Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. The characters and universe are the property of Joss Whedon and are not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This story is for entertainment purposes only.
All seasons of Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel that will appear in this story is canon. Though, I will admit that it has been awhile since I've sat down to watch or picked up the comic series. Not to mention this story will derive from the main plot line and take on a journey of its own eventually so that I won't be rehashing an already told story time and time again. Ultimately, this will be a Spike / OC story with POV's rotating now and then between them.
Note
This first chapter is more of an epilogue with character introduction. It will explain some things, mainly how the OC's life is like before it gets turned upside down along with who the OC is, so I apologize in advance if it gets a little 'dry.' I just want to get some details out of the way so the real first chapter can dive right into the mix of things.
There's something about believing in things that don't exist: Vampires, Werewolves, Shapeshifters, Faries, Unicorns. It brings out the child buried in us all. The playful spirit who wishes to be something unlike those around them or to have friends that can protect them and help them on journeys filled with danger and enlightenment. It's exciting to be something you are not, am I right? To wield fire or water, fly, be super strong, or shift into a different being? It's something desirable because then you realize you are not some average person who can become wounded with ease; you can take care of yourself or that of others. Be a hero. With some supernatural power, you see yourself as something else, and that's okay because you know, we all wish to be someone else in our lives. Be it because we are unhappy or craving for a change of pace. I mean, most consider that money and power is the gateway to success and happiness. My question is, what about you? If given the opportunity to become more despite the consequences it may bring, would you take it so you can become something unlike yourself? Or would you be that individual that denies the offering? Either way, the decision isn't easy. And even worse, they may force it upon you. Believe me; I would know..
-: CHAPTER ONE: DOORWAY :-
Rain drizzled down on the glass, dripping from the window seal as thunder rolled through the ominous clouds. A shimmer of lightning illuminating the sky in flashes before crashes resounded in the distance, temporally overlapping the soft murmurs and shifting of pages in the hushed library. Jackie held her gaze on the side panel next to her rather than the textbook in her hands, regarding the storm with interest. Storms had always fascinated her in the way of wonder. Not something she'd study to major or even minor in, but enough to keep her intrigued. Despite having no interest in being a meteorologist, the weather played a small role in her decision to minor in literature. Mainly folklore and Mythology, but among other things. It was mythology that became an example of how early civilizations tried to explain the then unexplainable forces of nature, weather, and astronomy. Many ancient Greek gods and goddesses were elements of weather and seasons personified, for instance, and the storm outside made her reflect on those studies.
It was easy to title Jackie as a "Book Nerd" by anyone's intellectual standards, and she wouldn't deny those claims either. However, by physical appearances, they considered her as another outcast. Maybe even a wannabe goth or punk. However, Jackie was neither in all honesty outside looks. She was just herself. She wore what she liked and enjoyed what interested her. Not others. Why does wearing a black jacket, be it leather or not, if it has studs and spikes or multiple zippers as a design, make someone punk or goth? Ripped jeans, combat boots or well-used converses, band-shirts or simple tank tops, piercings and tattoos? Who cares? Jackie didn't. It's just an image, one she liked, so she wore it confidently.
A loud lightning strike made her jerk out of a daze as the electricity flickered throughout the building. A lot of groans took place from those at the computers, leaving little uncertainty in Jackie's mind that they had just lost whatever ground they gained on their projects. It didn't take long for the present Librarian to request attention to the severity of the storm after that transpired. The Library would close the doors in a few, but the old woman allowed time to put materials away before they did. With that in mind, Jackie placed The Encyclopedia of Demons and Demonology on the proper shelf and adjusted her jacket, wishing it had a hood when needed. Jackie didn't choose to wander out into the storm, but without a ride or a bus ticket, it was a walk home in the shower that she had to look forward to. At least home was only a few blocks away.
Another loud boom echoed, the sky rumbling powerfully in its aftermath, and before she passed through the broad double doors, the storm had completely knocked out the power. Throwing the entire block into darkness. Including the street lights.
Just great...
Jackie dodged puddles when feasible and kept her hands buried deep in her coat as she went. Even at this pace, she knew her clothes would become drenched by the time she arrived at her destination.
It wasn't until she was a block away from home she picked up something strange. Like the hum of static but with the volume set low, and it only increased the closer she approached her house. By the time her boots scuffed the driveway, it was on the verge of becoming overwhelming, nearing the loudness of a car horn but not of an individual note. Instead, it combined sounds, voices; all packed uncomfortably into an ensemble. It was about ready to burst her skull wide open if it didn't shut up.
With a hand bracing her head, the anguish almost unbearable, Jackie made it to the front door and worked on getting it open. Thankfully her mom was home early, evidence being the car out front, or else Jackie would have had to fumble with the house keys and no thank you. Her grip was shaking to make the nob turn, her eyes hardly open due to the pain making them squeeze shut, but she worked to crack the door open.
Jackie stumbled through with a shove of her shoulder, but when she burst past the threshold, the commotion ceased. It had lasted for what felt like forever that all she could hear now was a low hum and it made her falter, almost falling. The action felt like an unknown pressure releasing its dominance on her, shoving. And now a sound akin to that annoying ringing one can hear in their ears had picked up in its wake, so it took a solid minute before she even recognized her dilemma.
Wet from the storm and disoriented from the abrupt, yet thankfully not continuous, onslaughter of voices made Jackie want to run straight to her room and sleep. Well, after a change of clothes and some headache medicine. Though, that would be difficult what with her standing in an alleyway. She hadn't even realized that rainfall was still ricocheting off her frame. With a furrowed brow, Jackie glanced around to collect it all in as if uncertain. The roar of a metropolis, the downtown nightlife with horns blaring and people talking coming into focus as she searched. Large dumpsters stacked with trash bags, fire escapes, a few cats down by the mouth to which she could identify two cars flying past. Yup, an alley. It left her blinking, disorientated, and bewildered. So Jackie did what she considered best: to turn around and try the door.
But there was no exit.
Did I teleport somehow? No, that's absurd. Maybe I slipped and smacked my head on the porch steps? Making this a dream...
It didn't help that it was still storming wherever this 'location' was. This was a city from the commotion, smell, and littering of trash but despite living near a place like this herself, it didn't appear familiar. No, it felt foreign as a place could. With uncertainty or perhaps insanity, Jackie searched for the door repeatedly. Desperate to travel back. To be home. But it wasn't there. Just a towering brick wall.
It was the shuffle of shoes echoing off the wall that drew her attention back at the entrance, and three figures came into focus there. The middle-man stood beneath two umbrellas as if significant. Jackie could see he was in a suit despite the shadows. The two forms flanking him, wielding said umbrella's, were in robes. Long sacrificial like robes at that, she couldn't help but acknowledge. And once they knew she noticed their existence, they advanced. It felt like a movie. A psychological, panic-inducing, blood pumping movie.
When they became too close for Jackie's comfort, fifteen feet away if she had to estimate, she drew a tentative step backward, bracing to dart in the opposite direction. Maybe that was why they paused, not wanting to startle her off as if she was some frightened animal. And Jackie certainly felt like one. However, It didn't take long before the middle-man spoke, his age appearing in his voice.
"I knew you would be here. After all, this is where it took place." The tone was passive, welcoming, and he topped it off with a smile. A cascade of light from a window above capturing the creepy action. Jackie felt confident that this was the part where she would run away, screaming for help, but she didn't go. Instead, her gaze was fixed on the middle-man uninformed as if ready for a funeral and talking to her as though they recognized each other. He seemed familiar, Jackie would give him that, but she couldn't place it.
Despite feeling like she may regret it, she had to ask. "Where-where what happened? I don't follow... Why am I here?" her tone didn't sound normal, twisted. Fear had an impressive grip on her, and it didn't help that her head was pounding.
"Oh, sweetheart." It was mixed with a sickeningly sweet shade, and as he went, he took another step forward, the light catching his full face now which left Jackie gasping. No, this can't be. "Where else would you be other than the place you died?" It was her father.
That can't be him...
He had passed approximately a year ago. Stabbed in an alleyway for the cash in his wallet and left to bleed out before help could arrive. Jackie's father had died at sixty, and he now stood before her alive and speaking in riddles no less. Her dead? Him alive? Jackie was positive that the hereafter didn't involve college, of despair. Maybe she was in Hell? Some would concede that school could be the embodiment of hell. Or perhaps she was dreaming. That was the only way any of this could make sense...
During her silence, he had stepped closer. Ten feet than five feet. Her 'father' more than eager to fill in the void as he approached with arms outstretched as if he preparing to embrace her. "You must be confused right now what with being forced back from death. It's expected, but let me take you out of this rainfall, sweetie. You're soaking wet."
Rain? All if it confused Jackie. It was beginning to feel like an outer body experience at this point. Like nothing was solid. He was out of focus; the area blurring. Her clothing felt huge, the puddles around her threatening to swallow her. And although Jackie couldn't move, she didn't wish for this man that looked like her father to reach her at the same time. It all seemed wrong. It was wrong.
Gravity shifted around her as if being moved and Jackie realized she was traveling backward, shuffling to secure her footing again. The act broke whatever spell she had fallen under, and Jackie's large eyes raised to see a figure standing where she formerly stood. He was broad, taller than her, and covered in all black. With his back toward her, she didn't know him. However, it didn't take seeing the man's face to know that his presence had unnerved her 'father,' the sour expression speaking volumes all on its own.
"Back off. This is a family reunion, with no guests welcomed." It was an order, but the mysterious figure didn't budge.
"I don't think so." it was stern, authoritative in a sense, except not gruff like most men.
Gentle hands gripping her arms jolted Jackie again, causing her to twist in the others grasp as if tazed before coming face to face with another woman. A brunette that stood about her size, but her grasp wasn't firm, and her body language wasn't intimidating.
"Not an enemy." came the direct reaction in a whisper-like manner. "Here to help so if you understand me then please let's pick up some distance between them and us." Another tug came to indicate the urgency of the request. Jackie nodded before stumbling along the path as if her feet were made of iron.
A commotion broke out behind them, and Jackie couldn't help but glance over her shoulder as she moved. The cloaked figures were teaming up on the new arrival, but he swatted them away like flies, twisting arms and throwing them. Loud smacks could be picked up between the shower of rain as fists flew. One thing Jackie did notices before facing forward again was that her so-called 'father' was gone. He had fled.
The woman kept running, and Jackie kept following without putting up any arguments. All the while hoping this decision of her's was the right one.
"Don't worry about him." She spoke up again with reassurance Jackie didn't ask for, and quickly they were both out of the alley and heading down a sidewalk being towered by unfamiliar buildings. Huge skyscrapers and business firms cornering them in.
The girl said nothing else until they came to a sleek black convertible, hood up because of the weather, and rushed the still confused girl into the rear seat. "Angel can take care of himself."
Angel?
As if summoned by name, the man called Angel appeared and took up a position behind the wheel, banging the door and instantly turning the ignition. That time Jackie glimpsed his features as he peered at her over his shoulder. To give her a once over she assumed in the means to check for injuries though Jackie could tell she wasn't hurt. Just drenched like a drowned rat and struggling to catch up like a psychiatric patient.
He had a pleasant face with a strong jawline, deep eyes, and messy dark hair. With a name that sounded familiar but why?
"Are you certain about this Cordelia?" His question broke into Jackie's serious thoughts as he rounded the car onto the road, veering into a lane. She knew that name too.
The girl, Cordelia rolled her eyes before retorting her opinion. "It was a vision. So yes, jeez. I'm pretty sure they just summoned her. You know these P.T.B. visions have poor reception." Jackie sat taller at that and leaned forward to talk but became cut off before making a word out.
"Who are you?" Angel asked without glancing back.
"I'm," she peeked up into the rearview mirror to catch the man's gaze. It was out of nature to make eye contact when speaking to someone, but there was nobody there. No one sat behind the wheel. Yet Angel was there when she looked at his head. What? "I.. I'm Jackie Manners."
It was making sense. With each blink, every fleeting second, Jackie was beginning to understand just who the people that sat in front of her were- are.
"Well, Miss Manners. Do you know why daddy dearest just summoned you?" That was a question of the lifetime. Though, Jackie could argue that another pressing issue seemed to hold even more leverage.
"No. No, I don't. I know I," Jackie hesitated, mind scrambling to find the right terms to supply. "That I don't belong in this... dimension."
No, I definitely don't belong in a tv series.
Endnote:
Hopefully, you like the concept so far, and if you do, please leave a review. It'll help me know to continue writing this. Constructive criticism is welcomed too for I am well aware that my writing skills lack something akin to professionalism.
