The Companion

“So, last stop,” said Harry as we walked back into the TARDIS. “What have you got for us this time?”

“Uh I hate to say this but I’d very much appreciate if you stayed in the TARDIS at the next stop… I won’t be too long,” said the Doctor, trying very hard to avoid our eyes.

“Why?” asked Harry.

“I’d prefer to… make it quick,” he said.

Harry let out a sigh as we went to sit on the stairs while the Doctor prepared for flight.

“He sounds a little down all of a sudden,” I said.

“Does he?” said Harry.

“Well, yeah, didn’t you notice?”

“His moods change too quickly.”

“You think so?”

“I dunno… I have to admit I was looking forward to something exciting.”

“Hmm well, we’ve got as long as the Doctor is around for all those adventures… that’s if he sticks around and if he agrees.”

“We couldn’t stay in here all the time, though. We’ve got jobs.”

“Yeah… that’s true. But it is a time machine.”

“We can’t run for our whole lives… it is a nice thought though.”

“You don’t mean that, Harry.”

“No, I could never leave the band… or the fans. But I wouldn’t say no to the odd adventure.”

“That’s my boy,” I said, smiling.

“I’m not your boy!” he said in mock annoyance.

“Yeah you are,” I said, giggling, giving him a playful shove.

“Ha funny,” he said, chuckling before continuing. “So where do you suppose he’s headed?”

“I wouldn’t have a clue… and I have a feeling that if we asked him he wouldn’t tell us anyway.”

“You’re probably right.”

The shaking floor came as a surprise as we were quickly pulled out of our deep conversation with the renewed flight of the TARDIS. As we took off I couldn’t help but think about the Doctor and this mystery destination. What did it mean to him? Obviously it meant something given this behaviour. I could tell by his tone when he had talked about it.

The TARDIS gave one last shudder as it came in to land. The Doctor walked away from the console and quickly rushed past us towards the door, talking as he went.

“Now, don’t follow me, stay right where you are. Don’t move, don’t step outside these doors just… stay there until I get back,” he said and as he opened the door he looked back at us still seated on the stairs. “Understood?”

“Understood,” I said.

“Harry?”

“Sure.”

“I’ll be right back,” and with that he walked outside, closing the door behind him.

“Are we gonna follow him?” Harry asked as soon as the Doctor had left.

“Give it a few minutes,” I said, walking over the door and pressing my ear against it although I wasn’t expecting to hear anything.

“Could we peek?” said Harry coming up behind me, placing his hands on my waist.

“I guess so,” I said and I slowly opened the door a crack. Looking through the small gap I frowned slightly. It wasn’t exactly extraordinary. We were parked in an overgrown garden near a faded yellow and red swing set. Behind the swing was a tall fence covered in vines with a gap big enough for a reasonable sized dirt path. Looming over the fence was an old house of a stained lemon yellow colour with vines gowning over the lower level windows. The most prominent aspect of the house was its bright blue front door, very similar to the colour of the TARDIS.

“What’s out there?” said Harry, trying to peep through the gap himself.

“Just… a house,” I said.

“A house?”

“Yeah, you can have a look for yourself,” I said, opening the door a bit more so Harry could see properly.

“Why are we at a house?”

“No idea.”

“Should we go have a look?”

“Can’t see why not,” I replied and so we quietly sneaked out the door, closing it quietly behind us before making our way up the path to the house.

“After you,” said Harry, gesturing to the door, which I opened, trying not to let it creak. We came into a dark hallway with a staircase directly in front of us, which lead upwards to the floor above.

It was an unspoken agreement between Harry and myself that took me up the stairs while he remained on the bottom floor by the door. I crept up as quietly as possible, knowing that in a house as old as this, one stair was bound to creak at some point.

As I came to the landing I heard the creak of bedsprings as if someone had sat down. I tiptoed my way down the hall being extra careful not to make a noise because, if I was right and I’m sure I was, the Doctor was in that room at the end of the hall. I came to a stop just before the end of the banister belonging to the next set of stairs. I heard the momentary tell tale sound of the sonic screwdriver before the Doctor let out a loud sigh.

At that moment I couldn’t help myself, I went to lean forwards so I could just see into the room but the floorboard under my feet creaked loudly.

“I thought I told you to stay in the TARDIS,” I heard the Doctor say from inside the room, no anger in his voice whatsoever, which surprised me.

I gave up my position and walked into the doorway of the room, clutching my hands nervously in front of me.

“Sorry, I… I was just curious,” I said, standing awkwardly in the doorway.

“Curiosity killed the cat,” said the Doctor.

“I’m sorry,” I said, as I looked upon his figure sitting on the bed in half darkness, head bowed. He didn’t say anything and so I went and sat beside him.

From what I could see of the room it looked quite child like. The walls seemed to be painted the same deep blue as the front door and there were little figurines on the dresser that I could only just make out. Small fairy lights that hadn’t been turned on in a while were draped across the brass headboard.

“Why are you in here, Doctor?” I asked.

“Inspecting the wall,” he said, gesturing to the one to the right of us.

“But that’s not the only thing,” I said.

He paused, taking a long look at his knees before sighing and continuing.

“No… it isn’t. This was my previous traveling companion’s home,” he said.

“Did something happen?”

“Ah… yes. But it was a while ago now. She was taken… her and her husband. I can never see them again.”

“I’m sorry, Doctor.”

“No, its ok,’ he said, patting my knee. “She was a good friend, one I’ll never forget.”

We sat there in silence for a while as I let the Doctor have his time but before long he stood up, brushing himself off and said, “Best be off.”

“Are you sure, Doctor?” I asked.

“Yes, I suppose there’s no point hanging around much longer. I checked the wall, no sign of a crack or disturbance of any kind.”

“If you say so,” I said kindly, patting him gently on the back in reassurance.

We slowly made our way back down to the front door where Harry was still waiting.

“Ah, here you are,” he said.

I quickly told Harry without words not to question the Doctor as I could tell from his expression that he was concerned but also curious. We all made our way back outside, closing the door gently.

“Home time?” said the Doctor.

“You will stay, won’t you?” I asked.

“Well, I do have a problem to solve. I just can’t leave you with it,” he said.

“And after that?”

“I can stay as long as you like… I have all the time in the world.”

Notes