Chapter 1
The bus stopped suddenly and everything seemed to jerk forward. It had stopped in the bus station. The doors opened with a whoosh and a cold breeze. People began to amble out. Men with tattoos and piercings. Old Women cradling their purses. Everyone different and strange in their own way. But all seeming to look like they belong. The last person to step out stopped for a few seconds before moving on. Looking around her, at the surroundings. The polluted streets, to deep darkness of the sky above, she was never a day person, more the night hawk. Snapping back into reality she scoffed quietly before moving on to the bus station exit. Soon the bus station was empty. No buses. No bus users. Just and eerie presence. In the shadows something lurked. Something not human, something surreal. One of the many things that goes bump in the night.
The young woman slowly strolled down the street, of an unknown name on the bad part of town, swaying her hips slightly. She was oblivious to the fact that she was being followed. The figure slowly came closer behind this woman, smirking and laughing softly to himself. He was of medium frame, fairly good looking, nothing special about him. Well, except maybe one thing. Both man and woman began to walk past a small narrow alley. Man, now kinda scary, shoved the women into it, throwing her to the floor amongst the rubbish. He followed her in, and showed his true form, which usually sent people screaming in terror. But not this time. The woman slowly got to her feet and brushed herself off, not bothering to care about this man and his appearance. Still brushing herself off she looked up at the man, if you could call him that, and frowned. "Look what you did, do you know how long it takes to get garbage out of silk?" said mystery woman with an air of, mystery to him. "Well, I think you look mighty biteable either way sweet thing," grinned the man in reply. His Southern accent was irritating and obviously fake, or this 'thing' came from Mars. "Well, I'll have to do something about that…" smiled the blonde woman. And with that she sent her first punch flying into his jaw and at the same time, proceeded to knee him in his special area. This obviously, sent him howling in pain, crouching on the floor. The woman sashayed over to where he was groaning in pain and lifted him up by the lapels of his jacket and slammed him hard against the wall. She moved her head forward to his face, close enough to touch and almost snarled at him, "How do you like me now?" Suddenly she shoved a small pointy wooden implement in to his heart, as if it were nothing. And turned and began to walk away, before looking back one last time. To see this 'man' disappear, leaving a piles of dust scattered on the ground. Smiling, the woman said, to no one in particular, "I love it when they do that."
The buzzer went for the door and Hank put down the book he was reading on the side table next to the sofa he was sitting on. He then strode over to the door, quietly looking through the peep hole. He knew what was in this city… to an extent, and never could be too careful. Hank smiled and slid his hand on to the door handle and swung the door open wide. There was a young blonde woman standing in the doorway. She waved her hand slightly, looking slightly embarrassed. "Hey dad…" she smiled, looking nervous. "Honey…" Hank replied back, matching her smile with his own. He stretched out his arms and pulled her in to a hug, wrapping his arms around her. The young woman inhaled through her nose and breathed out, "You still smell like my dad." Hank released his daughter and looked at her for a few moments before asking, "Why don't you come on in?"
A little while later, Hank and his daughter were eating food at the kitchen table, talking every now and then. "When did you learn to cook this good, actually when did you learn to cook at all?" daughter laughed. "Ahh, the wonders of bachelorhood, the secret teacher," he replied, his daughter gave him a look. "Well, a guys got to eat." They both laughed. "How is the young one?" Hank asked, daring to move on to an uneasy subject. "She's fine," his eldest smiled not looking up. "I'm sorry she couldn't come." "Couldn't, or wouldn't?" inquired Hank with interest. His daughter hesitated and began to stutter over her words, trying not to hurt her father's feelings. "Well…err…you see, she still at that stage when she thinks how could you ever even like anyone but mom…" She took a deep breathe after her confession. Her father just looked at her; you could see the seriousness in his face. "I've done things in the past I'm not proud of, almost ashamed of," Hank pushed his plate away. "Not being there when you needed me, but I'm so sorry. All I want now is to get to know my girls again." The subject of his attentions squirmed and leapt out of her seat, grabbing the plates and practically running to the kitchen in her haste. Hank slowly got up. "Honey?" he called walking slowly towards the kitchen. He leaned against the door frame, watching his daughter violently was dishes. "Are you all right?" he asked. "I'm fine," she replied staring at the washing as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. "Buffy…"