Title: Cupid's Killer of the Dead – Part three (AKA Choices)
Author: Liz AKA Willow
Spoilers: None. I'm kind of going to do my own thing right now.
Author's Note: I've been an evil bitch monster for not updating. Truthfully, I can't blame school for my disinterest in continuing this story. I really, really didn't like any of it – and as a lot of people know…I can never finish a multi-chaptered story. But when I came home today, free from a major test I took on Friday, I just wanted to do what I wanted to do. Plus, I was kind of encouraged by one of the reviewers. It made me sad that people were still expecting an update from me – and after such a long time! 2002!
Accordingly, I must dedicate this chapter to all the reviewers who reviewed so long ago (and some, recently). I'm going to thank them individually right now, as opposed to at the end of the chapter – as I feel this is more important:
Olive Oil – I saw it. I care. This chapter was made because of you. Thanks for boosting my confidence and I hope you enjoy this. You've rejuvenated my hope and I'm grateful.
Devon – No, once I didn't think this fanfiction was important. But now I do; thank you for the review, and be assured that this fanfic will have to do with a lot of suffering. Sorry for such a major cliffhanger, but I'm afraid that the "Buffy and Angel" story line will not appear in this chapter. I hope you enjoy.
Amber – Yeah, I agree with you. But I often veer away from canon, and it's pretty cool to have the ability to change the show to how you kind of imagined it to be. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Kendra3 – Your wish is my command. Hehe, please enjoy it. :)
Trina – Two chapters? Dude, it takes me at least ten to get hooked to a story. :P I hope you're still interested in reading this, and I'm so sorry I made you wait. Enjoy!
Cherise – Damn, I kept you in suspense for TWO YEARS! Please forgive me!
Ashione – Haha, your review made me laugh. Well, here's the story. My fingers FINALLY left the pencil (with which I was doing my schoolwork) and decided to travel over to the keyboard. They started moving uncontrollably, in a desperate effort to satisfy a reviewer. :P
Blowfish20 – I'm so sorry, but Angel and Buffy aren't in this part, though I think you will enjoy the twist I've made. Don't fret though, they both will be making appearances in the next part.
Anikathepen - Cries -- I'm so incredibly sorry I had to make you wait. I hope you're still interested.
And to all the people that sent me reviews by E-mail: Thank you all! I'm sorry, but I can't seem to find the reviews, but I remember people sending them. So thank you and I hope you enjoy this!
And on to the show…
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The scene opens with the camera fixated on the glowing stars. They are bright, and a few wink simultaneously down at you. The sky is a deep blue, it's depths overwhelming and intimidating.
The camera pans over the busy city of Los Angeles – beautiful, sparkling lights, the faint shrieks of car horns. An ambulance siren shouts in the distance. Then complete silence.
Cut to a small alleyway. The ground is damp with fallen rain, garbage is strewn everywhere and a rat skitters stealthily across the edge of a building.
Not too far away, one can hear the hollow sound of someone striding down the alley. Pan to a pair of expensive shoes, only feet are visible.
Whistler Voiceover: I can tell you honestly…. Things weren't supposed to be like this.
Pan up to Whistler's face. His hat looks as if it's fastened tightly to his head. His eyes are not fully visible. He angles his head sideways, and looks skeptically toward a building at the end of the alley. His face turns back to its normal position, as if he has made up his mind. He begins straightening his small leather jacket, and loosens his hat a little. He walks slowly – and with feign confidence – toward the building.
Whistler Voiceover: Whenever I deal with these two, it never ends up the way it's supposed to be – the way They want it to be. The Powers don't have a say in the choices the lower beings have to make. They can see what the future holds for the Warriors, but they can't change any aspects of it. It must be really entertaining for them. I figure that it's kind of like a soap opera, but only with real story lines: like stories about vampires, demons and slayers. (He snorts). Oh yeah, they must really get a laugh out of all of this.
Whistler is now in front of the building. He makes a move to open the door, but abruptly decides against it. He lets out the breath that he's been holding and takes out a small handkerchief from his pocket. He wipes his moist forehead and places the material back. He waits.
Whistler Voiceover: The stars never lie. Recent chains of events have changed the story line significantly, and the Powers aren't too happy.
Whistler stares at the door.
Whistler Voiceover: I'm scared now. More than I've ever been. (He scoffs). I don't remember the carefree days anymore. When I look at myself in the mirror, I wonder how I ever considered myself a laid-back guy. I'm tired of being the tool.
Whistler finally knocks on the door and an instant later it swings slowly open with a creek. He sticks only his head through the door and scans the darkened building.
Whistler: Hello?
Silence.
Whistler waits. He's shaking. And then…a voice of a matured teenage boy rings out of the darkness.
Boy: Enter…
Whistler quickly does as he is told and closes the door behind him. Complete darkness. He doesn't know where the boy is, and the darkness of the room doesn't help. He makes a grab for the lighter in his pocket, and quickly produces a small flame. His face is now illuminated, but he still cannot see the boy. He gives up and decides to keep near the door, just in case.
Boy: Have you done your duties?
Whistler nods, not sure of how to address the boy.
Boy: The lawyer obtained the poisoned arrow from you; are you certain he will put it to good use?
Whistler: Yes, I'm certain. This lawyer guy is hell-bent on extracting some serious revenge on Angel.
The Boy laughs, jovial and almost chilling.
Boy: Lower beings…lowly language, lowly actions and lowly choices.
Whistler (nodding spastically): Yeah, yeah. I can understand that.
Boy: Yes, well, you're the most valued lower one the Powers have tried connecting to. It's obvious they were going to have some influence on you. (He sighs). But now, for your next set of duties…
Whistler's shoulders slump and his jaw flexes noticeably. His teeth grind together and he fastens his hat more tightly onto his head.
Boy (noticing): Be assured, Valued One, that the Powers have promised that your sacrifices and effort won't go unnoticed. Now…. The Powers are in the mood for a more dramatic approach to the situation occurring. Apropos, you must come in contact with the Souled One. Torment him. Make him want the Slayer, make him desire her blood and body.
Whistler: And then what?
Boy: Let him take her. Let him nearly drain her and then copulate with her in order to bring Angelus. The Powers will contact you thereafter concerning your next duties.
Whistler (nervous): Angelus? But –
Boy (interrupting): The Powers. They have informed me that you are dismissed. Leave now.
Whistler: I know, I will, bu—
Boy (with a mind-blowingly powerful voice): Now!
Whistler fumbles with the doorknob and fights to get out. He finally swings the door open, steps out and quickly shoves the door closed. His back is pressed against the door and his breath is inconsistent. It's as if you can hear him shaking.
He slowly pads away from the building, not looking back. Midway across the length of the alley, he stops and turns. He studies the building carefully, and his shoulders begin to slack with more burdens. He sighs, and turns around again. Again, he reaches for his hat, and tightens it even more so over his head. His eyes are not visible. He remains a tool. He continues walking…. Destiny awaits him.
Whistler Voiceover: I've been doing their dirty work all my life, and only a month ago I learned the truth. Like I said, the Powers really don't have a say in the choices the lower beings have to make. We aren't puppets, but we're actors – they are our audience, they are entertained by us. We follow the script the stars in the sky have given us – but the script can change. When the story line gets a little too boring, or when the audience doesn't like what's happening…the audience encourages the changes within the script.
The camera rises over the street he's walking on.
Whistler Voiceover: The analogy is too confusing. But to basically sum it up for all of you: You have free wills, and the Powers won't control you – they can't. But that doesn't mean they can't encourage – or rather, push – you to make the moves that they want you to make…
Fade out.
TBC – I'm sorry that it's short, but I promise more is to come. Please review and tell me what you think. Don't be afraid to criticize me or even flame, because I want your opinions no matter what. :P