Chapter 7
Janice...oh god...this...this isn't...happening...Janice...
The words echoed in her head as they repeated themselves over and over again. Images of blood and script raced through he mind all around the image of Janice's face before she left. Dawn hadn't even noticed they were in the car driving.
Through the words and images she came to the surface and sensed the people around her. Buffy was holding her, salty tears drying on her face. Giles driving, look of sadness and determination on his face. Willow staring blankly at the back of the seat. Her face pale and expressionless.
The harshness and depressing state pushed her back into herself. Alone inside she replayed what happened. After waking, her mind collapsed under the onrush of emotions and memories. Her body gave out and sobbed. The darkness overtook her and she retreated into herself. Coming out only at the feeling of movement then pushed back as the emotions came again.
She didn't want to be out there, where things were horrible and mean. Where her friends were murdered because of someone else decided to use them in a sick game. No definitely not.
Dawn felt movement again. She didn't want to leave the haze. Trying desperately to keep it she latched on to the warmth that surrounded her. Bu it was broken by voices.
"...Spike since...were stronger...so it took...of blood curdling torture..."
Spike
In all this she had forgotten him. He was gone, and the things he must have gone through. The thought made her shiver as involuntarily her mind made images of him screaming in pain. Skin on his legs being…She almost lost it and made her go back inside when more voices were heard.
"...Buffy, yours are...you're the slayer...he hasn't just snatched...torturing you"
Buffy...No this couldn't happen to her...She wasn't going to let it...Not that...Too many...
The thoughts brought fresh tears to run over the long since dried on her face. She wanted to go back in. But something wasn't letting her. Something that aid she had to stay and make sure things don't happen to others. Dawn didn't know what or why, only that going back wouldn't help any.
Her tears stopped when the warmth around her left and was replaced by spots of warmth on her shoulder, moving in circles, and on her knee, just resting there. Her senses came alive, she smelled strawberries, faint and tainted.
Willow...
Her body as it prepared for the panic that would rip through her. But none came. She felt no anger, no fear, just familiarity. This touch, felt familiar. She recognized it. It was a touch of comfort, and love. Love from one of her friends. Dawn fled into it. Savoring it. Something other than pain that made her almost open her eyes.
Her thoughts were removed and her eyes shot open. Looking toward a sound that seemed to chill her soul. A scream that seem to radiate to everyone in the room.
***********
Janice is dead...huh...
Once death had seemed something of fear, something you needed to protect people from. But now, it was just there. It took who it wanted. Not caring who it hurt or what damage it did. Death just was a part of life.
But this is not...
Whatever this is, it didn't just take people, it used them. The rage could be seen boiling in her veins. A familiar train of thought ran through her head.
Why...it was pointless, just to keep us here. Why.
With those her eyes clamped shut. No she wasn't going to cry now. Later, when she was alone and when others didn't rely on her she would cry, but not now. Quickly wiping the tears before they could fall.
Her thoughts and emotions were interrupted by the jingle of the bell and Anya squeaking Xanders name. Before she turned, Willow felt a rush of happiness. He was the only one she believed didn't hate her. But when she saw his face, any attempt to smile faded. He was panting. With a haggard look on his face. Then she noticed the envelope.
For a moment her focus was on the blood script on the front of the envelope. Involuntarily her mind reached out and touched it. A flash of pure rage and pain sent her back into her seat. Looking around to see if anyone noticed her slip up. They had been talking. And Buffy was motioning her to hold the quivering figure in the corner.
It took her a moment while walking to remember that this was Dawn. The poor girl, she didn't deserve any of this. She hadn't done anything other than try and be a normal girl. But life had been unfair. Her mind was about to complete the thought with a "Oh well" But something in her heart tugged and suddenly all the love she held for that shaking figure came flooding into her.
This was her friend. Willow loved her, she would always love this little girl. This was a moment that she needed to know that someone loves her. That she wasn't alone. Something that had been done for Willow.
She hadn't learned enough to do anything drastic. But this was well within her power. Before she had feared using her magic, fearing a repeat. But now she knew, it wasn't the magic, it was her. As long as she controlled herself, she controlled the magic. And this was what it was meant to be used for. Helping those she loved.
So with no hesitation. Willow sat next to her, placing a hand on her shoulder and another on her knee. She reached out a poured all her love into the touch. Making circles on her back with her hand flat, she massaged the happiness she felt that her friend was here, with her.
For a moment Dawn tensed, then slowly relaxed. The emotions moving through her.
The concentration on the connection Willow used was snapped as every head in the shop slowly turned towards the sound. She visibly shuddered at the scream. She could feel the pain coming off of it. She focused and ignored the scurrying people about her. Willow's mind went out to the scream, searching.
Her teeth clattered as if she had been punched in the jaw. She had found the person. Raw emotion everywhere, pain above all. A slew of images flashed before her eyes. A body on a tree. Blood dripping down a leg. Hands tied. She couldn't make out everything, but few things stood out. Blue eyes, and platinum hair.
She was thrown against the book case at the force of feedback.
When she opened her eyes she noticed everyone was staring at her. Everyone except Buffy. She was gone. Realizing the questioning stares, she shared one word before blacking out.
"Spike"
***********
NO!!!NO!!!
A scream ripped through him, The pain burned through him and consumed every Nerve ending in him. The memory came in flashes. Blood. glint of a blade. Cries of agony. Pleads for help. The horror encased on a face. Dawn. Buffy.
Another scream came out of him, all the pain and emotion echoed within him and came out with it. The images started to blur together. He tried with all his might to stop them, to keep them from forming the memory that he knew would break him. But no matter how hard he tried, it came anyway. He fell into unconsciousness.
His eyes fluttered open. And he took in his surroundings. He was in a house, what most likely was the living room, tied to a chair. He noticed that even though with his super strength he couldn't break the simple rope that bound him to the chair. He heard a whimper. Looking up he saw Buffy and Dawn tied to separate chairs in front of him. They both looked unmarked. But both were unconscious. He had to get them out of there. He didn't know what, but something bad was going to happen.
"Buffy!Dawn! Wake up!"
They shifted and moaned slowly coming back. Both looked bewildered. Looking around they locked there eyes on him. A look of hurt crossing their faces. Dawn was the first to say anything.
"What did you do?"
Her voice was a whisper. His head flooded with bewilderment. He didn't know what was happening. But This was too much. Before he could do anything he saw a shadow shift and come forward. He stared in horror. It was him. He was standing there. In his black duster, no injuries, just a evil glint in his eyes. He tried to yell out, but suddenly there was a piece of tape on his mouth.
Spike took out a knife and cut the ropes holding dawn. Not being careful to not cut the skin. She began to struggle, when Spike forcefully smacked her. She flew to the ground. Her eyes were locked to him in the chair. The pain and tears blurring them.
DEAR GOD NO!!!PLEASE NO!!!
He jerked against the chair. He knew what was coming next.
Desperately trying to get to her before it could happen. But the chair didn't budge or move at all. He screamed for him to stop. But the Damn tape kept his voice distant.
Spike pinned her hands above her, slowly trailing the knife down her shirt, cutting cloth and skin. He tried to cry out to her, but the tape muffled it. He could hear her whimpers, and Buffy's pleas for him to stop.
Spike groped and tore at Dawn as he thrust against her. But her eyes stayed locked on the person in the chair. Her pain filled voice filling the air.
"Why?"
Tears rolled down his cheeks, watching the act before him. When Spike was done, he caressed dawns face then in a blur snapped her neck with a sickening laugh. With sudden shock he screamed, eyes wide, tears pouring down his face. She was gone.
I...I...I killed...D...Dawn
Clamping his eyes shut, trying desperately to push it away. But another whimper brought him out of it. And a slithering voice infected the air.
"Mmm.Buffy"
He jerked forward. But still no movement. Spike was now behind buffy. Trailing the knife against her cheeks, cutting long gashes. Her eyes were staring at him in the chair. Her hate, pain and fear nearly knocking him back. The words Spike was saying was lost to his ears as all his focus went to Buffy's hate filled face. Suddenly another blur and blood was seeping from Buffy's throat.
With a final swift movement forward the tape and ropes disappeared and he was at her side. She was now on the floor, her prone body jerked as she tried to breath. Blood was filling her lungs. He had an urg to touch her face, but couldn't fearing to cause more damage. Her mouth opened and he looked in her eyes.
"You"
With that she was gone, he was now alone, in darkness. Words playing out over and over again.
YOU DID THIS! YOU KILLED THEM!
He cried into the never ending darkness. He screamed and cried, but he was alone now. Replaying the memory over and over again.
***********
A smile crossed it's lips as the scream rang in it's ears. The memory did a good job. It hadn't heard someone scream that loud in a hundred years. Of course it would drive the vampire insane, but his usefulness came to an end once the slayer got here. They might be able to bring him back from the darkness of his mind, but not likely.
Another scream rang out, louder from the first.
The smile grew.
Soon very soon...
Janice...oh god...this...this isn't...happening...Janice...
The words echoed in her head as they repeated themselves over and over again. Images of blood and script raced through he mind all around the image of Janice's face before she left. Dawn hadn't even noticed they were in the car driving.
Through the words and images she came to the surface and sensed the people around her. Buffy was holding her, salty tears drying on her face. Giles driving, look of sadness and determination on his face. Willow staring blankly at the back of the seat. Her face pale and expressionless.
The harshness and depressing state pushed her back into herself. Alone inside she replayed what happened. After waking, her mind collapsed under the onrush of emotions and memories. Her body gave out and sobbed. The darkness overtook her and she retreated into herself. Coming out only at the feeling of movement then pushed back as the emotions came again.
She didn't want to be out there, where things were horrible and mean. Where her friends were murdered because of someone else decided to use them in a sick game. No definitely not.
Dawn felt movement again. She didn't want to leave the haze. Trying desperately to keep it she latched on to the warmth that surrounded her. Bu it was broken by voices.
"...Spike since...were stronger...so it took...of blood curdling torture..."
Spike
In all this she had forgotten him. He was gone, and the things he must have gone through. The thought made her shiver as involuntarily her mind made images of him screaming in pain. Skin on his legs being…She almost lost it and made her go back inside when more voices were heard.
"...Buffy, yours are...you're the slayer...he hasn't just snatched...torturing you"
Buffy...No this couldn't happen to her...She wasn't going to let it...Not that...Too many...
The thoughts brought fresh tears to run over the long since dried on her face. She wanted to go back in. But something wasn't letting her. Something that aid she had to stay and make sure things don't happen to others. Dawn didn't know what or why, only that going back wouldn't help any.
Her tears stopped when the warmth around her left and was replaced by spots of warmth on her shoulder, moving in circles, and on her knee, just resting there. Her senses came alive, she smelled strawberries, faint and tainted.
Willow...
Her body as it prepared for the panic that would rip through her. But none came. She felt no anger, no fear, just familiarity. This touch, felt familiar. She recognized it. It was a touch of comfort, and love. Love from one of her friends. Dawn fled into it. Savoring it. Something other than pain that made her almost open her eyes.
Her thoughts were removed and her eyes shot open. Looking toward a sound that seemed to chill her soul. A scream that seem to radiate to everyone in the room.
***********
Janice is dead...huh...
Once death had seemed something of fear, something you needed to protect people from. But now, it was just there. It took who it wanted. Not caring who it hurt or what damage it did. Death just was a part of life.
But this is not...
Whatever this is, it didn't just take people, it used them. The rage could be seen boiling in her veins. A familiar train of thought ran through her head.
Why...it was pointless, just to keep us here. Why.
With those her eyes clamped shut. No she wasn't going to cry now. Later, when she was alone and when others didn't rely on her she would cry, but not now. Quickly wiping the tears before they could fall.
Her thoughts and emotions were interrupted by the jingle of the bell and Anya squeaking Xanders name. Before she turned, Willow felt a rush of happiness. He was the only one she believed didn't hate her. But when she saw his face, any attempt to smile faded. He was panting. With a haggard look on his face. Then she noticed the envelope.
For a moment her focus was on the blood script on the front of the envelope. Involuntarily her mind reached out and touched it. A flash of pure rage and pain sent her back into her seat. Looking around to see if anyone noticed her slip up. They had been talking. And Buffy was motioning her to hold the quivering figure in the corner.
It took her a moment while walking to remember that this was Dawn. The poor girl, she didn't deserve any of this. She hadn't done anything other than try and be a normal girl. But life had been unfair. Her mind was about to complete the thought with a "Oh well" But something in her heart tugged and suddenly all the love she held for that shaking figure came flooding into her.
This was her friend. Willow loved her, she would always love this little girl. This was a moment that she needed to know that someone loves her. That she wasn't alone. Something that had been done for Willow.
She hadn't learned enough to do anything drastic. But this was well within her power. Before she had feared using her magic, fearing a repeat. But now she knew, it wasn't the magic, it was her. As long as she controlled herself, she controlled the magic. And this was what it was meant to be used for. Helping those she loved.
So with no hesitation. Willow sat next to her, placing a hand on her shoulder and another on her knee. She reached out a poured all her love into the touch. Making circles on her back with her hand flat, she massaged the happiness she felt that her friend was here, with her.
For a moment Dawn tensed, then slowly relaxed. The emotions moving through her.
The concentration on the connection Willow used was snapped as every head in the shop slowly turned towards the sound. She visibly shuddered at the scream. She could feel the pain coming off of it. She focused and ignored the scurrying people about her. Willow's mind went out to the scream, searching.
Her teeth clattered as if she had been punched in the jaw. She had found the person. Raw emotion everywhere, pain above all. A slew of images flashed before her eyes. A body on a tree. Blood dripping down a leg. Hands tied. She couldn't make out everything, but few things stood out. Blue eyes, and platinum hair.
She was thrown against the book case at the force of feedback.
When she opened her eyes she noticed everyone was staring at her. Everyone except Buffy. She was gone. Realizing the questioning stares, she shared one word before blacking out.
"Spike"
***********
NO!!!NO!!!
A scream ripped through him, The pain burned through him and consumed every Nerve ending in him. The memory came in flashes. Blood. glint of a blade. Cries of agony. Pleads for help. The horror encased on a face. Dawn. Buffy.
Another scream came out of him, all the pain and emotion echoed within him and came out with it. The images started to blur together. He tried with all his might to stop them, to keep them from forming the memory that he knew would break him. But no matter how hard he tried, it came anyway. He fell into unconsciousness.
His eyes fluttered open. And he took in his surroundings. He was in a house, what most likely was the living room, tied to a chair. He noticed that even though with his super strength he couldn't break the simple rope that bound him to the chair. He heard a whimper. Looking up he saw Buffy and Dawn tied to separate chairs in front of him. They both looked unmarked. But both were unconscious. He had to get them out of there. He didn't know what, but something bad was going to happen.
"Buffy!Dawn! Wake up!"
They shifted and moaned slowly coming back. Both looked bewildered. Looking around they locked there eyes on him. A look of hurt crossing their faces. Dawn was the first to say anything.
"What did you do?"
Her voice was a whisper. His head flooded with bewilderment. He didn't know what was happening. But This was too much. Before he could do anything he saw a shadow shift and come forward. He stared in horror. It was him. He was standing there. In his black duster, no injuries, just a evil glint in his eyes. He tried to yell out, but suddenly there was a piece of tape on his mouth.
Spike took out a knife and cut the ropes holding dawn. Not being careful to not cut the skin. She began to struggle, when Spike forcefully smacked her. She flew to the ground. Her eyes were locked to him in the chair. The pain and tears blurring them.
DEAR GOD NO!!!PLEASE NO!!!
He jerked against the chair. He knew what was coming next.
Desperately trying to get to her before it could happen. But the chair didn't budge or move at all. He screamed for him to stop. But the Damn tape kept his voice distant.
Spike pinned her hands above her, slowly trailing the knife down her shirt, cutting cloth and skin. He tried to cry out to her, but the tape muffled it. He could hear her whimpers, and Buffy's pleas for him to stop.
Spike groped and tore at Dawn as he thrust against her. But her eyes stayed locked on the person in the chair. Her pain filled voice filling the air.
"Why?"
Tears rolled down his cheeks, watching the act before him. When Spike was done, he caressed dawns face then in a blur snapped her neck with a sickening laugh. With sudden shock he screamed, eyes wide, tears pouring down his face. She was gone.
I...I...I killed...D...Dawn
Clamping his eyes shut, trying desperately to push it away. But another whimper brought him out of it. And a slithering voice infected the air.
"Mmm.Buffy"
He jerked forward. But still no movement. Spike was now behind buffy. Trailing the knife against her cheeks, cutting long gashes. Her eyes were staring at him in the chair. Her hate, pain and fear nearly knocking him back. The words Spike was saying was lost to his ears as all his focus went to Buffy's hate filled face. Suddenly another blur and blood was seeping from Buffy's throat.
With a final swift movement forward the tape and ropes disappeared and he was at her side. She was now on the floor, her prone body jerked as she tried to breath. Blood was filling her lungs. He had an urg to touch her face, but couldn't fearing to cause more damage. Her mouth opened and he looked in her eyes.
"You"
With that she was gone, he was now alone, in darkness. Words playing out over and over again.
YOU DID THIS! YOU KILLED THEM!
He cried into the never ending darkness. He screamed and cried, but he was alone now. Replaying the memory over and over again.
***********
A smile crossed it's lips as the scream rang in it's ears. The memory did a good job. It hadn't heard someone scream that loud in a hundred years. Of course it would drive the vampire insane, but his usefulness came to an end once the slayer got here. They might be able to bring him back from the darkness of his mind, but not likely.
Another scream rang out, louder from the first.
The smile grew.
Soon very soon...