Doctor Who: Target - Novelisations [032] - The Horror of Fang Rock by Terrance Dicks

Author:Terrance Dicks
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780426200093
Publisher: Target Books
Published: 1978-02-14T23:00:00+00:00

7

The Enemy Within

Adelaide’s own scream of terror merged with the piercing scream from below, and she flung herself into Skinsale’s arms. The Doctor and Leela were already racing towards the sound.

At the door of the generator room, the Doctor held up a warning hand. He stepped cautiously inside. The darkly-shadowed room was empty. The door to the outside was standing ajar, and fog was seeping into the room. ‘It’s taken Reuben,’ said the Doctor. ‘It can’t have got far – we may still be in time to save him. Come on, Leela – and don’t step on any jellyfish!’

They ran out into the night.

Adelaide was on the verge of hysterics, and Skinsale and Palmerdale tried vainly to calm her down.

‘That ghastly scream,’ she sobbed. ‘What was it? I know something terrible has happened.’

‘Control yourself,’ said Palmerdale irritably. He was frightened enough himself, and Adelaide was making things worse.

Skinsale patted her soothingly on the back. ‘It’s all right, my dear,’ he said, ‘there’s no cause for alarm.’

Adelaide refused to be consoled. ‘I knew I should never have come on this cruise. My astrologer Miss Nethercott warned me about danger by sea. It was in my stars!’

Skinsale produced a large white handkerchief and handed it to her. ‘Come now, that’s nonsense. You’re overwrought…’

Adelaide sniffed into the handkerchief and her sobs began to subside.

Palmerdale saw that Harker had picked up an oil-lantern and was heading for the door. ‘Harker! Where do you think you’re going, man?’

‘Below. Doctor may need help.’ Harker shoved him aside and went on down the stairs.

‘Insubordinate ruffian!’ said Palmerdale indignantly. ‘If there is something dangerous on this rock, we should all stick together!’

Skinsale gave one of his cynical grins. ‘That’s the ticket, Henry, surround yourself with people! With any luck the Beast will satisfy its appetite before it gets to you!’

This was too much for Adelaide. ‘Stop it, stop it,’ she screamed. ‘Don’t say such horrible things.’ She collapsed in tears.

Palmerdale looked at Skinsale. ‘Now see what you’ve done, you fool. You’ve set her off again!

Harker came into the generator room. ‘Doctor?’ he called. ‘Are you there?’ He saw the outside door was still open. The Doctor and Leela must have gone outside. He crossed to the door and stood looking out into the swirling fog, but there was nothing to be seen.

For a moment Harker hesitated, wondering whether to follow the Doctor. Then he heard movement behind him and whirled round.

Reuben stood swaying in the doorway to the coal store, white-faced and glassy-eyed.

Harker stared at him. ‘Reuben! Is something wrong, mate?’

Reuben’s voice was thick, distorted, scarcely recognisable. ‘Leave me be.’ He staggered towards the stairs.

Harker looked worriedly after him, wishing desperately that the Doctor was back. He turned and shouted. ‘Doctor, ahoy there…’ His voice boomed out into the fog, but there was no reply.

Reuben climbed the stairs with agonising slowness, hauling himself up by the hand-rail. The wail of the foghorn came down from above and he paused, staring upwards with dead, inhuman eyes. He resumed his laborious climb.

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