Chapter Three
His footsteps were the only sound echoing in the deserted streets of Roswell. That was when Xander realized something. Strolling, or was it patrolling, deserted streets had become quite an occupation for him lately. He had done more than his fair share of it in Sunnydale, and for the second night he was doing the same in Roswell. Except this time, unlike last night, he knew there was something that needed looking into. He sometimes wished that he could bury his head in the sand and believe that all was right in the world, but he couldn't do it. He had seen to much death, to much hope taken away from people. It was a habit that made him check his surroundings for anything unusual, a second nature instinct that he did everywhere he went. He was still angry with himself for losing his target last night. He couldn't be 100% certain that his quarry, the scream and the missing girl were all connected but he also didn't believe in that much co-incidence.
He was about to give up patrolling for the night when he heard the sounds of a scuffle from an alley he had just passed. Spinning around quickly he headed off down the darkened path, towards where he had heard the sound. Turning a corner he was confronted by a sight which both sickened him and filled him with rage.
A young girl of about 16 was being dragged away by her throat. Her assailant was in full vamp mode, totally oblivious to the girl's attempts to get away.
Xander reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out both a stake and a vial of holy water. He knew he had the element of surprise, but that would last only as long as the first strike, so he had to make it count. 'No matter what, I'm not going to let the girl get taken away,' he thought.
Moving purposely but quietly behind the pair, he waited for an opening, before running at full pace, smashing the vial of holy water over the head of the vampire. The effect was immediate. In a split second the vampire let go of his captive and grasped his head in agony. It was in that brief moment that Xander took full advantage and plunged his stake in to the heart of the creature, watching coldly as it dissipated into a thousand particles of dust.
Xander turned slowly to the girl who was cowering in the corner. "Are you okay?" he asked softly.
She just looked at him, to scared to talk.
Xander walked over slowly to her and gently helped her up. "Let's get you home."
She nodded in response and allowed Xander to walk her to the street. From there she directed him to her car which was only a short way down the street. Xander had not wanted to let her drive home, as she was to shaken up, but once she arrived she was adamant that she was okay to go home. She got into the car before Xander could object and took off.
Xander watched the car disappear, before resuming his walk to his motel.
**********************
Isabel had to fight the urge to vomit and the smell of burnt bodies filled her nostrils. She had never seen such carnage. It frightened her. She was about to run away, when she noticed that Xander kneeling over two of the bodies. She noticed that they were the two girls from the photograph, and that they didn't seem to be burnt. She walked over slowly and knelt down across from him, not looking at the two girls in front of her. They may not have been burnt but she guessed that they were dead and she did not want to face that.
"Are you okay?" she asked gently.
Xander lifted his head and seemed surprised to see her there. "Do I know you?" he asked.
"No."
"You look familiar," he replied, searching his memory.
"Maybe you have seen me around," Isabel continued innocently.
Xander nodded in response. "You should leave here."
"Why?"
"If you stay you'll get hurt," Xander said as he moved away.
"Why would you hurt me?"
Xander spun around. Isabel noticed that he seemed shocked that she could have suggested such a thing. "I wouldn't hurt you." He paused. "But I couldn't save you either." He looked around at the carnage around him. "I couldn't save any of them."
"How could you have saved them?"
Before Xander had a chance to answer his body stiffened. The terror he felt making his muscles rigid. "Get out of here, it's coming!"
Isabel ran up to him and grabbed his arm. "What is?"
"Go, please. You should live." Xander shook her arm off and headed away.
Isabel was about to follow him when she heard a roar from behind her. As she spun around she saw the wall behind her ignite in flame. It seemed to pulse, as if it had a will of it's own. Isabel backed away watching with a mixture of awe and fear as it crawled closer. She backed into Xander. He was just standing there, as if accepting his fate.
"Come with me?" she asked him.
Xander shook his head, "No, I should stay."
Isabel grabbed hold of his hand; "no you're getting out with me." She closed her eyes and concentrated.
*******************
Xander woke up with a start. But this time it was different. He remembered a girl. He tried to remember more, but all he could remember was her face. Shaking his head, he got up and went to take a shower. He leant against the wall, letting the cool water wash his nightmare sweat away from his body.
******************
Isabel couldn't get any further sleep that night. Her mind was haunted by her experiences. She had admitted to herself that she found the dark haired stranger attractive, but there was something more. When she looked at him, she felt that she had to help him. As if it was fated to be so. These dual feelings confused her but she knew she couldn't stop.
Leaving her house before breakfast, half because she wanted time on her own and the other half to avoid questions from Max, she set off for Liz's place. She was the one person that she felt would listen to what she wanted to say. As she neared the 'Crashdown Café' she noticed Xander walking along the other side of the street. She quickly ducked into a shop alcove and watched him from a distance.
Xander felt the hairs on the back of his neck prick up. He knew that someone was watching him instinctively. He was just about to turn around when a voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Hi."
He saw to his side was the girl that he had saved the night before. When she saw that he recognized her, she flung herself into his arms, holding him tight.
"Thank you," she whispered to him.
Xander disengaged himself, "No problem. Are you feeling okay now?"
"Yes," she replied a little embarrassed at her impulsive hug. "Umm, hi. I'm Cindy," she said as she held out her hand.
"Xander," he replied taking her hand in a warm shake.
Isabel watched the encounter wondering just how Cindy knew this guy. She felt a slight pang of jealousy as they embraced, but put it out of her mind. As they went there separate ways, Isabel walked over to Cindy.
"Cindy?" she called out.
Cindy turned and saw Isabel Evans coming towards her. She tensed up a bit. Isabel had never gone out of her way to talk to her before.
"Oh, hi, Isabel."
"Hi," Isabel replied smiling a little too hard. "Who was that guy you were talking to?"
Cindy smiled inwardly. Isabel Evans was jealous of her. "Oh that was Xander," she replied flippantly.
"His name is Xander," Isabel repeated mainly to herself.
"Yeah, he rescued me last night," Cindy continued still enjoying the fact she had information Isabel wanted.
"He what?"
"He rescued me. He was amazing."
Isabel grabbed hold of Cindy's shoulder, lightly, but strong enough to get her mind in focus. "Please tell me what happened."
Cindy could see that she was serious. "I was grabbed by this guy last night. Xander got rid of him and rescued me. I've been wondering if he saved me from the same people that had taken those other girls."
"He saved you," Isabel whispered to herself.
************************
Xander had picked up the local paper from down the street and was relieved to hear that no one else had been taken. He was shocked to find out however that were three girls missing, from the last week. Not liking the sound of this he decided that he should put his Scooby gang skill to good work and headed off to the Roswell library, hoping that it had a good demonology section.
************************
Michael, Max, Liz and Maria all turned as one Isabel walked into the Crashdown café. Isabel cursed herself for not coming to the café straight away, but after what Cindy had told her she had to sit down and think things through again. Walking over with a sigh, she decided that she might as well get the interrogation over and done with.
"Are you okay, Is?" Max asked.
"Huh!" Isabel replied not really having her mind on things.
"Are you alright?" Max asked again.
"I'm fine," she replied.
Michael looked at Isabel closer. "So what did you find out?"
"Michael!" Liz admonished.
"No, Liz, this is important," Michael countered.
Isabel realized she had to say something. "Something has happened to him. Something horrible."
"But is he with the government?" Michael continued.
"I doubt it."
"But you aren't sure?" Max asked.
"You know what he did last night?" Isabel retorted, sick of the lack of trust on her judgement. When no one answered she continued. "He saved Cindy Franklin from an attacker. Maybe the same ones who have taken those other girls."
"What do you mean?" Max asked.
"According to Cindy, she was taken and Xander, that's his name by the way, saved her."
"Wow!" Maria exclaimed.
"Yeah I know," Isabel added with a smile that neither Max nor Michael missed.
"I think you should give me the photograph," Max said softly but forcefully.
"Why?" Isabel said shocked at the suggestion.
"Because it isn't helping us at all."
"I can find out what is going on," Isabel offered in her defense, but even she knew that her reason sounded weak.
"Can you?" Michael asked. "You seem to have a big attachment to this. What if he sees you? How will you explain that?"
"Michael, just trust me okay. I need to do this."
"Why?"
"I can't explain it, but I need to." Isabel got up and walked out. Liz shot Max and Michael a look before taking off after her. She met up with Isabel outside.
"What is it?" she asked gently.
"I spoke to him in the dream last night. There was death all around him. The two girls in the photograph were lying dead at his feet. There was this fire. It was as if it was alive. And with all this going on he spoke to me with kindness and sorrow."
Liz noticed that this was affecting Isabel deeply. "Do you think his friends are dead?"
Isabel shook her head. "It is hard to say. It is more a representation of what is happening than actual fact. But then Cindy tells me about what he did for her last night. He risked his own life for a stranger."
Liz studied Isabel as she spoke noticing the emotions that she spoke with. "You seem to be falling for him."
Isabel looked at Liz for a moment before laughing. "I've never met him, get real."
Part Four
Xander wandered into the Crashdown Café later in the afternoon after spending most of the day checking out the rather sparse demonology section of the Roswell City Library. He saw one of the girls he had met yesterday and walked up to her at he counter.
He approached her with a smile, "Hi."
"Oh, hi. Can I get you something?" Liz asked.
"Just a Coke thanks. Do you have pay phone?"
"Yes just over there," Liz said as she pointed to the far corner and handed Xander his drink.
Xander took it from her. "Thanks. I'm Xander, by the way."
"Liz."
"Did my photo turn up yet?"
"Sorry, but I haven't seen it."
"Thanks anyway," Xander said, before turning away and heading to the phone.
Michael, who had been observing Xander as he walked in, moved to sit closer to where the phone was, ignoring the look that Liz gave him.
Xander deposited the coins and dialed the number, hoping that he was at home. After a couple of rings, someone answered.
"Rupert Giles"
"Giles, its Xander"
"Xander, thank god. How are you?"
Xander smiled to himself. It was good to hear Giles's voice. "I'm okay. Look there is something going on here."
"What kind of things?"
"The things that we have been fighting for years."
"And you can't talk where you are?"
"Not really."
He could here Giles sighing. "Okay so what can you tell me."
"There are some missing girls. Three of them. I stopped the fourth one last night, dusted the ... hostile."
"Xander, you're not going patrolling are you?"
Even through the phone line, Xander could guess at the disapproving look Giles was giving him. "I'm playing it safe."
"Where are you?"
"Roswell."
"The 'Alien' Roswell."
"Yep, the 'weird things occur in Roswell,' Roswell and weird things are definitely happening."
"I'll look into it. Do you have a contact number?"
"Yeah you can reach me, or leave a message at the Tumbleweed Motel. Number is 555 4367."
"Xander, please don't do anything foolish. Stay safe."
"Don't worry Giles, It's under control." Xander up the phone, a little annoyed at Giles's worry, but pleased to have it none the less. He gave Liz a wave and left.
As son as he had gone, Michael moved over to the phone. As soon as it was answered he spoke urgently. "Max, get over to the café immediately."
************************
Max and Isabel arrived at the café about 10 minutes later. Seeing Michael they both went over to him, noticing that he looked like he was about ready to explode with whatever information he had.
"He's with the government." Michael stated.
"No, he's not," Isabel automatically replied.
"Get some focus, Isabel. I overheard one of his phone conversations. He was talking about girls missing, weirdness in Roswell and fighting 'them' for years."
"He's not with the FBI," Isabel answered firmly.
"We can't be sure of that, Is." Max offered trying to be the balance between the other two.
"So what do we do?" Michael asked.
"Well, he seems to come in here a lot. We should wait for the next time he comes in and follow him. See if we can find out what he is up to," Max suggested.
"I'm not having anything to do with this," Isabel said getting up.
Michael grabbed her arm. "What is up with you?"
"I'm not going to listen to this," Isabel replied. She started to leave but saw that Xander was standing at the window, obviously planning to come in. She quickly turned around and exited via the back, hoping that he hadn't spotted her as of yet.
Michael noticed Xander coming through the door. He turned to Max. "This is getting out of hand."
Max nodded, "Don't worry I'll talk to her."
Xander noticed a beautiful young woman leaving the back of the café. There was something familiar about her, but he didn't get a good chance to look at her face. Shrugging it off he was glad when he noticed that Liz was still behind the counter. Thinking that she was the closest thing he had to a friend in Roswell he went up to her.
"Hi, again."
Liz returned the greeting with a smile. Although she was worried about Isabel attatchment to him, she found Xander to be friendly company. "Hi Xander, here again?"
"Yeah. Friendly people, atmosphere and great food," he replied with exaggerated hand movements.
Liz laughed, "Great food, now I know you're joking."
"Maybe a little," Xander admitted. From behind him Xander heard a male voice.
"Liz, could we get some more drinks?"
Xander noticed the way Liz smiled at Max as she nodded her head. 'Seen that look before,' he thought to himself.
Xander turned around and got a closer look at Max. He held out his hand. "Xander Harris."
Max took his hand without hesitation. "Max Evans. So what brings you to Roswell?"
Xander shrugged. "It was a place to come. Never been here before. Interesting history, you know the whole alien thing."
Max gave no reaction to the comment, his face showing no emotion at all. "Have you checked out the UFO center?"
"Yeah I popped in there. The manager was a little kooky."
Max chuckled. "Yeah he is. So are you staying long?"
Xander got the feeling that he was being pumped for information. He didn't know why, but didn't think the answer would hurt him. "For a few days. Looking into a few things."
"What things?"
Xander now knew he was being pumped. Whatever reason Max had for asking these questions, Xander wasn't in any mood to be acommodating. "Just things," he replied. "I'll be over there," he said to Liz, pointing to the only empty booth in the place. He gave Max a small nod before heading over to take a seat.
After he had left, Liz walked over to Max. "What are you doing?"
"I was just asking some questions."
"You were drawing attention to yourself," she added.
"Either he is after us or he isn't. Either way it won't hurt us."
Xander watched Liz and Max whispering back and forth to each other, every now again they would glance quickly in his direction. He wondered why they were so interested in him. He wanted to believe that they had nothing to do with the vampires, but experience had taught him that looks could be deceiving.
*****************
Deep in the heart of a cave, situated on the out skirts of Roswell three girls looked on in horror as a group of vampires, knelt chanting to what looked like to them a hole in the ground.
Mary Chambers had been there the longest. She had lost track of the exact time of day, but thought it must be over a week. The other two had arrived after her. She did not know their names. The girls had been forbidden to talk, and after seeing what their captives looked like they had no thoughts of disobeying them. The chains that they used to hold them were beginning to cut into her wrists and ankles, making it uncomfortable to stand.
She glanced to the side as one of her fellow captives groaned and collasped, her entire body weight coming to bare on her twisted legs. The groan disturbed the vampires from their worship. The one that Mary felt was the leader came over and roughly slapped the girl across the face.
"You disturb us again and you will die where you stand." He growled at her.
Mary felt sick to her stomach as she watched her captor grin maliciously at them. "Don't worry, your time has almost come. We only need another two and then you will be free of the chains."
Mary didn't believe for one minute that he meant they would be able to go home. She prayed that no one else would be taken. It was the same prayer she made every night.
**************
Max softly knocked on his sisters door. "Is?"
After a couple of seconds he heard a faint reply. "Come in."
He opened the door to find Isabel sitting on her bed. He also noticed that she had the photo of Xander Harris on her bedside table.
"Can we talk?"
"What about?" Isabel really didn't need him to answer that.
"Xander Harris."
Isabel sighed and turned away from him. "I don't want to hear it."
Max walked over and sat down next to her on the bed. "I don't understand, why you are so hung up on him."
Isabel gave her brother a look. "I'm not hung up on him. I just don't think that he is the threat you and Michael think he is."
"Didn't you hear what Michael said earlier?"
"Michael jumps to conclusions too easily."
"Michael can be impulsive, but I think he is right this time. I talked to him. For whatever reason Xander Harris is staying in town for a few more days, and I think it may have something to do with us."
Isabel got up and went over to the table that the picture of Xander was sitting on. Picking it up she stared at Xander's face. Every once of her being telling her that Max and Michael were wrong about him, but she had no way to prove it to them.
"Max, please listen to me and trust my judgement for once. I know that he isn't a danger to us. I feel it in my heart."
Max looked at her closely. "You feel something for him."
It wasn't a question.
"I can't let it go."
Max looked down at his feet. His first instinct was to tell Isabel to drop it, but he knew she wouldn't. Isabel moved closer to her brother. "I promise I won't do anything to endanger us."
*****************
Xander moved from shadow to shadow, trying to keep himself out of sight. He had no guarantee that he would find what he was looking for, but he knew something was going on. He had to do something.
He had been searching for an hour and couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. Each time he turned to see who it was, he never caught a glimpse of his pursuer, but he knew that they were there.
He didn't think it was vampires. If it were he would have been attacked by now. Vampires weren't very patient in these situations. His thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of a scuffle ahead of him. Moving quickly but carefully, keeping to the shadows, Xander moved around the corner. As he did he heard movement behind him. Turning around quickly he noticed one of Max's friends moving up behind him. This time he hadn't been quick enough to duck out of the way.
Michael froze, realizing he had been spotted. He was surprised to see Xander just motioned for him to stay put. Wondering what the heck Xander was up to Michael ignored his advice and took off after him, but this time staying a little further behind.
As Xander rounded another corner he saw two vampires, dragging away two girls. He cursed himself for not getting another fill up of holy water, his one bottle wasn't going to be as effective this time. Knowing that it would take a bit of luck, Xander was extra careful in waiting for his opening. It appeared quickly as one of the girls managed to break free for a second. He took that opportunity to rush the vampire that was closest to him, driving a stake through its heart before it had a chance to react.
Unfortunately any surprise he may have had evaporated as the second vampire turned to face him. He shoved his captive down and walked steadily towards Xander.
"You will die for disturbing the sacrifices of the Intended."
Xander ignored him, yelling at the two girls, "Run, don't stop, just run." As soon as they had taken off he focused his attention on the vampire that was still stalking him.
"So what Master do you serve?" Xander said backing off a little bit. "Don't they ever have a new plan?"
"You dare to mock me," the vampire spat back.
"Mock, Mock, Mock, but you are only one and you have no girls," Xander retorted the adrenaline running through his system, giving him all the bravado he needed.
"I will kill you."
"Then I die," Xander deadpanned. Suddenly before Xander could react the vampire was on top of him. Knocking him to the ground. His head hit hard on the pavement. Groggily he tried to get up, noticing that Michael had followed him. "Get out of here, you idiot!" he yelled as hard as he could through his dizziness.
He tried to get up, but was met by a boot in the ribs from his attacker, the blow knocking the wind out of him and more that likely fracturing a few ribs. He fell to the ground, gasping of air. He turned to face his attacker, hoping that he would be able to defend himself. But as he did the vampire grabbed hold of his neck, pulling Xander up to face him.