A/N: Thank you very much, mrandrewsforever, my encouragement to type this chapter (and an awesome friend while you're at it.)
I think anybody could guess about Ashe now. Go ahead and leave it in the reviews or PM me if you think you know.
Disclaimer: My initials form the word ART. Therefore, I am not Moffat.
"Go have fun."
I glance back at the Doctor, my eyes shining. "Thank you," I mutter, slowly walking off.
After a few minutes of exploration, I get in line for one of the smaller roller coasters behind a couple of girls a few years older than me. "Hi," I say, hoping they'll be friendly enough to let me hang out with them for the day.
They glance back, smiling. "Hello. My name's Annie, and this is Lynn, my sister," the shorter of the two says.
"My name's Ashe," I respond, smiling. "Nice to meet you."
"You too," black-haired Lynn responds. "This your first time here?" I nod sheepishly. "We'll give you the grand tour after this, if you want."
"Thank you."
We move forward in line until we get to the front. The roller coaster sits three across, so we all sit together in the middle. As the coaster slowly chugs up the first hill, Annie asks me about myself. "To put it simply? I'm an orphan going on adventures, and I'm extremely smart," I respond lightly. Annie glances at Lynn as we start going down. We all scream as we race down the hill, and laugh for the rest of the ride.
When we finally get off a few minutes later, the sisters lead me around, showing me all of the best rides. Waiting in line, I calculate the centrifugal force, the gravitational pull on the ride, and a hundred other things.
After a couple of hours, we take a ride in the chairlift. "Two to a seat," the attendant instructs. "No more."
"What about one? What if Lynn and I waited?" Annie asks, curious.
"I suppose." Annie nods, gesturing for me to climb in.
I giggle as I climb over their heads, turning around once to wave to them as I soar higher and higher, but face forward at Annie's gesture. I don't smile due to the lack of social obligation, but my eyes and my hands are moving. I take in every detail I possibly can, trying to remember it all so I can describe it later.
As my seat nears the top and I round the bend, I look for Annie and Lynn. They aren't there.
I try to stay calm. I know Lynn sometimes freaks out about heights, as she has already stayed off of two taller rides. She might have freaked out and stayed off of the chairlift, in which case Annie's probably with her.
When I get back down, I ask about it. The attendant smiles. "They should be just outside."
They're gone.
I search for a few minutes, panicking. How can I find my way around? I'm a dreadful navigator. Stepping to the side of the stone pathway, I try to think.
The whistle!
I reach into my pocket, nearly hyperventilating. Upon locating it, I pull it out.
With all of the force I can muster, I blow it.
I wait.
For a few seconds, nothing happens besides a light breeze and a quiet whooshing sound.
"Ashe?"
I glance up, about to start sobbing. Help, I sign, my cough resuming. I need help.
"Oh, don't worry, Ashe. The TARDIS is ten feet to your left. I just parked her. Come on," he says, offering me his hand.
I follow him inside. "Now, you need to relax, Ashe. Everything is fine," the Doctor mutters in his attempt to calm me down. "You can go to your room once you stop crying. Shh."
I shake my head rapidly, beginning to cry in earnest. I'm beyond my breaking point. As he reaches for my wrist, I jerk away. His tickling touch on my shoulder prompts my punching reflex, and I hear a quiet crunch as my fist connects with flesh.
I'm sorry, I think to myself, but I know it won't do any good.
I run.
I run away from him, deep into the TARDIS. I crash into walls every few feet as she tries to stop me, and once or twice I punch glass windows, cutting my hands.
I only stop when my continuous coughing exhausts me too much to continue.
I lean against the wall, my hands bleeding and my throat aching. I'm not sure how long I wait for him to find me. When he does, I begin to sob once again.
"Oh, no, Ashe. I'm so, so sorry. I should have known.
He knows.
"But let's go get you cleaned up. Shh. I'm sorry." He helps me stand up, holding me while I cough, then firmly gripping my hand as he leads me into an area I haven't seen yet. Pastel walls surround me as I follow him through the door.
"This is the Zero Room: zero radio waves, zero unnecessary sound, zero stimulation, if that's what you need. It will help, trust me." I nod, slowly sinking to the floor.
You know? I sign with my left hand, the less injured of the two.
"I've got some ideas. But I'm not sure."
I'd prefer to keep it a secret, I spell out. I promise, it won't happen again.
"Oh, I don't mind it, Ashe," the Doctor responds quietly. "You're no more different than any of my other friends." I smile slightly, looking away when he takes my hand.
"I can't feel it," I mutter.
"Yet another clue," he responds. "I must say, you are incredible. You can punch me square in the jaw so it hurts extra bad, yet you don't feel pain yourself?" I shrug. Shaking his head, he sets to work cleaning away the blood and removing the glass. I try to think straight, but I'm stuck at the roadblock Annie and Lynn put in place when they disappeared.
After a few minutes, I pull away. "I'm fine," I mutter, standing up. "I'll be in my room."
"Be careful," the Doctor calls as I cough once again. I nod, rubbing my hands together and continuing on my way.
He's got the full puzzle.
But he still doesn't know.
Please review or PM me if you think you know! I want to make sure it's clear enough without it being too obvious.
