Chapter 2
Okay, ever so slightly revised version of chapter 2. I put in s. Go me.
Also, I feel pretty bad about the shout out to Monty Python in the middle of a supposed-to-be sad scene. But hey? Whon doesn't love the Parrot scetch?
Willows eyes blinked open, and she lay still, trying to get a grasp on what the hell was going on. Her body felt very… still. Then she realised she wasn't breathing. She panicked, and gulped in large amounts of air, resulting in serious coughing. She stopped trying to breath for a moment, and noticed that it wasn't uncomfortable at all. Comprehension dawning, she shot her hand to her breast, noting the lack of heartbeat.
"Craaaaaap…" she groaned. Turning her head to the side, she saw the smiling face of Spike, sitting on a chair next to the thing she was on. Come to think of it, what was she on? She ran her hand on the surface beneath her, and sighed in relief when she found it was a bed, not a sarcophagus, or a coffin.
"Evening Sunshine." Spike cooed, offering her a glass filled with… ew! Blood!
She scooched away from him, disgust contorting her features.
"No! Don't you have any… water?" She asked, vomit reflex interrupting her sentence as she willed the icky tasting liquid back down her throat.
"Come on," He urged. "You gotta drink. Get your strength."
She shakingly extended a hand, and took the cup he was offering. Sniffing it hesitantly, she slipped into vamp face. The shock nearly caused her to drop the glass, and Spike laughed.
"You're the only one I've ever seen wake up in human face." He said. "Go on. Drink. Smells good, doesn't it?"
Willow had to admit it smelled delicious. Like copper, and paprika. Okay, so that may not sound delicious, but right now she couldn't think of anything she craved more.
"mmm, seasoned penny." She joked, taking a sip.
Spike laughed hesitantly, not quite sure what the hell she was talking about. If he had to look after another nutcase, he might just crack.
Willow quickly drained the glass, even licking out the remnants from the bottom.
"Told you you'd like it." Spike said, taking the cup back, and extending a hand to her. "Come on upstairs. Time to meet the rest of our little family."
"Giles!" Xander yelled, bursting into the library. "Where were you yesterday? I need to tell you something. Something terrible!"
The librarian come Watcher was sitting on the stairs. He looked up, tear tracks marked out on his face. He took a handkerchief from his pocket, and wiped his face.
"I know." He said, voice shaking. "Angel came to me yesterday morning, before the sun came up. He's stricken. I've let him stay at my house. You should come back tonight too. Bring Willow."
"Um, I cant really bring Willow, that's what I came here to tell you." Xander interrupted. Giles' face shot up.
"No, why? Where is she?" He stammered.
"That's just it, I don't know. I just went into the 7-11 for 10 minutes, when we were out last night. And when I got outside, she was gone!"
Giles went pale, than cursed and punched the wall next to him in an uncharacteristic display of violence.
Xander grabbed his hand as he moved to punch it again. "Stop Giles! Tell me! Who were you talking about?"
The older man didn't answer immediately, instead he buried his face in his hands and mumbled. "God, I'll have to tell Joyce…"
Xander went cold. "Tell Joyce what?" He asked, and then cried. "Tell her WHAT?!"
Giles looked up again, eyes wide, and tearful once more.
"Its Buffy. She's…" He paused, and composed himself a little. "She was patrolling last night. Angel… Angel found her in the cemetery. Xander, She's, She's dead."
Xander numbly sat down on the stair below him, beginning to shake uncontrollably.
"No." He said. "She can't be. You've made a mistake. Where is she?"
Giles' brow furrowed and he grew angry. "Its no mistake boy! Her neck was broken! She was cold! Her heart had stopped beating! She was not breathing! She was not fucking pining for the fiords! She is an Ex-Slayer!"
Xander looked up, horror etched on his face. "Giles!" He stammered, and the Watcher burst into tears.
"I'm so sorry." He sobbed. "It just sunk in."
Tears began to quietly fall down Xander's face, and he nodded.
"And… Will?" He whispered.
Giles stood up, steadying himself of the stair rail.
"May still be alive. Xander," He turned abruptly around, and took the young boys face in his hands. "We will find Willow. Dead or alive, she WILL come home."
Xander nodded, and the two of them stood and began to walk back to Giles flat, and Buffy's body, even as the school-bell rung.
Willow ascended the stairs behind Spike, his long duster concealing her view for the most part. Nonetheless, she could see they appeared to be in a factory.
When the floor grew flat, she came to stand next to her sire, and survey the large room she was in. It was large, and dark. The walls were metal, and the roof was high. Even though it still practically screamed "INDUSTRIAL!" it had a homely edge as well, and had been furnished with comfortable and antique appearing furniture.
There were four sets of eyes fixed on her, the first being Spikes. The second belonged to a tall willowy woman with long raven hair. She was wearing a long velvet dress, and her bony hands peeked out from behind sleeves laced in … lace. Her face was long and lean and she was smirking arrogantly. The third set of eyes belonged to a young boy, couldn't have been older than 19 when he was sired. He was short and lean, and had dark Mediterranean skin, and wide green eyes. He smiled at Willow, and folded his book closed, watching her with awe.
The last pair of eyes belonged to the only non-vampire inhabitant of the room, and didn't look so much like eyes, as looming abysses. And his skin was grey, and smooth and dry, like a snakes, minus the scales. He too smiled at her, and despite the warmth in his (I wanna say eyes) he still appeared threatening, because his wide mouth was chocked full of shark like teeth. Primarily humanoid in shape, he was tall, and muscular, with one or two small horns spread across his shoulders.
The girl broke into a grin. "She's a very pretty doll, my spike." She said, "Smooth porcelain skin, and pretty fire hair. I like her! Can't wait to play with her."
Willow looked around the room, watching as everyone ogled her. She twiddled her fingers nervously. "Er… hi." She said, grinning sheepishly. As the ogles turned into disbelieving smirks, she whimpered and moved closer to Spike's side.
The lady talked once more. "Is she broken Spike?" She whimpered. "Is my new doll broken already?"
Spike put his arm defensively around Willows shoulders. "Nah Dru, she's just confused is all, aren't ya, Red?"
Willow looked up at him and whispered. "My names not Red. It's… Actually, don't worry. Red's fine."
Spike nodded and addressed the room.
"Okay gang, this is Red. We're going to look after her, and make sure she integrates herself properly into the evil lifestyle.
Red, This is Drusilla." He said, pointing to the bony woman. "She's not all there, but it's okay. She'll treat you right if you treat her right. And you better treat her right, she's the love of my unlife. And this is Manny." He now indicated to the small boy. "He's our gangs muscle."
Willow's eyes widened. "He's the muscle?!" She repeated. Spike and Manny both laughed, and the boy piped up.
"I don't look like much, I know. But I learnt to fight in The Great War, and have been practising since. I could beat the living snot out of you. But don't you worry. I wont."
Willow smiled at the good humoured boy, but Spike quickly turned her attention to the demon.
"This is Rudyard. His race physically can't fight, so I know he looks scary, but he's really not. He's kinda like a Vulcan. All logic and smarts. He's our book man."
Rudyard nodded at Willow, and Spike rubbed her shoulder, where he was still holding her.
"We're a bit of a motley crew, luv. I expect you'll feel right at home. Come on, I'll show you round."
Willow turned to follow him out, and Manny called out. "See ya later Red!"
Willow smiled to herself. This wasn't so bad.
Willow was never sure why she didn't tell them her real name. 'Willow' just didn't seem very evil, And she was a vampire now. In her own head, she never really stopped called herself her real name, but to everyone else, from that moment on, She was Red. She was evil now, even if she didn't fully feel it. Time to embrace it.
