HOWLING HALLOW

Chapter Thirteen

When they transmatted back to the surface of Luna, the Doctor waited while Rose and Rachel transformed back to their normal selves. Brat watched warily while Flak went to calm down the angry villagers and assure them everything was under control. The other men stayed on the ship which relieved the Doctor since he didn't want a bunch of them following him around. When Rose and Rachel finished, they covered their private parts. The Doctor took off his jacket and shirt. He gave the jacket to Rose and the shirt to Rachel.

"Sorry, it won't cover you completely but it'll have to do until we can get back to the TARDIS," he said softly to them.

He noticed with some relief that the perception filters survived the change and were still around their necks. He was glad since he didn't want to create new ones with each change.

"So, where is the child then?" Brat asked the Doctor when they were finished.

"This way. Rose, Rachel, come," he said, gesturing to his lover and sister.

Brat followed them to the TARDIS. His mouth dropped open when he went in and saw the interior. The Doctor sighed when he rushed back out to look at the box and rushed back in.

"How is this possible?" Brat said.

"I told you lot I'm magical," the Doctor said while Rose and Rachel tried not to laugh. "Now if you'll wait here..."

"No, I'm coming with you, I want to see my property," Brat said.

"Very well, follow us," the Doctor said.

While he walked, he telepathically gave some instructions to the TARDIS. He, Rose and Rachel went through the back door first and the TARDIS quickly switched it so Brat entered another corridor. Then she kept him walking in circles through the corridors while the Doctor, Rose and Rachel went to the park room. The moment they entered, Rose and Rachel began to change and the Doctor took out his pelt, put it on and joined them. Once they were finished, they walked over to their family who were over by the pond playing with the child.

Find out anything about her? the Doctor thought to them.

Her name is Shen, Ian thought back when everyone greeted each other with nuzzling. She won't say anything else but we got her to play with us.

Rose and Rachel explained to them what happened and what the Doctor's plan was while the Doctor walked over to Shen. She noticed Shen's fear so he lay down on the ground so he wouldn't appear so intimidating and wagged his tail in a friendly gesture.

Shen, I'm the Doctor, I won't hurt you, he thought to her. I'm the one that rescued you. Can you come and say hello?

Shen tilted her head and gave him an uncertain look while the Doctor wagged his tail. Then she slowly came to him and the Doctor held still while she sniffed his face.

No one's going to hurt you here, Shen. I won't hurt you, I want to be your friend, the Doctor thought to her. Where's your mum and dad at?

Shen hesitated a moment and the Doctor licked her cheek to give her reassurance.

Mum and dad are home, he finally heard her say in a very soft thought.

At Howling Hallow? the Doctor thought.

Shen nodded.

I want to take you home to your mum and dad but first we have to trick the bad man who hurt you. Will you trust us?

I don't want the bad man to hurt me, Shen thought, shrinking away from him.

The Doctor rose, walked over and lay down beside her.

Do you see how big I am and see my big paws and claws? he thought to her. I won't let anyone hurt you, I promise that.

He smiled when Shen came to his face and nuzzled it.

Do you wanna help me trick the bad man so he can be caught? the Doctor thought as he nuzzled her.

Shen nodded.

Then you'll have to trust us, okay? We want to capture the bad man so he can be punished for what he did to you and we want to take you home but you're gonna have to listen to us and play along so the bad man won't suspect anything. Can you do that?

Shen nodded and the Doctor smiled when she licked his cheek.

How old are you? he asked.

Four.

Four? You're too young to be in a cage. We need to take you home to your mummy and daddy so you can be loved by them.

Are you coming home with me?

Me? Nah, this is my home. But most of the people here might go home with you, would you like that?

Shen looked at the other wolves and yipped happily when they came over and surrounded her. He looked around when Rose nipped at his ear.

Wolf Whisperer? she thought to him.

None other, the Doctor thought back. We just have to hope Shen is brave enough that she won't give our secret away. In the meantime, let's go get changed into our bodies and some clothes and let poor Brat get out of the labyrinth the TARDIS put him in.

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