DISCLAIMER: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and all characters belong to
Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and Fox.
Saturday, March 8 1997
The last days of winter were giving way to milder temperatures as two young people stood outside a classroom window of Sunnydale High School. The dark haired teenager smashes a window pane, undoing the latch and opening the window.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Questions the blond girl nervously.
The girl glances quickly to her left, sensing something, but sees nothing but shadows.
"It's a great idea. Now come on." The boy exclaims as he begins crawling through the now open window.
The girl moves up behind him as his legs disappear through the window. One of the shadows separates from the others and in the blink of an eye passes by the girls back and just as quickly the shadow fades away leaving only some drifting dust where the girl had once stood.
The boy turns around to help his new found interest only to find himself alone.
"Hey, where'd you go?" He calls out, sweeping his gaze left, then right and back again. Silence was his response and there was nothing out there but the shadows.
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Cloaked in shadows he waited. He could hear the voices drift through the night air announcing his coming meal. Slowly he licked lips in anticipation, his fingers stretching and slowly clenching, one for him and one to take home to the master he whispered softly. The thought of the hot sweet blood nearly made him shiver with excitement. A few more steps and they would pass by, allowing him to grab them both from behind. His body tensed, humming with desire at the coming kill.
The two girls oblivious to their danger laughed as they recalled a pleasant experience. As they passed by, a soft whooshing sound startled them from their conversation. Turning, all that was there was a little dust caught in the breeze, swirling briefly then settling quietly on the dark ground. Looking at each other they shrugged, smiled and continued their journey home unaware of how close they came to horrific death.
Predators of unnatural origins roamed the night seeking their warm blooded prey. Lurking in the shadows to pounce on their unsuspecting victims, taking from the puny mortals the warm blood they craved. But this night the shadows were not their friend. Rather than hiding them, the shadows were alive with something more deadly than even their hell spawn selves. Seven more times that night the silent darkness would leave only dust to commemorate their final passing.
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Deep in the bowels of the earth, trapped in a cage of his own making the creature known only as 'The Master' howled in rage. He felt the passing of each of his children and the pain it wrought drove him into a violent fury.
"Luke! Luke! Something has happened. I felt them all pass from this existence. The Harvest is a mere three days away and something has arrived to threaten my release." The vampire screams his wrath; his head tilted upwards, arms reaching for the freedom he craves so much.
A hulking brute of a beast approaches, quietly going down on one knee with head bowed in fear.
"But master, we've had no opposition whatsoever before now. What could cause such damage in a single night?" The enormous Luke offered with bowed head and eyes glancing up warily.
"It can't be but it's the only logical explanation." The Master pauses then almost tenderly places his hand on Luke's head before finishing his words.
"A Slayer. Only a Slayer could wreck this much damage in a single night." His quiet icy words are reluctantly forced from his lips.
Startled, Luke takes his Master's hand while raising his head for the first time.
"I'll bring her to you that you may feast, this I swear." Luke pledged with conviction.
The Master looked down with gruesome affection. "I would enjoy that greatly, but I need you for the Harvest. You are my vessel and I dare not risk you. But now that we know what we're dealing with I'm sure we can arrange a nice surprise for the Slayer. But no more this night, it's nearly dawn."
The Master tilts his head slightly up and in a thoughtful tone issues his commands. "Three hours before sunset, gather all my children that I may set them their tasks. The Slayer must not interfere with the Harvest. This sunrise must be her last."
A twisted smile spreads across Luke's misshapen face. "As you wish my Master." He spoke while trying to guess what wonderful cruelty his lord has planned for the presumptuous Slayer.
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Darkness shrouded the quiet tree lined street flirting with small bits of light from well spaced street lights. Shadows undulated in a slow dance between light and dark, except for one, a shadow that moved with purpose, making its way to the dark upstairs window of a quaint house with wood siding.
A single light on in an upstairs bedroom facing the street was the only indication that not everyone was asleep. The shadow merged with the darkness of the room as it entered in complete silence. A solid form took shape as it divested itself of its outer covering. A delicate appearing hand with slim fingers took a robe from a chair, wrapping the trim body with its soft cloth.
Making its way down the hallway, the figure paused in front of the bedroom door where the light was still on. A woman reading in bed glanced up as the figure was revealed for the first time that night. Standing in the doorway, a petite blond girl of sixteen with dark green eyes smiled affectionately.
"Hi mom. Home safe and sound." The words were soft, conveying warmth and assurance.
The woman in bed let out a slow breath she felt she had been holding all night.
"Thank goodness Buffy. Any problems?" She asked only partially keeping the worry from her voice.
"No problem unless you factor in why a town this small has nine vamps roaming around in a single night." Her brow scrunching with the same consternation that was in her voice.
Then looking up, her face took on a slight pleading look. "But I'm really bushed. Can we talk after I get some sleep? And I'm in serious need of a hot shower." The pleading tone in Buffy's voice brought a smile to her mothers face.
"Go, we'll talk after you've had your rest." Her relief to have her daughter home safely shone in her eyes.
Buffy moved to leave, then turned and crossed the room. Leaning over to kiss her mother she spoke with appreciation." Thanks mom. And get some sleep yourself."