Chapter Four: The TARDIS
Age 12
On the night I turned 12, I was laying in my bed reading the new book I received that day. My party had ended 2 hours before. I was happy.
For once, my whole family had got along. Mom and Dad didn't yell. Leo and Tish didn't pick sides. I didn't have to play peacemaker. A lot of that had been happening lately. Mom and Dad would get into a fight over something. Tish would take mom's side and Leo would take Dad's. They would get into a fight. I would try to calm everyone down.
Today, none of that mattered. Today was my day and everyone behaved themselves.
For the first time in a long time, I was able to relax and read. The house was quiet until an odd grinding noise disturbed the peace.
I watched as a blue, old police telephone box appeared in an empty corner of my room.
Startled, I stood and walked up to the box and touched the sides. It felt like wood. I knocked on the door and it opened by itself. I peeked inside and saw a giant room.
My jaw dropped as I looked at the outside of the box then the inside again. I took a step inside and turned to look out the door to my room.
"It's bigger on the inside," I said.
"Of course, it is," a man said with a Northern accent.
I jumped in surprise and looked for the owner of the voice.
In the middle of the room, there was some sort of console. On the floor, with his back against the console was a man in dusty, old clothing.
"He-Hello," I said nervously.
I cautiously walked towards him. He looked weak and tired. He coughed and a yellow wisp left his mouth.
"Are you alright?" I asked.
"I'm fine, just regenerating," the man said weakly.
"Regenerating?" I asked.
"I know you're smarter than this Martha," the man said.
"What?" I asked.
"Have you ever wondered why my face changes every time you see me?" the man asked.
I studied him. Of course, I didn't recognize him. He looked angry. I stared into his eyes. There was nothing familiar about them. They were blue but somehow dark. He had old eyes.
"I'm sorry, but I don't know you," I said taking a step back.
"Of course, you do."
"No, I don't."
"I'm the Doctor."
"Doctor?"
The man rolled his eyes.
"How old are you now?" The Doctor asked me before coughing again.
I watched as another golden wisp escaped his mouth.
"Twelve," I answered.
The Doctor frowned. I could tell he was thinking.
"Then the last face you saw was my third face."
"Third?" I questioned.
"Yes, third. The one with Jo Grant as a companion."
I frowned.
"No, the last Doctor I saw was…"
"Stop, stop, stop," the Doctor interrupted. "You must have met a future me Don't tell me anything about that meeting.
"Okay," I said.
I walked closer to him. Too close. He grabbed my hand and pulled me down. I landed heavily beside him. He then placed his head on my lap.
"Why are you here?" I asked.
"Don't know," the Doctor answered. He sounded tired. "Now be quiet."
"But…"
"Sh…" the Doctor hushed me before falling to sleep.
I must have dozed off two because I woke up in my bed. The telephone box was gone.
I thought the Doctor and the box were all a dream.
I got out of bed and a yellow sheet of paper fell to the floor. I picked it up.
"Thank you." – The Doctor
I smiled at the little note. I had no clue why he was thanking me. I didn't find out until I was 16.
I saw the Doctor again a year later.
END OF CH. 4