Prologue
Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own (or claim to own) any of these characters. They belong to Joss Whedon and Suzanne Collins
-"You know, I think that Angel boy likes you"-
-"What, you mean Angelus? You can't be serious. He and that Darla girl are joined at the hip. I think she's his girlfriend. Even so, he could have any girl he wants. Why would he want me?"-
This was the conversation topic of the day as Drusilla and her friend Annabeth were walking from school that day. They were headed towards the apartment Drusilla shared with her family to prepare for their shared shift at District Five's largest power plant.
"Come on, Dru. I've known you since we were little, and in all that time, you've never acknowledged or believed that anything good could ever happen to you. I mean, look at him. He's gorgeous, plus he has that whole brooding thing going on. I think you should talk to him, or you might end up regretting it, like you did when Castor Bishop asked you out and you said no".
As much as she didn't want to admit it, Annabeth was right. Drusilla did regret it, especially since Castor Bishop ended up dying with an arrow in his neck at the Cornucopia less than a year later. Annabeth was even right about Angelus. Drusilla enjoyed the attentions of the older boy, and even the older girl, who even stood up for her when some kids tripped her up in the hallway and made her drop her books.
"If I say you're right, will it make you drop the issue?"
"Fine. We're here, so I'll let it go. But you know I'm right"
Drusilla reached into her bag, fumbling for her house keys before finally finding them. As they entered Drusilla's apartment, an immediate wave of tension passed over them. Everything just felt wrong. They usually found the landlady at her front desk, complaining to Drusilla about her father's lateness on the rent, but this time, she wasn't there. They didn't hear the ever-present noise of the landlady's children either, and the other apartments didn't seem to be making much noise either. But Drusilla and Annabeth didn't think much of it until they reached her apartment. Nobody was home, which was highly unusual, since Drusilla's mother and grandmother left the house rarely, if ever.
"Hm. Wonder why nobody's home. Oh well, we'll see Annie at the plant, at least. Annabeth? Anna? Where are you".
Drusilla turned around to see Darla, holding a knife to Annabeth's throat.
"Scream and I cut her throat".