Doctor Who_ The Taint - Michael Collier [44]
***
'"...and wines that foam!"'
Lucy shook as she pulled the heavy knife with its serrated blade from its worn leather sheath, mumbling the words of Crowley's own Koran as she stumbled out the door. "Also, take your fill and will of love as ye will..."'
***
'"...when,where and with whom ye will..."'
It's only an old woman, thought Sam. It's only an old woman who's sick and needs help, and I thought you believed in causes, for God's sake!
Mrs Kreiner's arms were outstretched. Sam shut her eyes and grabbed for the woman, pulling her down on top of her on to the thick plush carpeting of the landing. She was dimly aware of Cynthia screaming again and running past them. Then she opened her eyes and saw the old woman's wrinkly, twisted face hovering inches from her own.
'Oh, you done it now,' spat Mrs Kreiner.
***
One of Taylor's huge hands swatted the Doctor's head back into the wooden floor with a loud, hollow bang. Then the other grabbed the Doctor's own and struggled for a hold on the leech.
'No,' said the Doctor, struggling weakly. 'Leave it, it will harm you!'
He felt the leech slither out of his palm and then consciousness left him.
***
Roley reactivated the noise machine and the light generator, his voice high-pitched in excitement and fear.
'We wish Captain Davydd James Watson to return to us. He shall return to us when I command on the count of three...'
The throbbing, pounding noises started up, but Watson sat there laughing.
***
Sam felt the old woman's bony hands tightening round her throat.
***
'Nurse Bulwell!' shouted Cynthia in floods of tears, rushing down the spiral staircase. 'It's the Doctor's friend, Sam, the old lady's got her!'
'What?' cried Bulwell, astonished, before thundering up the stairs.
Cynthia turned to find Russell Waller staggering towards her, veins pulsing in his temples, eyes wide.
'Help me,' he whimpered, his voice like a child's.
Cynthia was too scared even to scream any more. She held her hands to her mouth and shook her head, as tears flooded down her face.
***
Bulwell bustled on to the landing and grabbed hold of Mrs Kreiner. Even with her greater bulk, she had trouble holding on to the old woman, who struggled for release, kicking, cursing and swearing.
Sam tried to grab hold of one of Mrs Kreiner's spindly legs.
'Get Charles,' Bulwell hissed, unable to relax her grip on Mrs Kreiner for a second. 'Stop Watson's therapy.'
'She's going to hurt herself,' protested Sam.
'Do it!' yelled Bulwell.
Sam didn't hang around to argue further. She passed Cynthia at the foot of the stairs, who tried to grab hold of her arm. Sam pulled away.
'I've got to get Roley,' she said. 'Check on Russell.'
'He's gone,' sobbed Cynthia. 'He looked terrible, really scared. I think he was making for the west wing...'
'Help Nurse Bulwell; Sam ordered. 'And somebody get the Doctor!'
***
Sam caught a moment of the cacophonous light display in the room and then it stopped. The room was dark and still, save for the laboured breathing of Roley. Sam saw his shadowy form move to the curtains and pull them open. Daylight caught Sam unawares and she flinched.
'What have you done?' she asked in a quiet voice, looking at Watson, who was lying deathly still on the couch. 'Come on,' she said to Roley. 'Quick .'
'What?' Roley looked confused. 'I don't understand.'
'Well I hope someone can explain it to us both then; stormed Sam, "Cause there's some weird stuff going on out there!'
Roley looked shocked and flustered. 'I must check Watson's all right,' he said.
Sam gave up and just grabbed him by the cardigan sleeve, pulling him after her. 'Come on!'
***
When they reached Maria, the old woman was still, lying serenely in her arms, snoring lightly. 'It's like it never happened; Bulwell said, unable to bring herself to look at Roley.
'The old woman went loco,' Sam explained, while