Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 8

Written by: Heather Martin

The familiar scenery of graves surrounded Buffy and Faith. Kara, Mickie, and Ashley trailed behind them as they made their sweep through Erie Street Cemetery. Each girl held a wooden stake, prepared to use it if need be.

“Now remember,” Buffy said without slowing her pace or looking back. “Stay out of the fight if you can. This is an observation lesson.”

“Yeah, watch and learn,” Faith added.

The newbies nodded in confirmation.

It wasn’t long before a band of three fledgling vampires ran at them. The young slayers stepped back, studying the elders at work. Buffy and Faith kicked and punched, weakening their opponents. They could have done away with the vamps in a flash, but they prolonged the combat for the girl’s benefit.

“I find it useful to distract them,” Buffy told her students. She blocked a blow before it could land in her face. “Puns work well. Insults, ya know. Fledglings aren’t bright. They’ll fall for it.”

Buffy’s advisory had been a teenager in life. Probably seventeen. He wore a checkered shirt and glasses.

“For example. . .” Buffy spun kicked, making him stagger back. “Why are you wearing glasses, moron? You’re a vampire now. 20/20 vision, mister. Maybe even better. Repeat after me. Vam-pire. Predator with super abilities, including hawk vision.”

She saw her opening and went for it. She thrust her stake into his unbeating heart. The vampire exploded in a shower of dust. Next to her Faith decided to do the same. They turned to face the third remaining foe. A frightened expression came over him and he began to run.

With huge grins, Faith and Buffy went after the vampire. They tackled him to the ground.

“One,” Faith started.

“Two,” Buffy said.

“Three,” they concluded together.

Both their stakes went down to meet his chest. They jumped to their feet, giving high-fives. Then they proceeded to brush themselves off.

“Nice moves, B,” complimented the dark-haired slayer.

“Thanks. You did well too.”

The two spun to see the girls. Awe shown in the teens’ eyes.

“Wow,” Mickey murmured.

“I wanna learn everything,” Ashley said jubilantly.

Kara shrugged. “Okay, maybe I’ll stick around afterall.”

Laughter spilled out of Buffy. She was exhilarated. She wanted more action.

“Nobody like a slayer to teach a slayer,” Faith stated.

Buffy froze. “What’d you say?”

“Huh? All I meant was slayers are the best teachers for slayers.”

“Oh my God! Why didn’t we think of that before!?”

Faith blinked, not getting it.

“You just found the solution. Slayers can teach slayers.” Buffy moved to hug her sister-slayer excitedly.

Faith held her hands out, preventing Buffy to come any closer. “Hold on, girl, you know I don’t hug.”

Buffy laughed. She playfully punched the other woman. “Giles is so going to love us.”

They searched the cemetery for more vampires, but found it quiet.

“I need more action,” complained Buffy.

“We should go have some fun. What ya say about fetching our men and getting our groove on?” Faith suggested.

Smiling, Buffy replied, “Yeah. Sounds five-by-five.”

Faith smiled back.

Willow punched in Buffy’s number. She put the phone to her ear and listened to the rings. One. Two. Three. Four . . .

“Hello,” Buffy said.

“Buffy.”

“Will? Is something wrong?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“You sound down. Did something happen?”

Willow fought back tears. “Oh, Buffy, I don’t know what to do with Kennedy. She doesn’t want to talk to me. It is like she doesn’t even want to make this right.”

“Shhh, Willow, it’ll be all right. Why don’t you get out. Forget about it for awhile. We’re going to go out dancing. Come with?”

Her first inclination was to decline. She didn’t feel like partying. She felt like curling up into a ball and crying. But that wouldn’t do any good.

“Okay, I’ll come,” she said after a moment.

“Wow,” Willow commented.

Wow was right. Mirage of the Water was a stunning club. The Bronze was nothing compared to this. The place sparkled with hanging mirrored globes. The ceiling was a skylight, where the inhabitants could look up and see the stars. The floor was marble, perfect for dancing upon. There was a spiral staircase, the walls were carpeted, and fluorescing flowers were decorated all around. It was beautiful.

A live DJ was playing music that vibrated. It was loud and had a hard beat to move to.

Buffy and Spike instantly headed for the swaying mass of people. Faith and Robin joined them. Willow stood there by herself for a moment before heading to the bar. She sat down and ordered a beer.

A few drinks later Willow gone. She didn’t care about distant girlfriends anymore. She headed into the crowd and began to dance. A man came up to her and positioned himself behind her. She moved her hips. Who cares if she was gay now and this guy was coming onto her. All she wanted was to forget her troubles. If it took dancing with a guy to do it, oh well.

Buffy halted. “Hey, Spike, am I seeing things or is Willow dancing with a dirty old man?”

Spike glanced over. “I don’t know about old, but she is dancing with a man.”

“No, he’s old. Look at his clothes. Gotta be at least in his thirties.”

Spike raised an eyebrow.

All of a sudden Buffy gasped. “Oh my God! He just grabbed her butt. And she didn’t stop him.”

The vampire glanced over. Sure enough the red-head was dancing away with the man, who apparently was dirty. His hands were roaming over her as they grinded.

“We have to stop her!” Buffy said.

Spike nodded. “Maybe we should.”

They both started to step toward the spectacle. Before they could, however, Willow came to her senses. She pushed the guy away. She spotted the blond couple and came over.

“Willow, are you all right?” Buffy asked, concerned for her friend.

Willow shook her head. “No, I’m not. Buffy I need to go home.”

“Oh. Okay. Do you want a ride?”

“No,” Willow declined. “I can make it.”

“Do you have a stake?”

“I always keep one. Don’t worry.” Willow looked around. “I gotta get out of here. Bye.”

With that, the witch fled the club.

Willow quickly walked through the swarm of people. She was almost out the door when she saw them. They were on a sofa. The girl was practically on Kennedy‘s lap, her lips smashed against hers.

Shocked, Willow gaped in horror. When she regained control, she headed to the exit in an even quicker pace than before.

The cold night air hit her skin like needles. She wrapped her arms around herself as she walked.

From the shadows, emerged a figure. Willow sprung into action. She reached into her pocket, her fingers curling around her weapon. She brought out the stake and brought it up.

“Wait! Don’t!” the woman shouted.

Fortunately Willow was able to stop before she did something she would regret. She halted her hand.

“Sorry. Sorry.” Willow relaxed her arm.

“Were you going to stake me?” the woman asked.

“I thought- I . . . I’m sorry.”

The woman was beautiful. She had a kind face, with bright blue eyes. Her golden hair fell down her back in gentle waves. She wore a long green dress that fitted to her slim frame.

“I didn’t mean to frighten you,” the woman explained. “I’m here to help you.”

“Help me?” Willow inquired, totally confused.

“You’re going to die soon. Maybe tonight unless I can stop it.”

The air got colder, threatening to turn Willow to ice.

______________________________________________

Oooo, who is this strange woman? Is Willow really in danger?

And I’ve decided to do the Christmas episode. I have it all planned out. It is going to be focused on Buffy and Spike. : ) Yay, go Spuffy!

Episode 6: Red Light, Green Light



Scene 11

The stake clattered to the ground with a clang. Willow froze, time standing still.

Willow stared at the strange woman without really seeing her. Images of her life flashed through her mind. She saw her losses and gains, her hopes and dreams. There was still so much she wanted to do.

Buffy had said that death was nothing to fear. That heaven was waiting with comfort and love. Willow didn’t fear being killed, but she wasn’t ready for it.

Her eyes were wide and panicky. "Who-Who are you?" she stammered.

The woman opened her mouth to speak, but someone else spoke before she could.

"I’ve been searching for you, witch."

Willow’s breath caught in her throat. The voice was cold and unnerving. It was full of cruelty.

The blonde woman spun to face the speaker. Her stance was alert and ready. Willow couldn’t imagine how she planned on saving her. The woman wasn’t a spell-caster. As of late, Willow could feel where magic dwelt. She could sense it crackling like fire. This woman possessed none of it. Unless she knew karate. . .

"My name in unimportant," the stranger announced. "What you should be concerned about is ’what’ I am."

"And what are you?" Willow’s voice wavered.

"A hunter."

With that, the man stepped out of the shadows. Willow’s eyes grew even larger. It was the man she had danced with. He had on a black trench coat and hat that he hadn’t displayed before. His hand emerged from his pocket. There was something in his clutch. It took a moment for her to process that it was a gun.

Running on automatic, Willow thrust out her palms. She boomed out the only magic spell she could think of. "Enfaro!"

Instead of the gun disappearing as she had expected, it remained pointed at her. Laughter came from the man.

"That won’t work, witch. Your powers have been lifted."

Horror came over Willow. She stood there, not knowing what to do. Should she yell for Buffy? The slayer would never hear her inside the noisy dance club.

The unknown blonde woman stepped forward. The man turned his attention to her.

"I suggest you run," he warned her. "This doesn’t concern you. But if you get in the way. . ."

"Not gonna happen."

The woman stared hard at his weapon. Miraculously, the shiny gun slipped from his fingers. He went crashing against the wall of a building.

"Get help," the woman ordered Willow. "I don’t know how long I can hold him in place."

Willow didn’t waste a second. She raced back into Mirage of the Water. Her eyes scanned the crowd for her friend. She spotted Buffy near the winding staircase. She was pressed against Spike, kissing him like there was no one else around.

She made her way over to them. As she did, Spike’s hands slipped under Buffy’s red top.

"Guys, I hate to break up the romantic smoochies, but I need your help," Willow said.

The two instantly separated. The looked as if they had been caught by a parent.

"Willow, I thought you left," Buffy stated.

"I did, but I came back. I was attacked outside . . ."

"What!?" Buffy demanded.

"A man. The man I was dancing with before. He tried to shoot me."

Worry crept across Buffy. She took a step away from her boyfriend. "Are you okay?"

Willow nodded. "This woman . . . I think she might be clairvoyant, and definitely telekinetic. She helped me. But you have to come because she can’t hold the guy for long."

Buffy exchanged a glance with Spike. They spoke silently in that instant and both sprung into action. They followed Willow out into the alley.

The man was still held in place. Willow’s savior appeared to be strained. Sweat glistened on her brow and she was gritting her teeth. She teetered and would have fallen, but Spike rushed to her side and grabbed her shoulders.

The power dissipated abruptly. The man became free. He slammed into Willow, throwing them to the ground. His arm dug into her throat, choking her. She struggled. He was stronger, though, and it was no use.

"Filthy, witch!" he spat in her face. "You will rot in hell!"

A black shoe hit the side of his head. The blow knocked him off Willow. The witch sucked in air, managing to scoot further away from him.

Buffy hovered over the witch hunter. She kicked him again. "Okay, ’nobody’ talks to my friend like that." She kicked him another time. "Have you been to hell? I think not. Have you been to heaven? No. You are not an expert as to who is admitted where. I’ve been to both places, and let me assure you. . ." She bent down to look him in the eye. "I know exactly where you will end up."

Scene 12

Willow entered her apartment quietly. Spike had escorted her home after helping the psychic woman, who they had learned was named Alanna Staten, get to her own place. Plans were being made by Giles to transport the psycho witch hunter to an institution where he could receive professional help.

She removed her jacket and hung it up on a hook. Something clattered to the linoleum. She bent down and examined the object. It must have fallen from her pocket. It was a small golden disk, with unusual markings. There was definite research to be had, but not tonight. Willow placed the talisman on the counter, with full intentions of giving it to Giles in the morning.

She let out a heavy sigh and went into the living room.

She collapsed on the couch. Wearily, Willow closed her eyes. She was so tired, mentally and physically. Too lazy to go to bed, she drifted off right there.

Some time during the night (or technically early morning), Kennedy crept into the apartment.

The red-head sat up at the sound of the door opening. She glanced at the clock and frowned. She shifted on the sofa, looking over at her girlfriend.

"You’re home late," Willow said without emotion.

Kennedy nodded. "I lost track of time."

"Oh."

Kennedy came closer. She seemed nervous. "Um, Willow, we need to talk."

The witch scooted over on the couch. She patted the cushion beside her. Kennedy accepted the invitation. She settled down next to her, but wouldn’t look her in the face.

"I’ve been doing some thinking. . ." Kennedy began.

Alert, Willow said, "And . . . ?"

Kennedy sighed. She looked over, her expression dark. "Willow, this isn’t working out."

A weight crashed down on Willow.

"I don’t understand. What did I do wrong?" Willow murmured. She could feel her eyes begin to burn.

"It isn’t you. There is nothing you did wrong. I thought I loved you. But then after that spell. . . I realized I didn’t. I couldn’t figure out why, but now I think I know."

There was a slight pause before Kennedy continued. "Willow, we want different things. We have a good time together, but we don’t connect. I want fun."

"I like fun. I can do fun," Willow protested.

"I know. But after fun you want to whisper sweet nothings. You want love, Willow, and I can’t give you that. You deserve to be with someone who can. I’m just not in love with you. "

She couldn’t help it. The water streamed down her cheeks.

Willow was confused. She didn’t know what was happening here. She didn’t understand what Kennedy was saying.

"You’re breaking up with me?" Willow whispered.

Kennedy stood up. "Yeah, sweetie. I’m sorry. It‘s time for me to go."

Kennedy leaned down. She gave Willow a peck on the lips.

"I enjoyed our time together."

"Yeah," Willow choked. "It was . . . fun."

Fun. That was all Kennedy thought they were together. That was all she wanted.

"I’m going to go pack," Kennedy announced.

Willow spun. "Where will you go?"

"I don’t know yet."

Scene 13

Willow sat next to Buffy. She held a thick volume, her eyes not even on the page. She clutched the book with prying fingers. They were supposed to be searching for reference of the talisman Willow had found in her coat, yet her mind wouldn’t stay focused.

Kennedy was leaving her. And what if her powers never came back? She had been helpless last night. If Alanna and Buffy hadn’t been there she wouldn’t be breathing today. A chill hit her and she shivered.

"Will, are you okay?" Buffy asked.

"Fine."

"What level of fine are you referring to?"

"There are levels?"

"Willow, what is wrong?"

Willow slammed the book down on the coffee table. "Buffy, Kennedy and I are breaking up."

"Oh." The slayer’s expression softened. "I’m sorry."

"And what really is getting to me is that I don’t think . . ." Willow’s voice caught. "I don’t think I could have prevented it. I think it was inevitable."

Buffy was silent for a moment. Then she said, "I know the feeling."

They gave each other sad looks.

"And what if I’m not power-Willow anymore? I was all weak and kitteny last night. What if what he did to me is permanent? I‘ve gotten so used to magic I don‘t know what I‘d do without it. Who would I be if I‘m not the helpful witch? I‘d be nobody. I wouldn‘t be useful anymore."

"My best friend," Buffy answered firmly. "Remember when I lost my slayer powers? I thought I was nobody without them, but everybody set me straight. You aren’t nobody, you are an important somebody. I love you because you are Willow-Willow, not witchy-Willow. And you will never be useless. You have all that hacker ability. And think of Xander. He’s just a human and he manages."

Willow gave a small smile. Both girls reached forward and hugged.

"Best friends," Buffy remarked.

"Forever," Willow added.
They pulled away with huge grins.

Just then Giles entered the room. He was holding the talisman.

"I believe this is a tool used by witch hunters. They place it on their targets and it binds magic use," Giles told them.

"Is it permanent, Giles?" Buffy inquired. She took Willow’s hand.

"No. The effects should wear off gradually."

Willow let out a sigh of relief. She knew Buffy had been right about her being important even without power, but she couldn’t help but be glad. She couldn’t stand the thought of someone dying when she could have prevented it.

Which led her to thinking of Alanna. She was going to have to find that woman and thank her.


Scene 14


"So . . ." Buffy’s grin grew even larger. "Faith and I came to the perfect solution to our problem. Slayers will train slayers."

Giles removed his glasses. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, come on, you don’t get it? You are all smart and stuff, this should be a snap. Okay, let me explain. I’ll train slayers. Then those slayers can train future slayers, and so on."

The watcher put his glasses back on. He stared off into space. Buffy waited a moment for him to react. Finally she grew worried. Her face fell.

"Giles?" There was no reply. She tried again a tad louder. "Giles?"

He blinked. He turned his head. "Oh, sorry. I was just pondering this over."

"And what do you think?"

A smile formed on his lips. "Pure brilliance."

The glow returned to her face.

"There is still much to decide. Where to keep them? How to teach them?" Giles went on.

There was a knock at the door. Giles got up and went to answer it. He wasn’t surprised to see Robson standing outside, but the fact that Kennedy was beside him was startling.

"Hello, Rupert," Robson addressed.

"Robson," Giles said.

"I’ve come to say goodbye. It is time that I move on in search of more slayers."

Giles nodded. "Yes, of course."

Kennedy fidgeted. "I’m going with him."

Giles blinked. He hadn’t expected that.

"Miss Kennedy has agreed to be my assistant. I will find the slayers and she will transport them back here. If that is their wish, that is," Robson explained

"Of course," Giles replied with a nod. He stuck out his hand for a shake. "Goodbye, old fellow."

"Goodbye, Rupert."

Kennedy shook Giles’s hand. Very quietly, she said, "Tell Willow that I’m sorry."

And then they were gone.

Giles turned around. Buffy was right behind him, looking off where Kennedy had stood with grimness.

"Bitch," Buffy stated.

Giles couldn’t muster the care to disagree.

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

End of Episode 6

Okay, I’m sorry if you like Kennedy, but I just felt the need to break Willow and Kennedy up. They aren’t compatible in my eyes. If you are angered by my plot, don’t read. Kennedy is not gone for good, and will make another appearance. I don’t hate her all together, I just don’t think Willow and her are a good match. My apologies if that offends anyone.

This part wasn’t exactly how I wanted it, but I hope it is good enough. The Christmas episode is next. . .

Buffy Season 8: Espisode 7- Trapped



The epilogue of episode 7 and previous episodes can be found at: http://www.giftedshadows.com

Scene 1

Buffy took her pointer-finger and pushed the doorbell. She waited a moment before pressing it again. He had to be there. It was ten. Not too late that he was sleeping. Not too early that he was gone somewhere.

After another minute Buffy’s mind developed pictures. She remembered the time she had come over and found Olivia. Ah, badness. Could Giles have a new friend? That would explain his slowness answering the door. He hadn’t mentioned it. But, he hadn’t mentioned Olivia before either.

Buffy rang the doorbell again. Just then the door flung open. Her former watcher smiled out at her.

"Hello, Buffy," Giles greeted.

The slayer stepped inside. She was led into the living room.

"Tea?"

Buffy took in Giles’ house. The floor was covered in boxes.

"Buffy?"

Her head snapped to attention. "Hmmm?"

"Tea?"

"No, thank-you." She pointed to the mess. "What are those?"

She was startled by his reaction. He became . . . giddy. She had become accustomed to old people being so . . . well, old. Giddy Giles was scary. He had this beaming expression, as if he were about to open the first present on Christmas.

Giles sprinted (literally) over to the largest box. He dug into it. When his hands emerged they were holding books. He took out book after book out until he had created a pretty good pile. He held the last one up. It had some weird symbol on the front.

"Books," Giles chirped. He let out a laugh. "Massive mountains of books."

Buffy just stared. This scene is so disturbing, she thought. There has to be something wrong when someone gets this excited over words.

"Robson sent them," Giles went on. "They’re from the council."

Buffy glanced into a box near her. Sure enough they were from the council. They were too ancient and dusty to be from anywhere else.

"I thought the council blew up," Buffy said.

"It did. But they didn’t store all their material in one place. Robson knew where they kept a second library." Giles’ smile faded. "I suppose I didn’t know because of my disloyalty."

"Wow, Giles," was all Buffy could say.

The gloominess left the man’s face again. He held up a walkman. "They even had documents on tape! I was just listening to their reference to Brackon mating rituals when you rang the doorbell. It took me a moment to hear it over the headphones."

Buffy was tempted to tell him audio tapes were so over, but squashed the urge. He seemed so enthused. He had been sort of down ever since Sunnydale, as if he couldn’t find his place. He was no longer a librarian, watcher, or shopkeeper.

"I’m happy for you," Buffy said.

She stepped over the clutter. Then she plopped down on the white couch with a huff. Giles glanced up from his perusal through a volume.

"Is there something you wanted?"

She shook her head.
"Why aren’t you out . . . er, hanging? Or at home?"

By at home, Buffy knew he meant ‘with Spike’. He just couldn’t bring himself to say it outright.

"Willow and Xander are busy. Spike has a poker game with some buddies he met up with. Dawn went out with some friends. And Laura is studying. Which means, alone Buffy. Added with bored Buffy."

"I see."

"Yeah. I seem to be the only one who hasn’t got anything to do. I already went slaying tonight. There wasn’t much activity. . . Should I get a job?" She leaned back into the couch cushion. "Oh never mind."

Giles appeared to not even be paying attention at this point. He was occupied by the shipment he had received earlier, studying the spines and stacking them.

"What are you doing?"

"Alphabetizing," Giles replied.

Buffy sighed. She got up off the couch. She was desperate and she knew it.

"Can I help?"


Scene 2

David set up the Ouija board. Dawn helped with the candles they had brought, making a circle around them.

"We shouldn’t be doing this," Tonya said. She cuddled closer to Ryan, who held her securely to him.

David glared. "What do you want us to do? Bang on the windows and doors?"

Tonya didn’t answer.

Dawn kept quiet, keeping herself busy with igniting the candle wicks.

"You’re sure someone will come find us?" Ryan asked.

Dawn looked up from her task. "Yeah. Might take awhile, though. I told Laura not to tell anyone where I was unless it was majorally important."

"Great," Ryan huffed.

A whimper came from Tonya.

"Chill, guys," David said. "The lady says we aren’t stuck here forever. So let’s have some fun while we wait."

"Who wants to go first?" Dawn asked. She scanned over the Parker Brothers box, finding the instructions on the back. "It says only two at a time. Preferable boy-girl."

David laughed. He nudged Ryan. "Hear that, boy-girl. Well, I say I’m first. And since Tonya is hooked round Ryan with a chain link, Dawn you’re up."

The slayer’s sister shrugged. "All right," she agreed.

David leaned over the board.

"No," Dawn said. "Not like that. The board has to rest on our knees."

They positioned the board so that the corners were on their knees. Then they placed their fingers onto the mysterious (in the words of Parker Brothers) indicator.

"You ask," David ordered.

Dawn nodded. She didn’t mind being bossed around. As long as David liked her she would put up with anything. Well . . . almost.

"Is someone there?" Dawn questioned.
All eyes went to the indicator. It circled the board slowly. It came to land on YES.

David grinned up at everyone. "Isn’t this cool?"

No one answered.

"Who’s there?"

The indicator moved again. It traveled the board, stopping occasionally on a letter. After it was through, Dawn lifted her gaze.

"What did it say?" Ryan asked. "I didn’t catch it."

"I did," David said. "It said Freddie."

"Freddie?" murmured Tonya.

"Yeah, like Freddie Cougar."

Tonya took her leg and kicked David. The board almost fell onto the wooden floor, but Dawn saved it.

Their attention went back to the Ouija.

"Are you in the house?"

YES

Tonya abruptly stood up. "I don’t like this! Let‘s stop!"

"Scared?" David teased.

"Yes."

Ryan got to his feet also. He rubbed Tonya’s arms. "Baby, it’s only a game."

"I don’t think your girl can handle it, Ry. I think maybe you should take her out of the room," David said.
Tonya turned to face her boyfriend. "That’s a good idea. Let’s go into another room. The kitchen?"

"Okay, okay," Ryan agreed. "We’ll go into the kitchen, far away from the naughty game."

Tonya playfully elbowed him.

"It isn’t real," Ryan said. "And besides, I bet David was pushing it."

Tonya nodded. "I still want to go."

"Okay."

The couple left, assuring David and Dawn that they would be in the kitchen.

"What a pathetic loser," David said after they were alone. "She’s nothing like you. You aren’t scared of much, are you, Dawn?"

Dawn wanted to laugh. Nothing could top a hellgod.

"No, no I’m not."

"I like my girls with fire."

Dawn was sure she blushed. "Let’s get back to playing."

He returned his fingers to the indicator. "I have a confession to make. I was pushing it before."

Her eyes widened.

"I just wanted to spook Tonya. It was fun too."

"David," Dawn said, shaking her head.

"I’ll behave now. Promise." He crossed an X over his heart.

"Okay."
They prepared for another round of Ouija. Dawn took in a deep breath.

"Is anyone there?"

This time there was a moment before the indicator moved. Eventually it went to YES.

"Who are you?"

It took a long time for the letters to be spelled out. This time Dawn wrote them down.

Victearo

"What? Is that a name?" she asked David.

David chuckled. "Crack-head name if you ask me."

"We have to be serious. Were you concentrating at all?" she scolded.

They tried again.

"Could you repeat that?" Dawn asked the spirit.

Dawn kept her mind as focused as possible as the name was given. She hoped David was doing the same.

"Victoria?" Dawn inquired, reading off her notes.

YES

"Cool," David commented.

"Are you a ghost?"

YES

"Are you in the house?"

YES

"Are you in this room?"

YES

A shiver went through Dawn. Oh God. Relax, girl. Remember, you live with a vampire. Ghost should be nothing.

"How’d you die?"

The answer to this took a long time. Finally Dawn was able to make out the sentence.

HE KILLED ME

Dawn gaped.

"Major cool," David remarked.

Cool? This was so un-cool. A person was murdered. A person who had lived in this house!

"He? He who?"

The indicator zipped across the board, going haywire. It didn’t land on anything, just circling all over.

"What the hell?" David said.

The candle fames flickered.

"Victorea, are you there?"

The indicator slowed. It came to land on NO.

"Who is this?"

WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO KNOW
Dawn took her hands off. She scooted away.

"Hey, why’d you stop? It was just getting interesting," David said.

"I want to quit."

A frown marred David’s lips. "Now, Dawn, I don’t like my girls to be party-poopers."

Dawn scrambled to her feet.

"Maybe I don’t want to be your girl. Did I ever say I did?"

Just then the candle flame flickered again, but this time it went totally out. Dawn let out a squeak.

"David?"

She couldn’t see a thing. It was pitch-black.

"David?"

Something grabbed her foot. She lost her balance and fell to the floor with a thud.

"David?"

"Guess again."

The voice was David’s, but it wasn’t. It was deeper, rougher. Dawn screamed.

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