A Witch's Journal

Part 3: Better Late Than Never


Late for Dinner

China, 1900

The slayer came in, her red silk outfit torn in places, her face a little sooty.

"Mother, I'm sorry," she said with her head bowed.

Her mother had been standing by a window, which glowed from the fires outside.

"Your grandmother had a bad premonition. You better go prove her wrong."

"I'll go see her."

The girl moved the go but then her mother spoke again.

"Were you out in that?"

"Yes."

"You should stay inside."

"I can't."

"Next time your grandmother won't be wrong."

Her mother's face seemed to twist a little at the painful thought.

"I'm sorry."

"Go see your grandmother. I'll cook you something."


When You Play Against Death It's Ok To Cheat

New York City, 1977

Nikki walked into the apartment quietly then stopped at the door to the living room. The TV was on with the sound turned very low.

"Did you forget how to tell time, young man?"

Robin jumped and turned the TV off.

"No Ma'am."

"Where's your Aunt Tanya?"

"Asleep," the boy said with a little smirk.

"Got most of your stuff ready to move?"

"Aha."

Robin looked up and then down and then up again with a puppy dog look that got her attention.

"What?"

"Can we go to the fair tomorrow?"

"We leave in two days."

"Just for a little bit. It's our last chance."

"They got fairs in San Francisco too."

"Not like here. Please."

"OK. Fine. Now get to bed."

She took him by the hand and they went to his bedroom.

"Did you get any baddies?" Robin asked as he climbed into bed.

"Sure did. On the subway. But you aren't going to hear all about it."

"I won't get scared."

"I know it. You're my brave boy. Now go to sleep."


March 3, 1997

There is a new girl in school. Her name is Buffy Summers. She's Codelia Chase's new second in command. Xander is in love with her.

I'm not going to go on and on about it. I hate her and her stupid name.

There is a new librarian too. He is smart and British and nice to look at. I think he is my new crush. Take that, Xander!

Xander is coming over so we can study. Actually, I already know this stuff. But it doesn't hurt to review it one more time.


There's Been a Delay, Please Stay Tuned

March 3, 1997

Xander dropped his book bag on the floor of Willow's room with a loud thud.

"Hey, the librarian is insane."

Willow stared at him for a moment from her bed.

"Is that the new hello? I don't think I like it. And he is not!"

"Ooh, librarian groupie," Xander teased as he tried to grab a fuzzy slipper off her foot.

"Cut it out."

"Anyway, I was in the library, and I heard him talking to the new girl..."

"Buffy Summers. So you really were at the library."

Willow turned over and started to look over her notes acting uninterested.

"I was going to check out some books, or possibly magazines, before I found out the librarian is an imported nut."

"You can't check out the magazines. You have to read them there or copy them," Willow explained seriously.

"OK. So I was behind some shelves, not hiding, just browsing."

"Sure."

"I heard him talking to Buffy. He says 'You may find what I am about to tell you somewhat difficult to believe, Ms. Summers'," Xander said with a nasal British accent.

"He doesn't sound like that."

"Aha. Check this out, he said that he is not here by accident, he was sent to watch Buffy. Creepy, huh? And why? Because she is not an ordinary girl, she is special. He told her that she was chosen as the next slayer of vampires, and she has a destiny and some other insane stuff. I think he was hitting on her."

"Oh, no. He is insane."

"I think Buffy is going to call the cops on him."

"Poor Mr. Giles."

"Poor Buffy. She was freaked."


to be continued