December 19th


The Inspiration Box

Samuel Johnson has just one ambition in life - to grow up and become a world famous astronaut. But can a surprise visit from the Doctor inspire him enough to go on and pursue his dream? The story begins on Christmas Eve, in a young boy's bedroom with glow in the dark stars...


Image 1 PART ONE

Samuel looked over at his alarm clock and sighed. 2:23am. Didn't it say that half an hour ago?

He turned to lie on his back and glanced dreamily up at the ceiling. The glow in the dark stars scattered across it stared back at him, as they did every night. He'd usually find himself just looking at them, subsequently drifting off to sleep to dream of a life amongst the stars, of exploring the universe, of distant planets and galaxies. But not tonight. For tonight was Christmas Eve, and Samuel had accepted that on this particular night, he had more chance of his space exploration dreams coming true than he did of getting himself any sleep.

He yawned. The rest of the house was silent. His parents were fast asleep in their bedroom, just across the landing, and the only noise to be heard from it was the sound of his father's ever repetitive snoring. Samuel's eyes had fully adjusted to the darkness by now, and he took advantage of this by repeatedly scanning his room, trying to pick out something new to help entertain him and pass the rest of the time until morning. No such luck yet...

Every time he was close to shutting his eyes, something would happen to snatch him from his sleep again. Usually it would be a car speeding past, with its headlights seeping through the curtains, temporarily shining a bright light over the array of space and astronaut posters stuck up around his bedroom. Each time this happened, Samuel would pretend it was an extraterrestrial invasion. Of course it wasn't a car, it was a spaceship landing in the garden, carrying a species of green googly eyed aliens, ready and waiting to take over the planet with their powerful ray guns...

Usually, though, Samuel could sleep on Christmas Eve. Unlike the rest of the children in his class, he didn't believe in Santa Claus, so it wasn't the magic and anticipation of a man in a red suit coming down his chimney and delivering his presents that was keeping him awake. It was in fact the knowledge that he would be able to run down the stairs and unwrap the greatest gift known to man. The Astromaster 3000, the most powerful telescope around. It had been all he'd ever wanted for as long as he could remember, and, after continuously dropping not-so-subtle points-in-the-right-direction to his parents for several months, he was sure they would've finally taken the hint this year, and that it would be there waiting under the tree for him come morning.

The thought of finally getting his hands on the telescope made him tingle with excitement. A burst of it ran through his body as he visioned himself tearing off the wrapping paper and staring down at the miraculous invention. He took a deep breath and looked at his clock again. 2:26am. Not long now...

Vworrrp!

3:57am. Samuel was asleep, but was woken up with a start. What was that? He sat up in his bed, clutching onto his duvet for safety. His bedroom was being lit up by a flashing bright light, dimming up and down with the grinding noise. It was coming from outside...

Silence. Samuel just sat there for a moment, breathing heavily. Was he dreaming? He pinched his arm in an attempt to wake himself up. No such luck. Realising he was very much awake, and, as always, being unable to fight his urge to investigate, he slowly loosened his grip on his duvet and stepped out of bed, his feet landing softly in his slippers as they touched the floor. He tiptoed over to his window and peeked around the curtain.

He couldn't believe his eyes. There, in the middle of the back garden, was a blue police box, lit up like a Christmas tree. Snow was falling all around it, and the light from it illuminated its surroundings. It looked beautiful, there was no denying, but what was it?

Samuel blinked, and before he had even realised it himself, he had grabbed his dressing gown and threw it over his shoulders as he raced out of his room, across the landing and down the stairs. Moving quickly on his tip toes, as to not wake his parents, he darted down the hallway, through the kitchen and pulled open the back door.

And there it was. The mysterious blue box, majestically standing before him. He was filled with anxiety and excitement as he stepped over the threshold, his slippers crunching in the soft snow as the crisp, winter air stroked his face. He wasn't aware of the cold as he stepped closer to the box. He reached out his hand and felt his stomach turn as he touched its wood surface. He was overwhelmed by a sudden sense of... he didn't know what it was exactly. All he knew is that he wanted to push open the door and see what was inside. But somebody had already opened the door for him.

"Hello," the Doctor beamed. "Fancy a trip?"

To be continued... Soon.