Fic: The Powerless God (2/3)
Title: The Powerless God (2/3)
Author: Mary (stillxmyxheart)
Beta: Rebekah (mirimeneume)
Rating: PG-13 (violence)
Genre: Drama, Angst, Romance, AU
Word Count: 2,513
Characters: Rose, Ten, Original Character; Rose/Ten
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: Anything you recognize? Ain't mine.
Summary: The Doctor and Rose arrive on a planet that at first glance appears to be simple and primitive, but they soon discover things aren't quite what they seem.
The Doctor watched the sun rise, admiring the patterns the light created on the wall as it came through the shutters.
Rose was curled up beside him, her arm draped over his stomach, her head on his shoulder, still sound asleep.
The Doctor idly played with her hair, waiting for her to wake up. He never really slept, never had the need for it, but he dozed from time to time. He liked to watch Rose sleep, though, liked to watch her dream.
The corner of his mouth lifted as Rose sighed and shifted, moving so her head rested on his chest and opening her eyes.
She groaned and scowled against the sunlight, throwing her arm across her eyes.
"Morning," the Doctor said, grinning.
Rose peeked out from under her arm.
"Morning. What time is it?"
"No idea," the Doctor replied, laughing softly.
Rose smiled, covering her eyes again.
"Force of habit."
"Sleep well?"
Rose nodded, removing her arm now that her eyes had adjusted.
"You're very comfortable."
"You knew that."
"I did."
The Doctor smiled and leaned forward, lightly pressing his lips to Rose's.
She smiled and frowned at the same time.
"Did you bring my toothbrush?" she asked hopefully. The Doctor nodded and Rose raised her eyebrows approvingly. "You're getting good at this."
The Doctor grinned, pleased, and Rose giggled, pushing herself up and walking over to rummage through her bag.
She walked over to the dresser, peering into the basin before pushing open the shutters and pouring the water out the window.
She poured more water from the pitcher into her small travel cup and brushed her teeth, glancing sidelong at the Doctor as he watched her, amused.
"What?" Rose asked after she'd rinsed and spit.
"All your little rituals. They're fun to watch."
Rose shook her head and poured more water into the basin to wash her face.
The Doctor sat up, grabbing his tie and jacket from where they draped over the foot of the bed. As he pulled them on, he watched Rose dress, smiling to himself she pulled her pajamas off, her back to him.
She pulled her jeans on and the Doctor's smile widened as she pulled her bra on, reaching back to fasten the hooks.
The Doctor stood, walking up behind Rose as she smoothed lotion over her shoulders. He put his arms around her waist, pressing his lips to her neck.
"You smell nice," he murmured.
Rose laughed softly. "Stop it."
She twisted out of the Doctor's arms, dropping the lotion into her bag and pulling out her shirt from the day before.
She turned to face him as she pulled the shirt on, smiling as she fastened the buttons.
"We're guests in this house, and besides, we have work to do."
The Doctor nodded, hands on Rose's hips.
"But later," she promised, grabbing the lapels of his jacket and pulling him closer. She grinned slyly and kissed him.
"Come on, now, Sarina's probably up." Rose ran her brush through her hair and she and the Doctor left the room.
Sarina smiled as they entered the kitchen, looking up from the pot she was checking.
"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
"We did, thank you."
Rose glanced at the Doctor as he wandered over to the open front door to peer outside.
Sarina ladled out bowls of what looked like oatmeal and handed one to Rose, who smiled her thanks, and one to the Doctor, who nodded absently.
Rose rolled her eyes and Sarina shook her head.
"Aston was the same way, don't worry about it."
The Doctor watched as the village woke up, the stall owners setting up their wares and women once again converging around the well. He waved experimentally at Malaya as she passed and she ducked her head, averting her eyes.
The Doctor frowned, chewing his breakfast pensively.
He took a few more bites and then turned to face the women.
"Are we ready?" he asked, impatient to figure out what was wrong with this village.
Rose recognized the look on his face and nodded.
"Sarina?" she asked. The other woman nodded and collected their bowls. She grabbed a satchel that was hanging from a hook on the wall and the three of them left the house.
Sarina walked them to the very end of the main road and then stopped, smiling apologetically at them.
"This is as far as I can go. The path will take you where you need to go," she said, pointing at the well-defined trail. "And here, I made these for you."
She pulled two small packs from her bag and handed one to each of them.
"Like I said, it's a half day's journey, so there's some fruit and bread and water in there."
"Thank you, Sarina," Rose said, smiling. "We'll see you again soon."
The women hugged and Sarina and the Doctor shook heads, Sarina once again clasping his hand in both of hers.
"Good luck," Sarina said and watched as the Doctor and Rose started down the trail.
"Do you really think he's human?" Rose asked after they'd been walking for a little while.
"The TARDIS seems to think so. Of course, there are ways to mask your true origins."
"Down to the DNA?" Rose asked skeptically.
"Oh yes."
"That's frightening," Rose murmured. The Doctor nodded his agreement and they fell silent.
The sun was high in the sky when they stopped to rest and Rose ate some of her fruit, sitting on a fallen tree.
"D'you think we're almost there?" she asked, wiping juice off her chin.
"Sarina said half a day, so I'd imagine so."
Rose stood and took a swallow of water before sticking the pouch back in her small sack and they continued on.
It wasn't long before they reached a large clearing, in the very center of which sat what was essentially a temple.
"Even less quaint," the Doctor muttered.
Rose nodded, uncomfortable just looking at it.
"Shall we?" the Doctor said brightly. Rose couldn't resist a small smile as they started up the steps.
Rose and the Doctor reached the top of the stairs to see a man sitting on a throne in the back of the room, dressed in dark blue robes. Rose frowned curiously at the tapestry that hung on the wall behind the man; it didn't seem to match the other decorations in the room, which seemed to consist of a series of what looked like ceremonial vases and urns.
"The woman is not permitted," the man stated, his voice booming.
"The name's Rose, and I'm not leaving. Sorry."
Rose smiled sweetly and the Doctor grinned.
"And I'm the Doctor. Who are you then?"
"The Judge," the man answered, scrutinizing Rose.
"Just... the Judge? Not very intimidating, is it?" The Doctor glanced at Rose, who shook her head.
"You should control your woman better," the Judge said, scowling at Rose. She frowned at him.
"Nobody 'controls' me, thanks. Certainly not him."
"What sort of man are you?" the Judge asked, gazing at the Doctor.
"I'm the man who's going to stop you. Whatever it is you've done to the village, it stops now."
The Judge smirked. "You won't stop me, you who can't even handle your woman."
"I'm giving you a choice," the Doctor said, holding up his hand as Rose opened her mouth to speak. "Stop now, or I'll stop you." The Doctor stared levelly at the Judge, who stared evenly back.
"Then you'll have to stop me."
"So be it," the Doctor said and turned on his heel, striding from the room. Rose followed, glancing back once as the Judge pulled a small glass orb from inside his robes. Rose frowned and hurried after the Doctor.
"Where we are going?" she asked, struggling to keep up with his long strides.
"The TARDIS. Could you try to keep up?"
Rose frowned at him. "I am. You're a bit taller than me, in case you forgot."
The Doctor didn't reply and Rose sighed.
"Are you sure you're going the right way?" she asked. "We seem to be walking a bit blindly."
"I don't need directions from you," the Doctor snapped and Rose stopped in her tracks.
"Now wait just a minute."
The Doctor stopped and looked back at her, clearly annoyed.
"We don't have time for this, Rose." He strode forward and grabbed hold of Rose's arm and began to pull her along.
She wrenched her arm from his grasp, her heart twisting as she looked up at him.
"He's done it to you. Whatever it is, he's done it to you."
"Don't be ridiculous. Come on."
"No."
The Doctor looked at her incredulously, and unless Rose was very much mistaken, with an added touch of rising anger.
"Rose, we really don't have time for this. I'm fine, I swear to you. Now come on."
Rose bit her bottom lip uncertainly. Whatever was wrong, the TARDIS would definitely be a huge help, and so she nodded and began to follow the Doctor again.
They reached the TARDIS after a few hours and went inside. The Doctor immediately when to the console and began pushing buttons.
"What are you doing?" Rose asked, rushing over to him.
"Leaving."
"What? We can't leave! We have to help them!" Rose cried.
"Maybe they're better off this way, hmm?"
Rose shook her head, horrified. "Sarina said it was gradual..."
The Doctor sneered. "What does she know?"
"Get away from the console," Rose said, trying to sound commanding.
"Oh, are you gonna make me?" the Doctor said, looking up at Rose.
"If I have to." Rose's fingers fumbled under the edge of the console until she grasped the handle of the mallet.
The Doctor could clearly see what she was trying to do and he stepped back away from the console.
"All right, Rose. Stop me." He stepped toward Rose and she backed away from him, away from the console.
Too quick, always too quick for her, he darted forward, grasping her wrist and bending it back until she cried out, dropping the mallet. She raised her other hand but he grabbed it too before she could get very far.
"Not how the game is played, darling." He pressed a nerve in her hand and she yelled as something that felt very much like lightning shot up her arm, almost as though he'd touched the raw nerve itself. He let her hand go and her arm fell to her side, now tingling painfully.
"You're so useless," he muttered, tightening his grip on her other wrist. "I never should've saved you, should've just let you go, off into the Void." He waved the fingers of his free hand and grinned maliciously.
"Stop it, this isn't you," Rose said, wincing as he squeezed her wrist tighter.
"It's all me, sweetheart." Rose pulled back as the Doctor moved against her, touching the collar of her shirt with his fingertips, his hand moving down.
"You smell nice," he whispered in a grotesque repetition of that morning.
"Stop it," Rose said, her voice shaking.
"You did promise," he said, pulling on her shirt hard enough to pop the first button off.
"I said stop!" Rose yelled, wrenching herself away and slapping him across the face before she could stop herself.
His hand shot out, the smack resounding through the room as Rose stumbled back a step.
The Doctor grabbed her arm, pulling her to him again, and grasped her face in his hand, forcing her to look at him, his fingers digging into her skin.
"You think you're in control here? Think again."
He shoved Rose to the floor, kneeling over her, and she shut her eyes, blindly fumbling along the grating until she found the mallet handle. She opened her eyes and swung the mallet, connecting with the side of the Doctor's head.
He slumped immediately, collapsing on top of her.
Rose gasped and pushed him off and onto his back, hoping to everything she could think of that she hadn't hit him hard enough to cause him to regenerate. That was the last thing she needed.
She checked his head and was relieved to see no blood, but she had to hurry before he woke up.
She got to her feet and dragged him over to the railing, then frantically pulled up a section of the floor, noticing a bit of carelessly coiled rope.
She grabbed it and wrapped it around him, tying him to the railing. She knew it wouldn't hold him long, though, and she ducked back under the floor.
"Handcuffs, handcuffs, where's the sodding H bin?" She shoved aside crates and trunks and finally spotted it, behind the rarely used X container.
She flung the lid up and rummaged until she finally found a pair of handcuffs.
"Key, need a key," she muttered and had a thought.
She hurried out from under the floor and over to the Doctor, still passed out. She clicked the cuffs around his wrists and had to loosen the ropes so she could search inside his jacket pocket for the sonic screwdriver.
She found it, using it to deadlock the cuffs before tightening the ropes again.
She checked his head and then screamed, falling backward, when he suddenly opened his eyes.
The Doctor glared at her. "Clever, this. How long do you think it'll hold?"
"Long enough, I hope." Rose stood, nervously wiping her sweaty palms on her jeans. "I'm going to save you."
"You're not nearly smart enough to stop it."
"I will. Deep inside, you know that. I'll save you."
Rose backed away, holding the Doctor's gaze all the way to the door.
"You better hope you do, because I'm all you've got left!" the Doctor shouted after her as she stepped outside, closing and locking the doors.
Rose slumped against the doors, sliding down them until she sat on the ground, her hand pressed tightly against her mouth, not wanting the Doctor to hear her sobs.
She was terrified because he was exactly right: he was all she had left. Her mother and Mickey were in the parallel world, where Rose had left them to spend her life traveling with the Doctor.
And now the Doctor had been affected by the same thing as the men in the village and if Rose couldn't fix it... she couldn't even bear to think about it.
She took a few deep breaths, closing her eyes for a moment and running her fingers through her hair.
She took stock of herself, figuring out what hurt.
Her wrist was sore, bruises forming like bracelets, and her other arm still tingled vaguely from the earlier pressure on her nerve. Her cheek felt warm and she knew it was red, and she worked her jaw, feeling more soreness from where he'd grabbed her face. She imagined fingertip shaped bruises on her skin and took another deep breath before standing, sliding the sonic screwdriver into her pocket.
She touched the wood of the blue police box, seeking comfort in its familiarity, and then started back through the woods.
Author: Mary (stillxmyxheart)
Beta: Rebekah (mirimeneume)
Rating: PG-13 (violence)
Genre: Drama, Angst, Romance, AU
Word Count: 2,513
Characters: Rose, Ten, Original Character; Rose/Ten
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: Anything you recognize? Ain't mine.
Summary: The Doctor and Rose arrive on a planet that at first glance appears to be simple and primitive, but they soon discover things aren't quite what they seem.
The Doctor watched the sun rise, admiring the patterns the light created on the wall as it came through the shutters.
Rose was curled up beside him, her arm draped over his stomach, her head on his shoulder, still sound asleep.
The Doctor idly played with her hair, waiting for her to wake up. He never really slept, never had the need for it, but he dozed from time to time. He liked to watch Rose sleep, though, liked to watch her dream.
The corner of his mouth lifted as Rose sighed and shifted, moving so her head rested on his chest and opening her eyes.
She groaned and scowled against the sunlight, throwing her arm across her eyes.
"Morning," the Doctor said, grinning.
Rose peeked out from under her arm.
"Morning. What time is it?"
"No idea," the Doctor replied, laughing softly.
Rose smiled, covering her eyes again.
"Force of habit."
"Sleep well?"
Rose nodded, removing her arm now that her eyes had adjusted.
"You're very comfortable."
"You knew that."
"I did."
The Doctor smiled and leaned forward, lightly pressing his lips to Rose's.
She smiled and frowned at the same time.
"Did you bring my toothbrush?" she asked hopefully. The Doctor nodded and Rose raised her eyebrows approvingly. "You're getting good at this."
The Doctor grinned, pleased, and Rose giggled, pushing herself up and walking over to rummage through her bag.
She walked over to the dresser, peering into the basin before pushing open the shutters and pouring the water out the window.
She poured more water from the pitcher into her small travel cup and brushed her teeth, glancing sidelong at the Doctor as he watched her, amused.
"What?" Rose asked after she'd rinsed and spit.
"All your little rituals. They're fun to watch."
Rose shook her head and poured more water into the basin to wash her face.
The Doctor sat up, grabbing his tie and jacket from where they draped over the foot of the bed. As he pulled them on, he watched Rose dress, smiling to himself she pulled her pajamas off, her back to him.
She pulled her jeans on and the Doctor's smile widened as she pulled her bra on, reaching back to fasten the hooks.
The Doctor stood, walking up behind Rose as she smoothed lotion over her shoulders. He put his arms around her waist, pressing his lips to her neck.
"You smell nice," he murmured.
Rose laughed softly. "Stop it."
She twisted out of the Doctor's arms, dropping the lotion into her bag and pulling out her shirt from the day before.
She turned to face him as she pulled the shirt on, smiling as she fastened the buttons.
"We're guests in this house, and besides, we have work to do."
The Doctor nodded, hands on Rose's hips.
"But later," she promised, grabbing the lapels of his jacket and pulling him closer. She grinned slyly and kissed him.
"Come on, now, Sarina's probably up." Rose ran her brush through her hair and she and the Doctor left the room.
Sarina smiled as they entered the kitchen, looking up from the pot she was checking.
"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
"We did, thank you."
Rose glanced at the Doctor as he wandered over to the open front door to peer outside.
Sarina ladled out bowls of what looked like oatmeal and handed one to Rose, who smiled her thanks, and one to the Doctor, who nodded absently.
Rose rolled her eyes and Sarina shook her head.
"Aston was the same way, don't worry about it."
The Doctor watched as the village woke up, the stall owners setting up their wares and women once again converging around the well. He waved experimentally at Malaya as she passed and she ducked her head, averting her eyes.
The Doctor frowned, chewing his breakfast pensively.
He took a few more bites and then turned to face the women.
"Are we ready?" he asked, impatient to figure out what was wrong with this village.
Rose recognized the look on his face and nodded.
"Sarina?" she asked. The other woman nodded and collected their bowls. She grabbed a satchel that was hanging from a hook on the wall and the three of them left the house.
Sarina walked them to the very end of the main road and then stopped, smiling apologetically at them.
"This is as far as I can go. The path will take you where you need to go," she said, pointing at the well-defined trail. "And here, I made these for you."
She pulled two small packs from her bag and handed one to each of them.
"Like I said, it's a half day's journey, so there's some fruit and bread and water in there."
"Thank you, Sarina," Rose said, smiling. "We'll see you again soon."
The women hugged and Sarina and the Doctor shook heads, Sarina once again clasping his hand in both of hers.
"Good luck," Sarina said and watched as the Doctor and Rose started down the trail.
"Do you really think he's human?" Rose asked after they'd been walking for a little while.
"The TARDIS seems to think so. Of course, there are ways to mask your true origins."
"Down to the DNA?" Rose asked skeptically.
"Oh yes."
"That's frightening," Rose murmured. The Doctor nodded his agreement and they fell silent.
The sun was high in the sky when they stopped to rest and Rose ate some of her fruit, sitting on a fallen tree.
"D'you think we're almost there?" she asked, wiping juice off her chin.
"Sarina said half a day, so I'd imagine so."
Rose stood and took a swallow of water before sticking the pouch back in her small sack and they continued on.
It wasn't long before they reached a large clearing, in the very center of which sat what was essentially a temple.
"Even less quaint," the Doctor muttered.
Rose nodded, uncomfortable just looking at it.
"Shall we?" the Doctor said brightly. Rose couldn't resist a small smile as they started up the steps.
Rose and the Doctor reached the top of the stairs to see a man sitting on a throne in the back of the room, dressed in dark blue robes. Rose frowned curiously at the tapestry that hung on the wall behind the man; it didn't seem to match the other decorations in the room, which seemed to consist of a series of what looked like ceremonial vases and urns.
"The woman is not permitted," the man stated, his voice booming.
"The name's Rose, and I'm not leaving. Sorry."
Rose smiled sweetly and the Doctor grinned.
"And I'm the Doctor. Who are you then?"
"The Judge," the man answered, scrutinizing Rose.
"Just... the Judge? Not very intimidating, is it?" The Doctor glanced at Rose, who shook her head.
"You should control your woman better," the Judge said, scowling at Rose. She frowned at him.
"Nobody 'controls' me, thanks. Certainly not him."
"What sort of man are you?" the Judge asked, gazing at the Doctor.
"I'm the man who's going to stop you. Whatever it is you've done to the village, it stops now."
The Judge smirked. "You won't stop me, you who can't even handle your woman."
"I'm giving you a choice," the Doctor said, holding up his hand as Rose opened her mouth to speak. "Stop now, or I'll stop you." The Doctor stared levelly at the Judge, who stared evenly back.
"Then you'll have to stop me."
"So be it," the Doctor said and turned on his heel, striding from the room. Rose followed, glancing back once as the Judge pulled a small glass orb from inside his robes. Rose frowned and hurried after the Doctor.
"Where we are going?" she asked, struggling to keep up with his long strides.
"The TARDIS. Could you try to keep up?"
Rose frowned at him. "I am. You're a bit taller than me, in case you forgot."
The Doctor didn't reply and Rose sighed.
"Are you sure you're going the right way?" she asked. "We seem to be walking a bit blindly."
"I don't need directions from you," the Doctor snapped and Rose stopped in her tracks.
"Now wait just a minute."
The Doctor stopped and looked back at her, clearly annoyed.
"We don't have time for this, Rose." He strode forward and grabbed hold of Rose's arm and began to pull her along.
She wrenched her arm from his grasp, her heart twisting as she looked up at him.
"He's done it to you. Whatever it is, he's done it to you."
"Don't be ridiculous. Come on."
"No."
The Doctor looked at her incredulously, and unless Rose was very much mistaken, with an added touch of rising anger.
"Rose, we really don't have time for this. I'm fine, I swear to you. Now come on."
Rose bit her bottom lip uncertainly. Whatever was wrong, the TARDIS would definitely be a huge help, and so she nodded and began to follow the Doctor again.
They reached the TARDIS after a few hours and went inside. The Doctor immediately when to the console and began pushing buttons.
"What are you doing?" Rose asked, rushing over to him.
"Leaving."
"What? We can't leave! We have to help them!" Rose cried.
"Maybe they're better off this way, hmm?"
Rose shook her head, horrified. "Sarina said it was gradual..."
The Doctor sneered. "What does she know?"
"Get away from the console," Rose said, trying to sound commanding.
"Oh, are you gonna make me?" the Doctor said, looking up at Rose.
"If I have to." Rose's fingers fumbled under the edge of the console until she grasped the handle of the mallet.
The Doctor could clearly see what she was trying to do and he stepped back away from the console.
"All right, Rose. Stop me." He stepped toward Rose and she backed away from him, away from the console.
Too quick, always too quick for her, he darted forward, grasping her wrist and bending it back until she cried out, dropping the mallet. She raised her other hand but he grabbed it too before she could get very far.
"Not how the game is played, darling." He pressed a nerve in her hand and she yelled as something that felt very much like lightning shot up her arm, almost as though he'd touched the raw nerve itself. He let her hand go and her arm fell to her side, now tingling painfully.
"You're so useless," he muttered, tightening his grip on her other wrist. "I never should've saved you, should've just let you go, off into the Void." He waved the fingers of his free hand and grinned maliciously.
"Stop it, this isn't you," Rose said, wincing as he squeezed her wrist tighter.
"It's all me, sweetheart." Rose pulled back as the Doctor moved against her, touching the collar of her shirt with his fingertips, his hand moving down.
"You smell nice," he whispered in a grotesque repetition of that morning.
"Stop it," Rose said, her voice shaking.
"You did promise," he said, pulling on her shirt hard enough to pop the first button off.
"I said stop!" Rose yelled, wrenching herself away and slapping him across the face before she could stop herself.
His hand shot out, the smack resounding through the room as Rose stumbled back a step.
The Doctor grabbed her arm, pulling her to him again, and grasped her face in his hand, forcing her to look at him, his fingers digging into her skin.
"You think you're in control here? Think again."
He shoved Rose to the floor, kneeling over her, and she shut her eyes, blindly fumbling along the grating until she found the mallet handle. She opened her eyes and swung the mallet, connecting with the side of the Doctor's head.
He slumped immediately, collapsing on top of her.
Rose gasped and pushed him off and onto his back, hoping to everything she could think of that she hadn't hit him hard enough to cause him to regenerate. That was the last thing she needed.
She checked his head and was relieved to see no blood, but she had to hurry before he woke up.
She got to her feet and dragged him over to the railing, then frantically pulled up a section of the floor, noticing a bit of carelessly coiled rope.
She grabbed it and wrapped it around him, tying him to the railing. She knew it wouldn't hold him long, though, and she ducked back under the floor.
"Handcuffs, handcuffs, where's the sodding H bin?" She shoved aside crates and trunks and finally spotted it, behind the rarely used X container.
She flung the lid up and rummaged until she finally found a pair of handcuffs.
"Key, need a key," she muttered and had a thought.
She hurried out from under the floor and over to the Doctor, still passed out. She clicked the cuffs around his wrists and had to loosen the ropes so she could search inside his jacket pocket for the sonic screwdriver.
She found it, using it to deadlock the cuffs before tightening the ropes again.
She checked his head and then screamed, falling backward, when he suddenly opened his eyes.
The Doctor glared at her. "Clever, this. How long do you think it'll hold?"
"Long enough, I hope." Rose stood, nervously wiping her sweaty palms on her jeans. "I'm going to save you."
"You're not nearly smart enough to stop it."
"I will. Deep inside, you know that. I'll save you."
Rose backed away, holding the Doctor's gaze all the way to the door.
"You better hope you do, because I'm all you've got left!" the Doctor shouted after her as she stepped outside, closing and locking the doors.
Rose slumped against the doors, sliding down them until she sat on the ground, her hand pressed tightly against her mouth, not wanting the Doctor to hear her sobs.
She was terrified because he was exactly right: he was all she had left. Her mother and Mickey were in the parallel world, where Rose had left them to spend her life traveling with the Doctor.
And now the Doctor had been affected by the same thing as the men in the village and if Rose couldn't fix it... she couldn't even bear to think about it.
She took a few deep breaths, closing her eyes for a moment and running her fingers through her hair.
She took stock of herself, figuring out what hurt.
Her wrist was sore, bruises forming like bracelets, and her other arm still tingled vaguely from the earlier pressure on her nerve. Her cheek felt warm and she knew it was red, and she worked her jaw, feeling more soreness from where he'd grabbed her face. She imagined fingertip shaped bruises on her skin and took another deep breath before standing, sliding the sonic screwdriver into her pocket.
She touched the wood of the blue police box, seeking comfort in its familiarity, and then started back through the woods.