excerpt 001

There was a shudder before the landing. He checked the dates again, half-running around the circle of the controls. There must be a malfunction. Doctor could not have managed all that in the few moments before he took off. Not with all the panic going about. He might at least have a chance to live - he is counting on that - but not enough time to set the dates of travel.

He ran to the door, swinging it open. Mildly rainy day. Modern London. There was no doubt about it; the TARDIS was stuck between here and the end of everything.

"Damn it!"

He slammed his head against the door frame, cursing sharply under his breath. He looked around, eyes a bit frantic in their movement, and though his mind was moving quickly he let the thoughts come with that practiced, enthusiastic calm that was so genius of him. He searchesdthe sky, the distance, the rain and the ground and cursed the Doctor, the TARDIS, and these damn not-fitting clothes.

And it is then that he saw the woman.