Camera Obscura: A Doctor Who short story

By EH Walter

They were like birds. Large, black birds – shadowy descendants of pterodactyls – gathered in the shadows and out of sight. A movement from one of them could be dismissed as a trick of the light – the mind placing tricks with the shadows of the night. They were hungry. Ravenous. And they could feel their next meal getting close. A rip in time. Juicy energy waiting to be consumed. Gathered around one special person. A person with the potential to change the world. All they had to do was find a way through and then they could begin their feast.

The Doctor takes Clara to Edinburgh where he has to plug up a leaking energy well. Unfortunately, he is already too late and they have to pursue the shadowy bird-like creatures through time to stop them consuming the raw energy of a child destined for great things...

• Language: English
• Publisher: EH Walter
• Release date: Sep 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311852687

EH Walter

EH Walter is from Hampshire, but now lives in North London where she lives the impoverished life of a writer. Follow her on Facebook or Twitter to be kept up to date and have the chance to contribute names for characters.

Book preview

CAMERA OBSCURA

A DOCTOR WHO SHORT

BY EH WALTER

Doctor Who is a trademark of the BBC, story and original characters are copyright 2015 EH Walter, all rights reserved.

They were like birds. Large, black birds – shadowy descendants of pterodactyls – gathered in the shadows and out of sight. A movement from one of them could be dismissed as a trick of the light – the mind placing tricks with the shadows of the night. They were hungry. Ravenous. And they could feel their next meal getting close. A rip in time. Juicy energy waiting to be consumed. Gathered around one special person. A person with the potential to change the world. All they had to do was find a way through and then they could begin their feast.

The faint breeze that carried the leaves against the wind was the only sign of the arrival of the blue box as it set down in the middle of Prince’s Park, materialising out of the air. The Japanese tourists, lost on their way up to the castle, paid it no attention such was the power of the blue box designed to go unnoticed – even in a world where no blue boxes remained outside museums.

Have you never tried to change it? Clara asked as she opened the door and stepped out into the park, I mean – it’s meant to be camouflaged. Sure, it might have worked fifty years ago – but now?

I like blue, her companion said as he followed her out and closed the door to the TARDIS, locking it with a key. I did once think about going for a red telephone box – do you think that would be better?

Again, Doctor – years out of date.

Well what do you suggest? A photobooth?

Clara shook her head.