Doctor Who_ Last of the Gaderene - Mark Gatiss [46]
The thing falls back from the window, suddenly afraid.
The two creatures that have emerged shrink back from the elements as though shocked at what they see. It is as if they haven’t been outside in a long, long time. All around them is decay and desolation. After a time, the closer of the two glances down at the thing at its feet.
The thing tries to look appealing. It tries to look whole and healthy and useful. It raises a claw in greeting, in brotherhood. The closer of the two creatures responds and for an instant, hope lifts the thing’s heart.
Then the other lifts its weapon and a bolt of red fire disintegrates the thing to the screaming wind.
Without a sound, the two creatures from the palace turn and re-enter the airlock. One of them turns as the door slides shut, taking a last, long look at the world he has left behind...
The Doctor placed the flat of his hand on Noah’s brow. Ted Bishop and Jo stood to one side of the sofa, their faces fixed in concerned frowns. They had caught up with Mrs Toovey on the village green and she sat close by, frightened, anxiously fiddling with her rings.
The Doctor nodded to himself. ‘Severe shock. Keep him warm. Plenty of fluids. He should be all right.’
Noah’s father was hugging his arms around himself, as though for comfort. ‘I found him up by the aerodrome. Just off the road. In a ditch. Max reckons he must’ve been hit by one of them lorries.’
Jo looked across at the recumbent boy. ‘Is that true, Doctor?’
The Doctor got to his feet and shook his head. ‘There’s no sign of physical damage apart from the gash on his forehead.
No, this boy’s been frightened out of his wits.’ He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ‘Where’s your brother now, Mr Bishop?’
Ted jerked a thumb over his shoulder. ‘He’s gone to fetch the constable. Shouldn’t be long now.’
The Doctor nodded. ‘No sign of the Wing Commander and now a young man in shock.’
‘And both connected to the aerodrome, somehow,’
muttered Jo.
The Doctor walked to the window and pulled back the curtains in one swift stroke. The first streaks of dawn were beginning to lighten the sky. ‘Well, it’s been a long night. I suggest you all get some rest.’
Mrs Toovey nodded, quickly slipping back into the protective mode she knew so well. ‘I’ll see to your rooms then.’
The Doctor smiled pleasantly. ‘Thank you, Mrs Toovey.
I’m sure Miss Grant will find hers satisfactory.’
Jo stopped at the door. ‘You’re not coming?’
The Doctor looked down at Noah. ‘No. I’ll stay here with young Noah. Then Mr Bishop can get some sleep too.’
Ted ran a hand over his drawn, exhausted face. ‘I’d be very grateful, Doctor.’
‘That’s settled then,’ said the Doctor, settling himself into an armchair.
Jo glanced at Mrs Toovey. ‘Are you sure it’s OK for us to go back there? After what happened?’
‘I don’t think they’ll try anything else tonight, Jo. Now you get your head down.’
He patted her hand. A few moments later, the Doctor was alone.
He walked up and down for a while, wriggling his toes inside the cavalry boots he’d managed to dig out of the Wing Commander’s wardrobe. They were slightly too tight but would do very well until proper replacements could be found.
Throwing himself into an armchair, the Doctor pondered his experiences at the aerodrome. The wind tunnel intrigued him. The first horizontal one was no surprise. After all, a new airline would have a vested interest in experimentation. But what on Earth could be the function of the vertical chimney?
Unless...
He rubbed the back of his neck thoughtfully. Unless its function wasn’t on Earth at all...
Noah shifted in his sleep, sweat still pouring from his clammy face.
The Doctor got up and stooped to examine the cut on his head, now encrusted with dark blood. The boy reacted to his touch and groaned as though in pain.
‘It’s all right, old chap,’ said the Doctor soothingly. ‘It’s all right.’
‘No,’ croaked Noah, his lips dry and flaky. ‘No. I saw it.
Saw it.’
He reached up and grabbed the Doctor’s wrist.
‘What did you see, Noah?’ The Doctor crouched