Initially, I blocked out the noise of the wind, deciding it was just the trees, only noting how poetic it was that I would die in a wind storm. I was so focused on the creature on top of me, not to mention blinded by the pain of its claw in my shoulder still, that I barely even noticed the fact that there was someone stood over me, their hands either side of the thing, pulling it off of me. I felt instant relief, the weight of it leaving me with a sense of relief, a wave of adrenaline washing over me as I realised that I wasn't going to die, not anymore.

The pain had blurred my vision, to the extent I struggled to see above me, struggling to see the face of the person who'd just saved my life. I did, however, see a hand reaching out, so I took it, allowing whoever it was to pull me back onto my feet. Staggering as I regained my balance, I felt a pair of hands hold onto my shoulders, my right one still seething in pain. I hissed slightly, frowning as I rubbed my face with my hands, still trying to comprehend what had just happened.

When I reopened my eyes, I saw a man through the dark, still holding onto my arms, as if checking I was stable. It was as if he noticed I had come round a little, as he offered me a reassuring smile.

"Hello!" he grinned, appearing almost sarcastic.

Part of me wanted to run away. First I was attacked by a strange creature, then I was being accosted by a strange man. I should have run away, but something was keeping me in that exact spot. Whether it was fate, my own good judgement or the fact I had no idea whether my legs would be able to hold me up, something kept me there.

"You alright? "he asked, and I noted his northern accent. I'd not heard an accent like that for a long time, and it made my insides stir with nostalgia and instant trust.

"Y-yeah, I think," I spoke uncertainly, my voice shaking slightly. "What the hell was that thing?"

"That thing?" he frowned, almost in defence of the creature. "'That thing' is a Meteorite Bug, it has a more complicated name but I doubt your little human brain would want to comprehend that at this point in time. It crashed to Earth, and was looking for food. It doesn't matter anyway now, I got rid of it,"

"Was I the food?"

"Yep, that's why you shouldn't run off after any old shiny object like a human magpie, but I guess that's just human nature. You see something dangerous and emitting toxic fumes but you still go over just because it's glowing, well done to the human race!" he said, almost patronisingly.

"Oi, alright, don't have a go, I thought it was a car accident... I thought someone was in danger," I attempted to justify my action, though I felt a blush rising in my cheeks, instantly embarrassed. "Who are you anyway?"

"My name's The Doctor," he offered my another friendly grin, any air of patronising me disappearing. "Who are you?"

It was then that I took note of his appearance. Somehow he looked familiar, but maybe that was because he looked pretty ordinary, with short black hair and sterling blue eyes, not to mention his sizeable ears and nose. He was wearing a red jumper and a long, beaten up leather jacket that looked as if it had been through a war. I loved his jacket, and it reminded me of the one I had back home, though his was far cooler. For someone with such an ordinary appearance, he spoke like he was anything but that, not to mention he carried himself around with a disguised authority, one that showed he was just happy to be around, even if his expression didn't show it at that exact point, his face still frowning with concern for me.

"M-my name's Laura," I stammered out, looking him in the eye, holding me hand out to shake. "Laura Tyler. And... I guess, thanks for saving my life,"

"You're very welcome," he smiled, shaking my hand, though he frowned again. "Tyler? I have a friend with that surname. You don't know someone called Rose do you?"

Now I was the one frowning. How did he know Rose? Hang on, he looked familiar and...

"Oh, shit! You're the Doctor! Rose's Doctor! The one she ran off with for a year, shit, you're the reason I got questioned by the police and social services loads!" I exclaimed, not sure whether I was angry at all the strife he had caused in my family life or excited to finally meet the man himself.

"Glad I've got a reputation," he commented with an eye-roll. "Look, I get that you may be angry, but can you just not slap me like her mum did?"

"Oof, you got a back-hander from my Aunty Jackie? Be glad you're still alive, mate," I commented, letting out a short laugh. He rolled his eyes again.

That was when I felt another wave of pain hit me and I staggered over, letting out a grunt of pain as I almost lost my balance. I felt the constricting, stinging throb come from my shoulder again, the raw burning sensation making me worry if that thing had still managed to kill me, except much slower and more painfully than anticipated.

"You know when I asked you if you were alright, you should have probably mentioned the fact that it had already attacked you!" he complained, darting back over to me, allowing me to fall against him. "Their claws are poisonous, you may already be infected,"

"I did gather that may be the case, yeah," I muttered, feeling my legs wobble underneath me, full on falling against him.

My vision began to blur again, dark spots crossing my eyes, a ringing sensation running through my ears. I must have passed out at one point, if only for a few moments, as I felt my body, numb and throbbing, be lifted up into this strange man's arms.

"A-am I... Am I going to die?" I managed to ask, feeling the darkness constrict around me once more, fear climbing up my chest to the point I struggled to breathe.

"I'm the Doctor, I don't just let people die," he said gently, contrasting with his previously gruff tone.

As if those words had reassured me, I let myself succumb to the black, relaxing back into his arms as I fell fully unconscious.

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Word count: 1115

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