Title: Abandon

London, England
1880

They waited an hour before the sun fully set, not risking running in the shadows, before they filed out of their home, like a pack of wolves, ready to destroy an innocent lamb or two from a nearby farm.

Appearance was everything and that was one attribute that they had; they looked just like any other group of people but they commanded such a great presence as they strutted down the sidewalk, they seemed like gods, and people moved out of their way or stopped to look at them for a moment as they passed.

Angelus pompously lead the way with a giddy Drusilla on his arm and Darla took hold of what seemed like an almost reluctant William, following them close behind.

The theatre wasn't truly that far from where they had stayed, only a matter of minutes actually, but William did not care in the least. However long it was, it was too long for him. He mumbled complaints to himself the entire walk and any time Darla attempted to quiet him by asking him what the matter was, he merely told her that it was nothing or he thought that he had a rock inside of his boot. She patted him on the shoulder and told him that they'd be resting soon so he could take it out then.

Another moment passed before anyone in their group uttered a word; they were encompassed by a great swirling group of people, rushing to get out of the great building and catch a coach to the next frivolity of the night.

Darla tugged on the dazzled William's sleeve and led him to an alleyway where Angelus and Drusilla stood waiting. He frowned when he saw the raven-haired girl twitter in excitement and cling to her Sire.

"Oh, William!" she exclaimed and then pattered over to him, "you really must watch and see! Oh, we work wonders, we do!"

"But we don't if ya get in our way," Angelus said and was about to call him something when he received a warning glare from Darla so he simply finished his sentence there.

Out of the corner of his eye, William saw Angelus smirk and right at that moment, he wanted to take a piece of broken glass that lay in the alleyway and slash it off of his face but Drusilla suddenly broke his evil though as she wanted his attention and giving it was what he wanted to do more than anything.

"I'm sure you do," he said sweetly to her and smiled, completely ignoring Angelus' comment, "And I bet you play an important part in this little charade, don't you?"

She nodded, pressed a finger to her lips and whispered, "watch," before she slipped passed him, heading towards the crowd.

He did indeed watch her as she snaked around the people, disappearing from view and then reappearing, making her way into the center of the swarm. Off to the side, he saw Angelus and Darla do the same but heading towards the outskirts of it, still hidden in the darkness of the alley.

Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream arose from the horde and William could see it parting. People began to whisper and gasp as offers of assistance were being given.

It was then that Darla grabbed the nearest bystander and covered their mouth with her hand and dragged them into the alleyway.

When that was done, Angelus ran into the crowd, shouting frantically and looking worried. As he watched, William realized who it had been screaming. It wasn't their supper – it had been Drusilla.

A frenzied feeling overcame him and William ran into the crowd right after Angelus. As soon as he made his way to them, he found Drusilla quivering in Angelus' arms while the older vampire began telling his tattered, old lies. He told them that she needed some sort of medicine but he had left it at home but there was a carriage waiting for them in the back while ever man in the group offered their jackets, a bit of money and other things to assist them.

Angelus shook his head and declined any of the offers saying they live near and that she would be fine but when he saw William standing amongst them, his mood turned darker and he glared.

Apparently, he had now become a part of the act if all three were to get out without being caught.

"Boy!" Angelus yelled at him, his Irish accent thickening and everyone looking on. "Didn't I tell yer to get the carriage ready?"

"Uh, well," William stammered in a bit of a confusion, not sure if this was false or true anger coming from his male counterpart, "yes – yes you did. It's ready, sir. The driver is drunk though, sir, so I left him in the pub. If you hurry with the Miss, I can drive you home quickly."

"Fine," Angelus snarled, but no one seemed to notice.

He then carried Drusilla as if she were a child and weighed no more than one of her own dolls. He inclined his head a little to the men who had offered help as a silent thank-you and then quickly followed William into the back alleyway.

When William looked over he saw Drusilla shaking convulsively still but after a moment, he realized that she was trying not to laugh. Angelus set her on her feet and gave her a quick kiss saying, "ya did good, darlin'."

She giggled and twirled, "oh, we did so well! Even William got to join in on the fun!"

"That he did," Angelus said and turned around to face him as if just remembering the completely idiotic thing the boy had just done. "And I wonder," he pondered aloud, "was it worth it?"

He then grabbed William and rammed him into the wall so that he was pinned against it, forcing him to look into his eyes. Apparently, William had been thrown up against it so hard, that blood began to come out of his nose. Angelus smiled at the sigh and sneered, "well boy, was it? Was it worth almost killin' Dru and I fer yer actin' career?"

William struggled to get out of his clutches but it was no use, Angelus was much stronger than he was.

"Rule number two," he growled to him and stared with his deep, piercing eyes, "don't ever disobey me. You understand this rule?"

When William didn't respond, Angelus roared angrily and flung him across the way and into the building on the other side. William hit it with a resounding thumb and a small sound of a crack.

He staggered to his feet and felt his chest. He had broken two of his ribs on the right side as far as he could tell. "Bastard," he swore at Angelus and tried to hobble over to Darla.

Before he could reach her, however, Angelus was there and pinning him to the ground with his hand over his neck, slowly crushing his windpipe. "Do – you – understand – me?" he inquired, pausing between each word to make sure William heard each one.

"Yes," he finally spat out back into Angelus' face.

"Good," Angelus laughed and got off of him, making his way over to his girls. He wrapped an arm around Drusilla's waist and grinned down at William as he cradled his broken chest, "come now, boy. It's time to eat."