A bit of a long one this time in 5 parts, written after Chosen but before Damage.

Lucy

Crouching behind a particularly large gravestone, Lucy tightened her grip on her makeshift stake and waited. To most people waiting in a graveyard at gone two in the morning would be considered strange and if anyone had told her just a month ago that she would be doing exactly that she would have said they were mad. But that was before the change.

It had just been a normal day. School unsurprisingly had been no fun, a double history lesson in the morning, her least favourite subject, and in the afternoon her maths teacher had gleefully surprised them with a test, which she was certain she had flunked. A trip to the mall with her friends after school had cheered Lucy up, as did the pair of brown leather boots she had bought.

Everything changed when she returned home though. She remembered it had just turned four o'clock because Sabrina had just started when all of a sudden she felt kind of weird. At first pins and needles shot up both arms and then she felt both hot and cold at the same time. This only lasted for a couple of seconds and was immediately followed by a wave of dizziness so intense she was certain she was going to faint. She didn't though for just as suddenly as it had come the weirdness was gone. At the time she had had no idea what had just happened and finally put it down to the tortilla she had eaten at the mall.

The next morning Lucy woke feeling refreshed and exhilarated. The previous night's odd occurrences forgotten she readied herself for school in record time. A glass of orange juice for breakfast and she was out the door. It wasn't until after her first lesson that she had cause to remember when her locker key broke off in the lock. Looking down at the remainder of the key in her hand Lucy sighed. Why now? she silently asked herself. Gym started in, she looked at her watch, less than two minutes and her kit was inside. Mrs Leaney hated tardiness and she would not be pleased. She looked around but for the first time in living memory the corridor was empty. Damn, it would take ages to fetch the janitor and she couldn't afford to be late again.

"Damn, damn, damn" she cursed and punched the locker. Much to her surprise she felt the metal buckle and then with a ping the lock snapped. Lucy smiled and grabbed her kit, it must be her lucky day. Lucy's lucky day seemed to continue into her gym lesson as well. Not only did she win the game of dodge ball without breaking into a sweat but she cycled the five miles home from school in record time.

It was another week, a week full of amazing discoveries about herself, before she began to suspect that something had happened to her. And then it hit her, she was The Vampire Slayer. One of the girls at school had moved here from California and she used to tell stories about a girl with fantastic powers who used to kill vampires, demons and other such make believe monsters. Lucy had listened avidly but like everyone else she had thought the girl just had a very vivid imagination and was trying to impress her new school mates. Now though she wasn't so sure.

She was now faster, stronger and more agile than ever before and if that wasn't strange enough she also began to get weird feelings in the pit of her stomach. Three times the feelings had come, each time at night and at a party. She didn't how she knew but she was sure they indicated some sort of danger. A warning to tell her that a vampire was close by perhaps. It had to be.

A month later she had a routine of school, socialising and patrolling worked out. She did wish her Watcher was here to help and instruct her but she wasn't going to let that stop her, she had a duty. Four vampires she had killed, not much return for a months w**k she had to admit, Portland didn't seem to be a popular haunt for the undead, but she must have been called for a reason.

A movement some distance away brought her back to the present and looking closely she saw a pale figure emerge from one of the large tombs. It seemed her vampire count could soon reach five. The vampire looked up at the sky then hurried off. Lucy left her hiding place and followed.

Out of the cemetery the vampire acted like any normal person out for the night and headed towards the centre of town. Behind him Lucy bided her time waiting for an opportunity to dust him. Still unsure of her powers she hoped this slaying would go much more smoothly than the others. Even with her slayer healing abilities her left arm was still black and blue, and the cut on her side was still painful. In front of her the vampire stopped suddenly. Lucy, her heart in her throat, looked for somewhere to hide but was halted by the vampire. "I know you are there," he told her without turning around. Swallowing her fear the young slayer realised that the time for sneaking was over and boldly walked forward. "Prepare to die then evil fiend," she told him and raised her stake.

The vampire turned a smile on his face, fangs bared. "But you are just a girl. I have fed on many girls such as you." He looked her up and down with eyes too old for his youthful face. "You're a comely sort though. How about instead of killing you I turn you, would you like that?"
"That won't be happening," she told him. "I may be a girl but I'm also the Slayer."
The vampire laughed. "The Slayer you say. Does not the Slayer reside in Sunnydale?"
Lucy shrugged. "I am the Slayer and you are dead."
"Enough talk girl, I've got places to be," he said and rushed her. If he had hoped to take her by surprise the fiend was soon to be disappointed. Easily avoiding his wild charge and Lucy swept his legs from under him as he passed. The vampire cursed and crashed to the ground. He was more cautious after that.

Lucy allowed the vampire to take the initiative, doing very little except block his attacks, hoping to frustrate the vampire and make him do something rash. She had used the same tactics against the other vampires and though it wasn't perfect she felt it was the way to go, at least for the time being. And again it seemed to be w**king. "Come on fight," he shouted at her after she had easily blocked a combination of punches.

Lucy smiled grimly and said nothing. Superhuman he may have been but she could see that he was beginning to tire. Maybe this one would be easy to kill after all, she thought.

It was then though that the second vampire made her move. Unknown to Lucy she had been watching them for some time and seeing her fellow blood sucker in a spot of bother had to take a hand. And with her concentration fixed on the first vampire the first Lucy knew of her existence was when something heavy connected with the back of her head and sent her stumbling to her knees.

Without Slayer strength Lucy knew the blow would have killed her but as it was she was able to struggle to her feet and half turn just in time to catch hold of the second vampire as she pounced. For a several moments they struggled, the vampire's teeth only inches from Lucy's neck but eventually she was able to throw her off.

It was then that the situation became desperate. With two vampires to deal with Lucy's defensive strategy was less successful. She was still able to keep out most of the attacks but every now and again one managed to get through. A raking attack left four long gashes across her back, a kick that caught her on the side of the head left a nasty cut which soon started to drip blood into her left eye and she was sure a heavy body shot had cracked a couple of ribs.

With the vampires tag-teaming her and keeping her between them Lucy knew that she had to try something different. Bleeding from a dozen places she couldn't keep this up for long. The vampires circled her, still wary but confident now that it was only a matter of time. The young slayer resolved to show them that their confidence was misplaced. She still had her stake and she knew how to use it.

Watching the two vamps she waited for her moment and when the female vamp stumbled she knew this was it.

With the other vamp momentarily out of action Lucy took several steps towards the male, feinting an attack knowing that there was no chance of attack from behind. But as he danced back out of reach she turned and threw her stake. Straight and true it flew, her aim perfect and it hit the female vampire in the chest piercing her heart. The vampire looked down her mouth open in shock and then she exploded into a cloud of dust.

Behind her the remaining vampire screamed in horror. "You'll die for that bitch," he screamed. Lucy wasn't listening though. As soon as she saw the vampire turn to dust she began to run. Her reckless move had been born of desperation and though it seemed to have paid off if she couldn't recover her stake it would all be for nothing.

Only a few feet away it looked like she was going to make it but then the vampire was on her. Together they crashed to the floor and for several moments they struggled each trying to get the upper hand until finally the fiend managed smack the Slayer's head against the hard pavement and pinned her beneath him.

Dazed Lucy looked up at the vampire looming above her, fear knotting her insides. Desperately she tried to throw him off but she just wasn't strong enough. "Time to die little girl," he told her and bent forward.

Sharp fangs sinking deep into her neck he began to drink. Unable to move Lucy could only gasp in pain and confusion. "But I'm the Slayer," she whispered as the darkness claimed her.

Della

"Is this the place?" Kennedy asked. Xander looked at the ramshackle building with its windows boarded up and peeling paint then shrugged. He dug a hand in his pocket and pulled out a scrap of paper. 763 South Down Drive was scrawled on it in black ink. "According to Willow's note it is," he said. "Then this is it," Kennedy said confidently and strode up the path towards the house.

Behind her Xander frowned but followed. He wished he had as much confidence. This was the fifth time Willow had sent them out in search of a new Slayer and the previous four times they had come back empty handed. Whatever locater spell she was using it didn't seem to be doing them much good.

Up on the porch Kennedy began hammering on the door. "Hello," she called, "is there anyone in?" Xander hurried forward and grabbed her arm before she broke the door down. "Not so loud. We don't want to attract any unwanted attention."
"From who?" the young woman demanded.
Xander sighed, again. He seemed to do that a lot lately and most of the time around Kennedy. "I don't know but let's not take any chances shall we?"
For a second he thought she was going to disagree but then she shrugged. "Whatever you say but I don't think anyone's home."
"We better have a look around anyway."
The front door turned out to be unlocked and after a quick look to make sure no one was watching they entered. Kennedy took one look around and said, "I'll check upstairs you look around down here. If you need any help give me a shout."
Xander opened his mouth to tell her that he was not a novice and to remind her that he had been fighting beside the slayer for years but she was already gone, ascending the stairs in several athletic bounds. He closed his mouth with an audible click. Willow's girlfriend she might be but at times she could be a right pain in the ass.

Xander sighed and began to look around. On the inside the house was just as dilapidated as it had appeared from the outside. Threadbare carpets exposed rotting floorboards, graffiti covered the bare walls and mouldy curtains adorned the windows.

Walking into what must have been the kitchen Xander halted, nearly retching as his nostrils were assaulted by a terrible smell. What is that foulness? he asked silently, raising a hand to his nose. Something must have died in here that was certain.

Reluctantly he moved further into the room and began to look around. Smashed kitchen units littered the floor, several pieces of which seemed to Xander's experienced eye to have been sharpened into stakes. He nudged a copper pot with his toe and then jumped back as something skittered across his foot. For moment he looked around for a weapon but seeing it was just a rat he relaxed.
"Xander up here," he heard Kennedy shout before he could resume his search.

Gladly leaving his investigation of the kitchen he hurried up the stairs and found the young woman in the bathroom. "What is it?" he asked.
"Look," she replied and pointed.
Xander did as he was told but at first he could see nothing except a bath tub full of rags. Then suddenly his single eye widened as he realised that the rags were not just a pile of discarded clothes but a person.

"Do you think it's her?" Kennedy asked.
Xander shrugged. "There's only one way to find out," he said and knelt at the side of the bath. Gently he began to pull away some of the rags until he found himself staring at the grubby face of a young girl. No more than thirteen or fourteen the girl might have been pretty underneath the dirt and the alarming number of bruises. Suddenly the girl's eyes snapped open and Xander found himself staring into a pair of very large and very pale blue eyes. Then the girl shuffled backwards and putting her arms about herself began to rock from side to side. "Strangers, strangers, strangers," she muttered. "Who are they? What do they want? Are they vampires come to kill me?" She sighed. "To kill me at last."

Xander, eyebrows raised, looked at Kennedy who shrugged. Turning back to the young girl he smiled. "Shh, it's ok now, we're here to help you."
The girl stopped rocking and stared at him intently. "Help me he says," she said quietly. "Can I be helped? Am I beyond redemption?" She nodded vigorously. "Yes, beyond redemption. Evil I am, evil."

The one eyed Scooby blinked, this was very disturbing. He decided a change of tack was in order. "Do you have a name?" he asked.
"A name? Do I? Yes, yes I do," she said triumphantly, "Slayer Bitch." A moment later her look of triumph was gone and she frowned then began to shake her head violently. "No that's what they call me. In the dark when I'm alone, so alone, they call me. Always calling me, calling me, why won't they leave me alone?"

Seeing tears begin to form at the corners of the girl's eyes Xander felt a lump in his throat. What the bloody hell had happened to this girl? "What did your mother call you?" he asked her gently.
"My mother?" She closed her eyes and smiled for the first time but not for long. "I…I can't remember." She reached up and began to pull her hair. "Why can't I remember?" she demanded in frustration. "I have a name and I will remember it." Her hair pulling became more violent. "My name is…my name is…Della," she screamed finally then sighed and in a much quieter voice said, "my name is Della."
"Please Della calm down," Xander told her, his voice full of concern.
Della's fixed him with a piercing gaze. "How do you know my name?" she demanded.
For moment Xander was lost for words. "You just told me," he answered finally.
"Did I? Would I?" She shook her head. "No I wouldn't, he must be a vampire. An evil blood sucking vampire."
Hadn't we been through this already? Xander asked silently. "No I am not a vampire," he told her patiently. "We're here to help you, we've been looking for you."
Della frowned. "Looking for me? Why, why, why, why?" she demanded then without warning her hand shot out and grabbed Xander round the throat. "You know what one eyed man? I think you're a vampire and you've come to kill me," she said and then gave him a mighty shove. Xander stumbled back crashed through the bathroom wall and landed in a heap, bruised and winded.
Kennedy hurried to Xander's side. "Are you ok?"
Xander smiled. "I think so," he replied then joked, "at least we know she's a slayer." With the slayer's help he got to his feet and they returned to the bathroom. The girl hadn't moved from the bath but she had started to rock again.
"Do you mind if I try?
Xander shrugged. "Be my guest," he told her and watched as she approached the girl. Della watched Kennedy approach warily but made no move as she knelt at the side of the bath.
"There'll be no more of that," Kennedy told her sternly nodding at her companion. "Do you understand?"
Xander winced at her tone but the girl didn't seem to notice and nodded. Kennedy ploughed on regardless. "Where are your parents Della?" Della's eyes widened and she backed away shaking her head. "Della where are your parents? Do they know you are here?" The girl made no reply except to continue shaking her head. "Where are they?" Kennedy asked for a third time. "Why won't you tell us?"
For a moment it looked like she would refuse to answer but then she looked straight at Xander and laughed. "Because they're dead, they were vampires just like you. They tried to fool me as well but I killed them. Staked them I did, staked them dead." Kennedy gasped, a gasp that Xander could only echo. What had happened here?
"And what happened to them afterwards?" Kennedy asked quietly.
The girl was clearly confused. "Afterwards?" she muttered. "What do they mean afterwards? Are they vampires or are they ghouls?"
"Della!"
The young slayer sniffed. "I buried them. I killed them and then I buried them." She looked at Kennedy. "There, are you satisfied?"
Xander could hardly believe his ears. This girl had actually killed her parents thinking they were vampires. What had happened to her? He was joined a moment later by an equally shocked Kennedy.
"She's completely mad, lost in a world of her own."
"But what could have caused this?"
Kennedy shrugged. "It could have been the Slayer visions."
"The visions," Xander repeated. "Are they that powerful?"
"As you know it's different with each Slayer. Buffy has had what? Two or three in seven years?" Xander nodded. "Well Cho An has had quite a few already I think whereas most of the other Slayers haven't had any. I'd guess that Della's visions have been many and very powerful. So powerful in fact that she can't tell the dreams from reality anymore."
Xander looked at the girl with a mixture of pity and compassion. "Oh my God, the poor girl," he exclaimed.
"And her poor parents," Kennedy added. "So what should we do with her?"
"We have to help her, take her with us. Maybe Willow or Giles will be able to help her."
Kennedy didn't look convinced. "I can't see how."
"Well we can't leave her here," Xander shouted. Was she heartless? "If for no other reason than to keep her from killing again," he added in a normal tone.
"I suppose you're right. How though? There's no way we can reason with her."
Xander sighed, she had a point. Where were Giles or Willow when you needed them? They would know what to do. "Well we have to try, tell her you're a Slayer as well maybe that will help."
"Is that the best you can come up with?"
"Have you got anything better?"
Kennedy shook her head and then knelt beside the young girl once more. "Ok then Della, listen carefully, we are not vampires and we have not come here to kill you. We are here to help you, you are not alone Della. There are many girls who are Slayers like you and I'm one of them."
For the first time the girl looked up with something akin to sanity in her eyes. "You're a Slayer too."
Kennedy nodded. "Yes I was a normal girl, a potential like you and then our friend Willow, a powerful witch, cast a spell that made us Slayers."
And whatever sanity had been there was gone. Della's face contorted with anger. "You did this to me," she accused, "you put this in me. Well I don't want it. Get it out of me."
"I'm sorry Della that's not possible but we'll…"
Della wasn't listening. She lurched forward and grabbed Kennedy. "Get it out of me," she screamed. "I don't want it. Get it out! Get it out! GET IT OUT!"
Stunned by the depth of the girl's fury it was several moments before Kennedy tried to shake her off and then when that didn't w**k she took more drastic action, punching her squarely on the jaw. Della grunted and slumped to the ground.

Xander moved forward to stand at Kennedy's side and looked down at the unconscious Slayer. "Was that really necessary?" he asked.
"It was the only way, you saw what she was like."
Xander had to admit she was probably right but he still didn't like it. The others were not going to be pleased, not only had the first Slayer they'd found been driven mad by her visions but they had had to knock her senseless as well. "How long is she likely to be out for?"
Kennedy shrugged. "She's young but she's still a Slayer."
Xander nodded. "I'll get the car then."

Akiko

Watching Akiko ascend the thirty foot wall as if she was walking down the street Ichiro had to admit that he was worried. Never before had they tried something so risky. Shoplifting, picking pockets and the odd car jacking were their usual scores. They weren't going get rich doing it but they weren't going to get any of them killed either.

This madness, he could think of no other word for it, was likely to do just that. Not only was the warehouse patrolled by gun carrying security guards but it was slap bang in the middle of the Turquoise Dragon's turf. And those guys were among the meanest mother fuckers around.

Ichiro looked sidelong at the other four members of their small gang knowing that only his cousin Goro shared any of his reservations and even he thought the pay off was worth the risk. He shook his head, this was going to end badly he knew it.

Having reached the top of the wall Akiko disappeared on to the roof and the group had to endure an anxious wait until she reappeared several minutes later from a ground floor doorway. "Come on," she urged them.

Last to enter Ichiro stopped in the doorway. "You know this is a mistake Akiko," he told her.
Akiko gave him a hard look. "Fucking hell Ichiro we've been through this before and this is neither the time nor the place." She took a deep breath. "I've had enough of this. In or out Ichiro it's your decision?"
He so wanted to say out but Goro had already disappeared down the corridor and there was no way he would leave without him. He stepped forward. "In," he said reluctantly.

Akiko closed the door then with speed that was barely credible she grabbed Ichiro's shirt and slammed him up against the wall. "Let's get one thing straight, any more of this mistake rubbish and I'm going to beat the crap out of you. Do you understand?"
Six foot tall and nearly fourteen stone Ichiro dwarfed Akiko but looking down at her determined face he believed that she was more than capable of carrying out her threat. He nodded. "I understand, I won't say another word."
Akiko let him go. "Ok then," she said and then hurried to rejoin the others. Ichiro followed slowly, rubbing his sore chest. God how he wished that he knew what had happened to the girl. It wasn't all that long go that Akiko was just an annoying teenager runaway their small gang had somehow managed to pick up. She'd been ok then, a bit of a pain maybe, always wanting what she couldn't have but Kazuma had liked her, more than liked her actually, so she had stayed.

That had all changed about a month or so ago. Ichiro, Goro and Kimiko had had a nice little scam going on the docks, steeling cigarettes and selling them to the workers at knock down prices. So Kazuma and Akiko along with the remaining to members of the gang, Kenji and Yoshi, had gone off on some scam of their own, what it had been Ichiro had no idea. The first he knew about it was when they all returned to the squat and told him that Kazuma was dead, mangled beneath the wheels of a truck.

Shocked he could hardly believe it, Kazuma had been like a big brother to Ichiro, taking him under his wing and showing him the ropes when he first turned up on the streets. It was no exaggeration to say that if it hadn't been for Kazuma he would have been dead within a week.

Feeling somehow that it was his responsibility Ichiro had tried to find out what exactly had happened but Akiko had been decidedly tight lipped about the whole incident. With tears in her eyes she told him it was too distressing. Kenji and Yoshi had proven to be just as silent as well and he began to suspect that events hadn't unfolded quite as he had been told. With no proof though he could do nothing but let it drop.

As the next longest serving member Ichiro had assumed leadership of the group but over the next couple of weeks his position was gradually undermined by Akiko. She just gave suggestions at first, small things, but it wasn't long before they became more forceful, more like commands. And with Kenji and Yoshi backing her up this continued until finally he had to admit that he was no longer in charge.

"Ok Goro, Kimiko you'll be our eyes and ears," Akiko was saying when Ichiro joined the others, "it'll be your job to warn us if anyone comes. There are only two guards, both lazy and fat, so you shouldn't have any problems. The rest of us," she continued, "are on collection duty. Everyone understand what they've got to do?" They all nodded. "Let's getting moving them."

Akiko led the small group further down the corridor stopping at an unremarkable white door no different from any of the others passed. Cautiously opening it she looked out. "It's all clear," she said and went through. The others followed and found themselves in a large open area. Ichiro didn't like it in the least, there was no cover and the chances of them being seen seemed very high indeed.

Akiko though didn't seem to care and with barely a pause led them across the open space to a blue door on the other side. Pulling it open she looked at Goro and Kimiko. "You two stay here and keep out of sight," she told them and went inside.

Kenji and Yoshi followed but Ichiro paused and looked at his cousin. "Be careful Goro," he urged him and went in after them.

Along another corridor they went then down a set of steel stairs at the botTom of which a short corridor led to a rather sturdy looking door. "We want to go in there," Akiko said and Ichiro had to wonder where she had gotten all her information from.
Kenji tried the handle. "It's locked," he said.
Akiko shoved him to one side. "Here I'll do it." She grasped the handle and a moment later they heard a snap and the door swung open. She looked at them with a smile. "See, no problem." The four of them went in and were stopped in their tracks by what they discovered.
"We've hit the jackpot," Yoshi exclaimed in awe.
Akiko clapped him on the shoulder and smiled. "You can say that again."
Ichiro had to agree as well. Never before had he seen so much electronic equipment in one room. TVs, videos, dvd players, mobile phones, video games, the room was jam packed with them. And it wasn't out of date crap either, it was all state of the art. The newest of the new and in most cases not even available in the shops yet.
"Ok fellas let's start shopping but only the latest stuff," Akiko said. "Mobile phones, watches, hand held computers those type of things. Leave the big stuff."
For the next quarter of an hour or so they worked in silence packing as many electronic goodies as possible into the two plastic bags each of them had brought. Then with their bags bulging and barely light enough to carry they left.

As they hurried back along the corridor Akiko dropped back until she was walking at Ichiro's side. "See Ichiro that wasn't so hard was it?"
Ichiro shook his head, only when they had all gotten out of here would he be happy. There was still much that could go wrong. And as soon as the thought entered his head the sound of a single gunshot rang out.

For a second they all froze then Ichiro dropped what he was carrying and with his heart pounding with fear he began to run. He took the steel steps two at a time certain that something terrible had happened and when he arrived at the door where they had left Goro and Kimiko his fears were confirmed.

On the floor no more than a yard from the door lay Goro face down in an ever expanding pool of his own blood. Ichiro took a step towards his cousin but was halted by the unmistakeable click of a gun.
"Don't move punk," a voice shouted.
Ichiro looked up and for the first time noticed the two guards, both with their guns drawn.
"Don't try anything stupid," one of them warned, "or you'll end up like your buddy."
"How many of you are there?" the other demanded.
Ichiro shook his head too shocked to speak. What had happened to Kimiko?
The guard wasn't convinced. "I'm sure there's more of them Hiroshi," he said to is partner, "radio for some police back up."
"Ok Saburo," Hiroshi agreed but before he could do it something whistled past Ichiro's head and struck him full in the face.
"What the heck," Saburo exclaimed as Hiroshi fell to the floor clutching his bloody face. He looked about wildly but seeing nothing he raised his gun. "What's going on?" he demanded.
Ichiro shrugged but a moment later his eyes widened as he saw Akiko silently emerge from a door behind the guard. Seeing Ichiro's reaction the guard turned but he was too late. With a roundhouse kick to the head Akiko sent the guard reeling, another kick sent the gun spinning from his hand and third sent him crashing to the floor.

As she pounced on the fallen guard Ichiro hurried forward and knelt beside his cousin but it took him only a moment to confirm that he was dead. Poor Goro, why did it have to be him? he asked silently. He'd never done anyone any harm. With tears in his eyes he looked up and was just in time to see Akiko pick up Saburo's fallen gone gun and pointed it at the guard. "No," he screamed but the young woman took no notice and pulled the trigger. Then while Ichiro watched in horror she turned and shot the other guard as well before casually tucking the gun into her waist.

Behind him Kenji and Yoshi emerged from the corridor. "We better get out of here," Kenji said unaffected by what had just happened.
Akiko nodded. "Ok get going, we'll meet back at the squat."
Still in a state of shock Ichiro struggled to his feet and stepped in front of her. "Are you fucking mad?" he shouted.
"Get a grip of yourself Ichiro, we've just made our biggest score," she told him and brushed past him.
Ichiro grabbed her arm. "Akiko, Goro is dead and you've just killed those men. This is a disaster."
"A disaster? I don't think so. Goro knew the risks and those guards were trying to kill me and you. What would you have had me do play pat-a-cake with them?"
"Of course not but…" he shook his head. "What is wrong with you?"
Akiko snorted. "Nothing is wrong with me," she told him. "Quite the opposite in fact, I feel great. I'm stronger and faster than ever and I ain't gonna take no crap from anyone anymore. This" she waved her hand around the warehouse "is just the beginning."

Dani

"Two out and bottom of the ninth and up to the plate steps Ray Sanderson," the announcer shouted over the tannoy. A huge cheer erupted from the crowd and within moments the chant of `Ray, Ray, Ray...' echoed around the stadium.

Sitting alone at the top of the bleachers Dani's gaze was fixed firmly on the young man as he strode confidently forward, and silently prayed that he would hit a home run. Not that Ray Sanderson, most popular guy in school, would have any idea who she was or deign to speak to her if they passed each other in the corridor.

"With the tying run on second a home run by Sanderson would send the North Montgomery High School `Gators to the state play offs," the announcer continued but was now barely audible above the roaring of the crowd.

At the plate Ray took a couple of practice swings and then setting himself, bat in the air he waited. On the mound the pitcher watched the catcher, waiting for his signal. The crowd went quiet. Seeing one that he liked the pitcher nodded, checked the runner at second, wound up and threw.

At a speed approaching ninety miles an hour the ball flew through the air a thousand pairs of eyes fixed firmly on it. Dani's however were not amongst them, her eyes were still watching Ray. She saw him pull back his bat and let loose a mighty swing. Much to her disappointment though she also saw his bat miss the ball by a good six inches and heard the thud as the ball hit the catcher's glove.
"Strike one," the umpire called and a huge gasp went up from the crowd.
"Come on Ray I know you can do it," Dani urged.
Unfazed and unaware of Dani's encouragements Ray stepped out of the batter's box to begin his preparation again. With the tension nearly unbearable Dani leant forward her gaze never leaving the young man in the batter's box and willed with all her heart for him to hit a home run.

For the second time the pitcher wound up and threw but this time Ray's swing was on the money. Bat and ball connected with a loud crack and the ball was sent high into the night sky. As soon as he hit it Dani knew that it was a home run but like everyone else she watched with baited breath until the ball cleared the centre field fence. Then pandemonium broke loose.

To the sound of wild cheering Ray set off to complete the winning run. Round first he jogged then second and third and finally he reached home where he was greeted by his jubilant team mates and a huge deafening roar from the crowd. A beaming smile on his handsome Ray high fived the whole team and then waved to the crowd accepting their adulation. Still up in the bleachers Dani sat back, physically and emotionally drained but completely happy.

Out on the field Ray continued to play to the crowd for some time.

The celebration party took place the following night. The honour of throwing the year's biggest party fell to Stacey Monroe, head cheerleader, homecoming queen and Ray's girlfriend. Dani hated her with a passion. Everyone who was anyone was invited. Neither beautiful nor popular Dani was not on the guest list.

Usually the lack of an invite wouldn't have bothered her, she didn't make it to many parties, but this time she was determined to go even if it meant gate crashing. Wanting to look her best Dani agonized for hours over what to wear and finally decided on a simple black dress stolen from her sister's wardrobe.

As was the case with most popular girls Stacey was not only very pretty but also very rich and lived in a very exclusive part of Montgomery. For Dani it meant a bus ride across town followed by a long walk.

Nearly an hour after getting on, the bus pulled up at Dani's stop and she hopped off. After a moment to get her bearings she began to walk in the direction of Stacey's house.

Half way there, her feet sore and aching, Dani stopped to give them a bit of a respite. It was then that she noticed a car parked haphazardly just a little further up the road. Curiously she went to have a look. The car, a silver convertible, was empty, the driver's door wide open and the radio blaring.

Where was the car's owner? Dani wondered reaching in and turning off the radio. As she did so she heard a shout from the bushes at the side of the road. She straightened, maybe that was the driver and he was in some sort of trouble. She hurried forward.
"Hello," she called peering into the undergrowth. "Is there anyone there?
For a moment there was only silence but then she heard some rustling followed by a muffled grunt. "Get lost bitch," a voice then shouted out. "This is none of your concern."
Slowly Dani's eyes adjusted to the gloom and she was able to make out two figures at the bottom of a steep slope, high school boys by the look of their sports jackets. What they were doing down there was anyone guess? Then she spotted a third figure slumped on the ground between them. Oh dear it seemed someone was about to get a beating. She turned away, there was nothing she could do for the poor sap.

The young girl had only taken a couple of steps though when she stopped, a horrible thought forming in her mind. Didn't Ray drive a silver convertible? She was sure he did. And those jackets had been blue and white hadn't they? The colours of the Wetumpka Wyverns, the team they had beaten last night. Dani gasped, oh my God that was Ray down there.

What was she supposed to do? If she went to get help by the time she returned he could be seriously hurt but what other option did she have? It wasn't if she could help. Behind her she heard a dull thud followed by a groan of pain. She had to try. She turned back. "Get off him," she shouted her voice cracking.

At the sound of her shout both of the Wyverns looked up. "I told you to get lost," the larger of the two shouted at her. "I'm not gonna tell you again."
Dani flinched, but having made her decision she would not let the fact that she was more scared than she'd ever been put her off. "Just leave him alone. I know karate," she lied.
The kid laughed. "Did you hear that Pete? She knows karate."
Pete laughed as well. "Ooh I'm shaking in my boots Mike, whatever shall we do?"
"Careful Pete maybe she's gonna come down here and teach us a lesson," Mike said and laughed even harder.
Hearing their laughter something inside Dani snapped. How dare they make fun of her and how dare they beat up Ray. Someone does need to teach them a lesson, she fumed and before she knew it she had taken several steps down the slope.

"Now we're in for it Pete, here she comes." His laughter became even louder. Mike was still laughing when Dani reached the bottom of the slope and punched him on the nose. His laughter stopped abruptly. Looking up at him Dani gulped fearfully, what for the love of Christ had she just done?

"Didn't I warn you?" he asked then gave her a shove. Dani stumbled back and fell heavily against the trunk of a fallen tree, scraping her arm. The two boys came to stand over her. "Look Pete she's hurt her arm, do you think that'll stop her showing us her karate moves?"
Pete smirked. "Let's see," he answered and swung his foot at her head.

What happened next Dani was unable to explain. With Pete's boot only inches from her head instinct from somewhere deep inside screamed at her move and she found herself lurching forward ducking beneath the kick. Then as his foot crashed into the tree trunk she sprang to her feet and kicked him between the legs.

Shocked at the strange turn of events Dani could only stare as Pete fell to the ground clutching his middle. But only for a moment because, with a growl of anger, Mike charged forward and she found herself embroiled in her first ever fight.

For the next several minutes Dani somehow dealt with everything the two Wetumpkans had to offer, blocking their punches, dodging their kicks and was able to give them a thump or two of her own. It was like somebody else had taken over her body and she was along for the ride. It was all so unbelievable.

Dani wasn't the only one who found it unbelievable either. She could tell by their faces that Pete and Mike were just as surprised. Finally after she had cracked Pete in the face with her elbow possibly breaking his nose he turned tail and fled. Seeing his mate fleeing Mike gave Dani one last look and followed.


Dani watched them go but hearing a sound behind her she turned to find Ray struggling to his feet. Somewhat dazed he looked around then seeing Dani he frowned. "Where did they go?" he asked her. For several moments Dani was too shocked to reply, this was the first time Ray Sanderson had ever spoken to her. "Th…they ran off," she said eventually.
Ray walked towards looking none the worse for his experience. "They ran off?"
The young girl nodded. "I shouted at them, told them I'd phoned the police."
He stopped in front of her. "And what happened to your dress?"
Dani looked down and gasped. Her dress was a right state, covered in dirt and, oh god, there was a small rip as well. Her sister was going to kill her. "I slipped down the slope," she told him trying to put thoughts of what her sister might do to her to the back of her mind.
"I see," he said sounding not entirely convinced but then he smiled. "Well thanks anyway, you saved me an ass whooping."
"That's ok," she told him, shyly returning his smile. "Who were they?"
He shrugged. "A couple of sore losers from last night I expect. They'll get what's coming to them," he promised. "Were you on your way to Stacey's party?"
"Yes."
He started up the slope. "Do you want a ride?" Dani's mouth dropped open, a ride in Ray's car. Too excited to speak she nodded and hurried to catch up.

Seated in the passenger seat of Ray's silver sportscar, the wind in her hair as he drove them to the party was beyond Dani's wildest dreams. This night was just one unbelievable event after another. But all too soon Stacey's house came into view and the ride was over. Pulling up on the drive he turned off the engine. "Here we are then."
"Thanks."
Ray jumped out the car. "Ok then, maybe I'll catch you later," he said and headed off in the direction of the music.

Left in the car Dani sat there for several more seconds savouring the experience of being in Ray Sanderson's car and then got out and slowly followed.

Reaching the house Ray was immediately surrounded by a group of his friends exclaiming at his lateness and the state of his appearance. Hanging back Dani watched, a smile on her face,

It was several minutes before anyone noticed her. Two girls broke from the group and seeing Dani they stopped, looked at each other and smiled. A smile that Dani didn't like the look of in the least. Jodi Fellin and Lysette Van Gaal were part of the popular set and a pair of right bitches.
"Well, well what do we have here?" Jodi asked.
"What are you doing here geek?" Lysette demanded.
"I…I…I've come to the party," she stuttered.
Both the girls laughed. "Sh…sh…she's come to the party," Jodi mocked.
"I don't think you were invited geek," Lysette told her.
"I…I…I came with Ray."
Lysette slapped her. "You lying slut."
Dani rubbed her face. "Ask him."
The girls closed in and stood shoulder to shoulder blocking her view of Ray and the others. "We don't need to ask him," Jodi said giving her a push. "You are a liar" she pushed her again "a slut" another push "and a gatecrasher" and another. "You are not welcome here so get lost," she told her and gave her one final push.
Dani stumbled and fell on her bum.
"Go on geek piss off," Lysette shouted.
Dani got to her feet and fled. Behind her she heard the sound of laughter and she started to sob. What a fool she was, expecting to get into the party. She didn't belong with them, she belonged with her own kind, with the geeks and the ugly kids.

Feeling a hand on her shoulder she lashed out with all her strength. She had had more than enough of those spiteful bitches for one night. It was only when her fist connected that she realised that it wasn't Jodi or Lysette she had hit but Ray. The object of her affections for the past year gasped and then crumpled to the ground, the side of his face covered in blood.

Dani gasped in shock and horror. Oh God, what had she just done? For several seconds all she could do was stare agape at Ray's still form then cautiously she bent forward. A shrill voice stopped her in her tracks. "Get away from him you bitch," Stacey Monroe screamed. Dani looked up and, seeing Ray's girlfriend and a dozen others rushing towards her, slowly back away.

Reaching Ray they stopped and Stacey sank to her knees by his side. "Wake up Ray baby," she pleaded cradling his head, but when there was no response looked up. "I think he's dead." The words hit Dani like a body blow. Hot scalding tears began to fall across her cheeks. Ray was dead, she felt nausea rise up inside, and it was she had killed him.

All eyes turned in her direction. "Call the police," she heard someone mutter.
"Don't let her get away," someone else said and two or three of the boys took a step forward.

Dani turned and, ignoring the angry shouts, ran. And ran and ran and ran. How long she kept running for she had know idea but Ray and the party was far behind by the time stitch forced her to slow to a walk. Tears continuing to stream down her face she tried to make sense of what had happened. And couldn't. Somehow she had killed Ray with a single blow. She shook her head in disbelief. How was that possible? He was a six foot tall senior, the star of the baseball team and she was a scrawny sophomore. It just wasn't possible. The facts though seemed to belie her thoughts.

Then all of a sudden she remembered. She remembered Mike and Pete, she remembered the fight and she remembered the beating she had given them. With a cry of despair she fell to her knees. She had killed him. After some time Dani became aware of a roaring far below her and she struggled to her feet to discover that she had stopped on the North Boulevard Bridge. At last something had gone her way tonight. Knowing what to do, she stumbled to the edge of the bridge and climbed up on to the guard rail. Far below, swollen by the winter rains, raged the Alabama River.

How could a night that had started so well turn into such a tragedy? Why was life so unfair? Why did some people get everything while others got nothing? For the first time in her short life something wonderful had actually happened to her and it was snatched away. Life was just too cruel. She had killed Ray and now she had nothing to live for. It was for the best, she told herself and jumped.

Jessica

Dark and gloomy the alley was not a particularly welcoming place. Rubbish littered the dirty grey tarmac and the walls were adorned with a mass of brightly coloured graffiti. The smell of stale booze and much worse was everywhere and, either smashed or broken, not a single lamppost cast any light. In fact the only light came from the orange neon sign above an open door deep in the alley.

The Den of the Diablo the sign proclaimed in bold letters twelve inches high and it showed the way to one of wildest clubs Sydney had to offer. Loud music, copious amount of drink and if you knew the right person, drugs were all on offer at the Den and it had a reputation for unrivalled debauchery.

Standing in the orange glow beneath the sign a young woman took a drag on a cigarette. Black leather boots, a short skirt and a crop top that left several inches of tattooed midriff exposed she had an air of confidence that belied her tender years.

Taking a final drag Jessica flicked the butt to the ground and leant back against the wall, it had been fairly quiet tonight so far. Possibly the quietest night since she had become a bouncer just over a month ago, she smiled, and hadn't that been a night to remember.

Her announcement that she wanted the Den's vacant bouncer's job had been met with, what she can only describe as howls of laughter from the club's management. "Does your mamma know you're here little girl?" Joel, the manager asked her.
Jessica put her hands on her hips. "Does yours?"
Joel scowled. "Get lost, I haven't gone time for this."
"Look mister all I'm asking for is a chance. I'm stronger than I look," she had assured him, which she had to admit it was hard not to be. Five foot two and barely a hundred pounds Jessica was little more than a strip of wind.
"Oh blood and guts," Joel swore. He clicked his fingers and waved at heavy thick set man with a tattoo of a snake on his arm. "Glen."
Glen stepped forward a frown on his heavyset face. "Boss?" he asked.
"Throw her out."
For a moment Glen seemed reluctant but then he shrugged and moved forward. Jessica on the other hand wasn't reluctant in the least, she was ready, eager in fact for a chance to prove herself. She ducked beneath his outstretched arms and smashed her right fist into his stomach and followed it with a left to his nose.

Bone and cartilage shattered in a shower of blood and Glen yelled in agony and raised his hands to his ruined nose. The young girl showed no mercy and kicked him between the legs. The big man fell to his knees, beaten but Jessica wasn't finished and smashed her forehead into his in a savage head butt.

As he collapsed to the floor unconscious Jessica turned to look at Joel, casually licked her opponent's blood from her lip and smiled. "Well do I get the job?" she asked brazenly.
Eyes wide and mouth open Joel could only stare in shock and bemusement. It took him several seconds to recover his composure then he nodded. "Sure, you start tomorrow," he told her. "Eight o'clock sharp and don't be late."

Jessica hadn't been late and that was the beginning of what she would describe as an interesting month. Night after night one idiot after another underestimated her or thought they could take advantage of her size and each time Jessica showed them the error of their ways. Usually with a fair amount of violence on her part and generous amounts of blood and pain on theirs.

Tonight had been quite different though. No one had tried to cop a feel and no one had tried to get in without paying. She frowned, maybe her reputation was too well known, maybe it was time for her to move on. There was only one reason she had took this job and it wasn't the crappy money.

A noise at the mouth of the alley caught her attention and instantly Jessica was alert and ready. Maybe the night wouldn't be a complete loss after all. The figure standing in the gloom didn't seem in any hurry to approach though. For over a minute Jessica stared at the stranger intently and though she couldn't be certain she had a weird feeling that the stranger was staring back just as intently.

"Do you want something?" she shouted a moment later as her impatience got the better of her.
The stranger said nothing and Jessica growled beneath her breath. For several more minutes she continued to stare at the shadowy figure, her anger rising. If this was someone's idea of a game then they'd be laughing on the other side of their faces when she was finished with them.

Finally Jessica had had enough and took a couple of steps forward. "Either show yourself or go. You've got to the count of three and then I'm going to come down there and break a few bones," she warned. "One, two, three." The last echo died away and Jessica took a step forward but before she could take a second the figure stirred and moved out of the shadows. Then slowly, almost stately, the figure glided towards her at which point Jessica realised that the stranger was a woman. Small and delicate the woman was dressed in a flowing dress of the blackest velvet. With long black hair surrounding a pale elfin face, high cheek bones and large brown eyes she had an almost otherworldly appearance but was nonetheless, Jessica had to admit, a beautiful woman.
"Are you lost lady?" Jessica asked more politely then she intended.
The woman said nothing but continued to advance, stopping when she was only a yard or so away and then looked Jessica up and down.

Uncomfortable under her stare the young girl shivered and had to stop herself from trying to cover herself with her arms. "Well are you?" she demanded somewhat more harshly.
"Well am I what?" the woman asked, her accent foreign.
"Lost!"
The raven haired beauty was silent for a moment then smiled a happy little smile. "I don't think so."
Jessica was astonished. "You want to go into the Den. They'll eat you alive."
As if Jessica had said the funniest thing in the world the woman laughed. "No my sweet you've got it wrong. I haven't come to visit this Den of yours, even though you make it sound quite interesting, I have come to see you."
Taking a step back the young bouncer eyed her with new suspicion. "Who are you?" she demanded. "And what interest do you have in me?"
"I'm interested in all of your kind."
"My kind," she repeated. This was starting to get very confusing. "What do you mean my kind?"
The woman shook her head sadly. "Terrible, such ignorant. It didn't used to be like this you know, back in the good old days."
Was this woman on something? "Look lady I don't know what you're talking about but if you don't piss off I'm gonna slap you one."
"Well they weren't particular good for my kind you understand and to tell the truth they weren't that long ago," she continued oblivious to the threat, "but times change."
Jessica was starting to get angry. "I'm warning you," she shouted.
The woman laughed. "Don't be a stupid little girl."
That's it, Jessica decided, she wasn't putting up with any more of this crap and punched her. The woman was taken by surprise and her head snapped back but that was all. She didn't fly across the alley, she didn't crumple to the ground and her head didn't cave in. Jessica frowned and a moment later the woman looked up. Then sensually licking the blood from her lip she smiled. "You'll have to do better than that dearie."
Will I? Well deal with this then you bitch, Jessica thought and balled her fist but before she could throw it the woman moved and in a flash she felt a hand round her throat. Jessica tired to pry the hand from her throat then when that didn't w**k began to swing wild punches at the woman but to no avail. The woman had a grip of iron. The young girl could feel the panic inside her begin to rise.
"What do you want with me?" she managed to choke out still struggling to break free.

The woman smiled and began force her head round. Jessica tried to resist but nothing she did had any effect and she soon found herself looking into the woman's large brown eyes. "Look deep little girl, look deep."
Reflexively Jessica tried to close her eyes but for some reason her eyelids wouldn't obey her commands leaving her no choice but to do as she had been told.

Jessica's world narrowed, the club, the alley, Sydney, even the woman herself were gone. All that there was, all that remained were the eyes and she was transfixed. Deeper and deeper she looked searching for what she had no idea but she knew she had to find it.

Suddenly Jessica found herself at the edge of a blackness, a blackness so dark that she knew nothing could escape it. Before she could think of escape though, the pool stirred and began to move towards her. With agonising slowness the blackness closed about her, surrounding her, covering her, enveloping her. She screamed but there was no sound.

Time passed, a day, a year, forever, it was all meaningless; there was nothing but the blackness. Then something changed, something disturbed the undisturbable. A sound. Jessica strained to make out what it was and gradually she understood. It was a name, it was her name. She struggled towards the sound fighting against the all encompassing blackness until finally she broke free and found herself once again in the alley.

It was still night she noted vaguely and a low throbbing hum still came from the club so not much time could have passed. These details would normally have found interesting, but for some reason she just didn't care. The dark haired woman no longer held her by the throat either but Jessica had no thought of escape.

"Come to me Jessica," the woman commanded in a soothing tone. Though she somehow knew it was wrong she couldn't help herself and in fact wanted to go to her. The woman stroked her hair and Jessica smiled a contented little smile. A smile which remained on her face as the woman bent her head, moved her hair to one side and then savagely bit into her exposed neck.


Drained of it's blood Drusilla allowed the body of the young Slayer to fall to the ground her stained lips curved upwards in a smile of exhilaration and triumph. Seven slayers she had drank dry now and with each one she could feel the strength coursing through her body grow. What miracle had happened to create so many untrained and vulnerable slayers Dru didn't know and as long as there were more of them she didn't care.

not really happy ending but quiet good :)

Thanks, it wasn't meant to have a happy ending. :)

:thumbsup:

Brilliant story.

Hazel

Thanks. :)