Author's Note: I know, it's been forever since I updated… I've been busy. Thanks for sticking with the story, I'm trying to catch up on my writing… but I won't make any promises. Updates may be few and far between…
Chapter 15: Bring It On, Part 2
Arriving at the cemetery gates, Faith realizes that her palms are sweaty. Moist from her sweat, the stake is sticky in her grasp. Uneasily, she shifts from her left foot to her right foot, and then back again. Ms. Nelson approaches her from behind.
"Nervous, I see." She says quietly and Faith nods in a quiet agreement. They both stand and stare out into the ongoing rows of graves, anxious for the upcoming fight.
"You'll do fine."
"I hope so."
"Here's your crossbow."
"Thanks."
When there's nothing left to say, Ms. Nelson leads Faith to the fresh grave. The newly overturned dirt clearly points the way to their target. Faith kneels down beside the tombstone to read the inscription. Involuntarily, her fingers reach up to touch the carvings but she pulls back before she can touch the cold stone.
"What do we do now?" Faith asks.
Ms. Nelson sighs, "We wait."
Half an hour later, Faith finds herself lost in a daydream. Thinking about Nick, she stares up into the night sky and watches the clouds pass the moon, causing a short span of greater darkness. When the clouds pass, the moonlight shines down and illuminates the graveyard so suddenly that it catches Faith's attention.
There is a sudden tingle in her stomach, a feeling of anticipation, and she somehow knows a vampire is near. Looking beside her, she is startled to find that the dirt is moving, displacing itself. A hand appears, followed by an arm. Slowly, the facade of a young girl pulls herself out of an early grave. The girl herself, shorter than Faith with light brown hair, looks innocent.
Ms. Nelson takes a few measured steps backwards, giving Faith space to work with. The vampire, the demon that now inhabits the body of Stefanie, becomes aware of its surroundings and lunges at Faith.
Faith rolls with the momentum of the vampire and subsequently jumps to her feet. With her stake in hand, she arcs her arm downwards towards the heart. Instantly, the vampire blocks the attack. With one kick Faith flies backwards, hitting the sharp edge of a nearby tombstone. Falling to her knees, she gasps for breath. The vampire has gained the advantage and dives at her once again. Faith rolls out of the way, sending the vampire into the same tombstone she had just hit, and Faith reacts quickly. Grabbing her fallen stake, she quickly stabs the vampire's heart.
As she disintegrates into dust, Faith finally looks her in the face. She recognizes Stefanie, a girl who had attended her school. Shy but friendly, she was a cheerleader and ranked number four in her class.
Ms. Nelson, proud of Faith's triumph, claps her hands loudly. "Oh, that was wonderful, Faith. I am very proud."
Faith smiles. She is stunned, but nonetheless pleased with her slaying. Twirling her stake in her hand, she brushes the vampire dust from her jacket with one hand while Ms. Nelson returns the unused crossbow to her weapons bag.
As they leave the cemetery, the sound of crickets chirping echoes in the night breeze and Faith takes pride in the fact that she has joined the fight against evil.