Greetings! This evolved from some RPG's I was playing; what would happen if two characters who happened to hail from the same city, yet were polar opposites, were to meet? I'll update as often as I can keep up writing.
And now for the disclaimer: I DO own these characters! Ha! Concepts and names from BtVS and WtF are property of Joss Whedon and WW Games, respectfully.
PLEASE read and review. It keeps me going.
The February morning dawned clear and cold. Snow fell gently from a gray sky, dusting the streets and steeples of South Boston with fine powder. On this morning, like so many others, children and teenagers went to school all over the city - by bus, car, subway, or on foot. This particular teen ran.
She was of average height, with shockingly red hair that curled past her shoulders, bright green eyes, and a slim, muscular frame. Light brown freckles dusted her nose and cheeks. Worn blue jeans, a black peacoat, and a green stocking cap protected her from the chill. She ran with ease and a long, practiced stride.
It was five miles from her home to the school. She preferred the snowy calm by the river to the crowded heat of the bus and the T, Boston's subway system. Running was cathartic for her, the rhythmic slap of shoes on pavement and icy air filling her lungs providing retreat from her troubles.
She arrived at the school with minutes to spare before the first bell - just enough time to stop by the locker and make her way through the throng to her first class.
No one greeted her in the hall, asked about her weekend, or even acknowledged her existence. In any other high school, a girl with looks as striking as her would have no peace - but for Aislinn O'Keefe, it was business as usual.
She had never really had many friends. Well, that wasn't true. It really depended on your definition of friend. Aislinn had lost count a long time ago of the number of boys - and a few girls - who were interested in her only for their own agendas. The schools' kings and queens couldn't seem to understand that she wasn't concerned with their politics. So, she was persona non grata, which suited her just fine. Her life was too complicated already.
The redhead took her seat at the back table in first period chemistry. Aislinn rested with her head on her arms, her fiery hair spread like a halo on the desk while the rest of the class milled about aimlessly. She hadn't gotten much sleep last night.
The dreams had come again.
"Excuse me - is this seat taken?"
Aislinn opened an eye and looked up irritably through the curtain of red curls.
"No…"
The girl who took the seat across from her was short and slender, with long, thick blonde hair drawn back in a ponytail, bright, crystalline blue eyes, and a pale, heart shaped face. Aislinn also couldn't help but notice that for being so slim in the waist and shoulders, the girl very obviously filled out her light green sweater and blue jeans, and wasn't afraid to hide it. All the usual pre-class chatter in the room had stopped. All eyes were on the newcomer - a palpable presence surrounded her that commanded attention.
"Well, its time to get started. First, however, I'd like to introduce our new student Katrina. Katrina, could you tell us a little about yourself?"
The blonde tucked a lock of hair back behind her ear as she spoke.
"Not much to tell. My name's Katrina Hargrave… I'm a senior, just transferring in here from the other side of town. That's pretty much it."
Aislinn straightened and shook her hair out of her eyes, narrowing them at the newcomer. This girl - Katrina - was, all at once, incredibly attractive, poised, and well spoken. She had an air of the dominant female around her. AND, she was sitting at HER table.
Aislinn didn't like her one bit.
The lesson started - a lecture on the corrosion of metals - which she quickly put on autopilot. It was easy enough to take notes without really concentrating on the material - Aislinn didn't really like school, but that didn't mean she wasn't a good student. The way she figured, the only way out of the rut that was her life was a scholarship. Discipline was the key, just like running. Just keep going.
She soon fell into the monotony of the teachers' voice and the quiet scratching of her pen. Her thoughts began to drift. Flashes from her dreams filled her mind -
Nighttime, darkness, a savage hunt... her blood thrilled to the chase… she reveled in her power and speed. She was nearly there… her prey was in her grasp -
Aislinn jolted awake to a sharp prod. The new girl gave her a bemused smile and nodded at the teacher. She looked up, and then at the clock - class was nearly over. Aislinn mentally kicked herself. Her notes were a mess. The flowing longhand had drifted into a meaningless doodle, and the rest of the page was filled with wide, rough pen strokes - a scene of trees, horizon, and the moon above it all.
She blushed and fixed the blond with her best glare. Katrina leaned over and whispered softly.
"Not getting much sleep?" Her voice was dulcet, low and melodious. It had a harmony and resonance that seemed to carry through Aislinns' bones.
"No, no' that it's any concern o' yours." Her lilting Irish accent was strongly evident, even in a whisper.
Katrina raised an eyebrow. "Wow. You're the real Southie deal, huh?"
Aislinns' glare grew even fiercer. "Aye. Now get fucked."
The bell rang just then, and the blonde's surprised laugh was lost in the clamor of slamming books and sliding chairs. Aislinn quickly grabbed her bag and made for the door. Katrina followed, and caught up with her in the hall.
"Hey, look, I just…"
"No, you look. I don' care what you wan' with me or from me. I'm no' fucking interested!"
Her short words stopped traffic in the hall around the two. Someone whistled a catcall. Aislinn muttered darkly under her breath, made a rude gesture, and left the shorter girl standing in an empty circle of onlookers.
Katrina very distinctly heard the offending remarks about her parentage as the redhead retreated into the crowd. Anger started to build in her belly - she was not used to being spoken to like that! She took a slow breath and clamped it down.
"Hey, don't mind that chick. She's crazy anyway. Spent some time in the bin or something."
She glanced over her shoulder. A tall, dark, expensively dressed boy stood very close to her personal bubble. Her nostrils flared - he smelled of five hundred dollar cologne and aftershave. Probably named Brad, or Dylan, and drove a Mercedes. She scowled at him and pushed her way into the press of students.
Chad stood dumbfounded. Chicks never turned him down! And… did that hot little blonde just growl at him? Nah, he thought, but she definitely had the evil bitch perfected.
He didn't realize he had taken two steps back.
Lunch in the school cafeteria was a dismal affair as far as Aislinn was concerned - far too hot, humid, and loud. The food wasn't that great either. She poked at a greasy hamburger and wet fries and then pushed them away with a disgusted look and a sigh. Trusty old brownbag - and PBJ again.
She was in the process of unwrapping her second sandwich when a ripple of murmurs spread through the cafeteria. She looked up to see the girl from chemistry coming down the aisle across from her. Despite her size, she moved with such a total confidence and fluid grace that Aislinn couldn't help but think wow. Her body language spoke of a natural athleticism that drew every eye. The blonde either didn't notice that she had commanded the entire student population when she entered the room - which Aislinn highly doubted - or she didn't think it unusual enough to care.
The normal rumble of conversation restarted after Katrina took a seat at a table a little ways down from Aislinn, who was, as usual, eating alone. Most people didn't bother trying to talk to her anymore. She was willing to bet, however, that it was only a matter of time before the vultures descended on this new girl.
"Oh my god, have you SEEN that new girl? What is she thinking, getting her boobs done in high school?"
Aislinn smiled and took a satisfied chunk out of her peanut butter sandwich. Right on time. That would be Kathryn Woodward, the self-styled princess of the school. Or something like that. She never went anywhere without a court of hangers-on, so...
"Yeah. And look at what she's eating. She's probably bulimic too."
Aislinn glanced over and raised an eyebrow. She was surprised to see Katrina open a footlong Philly cheese steak and a liter of Pepsi. That was unusual. Aislinn ran almost ten miles a day, more in some cases, and she had a hard time eating meals like that.
The flock of royals, led by Kathryn, alighted at the blondes' table with exclamations of surprise and greeting, which she returned. Aislinn snorted in contempt and made to leave. Typical conniving Boston socialites, all honey and sweetness to your face while you had something they wanted, but always ready with a dagger between your shoulder blades. This new girl would probably fit right in. She was probably some doctor or lawyers' kid that got kicked out of private school for being drunk or pregnant or something. God, she needed a cigarette.
Aislinn shook out a Marlboro and lit it just as she shouldered open the door into icy sunshine and gentle snow. She took a deep drag, relishing the heady mixture of sweet, hot smoke and the frigid Boston air. It was much quieter out here - most people stayed inside for lunch on days like this. Aislinn had been born and raised in Boston, so she didn't mind the cold, and really enjoyed the snowfall - it just seemed peaceful to her, somehow. So maybe she was a loner. No big deal.
"You know those things will kill you, Red."
"Yeah, but they be better company than you, John."
"Aah! You wound me, Lynn."
"That's no' me name, John Harrison, an' you know it."
"Alright then, ASH-Lynn. You know you're cute when you're angry."
"You've no' seen me angry, John, and should be glad of it." She smiled in spite of herself. John Harrison was the only person at this school she could even count as an acquaintance, and that was only because he was even more of an outcast than she was. He was a sophomore; rail thin with tousled black hair, glasses, and an unfortunate resemblance to Harry Potter. He wore black constantly and always had a backpack full of - well, she wasn't quite sure what all he kept in there, but she had a sneaking suspicion it very little had to do with schoolwork.
"You're right, Lynn - you'd probably kill my skinny ass. Now give me a light."
"Ahsh-lynn."
"Yeah, that."
They smoked in silence for a moment. "So what's been up with you, Red?"
"Nothin'. Some new girl tryin' t' make me life miserable this mornin'."
"Really. How so?"
"Jus' bein' difficult. She's all 'Oooh, you tired? Didn' get any sleep?' an' such."
"Rawr." He made a clawing gesture. "Which new girl?"
"You know. The one who looks like an 'adult film actress'."
"Oh really?"
"Yah. She's a bit - topheavy for bein' in high school." Aislinn chided herself mentally for repeating the other girls comments.
"You know, what I don't get is why everyone is so concerned with my breasts."
Aislinn whipped around to see the girl from chemistry class - Katrina? - leaning against the wall with a bemused half-smile. She opened her mouth to say - something, but couldn't think of anything that wouldn't make her sound like more of an idiot. She felt her face grow hot.
"Oh, God, I, uh... look..."
Katrina waved her off. "Don't worry about it. Besides, it's true. I've got big tits. People need to get over it."
Aislinn suppressed a chuckle - she was very blunt. "Well yeah, bu' ya' seemed to be gettin' long just fine with t' rest o' those evil bitches. You prolly don' wanna be seen speakin' ta the likes of me. It's akin t' social suicide."
Katrina laughed and pushed off the wall. "Come on. I really don't care what those girls think of me, or most other people, for that matter. I was just trying not to rock the boat. I'm not here for a popularity contest."
"Really. So why are you out here, talkin' to me now? Rockin' the boat?"
Her expression softened. "No. I... I wanted to apologize for my comment earlier. It was rude."
Aislinn was a little confused. "Aye, it was." People never went out of their way to be polite to her, especially not girls like this - unless she had her pinned all wrong from the start.
"So - I'm sorry, okay?"
"Sure, then." Her tone was guarded.
Katrina stepped forward and began to pace with her hands in her pockets. When she looked up, her eyes were full of nervous energy.
"Look, I know you don't want to trust me. I don't blame you. Truth is, last year I was just like the rest of them - hell, worse. But I did some - growing up over the summer, and realized just how stupid I was being and how messed up my life was. So, here I am trying to start fresh, okay?"
"By takin' pity on th' crazy Irish girl?"
"No, dammit! I want to make real friends, and you're the only girl I've met here who doesn't remind me of the way I used to be."
"Well, I'm glad I've met wi' your approval," Aislinn said dryly. She flicked her cigarette butt out into the snow. "Sorry to run, bu' I've got class."
"Which one?" The redhead began to head off, and Katrina trailed beside her.
"Gymnasium."
"Ah. The naked place." Katrina grinned impishly.
"Beg pardon?"
"That's what the word means in Latin. Romans were the ones who started the whole nude wrestling thing."
"Well, rest assured tha' I ha' no such plans. No' like anyone'd wanna see me pasty arse anyhow."
"Don't sell yourself short. You're really pretty with the snow in your hair."
Aislinn shot her a sideways look. "So I s'pose tha' means you'll be wantin' to jump me bones too? 'Cause I appreciate the niceties'n all, bu' I don't swing tha' way."
"That's a shame. My next period is gym too."
Aislinn snorted in derision. Katrina laughed and took her arm. "Don't worry, love, you're safe for now."
"How can I help you, my son?"
"Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been many months since my last confession, and my sins weigh heavy on my soul, but the Lord has spoken to me, Father, and I have heard His Word."
"What has He told you, my son?"
"He has told me how I can be of service to Him, how I can glorify His name by bringing wrath to his enemies. How He can turn my sickness into a hammer in His hands, Father, and use me to destroy the wicked!"
"Your words disturb me, my son. Surely our Lord would not -"
"Do not presume to tell me what I have seen, Father! God has struck me with vision, and my purpose is clear!"
"You said God has seen your sickness. What do you mean?"
"I... I have always found pleasure in hurting girls. I have always thought myself weak and depraved, but now I have seen! I can glorify Him by destroying them, the unholy ones; surely, He is merciful!"
"My child, surely God does not want this!" The old priests' voice grew alarmed.
"Old fool! He does not speak to you. I am His conduit! I am His voice! I will see His Will carried out!"
The door banged open and shut again. Father Macklepenny hurried out to catch sight of the man he had just spoken to.
There was nothing in the church but empty pews.
A sick feeling formed in the pit of his stomach. He fumbled for the rosary.
"Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name..."