A/N: I know that this drabble may seem short (a lot shorter than my other ones), but I think it fits the theme well. On a side note, I've started my junior year in college, meaning that I'll have less time to update. I promise to not let you guys go too long without an update. In the meantime, have a Happy Labor Day (if you celebrate it)!

"…": characters talking to each other

'…': characters talking to themselves

(…): extra facts about something in the story

(Takes place during "Stranger Within II")

Theme 11: Darkness

Rootcore, October 30, 2006, 5:00 PM – Briarwood, CA, USA

Xander's POV

I had never in my life felt as helpless as I did when I saw V lashing out at us, as if she was possessed or something. Oh, right, she is, and by Necrolai, no less. The bloody Queen of the Vampires has V on a chain, and treats her like a dog. Yet, no matter how hard the others and I try, we can't seem to get V to let go of the darkness that's in her and come back to us.

That circle that Chip drew around her had me nervous; I never thought that I would have to face one of my best friends who's all evil and not on my side. We've only been rangers for a few months, and already I feel like something's wrong with the universe because Vida's not on the side of good; she's drowning in the darkness. V and I have been friends for years, and yet I have never once been afraid of her. Mock-scared, yes. Really scared? No.

Now, however, I can't help but be scared. I think she knows it too. She can sense that I'm afraid of her, and when she looks at me, all I can see is the darkness that has taken over her, covering up the friend that I've known since I was eight.

"Guys, I'm fine. Really. There's nothing wrong with me," Vida protested her eyes roving over everyone gathered there, and her voice is sincere enough for Clare to try to convince us that she's fine. I grimly smile; I really hope that Clare is right. I watch Clare move towards our friend, but when she is almost at the circle Vida tries to launch herself at Clare, her fangs revealed, and I find my hopes falling again. The darkness is back, and Vida's practically glowing with it; if the red eyes don't give it away, then maybe the fangs will.

"Okay, maybe she's not okay," Clare whispers, moving to hide behind us, and I have to keep myself from rolling my eyes; that'll only earn a glare from one of the others, and I am not in the mood to have to deal with them.

Chip glances over at me, and I can see the silent question in his eyes – "What do you think, Xander?'

I shrug and don't meet his eyes; I let that be my answer – "I don't know, Chip."

Nick decides to play leader and starts saying how we have to keep her there until Udonna can come up with a cure, and of course, we all agree, with Vida looking at us as if we've gone crazy. I really want to try to get Vida to come back to us, but my thoughts only settle on the fact that she's been tainted, somehow, and that she's not the same person I knew only two days ago. Then, we get the call that there's a monster on the loose in the city. If it's Necrolai, she better watch out, because I'm coming after her. As I run after Nick and the others, I turn and look at Vida one more time, and I can see her watching me go, her eyes full of sadness.

"I'm sorry, V, but until I'm sure that the darkness isn't there anymore, I don't know who you are," I whisper, turning my eyes so that she can't see how affected I am by the way she's acting and how she looks. She doesn't need to know that I don't see her anymore, but only the black darkness that surrounds her; no need at all.