Doctor Who_ Earthworld - Jacqueline Rayner [8]
In a strange way, it made her feel stronger, because, however scary they were, she’d always been told that bullies were cowards. She’d had to deal with bullies many, many times, and she knew she could do it. The more they shouted, the more she was able to stand up to them, and the further from breaking down she became.
‘I’m not a terrorist. Do I look like a terrorist? Yes, all right, I don’t know what a terrorist is supposed to look like. Balaclavas and camouflage jackets, I suppose, that sort of thing, but you can see that isn’t me. No, I said balaclavas.
They’re a sort of. . . knitted head-covering thing. I suppose it should give me confidence to know that I’m in a civilisation that doesn’t have them. They’d suit you, though.’
One of the men grabbed her necklace and tore it from her neck, breaking the fragile chain. Anji yelped, and the personal violation of taking something so precious from her made her really snap. She leapt to her feet ( Ouch! Her feet!), pushing the chair back, and half shouted, half screamed, ‘Give that back now!’
The guards had leapt to their feet too, and their guns were now pointing straight at her. She made an effort to calm down. Explain things rationally.
‘It was a present from my boyfriend. The last present he ever gave me. It was for no more sinister purpose than to celebrate our anniversary. Our last ever anniversary. I would appreciate you giving it back.’
18
EarthWorld
They didn’t. They didn’t seem to understand. Or care.
‘I don’t know what you think it signifies, but it’s just my name. Anji. It’s my name. It was a custom where I come from to have necklaces with your name on.’ They kept staring. Ridiculously she explained further. ‘Well, safety groups didn’t advise it because they said that strange men could read your name and pretend they know you, but as I’m not six years old and can look after myself. . .
Look, will you just give it back, please?’
The men wouldn’t. They seemed to have got it into their heads that her necklace proved her to be a terrorist. She was getting very frustrated now.
‘It’s just a necklace! It’s clearly not a terrorist badge. Look, where’s the Doctor? He’ll tell you you’ve got the wrong idea. The Doctor – the man who was with me? Tall white guy, brown curls, green coat? He’s hardly forgettable.
No, not “the other terrorist”. Honestly, are you listening to me at all? It’s quite ridiculous to say, “If you won’t answer our questions. . . ” I am quite clearly answering your questions to the very best of my ability, but they seem to bear no relation to reality! What you mean is that I won’t give you the answers that you’re after. Well, I can’t. I don’t know what you want me to say, and even if I did I wouldn’t say it unless it were true. Now, would you please give me back my necklace?’
But they still wouldn’t.
‘Oh, this is ridiculous. Why on Earth is my necklace so important?’
The men gaped at her for a second. Then the questions started again, slightly quieter and with a puzzled edge. Anji was puzzled too.
‘Yes, I said “Earth”. Why? I’m beginning to figure that I’m not where I hoped I was. Yes, “Why on Earth.” It’s just an expression where I come from. It’s not a big deal. Is it? Look, can I see the Doctor now?’
The men looked at each other. One of them nodded. At that, Anji’s inner bravado collapsed almost immediately in a huge surge of relief. She tried not to show that as they led her out of the room, down the carpeted corridors, twisting and turning and finally reaching a solid metal door with a keypad lock, which they activated. But after the door had slammed, shutting her in a cell with the Doctor, she collapsed to the floor.
The Doctor’s voice was saying ‘Hello, Anji,’ from somewhere above her, and Anji sat up, clasping her knees.
‘Hi,’ she said. ‘Sorry about that.’
The Doctor smiled at her. ‘I’m very glad you’re all right.’ He gestured behind him, and Anji realised they weren’t alone.
The Fluffy Frog in the Sky
19
‘Everyone, this is Anji!’
Three teenage boys, probably about seventeen or eighteen, were sitting on one of the plastic