A/N: This is my first Buffy fanfic, so let me know how I'm going please! Any suggestions for future chapters, feel free to send me amessage! Thanks so much!

Buffy and Willow continued on down the dark streets, using the radiance of the full moon and the dim light that was provided by Willow's torch to see by. Earlier, the torch had not been used because they didn't want to warn any unsuspecting vampires.

Now that they were out in the open and finished with patrol, the torch had come out though. It made for a much easier journey towards the library.

"So, Buffy. How are things with Angel?" Willow asked, cheerfully. She pulled a strand of red hair out of her eyes and turned to face the Slayer.

"Things are…not so great, actually." Buffy paused.

"What? No more smoochies? But –!"

"No, it's not that. There's been plenty of smoochies. Its just …Angel's been really distant lately. I think there might be something wrong…" Stopping by a gnarled oak tree, Buffy sighed. She pulled a leaf out of her hair and gazed down the road, back towards the cemetery.

"Oh…" Willow frowned. "Is there anything I can do?" She watched Buffy, her eyes shining with concern.

"No, that's okay. Thanks though." She fell into step beside Willow as they headed off again. "Why don't we go past –" Buffy broke off suddenly as a sharp cry suddenly rang out.

"What was that? Buffy?" Willow chewed her bottom lip nervously and watched as the Slayer ran towards an old mansion just up the street. Not thrilled at being left on her own, Willow followed her.

The mansion loomed above Buffy menacingly as she neared the front door. Long, unkempt grass made up the lawn and the grungy wooden planks of the building were dank and splintering.

Buffy kicked the door in easily and cautiously peered inside.

"Hello? Anybody there?"

Willow finally arrived in the yard behind her, gasping for breath as she made her way over to Buffy. On the way, she stubbed her toe on something hard in the grass. "Ow!"

Buffy swung around concerned. "Are you okay, Will?"

Nodding, Willow joined Buffy at the door. "Yup, I'm fine. Just stubbed my toe."

"Okay. Well, let's go check this thing out."

Buffy entered the mansion with Willow bringing up the rear.

A thin wisp of curling green smoke snaked a path through the air behind the pair, as if it was following them. It remained hidden from sight and immediately turned invisible when Buffy turned and looked back...

A/N: The plot thickens...!