Chapter 5 by ThomasMoro

What next?

Ashildr has an epiphany

Suddenly, a thought occurred to Ashildr.

"I just realized something," she said.

"What's that?" asked Clara.

"This allergy I have... it might be contagious," said Ashildr.

"I'm pretty sure it isn't," said Clara.

"I'm pretty sure it is," said Ashildr.

"I'm pretty sure it isn't," said Clara again.

"How can you be so sure?" asked Ashildr.

"Er... because that's not how allergies work," said Clara.

"But just suppose this is a special case," said Ashildr. "After all, the two of us had spent all this time together. Eating the same food, drinking the same fluids, sleeping in the same bed..."

"I thought we both agreed not to mention that," said Clara.

But Ashildr continued. "We've worn the same clothing, used the same bath water, showered together from time to time."

"Well, it wasn't that often," said Clara.

"And of course, there was that blood transfusion I gave you about a month ago," said Ashildr.

"What blood transfusion?" asked Clara. "I don't remember a blood transfusion."

"Oh, it was just an experiment I conducted while you were asleep," said Ashildr.

"While I was asleep?!" said Clara.

"Plus when I was doing research online, I came across all those stories about a naked time traveler named Clara Oswald," said Ashildr.

"I'm pretty sure that last part is just one big coincidence," said Clara.

"Anyway, for all I know, you might have the same allergy too," said Ashildr.

"Once again, I'm pretty sure I don't," said Clara.

"So how come you keep scratching yourself?" asked Ashildr.

"Er, I'm not scratching myself," said Clara, trying to ignore the itching she felt beneath her clothes. "Now if you excuse me, I gotta go to the bathroom for a brief moment."

Clara immediately ran into the bathroom and slammed the door behind her. At the same time, she told herself that she was just a victim of the power of suggestion.

And yet it felt so good to take her clothes off and give herself one long scratch...