Doctor Who_ Wooden Heart - Martin Day [68]
‘You’ve got to keep trying!’ said the Doctor.
Perhaps it is time for all this to end. To maintain the world, to protect you from the evil thoughts I expelled…
Martha glanced over at the shadow creature. It was only a few metres away now, and seemingly bigger than ever.
I’m so tired. Perhaps I should just let it all end.
‘No!’ said the Doctor urgently. ‘Hundreds of lives rely on you. You can’t just give in.’
It was an interesting experiment. I have seen some good, some love, some positive choices being made… But I do not think them sufficient to balance the evil I have experienced.
‘You can’t mean that,’ said the Doctor. Martha noticed that Jude was clinging to him now, her precociousness overtaken by simple, understandable fear. ‘You can’t allow an entire culture to die!’
The dark shadow creature, and the vast prisoner suspended in the centre of the room, began to pulse as one.
Do not worry, came the same calm, measured voice in Martha’s mind. It will be painless.
FIFTEEN
Martha couldn’t move. At first she thought the creature suspended in the centre of the room had, like some legendary Gorgon, turned her to stone. Then she wondered if it wasn’t simply shock – shock prompted by the uncomplicated way the quiet voice had announced the death of an entire world.
Slowly, however, she became aware of someone standing behind her. ‘Don’t worry,’ came the voice. ‘Everything will be all right.’
The voice was human – and full of quiet confidence and subtle determination.
With great effort Martha was able to twist her head; behind her stood the Dazai. For the second time that day, the old woman’s simple, uncomplicated presence was a source of both relief and consternation.
‘How long have you been there?’ Martha asked.
‘Long enough to understand what’s going on. Long enough to know…’ The Dazai looked around the room with its pooled red lights and criss-crossed wires with something like awe clear on her face. ‘I’m not sure I believe in God, but one thing I understand – as far as my people are concerned, I am in the presence of our Creator.’
Behind the Dazai was a column of light, approximately the size and shape of the pillar of rock in the cave. When the old woman entirely stepped through, it faded from sight.
So tired, came the voice in Martha’s mind. I want to end it all.
‘Nonsense!’ said the Dazai, striding forward with surprising speed. ‘How can a creature as wonderful as you ever be tired of life?’
The Doctor seemed energised by the Dazai’s hopefulness; with arms almost flapping in delight, and entirely ignoring the black shadow that was nearly within touching distance, he hopped from foot to foot in front of the creature. ‘She’s right, you know! You’ve seen some terrible things, and it’s little wonder that you wonder about the value of life itself, but… surely the glimmers of triumphant free will, the acts of bravery and courage…’
They are not enough. Things are still skewed to darkness.
‘I refuse to believe that,’ said the Dazai firmly. ‘I have lived for many, many years. Some say I am as old as the village. I know for sure that I have seen many strange and contradictory things. But I also know that light conquers darkness – given time.’
A tired saying. Your words are hollow and empty. I do not believe them.
The Doctor paused. ‘A long time ago, on Earth, a young man was arrested and sentenced to death for treason by the Tsar. Dressed in a white gown and blindfolded, he was led to the square for a public execution. Bound to a post, the firing squad prepared to fire. “Ready – aim…” Rifles were cocked, fingers rested on triggers – and only at the last possible moment did a rider come with a message of reprieve.’
What is your point?
‘The young man felt he had a second chance at life. He became one of the greatest writers the planet ever produced. His novels are dark, they grapple with evil – but they are also full of unwarranted mercy.