Faith laid on her back, staring at the ceiling above her bunk bed. Lying there forced her to think of all the emotion brought up by Hope's visit. Part of her happy of the fact that she was still alive, but the other half of her was shocked and a little scared of the girl she had become. Faith couldn't stop herself from remembering the day she woke up to find Hope gone.
10 years earlier
"God, I need an aspirin" Faith muttered as she opened her eyes. Turning her head, she realized she wasn't home, in their rundown apartment, and tried to remember if she was drinking. Suddenly she recalled the night's activities and jumped up from her position, leaning against a tree. Stopping to clear her mind from the head rush, Faith went into panic mode. Faith searched high and low, looking everywhere for her little sister. Finally as night approached, Faith collapsed in the latest searching spot, the park, and for the first time, let out an anguished cry, letting the tears fall, she led a silent vow, to find her sister, and save her from whoever those deformed guys were, and kick the living shit from them.
Things didn't get better from there, not in the least bit. Faith became bitter, and more restless and inhibited. Life at home in Boston, was crappy due to her mother's excessive drinking and her father's time in jail, never to see the outside world again. Faith never lost sight of her revenge for her sister, and learned the true nature of the men that took her from some not to nice guys at the local bar. Self-teaching herself martial arts, Faith took to finding vampires herself, and trying to get them to give her information, but no one knew anything. Faith was amazed one day, when she woke up, from her bed one day, only to open the door and pull the door off the hinges. Faith knew the door was made of poor material, but still, she couldn't pull it just by opening it. Faith was even more amazed when an uptight, British, suit, walked up to her door, and told her of her legacy, her destiny as a slayer. Faith slowly grew a connection with her new watcher, and opened up her life story, including her search for her sister. Her watcher, now happy that she helped Faith take a bundle off her shoulder, promised her to help her any way she could. Now having someone to help her, Faith tried even harder, searching through books, day and night, to find anything on Hope's kidnappers. Faith believed she found the answer in an old vampire by the name of Kakistos. Little did she know, Kakistos would find her.
Seven years earlier
BOOM, went the door as it was knocked off Faith's watcher, Meredith's door. A large booming, vampire walked in with four of his lackeys. "well, well, well, if it isn't the slayer, and her watcher, I hear your looking for me, so I decided to pay a visit" Kakistos said as he cleared the table full of books with his large arm, knocking them to the ground. Three of his lackeys went over to the slayer, and attempted to grab her arms. Faith only managed to stake one, with the stake she kept in her pocket before the other two, grabbed her and pushed her into a nearby wall. Not quite up to her regular strength, due the long nights researching, Faith could merely cry out, and struggle, when Kakistos went over to her watcher. Kakistos snarled, when Meredith shot an arrow from her mini crossbow, and knocked the weapon from her hands. Faith's eyes lit up as Kakistos smiled grimly and tore the watcher's throat out. Sniffing the fear in the room, and smiling, Kakistos walked up to the struggling slayer, licking the blood from his hand. "you bastard" Faith managed to get out before Kakistos back handed her. "don't get cheeky with me slayer, now what is it you wanted to ask me, I'm feeling charitable, now that my hunger is satiated, for now" he drew as he stared into the hateful eyes of his mortal enemy. Spitting the blood from her cheek and in a state of shock from the brutal death of the one she had come to know as a second mother, Faith answered. "my sister. Looks like me, about eight years old now, she was taken, by some sadistic bastard of a vampire, I need to find her" Faith said as she looked at the immortal for some kind of recognition. Laughing, Kakistos answered her, causing Faith to fear the worst. "hehe, yeah, I know your sister, a favorite of Marius's, I believe, one of his many pets. That girl can take a beating, I'll tell you that much. Grown into quite a beauty that one. Heard her blood is just delectable, something like an aphrodisiac, I heard. Vamps just love to play around with that one they do, nothing like the smell of heated blood spilled after a good whipping." he said as he watched Faith's expression, change from fear to pure, seething anger and hate when he was done. Faith found a great deal of inner strength, and pushed the two vampires away, grabbing the stake hidden in her arm sleeve, she took it, and jabbed it in one vampire and then the other, condemning them to dust in the wind. Knowing she needed to avenge the death of her watcher, but knowing she was no match for Kakistos, Faith held in her emotions, and leaped from the house and into the night. Running, Faith could only focus on the revelation of her sister, and he destination, Sunnydale, where her watcher told her, the other slayer, Buffy lived. That and the ever so present laughter that echoed behind her, where her past grew further and further. Letting the wind blow her tears away, Faith ran and never looked back, deciding to never let anyone else know of her search for her sister. It would only cause another person's death.
Present day
Hope opened her eyes, much to her dismay, and looked at her surroundings. Hope was not surprised when she woke up, in a steel cage, next to the woman and son. Hope sat up, and grimaced at the pain in her ribs, and arm. Hope closed her eyes, to regain herself again, and opened them when she heard a voice. The woman, had moved the small boy sleeping in her lap and turned to Hope. "He hurt you again didn't he, bad this time?" the woman asked, concern filling her eyes. Smiling grimly, Hope answered "nah, I'm fine, just some bruising, see I'm fine" Hope said as she tried to sit up again but gasped in pain and sat back down. "Isabel, don't worry, I'm fine" trying to reassure her, but knew it was hopeless. Keeping her mother resolve face, she simply stated "your not fine," eyes softening she said again "you don't have to be brave with me, Hope, you never did, what would Megan say to this" Eyes darkening, Hope said "don't start, I AM fine, now trust me, I can take care of myself, don't bring her into this". "Hope, its wasn't your fault, I can't tell you enough, you've carried this burden for two long, end it now" Isabel pleaded, all but got on her knees and begged, knowing that it wouldn't help. "I saw her, she told me…told me she was in hell..told me, it was my fault, if I had just, I could of, done, done something" Hope whispered hoping Isabel would stop there. "Damn him, Hope listen to me, that wasn't Meg, you know it wasn't, Megan was too good to be in hell, you and I both know that, you know he's just bringing your fears out, you can't always believe the things you see" Isabel said in a commanding voice. Hope closed her eyes, remembering the times she shared with her best friend in the entire world, one who gave her strength to survive all these years, and would later condemn her to a life of self-hate. One she resented for worming her way into her black heart.
Flashback
Hope and Meagan had become closer than carrots and peas. Megan would console Hope when she cried over her sister and Hope would in return help Megan's mother, Isabel, prepare for the baby. The birth of Megan's new brother, Todd, was an exciting moment although scary too, as Marius attempted to take the baby but soon gave up as he cursed at the work all babies were, and promised to take him later. As they got older, things changed for the worse. Marius soon took not to kindly to Hope and Megan's growing friendship, and also took a fancy to Hope's beauty. Marius would regularly take them away from Isabel and bring them to dark rooms where his minions took turns hurting them. Hope, not wanting to have her friend hurt, always tried to distract the minions into focusing on her, so Megan could be safe. Hope always seemed to have a smile even through all the pain, Marius and his minions gave her. Isabel would softly cry as she heard the screams at night, as Megan crouched closer to her mother, in fear of her friend getting hurt. Isabel could only murmur, soothing words, as she fell into a troubled sleep, so meg wouldn't have to see the sight of Hope's bloody body, as the lackeys threw her back into the cage. Hope had scars that would never disappear and even more on the emotional side. By the time, the girls were ten, Marius had started looking at Hope on the sexual side, and one night took her to his bed for the first time of many to come. When he brought her back to her cage and left, Megan opened her eyes and looked at Hope. Hope sat in the corner of her dirty cage and looked at the air before her as if in a state of shock, which Megan had no doubt she was in. Megan noticed the loss of the last bit of innocence, in her eyes and went over to the wall of her cage, grabbed Hope's hand, whispering reassurance as Hope let her see the tears cascading down her face.
As years passed, Hope grew more distant, and sought to lose her tie of friendship with Megan. Megan, scared that she would lose Hope forever, demanded why. Megan's eyes, took a look of pain, as Hope described the things Marius made her do. Marius would take her to local bars and hangouts and tell her to kill someone, one he picked out every night. At first, Hope shook her head, and said she never would kill until Marius threatened to hurt Megan's family. Realizing the truth in his voice, Hope could do nothing but take a grim look of determination as she killed those she never got to know. If Hope, took the person quickly, Marius would torture her for days, until she grew a little insane everyday. That and the constant threats, forced Hope to get rid of the best thing in her life, her best friend. Megan, now dawned with truth, told her no matter she wouldn't stop being her friend, and that she was innocent, that she didn't choose to kill people, it was just Marius's sick twist on life. Hope kept on ignoring Megan, in hope that she would get the hint, and stop talking to her. But even then, Meagan talked to her, even if Hope didn't respond. Finally Hope's resolve came down, and Megan could only watch as Hope broke down, and try to console her from the bars of the cage she hated. Their bond only grew closer, as Hope told her about the things Marius forced her to do that day, and Megan would tell her of Todd's latest annoying habit, and they would laugh through the tears. That was until Marius started feeding his blood to Hope against her will, after hearing the girls laughter, seething with anger that Hope was happy even for a moment. This enabled Marius to know where Hope was at all times, he could cause her pain easily, and she would slowly recover without the need for medical treatment, she also had a bond with him that forced her to become dependent on him, needing to listen to everything he said, having no control of her action if he willed it He also took to causing her pain in her mind of she disobeyed him, he could make her see images of her kills, and other horrific things if he simply willed it. Hope began to become harder, and slowly lost her will to leave this place, deciding it would never happen. Megan could merely watch as she watched Hope scream in her sleep or begin talking to her as Hope clutched her head in pain and had spasms. This continued until the day Megan died, which would be imbedded in Hope's mind forever.
Present day
Hope started visiting Faith more often, slowly opening up to Faith's sister instincts. Hope never told Faith what happened to her, or what was still happening to her. Faith soon became impatient with Hope, knowing that she was carrying a heavy burden that she wasn't sharing with her. Faith was confused that Hope wouldn't open up to Faith, even though Faith was suspicious when Hope would show up for a few days, or come with nasty bruises or cuts. Finally, Faith demanded that she stop coming here, and to only show up when she could tell her what was happening.
Knowing, she couldn't stop seeing Faith after they were slowly growing a bond with each other, but also knowing Faith wouldn't see her again without knowing the truth of all these years. Hope waited until Marius went out on business plans as had become a habit and crept out of her cage by kicking repeatedly against the door, and left the warehouse. Before leaving, Hope changed into the set of clothing, Marius always left for her, to change into. Hope walked the lonely streets, figuring out how to tell her sister, of all the terrible things she has done, and all the horrible things done to her. By the time she reached Los Angeles state prison, she had half a mind to turn back. Knowing she couldn't she entered the prison, and as she was searched for possible weapons, waited for the inevitable confrontation she knew was approaching.
Faith leapt up at the sound of Bob's keys turning the cell lock, at what only could mean as another visitor, since lunchtime was over. Bob smiled as he saw Faith's eyes brighten up, and was happy that the little, brown haired visitor, had brought this much happiness to Faith. As he locked the door behind him, he smiled and knew that Faith would at least be calmer for a few days.
Faith sat down in the chair, and peered at the girl she now knew was her sister. "Hope…you ready to tell me what's been going on FOR TEN YEARS" Faith said on the little angry side. Her eyes slightly softened at the look of pain, Hope had, as she attempted to sit in the chair given to her. "Somethin, happen to ya," Faith said, trying not to seem like she forgave her for not coming sooner. Hope looked into Faith's eyes, and took a breath. "You don't seem your cocky self today huh, …well, you gonna let me see or what" Faith said as she gestured to Hope's ribs she was clutching to. Sighing, Hope lifted her shirt, and held a breath, as Faith let out a string of curses, at the sight of her thin stomach and all the bruising and scars that lay there. "WHO DID IT, TELL ME HOPE, I'LL FUCKING KILL THEM, …HOW LONG HOPE, HOW LONG HAVE THEY BEEN HURTING YOU" Faith shouted as she stood up and watched a tear roll down Hope's cheek. Faith sat back down, at the look of warning on the outside guard's faces, and patiently waited for her answer. Hope took another deep breath, and told Faith the whole story even her friendship with Megan. She told her of the torture she had endured, the murders she had committed, the lies she told, everything. Hope watched Faith's face go from complete anger and hate to a look of sorrow, as her story came out. When she was finished, Hope was an emotion roller coaster, but managed not shed a single tear, keeping it all inside. Faith had took to pacing, and only stopped by the scream that led out of Hope's mouth. Faith rushed over to Hope, who was lying on the floor, shaking, and holding her head. Knowing now that this was Marius's doing, Faith tried to think of what to do before the guards caught on to the happenings in the room. Still in a lot of pain, Hope pushed upright with one arm and tried to stand. Once up, Hope gritted her teeth through the pain and managed to tell Faith of her need to leave. Faith threatened her, she would give her more pain than he ever gave her, if she went back to him, but Hope could only give a pain filled, reassurance look and headed to the door. "what will he do Hope, for seenin me" Faith whispered at Hope's back. Chuckling with nervous laughter, Hope said nothing he hasn't done before. "I probably won't be able to come back any time soon, just, just promise me you won't try and find me…..won't try to save me or break out….I wouldn't be able to live, if something happened to you..besides, you can't save me..no one can…hehe, that's cliché for a reason" Hope said as she shut the door behind, and collapsed on the concrete parking lot in a mess of tears. Hope started the run home, hoping Marius wouldn't put her back to the steel room but knowing there would be nothing she could do if he did.
Five minutes, Faith" the prison guard shouted, as Faith dialed the memorized number into the phone.
"Angel Investigations, how can I help you"
"Hey Cordy, I need to talk to Angel"
"Faith, sure..hold on"
"Hello, Faith"
"Angel, I need your help again"
"Faith..what's wrong"
"I'll tell you later, just get here"
"I'll be there in five"
"Hurry Angel, she might not have that long"
"she?……Faith..who's she"
click