Life Viewed Through an Amber Focus

                                              Chapter Seven: Horror Story

“It was simple enough when it began,” Vincent told them that night while they gathered around the solar heater that was now reflecting back all of the warmth that it had gathered from its long day under Rukbat’s strong rays. “We’re scientists. Well, most of us are, anyway.”

He looked down at his feet then back up at the Doctor. “We were hired by a very rich and very powerful man named Harrington Conrad. He wanted us to crack the intricacies of a device that was…well, I know this is hard to swallow but it was extra terrestrial in origin.” He paused again as if waiting for someone else to speak. It was obvious that the role of leadership that had fallen on him was not one he was comfortable with.

                                                     Chapter Five:  Tirawls

“Interesting creatures, the Tirawls,” Jack said dropping into the tone of voice Rose recognized as his story-telling mode. “In my century they are extremely intelligent beings. They’re telepathic and telekinetic, but most of all empathic. Abilities like these are a very useful adaptation for creatures that don’t have fingers or toes on their limbs or even suckers to help them pick things up. It’s what helped them develop a written culture even though they don’t speak. Although most traditions are passed on through dreamsong.”

                                  Chapter Four:  Safari

“Wait, Tessa,” Rose said. “You don’t want to go out there in sandals. What size are your feet? I’ll get you some trainers from the wardrobe room.”

“I don’t know.  I just get whatever’s in the thrift stores that fits. Can’t remember if I’ve ever had shoes where the size marking hadn’t been rubbed off first,” she said. Rose made a moue of sympathy. She well remembered a few years like that when things were tough for her and her mum.

                             Chapter Three:  Halfway Across the Universe

“I don’t really think we need to take her to the hospital,” the Doctor said looking the girl over and shining the sonic screwdriver’s light into her eyes to see if her pupils dilated. “Her pupils are reactive. I think she just fainted from the fright. It’s not every girl who can take weird creatures bursting into her workplace and tearing the place apart,” he said smiling fondly at Rose.

                                   Chapter Two:  Monsters and a Shop Girl

“What was that thing?” Rose demanded the minute they were safely within the confines of the TARDIS. She rested against the locked door, panting hard. A moment later she jumped forward in fright as the monster banged into the doors of the TARDIS actually making it shake. She turned around and stared at the door hoping desperately that it would hold under the violent attack.

Chapter One: Never Boring

“I honestly don’t know, Rose,” the Doctor sighed. “All these shops look the same to me.”

“I thought that was my line.” Rose Tyler shook her head in frustration and not a little irritation. “Least it’s not corridors or tunnels,” she muttered. “Are you sure you left it in Canonbury?” she asked hands on her hips and a challenging look in her eyes.