Chapter Two: Nightmare
(Faith's POV)
Tonight's dinner was probably the best meal I've had in a while. Of course, it was my first real meal in three years, so that probably had something to do with it. It was a pretty silent meal. I really didn't know what to say. It's kind of surreal sitting in the same room with someone that I used to be enemies with. Right now I've got a nagging a little voice in the back of my head telling me that it was stupid for me to come here. But I'm here now, so I guess I have to go with it.
"Are you done?" Buffy asks me. Her voice is a lot softer compared to earlier. I'm not sure which one I'm more comfortable with.
"Uh…yeah," I answer haltingly, "It was delicious."
"Glad you liked it," she says, taking my plate.
"Um, you don't have to do that," I tell her, "I'll clean up after myself."
"Please," she says, "You're my guest. I'll take care of this. You look tired. Go get some rest."
"Thanks," I answer. I wonder why she's being nice to me all of a sudden. I figured she would still hate me. The only explanation that makes sense is that she's trying to be a good host, not that she owes me that. I head silently up to the guest room and crash out on the bed, drifting off to sleep. For some reason, my head feels kind of hazy as I close my eyes. I'm also hearing a familiar voice calling to me from somewhere.
"Hello Faith," the voice says, "How is my favorite daughter? Well, I guess it'd be more accurate to say that you were like a daughter, wouldn't it?" That voice….it can't be. Bracing myself, I open my eyes and look around me. I was right, it's him. I'm in the middle of Sunnydale and Mayor Wilkins is standing across from me.
"A dream," I say with a start, "I am 99.9% sure that this is a dream, because in reality you don't fall asleep to find yourself in the middle of town with a dead person standing across from you."
"Dream…reality…relative terms in the life of a Slayer," Mayor Wilkins tells me.
"I'm not a Slayer anymore," I tell him, "And I have nothing to say to you."
"Fine," he answers amiably, "Then just listen. This mission for forgiveness you're on is a fool's errand. You can't change."
"What would you know about that?" I ask him.
"Faith, I know everything about you," he answers, "You got a thrill killing for me. You enjoyed it. Face it Faith, you're a monster. Always have been, always will be."
"No," I say vehemently.
"You can't deny it Faith," he says, "The feel of the knife in your grip, the scent of fresh blood. They're part of you. You won't be able to control it. Eventually you will kill again and you'll feel the thrill."
"No!" I yell angrily, charging at him with my fist raised. He grabs my arm and effortlessly throws me to the ground.
"Your heart is still filled with anger," he tells me, "You haven't changed at all."
"Shut up!" I scream, sending an elbow flying towards him. He dodges and throws me again.
"You'll never pass Buffy's test," he tells me. For the first time I think to ask this question.
"Is this part of her test?" I ask him. I glance at the ring momentarily and notice that a slight orange glow is coming from it.
"Very good Faith," he answers, "I guess your mind is as sharp as ever. But it won't help you. We'll see each other again." With that, he disappears from sight. That was seriously scary.
In a flash I'm back in B's guest room, breaking out in a cold sweat. Guess that part of the test is over. I get the feeling I failed terribly. I chance a look at the clock. 2 a.m. already. I was in dreamland for three hours? Guess time flies when magic nightmare-inducing rings are involved. I'm not sure what's worse: What I just went through or the knowledge that I'll be going through it again every night until I beat the enchantment on this thing? I guess I could just refuse to sleep, but that would be the coward's way out. Besides, who's to say that it would stop the spell from kicking in? I learned a long time ago that magic plays by its own rules. I wonder, if I try to go back to sleep again will the ring send me back to dreamland or is the spell a once a night kind of thing? Either way, I decide I need some air. But I don't want B to think I've bailed on her, so I decide to write a note. I grab a piece of paper and find a pen, and then quickly scratch down my note before heading out the door into the cool night.
(Buffy's POV)
The sound of the door closing downstairs wakes me up from what I thought was a fairly sound sleep. Guess I'm not as heavy a sleeper as I usually am. I look at my clock: 2:10 a.m. I head downstairs to check out the sound, but my intuition tells me not to worry. I doubt anyone would break in here at this hour. Even criminals need sleep. The first thing I notice is the note sitting on the table. I walk over to read it. B, it says, Couldn't sleep. Went for a walk. I'll be back. Don't worry. She couldn't sleep. Probably means the ring did its job. I feel kind of bad that I'm keeping her from sleeping, but knowing her she'll manage. Besides, the ring only activates once in a 24 hour period, so she should be able to sleep fine if she tries again. I decide to go back to bed. Faith's note said she would be back and even she isn't foolish enough to stay out too late. She knows better than anyone the kinds of monsters that hang around in the darkness. Satisfied that she'll do the smart thing, I decide to head back up to my room and get some rest.