(Elissa is short for Elizabeth)
Elissa knew from the beginning she was bound to Maria. She was no longer living, yes but… she could change things. She had been alive once, she used to be homeless too, playing on the dirty streets as a child and spent a lot of time with Maria, until the day he took her. He told her there would be food, comfort, a family. He lied to her. He took her in, made her think he cared, then he took her into that awful room, and held her to the table. He heard the unmistakeable revving of a chainsaw and let out as loud a scream as her lungs could manage, but soon felt the blade as it tore through her chest. She had then in her last moment realised why the Doctor had always told her she had a good heart.
Once she had passed on she found herself as a spirit, wandering the streets where she once played. She was wearing a long white gown, almost like a doll's. Elissa loved it so, it reminded her of the day when she was merely 2, a year before her parents' death, and they took her into town. There was a beautiful little store in the town that had the most beautiful dolls, sitting still in the window with their long ball gowns and dainty bodies. Elissa had always wanted to look like them, but never thought her wish would come true so soon…
She looked around the street where she hovered, and soon found Maria, sitting on the floor not too far away. She sat down next to her, and watched as she begged for food. Elissa could have helped her, stolen food for her from the market, if she was a different person that is. Even after death she could never bring herself to be mean to anybody, she didn't even seek revenge on her killer, never mind commit a crime. She simply watched Maria, sat alongside her, making sure she was okay, and that when she did starve wouldn't die alone. Days passed as she sat by her, she couldn't speak or contact Maria, to make her aware she was there, with her being a spirit and all, but she could still be with her, and that was good enough for Elissa.
Then he came. She was with Maria as always, sitting watching her beg, being with her like she always was. Then a tall figure approached, standing over them, casting his long shadow across the street. He looked down like he had done so before, just this time his gaze was turned to Maria. Elissa wanted to scream and pull Maria away from him, she knew what he had in store. She fought the urge, she must let things happen for a reason. Maria would surely starve if she were to stay on the streets, it was a matter of days now. She had to go, and so did Elissa. Elissa made a promise there and then that she would always protect Maria, and wouldn't let her have the same fate as she met herself.
She followed Maria and the Doctor to his home, and watched as he told Maria to stay in one of those awful cells, and as he carelessly threw the body in his hands onto the floor. She knew of Maria's skills, her ability to heal wounds. Maria had always longed to be a nurse, but deep down they both knew her dream would never come true. Elissa watched as Maria's curiosity overcame her and she pulled the cloth away with a gasp. Then as she began frantically tearing at the linen to create bandages, and finally as she sat curled up against the wall in tears, mourning the man and thinking herself a failure. Elissa couldn't bear to see Maria so distraught, and so she had to do something. Like Maria, Elissa also had skills, she had been able to heal too, except she could beat death itself. She hovered over to where the dead man lay, and put her hand over his chest, where Maria had placed hers just a few minutes ago. She concentrated hard, trying to bring back the man's life. Her hand began to glow, and she heard Maria scramble over to the body, an amazed smile upon her pale face.
She heard the Doctor coming. His footsteps got closer and closer until I strode into the room, unlocked the cell and stood there, fixed on Maria and the body in the corner. Elissa flinched, at first she had thought he was looking at her, that he could see her and recognised her. Then again, she though, he'd probably preformed many more 'experiments' since her, so he may not recognise her, if he can see her at all, that is. Her thoughts were interrupted when he began to speak:
'Did…did YOU do this?!' He said.
Elissa watched as a terror-stricken Maria nodded frantically.
' He.. he's alive… I was sure he wouldn't stand a chance so I wrapped him up ready to be disposed of, and you healed him? I admire your skills.' The doctor said with a faint smile, probably because he saw how scared Maria looked. Elissa saw Maria's cheeks fade to a bright pink, she was blushing. Elissa couldn't help but smile.
'You see, I am terribly bad at disposing of bodies myself, and as my subjects often end up passing on it's a job I must take on, as I cannot keep bodies here. Say, I don't suppose you would like to me my assistant? Help me with my experiments? I could do with an extra pair of hands and of course clothes, food and other necessities will be provided for you..'
There was a brief pause before Maria agreed, Elissa knew that Maria had forgotten about her. After all it had been many years since she had passed away. Even so, Elissa felt happy for Maria, maybe she won't share the same fate after all…