Episode 11: Silent Ice Part 2

The Doctor leapt up from examining the man (who he had discovered to have once been called Mac) and ran out of the cupboard.

“Who screamed?” he asked.
“I dunno,” Nancy said “we’re all here.”
“Except James…” Laura said quietly.
“Everyone stay here,” the Doctor breathed.

The Doctor turned and ran up Row 30. Despite his warnings, Georgia, Conner, Jess, Junaid and Nancy ran after him. Laura and Matt remained in Row 30, with shocked expressions on their faces.

“What do you think happened to him?” Laura asked fearfully.
“I don’t know,” Matt replied “but I’m sure he’s OK. He probably saw his reflection! He hasn’t slept in days, and neither have we.”
“Yeah, I suppose it could’ve been a dream,” Laura nodded, trying to sound hopeful.

The Doctor and the others turned into Row 31, and gasped in horror. James was stood rigid in the middle of the Row, covered in ice. It was everywhere, hanging in icicles under his outstretched arm, over his face and underneath his shoes. The Doctor ran up to him and Sonicked him.

“What could have done this?” Jess said.
“I have an idea,” the Doctor said darkly.
“Is he dead?” Conner asked.
“I’m sorry,” the Doctor said “but, yes.”

The crew placed their hands over their mouths.

“I suppose I’d better tell the others- of his loss, and to be careful,” Jess said, picking up her communicator.

At the ship, and in Row 30 where Laura and Matt were, everyone heard the message.

“I’m sorry to announce,” Jess said, tearfully “but James is dead. We found him alone in Row 31, covered in ice. I want to urge you all- be careful. And if there’s anything you wish to tell me, do not hesitate.”

Back at the ship, everyone stopped their jobs, and stood around in silence. In Row 30, Laura burst into tears, and Matt hugged her, comfortingly.

Bex ran over to Will.

“What’s happening?” she asked.
“What?” Will asked.
“Now James has died, what’s Jess’ party doing?” Bex asked.
“I dunno,” Will replied.
“Well shouldn’t we find out? They may need help,” Bex pointed out.
“I suppose so, but we need to guard the ship,” Will said.
“From what?” Bex said, before a grin spread over her face.

Will linked arms with Bex, and led her off down Row 23. Meanwhile, Gabz, Caitlin and Seb saw Bex and Will walking off.

“I’m not missing out!” Gabz declared, following them.

Caitlin pulled Seb by the hand after Gabz, leaving Red stood alone by the ship.

The Doctor grabbed Jess’ arm, and pulled her away from the group.

“That thing that killed James is still around. It could kill at any minute. Now, I don’t want to alarm the others, so I haven’t told them, but we need to get them out before it strikes again,” the Doctor said.
“OK,” Jess agreed, "but what’ll you do about it? The thing that killed James, I mean.”
“I’m gonna reason with it, and stop it if necessary,” the Doctor said confidently.

Jess nodded, and returned to the others. She froze in her tracks, as she saw James twitch. She ran forward.

“Doctor! I think he’s still alive! I saw him twitch!” she cried.
“Get away from him!” the Doctor bellowed.

James moved again, more clearly this time. His movement was jerky, and he stamped one foot forwards.

“Don’t make any sudden movements,” the Doctor breathed.
“Never mind that!” Georgia cried, shoving him out of the way “Run!”

She turned and ran, and everyone followed as James made another step forward. They ran and ran, and James continued to stomp forward, his fingers outstretched.

The Doctor grabbed Georgia’s hand, as they ran along the gloomy lit Row. She grinned at him in the darkness. Jess, Conner, Nancy and Junaid pelted after them. James stomped after them continually.

“Do you think he’s a danger?” Georgia asked.
“I dunno, but I’m not waiting to find out!” the Doctor replied, grinning.

They turned into Row 30 to see Matt and Laura stood up in surprise. They saw the Doctor and Georgia ran at him, and Jess and Nancy pulled Matt and Laura after them when they caught up. At the back of the group, Conner pulled Junaid along, who was getting too old for this now.

James turned the corner into Row 30, and stopped. The Doctor saw this, and motioned for everyone to stop. He walked forward to confront James in the middle of the Row.

“What do you want?” the Doctor said.

James didn’t reply.

“I mean the creature inside, what do you hope to achieve by killing James?” the Doctor asked.

James raised a finger, and beckoned the Doctor over. The Doctor stepped forwards reluctantly. Conner turned to the others.

“Right,” he said “we need a plan of action.”
“Great,” Georgia smiled “I can take care of that. Right. Laura is obviously upset, so someone needs to take her back to the ship. Any volunteers?”
“I’ll do it,” Nancy said reluctantly “but I’m coming back here after. I’m not missing anything.”
“Then someone had better come with you. We need to stay in twos at least,” Georgia said.
“Why don’t you do it, as you suggested it?” Conner said, hiding a grin.
“Of course. Thank you, Conner,” Georgia said, looking at him, annoyed. “Matt, Jess, Junaid and Conner, that leaves you. Look after the Doctor, Conner. Everyone else look after yourselves, and Conner.”

They all nodded, and Georgia and Nancy led a tear ridden Laura back to the ship. The Doctor ran over to the others.

“Where are they going?” he asked.
“To take Laura back, she’s really upset,” Matt muttered.
“And what happened with you?” Conner asked.
“The thing inside James told me what it wanted. It was a simple matter of transport. I don’t think it wants anything else,” the Doctor said casually.
“It wanted James for transport?” Jess said, feeling sick.
“Sorry,” the Doctor said.
“And it let you just talk to it?” Conner asked, surprised “that’s a bit new init?”
“Yeah well, I wasn’t in a forgiving mood. Now, what do we do to it?” the Doctor asked.
“We persuade it to let James go, and take it off in the TARDIS,” Conner suggested.
“But James is already dead,” the Doctor pointed out.
“Picky picky,” Conner muttered.

Meanwhile, James was silently creeping forward. He was now right behind Jess, ready to strike. Jess turned at the last minute and screamed. She dodged at the last minute, and ran to stand behind the Doctor.

“I thought we agreed you’d not attack again!” the Doctor bellowed.
“The plan… The plan has… The plan has changed…” James said.
“Well what is it now?” the Doctor bellowed again.
“To kill…” James said, stepping forward.

Conner grabbed Jess and Junaid’s arms, and began to run. Matt followed with the Doctor. As they ran along the countless gloomy-lit Rows, they didn’t notice a constant trickle of water following them.

Georgia and Nancy pulled Laura around the corner, coming face to face with Bex, Will, Gabz, Seb and Caitlin.

“What are you doing here?” Georgia asked.
“What are you doing here?” Bex asked back.
“We were taking Laura back to you! She’s upset over the whole James thing,” Georgia said.
“Well we were coming to see if you needed any help!” Bex said.
“Yeah well, there’s no point in you missing out on any action,” Georgia sighed.

Bex smiled with satisfaction.

The Doctor and the others turned into Row 57, and came to a halt. They saw James turn into the Row, but they were too tired to carry on. That is why they were too tired to notice the water trickling over their heads. Conner didn’t notice anything at all, except the silence.

He wondered why James was no longer after them. Perhaps he had a plan, or was waiting for something to happen. One thing Conner did notice, however, was a fart that broke the silence.

“Ewww!” he said, wrinkling his nose in disgust.

He frowned, and slowly began to turn and face the others.

“Who was that?” Conner asked, sounding annoyed.

He looked at all their faces; from the Doctor’s concerned expression, Jess’ face full of fear and Junaid’s tired expression. He then also noticed that Matt wasn’t there.

For the fart had done more than make Conner frown, as it appeared Matt had just blown up.

To be continued…