Standing on the Edge of Tomorrow

Previously:

"Well, let's get this bad boy and get the hell home," Kennedy said. She and Kara stepped forward. Reaching out, Kara ran her hand down the weapon, marveling at how cold and smooth it was. Then, with one swift motion, she ripped the Scythe out of the rock.

"I wanna test it out."

.................

"What is it?" Faith asked, as the others turned toward him.

"Bomb."

Chapter Thirty-Nine:

"3," Spike said, as the room suddenly sprung into life. Faith ripped open the classroom door. The bringers on the other side ran as they realized the bomb had been found. Grabbing Jack by the collar, Faith hauled him out into the hallway. He skidded down the waxed tile floor.

"Run," she yelled back at him.

"2," Spike said, slowly backing away from the bomb. Giles led the potentials out of the room, sprinting down the hall after Jack.

"Callum," Faith said, motioning for the lanky Englishman to follow. Spike was two steps behind him.

"1," Spike called as he turned to face Faith and Callum, standing by the door. The room suddenly burst into light. Faith felt the flames lick against her face as she was thrown backwards nearly twenty feet into a wall. Her head snapped back against the wall and stars burst in front of her eyes. Then everything went black.

Spike stumbled forward, the fire slamming into his back. He could smell the leather of his duster burning and the flames pierced his back. His demon howled and he fell forward onto the ground. Turning his head, he saw Callum falling forward on his knees. The flames were nearly engulfing him. Spike could smell burning flesh. The tile floor was cool against his cheek as his eyes rolled back in his head.

...........................

Kara slashed through one of the bringers with the Scythe. The metal glinted in the torch light of the vineyard. Next to her, Kennedy was wrestling one of the bringers off another potential. Suddenly, a flash of pain shot through Kara's head. Her vision blurred momentarily and then cleared. "You okay?" Kennedy asked when she successfully knocked the bringer out.

"I don't think so," Kara murmured. She could hear voices in her head whispering about flames and death. "Something happened," she said suddenly, looking over at Kennedy.

"What?" Kennedy asked, stepping forward. Kara turned away from her and catching Buffy's eye, threw her the Scythe.

"Come on," Kara said, grabbing her hand. "We've got places to be." They took off running, leaving Buffy calling after them in confusion.

When they reached the school, they could see flames roaring out of one of the classroom windows. "Oh, shit," Kennedy said when she saw fire. "They're in there, aren't they?" She asked, looking over at Kara. The flames were reflecting in the older slayer's eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Someone's dead," Kara stated. Looking over at Kennedy, she started running toward the school. Kennedy ran after her. Bursting through the front doors, they instantly started coughing from the smoke.

"We're never gonna find them in this," Kennedy said, as her eyes began to water. She could barely see in front of her.

Kara paused beside her and closed her eyes. "I know where they are," she stated simply and then started down the hallway. The closer they got to the classroom, the thicker the fire became.

"Kara! Kennedy!" Jack called out as he saw them pass by. He, Giles, and the three potentials were huddled in a corner. The fire had surrounded them and they couldn't escape.

"Get them out," Kara ordered and then disappeared further into the flames. "Faith! Callum! Spike!" She yelled, coughing into her sleeve.

"Over here!" Spike yelled. Kara ran over to him, skidding to a stop next to him.

"Are you okay?" She asked, reaching down and helping him up. His face was burned and he was covered in ashes.

"Get the slayer," Spike said, pointing to Faith, who was slumped over against the wall several feet away. "I'll get the bloke," he muttered as he leaned over Callum and quickly picked him up.

Kara ran over to Faith and took her into her arms, gently cradling the dark slayer's head against her chest. She had nearly passed out from the smoke by the time she reached the exit. Bursting out into the night air, she sucked in a deep breath. The cleansing air filled her lungs and she coughed. Kennedy was a few feet away, rubbing her hand on Jack's back in soothing circles. The man nearly coughing up his lungs.

"They okay?" Kara asked as she laid Faith down on the grass. The dark slayer was unconscious and blood covered half of her face.

"Yeah, they're good. How's she?" Kennedy asked, moving over to inspect Faith.

"I don't know," Kara replied, trying to brush the blood off her mother's face.

"A little help?" Spike said, as he clumsily laid Callum down on the grass.

"What's wrong?" Kara asked, kneeling down next to him. Spike looked up at Kara. "Spike?" She asked, noticing his eyes shining wet with tears.

"He's not breathing."