Ach - I've been evil. I've kept silent for AGES sorry. Life got on top of me as I had to do carol services at school. However, I've written at least a sentence every day and have just started Chapter 10. Here's Chapter 8 for you - it's quite short, but Chapter 9 is the longest yet, capping it off at 1,389 words! I'm uploading 9 today as well to say sorry.
Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 8: Secrets
The door swung open to reveal a very familiar scene. Eyphah bit her hand to keep from crying out as she took in the Orphanage before her. River and the Doctor disembarked the TARDIS, and she found herself inexplicably drawn after them. The door closed behind her with a soft click.
"Woah..." She said softly, gazing around in amazement. She had not expected them to be lying about the machine, but seeing it take effect was astonishing.
The Doctor already had his little silver device out and was shining the green light about, reading off of a miniature display on the side every now and again. "No, no, no, no, no! I'm sure it said... What? This doesn't- Gah!" He threw his arms up in the air and stormed back across the room, scanning again.
Eyphah tapped River's shoulder tentatively. "Um, what is he doing exactly?" She asked, trying not to sound too doubtful of the Doctor - she was, of course, speaking to his wife. River laughed softly. "He's scanning for- something. With his sonic screwdriver."
"Speaking of my screwdriver, dear," the Doctor came back across the room, "there seems to be something wrong with it. I had a clear positive result earlier and now there's nothing at all." He pressed a button on the side lazily, clearly trying to demonstrate his point. The sonic buzzed loudly and he jumped in surprise.
"WHAT?! Now you're reading that? Make up your mind!"
He flicked it across the room again, including the ceiling and floor. No noises came from the small device. He squinted and held it close to his nose, glaring at the tiny device. Eyphah thought she saw the device seem to shrink back from his gaze.
"Dear, shall I have a go?" River was patient, holding out her hand, but the Doctor just waved at her absently. "Shh!" Silence followed. The Doctor cocked his head and listened intently.
"It's not broken..." He gulped and looked up, turning in circles. "River, it's working! The test is right! Don't you feel it! The time residue…" River was silent, breathing softly as she extended her extra senses, then a grin spread across her face.
"Oh my... Finally..." The two gazed around the room intently, searching. Eyphah stood where she was, befuddled by their behaviour. They were clearly experiencing something she could not.
Nervous habit caused her to take the pocket watch from around her neck into her hand, listening to the faint echoes of whispered words that came from it. The Doctor's sonic buzzed loudly and he turned suddenly to look at Eyphah. His gaze fell upon the watch.
Eyphah watched as his mouth slipped slightly open and he grabbed River's arm. She turned to, and like her husband gaped at the watch.
"What?" Eyphah said softly, slightly intimidated by the power of their gaze. "What's wrong?"
"Where did you get that?" River's voice was strained. Neither made any move to answer Eyphah's own question.
"I've always had it. Why?" Eyphah was frightened now, but didn't know why. She started to back away from the pair slowly.
It was now that the Doctor spoke. "You do realise, Eyphah, that that watch is singing?"