What It Is And Isn't

Chapter 2

Gren led them through the swinging doors of the saloon, and Rose almost bit her lip to hide a laugh.  It looked very much like the classical Wild West Saloon, complete with men wolf whistling at her when they entered. 

"Oh, well that's rude," the Doctor said, falling back into step with Rose and wrapping an arm around her shoulders.  "I guess they're not very evolved, this lot."

Rose laughed.  "It's fine," she said, "Not like I haven't got it before."

He wrinkled his nose. "Well, that doesn't mean you have to have it now, yes?"

They followed Gren to a curtained off area of the saloon that seemed to be reserve only.  It held a large, cushioned booth that seemed a bit more modern, with a red and white checkered tablecloth over the table.  Gren gestured for Rose and the Doctor to sit, which they did, the Doctor gesturing for Rose to slide in first.  He sat next to her, the weight with which he threw himself making her hop up into the air slightly. 

"You know nothing?" Gren asked, his eyes flicking between them.  "I don't know what you would know and would you wouldn't."

"We know nothing," the Doctor replied, "We were trying to go on holiday, and we got brought here instead."  He smiled, "I have a feeling we're needed here more though, and the beach isn't going anywhere."  

Gren gave a tight smile.  "Well, there's been a lot of trouble around here... And we don't really know where any of them came from, but they're legends, back on the old Earth."

"Do tell," Rose said, leaning forward on her arms on the table.  Gren swallowed nervously and looked over a t her.  He seemed reluctant to say anything, but she raised her brows, waiting for him. 

"I want..." Gren blew out his cheeks.  "I want you to know that these are new things that have been happening, here."

The Doctor furrowed his brows.  "Okay, so what's been happening?" he asked, crossing his arms and leaning back.  He looked like he was already very impatient.

"Do you know of a legend called the Rake?" Gren asked lowly. 

Rose furrowed her brows and the Doctor arched one of his. 

"No, that's not real, Gren," the Doctor reassured him.  "The Rake was a tale passed around by kids trying to scare their friends, that's all?  Don't you think that's a little absurd?"

Rose opened and closed her mouth.  "Yeah, I've not even heard of that."

"He is real," Gren said lowly, looking around, as though someone, perhaps the Rake himself, would be watching them.  "And we can't stop him."

"Well, you still haven't told us what's been happening," the Doctor told him, a rough edge to his tone.  "We want to help, Gren, that's what we do, but we can't help if you don't tell us what's been going on."

Gren cracked his knuckles nervously, "We've found... Bodies, strewn throughout the woods.  Most aren't even from out area.  It's really quite alarming," he said, "And then there have been the disappearances.  People who haven't turned out dead, haven't turned up at all.  And then there was one-" he swallowed.  

"Tell us," Rose said, reaching over and touching the man's hand.  The Doctor's gaze shot straight to where her skin connected with his and he sniffed.  Rose ignored this, or perhaps just wasn't aware of it, as she raised her brows and waited for someone to say something. 

"One man," Gren began, on a whisper, his eyes brimming with tears.  "He came back, he was covered in dirt, but he wouldn't talk about it.  He just kept saying "She's dead, she's dead," and walked into the city like that."