Doctor Who_ Rip Tide - Louise Cooper [60]
Nina felt bile rise to her throat. Barely more than an hour ago Ruth had looked almost normal, and now this – the Doctor had warned her that the reversion would happen faster, but she had never expected —
'Nina!' The Doctor's urgent hiss brought her back to earth. 'Nina, snap out of it! We've got to get her away, and quickly!'
'Away?' With a great effort Nina struggled free of the fascinated horror that had hypnotised her, though she was shaking. 'Where to?'
He nodded in the direction of the revolving light. 'The gateway's still operational – if it wasn't, the prism would have shut down. But without the key, it's impossible to use.'
'Even for you?'
'Even for me. The only option is to get her into the lifeboat, and back to the TARDIS.'
She swallowed. 'But what about Steve? When he sees her —'
Then, as though her words had acted as a jinx, a voice called, 'Nina? Nina!'
Nina and the Doctor whipped round, and saw Steve stumbling towards them. 'What is it?' He sounded wild, desperate. 'What is it, what have you found?'
'Steve, don't!' With no time to think, Nina scrambled to her feet, holding out both palms to ward him off. 'Stay back! Let the Doctor look after her –'
She was too late; he had seen the hunched figure on the floor. 'Ruth?' His eyes widened with fear and hope combined. 'Ruth!' Brushing Nina aside as if she didn't exist, he dropped to a crouch at Ruth's side – and an instant later recoiled with a yell of horror. 'Oh, my God – what is it?
What is it?'
Nina tried to push him away, but he pushed back, hysteria rising. 'What is that thing? Where did it come from? Where's Ruth?'
'Steve, listen!' Nina pleaded. 'The Doctor –'
'Stuff that!' He flung her restraining hands away. 'What have you done?' The Doctor was on his feet now, and like a bull Steve swung to face and challenge him. 'Where is she?' Steve's teeth were clenched with fury and fear; his chest heaved. 'You bastard – if you've hurt Ruth, I'll kill you!'
A cold, hard light flared in the Doctor's eyes. His gaze locked with Steve's – and Steve stopped in mid-movement as some inkling of the truth got through to his subconscious. His mouth worked but suddenly he couldn't shout, couldn't even speak. The hardness in the Doctor's look didn't change, and his voice matched it as he said, 'You won't kill me, Steve. For one thing you can't, and for another you don't want to. Listen to me. This poor soul's life is in danger. You can't save her, but I can. I'd rather you helped me by taking her back to shore in the lifeboat, but if you won't, then I'll take her myself and leave you here until someone can come back for you on the next tide.' His mouth twitched. 'I'm a peaceful man, but don't think I can't deal with any resistance on your part. I can, and will.' Bending, he gathered Ruth into his arms. 'It's your choice. And ...' He hesitated, but only for a moment. 'To answer the question I know you want to ask – yes. This is Ruth. The real Ruth. And if you really do care about her, then help me to help her, now!'
RESTORATION
Adam was watching the tide and getting jumpy. The clearence between the sea
and the top of the cave mouth was shrinking fast, and there wasn't much time left before it would be impossible to get the lifeboat out. The sounds of feet approaching down the tunnel gave him a surge of relief, and he hastened to help as the rescue party emerged from the adit.
The Doctor led the way, and for a startling moment Adam thought that the figure in his arms must be Nina, for it was dressed in a dry suit. But then Nina appeared, barefoot and in jeans and sweatshirt, and behind her came Steve with the flashlight.
'Good timing!' Adam said with feeling. 'How's the casualty? Do we need —'
'Nina. Lifejacket.'