In the Earth

Something lies waiting underground, beneath a derelict housing estate. For how many aeons, no one knows. It feels the throbbing energy of the city above. A group of teenage girls are watching what appears to be trashy daytime television, tabloid TV with its endless stream of anger and spite, as the venal parade their tawdry tales before everyone. The girls' glee at witnessing the dingier side of humanity filters down through the earth, animating the waiting golem.

It emerges from the clay and dust onto the surface. Looking down in a puddle, it sees the reflection of a girl. Ready to wreak havoc, it finds that the Doctor is there waiting. He tells the golem that the time is not right for the Earth to have its revenge on humanity. In a fit of rage, the golem disintegrates, the dust returning to the earth.

What a weird, chthonic little tale. Lizzie Hopley, whose name rings a bell, has a somewhat overwrought writing style here but I really enjoyed it. I liked how she alternated the primal descriptions of the golem with the trash on the TV, giving a snapshot of humanity that finds us wanting. I wonder if it's a social commentary that the wicked energy of teenage girls is able to bring a monstrous being to life.

Still no Jamie, alas.