The Missing Adventures - Evolution Part 6

It hurt him to move about on this wooden foot, so I soon found out that the real reason he'd taken me in had nothing to do with him taking pity on me, or me being a relative of his. I think he just lied about that part. I was there to do all the things he couldn't manage, like getting the wood from the rocks for his carvings. Or getting food from town, if he had any money left after his drinking. Usually I had to steal the food, or take it from the farmers' fields. That was scary, because some of the farmers would have killed me if they'd caught me. I got to be pretty good at hiding, what with the farmers and old man Cherry. But I wasn't good enough when it mattered.

Sometimes, if a s.h.i.+p was wrecked at sea, I'd find other things on the rocks when the tide washed them in. I found a whole box filled with eating things once. Not food, the stuff you eat food with: knives and forks and spoons. Cherry was very pleased with that find because the things were made out of silver, which he told me was worth a lot of money. He got really drunk three times after he sold those things. Once I found some books, but they were all soggy and you couldn't read them because they'd been ruined by the water. I didn't much care, since I can't read anyway, but it might have been nice just to look at the pictures. I found all sorts of stuff, and Cherry would sell them and then get drunk.

I was about ten when he died, and everything changed. That was almost two years ago. He'd been getting worse and worse all the time, with his temper and everything. And I was growing up and getting stronger and different. He started to look at me all funny, and sometimes instead of yelling and throwing things at me, he'd make me come over to him and he'd touch me. It was horrible, and I'm not going to tell you those bits because it would scare you and disgust you. He was a horrible old man, and I hated him more and more every day that pa.s.sed. Sometimes I'd go to bed at night and pray that G.o.d would kill him. I wanted the sky to open up and a thunderbolt to come down and burn Cherry up. In the end he did die, but it wasn't a thunderbolt that killed him. It was his own knife.

He'd had one of his good selling days in town again, and had gone to get drunk. I knew what that would mean when he got back. He'd either hit me or touch me, and I wasn't about to stand for either. I knew that when he went off drinking, it would be hours and hours he'd be gone, until either the pubs would close, or they'd throw him out, or he'd run out of money. Well, I knew he had lots of money because I'd found a box on the beach that had sailor stuff in it. Metal instruments that could see far away and things like that. He'd sold them for a lot of money, so he was bound to get good and drunk.

I made up my mind that when he came back, he wouldn't have me there for him any more. I didn't have any things of my own, except for a few tattered old clothes he'd bought me from time to time, so I didn't need to pack much. And I had a few coins I'd managed to find around, or steal when he'd been too drunk to notice. I'd planned all this for a long time, you see, till I got enough courage to try it.

Of course, despite all my planning, things went terribly wrong. I had expected Cherry to spend the whole evening at the pub, but he'd met two men there and they had started talking. The men had persuaded him to buy drinks to bring home with him so they could all get drunk together. So when I slipped out of the cabin door, instead of being able to escape in the night, I ran right into the three of them as they arrived.

Cherry was slightly drunk, but he wasn't stupid. He could see what I was up to, and he was furious, of course. If there had just been him I could have escaped, because he couldn't move as quickly as I could with his wooden leg. But there was nothing wrong with his companions. One of them, a rat-faced man they called Raintree, grabbed me before I could run. The other man was tall and almost all muscle, named Brogan. You've all met the two of them, since they brought us all here, but they had just begun their work at this point, and were celebrating with Cherry. They were all a little drunk, and that made them even nastier than normal.

Raintree held me too tightly for me to break free, with his thin arm around my throat. He and Brogan encouraged Cherry as the old man ranted and raged about how ungrateful I was, and how evil I was, and how terrible I was to leave him alone in his old age to die. Raintree kept slipping his sly little comments in, working Cherry up. He wanted to see me hurt. It wasn't that he disliked me any more than he disliked the rest of the world, but he enjoyed seeing people hurt. Finally Cherry drew that carving knife of his.

'I've carved many things with this,' he told me, waving it drunkenly under my face. 'You won't be the first person, either. And I'll be very artistic with it. I'll cut you so that you won't die. You'll just wish you would. When people look at you from now on, they'll shudder at what they see. And they'll know better than to ever cross Cherry again.'

I knew he meant it, too. He was going to use his knife to give me dreadful pain, and then to leave scars all over me so I'd be hideous and repulsive. He knew I couldn't get away, and Raintree and Brogan were laughing and crying aloud to see me hurt. I was terribly afraid, because I knew he'd make me suffer.

But Raintree was so intent on what was promising to be his idea of sport that he wasn't as careful as he should have been. The terrible, choking grip he had on me loosened just enough. I could take several gasping breaths, and I knew I had only once chance. I bit his arm as hard as I could. He screamed and his grip faltered again. Spitting out his vile blood, I pulled myself free.

At that second, Cherry lunged at me with his knife. I didn't have any choice but to dive forward to try and escape him.

Cherry collided with Raintree instead of cutting me, and his knife sliced Raintree's hurt arm even more. I rolled out of the way, and staggered to my feet. As I was about to flee, I looked back.

With a roar of pain and rage, Raintree lashed out at Cherry. Unsteady on his feet because of the drink and his wooden leg, the old man fell down. Raintree grabbed the carving knife from Cherry's hands and plunged it down into the fallen man's stomach. Cherry gave a horrible scream, and twisted. He died slowly. I couldn't move, I was so terrified and sickened.

Then I felt Brogan's huge hand grab my arm, and I was a captive again. I couldn't escape his strong grip, and he dragged me back to where Raintree was getting back to his feet and staring down at the screaming, dying old man. I was horrified, but I couldn't feel any pity for Cherry. I was glad he'd finally met the end he deserved. He couldn't beat me or touch me ever again. But I was still in a great deal of trouble.

'You've killed him,' Brogan told his ratty friend. 'Now what do we do?'

Raintree looked at me with his little, evil eyes. I knew that he wanted to kill me so there wouldn't be any witnesses. But I was lucky, because greed was stronger in him than his love for blood. 'We get away from here,' he said. 'And she comes with us.'

Brogan stared at me. He wasn't very bright, and he didn't understand. 'Why don't I just break her neck?' he asked. 'That way, n.o.body will know anything.'

'Idiot,' Raintree said. 'We're being paid to get children for the doctor, aren't we? And isn't she a child?'

'Oh, I get it,' Brogan said. 'Once she's been changed, she won't be able to tell anyone, will she?'

'Right,' agreed Raintree. 'And if she dies . . . Then we we didn't kill her, did we?' didn't kill her, did we?'

As you can imagine, I didn't have a clue about what they meant. All I knew was that Cherry was rattling his way to death, blood and stuff spilling out of his stomach, and that I was free of him. Raintree and Brogan had something in mind for me that was probably horrible and scary, but I didn't much care right then. I was free of Cherry at last.

Lucy stopped her story and smiled at the younger ones about her. 'That's enough for one time,' she told them.

There was a chorus of moans. 'You can't stop now,' complained Joshua. 'What happened next?'

'I'll tell you the rest after work tomorrow,' promised Lucy. She ignored the complaints. 'If we talk too long, the Guards get angry,' she explained. 'So we'd better get our rest. We'll have a lot of work to do tomorrow, you know. They always make sure of that.'

With the odd grumble, the children began settling down for the night. Lucy checked on them, making sure they were comfortable. She left Joshua for last. He smiled up at her.

'You're very brave,' he told her, admiringly.

'We all are,' she answered. 'We have to be. You're one of us, now. I'm sorry you were chosen, but you are welcome as part of our family. We have to look after each other, because n.o.body else will look out for us.'

Joshua nodded and gripped her hand tightly. 'You'll be here for us,' he said. 'I trust you.'

'Good night,' she replied. Then she gently pulled her hand free. As he settled down, she crossed to her own sleeping area. She knew that the other children were drawing on her strength to survive the Change with their minds intact. If only she was as certain that she could hold up under the stress as they seemed to be. But she had to go on, despite everything, for their sake. They needed her so much. She couldn't let them down.

3.

Bodies hough morning seemed to come too early, Sarah managed to rouse herself. The bed she'd slept in was so comfortable Tthat it was a struggle to get up, but she'd eventually won the fight. She scrambled back into the clothes she'd worn the previous day, wis.h.i.+ng she'd thought to bring along a change from the TARDIS. Of course, she'd not expected the events of the previous day. What she'd hoped for was a pleasant chat with Rudyard Kipling on a veranda in India somewhere, and then back to the TARDIS.

She should have known better by now.

There was a pitcher and basin on the dressing table, both made from china decorated with red flowers of some indeterm-inate species. She splashed water on her face, then used a brush that Alice had loaned her to comb out her hair. It wasn't a very good toilet, but it was the best she could do in this place. What she'd give to be back in the TARDIS's bathroom!

There was a gentle rap on the door. When Sarah opened it, Alice was waiting outside. 'I thought a little breakfast and a cup of tea might help you before your journey into town,' she said. 'The breakfast room is being prepared, and I'll take you down.'

'Bless you!' said Sarah happily. 'I could just murder a cup of tea.'

Alice laughed. 'You have a strange way of speaking, Sarah.'

'I've got a lot of strange ways,' Sarah answered, as they walked down the elegant corridor together. 'That's what happens when you travel as much as I do, I suppose.'

'It must be nice,' Alice remarked wistfully. 'I've not been about much. When Roger and I are married, though, he has promised me that we shall honeymoon in Paris.' Her eyes sparkled. 'That sounds quite exciting. Have you ever been to Paris?'

'Lots of times,' Sarah admitted. 'It's a great place. I'm sure you'll love it there.'

Alice sighed. 'Oh, how I envy you. You seem to have done so much, and I so little.'

Sarah laughed. 'You don't know the half of it.'

It took a great deal of effort, but Sir Edward Fulbright managed to hold his temper in check. It seemed as though his house was filled at the moment with guests that he either disliked or distrusted. In Ross's case, perhaps both. After dressing for breakfast, he emerged from his room to almost run into another barely welcome guest.

'Good morning,' said the Doctor, politely doffing his hat. 'I hope you slept well?'

'Tolerably,' growled Fulbright.

The Doctor gave him a warm smile. 'I suspect we got off on the wrong foot last night, Sir Edward,' he said. 'I'm certain that we both want the same thing the removal of the creature that hunts on the moors at night. Our only difference is that you wish to slay it and I wish to remove it for study. I'm sure we're both reasonable men; can't we come to some sort of amicable arrangement here?'

Fulbright grudgingly had to admit that the man had a point. 'What do you suggest?'

'Let me make one attempt to capture it,' the Doctor offered. 'If that fails, then you can have a try at killing it.' He grinned. 'I'd let you have the first go, but your solution is a trifle more permanent than mine.'

Fulbright grunted. 'I'll consider it, Doctor,' he finally said. 'If you can come up with a scheme that sounds like it'll work, I'll go along with it.'

'More than fair,' the Doctor answered happily.

Perhaps he'd misjudged this fellow, after all. Fulbright had to concede that he hadn't been in the best of tempers the previous evening, and the chappie seemed to be pretty reasonable. 'Do you think you can help Sir Alexander with this mysterious death in the village?' he asked.

'I can but try,' the Doctor answered. 'I've some small acquaintance with matters of mystery.'

'And,' broke in Ross's voice, 'some contributions of your own to the cause of mystery. Your last name, for instance.'

Fulbright's brightening mood instantly started to cloud over once again. He hadn't even heard the man approaching.

'The Doctor is trying to help,' Fulbright pointed out. 'Which is more than you appear to be doing.'

Ross raised an eyebrow. 'I see. So my leading the hunt for that monster last night was no help at all?'

'I'm still not convinced that you've told us all that you know about that apparition,' Fulbright snapped. 'You have a secretive air about you.'

'And this Doctor doesn't?' asked Ross, mockingly. He turned to the stranger. 'You still haven't told us your last name.'

'No,' agreed the Doctor amiably. 'I haven't. And why are you here?'

'Counter-attack, eh?' Ross appeared to be amused. 'As a guest of Sir Edward's daughter and future son-in-law.'

The Doctor shook his head slowly. 'Oh, no. That's not it at all, Colonel. Sir Edward is perfectly correct there's something you know that you're not telling us.'

Ross smiled. 'I see. And you, of course, have been perfectly candid with everyone?'

The Doctor matched his smile. 'As much as I can be. Do you intend to take part in this autopsy today also?'

'Goodness me, no!' Ross shook his head. 'It all sounds very messy and quite disgusting. I had thought that my man Abercrombie and I would take a stroll on the moors.'

'Bird-watching?' asked Sir Edward acidly. 'Your man said he's no ornithologist.'

Ross didn't look at all embarra.s.sed. 'I doubt he could p.r.o.nounce the word. Actually, I had thought about collecting a few wild flowers.' He bowed to them both. 'If you'll excuse me?'

Fulbright watched the man leave, scowling. 'I don't trust him at all,' he admitted candidly. There was something about the Doctor, though, that made him seem to be trustworthy. And something about the way he dressed. Fulbright shuddered at the garish scarf and silly clothing. 'Do you intend to go along dressed like that?' he asked.

The Doctor appeared bemused, as though he'd never considered anything else. 'Why? Too flashy, you think?'

Fulbright snorted. 'Sir Alexander is rather . . . traditionally minded,' he commented. 'If you wish to make a good impression, you'd dress more conservatively.'

The Doctor looked confused. 'I'm afraid all of my luggage is stuck out on the moors right now.'

'Not a problem,' Fulbright a.s.sured him. 'You're about my size. I'm sure I can loan you a few items to tide you over.'

'Most generous,' the Doctor replied. 'I'd be very grateful.'

'This way, then.'

Sarah had polished off a plate of kippers and three cups of tea when the footman announced that the coach was ready. She felt much more prepared to face whatever the day would bring, and the news that she wouldn't be walking into the village cheered her even more. Saying goodbye to Alice, she followed the servant out of the large main doors. In front of the steps stood a landau, with a coachman already at the reins. Beside the carriage, chattering animatedly, stood the Doctor, Sir Edward and Sir Alexander. Sarah couldn't help smiling at the Doctor's appearance.

He'd put aside his normal attire for once, and actually looked rather das.h.i.+ng. He wore a chequered cape coat and a deerstalker hat. Sarah slipped up beside him. 'Didn't you get a pipe with that outfit?' she joked.

'It's in my pocket,' the Doctor replied gravely. 'Thankfully it isn't lit.'

'Ah, Miss Smith,' said the magistrate, bowing over her hand. He turned to Fulbright. 'Well, old man, it looks as though we're ready to go now.'

'You will all return for dinner, I trust?' asked Fulbright.

Sarah grinned. 'If it's half as good as breakfast, Sir Edward,' she a.s.sured him, 'wild horses couldn't keep me away.'

'Or wild hounds, either,' added the Doctor.

'Splendid.' Fulbright beamed at them both. 'Well, I mustn't keep you from your work. Good luck, all of you.'

Alice watched the carriage leave the driveway, smiling to herself. She was certain that she'd discovered a new friend in Sarah. She might be a trifle unusual, due to her nomadic lifestyle, but she was pleasant and personable, and Alice was glad of another woman her age about the house. It was nice to have men about, but she liked another woman to talk with.

She was about to move on from the window alcove she'd been observing the grounds from when she heard Edmund Ross's voice. She rather liked the young officer, whom Roger had known for several years, even though she knew her father was not so fond of the man. Before she could emerge to introduce herself into the conversation, however, she realized Ross was speaking to that strange little servant of his, Abercrombie.

'It's a shame that Sir Edward didn't go with the others, Abercrombie,' Ross commented. 'It would have made searching the house so much easier.'

Alice stopped still, shocked at what she had just heard. It would not be a wise move to show herself now, she decided.

Instead she waited, hoping to hear more.

'You want me to have a nose about?' asked Abercrombie.

'Yes,' replied Ross. 'And do try to be a little more circ.u.mspect. The maids have been noticing you, and not because of your debonair charms. I thought you were supposed to be the best burglar in the West End?'

'Yeah, but this ain't the West End,' Abercrombie complained. 'I'm doing my best.'

'I'm sure you are, but do better.' Ross paused a moment, then added, 'I'm going to search inside the house. If you see anything of value, you know how to contact me.'

Alice hardly dared breathe in case she was discovered. With relief, she heard the men move away from the alcove. She waited another couple of minutes, and then timidly peered around the corner. The corridor was empty; the men had gone.