I honestly was planning on just giving up the ghost with this story, as I really don't feel like I'm hitting the mark with it, at all. In re-reading it, I found it a bit disjointed and irregular, and just not terribly exciting to write, in my view. Oh, I like writing TLDC, but it doesn't have me eager to shoot off the next chapter, like other stories have done, in the recent past. To put it succinctly, I find this story a wee bit dull. But, a couple of folks have asked that it continue, so I will honor their requests, and thank them for their comments. N. (Playwrite27)
Doctor Who: Time Lords Don't Cry
CHAPTER 16: Face-to-Face
Shaking his head to clear it, and spitting out dirt, the Doctor came to. He'd merely been stunned by the fall, but found himself half buried under a small mound of dirt and stones. Brushing the debris from his clothing, the Doctor groaned. Stiffly, holding his back, he stood and looked up through the open trap door. "Arrgh, I do believe I'm starting to feel my age." He muttered sourly. The Doctor abruptly remembered his young companion. He could see the faint reflection of flames from the burning farmhouse. Cupping his hands he shouted, “Marie! Marie? Can you hear me? If you can, go towards the farmhouse. She won’t follow you there." The Doctor listened, but could only hear the crackle of flames. He sucked in his breath, his brow creased with anxiety. The Doctor shouted again, hoping fervently in his hearts, that she was still alive to hear him. "Marie! Can you hear me? If you can hear me, Go towards the flames--but not too close. Stay back as far as you can.” Not waiting for an answer, the Doctor quickly headed for the end of the tunnel, hoping to find a way out.
The Doctor had lost his torch in the fall. Now, he was forced to grope about in near pitch blackness, the rapidly diminishing light of the flames making things that much harder. Bent double, he jogged along feeling the walls on both sides, stumbling over large stones. He started when something alive ran over his boot. It gave a high pitched squeal and scurried off. “Rats! I hate rats!” He muttered. “Especially rats in tunnels.”
Just then, the Doctor's hand slapped a horizontal wooden slat. Finding the bottom rung, he quickly climbed up, hoping that a working door awaited him at the other end. Just as he neared the top, a roar filled the tunnel, and the overhead beams began to buckle, causing large chunks of dirt to rain down upon him. The Doctor yanked open the trap door and was assailed by an overpowering sour ammonia-like odour.
Pulling himself up through the door, he wrinkled his nose and made a face. Just his luck, this opening would happen to be situated next to the manure pile. Holding his nose the Doctor said, “Well, I don’t have to worry about anyone looking for a door there, at any rate.” Walking away, he looked towards what remained of the house. It was gone. There were just piles of burning lumber and twisted metal pipes. He saw that half the roof that had landed in the back yard, but there was no sign of Marie. The Doctor stubbed his toe on something white. Picking it up, he absently tucked it inside his shirt. The Doctor softly called Marie's name, but he was greeted with silence.
Anxiously, the Doctor approached the wreckage of the house, all the while keeping a wary eye out for any more of Uncle Tobias’ friends. He was scanning the site, when the Doctor noticed a shadow detach itself from one of the nearby trees. Backing away guardedly, he stood waiting. “Doctor? Is that you?” He breathed a sigh of relief as Marie came running up to him. Hugging her, he grinned wildly and asked, “You’re alright sweetheart?” She nodded. “It was the fire. Mrs. McHenry didn’t want to go near the fire.”
The Doctor looked at her quizzically. “Mrs. McHenry?” Then a light dawned on him. “Ah yes, your uncle’s lady friend. Who was she then?” Marie looked at him sadly, whispering,“She lived in an old trailer down the road. She used to work in our school cafeteria.” The Doctor sighed. “Well, hopefully the explosion and fire took care of at least some of them.” A muffled metallic clanking came from underneath the still-burning house. “Whoops. Spoke too soon, I see.” He looked soberly at Marie. “I’ve got to get back to the Tardis--that’s my ship. And I need to do it rather quickly.” He smiled ruefully and scratched his cheek. “Only problem is, I can’t remember where it’s parked.”
Marie smiled. “It is a big blue box that says “Police” on it?” The Doctor beamed. “That’s the one. Any idea how we can get there in a hurry?” Marie turned and headed towards a small shed next to the barn. Grabbing his hand, she said, “Come with me, Doctor.” With a bemused expression, the Doctor allowed her to lead him to the shed. Marie pushed open the double doors to the shed. Reaching inside, she fished out a small railroad lantern. Pulling a book of matches from her pocket she lit it. The Doctor merely watched, and waited patiently. Marie stepped inside and swung the lantern forward, pointing at something. The Doctor looked. There in front of him was a large older pick up truck. The ’65 Chevy had once been red but now was more rust than paint. The tires were nearly bald and the windshield was cracked. "This was Uncle Tobias' truck." She said.
“Do you know how to drive?” Marie queried. “Oh yes.” The Doctor rubbed his hands together. “Maybe now, we can get somewhere.” Getting behind the wheel, he noticed a bumper sticker stuck to the back window. “Vote for Bush.” The Doctor snorted. “Well, that figures,” he turned on the headlamps and cranked over the engine. It wouldn’t turn over. “Let’s hope your uncle didn’t go the cheap on the petrol for this thing.” The Doctor huffed. Something made him look up. Out of the blue, the bulk of Uncle Tobias in his armored suit filled the doorway of the shed.
