I am cold, I am alone, I am scared. Those words kept haunting my mind. I couldn't shake them, I couldn't forget them. He wouldn't let me.
It was late and I was tired, but I couldn't stop. The wind howled and whipped its way between the buildings pelting me with ice crystals. The crystals hit my face like tiny bombs each one landing and exploding. I wanted to cry because of the pain, but the tears would not come. I stopped, puzzled by this; have I become so callous and cold that nothing hurts me anymore? I shook my head. I thought about him, alone in the dark; he was probably half- frozen by now, if not dead. I can't help him. I don't want to help him. It would be too complicated and I don't want my life to be complicated.
I forced myself on a few more steps, then I stopped. I knew what I had to do, I had to go back.
***
The door to the building where I had left him was now entrenched with snow. I had to dig it out with my hands and they turned blue from the cold. Once enough snow had been cleared, I was able to force the door open. I stepped inside putting my blue fingers deep inside my jacket in an attempt to warm them.
The building had been abandoned for years and now was marked for demolition, it creaked and groaned with every step and it made me uneasy. I called out, but no one answered. A strange glowing light was emanating from a room down the hall, it beckoned to me and I followed it. I stepped into the room, and there on the floor lay the man. He didn't move and he looked dead. I was afraid to touch him. I stared in silence for a moment until I realised he was taking short shallow breaths. I breathed a sigh of relief, somehow glad that he was alive. I examined the glowing light. It seemed to be a warming device of some sort, although it let off more light than heat. I turned a dial on the device hoping that it would generate additional heat and it hummed even louder than before. I returned my eyes to the man. He was shivering, so I took off my jacket and covered him. I sat down in a corner of the room, wrapped my arms around myself and watched him. With my fatigue and already frozen limbs it didn't take long for the cold to encompass me.
***
The bed was nothing like she'd ever found herself in before. The soft sheets felt wonderful under her aching body and the down filled comforter warmed her from the inside out. Jordan grabbed the pillow and drew it close snuggling in deep. She had never felt more untroubled in a very long time, but then she woke up. Jordan flung the blankets back and sat up quickly looking around the room. It was not her room, and this was not her bed. She looked down at the cotton night-dress which hung loose on her thin body, and swallowed hard as she realised that these were not her clothes!
A man entered the room, almost on cue. His mannerisms were those of someone who always demanded and received the full attention of those around him. He was effortless in his walk and her soft brown eyes met his sharp blue ones. Jordan recognised him instantly as the man from the building, except now he didn't look as vulnerable as she felt.
"Ah, you're finally awake," he stated, tugging on his black shirt sleeve. "You can talk, can't you? There's no need to be afraid." His eyes danced with mischief as he spoke. His voice was soothing and melodious. Yet despite his reassuring words the Jordan remained silent. "I owe you my life," he bowed graciously at her. "I doubt very much there's anyone else on this planet of yours who would have done what you did for me."
"No there isn't," Jordan said breaking her silence. Her speech was even and sharp.
"So you can talk! " He grinned at her with his straight white teeth.
"They don't like strangers," she continued ignoring his comment.
"Yes, I know, I found that out the hard way." He ran his fingers through his thick black hair wincing when he came across the tender spot where he had been hit a day earlier. "It never used to be like this you know, there was a time when a Timelord could be stranded on a planet and get help from the inhabitants without running the risk of getting killed. What is this universe coming to?"
"You're stranded here?" Jordan sounded disappointed.
"Not for much longer. I had just - " he hesitated, choosing his words carefully, "acquired the last piece of equipment that I need to repair the damages to the TARDIS when I was ambushed. Fortunately they didn't take the array coupler."
"What's a TARDIS?"
"The TARDIS is my ship. It stands for Time and Relative Dimensions in Space. The technology is far beyond what you can comprehend, so there's no point in me trying to explain it to you." he answered arrogantly.
"There's no need to be so patronising," Jordan snapped. "My father was a scientist, I know a lot more than you think"
The man looked at her thoughtfully, "Yes, you might at that."
"Where are my clothes?"
"I see you don't know everything" he answered humorously, she frowned at his response. "They're over there, but I would prefer if you didn't put them back on, they're rather - dirty."
"What else am I supposed to wear? I can't stay in this!" she indicated to her cotton night dress.
"There is a whole wardrobe for you to choose from," he answered airily as he pointed to it with his long thin fingers. "You can clean up in there".
And with that the man turned on his heel and exited the room with his black jacket flowing behind. Jordan sat for a moment to make sure he was gone before climbing out of the bed and exploring the room.
***
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
The man spun around and faced her. He curtailed a smile as he observed how well she had cleaned up. Her once matted blonde hair was now clean and hung loose about her neck. Her skin was soft and fair, she was tall and the man guessed her age at being in the early twenties. Jordan had chosen to wear blue jeans and a white cotton top and as she moved about the console room he noticed that she was in her bare feet. The console room was a circular room with odd panelling and a six sided centre control system like she had never seen before.
"And what is it that you wouldn't do?" he demanded.
"If you hook up the array coupler to your console, you're libel to blow us both to pieces," she answered calmly. "Open up the coupler and you will see what I mean."
He grabbed his sonic screwdriver and removed the lid to the coupler. "Yes, I do see what you mean," he said rearranging the wires inside. "I owe you my life, again."
"This time I did it to save my own life." she stated.
"I'm curious, how did you know about the coupler?"
"You told me those who attacked you left you with the array coupler. They wouldn't have done it if it wasn't designed to destroy your ship. You see either way they'd win, if the elements hadn't killed you, this would have."
"Ah I see," he hooked the coupler up to the console. "There, that should do it". Immediately the console came to life. A warm glow and a soothing hum filled the room.
"It's beautiful," she smiled admiring the console.
"Yes, and now that it works, I am no longer stranded here." The man clasped his hands in anticipation of leaving the planet he had learned to dislike so much.
"You're going to have to take me with you, you know," she announced.
"Excuse me?" he seemed quite startled by her comment.
"The way I figure it is that by saving your life, I have condemned myself to the same fate that was to befall you. I can never go back now"
"That's not my problem" he said flatly.
"Yes, it is. So, you have two choices either kill me or take me with you."
"All right," he said quickly. "I'll kill you." He pulled a weapon from his inside jacket and pointed it at her.
Jordan didn't flinch. He was impressed by her courage and lowered his weapon. " What's your name?"
"Jordan," she answered. "Who are you?"
"I am The Master," He answered with complete and utmost authority.
Jordan laughed, "I can't call you that! You're not my master and I am definitely not your slave!"
The Master glared at her. Jordan could feel his thoughts enter her mind, telling her that she would obey him and only him. She shook her head shaking the words away. "That won't work on me! I obey only myself," she glared back, "I am not from Altagen."
"I noticed that when I helped you get your night clothes on." She caught sight of a well-hidden glint in his eyes.
"My father was human, and he taught me how to resist mind controls like yours."
"I'm impressed. There's not many who can resist my mind control techniques"
"Is that why you're called the Master because you're a master at mind control?" she asked.
"No, I am the Master because that is what I am, the master of time and space. The Master of everything," he answered haughtily.
"I wouldn't say that, not if you get yourself stranded, almost killed and then nearly blow us up!"
The Master frowned at her, he knew she was right, but wasn't about to admit it. "Everyone is entitled to an off day, even a Timelord."
"I suppose. But still, I will have to come up with a name for you, since I refuse to call you Master." Jordan's nose crinkled as she thought, and The Master found himself liking her even though he knew he'd eventually have to kill her.
"Don't bother," he said, "you won't be here long enough. I plan on dropping you off on the next planet I land on."
"It better not be Ellis Six, I hate Ellis Six, and I won't get off there," Jordan said firmly.
"Are you going to be this difficult with everything?" he asked.
"Probably," Jordan laughed and this time it wasn't a laugh of defiance, but one of amusement.
"I've never had a travelling companion before, at least not a willing one. I suppose it will take getting used to." The Master looked over the controls pushing a few buttons. "But if he can do it, so can I."
"Will you show me how to fly this thing?" Jordan said as she leaned close examining the console. Her soft hands reached for the controls.
"I think not!" he said pushing them away, "I must remain the master of something on my ship!" And with that, the Master pulled on a red knob sending the TARDIS reeling into time and space.
Journeys with the Master continue in: Destiny
