The Devil and Daria Morgendorffer Incomplete, a daria fanfic

This is my first "Daria" fan fiction and my first fanfic of any kind in quite a while, so I'm kind of rusty and this chapter will probably see some editing later. I'm posting this first chapter to see what kind of response I get, so feedback (good or bad) is highly welcomed.

Monday, June 12, 2000, 9:06 AM
Somewhere in Lawndale, Connecticut

"Remind me pant again how you pant talked me into this."

"Ah, come on Comrade Morgendorffer, keep going! The Long March is almost over!"

"Great, pant just bury me pant where I fall."

Despite the early hour, summer had come early to Lawndale and it was already starting to get uncomfortably warm. Normally Daria would have spent a school-less day like this in her own air-conditioned room but here she was, jogging of all things. Well, she had started out jogging; now it was pretty much just staggering. A gasp of relief nearly left her as they turned a corner and their ending point, the Triangle Stop convenience store, came into view.

"Okay amiga, we'll grab some Gatoraide and then a slow walk back so we don't cramp up." Jane said, far too cheerful for Daria's taste, as they went inside. As the artist went to drink coolers in the back, Daria stayed near the door, eyelids closed as she savored the cool air inside and did her best to catch her breath. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this awful. Her lungs burned, legs and feet ached, and she was so sweaty that it felt like she hadn't had a shower in a week. 'Last time I let Jane talk me into anything' Daria thought. Her inner voice gave a chuckle, knowing better.

Jane called "Hey, what flavor you want?"

Before Daria could reply the entrance door slammed open and she froze as two men in black ski masks burst in. One of them was carrying a sawed-off shotgun.

"NOBODY MOVE!!!"

2:30 PM
The law offices of Vitale, Davis, Horowitz, Riordan, Schrecter & Schrecter

Helen Morgendorffer idly took a sip of coffee as she considered the numbers written on the notepad before her. It was the terms Pacifica Airlines were offering in order to settle the case she and her client had filed against them. It was a good offer, very good in fact, but she was wondering if she could do better.

Deciding, she was about to have Marianne get the airline's council on the phone when the soft sound of footsteps of footsteps on carpet made her look up. "Daria! What are…?" Helen's question was cut off as she took in her daughter's appearance. Daria looked terrible, with her hair mused up, but most striking thing was the brown flaking substance staining her shirt and skirt that looked to her like dried blood. Helen's heart skipped a beat and then she jumped up from her desk. "Daria, is everything all right?!?" she asked in a more than slightly panicked tone.

Daria wasn't looking at her, staring down at the desktop, her face a mask. After a moment she said in small voice "No." Several beats passed and Helen was about to break the silence when Daria looked up meet her eyes. "Can we go someplace to talk?" she said in a more normal but slightly pleading voice.

Helen's reaction was immediate. "Marianne I'm leaving for the day." she barked as she shoved a few things in her briefcase and led her daughter out the door.