Chapter Three

Rats scuttled across the tunnel floor like furry balls of disease, squeaking and scratching as they did so. There were but four of the group left after the unexpected departure of Henry. The Doctor studied his surroundings, using his sonic screwdriver as a torch to light their way to escape. The walls were damp and colour-coded electrical wiring ran across them like snakes. There was a smokey smell combined with the smell of dead rat. The combining smells reminded the Doctor of the time he visited London back in 1666 during The Great Fire of London. His thought process was interrupted by a thick Mexican voice.

"I can't believe Henry's gone" José mumbled

"I'm relieved" Andrew said smugly "the kid was a liability"

The Doctor grew aggressive and pinned Andrew to the wall "Listen here," he spat through gritted teeth "He was a good man, which frankly is more that can be said about you"

Silence fell over the group and all that could be heard was the faint whirring of the sonic screwdriver and the scrambling of rodents running around their feet. The Doctor removed his hand from Andrew's chest and turned away to continue walk through the tunnel. A distant light grew visible and this gave the Doctor a glimpse of hope.

"You've creased my shirt," Andrew said under his breath.

The Doctor chose to ignore him. He didn't have time for petty remarks for people like Andrew. He just wanted to get out of this tunnel before it became too claustrophobic. Thoughts were racing through his head. He needed to find out what was happening. He'd noticed something odd about the way the zombies reacted when they were out of the fog. Rachel caught up with the Doctor and he turned to face her whilst walking.

"What you said to Andrew back there," she stopped for thought "thanks," she said eventually.

The Doctor forced a smile and nodded in acknowledgement.

"So, I think you probably noticed it too but, when those zombies were out of the range of the fog..." she yet again, paused to think about what she wanted to say "Well, they flickered"

The Doctor stopped "You noticed that too?" The Doctor didn't wait for a reply "I was thinking some form of perception filter, disguising something. Could be powered by the fog" he suggested.

"What's a perception filter?" Rachel asked

"It's a device fiddles with your vision. Changes perspective on things. Hence the name. These 'zombies' must be somehow using the fog as a perception filter to disguise themselves from their true form," he paused "That's if my theories correct. Could be a number of things,"

The Doctor pointed his screwdriver up, scanning above ground for life. The whirring echoed through the tunnel, ricocheting on the curved walls that surrounded them. The Doctor noticed the rest of the group looking at him with confusion.

"Sonic screwdriver," he explained "I'm scanning above ground for life. Might as well see if its safe,"

The screwdriver let out a small beep. The Doctor pulled the top to reveal a clear tube with a spring shaped contraption inside. He pulled his glasses from his inside pocket and flawlessly placed them onto his face. He studied the tubing for a few seconds. He took his glasses of and looked extremely concerned.

"There's not just life up there" he breathed deeply "There's a spaceship in the atmosphere. I was right. These arent zombies. They're aliens using a perception filter"

"A perception what?" Andrew asked demandingly

The Doctor held back his frustration "It's like a cloaking device. Used as a camouflage" he explained "Problem is, I dunno how to undisguise them"

"So if they aren't zombies, why did they eat Henry?" José asked

"Good question. If I can get to the spaceship I'll tell you. I need to get back to my TARDIS though. Little blue box, somewhere up there in the herd of zombies"

"We can try in the morning" Rachel said "We'll set base here for tonight,"

The sat down in the middle of the tunnel contemplating the news they had just recieved. Rachel pulled a flask from her pocket. It was going to be a long night. She took a swig of the tepid coffee that had somehow lasted her all day. She watched as a rat crawled up to her daringly. She was frightened that there'd be another attack, despite knowing that the zombies were only able to walk in the fog. She wondered if her parents were alive still, they were vulnerable and wouldn't have stood a chance if they were attacked.

The Doctor lay down. He stared at the ceiling thoughtfully, wondering how Wilfred was getting on, hoping that Donna was safe under his wing of protection. A reminiscent smile grew on his face as he remembered all the good times they had shared. The day she had appeared in the TARDIS in her wedding dress. Good times.

José was twiddling his thumbs. He had subconsciously elected to be on watch for the night. Besides, he'd be unable to sleep. He had to create false bravery as he was the dominant alpha male of the group, but recently he had failed to show courage, especially after the death of Henry. Henry and him had been friends since secondary school. They had been in a 'Pret a Manger' when the apocalypse had begun. It seemed like decades ago.

Andrew was asleep. His views on life were extremely black and white. We live life to earn money, then we die. Perhaps this is why his life was so unfulfilling.

Flashbacks raced through Rachel's head as she tried to drift to sleep. She dreamt of herself running through a maze of roads running away from a metal can of hatred.

EXTERMINATE

She continued to run. Tears rolling down her cheeks, traumatized at such a young age. She slowly lost the strength to carry on, her legs giving way beneath her. A shard of glass extended upwards from the ground. Rachel fell right into it. It sliced straight into her eye, she screamed as blood sprayed around her.

Rachel woke up from the nightmare and sprang up - startled. She placed a hand over the sewn up eye that she covered with her fringe. Everybody else was sleeping and Andrew's faint snoring was evident. She sighed. This was going to be a long night.