Chapter 10: The Pack

On a school bus Buffy, Xander and Willow, squeezed by Bobby.

Buffy can hardly breathe. She glances behind her and nudges Xander, "What's with the spaceage?"

Xander nods, "First field trip, huh?"

Buffy nods, "Maybe it's non-obvious, but wouldn't our trip to the Zoo be a teensy bit more comfortable if... one of us sat in the back?"

Willow shakes her head, "Reserved for cool people. That's why we're in the front."

Xander smiles at Buffy look of confusion, "Those are the "So-shes." Also known as the "Hotsnots," the "Attack Pack"..."

Buffy frowns, "So what do they do?"

Xander nods, "They're not like jocks or cheerleaders where they actually do something…"

Willow nods, "People just want to hang with them."

Buffy sighs, "Oh - sort of our version of the Royal Family."

Willow nods, "Worse. They have self-confidence. It's like they know they're in, and anyone who's not them is, by definition, out."

Kyle nudges Rhonda. He points to Lance. "Hey, Lance - you look uncomfortable. Join us." Lance brightens, comes over. Kyle makes room on his seat. Lance sits. "You know, Lance, for lunch, I'm thinking pepperoni pizza. You like greasy food, Lance?"

Lance nods, "Oh, thanks Kyle, but my dermatologist wants me to lay off greasy foods."

Rhonda rolls her eyes, "Oh riiight, your skin. That must be horrible. Do you get it on your back, too?"

Tor, Mick and Heidi snicker.

Buffy can't hear the conversation, but watch Kyle and Rhonda put their arms around Lance's shoulders. "They're being nice to Lance."

Xander smiles knowing better, "You know at Marineland - how Shamu and the other Killer Whales like to play with bouncy red balls?"

Buffy gets it, "Lance is now a bouncy red ball."

Xander nods, "Count on it."

At the zoo a Video is playing, "...Nowhere are hierarchies and cruel pecking orders more pronounced than in the Animal Kingdom..."

Buffy sighs, "They obviously haven't ridden the bus."

On the video, two mountain goats butt horns to show off for ewes chewing their cuds. Two nearby male students do a Lakers Chest-Butt as three girls lazily chew gum, watching them.

Buffy, Willow and Xander watch the horrifying face of a cackling hyena on another monitor.

"...And perhaps no animals are more cruel than the Hyenas, who taunt and wound their victims before going in the for the kill..."

On the video, Hyenas attack a Zebra, as Buffy notices Kyle, his arm around Lance, look back at the "Soshes" with a wink.

"...Their powerful jaws tear flesh, and crush bones to powder, all the while emitting the Hyena's hideous laughter..."

Kyle laughs, "C'mon Lance, let's check 'em out."

Buffy watches in concern as Kyle waves for his cohorts to follow him toward the padlocked door barring entry onto the dark pathway. A sign on the door says: HYENA CAGE. POSITIVELY NO ADMITTANCE.

"...Hyenas mark their territory by secreting a smelly paste from glands in their hindquarters..."

Buffy nods watching Kyle and his friends, "Enjoy. You guys should have a lot in common."

A Zookeeper blocks their path. Points to the sign. "Are you illiterate, or do you just have bad eyesight? Because Hyenas are quick to prey on the weak."

Rhonda shrugs, "Why can't we go in there?"

The Zookeeper smiles, "Quarantine. They just came from Africa. So keep out." He begins to walk away. Then turns back. "...Even if they call your name."

Buffy shakes her head, "What're you talking about?"

The Zookeeper obviously relishes this part of the job. "A Masai tribesman once told me that Hyenas can understand human speech. They follow humans by day, learning their names. At night, when the campfire has died, they call out to the person. And once that person is separated… the pack devours him."

The students are transfixed for a moment. Chilled - except for Kyle, who regards the Zookeeper with contempt. "Nice hat."

Kyle and his friends laughs. Fuming, the Zookeeper leads the other students, including Buffy and Willow around a corner.

Xander turns back, just in time to see Kyle and his friends, headed down the ominous pathway. Kyle still has his arm around Lance, who's just glad to be included. Xander, disgusted, shakes his head and moves after them.

In the Hyena Room Kyle and his friends and Lance approach the seemingly empty cage. "Pretty fun, huh Lance? I hope they don't call our names…" He presses his face against the mesh cage. "Hy-eeena - I'm Kyyyyle..."

Suddenly, two Hyenas move out of the shadows. Their wiry coats and horrible hunchbacks creep toward them.

Lance realizes he's the only one whose face is still pressed against the cage. He tries to pull back, but can't.

Kyle holds Lance's face against the cage as his friends laugh hysterically at this. The Hyenas sidewind closer to the horrified Lance, their narrow eyes flashing interest.

Kyle smiles, "What's wrong, Laaaance - they just want to learn your name."

Lance frowns, "Okay - I think they know it now..."

Lance struggles, when suddenly, Xander pushes Kyle and pries Lance free. Kyle and Xander are about to fight when a shrill, horrifying Hyena cackle stops everyone cold -

The Hyena's eyes flash yellow. Then Xander, Kyle and his friend's eyes flash yellow.

Lance never looking back, climbs the boarded-up cave entrance, but slips, falling back to the ground injuring his knee. "Owwwww…"

Kyle and his friends, then turn as one to look at Lance - only Xander doesn't turn his head. Then, Kyle begins a cruel laugh...

Lance's crying and Kyle's laughter mingle eerily with the Hyenas' CACKLING from the splintered shadows as Xander finally turns toward Lance.

On the school bus that evening the field trip is over. Buffy, Willow and Xander sit together in the front row. Bobby squeezes in. Everyone inhales.

Xander nods, "So tonight, you guys Bronze-bound?"

Willow shakes her head, "Didn't you get enough "crowded and sweaty" at the Zoo?"

Buffy nods, "Yeah, that Reptile House was definitely working the not-so-fresh motif."

Kyle, Rhonda, Tor, Heidi and Mick enter the bus.

(A/N Kyle, Rhonda, Tor, Heidi and Mick are collectively referred to hereafter as the Hyena People.)

Kyle suddenly stops at Bobby, smiling darkly. Buffy and Willow sense trouble.

Rhonda lifts Bobby's headphones, startling him. "Hey, Bobby - wanna go to the Bronze with us tonight?"

Bobby's eyes widen, "Really - me?"

Kyle all friendly like, "Yeah, get there early and save us the table by the stage."

Bobby nods, "But that means I'd have to get there by six thir... okay, thanks."

Rhonda lets the headphone SNAP back on his head as the Hyena People move confidently back to their reserved bus seats.

Bobby bounces his head with a private sense of acceptance.

Buffy shakes her head, "Guess Shamu's found a new red rubber ball."

Lance limps to the back, hoping to find a seat. As he approaches, the Hyena People variously stretch out their legs or scoot to the aisle side of their seats, blocking Lance from sitting with them.

Rhonda smiles, "Sorry, Lance."

Several students crane their heads to see this. All are privately grateful it's not them receiving the icy cruelty of the So-shes.

Lance frowns, "But... before..."

Kyle nods, "Lance, look around. There's us - then there's you."

Rhonda pulls out a compact mirror. Holds it up to Lance. "One of these things. Doesn't belong here..."

Kyle looks in the mirror. Points. "Oh yea - see? It's the telephone pole with acne."

Lance, humiliated, limps away.

Willow shakes her head, "That is so not okay." She turns back to see Xander snickering along with the Hyena People.

At the Bronze later Buffy and Willow struggle through the crowd.

Willow shakes her head, "We're not really welcome to sit there - those are the jocks..." She points "Those are the Grungers... the Gear-heads..."

Buffy sighed, "Never realized the Bronze is so much like the Zoo - except without the helpful educational videos."

Willow nods, "When Xander gets here, we'll be three and have our group." She smiles, relieved as she sees Xander enter and survey the crowd. Only he walks like a Rock Star - greets a comely Cheerleader with an unctuous kiss.

Buffy nods, "Guess now our group's got four."

Xander glides through the dance floor as the Cheerleader watches him go - confusion and interest now splashed across her face. Xander moves to Buffy and Willow - something's very different about him.

Willow frowns, "I thought you didn't know Suzy Peterson?"

Xander shakes his head, "I don't. But tonight... I just feel so alive, so confident - I doubt any woman could deny..." He locks eyes with Buffy. He smiles and moves to her. "-My animal magnetism." He leans into Buffy's ear, nibbles it. Willow's shocked.

Buffy pushes Xander away, "Have you been drinking your cologne?"

The Hyena People enter. The crowd parts like the Red Sea as they walk to see the table by the dance floor where BOBBY sits alone at an empty table, eating Nachos. He sees them and beams with delight.

Rhonda smiles, "Bobby - let's play Psychic Hotline. You try to guess why we're talking to you."

Buffy frowns, "Cause I got here at 6:30 like you asked, to save the table for us?"

Kyle laughs, "Us? You hang with us?"

Rhonda shakes her head, "Shouldn't you be hovering over a football stadium with a "GOODYEAR" written on you?"

Bobby, completely deflated, takes his Nachos and quickly retreats.

Rhonda regards the table with contempt. "This tables munches."

Kyle shrugs, "We'll check out the view."

They desert the hard-won table, toward the stairs.

Xander leans confidentially into Buffy. Places one hand on the wall next to her head. "...All my high school life, I've stood against the wall, one foot tucked under my butt, silently mouthing "I love you" to every girl passing me by. But tonight..." He puts his other hand on the other side of Buffy's head. Willow watches this, disbelieving. "-It's different - I feel different –" He leans closer. "It's like I see better, hear better, smell better... taste better -"

Buffy pushes him away, "When did you become Peppy Le Pew?"

The Hyena People approach. Crowds part as they near them.

Willow's anxious. "Uh-oh - here come the winged monkeys."

The Hyena People lock eyes with Xander and stop. They regard Xander with an almost animal intensity, as if some primal connection is being made.

Then, without a word exchanged, the Hyena People move on through the parting crowd.

The next day in at Gateway High School Mr. Flutie screams and just leaps out of the way. "LOOK OUT! It's gotten loose!"

Students peer out from classroom doorways, then jump back in shock.

Mr. Flutie frowns, "STOP THE BEAST!"

Buffy runs in trying to catch whatever Mr. Flutie is after.

Finally, Bobby Hurls himself on it.

Mr. Flutie smiles, "Good work, Bobby." Smiling Bobby hands Mr. Flutie a squirming 30-pound pink Pig, Herbert. "Naughty little Herbert, gave Mr. Flutie quite a scare, didn't he?" Several students, including Buffy, gather around Mr. Flutie. "Students, I'd like you all the meet Herbert, our new mascot for the Gateway High Razorbacks!"

Buffy shakes her head, "It's a pig."

Mr. Flutie frowns, "Oh, no no no, it's a Razorback - See, here are the tusks, and... a scary... razor back."

Buffy laughs, "Maybe we could change to the Gateway Pure Pork Sausages."

Several students laugh.

Mr. Flutie gets defensive. "Well, what do you expect when you only raise $23.48 at the Mascot Car Wash. You're just lucky my Uncle Merle owns a farm."

Mr. Flutie hands Herbert back to Bobby. "Here you go, young man. I'll give you the honor of returning him to his pen - our Ragin' Razorback!"

Bobby holds the pig proudly as Mr. Flutie walks away.

Buffy turns to him, smiling. "Way to go, Bobby - I couldn't even grab its squiggly pink tail."

Bobby responds with false modesty, "Well, Buffy, you did have the moves - but sometimes you just gotta rely on tonnage."

Willow and Xander walk out of a classroom together. Xander is upset.

Willow sighs, "Don't just give up, Xander! So you're having trouble with a few equations -"

Xander shakes his head, "No! Now I don't even get the numbers!"

Willow fishes his book out of the trash and hands it to him. "Here - tonight I'll help you -"

Xander erupts, "-WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?" His face suddenly darkens as he savagely rips the book cover in half and hurls it away. Willow just stares after him, disbelieving, as he stalks around the corner, past Bobby holding Herbert the pig. The Pig sees Xander and shrieks with primal terror. Bobby barely holds onto the Pig, as Xander walks past, unconcerned by the Pig's reaction.

Willow joins Buffy in the Hallway and they watch, concern growing, as their friend disappears into the locker room, followed by Kyle, Tor and Mick.

Later in the Gym Coach Herrold walks in, "Bobby, get over here! People, line up and choose sides for Dodge Ball! Lance - take off those glasses!" He chooses Buffy and Kyle as team captains.

Kyle chooses the Hyena People and Xander for his team, while Buffy picks anyone but them - Theatre Clubbers, "Dirty Girls"... Willow looks like the best she's got.

Lance and Bobby are the last to be picked. Buffy picks Bobby. Kyle chooses Lance, who reluctantly sets his glasses to the side of the bleachers. Then, near-blind, he walks to the group, squinting. Coach Herrold blows his whistle.

The balls start flying between the two teams. Bobby's the first out, taking a red dodge ball to the gut.

Dodge balls whiz all around Xander's team, but the Hyena People leap over them with animal finesse. Xander easily catches a ball, hurls it back with intensity, hitting Willow in the arm. She walks to the sidelines, looking more hurt that Xander was the one who hurled the blow.

The Hyena People hold fire, gather up their balls.

Buffy stands alone, determined, awaiting their onslaught. Suddenly, Xander and the Hyena People turn on Lance, their own teammate. Lance squints, trying to protect himself until he falls, hands over head when

Buffy whips a ball straight into Tor, which ricochets into Heidi, knocking them to the ground. Another ball whips into Mick, Rhonda, Kyle and Xander, knocking the wind out of them. They're out. Buffy won. The Hyena People glower back with a newly respectful hatred.

Coach Herrold blows his whistle.

Buffy helps up a grateful Lance but she locks eyes with Xander - who leaves with the Hyena People. The silence is deafening.

After Gym in hallway Buffy's on a tear, livid, with Willow right behind.

Willow shakes her head, "-He's just fallen in with a bad influence -"

Buffy frowns, "No, "bad influence" is a Rob Lowe movie. Xander's just gone bad - there's no excuse for what he did!"

Xander and the Hyena People come down the Hallway, tight now, like a Pack. Buffy heads toward them, fists clenched, but Willow beats her to him.

Willow frowns, "What's wrong with you, Xander?"

Xander suddenly turns toward Willow - only it's the old Xander with the gentle eyes. He pulls her slightly away from the Pack and Buffy. Leans in, somewhat confidentially. "Guess you've noticed - I've been different around you, lately.:

Willow nods, "Yes."

Xander looks around awkwardly. Then directly to Willow. "I think... I think it's because \my feelings... for you... have been changing... We've been friends for such a long time... and... well... I feel like I need to tell you something..." Willow softens a bit. "I've... I've decided to drop Algebra... so..." Willow just looks at Xander, confused. "I won't need your math help anymore... which means... won't have to look at your paste-white face again."

The Pack laughs hysterically, while Willow just stands there - as if he'd hit her in the stomach.

Buffy is also stunned - she can't believe what she heard. She moves to confront them, but Willow walks past, internalizing the pain, and Buffy turns to comfort her friend.

As they go, the laughter continues, but Kyle's laugh suddenly changes, rising into a bone-chilling, high-pitched, Hyena-like cackle.

Buffy turns. Locks eyes with Xander. He turns to the others.

Xander nods, "Let's do lunch."

Xander and the Hyena People turn away, still laughing. Buffy watches as they move as one, up the empty Hallway.

Later in the courtyard Willow and Buffy are walking and talking.

Willow sighs, "I've been friends with Xander since we were five. Now first chance he gets, he insults me to join the "Soshes." - And it's my fault. Because I'm not like you!" She begins to cry and Buffy hugs her, confused. She's a Slayer, not a psychiatrist.

Buffy shakes her head, "Hey c'mon, Willow - I'm no Sosh."

Willow shakes her head, "No, but you're cool enough to be one. He wants you in - you saw how he treated you last night at the Bronze -"

Buffy sighs, "Willow - that wasn't Xander last night. That was Buddy Love."

Willow frowns, "No, it's just like those Zoo videos said about the Animal Kingdom - high school as a Pecking Order -" She looks up, tears in her eyes. "And I just have to face it - I'm a really low peck."

Buffy shakes her head, "Pity-party over. Look, it's not just you that Xander and the rest of the Attack Pack are harassing." She takes Willow's hand. "Remember that other Zoo video, the way the Hyena cackled when they attacked that poor Zebra? Well this morning in the hallway - the way Kyle laughed, it was just like that - Freddie Krugers scary -" Willow looks at her, skeptical. "You know, those Hyena were quarantined for a reason - I think Xander's caught something from them."

"Right. The Hyena flu. Everyone's catching it." Willow sarcastically said.

Buffy sighs, "Fine. Don't believe me. But I know somebody who will."

Buffy makes her way into the library.

Giles furrows his brow. Animatedly restates Buffy's findings. "Xander's taken to teasing the less fortunate?"

Buffy nods, "Yes."

Giles nods, "There's been a radical change for the worse in both clothing and hair styling?"

Buffy smiles, "Uh-huh."

Giles sighs, "And otherwise all his spare time, spent lounging about with imbeciles?"

Buffy nods, "Yes - don't you see..."

Giles nods, "Of course! He's turned into a 16 year old boy! How terrifying! Get out your stake, Slayer!"

Buffy shakes her head. Back to square one. "I'm telling you, in the Hallway - that laugh - it wasn't human - it's something... okay, I'll just say it - like a Hyena. I think something supernatural is..."

Giles shakes his head, "-Buffy, there's an old saying - If you're a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

Buffy sighed, "Yes, I know, my Mom listened to Simon and Garfunkel too."

Giles frowns, "Who? Anyway, the point is, look for the most likely explanation first."

Buffy sighs, "Which is?"

Giles nods, "The youthful budding of testosterone. Hang on to your hat, little lady, it's only likely to get worse."

Willow bursts through the door, breathless. "Herbert - they found him!"

Buffy frowns, "Herbert - the pig?"

Willow nods, "Dead - In the Biology Room - totally... eaten! Mr. Flutie's even crying!"

Giles frowns, "Eaten... by what?"

Willow nods all ominous, "By "whom"... I overheard Principal Flutie talking to the Biology Teacher - some of the teeth marks - were from braces."

Buffy nods, "Just a sixteen year old boy, huh?"

Giles sheepishly points to an aisle of Library books. "The Hyena section is this way -"

Sometime later Buffy and Willow are surrounded by books and empty Diet Slice cans. Buffy turns the page of the antique book. "Check this out - Hyenas." She shows Willow an engraving of Noah casting two angry Hyena off his Arm into a driving rain. Willow skims the text.

Buffy shakes her head, "Wow. Apparently, Noah rejected Hyenas from the Ark because he thought they were an evil, impure mixture of dogs and cats." She turns a page. "Just another reason not to date out of species."

Willow shakes her head, "I don't get it - He obviously let cockroaches on board."

Willow nods, "So what happened? The Hyena survived anyway."

Buffy sighs, "Barely. But afterwards, they definitely had some issues with Noah..."

Giles enters, holding another ancient book. "Perhaps I've discovered the way in which they intended to get even."

Willow frowns, "How?"

Giles places the book on their table. He shows them an engraving of an animal making eye contact with a human. Horrible squiggles connect their eyes. "The Masai of the Serengeti Plain believe it is possible for animals to possess the souls of humans in order to accomplish their various desires."

Buffy nods, "Do you think Xander could've been possessed by... the Hyenas?"

Willow is skeptical, "C'mon - do you really believe this stuff about "animal possessions"?"

Giles turns the page, "Perhaps Willow's right - otherwise, I should think we would recognize our young friend's behavior in these..."

Giles suddenly looks horrified. Buffy and Willow lean in, to see what he sees.

The engraving shows a group of possessed humans tear apart a small animal with their bare hands and mouths.

Buffy jumps up, "I've gotta find Xander! You guys call Prue, Piper and Phoebe."

They watch her as she bolts out the door.

Outside in the courtyard it is getting close to dusk. The Hyena People prowls across the empty Courtyard. Their's are now the hunched, low movements of animals as they slink onward.

Xander moves with them. Then he stops. Sniffs their air. The rest of the Hyena People continues on.

Buffy suddenly jumps off the building onto Xander, knocking him to the ground. She and Xander wrestle, back and forth, around and around, until Xander rolls on top, pinning her with his knees.

Xander smiles, "I've been waiting for you to jump my bones."

Buffy frowns, "Get off me!"

Xander nods, "Is that what you really want? We both know what you really want." He shifts off Buffy's arms. Buffy rolls onto her hands and knees. They're now face to face on hands and knees, exhausted from the struggle, panting like animals. "You want danger, don't you - you like your men dangerous -"

Buffy shakes her head, "You're in trouble - infected with some Hyena thing, like a demonic possession -"

Xander nods, "-Dangerous and mean, right? Like Mr. Black Leather Motorcycle Guy - Well, guess who just got mean -" He pushes toward Buffy, menacing, and she backs up.

Buffy shakes her head, "I don't want to hurt you, Xander."

Xander sniffs the air. "I knew you were following me. I'd know your smell a mile away." He begins sniffing Buffy's shoulder.

Buffy frowns, "You and the others - ate Herbert alive -"

Xander nods, "-You know how long I've waited? Until you'd stop pretending we aren't attracted-" Buffy rolls away and jumps to her feet. He follows her. "Until Willow'd stop kidding herself, that I'd settle for anyone but you -"

Buffy shakes her head. "No, stop it - You're scaring me."

Xander suddenly tackles her. "Being scared make you wanna hurt me? C'mon, Slayer - I like it when you smell scared." He climbs on top, straddling her. "-The more I scare you, the better you smell." He roughly grabs Buffy's jaw. Begins kissing her, biting her lips - but Buffy ROLLS him on his back, pinning his wrists against the ground.

Now Buffy's in control. "What part of "NO" don't you understand!"

Xander smiles, "The "N."" Suddenly, Xander thrusts Buffy's arms away, throwing her backward - with a power that shocks her. Buffy's head hits the ground, just missing a pile of bricks. He leans into her face - for the first time, we see his powerful biceps. "Welcome to the jungle."

It was at that moment that Xander went flying as Prue, Piper and Phoebe stepped up next to Buffy. He lands hard against a pile a bricks and is knocked unconscious.

A short time later Willow and Giles look up from their research startled and anxious. Buffy enters, dragging an unconscious Xander. Prue, Piper and Phoebe follow behind them.

Buffy nods, "Hurry - we've gotta lock him up somehow, before he comes to."

Willow turns off the Video she's been studying. "Ohmigod, Xander - is he alright?"

Buffy nods, "Oh fine. He's just enjoying a little brick-induced coma designed to prevent felony sexual assault."

Buffy heaves Xander into a steel-mesh book-return cage. She slams the door and locks it. Hangs the keys on a nearby hook.

Giles nods, "Oh Buffy, the Hyena in him didn't -"

Buffy shakes her head, "No, but it's safe to say that in his current state, his idea of wooing somebody doesn't include a Yanni CD and a bottle of Chianti. And there's five more of them out there. What've you found?

Giles flips pages in an ancient book, frustrated. "The book says nothing about Hyena exorcisms..."

Prue frowns, "Hyena exorcism?"

Giles nods and explains that Xander is possessed by the spirit of a Hyena.

Willow sighs, "How'd they stop it in the past?"

Giles sighs, "I'm afraid the only solution is..." He reads. "Shoot to kill."

Phoebe frowns, "But he's an innocent, isn't he?"

Buffy sighs, "Shoot to kill! Now what?"

Giles nods, "We buy guns?"

Buffy shakes her head, "Who wrote this book - the Michigan Militia? They're just teenagers. Plus like Phoebe said they innocents and we protect the innocents."

Giles shuts the old book, frustrated. "And I thought I'd found such a distinctly American solution to the problem. Well, I honestly don't know where else to look -" He gets an idea. "Malleus Maleficarum!"

Willow shakes her head, "Swearing is never appropriate in any language."

Giles has already disappeared into the stacks, as he speaks excitedly. "No, no, no - the Malleus Maleficarum, written by Sprenger and Kraemer in 1486, speaks directly to all demonic possessions!" He returns, carefully holding a very dusty volume. He carefully opens and turns the pages. "Its knowledge of the occult is so comprehensive, Pope Innocent authorized that only twenty-eight editions be published -" He turns another page and his eyes devour the text. "YES! The entire procedure described - we simply need to transfer the evil spirits…" He frowns, "...Into some other human or an animal..."

Buffy smiles, "The Hyenas at the Zoo! The Zookeeper knew they were sick in the first place -"

Giles shuts the book and stands, motioning for Buffy. "Willow, continue your video research - whatever you do - don't let Xander out. Piper may I suggest you stay with Willow. Your freezing power could help keep him sedated… Buffy, Prue, Phoebe, you three come with me. We must find that Zookeeper -"

Buffy nods, "-Before those Hyena Kids get the munchies for more than bacon."

Motivated, Willow returns to work. Ejects the video cassette. Static, then the T.V. shifts out of VCR mode.

A news reporter stands in a clearing in the woods, as Paramedics remove a ripped up tennis shoe.

Piper shakes her head, "Buffy, Prue."

Willow nods, "Guys..."

Buffy, Prue, Phoebe and Giles stop at the door, then slowly approach the T.V. with growing horror.

A reporter on TV is talking, "...Where just hours ago, a young man, identified only by the label in his underwear as "Bobby," was mauled to death by a pack of wild dogs."

An ominous silence as they just look at each other, then at Xander - and what he's become.

Then Prue, Phoebe, Buffy and Giles turn quickly and leave.

At the Zoo Buffy and Giles urgently pace, look at their watches, as the Zookeeper sits. Prue and Phoebe stand there looking at the Zookeeper.

The Zookeeper looks like someone punched him in the stomach. "Thank goodness you came to me. You see, I was afraid this might happen when I brought the Hyenas from Africa..."

Prue, Phoebe, Giles and Buffy react to that incensed.

Giles is outraged. "-Excuse me. You knew your Hyena were possessed with an evil spirit, yet you -"

The Zookeeper nods, "-I explicitly warned those students -"

Buffy shakes her head, "-Reality Burrito, Senor. To High School students, an explicit warning is an invitation."

The Zookeeper points to a series of diplomas. "Young Lady - I have advanced degrees in Zoology, anthropology, primitive cultures - if I had ever thought that -"

Prue frowns, "It don't matter how many degrees you have. You should have been more careful..."

Giles nods, "Yes, well now the unthinkable has occurred -"

The Zookeeper shakes his head, "That young man's death is only the beginning." Buffy and Giles look at each other, shocked. "By my calculations, in the next several hours, the possessed students will be totally transformed by the Hyena Spirits. Once that occurs, the students can never return to normal."

Buffy horrified, "No more Xander..."

The Zookeeper is ominous, "Then, they'll be as dangerous to the public as if our own Hyenas had escaped the Zoo."

Buffy and Giles exchange an urgent glance.

Prue shakes her head, "Not if you help us."

The Zookeeper shakes his head, "I can't. I don't know how."

Giles nods, "What if we know something you don't know."

The Zookeeper is all pompous, I am the foremost authority on animal trans-possessions. If I haven't written the book, I've read it."

Giles nods, "You've obviously not read all the books on the subject, sir - the Malleus Maleficarum was quite clear regarding trans-possession."

The Zookeeper stares at Giles, shocked and impressed. "You have a copy? That book's been out of print since 1486... Who are you, anyway?"

Giles proudly removes some notes from his pocket. "I, sir, am a High School Librarian." He reads. "Trans-possession simply requires that one stare deeply into the Hyena's eyes while involved in a cruel act -"

The Zookeeper is lost in thought, "A cruel act... I see... of course... it's... so simple...No wonder good people can't find a cure - by their very nature they're incapable of committing the necessary cruel act."

Buffy nods, "-We just need your Hyenas as a receptacle for the flying spirits."

The Zookeeper nods, "Maybe I can help you after all-" Buffy and Giles look at him, hopeful. Prue and Phoebe look at him, skeptical. "The possessed students - how soon can you get them to the Hyena Cage?"

Buffy nods, "We caught one - but there's five more."

The Zookeeper reacts, suddenly anxious.

Giles nods, "Not to worry, Sir. That boy is secure in a cage in the school a library."

The Zookeeper shakes his head, "Oh no no no - after the Hyena People eat, they sleep - but the moment they wake, they'll search for the missing member of their Pack! They won't rest until they find him."

Giles and Buffy look at one another, horrified.

Buffy shakes her head, "Willow!" She then looks at Prue and Phoebe, "And Piper!"

They quickly make their way out of the Zoo and back to the school.

At the school Piper and Willow watches a tape.

Kyle calls out from somewhere, "Wil-lowwww... Wil-lowww..."

Willow storms out of her seat toward Xander, furious. "Xander, shut up."

Xander suddenly looks up, caught - the Cage Door's almost off its hinges. Then, while she's looking straight at Xander's face -

Kyle calls out again, "Wil-lowww... Wil-lowww..."

Piper frowns, "Willow it's not Xander."

Willow realizes something else terrifying: that Piper is right Xander's not the one calling her. She turns and sees five sets of yellow eyes staring through the library windows. Then there is a crash behind her. She turns back to see the cage door flings off its hinges. Willow shrieks as Xander lunges at her.

Piper freezes Xander, "Run I can't freeze them all."

They start to run as a another crash is heard behind them. Willow twists again to see the library windows crash open as the Hyena People suddenly lunge through the open windows, teeth flashing hideously.

Willow and Piper run across the library, but the growling, whooping, cackling Hyena People close in on them. They swipe at Willow, but she disappears around the corner of a bookcase.

Piper is close behind Willow as she runs around the corner of a bookcase.

Heidi and Tor stalk silently. Then, Willow and Piper pushes a bookcase over, burying them under a pile of books.

Xander unfreezes.

The rest of the Hyena People just jump over the pile of books, unfazed, moving in on their prey. They turn the corner and stop suddenly.

The Hyena People don't even talk. They split up through the stacks, searching for Willow and Piper. Xander sniffs the air.

Willow and Piper hide underneath a desk, holding their breath. Willow's eyes are closed, praying. Then her eyes open. The room is silent. She sighs, relieved... peers around the corner...

Xander smiles, "Wil-lowww... Piiip-per…"

Willow looks up. Xander lunges at her, teeth bared!

Willow dives away, but the Hyena People now race to the desk, growling and whooping in anticipation, when the library doors burst open. Buffy rushes toward.

Kyle turns to face Buffy, his mouth open. She shoves a book into it.

Buffy smiles, "Read more. Piper freeze who you can then get Willow out of here."

Buffy quickly vaults over the choking Kyle, flips and lands just in front of Xander, Rhonda and Mick - who let go of Willow. Buffy slams a chair across their faces. Piper grabs Willow's hand, pulling her away.

Giles and Phoebe stands at the open door, waving them on. "With dispatch! Quickly!" Giles said.

Piper and WILLOW race past the pile of overturned books, Buffy is not far behind. Suddenly, Heidi and Tor pop out of them - they lunge for Piper and Willow, when

Prue whacks Heidi and Tor across their faces with a three foot long newspaper spindle.

Giles smiles, "Periodical?"

Piper and Willow race through the library door, followed by Giles, Prue and Buffy. Buffy slams the library door in the pursuing Hyenas' faces. Giles locks it.

The library door shudders from the impact on the other side, as Willow and Giles jump back in fear.

Phoebe looks at Prue and Buffy, "What do we do now?"

Willow and Giles cringe, hoping the door will hold.

Buffy shakes her head, "Hold them for a moment."

Then suddenly, quiet. Willow cautiously approaches. Places her ear on the door. "They're gone -" Willow recoils slightly at the sound of breaking glass.

Giles looks at his watch, "If we don't change them back in the next hour, it's too late - they'll be Hyenas forever. And our friend -"

Willow nods, "-Xander will be lost."

Buffy moves suddenly for the door. "I'll catch them. Prue your with me. Piper, Phoebe you go with Giles and Willow.

Giles holds her arm to stop her. "Buffy - this isn't simply about plunging stakes into the Undead - You're over your head on this one. Let me come with you and Prue."

Buffy shakes her head, "You can't keep up. Prue will barely be able to. But I need her telekinesis power."

Giles and Willow just stare after Buffy as she and Prue books out of the doors.

Buffy and Prue runs through the empty Courtyard. Buffy Suddenly stops, searching.

Prue frowns, "Where did they go?"

Somewhere the Anderson Family sit in their car they hear a low growl.

Mrs. Anderson shakes her head, "Joey, that's ignorant and you know it."

Mr. Anderson nods, "Joey, how many times I tell you - chew with your mouth closed!"

Joey looks up, mouth full of food. "My mouth wath clothed!"

Rhonda calls out from outside the car, "Joe-yyy... Joe-yyy..."

Joey turns, agitated, to his sister. "Tiffany, thut up!"

But the little girl's FACE is frozen in fear.

Kyle leers at Tiffany, upside down, outside her window. "Tif-fanyyy... Tif-fanyyy..."

Suddenly, the car rocks violently as the horrified family sees Tor and Heidi jump on their hood. Mick and Xander climb onto the trunk, growling.

Then, the windshield shatters! Kyle and Rhonda reach in to grab the shrieking family.

Xander smashes through the back window, grabs Tiffany. Suddenly Xander goes flying away from the parked car.

The Hyena People stop, shocked.

Buffy smiles, "Hey, Xander! Didn't your Mom teach you? Don't play with your food."

Prue rolls her eyes.

Xander doesn't have a snappy comeback. The possession of the Hyena people has now reduced them to snarls and growls. He just bears his teeth and lunges onto the besieged Volvo - but Buffy's already running toward the Woods, taunting them.

Prue is right beside Buffy, "I really hope this works."

Buffy smiles, "Trust me, Prue. It will work."

Without hesitation, Xander forgets the Family and moves after Buffy. The other Hyena People follow Xander, Buffy and Prue as they penetrate the dark woods.

Xander chases Buffy and Prue through the Woods, toward the Zoo. Surreal moonlight illuminates the rising mist as Xander gains on them.

The Hyena People run with animal intensity. They can't speak - only growl and cackle, as they close in on Buffy and Prue.

Willow, Piper, Phoebe and Giles walk through the zoo. Willow's heart pounds anxiously as her eyes search the empty Zoo.

A shrill shriek pierces the still night. They stop, lost. Then Willow sees something and nods for Giles, Piper and Phoebe to follow her. "The pathway to the Hyena Pit."

Giles's eyes warily study the ominous pathway that dissolves into the blackness beyond. He swallows, summoning courage. "I'll go in and prepare the Zookeeper. Piper, Phoebe and Willow, you three stay here - you'll forewarn us when Buffy, Prue and the others approach.

Another animal shrieks. Willow watches Giles take another deep breath and disappear down the pathway.

Willow's eyes anxiously scan the surrounding area. Then she hears the sounds of cackling and growling - getting nearer.

Piper nods, "Willow go let them know. We'll wait out here for Buffy and Prue."

Willow nods and turns as she runs up the pathway, toward the Hyena Cage.

In the Hyena area Willow runs into the walkway, through the swirling fog. "They're almost here! Giles... Giles?..."

Only the silence. As she walks toward the cage, she sees an orange glow flickering, eerie, through the fog.

The Zookeeper chants. His wiry, well-cut body is covered with electric blue body paint, except for inch-thick WHITE CIRCLES around his mouth and eyes. Willow screams.

The Zookeeper shakes his head, "Don't scream. It's all part of the Masai tradition."

Willow looks around the empty cage. "Where are the Hyenas for the trans-possession?"

The Zookeeper nods, "Over there, in the feeding area."

Willow turns to see a low wall just outside the glowing altar. She can hear Hyenas pacing and growling. She moves to the wall, but the Zookeeper suddenly pulls her back.

The Zookeeper shakes his head, "Stay clear. They haven't been fed."

Willow looks around, "Where's Giles?"

The Zookeeper nods, "Don't worry. He's involved with his part of the plan."

Piper comes running in, "They're almost here."

Willow nods, "Shouldn't you bring the Hyenas out?"

The Zookeeper nods, "When the time is right." He looks to Piper, "Go back outside wait for them to come in and then come in behind them so they don't try and escape back out."

Piper nods and goes back outside to wait with Phoebe.

Buffy calls out as she gets closer to the entrance, "THEY'RE RIGHT... BEHIND ME!"

Willow nods, "That's Buffy! Get ready!" Willow is suddenly grabbed by the Zookeeper at knifepoint. "What're you doing?"

The Zookeeper smiles, "The cruel act, remember?"

Willow is uncertain, "Oh, right - you'll pretend to slash my throat and put The Evil in the Hyenas behind the wall -"

The Zookeeper nods, "Something like that." He presses the knife tighter.

Willow's dreadful realization sinks in. Buffy enters the caged area, exhausted. "BUFFY! IT'S A TRAP!"

Buffy sees Willow held at knifepoint. Jumps up to help her just as Xander dives on top of Buffy, knocking her to the ground.

The Hyena People race into the Hyena Cage and lunge for Buffy - their mouths and hands begin tearing greedily. Prue and Piper and Phoebe run in behind them.

The Zookeeper holds a horrified Willow, knife denting the skin of her throat.

Prue is about to telekinetically throw one of the Hyena People when she hears the Zookeeper.

Zookeeper incants, "NYMBA YA SANAA!"

The Hyena People stop. They look up from Buffy's body to meet the Zookeeper's electric eyes.

Suddenly the Zookeeper is infused with six demonic hyena spirits, he lets the knife clatter to the ground and grabs Willow's hair with one hand, her arm with his other, just about to rip into her when

Xander's eyes alive with fury, leaps up from the ground and dives on the Zookeeper, jarring Willow loose. The Zookeeper quickly regroups, picks up Xander for the final blow, when Buffy kicks him backwards, against the inner wall that separates them from the feeding area.

Buffy turns to see the dispossessed Hyena People running for their lives out of the cage. "Guess it's just us."

Willow helps Xander to his feet.

Xander nods, "That's all we'll need."

A feroucious growl and Xander suddenly turns to see the Zookeeper withhatred and hunger on his face, lunging for Willow. Xander kicks him the way Buffy did before - only without the same results - as the Zookeeper simply grabs Xander's ankle, pulling Xander's leg to his open mouth, when Willow lying on the ground nearby, lifts the knife with both hands and reluctantly drive in into the top of the Zookeeper's FOOT. The Zookeeper HOWLS in pain, immobile.

Buffy takes advantage of this while Xander grabs Willow, pulling her to safety. Buffy charges and jumps to deliver a two-footed flying drop-kick when the Zookeeper catches Buffy's feet in the mid-air and THROWS her backwards.

Buffy lands in a heap, the wind knocked out of her, directly in front of the internal wall which contains the Hyenas. We can HEAR their hungry GROWLING behind the wall.

The Zookeeper pulls the knife out of his foot, howling with the ferocity of a wounded animal and charges at Buffy.

She desperately looks around, her back to the wall. Suddenly, Buffy drops and grabs both of the Zookeeper's legs at the knees, then lifts and HEAVES him up and over the inside the wall containing the real Hyenas. The real hyenas cackle and whoop behind the wall, clawing on the Zookeeper's legs.

The Zookeeper appears just above the wall - barely pulling himself up.

Buffy instinctively reaches out to help him, when she hears a spine-chilling roar and the Zookeeper's yanked below the wall, out of sight.

Everyone reacts as they listen to the horrible chewing, crunching, slurping sounds of the Hyenas feeding time. Then they hear another noise.

Giles, rubs his head as he approaches from the walkway. "Did I miss anything?"

Buffy looks at Prue, Piper and Phoebe.

That evening back at the Manor Prue, Piper, Phoebe and Buffy sit in the living room.

Buffy shakes her head, "Why couldn't I save him. I know he wasn't good but he was still a human being. Which technically made him an innocent even if it meant trying to protect him from himself."

Prue nods, "One thing I think we can all agree on here is not all innocents can be saved."

Piper nods, "Besides he did try and kill you after the Hyena spirit went into him."

Buffy sighs, "I know, I just wish there had been a way to save him is all."

The next day in the library Buffy, Willow and Giles watch a shocked Xander read The San Francisco Chronicle. He looks at the Newspaper Headline: "HYENA KILL ZOOKEEPER' SENT BACK TO AFRICA."

Willow sighs, "...First we thought you'd gone "Sosh" on us -"

Xander nods, "C'mon, I could never be that snotty..."

Buffy sighs, "At the end, you were minutes away from going full-time Hyena."

Xander nods, "Hey believe me, I don't remember anything. Nothing - From when I tried to save Lance in the Hyena Pit, to when I woke up there and tried to save Willow -"

Willow leans into Xander. "So you do remember saving my life?"

Xander leans into her, sincere. "No one messes with my Willow."

Willow beams. This is all she needed to hear.

Buffy nods, "You better not remember, because you talked some trash to me that -"

Xander nods, "Hey, I wish I could say that I went to this beautiful place - and you were there, and you were there, and you were there - But I can't." He shrugs. "All those slides are missing."

Buffy and Willow look at each other. Willow nods okay. "Alright...well... We're just glad you're back - on two feet again."

Buffy and Willow leave.

Xander smiles until they're safely out the door. Then he turns to see Giles hold up the Malleus Maleficarum with a knowing expression.

Giles nods, "I think they bought that - Hyena Boy."

Suddenly, Xander's smile fades, realizing Giles knows. "Shoot me, stuff me, mount me-" He grabs his head and rolls off the chair. "I am so HUMILIATED!"