Mithreel

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Emily asked, still uncertain.

"Yes of course it's a good idea. I came up with it, didn't I?"

"I suppose…"

"Good." The Doctor held out his hand to Emily.

"Well Emily, it was a pleasure meeting you."

"And you," she smiled.

"See you soon."

"Bye." Emily shut the door and headed up the stairs. There was no way this was going to work.

Emily glanced over at the clock on her bedside table. The numbers 23:59 glowed red against the darkness. She had just fallen asleep when she heard a gentle tapping at the window. She jumped out of bed, rushed over to the window and flung open the curtains. Emily saw the Doctor's silhouette crouching on the window ledge.

"You couldn't open the window now, could you?"

Emily opened the window as quietly as she could, and the Doctor stepped inside. "Thank you."

They walked over to the wardrobe and stood facing it.

"Anything up until now?"

"Nope," replied Emily.

"Good…" whispered the Doctor, his voice heavy with anticipation.

Then it started.

Coldness began to seep out of the wardrobe, creeping along the floor, around the walls, above the ceiling. Emily could feel goosebumps beginning to form on her arms. She could see her breath, it was so cold. The Doctor took her hand. They heard a knock from the wardrobe.

"You ready?" he asked.

"Ready as I'll ever be."

The Doctor reached his hand forward and pulled open the wardrobe. A translucent being floated out of the wardrobe.

The Doctor held up his Sonic Screwdriver. Emily wanted desperately to run from the room, but the Doctor held his ground, and her hand in his made Emily do the same.

"Identify yourself."

The ghostly apparition drifted closer towards the pair. Emily felt certain her heart would stop beating any moment.

"Mithreel…" the Delgada hissed.

"What are you doing here?"

"The girl…" Mithreel pointed to Emily. "The girl calls to me. Beckons me with her sweet youth… So young…"

"Stop," the Doctor demanded. "Come no closer."

"Who are you to command me?"

"We can talk about this." The Doctor's expression was stern.

"Can we Doctor… can we?" He stopped, looking concerned.

"How do you know my name?"

"I know much," hissed Mithreel. "The girl…" she glanced back at Emily again. "She dreams of you…"

"Leave," the Doctor ordered. "Leave now."

The Delgada drifted forward and reached out a ghostly hand for Emily. The hand came within an inch of Emily's face, but could not go any closer. Mithreel tried desperately to grab Emily, but with no avail.

"What… why?"

"You can't have her," the Doctor replied. "You know what that means."

"The child… is destined for great things…"

"Things that have to happen, no matter what."

"Yes…" the Delgada drifted back towards the wardrobe. "I shall find another…"

"No." The Doctor let go of Emily's hand, and stepped towards the wardrobe. "Leave this planet. Go home."

"I no longer have a home…" Mithreel paused. "Just like you… Timelord…"

The Doctor stepped forward and drove the Sonic Screwdriver into the chest of the Delgada. Mithreel screeched and writhed in pain.

"Leave," he ordered. "Now!"

"STOP!" The Doctor took a step back.

"Leave…" he whispered.

"Very well…" whispered Mithreel, and she flew out of the window and into the night.

Emily stood there shaking.

"Is it gone?" The Doctor turned back to face her.

"Yes Emily," he nodded. "It's gone."

Emily felt her legs go weak beneath her as she slipped into unconsciousness…