The Mind Robber by Peter Ling

Author:Peter Ling [Ling, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780426202868
Publisher: Target Books
Published: 1987-04-14T22:00:00+00:00

6

The Facts of Fiction

Within the hollow chamber at the centre of the labyrinth, the noise was almost overpowering.

The Doctor and Zoe shrank away instinctively, and he put a protective arm around her shoulders. He could feel her slender frame trembling, as the unearthly sound continued: the cry of an enraged monster.

It grew even louder, and the terrifying shadow at the mouth of the tunnel rose up like a thundercloud as the beast approached.

At last it emerged into the chamber: a grotesque and loathsome figure.

The Minotaur was, as Zoe had said, half-man, half-bull.

From the shoulders down it appeared to be a man – a man with strong, muscular forearms and a barrel-like chest.

Two massive legs like tree trunks supported this brawny torso, and it moved into the dancing torchlight with a deliberate, heavy tread.

But above the shoulders it was a bloodthirsty animal. A bull’s square-browed head, with two red eyes, and wickedly-curving horns which sprang from a tangle of dense, matted hair… It eyed the two strangers balefully, and snorted, taking in a deep, rattling breath before opening its jaws and bellowing again.

The sound was deafening, and Zoe instinctively put her hands over her ears.

The Minotaur lowered its evil head, and – although its lower limbs seemed human enough – it made a disturbingly animal movement, pawing the sandy floor of the cave with one naked foot.

‘It’s coming closer –’ Zoe exclaimed, and her voice sounded thin and faint against the sheer volume of blaring sound. ‘It’s going to attack us!’

The Doctor tried to sound confident as he reminded her: ‘It’s only another trick, Zoe… Remember – the Minotaur is a legend, another mythical beast, like the unicorn.’

She interrupted him desperately: ‘It’s there – I see it. I’m frightened!’

And the Doctor realised that with her hands over her ears, she could not hear what he said. All she could do was stare in horror as the nightmarish beast lumbered towards them – and she was convinced that she was about to be killed.

The Doctor grabbed her wrists and forced her hands down, shouting urgently: ‘Listen to me, Zoe! The Minotaur is a mythical beast – it does not exist –’

‘No…’ She shook her head, whimpering with fear. ‘I don’t believe you…’

He pulled her roughly towards him, shielding her with his own body as the monster moved in for the kill.

‘You will obey me!’ the Doctor commanded her harshly.

‘Repeat after me: the Minotaur is a mythical beast – it does not exist!’

Zoe gazed into the Doctor’s eyes, and under his almost mesmeric influence, she found herself repeating in a whisper: ‘The Minotaur is a mythical beast – it does not exist…’

The silence came so abruptly, that it was like a physical blow. The roaring ceased instantly, and the black shadow that had been looming over them disappeared. Fearfully, Zoe turned her head – and found that the chamber was empty. The light from the torch on the wall continued to flicker and leap, but it illuminated no horrid spectacle.

The nightmare was over.

‘It’s really gone – for good?’ She felt weak with relief.

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