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The Carer was walking around the Academy, books in her hands. The sun was blazing outside, showering the premises in a golden light. It had always been quite beautiful, but even more on radiant days such as this one. She fancied reading outside today. Boys and girls alike were playing across the field, obviously oblivious to her presence. They laughed, ran, and she smiled upon watching those young souls, so carefree. One day, they would grow up to be Time Lords and Ladies, they would shape the universe, and she couldn't wait to see what greatness they would unleash upon it. As her eyes roamed across the red field, she noticed a young boy sitting on the sand on the far corner under a tree. He was alone, huddled on the ground, and the others didn't pay any attention to him. She squinted her eyes, sensing that something may be wrong, and started to approach him. As she did, she managed to distinguish his features.
Warmth spread inside of her. She knew him; he was in her class. Brilliant boy. Ever so clever. His work was always unexpectedly original; his takes offered a unique perspective that often left her pondering. He was curious and always had so many questions about anything and everything. It had become a habit of his to stay behind after class and discuss with her, submitting his queries. She always answered him truthfully and the best she could. She couldn't refuse knowledge to a mind willing to learn. He always drank her words, eyes shining, as his world expanded under her watch. She could never have enough of it, enough of seeing his understand, ponder. They had spent many hours discussing various topics from physics to poetry, politics and mathematics. They were never out of topics. She knew she shouldn't have favourites, but the boy had won her over. Perhaps it was the sensitivity he exuded, his kindness, or maybe it was something else. She couldn't really tell. But she felt terribly protective of the boy.
She could tell he appreciated her too, although he had never said it. She had heard once or twice, his best friend mumble, "always a crush on the teachers, this one," which had made her laugh. She hadn't thought much about it, dismissing it as pure banter between friends. But it was her he sought out, always.
Yet, here he was, on his own, his face conveying his sombre train of thoughts. What was going on inside that brilliant head of his?
"Why aren't you playing with the others?" She asked him as she reached her destination.
She received no answer; she wasn't even sure he had heard her at all. The boy stayed silent, eyes lost beyond. In his blue orbs, the magnificent towers of Arcadia shone, reverberated by his pupils, immortalizing them with a simple glance. She sat next to him, on the ground. Other teachers usually didn't meddle with the students, but she did. She had a duty of care towards them. And this boy more than most, for a reason she couldn't comprehend.
"Is something troubling you? You can tell me, you know." She pushed slightly.
She didn't mean to pry, only to help. Deep down, she knew he would tell her. He trusted her. Many times, he had confided his worries in her. His deepest fears. His most impossible dreams.
Have you ever travelled across the stars, Carer?
No, never.
Would you like to?
More than anything.
I'll take you someday. Anywhere, everywhere.
Why?
I never know why. I only know who.
The boy sighed. He still avoided looking at her, but she could discern shame on his youthful face.
"Do you believe in the Matrix prophecies?" He asked, his voice soft, feeble.
Her hearts trembled. She was not used to seeing him so —distraught. He was different in class. He always spoke with assurance and perhaps, sometimes, a bit of arrogance. Here, he appeared so small. A young boy, barely a teenager. It was easy sometimes to forget that he was just that. He seemed more mature than the rest of the class. It was in his eyes. His big blue eyes, so old, as if they had already seen horror and despair as if he knew of the true nature of the world around him.
"I do." She replied truthfully. But the answer didn't seem to make him feel better. "Is that what worries you?"
He nodded silently before turning his head towards her. His eyes were glistening with tears, but none of them rolled. As if he was preventing them from doing so. The Carer was taken aback by his display of emotions. There was beauty in the unshed tears in his eyes if only people took the time to observe it. Time Lords were taught not to show their feelings, which she thought was archaic and outdated. She was glad that her favourite student had decided not to abide by that rule.
"The others… They say I shouldn't be scared. They say it's children's fairytales. But I keep thinking about it. I keep thinking about the Hybrid." He said, reporting his attention back to the field, where his classmates played.
To think that they mocked him, bullied him… It was an outrage. But the boy didn't need her anger; he needed her understanding. So, the Carer nodded. When the prophecy had emerged in Gallifrey, it had rattled even the highest spheres of the hierarchy. It had created mayhem, a movement of panic. Teachers at the Academy were taught not to speak of it much, not to frighten the future Time-Lords away. It was counter-productive. Instead of trying to come up with solutions, the government slithered back into its hole. As if not talking about it made it less true. She sighed.
"What if it's true?" He asked her, eyes widening. "What if Gallifrey falls because of that — creature? What if it destroyed everything? Time, space…" The boy started to mumble, panic written all over his features. She placed her hand on his shoulder, soothing him with a mere gesture. His body relaxed slightly under her touch, his alarm dying down. "I'm terrified." He finally admitted.
"What are you afraid of?" She asked him.
He bit his lip, thinking. She could almost see the answer in his big sad eyes.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to save everyone. I'm afraid I won't be able to fix it." He truthfully answered.
She smiled. There he was, the boy she knew. The Boy who thought it was his duty to keep everything and everyone safe. There were rumours about him among the teachers. His Carers had heard him refer to himself as 'The Doctor'—the word for Healer, and wise man. Every Time Lords got to choose their own names as a promise. She had chosen hers to dedicate her life to others. His name suited him. It was perhaps too early to tell, but she was rarely wrong. He had the soul of a hero and certainly the name for it. And like one, the world weighed on his shoulders. If only he could see… If only he knew, he didn't have to do this alone.
"There's nothing wrong about being afraid. It proves you are wiser and cleverer than the rest of them." She bumped his shoulder with her own, making him smile shyly. "Fear doesn't have to make you cowardly. Fear can make you…"
"Kind?" He finished for her. She nodded, offering him a wide smile. He frowned. "Someone told me that when I was a child. I don't remember who she was…"
The boy seemed lost and confused for a moment, searching for a distant memory.
"That person was right." She added, bringing him back to the present.
He smiled. The world felt infinitely more beautiful when he did. And she knew she had made a difference. She knew she had made him feel better. The Carer rose and helped the student up too. His hand gripped hers tightly, and an image appeared on her mind. This boy, running, holding her hand. She frowned slightly as a tear trailed down her cheek. Why was she crying? She erased it before he could see. Facing the boy once more, she offered him a comforting smile, her lips still somehow wobbly.
"As for fixing the universe… You'll worry about that once you graduate. Exams are due next week." She reminded him. He blushed profusely, scratching his head in shame. "Perhaps you should focus on that first, Doctor." She added with a wink.
The boy froze, panic rising again in his eyes. He looked around, scared that they'd been overheard. There was no one around, no one but them and the others playing.
"How do you know — my name?" He whispered.
She smiled at him, pride swelling in her. "Don't worry. I'll keep it a secret." She ruffled his hair gently, making him laugh and blush. "Now go, join the others. This is a beautiful day. Don't spend it brooding on your own."
He nodded slightly, looking at the sun, offering himself to the world. Yes, she could see him travelling across the stars, the universes maybe. Perhaps not with her, and perhaps that didn't matter. He was the Doctor.
"Oh, and Doctor?" She said before he could go. He stopped, looking at her with a smile — that smile. She would do anything to ensure that it would forever lighten up his face. "If the Hybrid comes… I will keep you safe. I promise." Something shone in his eyes… Hope. Trust. "Now, run, you clever boy."
And he did, shooting her one last smile. He ran across the field, joining his friends at last. And she watched him go, soaring through the air, her sweet hero, always running towards new adventures.
"Run, you clever boy." She whispered once more, never taking her eyes off him. "And remember me."