Chapter 5

Buffy was running down the white hall as she did many times before. She was stuck in the same dream but this time she couldn't escape. She was stuck in dream world, forced to relive the same dream over and over.

The hall she now recognised was that of sunnydale hospital. She'd been there before when her mother was sick. She was still wearing the wedding dress. It was long and white and had a hint of pink init. Her hair was tied up with ringlets and flowers in her blonde locks. She was running from the masked figure behind her. Terror ran through her body as she made her way past a familiar room. As she stopped and looked in through the window in the door she saw her, Dawn and their mother. Tears ran down her cheeks as she was forced to remember the painful day of when her mother died.

Buffy turned around, she had to get out of the room but wish she didn't as the masked figure was there to greet her. The chainsaw started up and Buffy screamed.

When she awoke she was in Spike's crypt sat in his chair. The Mayor was seated opposite her.

"What the hell did you do to me?" Buffy was now standing and edging away from the man as he made his way closer to her.

"Buffy, I said I'm here to help."

"By getting me killed?" Buffy shot back.

"No Buffy. It's you're dream; you need to find out what it means. Only you can find the answers."

Buffy looked confused.

"You ready to try it again?"

"What do I do to find the answers?" Buffy asked she was obviously starting to trust the guy even if she didn't want to.

"You need to unmask the figure Buffy, find out what it is you're running away from."

Just as he said that he took out some more dust and blew it in Buffy's face.

She was again back in dream land.

"Where the hell is Buffy?" Xander asked pacing up and down by the pay phone trying to get in touch with Buffy.

"I've tried her cell, the house. I can't find her anywhere." Everyone was panicky not knowing where Buffy was. The past few days had just gone from bad to worse. Anya had now joined the others at the hospital.

"What about some of us go looking for her?" Anya smartly suggested.

"Good idea. You and Xander go." Dawn said not even looking up at the others.

"Okay, let's go." Anya pulled Xander out of his seat and took the keys off him. He was in no state to drive, not after everything he had gone through.

Seated in the car, Xander had time to think. He didn't know where they were gonna start looking for Buffy; he'll let Anya work that one out. He just wanted to sit and think about the past few days for a while. It was quiet, even though Anya had turned the radio on it was still all quiet to Xander.

Anya had always hated the awkward silence thing. She was always one to babble on, and so was Xander. But tonight he was hurting and Anya could see that. She didn't want to intrude on his moping fest. She was quite content on just sitting and listening to the radio.

Her and Xander's favourite song had just come on and Anya began to sing to it.

Never before have I felt this way

It's such a bright and sunny day.

Come with me where we can play

Have you ever stood and smelt the roses?

We can have a picnic in the park

Snuggle till it goes dark

You look good to me.

Just as Anya got through singing the first verse she'd realised that Xander was also singing. The couple both looked at each other and laughed. Xander now realised he had made a mistake by letting her go, they obviously have a lot more in common than Xander had thought. They loved each other and no one could change that.

Running down the hospital corridor, Buffy tried getting closer to the masked man but every time she did something made her run and run. She didn't know why she kept running; she was the slayer after all. Not afraid of anything. But it seemed something's in life she was.

She came to the door again where she saw her mother sick in hospital. This was her chance to unmask the person she was running from.

Instead she ended up fighting. The chainsaw cut into her skin as she punched the figure in the chest.

Buffy again was back to the present. She looked annoyed at herself. She couldn't even take a stupid mask off someone who was chasing her. But why? What was it she was so scared of?

"I want to go back." She was saying to the Mayor as she awoke.

"Buffy, you're scared of this thing. I understand. But the only way to overcome your fear is to face it. and you need to do that in order to save your friends."

"What? Are they in trouble?" Buffy had panic in her eyes.

"I'm afraid I cannot tell you that. I'm only here to help you with your dream."

"Send me back."

To be continued…..