Chapter Four
Abducted

Fred was in the kitchen, rinsing the dirty dishes. She looked out into the darkness through the window, missing the sun. It was one in the afternoon. The sun should be sparkling, allowing Los Angeles some peace for a few hours, even it was evanescent. But not now. Maybe never again. She saw an enchanting woman run past and two vampires chasing her. She pounded on the door and Fred swung it open. The woman with an interesting accent begged, "Please let me in! They're chasing me!"
"Come in. Hurry!"
The woman shot her a fascinating smile, almost eerie, as she stepped over the thresh hold.
"Thank you!"
Fred slammed the door shut. She took notice of the lady's odd dress, a long maroon silk and high heels. She clutched a porcelin doll. But Fred didn't judge her.
"You're safe her. I'm Fred."
"I'm Drusilla."
"Neat name."
Dru smiled as her game face slid into place.
"Don't scream, Pet. Just come with me."
Fred nodded, fear running through her. Drusilla took her arm and they walked into the darkness.

Cordelia tended to Connor's cut on his cheek, wishing he had super healing like his father. But he didn't. Suddenly, she gasped and dropped the gauze she had in her hand.
"Cordy!"
Wes moved to her after Connor had grabbed a hold of her trembling body. A flash of the kitchen and Drusilla entering it, and her game face falling into place. Through the fog she heard her name being called, but she flashed to Angelus laughing over a stricken Fred. She fell into Connor's embrace, trying to get air in her lungs.
"Fred!"
Lorned stepped in. "What did you see, Baby Girl?"
"Drusilla came and took Fred to Angelus. She was in the kitchen."
"She's there now." Wesley grabbed an axe and ran into the kitchen. The door was flapping in the light wind, wide open. He was too late. He'd promised to protect her and she was gone. He'd failed her again.
"She's gone. We didn't get to her soon enough."
Cordelia leaned against the counter, imagining all the torment inflicted on Fred by Angelus. Lorne wrapped an arm around Cordelia and Connor watched Wesley. Cordelia spoke, "Wes, it's not your fault. You couldn't have known. My vision didn't come quickly enough."
"It is my fault."
Cordelia held out her other hand, but Wes pushed out of the kitchen to the musty old books, searching for a locater spell to find Fred.