Disclaimer: Don't own it
Episode 5: Never kill a boy on the first date
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Bridge kicked a vampire in the face with a roundhouse kick, forcing him to step backwards. He tried to kick the Slayer, but he jumped back. The vamp tried two punches which Bridge blocked neatly as well. On the third punch, Bridge grabbed onto his wrist and kicked him in the midsection, before flipping him onto his back.
"Hi, we haven't been properly introduced!" Bridge pulled out a stake. "I'm Bridge, and you're history!" he plunged it into the vamp, causing him to explode into dust.
"Slayer: one, vamp: zero," he commented as Cruger stepped out from behind a tombstone. The two were in the Sunnydale cemetery, looking out for newly-sired vamps.
"Poor technique, prioritizing, sub-par . . . execution was adequate, but a bit too bloody for my tastes," he winced at the blood on Bridge's knuckles. The Slayer saw him looking and wiped his hands on his jacket while rolling his eyes.
"No problem, Cruger. I was happy to make the world safe for humanity again."
"I'm not saying that your methods are without merit!" he tried to pacify his Slayer, not looking up to having to face one of his tantrums on how no one appreciated what he did. "It's, uh, you're wasting too much energy. It should be plunge and move on, plunge and move-" he stopped at the sight of a ring on the ground.
Bridge raised an eyebrow at him and waved his hands in the air, "This is great! I slay and you fence their stuff." He snickered at the look on Cruger's face and then sobered instantly, "What is it?"
"I don't know."
"But it bothers you."
"I thought that vampire was just a random kill. Apparently not. I'll need to consult my books."
Meanwhile in the Master's lair, the Master slammed a book on the lectern and began to read.
"And there will be a time of crisis, of worlds hanging in the balance. And in this time shall come the Anointed, the Master's greatest warrior. And the Slayer will not know him and he will lead him into Hell. Five will die and from their ashes, the Anointed shall rise. The Brethren of Aurelius shall greet him and usher him to his immortal destiny. Here endeth the lesson."
He walked away after slamming the book shut.
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Bridge sat on a table in the library, studying the ring while Cruger stepped down from the stacks, leafing through a book in his hand.
"The symbol on the ring . . . I believe it's the rune of infidelity, but it doesn't connect with any of the sects I've studied," he muttered.
Bridge turned the ring in his fingers and spotted a symbol. "What about this? A sun and three stars. Haven't we seen that before?" he leafed through one of the books in front of him.
"Um, I don't think this represents-" Cruger was cut off by Bridge thrusting a book under his nose.
"Here it is! Yuck, check these guys out!" he made a face at the picture, "toldja it looked familiar!"
"The Order of Aurelius. You were right," Cruger muttered and Bridge grinned wildly.
"Ooh, two points for the Slayer, while the Watcher has yet to score!"
A young dark haired teen, a year senior to Bridge, walked in and came up to the table where Cruger and his Slayer were sitting. Bridge looked up as he came in and smiled.
"Owen, hi!"
Cruger looked up at the new teen, "What do you want?"
Owen frowned, "Um, a book?"
"Oh!"
Bridge fought the urge to sigh, "See, this is a school, we have students and they check out books and then they learn things!"
"I was beginning to suspect that was a myth," Cruger added dryly.
"I lost my Emily Dickenson. I was hoping you'd have another one," Owen interrupted.
"Poetry," Cruger pointed at the stacks.
"I didn't think I'd find you here," Owen looked at Bridge as he climbed the stairs.
"Why not?" the Slayer asked as he followed him up.
"You don't seem bookwormy. The type of person who would lock themselves up in a dark room with a lot of musty books." He looked up from examining one of the stacks and saw Bridge's expression, "And now I've offended you."
"No, it's not that. I'm surprised you gave any thoughts as to what I'm like," Bridge shook his head.
"You shouldn't be," Owen found his book and took it down to Cruger.
"Well, I love books."
Owen looked at the occult book on the table and tried to see it, but Bridge came in his way.
"Not this one!"
"This one he doesn't love," Cruger added. He took the book from Owen, "Emily Dickenson. She's a good poet for a-"
"Girl?" Bridge asked teasingly.
"I was going to say American."
Owen took his book and turned to Bridge giving him a wink, "I'll see you in math . . . if I open my eyes at some point."
"Fine," Bridge smiled as he left.
"The Order of Aurelius is a very old and venerated sect. if they're here, it's for a good reason," Cruger continued and then stopped as he saw Bridge's attention was else where.
"That was Owen!" he said excitedly.
"Yes, I remember," he said.
"Do you have any more copies of Emily Dickenson? I need one!"
"Bridge, while the mere fact of you wanting to check out a book would be grounds for a national holiday, I think we should focus on the problem at hand!" Cruger growled in annoyance.
"Yes of course we should!" Bridge sat down and then looked up at him.
"Do you think he likes me?"
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Z stared at Bridge while they paid for lunch.
"Owen Thurman was talking to you?" she asked in disbelief.
"It's all true," Bridge grinned at her.
"Wow! He hardly talks to anyone. He's solitary, mysterious . . . he can brood for forty minutes straight! I've clocked him!"
"He was so nice, it was eerie!"
"What did you guys talk about?"
Bridge started back for their table, "Emily Dickenson."
Z looked impressed, "He's manly, yet sensitive! Wait, you've never even read her!"
"Actually I used to. But with the whole moving here thing, I lost my copy," Bridge nodded.
Z looked towards their table, "Isn't that Owen?"
Bridge was about to respond when Syd interrupted him.
"Ooh, an empty seat," she said, bumping into Bridge, causing him to drop his tray.
"Eww," he made a face and bent down to clean it up while Z tried to find a table to put her tray down on before going to help.
"Let me get that," Owen smiled and bent down to help the Slayer.
"Thanks. Boy, I never knew Sydney's hips were that big," Bridge muttered in annoyance.
"Ha-ha," Syd said dryly.
"At least you don't have to eat your Soylent Green," Owen quipped.
Syd huffed and tried to get Owen's attention, "A bunch of us are loitering at the Bronze tonight, you wanna come?"
"Who all are going?" he looked at her.
"Well, um, I'm going to be there," Syd nodded.
"And?"
"You mean besides me?" Syd looked mortified at the fact that he had asked that question.
"Bridge, what about you?" Owen looked at him and Bridge blushed a bit.
"No, no, no! He, uh, doesn't like fun!" Syd tried to draw Owen's attention away from the Slayer he was staring intently at.
"How about we meet there at eight tonight?" he smiled at him.
"Eight, there!" Bridge smiled back and stood up with his empty tray. He dropped it on Syd's lunch before leaving, causing Owen to snicker.
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Bridge sighed as Z gave him a knowing smiled as they walked to the library.
"It's not that big a deal! Just a bunch of people getting together!"
"Please!" Z scoffed, "It's a very big deal!"
"It's not!"
"It is!" Z turned to Cruger as they entered the library, who had his nose buried in a book. "Tell him!" she demanded, pointing at Bridge.
"I'm afraid it's very big," he said without looking up.
"Thank you!" Z turned with a smile to Bridge and then both their faces took on confused looks and turned back to the Watcher, "Wait."
"What are you talking about?" Z asked him.
"What are you talking about?" he looked up from the book.
"Boys!" Bridge and Z said in unison.
"I'm talking about trouble. A violent and disturbing prophecy is about to be fulfilled," Cruger sighed.
"Order of Aurelius," Bridge remembered.
"You were right about the connection. I've looked at the writings of Aurelius himself and he prophesied that the brethren of his order would come to the Master and bring him the Anointed."
"Who's that?" Z asked.
"Well, I-I don't know exactly, a-a warrior, but it says he will rise from the ashes of the Five on the evening of the thousandth day after the Advent of Septus," he frowned.
"Well, we'll be ready for it, whenever it is," Bridge nodded.
"It's tonight," Cruger said dead-panned.
"Tonight, okay!" Bridge said with a determined nod and then had a look of horror on his face, "Not okay! It can't be tonight!"
"My calculations are precise," Cruger said indignantly.
"Bad calculations, bad!"
"Bridge has a really important date!" Z looked mortified.
"Alright, I'll just jump in my time-machine, go back to the twelfth century and ask the vampires to postpone their ancient prophecy so you can do on a date!" Cruger said sarcastically.
Bridge raised an eyebrow, "Okay, at this point, you're abusing sarcasm!"
"Bridge, this is no ordinary vampire! We have to stop him from reaching the Master!"
"But . . . cute guy . . . teenager . . . fantasies," Bridge protested.
"Those will just have to be put on hold! The dark forces are aligning against us, and we have a chance to beat them back. Tonight we go into battle!"
Later that night, Bridge and Cruger sat on a large gravestone, Bridge looking as though he was ready to kill something and Cruger looking sheepish.
"Perhaps I miscalculated," Cruger said.
"I'm thinking yes," Bridge said dead-panned.
"Well, you know what they say! Ninety percent of the slaying game is waiting!" the Watcher tried to save face, but that was impossible with his Slayer.
"You couldn't have told me that ninety percent ago?"
"Well, we've waited here long enough," he sighed as he got up.
"Then can I bail?" Bridge jumped up with new energy.
"Fine," he sighed, "follow your hormones. But I hope I don't have to remind you of the risks involved in being with someone?"
"I've read the back of the box," Bridge picked up his bag.
"If your identity as the Slayer is revealed it could put you and all those around you in grave danger."
"Well, in that case I won't wear my button that says, 'I'm a
Slayer. Ask me how'!" he sighed at Cruger's look. "Good night!"
Cruger began to head back as well, "I was so sure it was tonight."
On the outskirts of town, a bus with five people sped down the highway. A young child, no older than ten, named Collin looked at a rugged, muscular man named Andrew.
"I went on a plane," Collin said blandly. Andrew paid no attention to him and muttered under his breath.
"A pale horse emerged with death as its rider. You will be
judged. You will be judged."
In the Bronze, Bridge came in and looked around for Owen. He saw him dancing closely with Syd and looked on, crushed at the sight of them together. He silently left the hangout and went straight home, not noticing another pair of piercing blue eyes looking at him sadly from the shadows.
Back on the bus, Andrew had gotten up and was standing in the aisle.
"That day's gonna bring fire. Fire coming down! Judgment! Don't think you're ready, ready to look upon him. If there's sin in there, there's sin all around. It's a liquid. On that day there won't be anybody telling us what to do or why we're doing it. You can't prepare. On that day . . ."
"Hey, sit down!" the driver yelled at him. One of the brethren stepped in front of the bus, causing the bus to hit him, swerve and hit a pole.
"Is everyone okay?" the driver yelled. The passengers looked at each other, shaken but okay. The driver got out to check the victim.
"Are you all right? Can you move?" he asked.
The vampire grabbed him by the throat and began to choke him. Another one punched through a window, grabbed Andrew by the throat, pulling him out before biting him. The vampires all climbed into the bus to get the other people.
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The next morning, Bridge slammed his locker shut and leaned on it.
"So you just went home?" Jack asked, leaning beside him.
"What else was I supposed to do? Say to Owen, 'Sorry I was late. I was sitting on a gravestone with a librarian, waiting for a vampire to rise so that I could prevent an evil prophecy from coming to pass'?" he sighed.
Jack looked thoughtful for a second, "Or flat tire?"
Bridge shoved off his locker and began walking down the hall, "I can't take this anymore. I feel like everyone is staring at me like I'm the big, hideous, dateless monster."
Jack looked over at him, "Come on, Bridge, you could have any guy in the school!"
"He's not any guy! He's . . . Oweny," Bridge frowned and leaned on another locker besides Jack's.
"Sure, he's got the Owen factor, but there are plenty of guys with that! A lot can read!" Jack grinned at Bridge, "I can read!"
Bridge, once again, missed the hint and continued to look down. Owen came up to him and stood in front of him.
"Owen?" Bridge looked confused, Jack murderous.
"It's Owen!" Jack said and then faltered at the look Bridge threw at him, "Bridge and Owen. And Jack. That'd be me."
"Where were you last night?" Owen asked, not taking note of Jack's babble.
"Long story. Watch related," Bridge sighed.
"How about we try for tonight? I'll even lend you my watch," he held out his gold watch and Bridge took it. Jack looked at it, wide-eyed, and then back down at his Tweety wristwatch.
"I heard that you and Sydney were . . . a thing," Bridge said softly, looking to the side.
"I danced with her a couple times." He made a face, "she's kinda grabby."
Bridge smiled at him, "Tonight's fine."
"Great. I'll pick you up at seven," Owen waved and walked off.
"Isn't that so?" Bridge watched Owen go and addressed the question to Jack.
"What?" Jack asked.
"Me and Owen," Bridge said dreamily before walking off. Jack watched him go and sighed.
"Yeah, so it is," he closed his locker and sighed. "Is sure is so."
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"Oh, my head," Cruger moaned, sitting down to have some tea after a long hard period of research. He looked up as Bridge barged in.
"Hey, how's it going?" he asked in a chipper tone.
"Uh, alright," the Watcher asked warily. He's only nice when he wants something, he thought.
"That's great! I see we're still working on that Anointed One problem, that'll probably take you a few days, right? I mean, that's one obscure prophecy . . ."
"Well, yes. There are a few interpretations."
"So tonight's looking slow, right? Probably best to relax and regroup, no big disasters coming, that is so good, I will see you tomorrow then! Bye!" He left before Cruger could understand whatever he had babbled.
"He is the strangest boy," the Watcher mumbled before turning back to his tea.
Meanwhile, the Master was testing his mystical confines in his lair while the brethren looked on.
"You have done well. Everything is in place. When this night's work is done, I will have a mighty ally. I'll be one step closer to freeing myself from this . . . mystical prison. I've been trapped down here so long I've nearly forgotten what it's like on the surface. Well, there'll be time enough to remember . . . when I rule it! If she tries to stop you, kill her. Give your own lives, but do not fail to bring the Anointed. I know you won't disappoint me."
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"Come on, guys, I need help!" Bridge whined as they sat in his room.
"With what?" Jack asked.
"Tell me how I should act on my date! Do I want to appear shy, coy and naive- to coin Z's phrase- or aggressive and unrestrained?" Bridge weighed the options on his hands.
"So basically, you want to know if you should be in Bridge mode or Slayer mode?" the teen asked, confused.
"In a way, yeah."
"Well, Owen is a little homey, so don't be aggressive. And, you can wear this!" he took out a couple things from his wardrobe. "A nice comfy overcoat and a ski cap! The flaps will bring out your eyes!"
Bridge and Z exchanged a look, "Let's get back to that. Another guy's opinion needed for this. what should I do if Owen kisses me?"
"Oh, you mean kissing you and then telling all his friends how easy you are so the whole school loses respect for you and then talks behind your back?" Jack asked innocently.
"Thanks," Bridge said dryly and then looked at the watch and yelped, "I have to get ready!" Z turned around to give him privacy and then both of them glared at Jack.
"What? You're not bothering me!" he protested. Z rolled her eyes and turned him around. Bridge quickly changed and Jack fumbled with the mirror he was holding. Fortunately, he was saved by the doorbell.
"That's Owen!" Bridge said excitedly. He went downstairs and opened the door to reveal-
"That's Cruger," he said blandly.
"We need to talk," the Watcher said quickly.
"Bridge isn't home!" the Slayer made to shut the door, but Cruger got in.
"My calculations might not be as off as I though. Five have died in a car accident! Out of the ashes of five, shall rise the one. That's the prophecy! Five people have died!" he exclaimed.
"In a car crash," Bridge raised an eyebrow.
"I know it doesn't quite follow, but it's worth investigating. Look! Among the dead was Andrew Borba, whom the police sought for questioning in a double murder. Now, he may be the Anointed One. The bodies have been taken to Sunnydale Funeral Home, we can-"
"Cruger, why do you wanna hurt me?? Bridge interrupted.
"I beg your pardon?" he asked confused.
"Hey!" a voice at the door caused them to turn around to see Owen standing outside.
"You have a date?" the Watcher asked in a disbelieving voice.
"Yes, but I will return those overdue books by tomorrow!" Bridge tried to push him out the door.
"Wait, you're not getting off that easily!" Cruger turned to him.
"Man, you really care about your work!" Owen commented.
"Owen, about tonight," Z came down with Jack and they led Owen away into the living room.
"You have another date? Don't you do anything else?" Cruger asked once they were out of ear-shot.
"This is my first date! There's never been a date before this, okay? This is my maiden voyage!" Bridge hissed.
Meanwhile, Owen was asking Z and Jack about Bridge.
"He doesn't like to dance?" Owen asked.
"Well, it's a little too late to do anything about that. Uh, you should probably know that Bridge doesn't like to be kissed. Actually he doesn't like to be touched," Jack nodded.
"Jack . . ." Z sighed.
"As a matter of fact, don't even look at him!" Jack suggested.
In the foyer, Bridge and Cruger were still arguing.
"Look, we don't even know if this means anything," Bridge pointed out.
"No, we don't," Cruger agreed.
"And I haven't had a day off in a while."
"True, but-"
"And a cranky Slayer is a careless Slayer!" Bridge finished his rant.
"Bridge, maintaining a normal social life as a Slayer, is problematic at the least!" Cruger pleaded.
"This is the 90's, okay? If Clark Kent has a day job, why not me? I just wanna go on a date like a normal person," he sighed.
Cruger sighed, giving in to the sad look on his Slayer's face, "Well, I suppose it is a rather slim lead."
Bridge looked up and gave him a brilliant smile, "Thank you. Listen, I won't go far. If the apocalypse comes, beep me!"
Owen came into the room, "Everything cool?"
"Yup!" Bridge turned to him.
"You'll face a hefty fine in the morning!" Cruger mock-warned.
"Fine, bye!" Bridge left with Owen.
"Is everything okay?" Z asked him.
"Fine, but I'm going to the funeral home, just to be sure," Cruger left with those words.
"This is bad. We should follow him," Z looked at Jack.
"Yeah, I don't trust that Owen guy. It's the eyes. Crazy!" Jack nodded.
"No, we should go with Cruger! He could get in trouble!" Z exclaimed.
"Oh, he's gone? Uh, he's gonna be alright. He's like super librarian, y'know? Everyone forgets, Z, that knowledge is the ultimate weapon."
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Bridge and Owen sat at a table in the Bronze, talking about Emily Dickenson.
"The thing I like about her is that she gets so . . . morbid at times. A lot of loss, a lot of death . . . it gets me. With a lot of bees for some reason," Owen looked confused for a second.
"She had a quiet, sequestered life," Bridge nodded.
"I can relate to that. I don't get out much," Owen looked down.
"Why?" Bridge frowned.
"It's my fault. I just find most girls pretty frivolous. As for guys, they're just a pain in the butt. I mean, there's a lot more important things in life than dating, y'know?" He looked up as a slow sing began to play and then took Bridge's hand, "Come on."
They danced close to each other and then Owen frowned.
"It's weird."
"What is?" Bridge looked up at him.
"You. One minute you're right there. I've got you figured. The next, it's like you're two people!" he chuckled.
"Which one do you like?" Bridge smiled.
"I'll let you know," he teased.
Unknown to them, Syd entered the Bronze with some of her friends. She saw Bridge and Owen dancing close to each other and scowled.
"There should be a law against that type of thing!" she huffed and then walked up to them. "Owen! Look at you, here all alone!"
Owen looked at her with slight annoyance, "Sydney, I'm here with Bridge."
"Oh. Okay, do you wanna dance?" she asked, acting as though Bridge wasn't even there.
"No, I'm still here with Bridge."
"You are so good to help the needy!"
"Sydney," Bridge said with forced calmness, "Owen and I would like to be alone right now, and for that to happen, you would have to go somewhere that's away."
Syd scowled at him and then turned to Owen again, "Well, let me know when you're ready for the big leagues!" she left.
Bridge and Owen watched her go, "I hate her," they said in unison. They glanced at each other before laughing.
While they were having fun, Cruger drove up to the Sunnydale Funeral Home in his ancient car. He got out, slung his bag over his shoulder and started around his car to the building. He continued toward the building, but suddenly stopped short at a tingling feeling he got, as though someone was watching his every move. He looked around to see nothing. As he turned back to his path, he started to see one of the brethren in front of him. Cruger began to back away, only to back into another one behind him. At this point, he said the only thing that came into his mind.
"Damn."
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Cruger looked at the brethren of the Order of Aurelius surrounding him and wondered how to escape them long enough to contact Bridge. The bag! Of course! He mentally berated himself and then pulled out a cross, making a dash for the building while they cowered in pain from the Holy object. He ran to the flower object room and found it to be locked. The brethren came behind him.
He tried the door of the morgue and found it to be unlocked. He rushed in and began to barricade the door with cupboards and a filing cabinet. The brethren pounded at the door, but were unable to open it. Cruger looked around to find a way out, but the windows were barred. He looked out and got a shock.
"AH!" he exclaimed.
"Sorry! It's us!" Z said sheepishly as she and Jack crouched in front of the window.
"What are you doing here?"
"We saw two guys come after you. Are they-"
"They are!" Cruger interrupted Jack, "get to safety!"
"Can you get out?" Z asked.
"No."
"Look. Maybe this is a job for Bridge?" Jack questioned.
"Yes. He's at the Bronze. I don't have the number of his . . . ah . . . beeping thing," Cruger looked embarrassed that he hadn't asked bridge about the number earlier.
"Look, we'll get him. You hang on!" Jack and Z left running.
"Do hurry!"
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"Want something to eat?" Owen asked Bridge, smiling.
"Sure," he smiled back. Behind their backs, Syd was talking to one of her friends.
"What a disgusting display. Is that really appropriate behavior in a public forum? I've seen anyone throw themselves at a guys like that!" she scoffed. She fell silent as Sky walked into the Bronze, looking around.
"Hello, salty goodness!" she turned to her friend, "pick up the phone, call 911. That boy is gonna need some serious oxygen after I'm through with him."
She began to follow him, but stopped as she saw him approaching Bridge.
"Bridge," he said.
"Sky," the Slayer responded with a sigh.
Syd sighed, "why is this happening to me?"
"I was hoping I'd find you here," Sky added.
"You were?" Bridge asked , surprised.
"There's some heavy stuff going on tonight. You should be out there!"
Ouch! Bridge thought and then sighed, "Not you, too!" he made to move away.
"What do you know?" Sky stopped him.
"Prophecy, Anointed One, yadda, yadda, yadda!"
"So you know. Fine. Just thought I'd warn you," Sky let him go.
"Warn me? You see that guy there?" Bridge turned and pointed at Owen, "he came here to be with me!"
"You're on a date?" Sky asked, masking the jealousy and sadness in his voice with surprise.
"Yes! Why is that such a shock to everyone?" Bridge asked exasperated.
"Here you go," Owen handed a latte to Bridge, who introduced him to Sky.
"Owen, this is Sky. Sky, this is Owen," Bridge said quickly.
"So where do you know Bridge from?" Owen questioned, slightly suspicious of the other man.
"Work."
"You work?" Owen asked Bridge.
"Bridge!" Z called out as she and Jack came up to the Slayer, out of breath.
"Look at this! You show up everywhere! Interesting!" Owen commented, putting his arm around Bridge.
"You don't know half of it!" Jack pointed at him, inwardly bristling at the closeness between the two and then pointed at Sky, "what is he doing here?"
"The same thing you're doing here, I guess," Sky pointed out dryly.
"Excuse me, but what are any of you doing here?" Bridge interrupted.
"Look, we gotta get to, uh . . . we thought it'd be fun if, uh, we made this a double date!" Jack thought quickly as he and Z put their arms around each other.
"I didn't know you guys were seeing each other," Bridge said suspiciously.
"Ah," Z started, "Oh, yeah, well, we knew it would happen eventually, so we figured, why fight it?"
"And you were thinking of double?" Bridge questioned with thinly disguised impatience.
"You know, we thought it would be fun if we went to the Sunnydale Funeral Home!" Jack said enthusiastically.
"I've always wanted to got there!" Z added.
"That sounds kinda cool! Can we get in?" Owen asked.
"We saw some guys in there before. They seemed to be," he looked at Bridge, "having fun!"
"Bite me!" Bridge said to himself and then looked at Sky, who gave him an 'I told you so' look.
"Owen, I gotta go," Bridge said to him.
"I thought we were going to the Funeral Home?" he asked.
"No, you can't. I'll tell you what. I'll be back in a little while," Bridge ran off with Z and Jack after Owen nodded. He doubled back, laid a kiss on Owen's lips and then ran off again.
"He's the strangest boy," Owen said to Sky, who was inwardly fuming at the kiss.
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Bridge ran in through the front door of the Funeral Home and looked around with Jack and Z.
"Which way?"
"The room's in the back," Z pointed and they headed that way, only to hit a dead end.
"Damn it!" Bridge growled.
"This is so cool!" Owen exclaimed form behind them, causing them to jump.
"Owen? You can't be here!" Bridge said in disbelief.
"Oh, and I suppose you guys are allowed? What are we doing here? Are we gonna see a dead body?" he asked excitedly.
"Possibly several," Bridge muttered and then to Jack and Z, "watch him," before running off.
"Is he mad?" Owen asked worriedly.
"He's just making sure there are no guards around," Z thought up quickly.
"Good thinking," Owen commented.
"Good thinking," Jack muttered to Z.
Bridge ran into one of the rooms to find it in complete shambles, the windows torn open. Cruger's bag was in one of the hospital gurneys along with his cross. Bridge passed by the body storage closet and one of them opened in front of him and a drawer rolled out.
"Cruger!" Bridge exclaimed, shocked.
"It is you. Thank God," he sighed from where he was lying.
"What happened?"
"Uh, two more of the brethren came in here. They came after me. But I was more than a match for them."
"Meaning . . ." Bridge trailed off with a good-natured smile.
"I hid. Uh, this chap was good enough to bunk with me till they went away," he hopped off.
"Why were they after you? The prophecy?" Bridge questioned.
"Ah, well, that's what we have to find out. I don't know what these brethren mean to do exactly. Find the Anointed, or give him something perhaps, uh, it's all very vague. And the Anointed may be long gone!"
"Or he may not! I need to get Owen and the others out of harm's way," Bridge began to walk off.
"You brought a date?" Cruger asked.
"I didn't bring him. He followed!" Bridge said indignantly.
"Bridge, when I said you could slay vampires and have a social life, I didn't mean at the same time!"
"I know, I'll get rid of him! Wait here," he ran out and back to Jack, Owen and Z.
"Everything okay?" Z asked.
"Yup!" Bridge said with a fake smile.
"So we'll be leaving?"
"We're not done looking around!" Owen protested.
"No, she's right. So let's find a nice, safe, fun room to look around in."
Bridge grabbed Owen's hand and led them to the office. He spotted the lock on the door and snapped it with his Slayer strength.
"I have to go now," he said with a nervous laugh, "to the bathroom, I have to go to the bathroom. If you hear anything, like a security guard or something, just be really quiet," he whispered to Jack and Z, "barricade the door."
He left the room and walked back to the morgue while Jack and Z shut the door.
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"Ew, parts!" Bridge stuck out his tongue as he and Cruger went through the different drawers.
"The Anointed One must be here somewhere!" the Watcher exclaimed.
"What are you guys doing?" Owen asked confused as he watched Jack and Z barricade the door.
"Just in case," Z nodded.
Owen pulled back one of the curtains and saw a body covered with a sheet.
"Oh my!"
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"Nothing," Bridge sighed as he opened the last drawer cell.
"The Anointed must be gone then," Cruger sighed.
"This is where they keep all the dead bodies, right?" Bridge asked.
"Yes."
Meanwhile, Jack, Z and Owen were staring at the dead body.
"I've read a lot about death, but I've . . . never really seen a dead body before," Owen said in fascination.
The hand began to move.
"Do they . . . move?" he asked in a scared tone.
The hand moved up and pulled of the sheet, revealing Andrew in full vamp-face.
"I have been judged!"
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"What's going on?" Owen asked, frightened.
Andrew walked up to the glass and smashed it with his forehead.
"He is risen in me! He fills my head with song!" he laughed.
Owen, Jack and Z began to move furniture away from the door as Andrew stepped through.
"Pork and beans, pork and beans!" the new vamp grinned.
"Come on!" Jack shoved away the last piece of furniture and they got the door open, running through it. Andrew began to follow them.
"You're the chaff, unblessed. I'll suck the blood from your hearts, he says I may!"
"Bridge!" Jack yelled and then bumped into a smaller, warm body, nearly knocking it down.
"Jack!" Bridge exclaimed, "what happened? We heard glass breaking!"
"He's in there!" Jack pointed.
"Get out of here!" Bridge yelled, running towards the door.
"Bridge!" Owen tried to go after him but Jack pulled him back.
"He'll be okay!" he shoved him towards the exit. They ran out, only to run into the brethren. Z screamed and Jack pulled her behind him as they ran back the way they came while the brethren locked the gate. The empty hall echoed with their footsteps and Andrew's singing voice.
"I think he's coming here!" Z exclaimed. They ran further, only to hit a dead end.
"This is too much!" Owen cried out.
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"What've you got?" Bridge asked Cruger as they emptied his bag.
"What?" he looked at him.
"Do you have a stake?" Bridge asked, exasperated.
"Yes, here," he handed the Slayer one.
"Thank you!" he headed towards the door.
"What can I do?"
"Help the others get out!" Bridge turned to him. Andrew came up and grabbed him, throwing him against a cabinet. He hit his head against one of the drawers which knocked him out. Cruger ran to him.
"Bridge!"
Owen heard Cruger call out Bridge's name and began to head that way. Jack came in front of him.
"What are you doing?!"
"Someone has to help Bridge!" Owen ran off, Jack and Z followed him. He ran to the morgue to see Bridge unconscious, but on the floor and Cruger backing away from Andrew.
"They told me about you while I was sleeping," the vamp growled.
Cruger held up a cross, causing Andrew to flinch, but he knocked his hand away. He grabbed the Watcher and threw him into the crematory controls, causing the fire in the crematory chamber to light up. Andrew walked up to the unconscious Slayer, picking him up.
"Bridge!" Owen yelled, but Andrew paid him no heed, bringing the unconscious Slayer's neck closer to his fangs.
"No!" Owen grabbed a tray from a nearby table and swung it at Andrew's back, causing his knees to buckle. The vamp let go of Bridge, who slumped to the ground and turned around. Owen grabbed an urn and smashed it into his head, causing Andrew to fall. Owen ran to Bridge, who was just beginning to wake up.
"Did you see that? He tried to bite me! What a sissy!" he grinned.
Andrew got up and smashed a body drawer door into the back of Owen's head, causing him to fall to the ground.
"No!" Bridge yelled.
"Dead! he was found wanting!" Andrew grinned, but it faded as Bridge got up with a murderous look in his eyes and kicked him solidly in the stomach.
Andrew rolled over the gurney onto the floor as Bridge moved to the far end. As he got up, the Slayer pushed the gurney into his gut, before pushing down on his end, causing it to swing up and hit the vamp in the chin. Andrew staggered to the floor as Bridge leaped onto the gurney before flipping of it. The vamp swung at Bridge's face, but he blocked and punched him back. The second punch connected and Andrew taunted the Slayer as he got off the floor.
"You killed my date!" Bridge yelled. Jack and Z came running into the room. Z saw Owen groggily wake up from the blow.
"Bridge, Owen's-"
"Just give him a sec!" Jack slapped his hand over Z's mouth.
Bridge blocked another blow and then slammed his open palm into his stomach. As Andrew bent over, Bridge kneed him in the face, causing him to hit the counter. Andrew leaped at him and Bridge side-stepped, causing Andrew to hit the gurney, which began to move under his momentum. It hit the opening of the crematory chamber and stopped, but Andrew slid off into the flames. The newly revived Cruger slammed the door shut and Bridge watched as Andrew burned to his second-death.
"Anyone got an aspirin? Or sixty?" Owen moaned as he sat up. He looked around, "Where's that guy?"
"We scared him away," Bridge squatted next to him. "Let me help you up," he grabbed his arm, but Owen shrugged him off.
"I think I'll just walk home," Owen nodded and then frowned, "where's home?"
"I'll get you there," Bridge offered.
"I'll just go alone," he said, as though he hadn't heard the offer.
"We'll make sure he gets home safely," Z said softly as she and Jack led Owen away.
Cruger walked up to behind his Slayer, "Bridge, if I might . . ."
"Don't," Bridge softly cut him off and walked away.
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The next night, Bridge, Jack and Z walked along the upper level of the Bronze, the Slayer still depressed about the day before.
"I knew it! I totally blew last night!" he groaned.
"No," Jack interrupted, "what you need is a guy who already knows your deepest, darkest secrets and still says, 'Hey! I like that guy!' Someone like . . ."
"Owen!" Bridge spotted the teen walking towards them.
"Well, this is our stop," Z dragged Jack away.
"Hi," Owen said to Bridge.
"Hi." a long pause, "this is going well."
"About last night . . ." Owen started.
"I'm sure you were freaked out," Bridge looked down.
"Totally. I was wondering when I could see you again," he smiled.
Bridge looked up at him, "Um, that was my hopeful ear. Could you repeat that?"
"I think you're the coolest!"
"Really?" Bridge smiled.
"I mean, last night was incredible! I never thought nearly getting killed would make me feel so . . . alive!"
Bridge walked around him, "So that's why you wanna be with me?"
"Absolutely!" he nodded, enthusiastically.
"Owen, you're a really nice guy. It's not you, its me."
"It's you," Owen began to get what the other boy was saying.
"Maybe we can still . . ."
"Be friends?" Owen finished, "sure."
Bridge watched Owen walk away and then turned to face Cruger who had walked up behind him. He went and sat on a chair nearby.
"What's up? Vamp problem?" Bridge sighed.
"No. I was ten years old when my father told me I was destined to be a Watcher. He was one, and his, uh, mother before him, and I was to be next."
"Were you thrilled beyond belief?" Bridge looked at him.
"No, I had very definite plans about my future. I was going to be a fighter pilot. Or possibly a grocer. Well, uh . . . My father gave me a very tiresome speech about, uh, responsibility and sacrifice."
"Sacrifice, huh?" Bridge looked at Owen's retreating back.
"Seems like a nice lad," Cruger commented.
"Yeah. But he wants to be danger man. You, Jack, Z, you guys... you guys know the score, you're careful. Two days in my world and Owen really would get himself killed. Or I'd get him killed," he looked at Cruger, "or someone else."
"I went to the Funeral House of my own free will," the Watcher commented, not wanting to see his Slayer beating himself over that matter.
"I should've been there!" Bridge looked at him.
"Bridge, I-"
"I screwed up!" he looked down again.
"I have volumes of lore, of prophecies, of predictions. But I don't have an instruction manual. We feel our way as we go along. And, I must say, as a Slayer, you're doing . . . pretty well," he put his hand on his shoulder.
Bridge smiled, "Well. At least I did stop that prophecy thing from
coming true."
"You did! Handily. No more Anointed One. And I would imagine the
Master, wherever he is, is having a fairly bad day himself," he smiled and Bridge laughed. The Watcher then got up and left the teen hang out.
"Come on, I know you're there," Bridge commented and turned around to see Sky walk towards his table.
"Warning or congratulations?" Bridge smiled slightly.
"None. Just . . . hanging out," Sky smiled back and sat down opposite him.
"Well, nice to see you can be a no-news man," Bridge smiled teasingly. He then took his roll and tore it in half, pushing the half on the plate towards Sky.
"What are you doing?" Sky looked shocked.
"Sharing!" Bridge took a bite of his own half, not noticing Sky's eyes light up in what looked like joy and awe, before he took a bite of his own half.
While the two of them ate the roll, the Master was walking around someone, while quoting scripture.
"And in this time will come the Anointed. And the Slayer will not know him. He will not stop him, and he will lead him into hell."
The Master knelt before the young boy, Collin, who had been talking to Andrew on the bus.
"Welcome, my friend."
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Oh no, this chap was really late and I'm really sorry! Between college admissions and my bro hogging the laptop for his games, I haven't had time to write! Hope you liked this chapter. It may not be as good as my previous ones, but it was either doing this quickly, or updating after another week!