Maid to Order-Chapter 12

  Sarah Jane Smith flinched and held her hands across her face in defence as if she could somehow ward-off the Goliath's grasp. Feeling nothing, she opened her eyes to see the huge fingers hovering in front of her face. Seemingly taking the lowering of her arms as his queue, The Master shot his arm towards her and clenced both her hands between his thumb and index finger.
  Though not in pain, Sarah found it impossible to free herself-a fact she was grateful for as her feet left the ground at an alarming rate that made her scream. The reporter was suddenly hoisted to a height equivalent to over a hundred feet and her vertigo returned as she clenched her eyes shut at it. Any pretense at struggle now was the furthest thing from her mind as she froze like a statue, petrified.
  Sarah Jane Smith dangled in front of The Master's face;
    "You know you really have been quite an annoyance, Sarah. You haven't altered my plans but-"
    "Aawwk, pieces of eight!" He visibly gritted his teeth at the bird's intrusion,
    "As I was saying," he continued, "...though you haven't changed my plans, killing you would be a waste and I feel averse to letting you go." He said archly, seeing her eyes widen at the thought of the drop beneath her. He waved his free hand toward the cage in the corner of the room, "You might make a passable replacement for Ben Gunn over there!" He grinned.
  Sarah Jane Smith was frozen with fear at the drop to the floor but still felt outrage at the thought of a life as little more than a pet in a cage! She was caught between terror and indignation, her eyes locked on his face to avoid her height off the ground;
    "Oh why don't you pick on someone your own size?!" She yelled.
  He grinned;
    "Oh I like you, Miss Smith. I may even stump-up for a wheel for your new home!" The Master chuckled.
  In desperation, Sarah bellowed;
    "You'll never succeed! I told the Daleks that UNIT knew of their plans!"
    "Oh really? I don't think so, Sarah. If you had, 'my associates' would merely have sterylised the area." He retorted then, almost as an apology, "They're so impulsive!"
  Sarah Jane, remembering her experiences on the planet Exxilon and Skaro, despite her position screamed-back;
    "They are a filthy abhorence, as are you!"
  He flinched, he actually flinched!
    "You really have spent a lot of time with the Doctor, haven't you Miss Smith?"
  An old episode of 'Batman' now played on the television in the background-the bemused Commisioner and clueless Police Chief still apparently contemplating who to call to help them with the latest colourful psychopath to have taken a fancy to their city. The Master scooped a glass from the table and held it beneath her;
    "Not to worry," he declared, "...I do so love a girl with spirit!" And, with a triumphant grin, dropped her unceremoniously into the lead-crystal tumbler.

                                                                                       TO BE CONTINUED...