chapter 64

When the police arrived they recognized Dana's body. That, combined with Steven's parents backing up Buffy's story, made the police believe her story of self-defense. Buffy tried to sleep when she got home, but found it impossible. She couldn't stop thinking about Dana. Buffy didn't think this was guilt or grief, but she couldn't stop thinking about her. Around 3am Buffy snuck out. She went to the apartment of Rupert Giles, the man who seemed to know things that Buffy could never imagine. But Giles didn't like being woken up at 3:30. He told Buffy to keep her voice down, Jenny Calendar was asleep in hi bed.

Buffy: You seem to have the answers. Why did that serial killer want me dead?

Giles: I'm sorry, I don't know her motives.

Buffy: What did she mean when she said I was a slayer? A slayer of what?

Giles: Vampires.

Buffy: You're saying I'm a vampire slayer?

Giles: A potential slayer, yes.

Buffy: You're serious?

Giles: I'm afraid so.

Buffy: Start from the beginning.

Giles: Very well. This world is older than you know. Contrary to popular mythology it did not begin as paradise. For untold eons demons made this world their home, their hell. Eventually humans began to evolve as the demons died off. Some demons left for other dimension, others killed each other. Over time those that stayed evolved. Their descendants became sentient, even mixed with human blood. When their was only one pure demon left in this world a great battle was fought. It took an army to defeat this demon, they used their strongest warriors, their most powerful shamans. But in the end the humans stood victorious, barely. Victory came at a terrible price. All but two of the humans were killed Aurelius and Sinea. Aurlius and Sinea were lovers. They were both infected with the demon's blood. Aurelius was already dead. The demon's blood overcame him. He was the first vampire. Sinea was still alive, she could resist the demon's darker impulses. She was the first slayer. Aurelius fled, infecting another, and another. Sinea was with child at the time. She gave birth to a girl, then spent the rest of her days fighting vampires. She is believed to have slain Aurelius, but that remains un-verified. All slayers are descened from Sinea and Aurelius. The slayers kill vampires, stop the spread of their evil and the swell of their numbers.

Buffy: Well, I did say "from the beginning." So how many slayers are there?

Giles: Only one. There is one slayer at a time. When one slayer dies another one rises.

Buffy: Who chooses the slayer?

Giles: I don't know. The Watcher's council is told who the new slayer is. But I don't know who chooses.

Buffy: How do you know about all of this?

Giles: I am a watcher. The Watcher's organization trains the slayer. I was sent here to keep an eye on you, should you be chosen.

Buffy: I've seen enough to believe you. But I'm not sure I want any part of this.

Giles: I understand. If you want my help I'll train you. If not, fair enough.

Buffy: Are all vampires evil?

Giles: Yes. They are soulless monsters. It doesn't matter how good the person was. That person is dead. The vampire is the thing that killed them.

Buffy: What are the odds that I'll be called up as the next slayer?

Giles: I don't know how the slayer is chosen.

Buffy: Who is the current slayer?

Giles: Faith Wilkins.

Buffy: The presidential candidate's daughter?

Giles: Yes. She was chosen, but she fell to the darkside. I'll tell you about that later if you like. For now, I'd like to get back to sleep.