Chapter 3

Buffy screamed when she saw Riley's body. But after that first scream of shock, she pulled herself together and called the police. After that she called her adoptive father, Rupert Giles, and her birth mother, Joyce Summers. They in turn called Buffy's closest friends: Xander Harris, Cordelia Chase-Harris, and Faith Wilkins.

When Buffy's family and friends showed up, the police were already there. The paramedics were taking the body away and Buffy was talking to a kind- looking red-headed woman. She was also glancing nervously around as if she expected the killer to jump out and kill her too. She stopped midsentence when she saw her loved ones. Rushing over to them, Buffy was enveloped into her mother's comforting arms.

*I wish I could stay here forever. I love being slightly crushed by someone who loves me. But, damn it, I have to go answer questions. Can't they see that I'm shocked and hurt by what happened? Can't they leave me alone?*

As if in answer to her unasked questions, the police officer, whose name was Willow, calmly explained that they needed to ask questions while the memories were fresh. They could wait until tomorrow, but if Buffy wanted to have a better chance at getting justice, she should answer the questions now. Sighing, Buffy slowly walked back to the woman and began answering.



Finally, around 11, the police began to leave. The last one to go was Willow Rosenburg, who felt a strong kinship with Buffy, almost as if they had been best friends in another life. Buffy felt it as well, and she knew that the two would have to get together to talk and get to know each other. But for now, she just felt like being with the people who knew and loved her, minus Riley. That thought brought tears to her eyes, and seeing this, Xander spoke up.

"Maybe we should all stay here tonight. You know, so you don't have to be alone." Buffy smiled at her best male friend. She had known Xander since they were in diapers together. In fact, he had even had a little crush on her, but that had been cured by Cordelia. She realized that he was waiting for a response, looking at her with a concerned look on his face and unconsciously draping his arm over Cordelia's shoulders in a protective manner.

"No thanks, Xand. I think I'll just go over to Mom's and Giles'. 'Cuz you are right: I don't want to be alone."

"Wow! I'm right! Did you hear that Cordy? Maybe I'm not as dumb and you say I am."

"Oh ha ha ha, Mr. Smarty Pants," his loving wife retorted. "But you weren't arguing your point against anyone, so the situation is totally different."

Everyone had to smile at the playful banter between the two. Despite the mean words, everyone knew the couple was happily in love. As Buffy walked Police Officer Rosenburg out of the house, she apologized and assured her that it was just in fun.

"Oh don't worry about it, Mrs. Finn. It sounds exactly like my friends Spike and Anya. Very happy together, yet there's always friendly bickering. Well, good night, ma'am."

"Willow...Ms. Rosenburg, are you busy tomorrow night? Because, I have some questions; ya know, for the police, and for you. I mean I'd kind of like to become friends with you. I know this sounds weird but..." Buffy had no idea why she was asking an almost-complete stranger to come over, but she just felt drawn to Willow.

"Well, tomorrow night I have a date with my boyfriend Oz, and the night after that, I have to work, but I'm free the night after that. Monday I think it is.

"Sounds great. I'll see you here around 7:30?"

"Count on it!"

Strangely enough, Buffy could not wait for the weekend to be over so she could make a new friend.