Chapter 17

Sarah fought the weariness which was overcoming her as she approached the entrance to the cave. She had not slept the previous night, and was discovering that a night spent tossing and turning was not restful.

As she neared the entrance to the tunnel, she saw a shape lying there. Worried about what she might find, she increased her speed. But the sudden sound of her footsteps woke Bernhardt just in time for him to see Cornelia attempting to escape. The madman took off after the young American, but was followed into the next cave by Spike, whilst Drusilla stopped Sarah from following, grasping the Slayers wrist and twisting her arm behind her back.

"You mustn't follow…" Drusilla whispered. "I wanted my William to give my servant a present, but it's a secret… Shhhhhh…..."

Sarah struggled, but found the mad vampires hold too strong. But barely a minute later Spike re-emerged from the inner cave, wiping blood from his chin using a scrap of cloth, which he tossed in a corner. Sarah's eyes widened at this, but the blonde vampire rolled his eyes at her.

"Don't worry - I've not eaten your friend - just making sure that Bernie didn't do anything that he'd regret one day. - I'm not gonna eat you, either. Much as I want to - but Dru here won't let me."

Sarah was about to ask why, unable to comprehend why the vampire was letting her go, when she caught the sight of movement from the corner of her eye. Wrenching her arm free, she saw another vampire following the path Cornelia had just taken.

Spike smiled, contriving to look animalistic even though he was not wearing his true face. "So, a decision, pet." He said, taking a menacing step towards her. "You can stay and fight us - big kudos with the Council, you know… dusting a vamp who's killed a Slayer… or you can let us go and save your friend…" He dropped his arms, and somehow managed to look harmless, an illusion Sarah did not fall for. "We won't stop you, will we love."

Sarah decided quickly. "Go!" she spat out abruptly, making her dislike of the couple standing in front of her plain, before she made her way towards the cave which Cornelia and Franz had entered.

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Spike and Drusilla watched her go, before Spike turned and started to gather up their things, which mainly consisted of Drusilla's dolls, which she would not leave behind.

"Come on, love." He said, picking up the various packages. "I want to be well away before other people start coming in these caves. Pity we have to leave, really. Could have called it home, eventually." He sighed, before heading towards the entrance.

Drusilla looked around sadly, she had liked it in the caves. The voices had told her things. But they had told her that she had to leave or else they would be angry, and so she complied. "Take care of my Princesses…?" she whispered, before following Spike into the entrance tunnel.

They quickly made their way up the slope, but as they were approaching the crossroads they heard footsteps coming the other way. Spike immediately realised a rescue party had been sent, and grimaced. Before hurrying Drusilla to the crossroads and taking her a little way down the other passageway.

They waited quietly until the footsteps passed, and made their way to the entrance to the tunnel. Drusilla wanted to follow the footsteps. "They took my Princess…!" she hissed, but Spike persuaded her otherwise.

"Now, love." he said in low tones, his eyes noting the string which had been left as a guide. "We're heading off to America, remember?"

Drusilla nodded and sadly followed him, throwing annoyed glances over her shoulder all the way.

They emerged from the cleft in the moonlight, but Spike immediately narrowed his eyes and sniffed, then pulled Drusilla behind a tree. It turned out his move was just in time, as almost immediately a group, with some of the men bearing ropes and pickaxes, emerged from the trees. They spoke for a moment, apparently examining a bush, and then entered the cleft, bound on their rescue mission.

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Meanwhile, back in the caves, Sarah had followed the vampire and discovered him leaning over Cornelia, ready to feed. Taking no time to think, Sarah ran at him from behind, knocking him over to the side of Cornelia, then rolling off his back into a standing position.

The vampire jumped to his feet and the pair circled, Sarah attempting to move away from Cornelia. Suddenly he shot his hand out to grab her neck, but she used her arm to knock his hand away. Dropping to a crouch, she swept her leg round, knocking the vampire off his feet before rising and going to stake him.

Franz was too quick however, and brought his legs up, kicking her through the air, leaving her sat against the cave wall, winded and dazed, the stake lying where it fell from her hand. He walked up, a twisted grin on his animalistic face, and grabbed the front of her coat, lifting her up and pulling her close.

"You're out of your depth, little girl," he growled, lowering his head for the kill.

Sarah, sagging, found a reserve of strength at his words. "I'm not a little girl." She hissed, bringing her knee up into his groin. He immediately crumpled, losing his grip on her, and she immediately rolled to the stake, retrieving it.

He walked towards her, menacingly, backing her up to the wall. But as her back touched the wall, she felt a ledge. Waiting until he was closer, she put her weight on her hands and jumping, kicked out with both legs, catching him straight in the chest. In the second he sat against the wall, dazed. She sprinted across the cave and plunged the stake into his heart, turning him to dust.