A Witch's Journal
Part 2: Bad Ends
October 29, 2001
Things are getting kind of confusing.
I wasn't sure what the spell would do exactly. You try it! It's not like making a stuffed pig dance.
Anyway, I thought it worked fine. I found him in Spike's crypt. William - funny hair, 19th century clothes and everything. It was kind of exciting.
He just needed a little time to adjust. Everything freaked him out: my magic, the cars, the TV, the bugs in Spike's crypt.
When the others found out about him there was some grumbling.
And after all that, he didn't even like Buffy. She scared him. Buffy wasn't crazy about him either.
He liked Tara. And who wouldn't. She was so nice to him, so I don't blame him.
But basically, it was a bust. Still, not as bad as some people made it out to be.
Giles said we couldn't just leave him here. I tried to reason with him, but the others all agreed. Even when I reminded them that we were sending him to die.
There was no talking to them, Giles especially.
William went back. I made it so he wouldn't remember anything.
I felt so bad for the poor guy. I didn't even know how long he had before he would meet Drusilla and die.
She Had an Accident
October 29, 1880
There were lilacs on her bedside table and the room smelled of them. He couldn't explain how he had come to be there. She tried to get away.
"An accident."
William stumbled on the sidewalk and bumped into an old woman.
"An accident," he muttered to himself and walked on.
"It can't be real. Not real."
There were whistles behind him, shouts and the sounds of heavy, running feet.
"Nothing to do with me."
He continued hurrying but not running, unseemly. He was cold despite the sweat on his face.
Rough hands grabbed him and he was shoved into the wall and his glasses were knocked off.
"It's not me. It's not me."
He shook his head as he was led away. Forced back where he had come from, he closed his eyes. They tried to show him something. Tried to make him look.
"It's a mistake. There's been a mistake."
October 31, 2001
I had this headache and couldn't sleep, so I was thinking about poor William. I did a little magic aided research - it saves so much time.
I didn't really expect to find much, a birth record, and maybe something about his disappearance when Spike came into the picture.
I didn't expect to find what I did. I don't even know how it could happen.
While he was here, William mentioned Cecily. He wouldn't shut up about her, actually.
The newspapers called him The Bloody Poet. He was tried for her murder and hanged.
I really don't understand. He seemed so gentle.
Maybe they made a mistake.
And Spike was just gone. I couldn't find him anywhere. Even when I used magic.
No one else remembers him. Or William. It took me almost two days to realize that.
Well, it's not like I wanted to bring him up. I thought they were just avoiding the subject.
And there are some other things that are different.
I have to stop now - I have the worst headache.
And A Good Time Was Had By All
December 23, 1880
"They are going to hang my pretty, little baby," Drusilla sang while dancing around the darkened bedroom as Darla and Angelus dozed.
"What is she babbling about now?" Darla asked tiredly, lying on her stomach.
Angelus propped himself against the headboard and looked at Drusilla with interest.
She wore red and carried one of her dolls by a noose around its neck.
"The hanging's got her all excited. I think it's precious," Angelus said with something like pride.
Darla mumbled discontentedly.
"I've been robbed. And cheated. The hangman is a thief," Drusilla said as she stopped twirling.
She looked glum then huddled on the floor and started keening.
Darla covered her head with a pillow.
"What are you on about, love?" Angelus asked Drusilla.
"It's all wobbling. Where's my baby?"
"Do you want to go see the hanging?" Darla asked her sweetly, raising her head to smile at Drusilla.
Drusilla jumped up in anticipation.
"They don't let you watch any more. And there is the matter of sunlight, my darling, insane poppy seed," Angelus reminded her with a sideways look at Darla, who was trying to look innocent.
"Not to worry, my Angel. It can't hurt him," Drusilla said and danced out of the room still carrying the doll.
to be continued
