Doctor Who_ The Taint - Michael Collier [32]
The Doctor moved cautiously towards Austen's prone figure on the leather couch.
'Hello, Mr Austen!' he said brightly, but to no response. 'It's going to be a lovely morning, by the look of it.' He winced - somehow he doubted Austen would be going outside to appreciate it. 'Apart from some rain, probably,' he added, hastily, 'hi fact, we're far better off indoors.'
Deciding to stay silent now, the Doctor bent over Austen's body, tugging experimentally at the man's straitjacket. 'Hmm.' He rubbed a finger over the skin at the nape of Austen's neck, then began to undo the buckles holding the arms in place.' Just going to take a quick look,' he muttered. 'Have you tucked back in before you know it.'
With the jacket loosened a little, the Doctor peered at the back of the man's right shoulder. There was a scar about an inch or so long there, white and puckered.
The Doctor reached out to touch it.
The scream made him jump away. Austen spun round to face him, wide-eyed and terrified, as if it hadn't been he who'd made the noise at all.
The Doctor held out his hands in a reassuring gesture. 'It's all right, don't worry, I won't -'
- get to finish my sentence, thought the Doctor, wryly, as Austen propelled his body forward and shoulder-charged him. The Doctor staggered back into the wall, noting that the room was soundproofed and that no one would be alerted to the disturbance. Nimbly, he dropped to the ground and rolled over and over, his velvet coat-tails spinning like rotor blades, his body tripping up Austen, who pitched face down on to the floor.
In a moment, the Doctor was up on his feet and at the door. It was stuck fast and wouldn't open. Then he realised that someone must have bolted it from the outside.
There was a low, ripping noise, of stitching being pulled apart.The Doctor turned to find Austen had torn his arms free of the straitjacket and was advancing towards him.
***
Sam had found a cab on the Great North Road and was idly rubbing a finger against the beige leather upholstery as the disquieting familiarity of a London that was not quite her own sped past. She felt sick and miserable.
The first thing she'd do was tell the Doctor they had to leave. If he wouldn't go with her, she'd wait in the TARDIS for him by herself. She'd had enough of -
The fear rose in her like bile, and her head pounded. She felt her eyes bulge, and dug her nails into the seat so hard that the leather split.
***
The Doctor banged on the door. 'Hey!' There was no time for anything else before Austen was on him. The Doctor grappled with him.
Austen's eyes were fierce, red-rimmed and bloodshot, and his face was twisted with fury. 'I... am... in hell .' he spat, throwing the Doctor bodily across the room.
The Time Lord landed awkwardly against the couch, righted himself and backed away. 'I know. I know. But I can help you, Mr Austen, I'm sure I can
-'
'I can see them on you.' Austen sounded afraid. 'Death is all over you, even in here.'
'Where are we?' asked the Doctor, sharply. "The cave?'
Austen nodded, then lurched towards the Doctor again. 'False demons,' he drooled. 'You're covered in them.'
'Old Nobodaddy!' cried the Doctor. "That's who you think is controlling you, isn't it? But it's not him, it's not!'Austen lunged for him but the Doctor slipped under his arms. He tried the door again but still it wouldn't budge.
'You were eight when he first came to you, weren't you?'
Austen stood still, swaying. 'My mam gave me to him,' he said, his voice incongruously soft. 'She was sick, and she made me sick too. On purpose.'
'No! That's just what he tells you. I know he makes you hurt people. Makes you do things when he wakes up. But he's not controlling you, he's not -'
Austen shook his head and hissed, 'Don't tell me he's not real. He can hurt you, bad. Don't you dare tell me he's not real.'
The Doctor shook his head in time with him. 'I'm not telling you that. He's real to you, I know, and you're both being controlled by something here .'
Austen looked at him suspiciously.