Chapter 12

"Willow!" Xander exclaimed, struggling to stand. The lower half of his face was covered in drying blood.

Buffy held him down slightly. "Slowly, Xander, you'll black out again," she told him, though it was all she could do not to rush over and tear the door off its hinges to make sure her friend was okay. "How long have we had? Five minutes, ten minutes?"

Angel nodded, already making his way toward the front door. "More than long enough to let someone in. We better hurry."

Tara was already at the door by the time Angel got there. Buffy and Xander followed as closely as possible, the Slayer supporting the injured boy. The Wiccan knocked on the door. "Willow! Willow it's me, Xander's okay, we need you to let us back in!" Silence. The door didn't budge. Tara knocked harder. "Willow! Open the door!" She turned back to the Scoobies. "She was right by the door, I don't think she would have left."

"Willow, come on! Let us know you're all right in there!" Buffy said, stepping up to the door. "I don't want to rip the door off. I will if I have to, but I don't want to." From the right, approaching footsteps could be heard. And it sounded like they were running.

The group turned as one to see Faith racing over. "I thought you guys had it under control! What's up!" She eyed Xander. "Please tell me he didn't screw it up." The boy frowned and wiped at his face with a blood-streaked hand, giving her a glare. "Well, if looks could kill. All right, let me though." The dark Slayer made her way to the door and gave a firm tug, the lock making a metallic, squeal-y crunch as it gave way to Slayer strength. The door creaked back on its hinges but stayed attached. "There ya go. Faith's set of keys worked. Now what are you waiting for?"

Tara brushed past Faith into the entryway. "Willow!"

"Geez, you're welcome," the younger girl said as she dusted her hands off, stepping into the building with the Scoobies on her heels.

Buffy looked up and down the halls. "I don't see her." She brushed her hair back with one hand, her eyes looking panicked. "She wouldn't have left, but I don't see her anywhere." Angel sniffed the air cautiously, trying to pin down anything. Fear and anger were both pretty strong. And it was coming from … he pointed Buffy down the main hallway towards a set of stairs.

Tara's booted feet thumped up the stairs toward her apartment, praying to any power that would listen that Willow was safe. She rounded a corner, nearly tripping over her own feet in her rush, before skidding to a halt in front of her place. The door was partially open, and there was complete silence within the studio. With trepidation, she gently pushed her door open.

~~

I can't believe I missed her again! Why does one little girl have so much protection? What is it about her that I can't even get a simple job done! Find the girl, bring her back. It all seemed so easy. He looked down on the redheaded female's tiny frame, resting on the witch's bed. Something about this one, even more than that witch boy. This one's important to her. She'll come back. And then … then, I'll finish the job.

~~

Tara stepped inside. Nothing looked out of place, but the entire apartment was darkened. All except … there! A shaft of light glowed yellow-white from under her bedroom door. She quietly moved across the main room towards the bedroom, and cautiously placed her hand on the doorknob. All at once, she twisted the knob and shoved it open, blinking at the sudden brightness and feeling the door connect solidly with something, making a sharp crack. But she almost immediately disregarded the dark thing that fell with a muffled thump and a groan as her eyes rested on Willow, who was spread over Tara's bed almost like a decoration. "Willow, sweetie, oh gods, are you okay?" The redhead's eyelids fluttered and she briefly stirred, but didn't open her eyes or make any other indication that she'd heard Tara. Then, with a roar, the beast made himself known again.

Just as Faith had estimated, he stood at six feet tall, give or take an inch. And did he ever look mad. "You insignificant little wench! Why anyone would want you back is beyond me!"

"Uncle David?" The thing vaguely resembled him, mostly in the face. But where Beth's father had been, well … mostly human … this obviously wasn't. His skin was blue-black, for one, then there were the talons. He was clad in navy blue slacks and was bare-chested, his black hair rumpled and wild. His eyes were blood red and he was a great deal more muscular than he had once been. If it was even him.

The beastly creature shook his head. "Not any more. Little girl, everything's different now." He made a swipe at Tara with one hand, but the young woman dodged to one side, trying to stay between him and Willow. "Do you know how hard it is to save a life, child? What you have to give up in order to keep what is most important to you? You don't have the slightest idea." He advanced upon the small blonde. "I don't want to hurt you. But make no mistake, I will if I must."

~~

Angel, Buffy, Faith, and Xander quickly headed up the stairs in the direction of Tara's studio. Angel was sure that was where Willow had been taken, and it was doubtlessly the same place Tara had disappeared to. Xander pointed the way, but the others could feel confrontation, rage. They didn't need to be told which way to go; they could track it to its source with less effort than it took to breathe.

The door was wide open, and the two Slayers and Xander stepped inside. Angel tried to enter, but came up against an invisible barrier at the door. Through an open door on the left, the only source of light in the compact, three-room area, they could all easily see a large, blue-black creature advancing towards the small, helpless looking blonde, who stood her ground between the demon and Willow. "Don't come any closer!" Tara's voice said, strong and even threatening. "You're not taking me anywhere, and you won't harm her."