Part 4 – A New Start
1998 Elizabeth's Apartment 10.05 a.m.
Faith slowly stirred, she moved some stray strands of dark hair from her face and raised her head, she let out small groan and placed her hand on her forehead as the previous nights drinking caught up with her. Faith could feel her head throbbing, and it felt like her head was too small for her brain. Faith tried to compose herself, to gather her bearings, as she looked around she saw that she was lying on a couch with a small blanket placed over her there was a coffee table in front of her and an arm chair to the right. The room she found herself in was about as large as the total size of her own apartment; there was a large ornate fireplace opposite Faith with and a TV to the right of the fireplace. As she looked about she saw pictures and expensive tapestry's hanging on the walls the room was expensively furnished with many intricate ornaments placed around the room, Faith began to think to herself that it felt quite "homely" but then her head began to throb reminding her of the previous night she just groaned and put her head back down against the pillows.
...At the time the previous night seemed so surreal, i had memory gaps and images of people turning to dust and the warmth of the flames against my face, i just wasn't sure, it felt to much like a dream to be real, but strangely it also felt too real to be just a dream, i didn't know what to think. Looking back, it was the point at which my life began to change the point at which I began to feel I was needed. Now I see that it was only temporary and would not prevent me from becoming the dark person I was but it gave me a new life and it saved me from my downward spiral, it kept me alive…
Faith could hear the stirring of liquid in cups she looked up and saw the woman from the previous day approaching, carrying a tray. "Ah your awake," was the comment from the woman in her now familiar English accent. The woman approached, Faith sat up allowing the woman to sit beside her, she sat down and poured two cups of tea, she offered one of these to Faith. Faith just took it and began to sip it slowly.
"Erm Elizabeth...i think that's your name, what am i doing here?" Faith asked nervously.
The woman just smiled and replied, "So you remember what i said"
Faith just nodded and repeated, "So why am i here?"
Elizabeth simply said, " You know why, i told you last night."
Faith seemed flustered she placed the tea down on a small coffee table and got up off the couch and began to nervously pace about the apartment in front of Elizabeth. "Yeah i remember lady, you tellin' me about a warrior and vampires and demons and then saying it was me, at the time i was wicked drunk and I've got a bustin' hangover this morning, so excuse me if i seem a little...."
" Sceptical," Elizabeth interrupted.
" I was gonna go with cynical but yeah, was what you said true, and that person turning to dust what was that, i mean i have all these questions and i can't believe I'm thinking them, let alone asking someone about them, am i crazy, why am i believing you?" Faith continued becoming more and more confused as she was speaking.
"Well why are you then... believing me i mean?" was the response from Elizabeth.
Faith sat down on a chair to the right of the couch and just buried her head in her hands, shaking her head. After a few seconds Faith brought her head up and replied, " I dunno, i just guess it just sounded like i was needed, what you said made me feel special, wanted, you know." Faith put her head down staring at her feet feeling somewhat ashamed at what she had said. Elizabeth put her Tea down and went over to where Faith was sitting, she went around the back of the chair and put a hand on Faiths shoulders, "come with me Faith i want to show you something." Elizabeth spoke softly. Faith rose from the chair and followed Elizabeth out onto the balcony of her apartment. Faith squinted at the sunlight but then looked out over the city, the scenery was breath taking, the sunlight reflected of the buildings lighting up the city of Boston. Elizabeth extended her hand to Faith, she took it and Faith was guided to the edge of the balcony.
"What do you see Faith?" Elizabeth asked.
"...Well i see Boston." Was Faiths response.
Elizabeth looked out over the city and replied, " I see daytime in a city with over 3 million people in it, they are going about their business, protected by the police, the sunlight and their own ignorance, but what happens when the sun goes down, and night falls? And all the things that you said you didn't believe in come alive, Vampires, Demons, Zombies and Werewolves, who is there to protect those people then, the police can't handle it, so who does? Eventually you will Faith." Elizabeth looked deep into Faiths eyes as she said the last part to show how serious she was.
Faith turned away from Elizabeth's gaze and looked out towards the city. "I...erm...why me? Who are you? And how am i supposed to protect these people?" Were the questions Faith posed. Elizabeth began to explain everything while Faith listened on intently " I honestly don't know why you were chosen in particular, but i can answer your other questions it is told into each generation a Slayer is born. One girl in all the world, a Chosen One. One born with the strength and skill to fight vampires, demons and the forces of evil. With the aid of her watcher who prepares, trains and guides the Slayer in her battles with evil. Faith you are that Slayer and i am your Watcher."
Faith began to laugh and made her way back into the apartment.
" Now listen lady, it was nice talkin' to ya, but seriously do you believe all that? I mean look at me, I'm not strong i have no skill and....No I'm not gonna even talk about it, I'll just catch ya later" said Faith as she made her way over to the couch to collect her jacket. Elizabeth shook her head and followed Faith into the apartment. "Faith wait, why did you listen to me then?" Elizabeth shouted. Faith turned around and looked at Elizabeth and then turned her head away not wanting to look her in the eyes, " I guess i am crazy... no I'm probably still drunk from last night" Was Faiths cold response, She then made her way over to the door and opened it. "1993 Sixth Grade Patrick F Gavin Middle School Athletics Event a young girl named Faith walked away with 8 1st places in multiple track events." Elizabeth stated with authority in her voice.
After hearing this Faith suddenly froze, she didn't look at Elizabeth, Faith just kept on staring ahead and spoke in almost a whisper, "How did you know?" She then turned to face Elizabeth with a confused look on her face.
Elizabeth replied, " I know everything about you Faith, that feat i just mentioned proves you have the stamina and strength, you've just never had the confidence to use it. Think hard when you get a bruise or a cut how long does it take for you to heal?"
Faith just mumbled "...well er...a few hours i guess"
Elizabeth began "There you go more of your preordained slayer powers at work, Faith you are special and the world needs you, I'm not saying its going to be easy for you especially with the history you have." At the mention of this Faith and Elizabeth made Eye contact, Elizabeth saw the pain and hurt behind her eyes and continued, "that is your history, and if you ever want to talk or open up to me I'll be here for you to listen, but that is your choice. From here on though i am responsible for you, i will trust, care and look out for you. All i ask in return is that you listen, learn, work hard and we work as a team, i will prepare you as best i can, but you have to be willing and ready to take on that responsibility, are you?"
Faith sat herself down and thought for a minute, she turned all the events of the previous few days over in her head and eventually spoke up " Do i have a choice in the matter?"
Elizabeth had a half smile on her face and replied, "well not really."
Faith then jumped up to her feet and gave a wide smile, " That's good then, because I'm game, just point me in the direction of the nearest monster!"
" Faith its not as..." Elizabeth began but she was immediately cut off by Faith " Yes i know i was just being enthusiastic, you English have to lighten up, so where do we begin?"
Elizabeth could just smile at the grinning face of the young girl and she said "well first we are gonna take a walk to your old apartment," Faith's eyes became downcast at the memories of her home, but she replied "Well yeah I could do with a change of clothes these are still dirty from last night." Elizabeth smiled softly and continued "Then we are going to pack all your belongings and you are coming to live here with me until we can find you a place of your own." Faith then glanced at the apartment surrounding her and responded in disbelief, "Here?"
Elizabeth let out a short laugh and said, " Yes of course, and on the way i can tell you more about the new life you are now embarking on." as she ushered Faith out of the apartment.
Faith smirked and quipped, " Wow your making it sound wicked serious, you know."
Elizabeth began to lock the apartment and she just rolled her eyes and said "Faith..."
Faith replied, "I know i know, people to save, big responsibility, lead the way Liz."
...At last i had found some sort of direction in my life it felt weird to actually believe the stuff that Elizabeth or Liz as i called her said but i just new deep down inside me she was right. I tried to runaway from it, but when Liz brought up my proudest moment, it seemed to clear my head, it gave me a reason to go on, and it was obvious i was going to go along with Liz, what other choice did i have? As we made our way back to my old apartment, Liz filled me in on most things she told me stories of Vampires and Demons such as Angelus, Larconis and the Master, she also went into detail about the Watchers Council. She laid out more of Vampire and Demon lore after hearing all this most people would be scared or worried but not me i was excited for once in my life i felt alive, like i had a something that made me, me. But i still had one lingering question...
Faith and Elizabeth made their way in the direction of Faiths old Apartment, there was a cool breeze in the air and the sun was shining down on them, there were lots of people out busily going about their own business. Faith and Elizabeth stayed away from any listening ears because of what they were talking about
"Why Boston?" Faith suddenly asked. "I mean I've lived here my entire life, I've been out and about at night and I've never seen anything you have described, well accept for last nights shit, you know"
Elizabeth replied," That's what I'm talking about Faith, peoples ignorance…"
Faith suddenly cut her off her voice sounding somewhat offended, "Hey!"
Elizabeth just chuckled, "I didn't mean you, I'm sorry, I just meant people in general like the police and other authority figures, they use convenient and sometimes absurd explanations to excuse away the situations regarding the things that we deal with."
Faiths response was just a confused look
Elizabeth continued, " Ok let me think of a simple example, your Mother's death."
Faith visibly shuddered at Elizabeth's words.
…Elizabeth was just testing the waters with that statement, I think she was trying to analyse how I was feeling about my mother, she was probably trying to see how high my emotional walls were and wondering to herself if she could ever break them down. Elizabeth was the first person in years to try to talk to me like that and at the beginning I just pushed her away hiding behind my "Five by Five's." I Told her that I was cool talking about my mother's death, which was so far from the truth, I told her that the police thought it was gang related or by the injuries it could have been some sort of wild animal. She corrected me she told me that it was gang related, but that it was vampires, she had been killed to mark out that the territory was theirs. That pissed me off big time, the vamps were gonna get some pain when I was ready. You may think that Elizabeth's bluntness was a bit insensitive and rude but that's what I liked about her, she was always honest with me, she was the only person in my life that was ever one hundred percent honest with me and that still stands today not even Buffy or the Mayor were always honest with me. Elizabeth continued telling me about the situation in Boston…
"The gang that killed your mother is something new, very vicious, they sire strong humans and kill weaker humans to mark their territory." Elizabeth explained.
Faith interrupted, " So why do they mark out their territory?"
Elizabeth replied, " The streets of Boston at night are run by one vampire, he is very rich and he is so old his hands and feet are cloven, he goes by the name of Kakistos.
"Cool, he's like some Big Daddy vamp, when do I get to kill him?" an excited Faith asked. Elizabeth responded, "Eventually we will go after Kakistos, Faith but not until your ready, now back to the situation, Kakistos runs the streets nothing happens without his say so, but this new gang is doing things as they please and in a very violent way, so if Kakistos tries to combat this with more violence, the streets at night will become like a war zone, which is probably why you have been called here."
"Oh." Was all Faith whispered in response. They both continued walking in an uneasy silence, Faith contemplating the seriousness of the situation and Elizabeth wondering how Faith was taking all of this. Faith broke the silence with another question, " Why only one slayer isn't that a bit unfair?"
Elizabeth let out a small chuckle, " well you would think so, but that has been the way for thousands of years, until recently that is."
Faith interrupted, " why what's gone on recently?"
" Well one of your predecessors, Buffy Summers who is the active Slayer in Sunnydale died, she was then quickly resuscitated by one of her companions, but her death initiated the calling of the next Slayer. Which meant that for the first time there was two active slayers Buffy and Kendra. A few days ago Kendra was killed which lead to you being called, so now we have two active Slayers you and Buffy Summers." Elizabeth answered.
" Wow she died, that's gotta be rough, so is she any good?" Faith inquired.
"From the reports that her Watcher Mr Giles submits, she has the potential to be a great Slayer even though she can be quite rebellious at times and somewhat 'American' as Mr Giles puts it. She has faced some powerful enemies such as The Judge who she despatched of a few months ago with some sort of Rocket Launcher." Replied Elizabeth.
Faith chuckled and exclaimed, " A rocket Launcher?? Go B, That chick sounds like she's got a serious pair on her, I like the sound of her!"
Elizabeth had a bemused look on her face. " A Pair of what?" She inquired.
Faith smirked and shook her head, "Forget it I guess it's just me being 'American' you know."
Faith and Elizabeth continued on their way back to Faiths apartment, Faith asked more questions and Elizabeth provided more answers.
…As we made our way back to the apartment, I can remember feeling good for the first time in a long time, maybe I went along with Liz at first because it was better than my current existence. But there was this feeling inside of me that this was for me that slaying was what I was built for. Before I could move on with my new life I would have to take care of my old one, and I can still remember the scene to day as we rounded the corner…there it was everything that was bad about my life was summed up in the building I called home…
Faith looked up and saw the dirty crumbling apartment blocks that she called home. Faith began to climb the steps to the front door, she felt Elizabeth's hand on her shoulder, "Would you like me to help?" asked Elizabeth with a look of worry and concern on her face. Faith just turned around she offered Elizabeth a small smile and shook her head, Faith then made her way up the steps towards her home, Elizabeth just looked on in concern.
As Faith entered the apartment the smell of vodka wasn't there, there was just a musty smell hanging in the air. She decided that she didn't want to spend anymore time in here then was necessary, so she decided to have a shower and get changed at Elizabeth's place so she quickly went about stuffing all of her clothes into a rucksack. After Faith had finished packing her stuff, she looked forlornly at the bag on the bed, her entire life had fitted into one rucksack what did that say about her? Before she left she took the gifts her mother had given to her and packed them as well. Faith slung the bag over her shoulder, and took one last look around the flat her eyes filled with regret and sadness; she then exited the building and looked down at Elizabeth waiting patiently. Faith raised a small smile, she was off to a new life, and it couldn't be any worse than her previous one could it?