Final Hope, Chapter 12.

A/N: Sorry! Sorry! It's been a loooong time. Hope I can make it up to you all.
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"Run" was scrawled in blood across the stark white walls. Miranda clutched the sheets closer, her mind racing. Where was Connor? Who would do this? What was going on? She threw on her clothes hastily and fled the apartment, the night air rippling with her movements. She made it to the street before strong hands grabbed her, throwing her to the cement. Miranda hissed, her vampire visage surfacing in anger and fear. "Calm down, it's me." Angel said, looking at the misfit child at his feet. She breathed a sigh of relief before sobs took her.

"I'm sorry!" she cried, stumbling to her feet. "It was.oh Goddess.Willow.and, and.Xander! The walls are.blood..and Connor?? I'm so lost." She sobbed, Angel pulling her to his chest. She encircled him with her tiny arms, shuddering with each wracking breath she managed.

"It's okay.It'll be okay, I promise. Connor was going to the store to get some supplies. I was coming to guard you, but you made it out safely. That master.well.you didn't kill him, only pissed him off. He's coming for Connor and you, and probably me because I'm helping. You have to flee." Angel said, stone serious.

"I.I could fight him. I'd win." she whimpered. Angel laughed.

"Miranda, he's stronger than me. He was stronger than Spike and Buffy combined. You won back there because he was cocky. You had great passions fueling that magic, not to mention Willow's skill which she gave you that day, if Connor's got his story right. I've got a place for you to go, and you're all packed. You'll find everything you need there, and that's all I can offer at the moment. I'll join you later, if he comes for me. Connor's almost back here, he's got everything in the car. So, go!" Angel said, pulling the teen into an awkward hug. Connor appeared and Mir ran to him, throwing her arms around her lover. He returned her desperate hug, whispering comforts into her ear before bringing her to the car. After shutting her in, Connor embraced his father.

"Thank you for everything. I'm sorry we've had to co-exist. If I knew how things would have been.I'm sorry." Connor apologized. Angel gave his son a sad smile before slipping him an envelope. Connor looked awed, flipping it open to see the bundle of bills inside. "I-I can't acc-"

"You have to, for Mir's sake. You'll need it." Angel replied, turning and walking into the darkness. Connor sighed. Things had taken a dangerous turn.