VTV Series Episode 10: Alone

The Doctor and Katie appeared in a flash of light. Katie fell over, landing in a ditch, full of mud. The Doctor let out a small laugh, making Katie grumble.

“That always happens to me,” she moaned.
“You get used to teleporting,” the Doctor said. “Especially if you’ve been travelling as long as me.”
“Neither of us will be travelling for much longer if we can’t find the STARDIS,” Katie reminded him. “Where are we anyway?”

She looked around at the muddy lane. It was raining, and they seemed to be the only people around. She looked at her feet, which were stood on yellowing bricks, which were slippery with rain.

“We’re alone,” Katie realised. “There’s nobody in this universe that can help us.”
“Katie, are you an American or not?” the Doctor said. “You’re always cheerful.”
“Not right now,” Katie grumbled. “The STARDIS is nowhere to be found, it’s wet, I’m cold, and you’re grinning like an idiot!”

The Doctor examined the muddy lane they were stood in. He ran his hand over the yellowing bricks, muttering. He looked to his left, where he saw several fields, and then to his right, where there were several more fields.

“Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore,” he said quietly.
“Then where are we?” Katie snapped.
“The Planet of Oz,” the Doctor replied.

Katie burst out laughing, nearly falling into another ditch. She caught the serious look on the Doctor’s face and immediately stopped laughing.

“Why’s that bad?” she asked.
“This planet is host to some of the most terrible creatures imaginable,” the Doctor said. “Each masquerading as innocent things.”
“Such as?” Katie asked, looking around subconsciously.
“Rabbits, Tin Men, Lions,” the Doctor said.
“Lions?!” Katie cried.

She grabbed the Doctor’s arm.

“Let’s find the STARDIS and get out of here as soon as possible,” she said.
“Agreed.”

They began to walk down the lane, when the rain stopped. The clouds parted, and the sun shone down. The bricks sparkled, now a golden colour, and the fields became green.

“Wow,” Katie said. “It’s so beautiful.”
“I think it’s a trap,” the Doctor warned. “Let’s cross this field, and get out of here.”
“What’s that?” Katie asked, pointing at the sky.

The sky was rippling, grey once more. A small object appeared to be hurtling towards Katie and the Doctor. They ran, heading for the field. Katie screamed as the object smashed into the ground behind them, knocking her over the fence.

“Hello,” the Doctor said.
“Who are you talking to?” Katie asked, peering over the fence.
“Me,” a voice said.

Katie stood up, and saw a lady stepping from the mist of the crashed object. She was beautiful, and the Doctor seemed entranced.

“Did you come down in that thing?” Katie asked incredulously.
“I’m sorry about that,” the woman said. “It crashed. My name’s Glenda.”
“I’m Katie, and this is the Doctor,” Katie smiled.
“What’re you doing here in Oz?” Glenda asked.
“Looking for a big blue box,” Katie said. “I don’t suppose…?”
“She wouldn’t have seen it,” the Doctor said quickly. “Come on, we’d better go. Goodbye Glenda.”
“You aren’t leaving Oz are you?” Glenda asked.
“Not until we find the box,” Katie said. “Bye!”

The Doctor took her arm and dragged her across the field, leaving Glenda stood alone on the road.

“Well that was rude,” Katie hissed at the Doctor.
“She’s an invention of Oz,” the Doctor said. “That’s the other thing about Oz, once you arrive; you find it hard to leave.”
“You mean she was just here to get us to stay?” Katie asked.
“Yeah,” the Doctor said. “Here we are, end of the field. We need to get to that castle over there.”

He pointed. Katie followed his finger to the castle that was right in front of them.

“That was easy,” the Doctor grinned.

Katie laughed; she loved it when the Doctor had a strange moment. And he had lots. He took her hand, and they walked inside the big iron gates. It was dark inside, but the Doctor led them expertly through the small rooms and big passageways until they stopped in a chamber. In the centre was a hot air balloon, containing the TARDIS.

“Followed my nose,” the Doctor said. “It always works.”
“Mmm,” Katie said sceptically.
“Well, it worked this time,” the Doctor sighed. “Come on, let’s leave.”

The moment he spoke, there was a flash, and Glenda appeared in front of them. She blocked the hot air balloon with a fierce look in her eyes.

“You will not pass,” she said.
“We’ve got to,” Katie said. “We need the STARDIS.”
“You cannot leave Oz!” Glenda shrieked.

The Doctor stepped forwards, holding out his arms.

“If I can have a hug, we’ll stay,” the Doctor said.

Glena hugged the Doctor, who winked at Katie. She slipped around the pair, and climbed into the basket. She began to remove the sandbags, nodding at the Doctor to climb in too.

“Of course you want to stay,” Glenda soothed. “You’ll love it here sweetheart.”
“Doctor, now!” Katie cried.

The Doctor pushed Glenda out of the way and leapt into the basket, which began to rise. Using the Sonic Screwdriver, the Doctor opened the roof. Glenda let out a cry of anger, and grabbed one of the ropes hanging from the hot air balloon.

“Let go!” Katie cried.
“No!” Glenda said.

She muttered something under her breath, and suddenly, she weighed twice the amount she did before, and the basket slipped, tipping Katie out of it. She grabbed Glenda, holding on as the hot air balloon rose higher.

“Katie!” the Doctor cried. “Catch the teleport!”

He dropped it from the side of the basket, and she caught it in her teeth. She attempted to manoeuvre her tongue to press the button on the teleport.

“Find me!” she cried to the Doctor. “Use the STARDIS, find me!”
“I promise!” the Doctor said as Katie disappeared in a flash.
“Argh!” Glenda cried, falling from the rope.

Katie teleporting had caused her to let go, and fall to her death, and suddenly, the Doctor found it easier to leave. He turned away, and walked into the TARDIS. He would find Katie, he knew that, but how long it would take, he just couldn’t tell. The worse thing was, he knew she’d be alone.

The End