I managed to pull my knees under me, pushing myself up on all fours. When my back didn't come in contact with the top, I opened my eyes. The space was still small, but it was bearable.
"Okay, lets go," I said, trying to be convincing, but my voice was shaking, making it come out more as a whimper.
The Doctor gave an encouraging smile before turning around and heading down the shaft.
"Stay close alright?"
"Yeah," I breathed in response.
My legs shook violently underneath me, my arms threatening to give way, but I focused straight ahead. There was a loud crash behind us, the shaft vibrating, making me freeze.
The Doctor looked back at me.
"It was just them breaking through the door, not the shaft. Don't worry we're almost there."
After what seemed like hours, we came to another grate. The Doctor looked through.
"Here we are." He pulled out the silver stick once more, removing the grate, knocking it onto the floor with a clatter. I could feel the slight breeze drifting in, my body yearning for the open space. The Doctor positioned himself before jumping out, a slight grunt as he went missing from sight.
"Okay Melissa, your turn."
I shuffled forwards to the edge, looking at the drop. I took a hesitant breath before backing up a bit, positioning myself so my legs hung over the edge. The Doctor reached up as I lowered myself, grabbing my waist and easing me to the floor. My legs gave way as he held me up. My whole body was shaking in relief.
"Well done Mel," he said. "You were brilliant."
I looked up and gave a small smile, appreciating his words of encouragement.
Once I was steady, the Doctor rushed over to a blue box positioned in the middle of the room. I examined it quickly, realising it was another storage room. I walked over to the blue box, noticing the scratches embedded in the wood, and the sign above saying 'Police Public Call Box'.
"What's this?" I asked running a hand over the old exterior.
"This is the TARDIS," he replied, pulling out a small key and fitting it into the lock.
"Sorry what?" I asked as he pushed the door inwards, despite the sign on the left saying 'pull to open'.
"Doctor," I said again, moving closer to the doorway. I froze at the sight. Orange lights flared from the inside, the sound of machinery drifting out. I took a hesitant step in, a whole new space opening up. The Doctor ran up the metal ramp to the centre, where a console sat, multiple leavers and buttons surrounding it. I gapped at him, as he ran around, pulling across screens and examining them. I took a step out, making sure that the outside was what I thought it was. I looked around the side of the box, then the other. I walked back in and stood there stunned.
"What do you think?" The Doctor asked, a joyful expression on his face.
"Is this normal? Cos I think there's something wrong with your box. I mean," I stuttered. "It's bigger on the inside," I gawked. He beamed before shoving his hands in his pockets.
"Yup," he replied, popping the 'p'.
"Did they drug me when they knocked me out?" I asked, eyes still wide.
"Who?" he asked, looking slightly worried.
"The security guards. Shot me with a dart."
"That would have been a knock-out dart , but that wouldn't be causing this." He walked over, grabbing my hand and pulling me over to the console.
"She's called the TARDIS. That's Time And Relative Dimension In Space," He stated proudly.
"You what?" I asked dumbly. I couldn't even form a coherent thought in my head. I was drugged, most definitely.
"This," he said, indicating the area with his arms. "Is my spaceship."
"Did they drug you too?"
AN: Here's a longer chapter, hope you liked it.
Thank you to everyone who has Favourited/Followed/Reviewed. I truly appreciate it. Sorry this chapter has taken a while. I was on holiday and had no way of updating. But I am back. Despite being busy with other commitments, I will try to update as often as I can.