CHRYSALIS

FAMILY BLOOD

"Make your decision, Mr. Smith."

"Perhaps if that human heart breaks, the Time Lord will emerge."

There is a faint whisper, and Baines turns away.

I give Martha a look, we both use the distraction to turn the tables on our captors.

"One more move and we shoot." I state firmly.

"Oh, she's full of fire!"
Martha fires at the ceiling, "And you can shut up!"

"Careful, Son of Mine. this is all for you so that you can live forever."
"I'll shoot you down!" Baines says.

"You shoot Martha, I shoot you."
"Would you really pull the trigger? You look too scared." He taunts.

I steel my gaze, pressing the now-cocked gun into Mr. Clarkes' skin.

Baines looks at John, who seems completely out of his depth, before lowering his gun.

"Doctor, get everyone out. There's a door at the side. It's over there. Go on!" Martha shouts.

He stands indecisive.

"John! That means you!"

The Matron stands, "Do what she said. Everybody out now." She begins to usher everyone out, "Don't argue, Mr. Jackson. They're all mad. That's all we need to know. Susan, Miss Cooper, outside, all of you!"

Everyone exits the hall, screaming.

"What about you?" John asks me.
"John, I need you to get to the school, and warn them." I say, not turning my head, "Please."
His footsteps echo through the village hall as he exits.

I push Mr. Clarke away, and Martha does the same with Jenny.

"Don't try anything. We're warning you." I say.

"They're almost brave, these ones." Baines smirks.

The Family slowly advances.
"I should've taken one of them as my form. Much more fun. So much spirit."

Martha and I slowly back away.

"What happened to Jenny? Is she gone?"
"She is consumed. Her body's mine."
"You mean you murdered her." I snarl.
"Yes. And she went with precious little dignity. All that... ahh... screaming."
A scarecrow grabs each of us from behind.

We duck under the scarecrow's arms and run outside.

John is still there.

"What are you doing here still?" I ask.

"I couldn't leave you." He says.
"Don't just stand there, move! God, you're rubbish as a human! Come on!" Martha runs off.

John offers me a hand.
I take it and we follow Martha.

We arrive at the school breathless.

John closes the heavy wooden main door behind us. Once inside the school's front hall, he immediately begins ringing a bell.

"What're you doing?" Martha asks.
"Maybe one man can't fight them, but this school teaches us to stand together. Take arms! Take arms!"

"You can't do that!"

"You want me to fight, don't you? Take arms! Take arms!"

Boys begin rushing downstairs.

"I say, sir, what's the matter?"
"Enemy at the door, Hutchinson. Enemy at the door. Take arms!"

"You can't do this, John!" I plead.
He ignores me, "Maintain position over the stable yard."

"They're just kids! You can't ask them to fight!" I urge, "They don't stand a chance!"