The Littlest Timelord: Cracks in Time

Chapter 23

"Yes. But I need you to trust me and do exactly as I say from this second onwards, because we're running out of time".

"So tell us what to do", Ambrose said.

"Thank you". The Doctor checked his watch. "We have eight minutes to set up a line of defense. Bring me every phone, every camera, every piece of recording or transmitting equipment you can find".

As the adults went to work, Elliot walked over to Elise. "Hi. I'm Elliot", he said.

Elise just smiled and waved. She pointed to her neck and shook her head.

"That's okay", he told her.

The adults entered the church again and the Doctor checked the screens. "Right, guys, we need to be ready for whatever's coming up. I need a map of the village marking where the cameras are going", the Doctor told Elliot.

"I can't do the words. I'm dyslexic".

"Oh, that's all right, I can't make a decent meringue. Draw like your life depends on it, Elliot".

Elliot smiled and ran to go get started on his map.

"Elise, why don't you go with him?" the Doctor suggested.

She looked up at him apprehensively before he nodded and nudged her. She hardly ever got to interact with children while on adventures and this could be good for her. She walked outside and found Elliot.

"Oh hey. Did you want to draw too?" he asked her. He gave her a piece of paper and a couple of crayons.

Elise didn't know what to draw so she settled for the Doctor. She grabbed a brown crayon and started drawing.

When Elliot finished his map they went inside. Elliot handed the map to the Doctor.

"Look at that. Perfect. Dyslexia never stopped Da Vinci or Einstein. It's not stopping you", the Doctor told him.

"I don't understand what you're going to do".

"Two phase plan. First, the sensors and cameras will tell us when something arrives. Second, if something does arrive, I use this..." The Doctor pulled out his sonic screwdriver. "...to send a sonic pulse through that network of devices. A pulse which would temporarily incapacitate most things in the universe".

"Knock 'em out. Cool".

"Lovely place to grow up round here".

"Suppose. I want to live in a city one day. Soon as I'm old enough, I'll be off".

"I was the same where I grew up".

"Did you get away?"

"Yeah".

"Do you ever miss it?"

The Doctor looked at Elise with her big blue eyes and said, "So much".

"Is it monsters coming? Have you met monsters before?"

"Yeah".

"You scared of them?"

"No, they're scared of me".

"Will you really get my dad back?"

"No question".

"I left my headphones at home".

The Doctor waved his hand as Elliot left them. "Now, what did you draw Elise?" he asked.

She showed him the picture and he frowned.

"Who is that supposed to be?"

She pointed at him and he smiled. She'd drawn his previous regeneration with his brown pinstripe suit. It was a child's drawing, but it was very advanced for her age. It was better than most 5 year olds could draw. He kissed her head and said, "It's beautiful. I'll put it up in the TARDIS when we get back, okay?" The Doctor left Elise in the church to go check on Rory.