CHAPTER TEN

She sat on the chair with her laptop balanced on her lap. She was checking her emails and saw she got one from Fred. She opened it up.

Abigail, are you ok? We haven't heard a thing from you since you left.

Fred

Ps: And in case you were wondering, Lorne's heartbroken. How could you leave him?

Abigail didn't reply, instead she shut the lid and put it on her bed. She stood up and went to the bar and poured herself a drink. She was about to take a long swallow when the earth under her feet started to shake, making her drop the glass. The shaking increased and there was a loud rumbling.

Earthquake! She realised and rushed to the doorway. It lasted a few minutes until everything was quiet again. Then something thudded on her window. She opened the curtains and peered out. A sparrow had flown right into the glass and was now dead on the balcony. She turned around when she heard even more thuds. She watched as hundred more sparrows flew into the glass until it stopped. She stared at the blood-streaked window and closed the curtains. Something was happening, these were signs that something was coming.

There was a knock on her door. It was probably Angel. He was the only one to know her whereabouts in case of an emergency. She opened the door and was surprised to see it was Wesley.

" Hi…um. How did you know where I was staying?" she greeted him.

" Angel gave me your address. I was worried."

" I told him not to give anyone my address," she said letting him in, " Only if its an emergency."

Wesley went over to the window and yanked the curtains back. Sure enough, there was blood on her window, left over from the sparrows.

" I think this counts as an emergency don't you?" he asked her.

" It's a harbinger isn't it?"

He nodded.

" Thought so." She sat on the bed, " is everyone all right?" she asked.

" Yes, no one is hurt. We're going to find the Beast and destroy him. Before he destroys the world." Wesley paused, " You should stay here though. It's safer."

" But…I want to help."

" No. I don't think it's a good idea. Stay here until its over." Wesley headed for the door, " Lorne would want you to." He added.

She frowned at him, " In case you didn't know, Lorne and I are no longer together. And I don't need protection Wes. I can help."

" There's nothing for you do. Just stay here. Please." Wesley urged. He knew how stubborn Abigail can get. He's known her for a few years.

" Fine. I'll stay." Abigail said. He was wary of her sudden change of heart.

" All right. You know where to reach us in case anything should happen. Lock the door after me."

" Wes?" she stood up and he turned.

" Keep Lorne safe." She pleaded and he nodded.


Fred looked around at the hotel, finding it empty. She had gotten worried since the earthquake and other terrible things that have been happened. It was after midnight and the gang weren't here.

She listened the news on the radio as the door opened. She looked up hopefully but it was Abigail.

" Fred…hi."

" What are you doing here?" Fred asked.

" I…um. I got worried. There was an earthquake and birds…I want to help."

" Well, I don't know where the others are."

" Wes says they're going to fight the Beast." Abigail told her, " so I

guessing that's where they are." She looked towards the stairs,

" Even Lorne too?"

The two girls sat and listened to the radio for awhile when the earth gave an almighty shudder, sending Abigail flying off her stool. She landed on the floor but wasn't hurt. Fred was holding onto the counter, " What's happening?" Abigail shouted above the noise.

" The end of the world," Fred replied as panic set in. Abigail had run for the window and peered out.

" Oh hell," she said and Fred joined her.

It was raining fire.


The doors to the hotel opened and the gang returned, looking bruised and bloodied. " Oh My God," Fred stared at Wesley, Gunn and Lorne, " Are you okay?"

" We're fine." Wesley replied.

" Where's Angel?" Fred asked.

" We got separated." Gunn groaned and was lead to the poufer.

" Abigail?" Wesley noticed Abigail staring out of the window, mesmerised by the rain of fire. " I thought I told you so stay put."

" I know you did." Abigail said, " but I wanted to help."

" Wes, you know how stubborn she gets," a bleeding Lorne limped towards her, " once an idea gets in her head-"

" I should have know you wouldn't stay put," Wesley rubbed his aching shoulder then went to help Gunn.

" You're bleeding," Abigail reached up to Lorne's forehead.

" I'm fine. I'm just glad you're safe." Lorne told her. Abigail didn't hesitate, she threw her arms around him, " I got scared." She admitted into his shoulder.

" It's going to be okay," he assured her tightening his arms around her, never wanting to let go.

" Are you back?" he asked her, "cause I've missed you."

Abigail wanted to come back. She did, very much so. But wasn't the time. " I'm just back to help. That's all." She told him.

" Oh." Was all he could say and released her before he did something stupid like kiss her.