Heavy Stakes.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.
Author: C.A.
Pairing: N/A for now
Summary: Faith died end of S3 and a new slayer is called, one with an existing destiny...(plays dramatic music)
A/N: I didn't want to be one of those people who left fics unfinished, so come hell or high-water this will be finished.
For the sixth night in a row, Isabel was once again imprisoned in the bathroom. She was starting to freak out. She carefully gripped her toothbrush, wary of crushing the fragile plastic. She stared into the mirror carefully noting the circles underneath her pale skin, the tremors wracking her hands. She took a deep breath and spun around to stride out of the room.
She knocked softly on Max's door and pushed it open.
"Max?"
"Hey Is." Max looked up from his chemistry textbook. She came into the room and perched on the bed looking strangely hesitant. She nervously played with frayed edges of her hoodie. Max stared at her for a long moment before breaking the silence.
"Is? What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just…"Max turned around fully studying her intently.
"Is?" Her shoulders slumped and she looked directly at Max, who visibly started.
"Woah…"
"Max? have you…" Isabel pressed her lips together, "Max, have you noticed, I mean are you…" She sighed in annoyance, covering her eyes she tried again blurting out "Have you had any weird dreams lately, about graveyards?"
Max shook his head "what?"
"Oh god, this is stupid I sound crazy…how is this my life?"
"Issy calm down. What's wrong? What's going on?"
"Nothing."
Max shot her a funny look "I don't think it's nothing. Talk to me…"
"I've been having these weird dreams recently."
"Ok, do you want to tell me about these dreams?" Isabel drew her legs up and cradled her knees.
"They all start the same way, I taste blood, then I hear things…people, screaming and I get this rush of pleasure and I…it's all blurry like I'm looking through frosted glass. But I see…fangs…"Isabel's voice trailed off.
Max came over and knelt down in front of her, "Fangs. Who have you been visiting?" He said flatly.
"I haven't visited anyone in days Max. I'm dreaming. Me." Max let out a disbelieving huff.
"I know what this sounds like." She sighed. She got off the bed and grabbed his wrist, pulling him up with her. She dragged him to the window; pressing a finger against his lips as he protested. She climbed out.
"Don't freak out." She warned as she padded to the edge.
"Isabel? What are you doing?"
"Just watch okay?" Isabel hesitated for a moment before she jumped off. Max's eyes widened and he made to grasp her arm to prevent her fall. She twisted away from his grasp and landed with an audible thump. Max saw her sprawled body on the ground and panicked.
"Shit." He hurtled back through his window and scrambled down the stairs to be met by Isabel coming in through the front door. Her hand was pressed to her head which was oozing blood. Max, frantic, grabbed her by the arms.
"What the? How? Are you?"
Isabel shushed him and led him back to her room, "wait a second, Mom and Dad are asleep."
Max let himself be led into the room, shock robbing him of the ability to be coherent. Isabel pushed him into her room and shut the door. He turned to face her as she swiped her hand over the blood clotting in her hair. She picked up a pencil and twirled it idly.
"I bumped my hip on the lab benches in school last Friday. The next morning the bruise was gone." Isabel snapped the pencil between two fingers and her thumb. "And I can do that." She breathed in deeply, "I was hoping it was alien related"
"You don't think it is?"
Isabel looked pensive as she shook her head. "I don't know what to think."
"We should talk to Michael."
Isabel nods slowly, she shifts back towards her bed and drops unceremoniously on the on the mattress. "Could you stay with me tonight?"
Max nods.
The next morning Max woke with a grunt, his eyes were heavy with sleep and his mind flowed slow and heavy. He had woken up to Isabel's muffled scream at some ungodly hour. It had taken a while for her to calm down she had babbled about blood, pain and violence, about hunger.
He got up, muscles strained and tight from his night on the floor. He watched Isabel sleep for a long moment his gut churning from worry. Max turned and headed to the bathroom. He stripped as the water heated up; he heard the muted voices of his adoptive parents as he stepped into the shower. In her room Isabel stirred slightly, her brow furrowed and she moaned softly. She was remembering her dream, a sea of red washing the streets as demonic laughter pounded through her head. Viscous fangs descended and tore into flesh and as the blood gushed she woke.
Isabel jerked up, her heart pounding as she thrust a closed fist into her mouth muffling the scream. Tears welled in her eyes as she scrambled back against the headboard. She sobbed softly as she rocked.
A call from the kitchen shocked her out of her daze. She brushed the tears angrily away and pushed herself off the bed. She pressed hands against her eyes as she called out in reply.
She pounded on the bathroom door as she made her way down to the kitchen. She pulled on the sleeves of her hoodie and scrubbed at her eyes before taking a deep breath and turning the corner to walk into the main part of the house.
Diane was cutting up some fruit as Philip pottered around the coffeemaker. Isabel slid onto the chair as she greeted her parents.
Max came down shortly after, running a hand through his wet hair. He sat next to Isabel pulling a bowl towards him. He poured his cereal shooting a loaded look at Isabel who ignored him to answer Diane's questions about her day. Diane put the bowl of cut fruit in the center of the table. As the smell of coffee percolated through the room, Philip took out four cups. He joined them at the table laughing at an offhand comment from Max.
Isabel finished first, hurrying off to the bathroom to get ready. The drive to school was quieter than normal Isabel didn't know what to say. They pulled up and he parked quickly.
Max turned to Isabel, "We'll meet at fifth period in the music room. I don't think there's a class then." Isabel nodded and got out.
