I've realised that Jonno may be my favourite character. Or at least my favourite character to write.

Chapter Eighteen – Shot In The Dark

"Holy mother of God!" Robin stumbled in seconds after the slayer and was greeted with the same sight that had Jonno turning the pale green of the walls. Maja-Keht's eyes were open, bright yellow irises faded to a dull brown, no longer sustained by the glow of magic. Jonno twisted his head to look back at Robin who swallowed awkwardly whilst looking impossibly pale.

He was shaking his head as well, acting as if he couldn't quite believe it was real. Jonno was reminded that while Robin had been a believer far longer than the slayer Jonno had seen the blood first. Robin had never experienced the darkness that came with the existence of vampires and suddenly he was thrown headfirst into a pool of blood. "Vlad did this didn't he?" Robin's eyes were shadowed from poor sleep and the look in his eyes made him appear positively haunted.

Jonno wet his lips and curled them inwards as he looked at Robin. "Do you want an answer?" When the Branaugh didn't respond the slayer headed to the shelves to search them. "Look for something that might help us," Robin grimaced at the thought of searching the apartment but complied.

He should've known that Vlad expected them to come here. "He burnt them." While the shelves appeared undamaged the second he pulled on the spine of a book they fell apart, blackened by fire.

There was no response. He turned and found Robin stood in front of the body. The brunette's eyes were fixed on the ragdoll, still as the grave. "How did she die?"

"He probably broke her neck once he'd gotten what he wanted." There was no point softening the blow; Robin needed to know exactly what his friend was. He grabbed Robin's shoulder and the Branaugh looked towards him with a glassy expression. "Come on, we can't help her now." He led Robin to the door and explained the situation whilst doing so.

It felt so strange to be the one doing all the talking. "We've got to find another person who can tell us how to restore Vlad's soul or we've got to kill him; he's burnt all of Maja-Keht's books so we've got no options and if we stick around here long enough the police will think we did it."

He dragged Robin back to the car and pushed him into the passenger's seat. The human appeared to be in some kind of emotional paralysis. "We don't need a new witch." He said suddenly as they were driving back apparently recovered from his shock.

Jonno frowned. "We can't restore Vlad's soul without the correct instructions."

A smile pulled at the corners of Robin's lips. "We don't need a witch."

Not having all the information was finally getting to Jonno. "Why the hell not?"

Robin dug around in his pocket and produced a small book. "Because when I was at Maja-Keht's I got this." Jonno snatched the book a little roughly but it was their salvation. The title read 'The Art of Souls and their Properties'.

He looked at the Branaugh. "I could kiss you right now!"

Robin grimaced. "Please don't." He handed the book back and refocused on his driving leaving Robin to flick through the book.

"There's a chapter on restoring souls but it says we need…" Robin frowned at the page."…Ground platypus feet?" He flicked through a couple more pages. "Know anyone with those kinds of ingredients?"

The vampire slayer was about to shake his head but then a thought occurred to him. "Renfield would have those kinds of ingredients, if we could get him to do it for us…"

Robin grinned. "Are you suggesting we kidnap Renfield?"

Despite the seriousness of the situation Jonno found himself smiling back. "Sure."

They reached Garside at daybreak; this was good because they knew exactly where Vlad would be. Unfortunately this meant he was where they needed to be. Eventually they decided they would have to go in anyway.

This meant Robin required a crash course in staking vampires. It wasn't much, he simply taught Robin where to stake and two different methods and then handed him a crossbow. "I hope I don't need to explain what this is for."

"I think I've got it thanks," Robin had shot a lamp in his flat but he seemed to now understand the firing mechanism properly. The Branaugh was rather excited for their attack, especially as Jonno had informed him they would be scaling the walls.

"We can't go round the front," Jonno had explained pointing at a square he'd drawn on a piece of paper. "When we left the vampires were all looking at us out the window and so they will obviously notice if we just pull up in a car."

"Ok, so what do we scale that back walls with?"

Jonno winked at Robin. "Never got to use some of the equipment my dad had but I think this-" he pulled up a hand-full of buckles and rope "-might just come in handy."

The Branaugh grinned in response, somehow finding a fire of enthusiasm despite their precarious and disheartening situation. Jonno felt his heart surge with warmth. He had a friend, a human friend who intended to help Jonno save the only person who'd ever been his best friend.

Then he was reminded of the certain death they were facing. He hefted the climbing equipment. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" As he frowned at Robin he thought back to how he'd reacted in Maja-Keht's house, the unnatural pallor and the unnerved look in his mahogany irises.

Robin curled his lip inwards, expression sober. "Nah, I'm terrified but I don't think I'll ever be ready." He looked out of the window where daybreak cracked the horizon. "We need to do this now and I may not be ready to carry a slayer's weapons but I'm ready to wear a slayer's shoes."

In spite of their dire situation, Jonno smiled realising that Robin was truly more than he'd always seemed.

"Let's do this."

Aaaaahhhh the drama. This chapter might be slightly OOC but things are building up and I still have no idea how I will finish this.

Be seeing ya :)