Chapter 3 All Souls
A/N: Hello everyone, hope you guys are starting to enjoy the cooler weather. I got chapter 3 for you guys and it's an interesting chapter. Enjoy.
I am the last man stand survivor
I am the last man home.
I'll be the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I am the last man home.
I'll be the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
You're all alone sitting in the corner,
You've got a killer stare.
Who's messing round with you in the corner?
He better say his prayers.
You found yourself a new sensation
But baby it's a jungle out there
The one's you counted on are all but gone
Baby it's a jungle out there.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I wish you would try and look
a little more excited,
Let me stay, let me cause I'm coming anyway
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
You found yourself a new sensation
But baby it's a jungle out there
The one's you counted on are all but gone
Baby it's a jungle out there.
Last Man Standing by People in Planes
Angel sat at the little desk in the master room. He's been on the phone for a while now with a bible in front of him. He actually found this bible on the front door of the mansion and it had little page makers. He had an idea who left it there too. Angel was going though the section of the Rise of the Witnesses. He was trying to find Giles. All Angel knew was that Giles was in Westbury England.
"Yes, I would like to hold…again." Angel said to the operated on the other line. But he's been on the phone for a while trying to talk to Giles. Dawn then came into the room and sat on the edge of the bed while Angel still had the phone to his ear.
"Can I talk to Giles?" Dawn asked and Angel looked to her and it meant no. "Can I help with anything?" But she got no answer just a frustrated sigh. So the teen got up and left and headed downstairs to see if Cordelia and Doyle were willing to talk. She headed to the study where they were at reading. "Anything?"
"Well, if you're asking about the end of times yes, we have the manual but…understanding it is like…" Doyle didn't finish meaning the bible is one of the hardest books to read. It's not that you can't read it but the way you interpret it, everyone looks at it differently. One proverb, story or psalm might have two different meanings to two different people. Doyle just closed the book. Angel had the other one that was given to him with the marked pages and the one Doyle had was in the mansion collection.
"How many versions of the bible are there?" Dawn asked as Cordelia was reading through another one.
"Let's see…" Cordelia then flipped to the front part of hers. "This is the King James version."
"I'm looking at the New King James," Doyle held up then he grabbed another one. "This is the New Standard American."
"Oh and this one is the New International." Cordelia picked up another.
"Which one does Angel have?" Dawn was just interested.
"It's the Catholic bible." Doyle answered.
"So…excess?" Dawn asked and the couple shrugged. "Why so many versions?"
"Well, it's they way it's interpreted that's all. Everything is pretty much the same just different words here and there." Doyle explained to Dawn.
"And this was just in our collection?" Dawn asked and Doyle nodded.
"Oh and then Buffy's got one in Latin, not even going to bother." Doyle leaned back in his chair. "But so far from what I've read the Rise of the Witnesses…"
"Are we really going into the end of days?" Dawn wanted to be sure but they couldn't be sure. There have been many times the world has come close to ending in other forms. You had the Master, the Judge, Acathla, the Sisterhood of Jhe, Glory, Willow so maybe they were somewhat desensitized because of the past. But when something comes from a holy book recognized by religion it changes everything.
Up in the master room Angel gave up trying to find Giles. He just decided to leave messages instead. So the slayer sat there for a moment. And then it hit him. He had a former Watcher down the road. Angel picked up the phone, dialed the number and waited. It took two rings and a familiar English accent answered.
"Pryce Investigations, we help the helpless." The voice answered.
"I'll never get over that slogan," Angel was glad to hear his voice.
"Angel," In Wes' voice you can tell he was happy to hear from him. "How are you?"
"I'm alright but we might have…a problem." Angel began. "They've re-opened the Sunnydale high school and just a few days ago the school was attacked by angry spirits." He finished.
"That place has a lot of spirits I'd imagine." Wes wasn't sure what Angel meant.
"Yeah but these spirits were angrier than your typical ghost rattling chains. These could pick you up and through you." Angel explained. For Wes it meant these spirits were not just angry that someone was walking on their grave it was something else. And by the silence over the phone Wes could only conclude something was very wrong. "Doyle said it's the Rise of the Witnesses."
"Revelations?" Wes asked and Angel heard something that sounded like typing over the phone.
"Yeah," Angel wasn't liking this.
"And everything was explained to you? What the Witnesses are?" Wes had to be sure.
"Yeah, because after a protection prayer was said by Father Michael I stayed long after the school was out for the day. Michael returned and…" Angel hoped he didn't sound crazy. "It looked like he released all the souls but he told two to stay behind." And there was no response on the other line from Wes. It confirmed to Angel that something big was happening. "Been trying to get a hold of Giles but nothing. Was hoping there was some Watcher's code and you can get in touch."
"Angel, this Father Michael…" Wes wasn't sure what to say.
"He's a good man but shady, he's hiding something." Angel knew that much. He's always known there something more to Father Michael than just being your typical priest. One he never freaked out knowing Buffy was a vampire or freaked out over anything supernatural. At first Angel thought he was exposed it when he was young like a kid. And it would make sense why he would chose the profession he was in. He was fighting evil. But as time went on it felt like Michael was hiding something.
"If this is the Rise of the Witnesses…I'm not sure. I'll try and contact Giles and I'll do some research here." That's all Wes could offer right now. "Be on your guard Angel."
"Thank you." And Angel was thankful.
"I'll call if I have any information." Wes added.
"Thanks." Then Angel hung up and leaned back in his chair. He sat there for a moment thinking. They had a lot of information but still nothing to go on. Well, there was one place he could start and that would be the high school, the basement. He just had that gut feeling something was down there.
In Los Angeles Wes just hung up the phone with Angel and sat at his desk. Then he felt a presence coming from the door and looked up. Buffy was standing there. Wes hasn't seen her in a long time not since she arrived here a few days ago. She looked worn out right now. But she also looked concerned as she stood there.
"That was Angel." Wes said to Buffy as she stood there. She wanted to ask if Angel asked about her but why would he? He had no idea she was here, he had no idea where she was to begin with. "I need your help," Buffy was actually going to leave for Sunnydale tomorrow morning but she was also going to leave yesterday and the day before that. She wanted to go back but she wasn't sure how or when.
"For what?" Buffy asked.
"We might have a slight…problem." Wes started and the vampire with a soul stood there to listen. "How much do you know about the Book of Revelations?" Buffy shrugged as she walked into the office and sat down.
"It's about the end of days." She summed up as most people would.
"Angel feels something from the book just happened in Sunnydale." Wes got up and walked to a bookshelf and pulled out a bible and started to flip it as he sat back down. "He says it's the Rise of the Witnesses two spirits that rise at the end of days. When these people have risen," Wes skimmed to the end of the passage. "The second woe has passed and third is coming." Buffy sat there knowing none of that was good. So what was happening in Sunnydale? "They've re-opened the high school."
Buffy's eyes widen. She knew they were planning on rebuilding it. But to know it now stands it sent a chill down her spine. Angel's died there twice, it's taken many lives as it sat over the Gates of Hell. No one really knew why the school was rebuilt there but has been.
"This rise, what does it mean?" Buffy asked as Wes sat there.
"Many scholars and theologians have agreed the witnesses are two spirits that have died a horrible death before their time and they were innocent." Wes explained as Gunn walked in and sat down next to Buffy. "The school I'm sure has had many horrific deaths, so if this is true then there's two souls waiting to be called."
"What did I miss?" Gunn asked looking very confused at Wes and Buffy.
"Just the normal end of the world stuff." Buffy answered and Gunn nodded
"Oh, it's one of those…how bad?" Gunn then saw Wes hold up the bible. "That bad, great." Buffy then leaned back in her chair thinking. "So what's the plan? Head out to Sunnydale?"
"There's not much to go on," Wes stated because there wasn't. What Angel went through at the high school could also be a typical haunting, a massive haunting but a haunting none the less.
"I don't want to sit and wait too long though." Buffy meant if they don't find out what's going on or at least head on the right path then it can become too late.
"I'll try and get in contact with Giles." That was the first step Wes was going to take. Giles was near the Watcher's Council and they have almost an infinite amount of knowledge in books. They can confirm this even more if they have too. Gunn seemed to agree but Buffy continued to sit there. She knew something was brewing in Sunnydale and Angel was right in the middle of it and he was alone.
Dawn was with Angel in the training room as they moved slowly through their yoga moves together. It should be a time of relaxation and peace of mind but Dawn had a lot going through her mind. She was trying to focus on her breathing like she should but for the last few weeks especially after the ordeal at the school it felt like this yoga, tai chi hybrid thing they were doing was over.
Angel hasn't slayed a vampire or a demon since Willow left for England and Buffy for France. Once they left Angel went out and got drunk so much so Dawn searched for him all night. When she finally found him he was about to pass out on the side of the road. The next morning Angel realized he did need to change. And he has but he hasn't done anything slaying wise.
Cordelia and Doyle are the ones out there slaying along with Xander. Angel didn't allow Dawn to go because he wasn't out there. So this angry spirit thing that has happened is the first time Angel has fought the supernatural.
"When will this be over?" Dawn stopped with the yoga while Angel held the pose. He was trying to concentrate but he knows it won't last. "I know at first this was a whole cleansing, detox thing but," Dawn wasn't sure what to say next as Angel got out of the pose and stood there. "Just, what if this is an end of the world thing? You're the slayer."
She was right. Angel is the slayer but he's given up that duty for now. He's done that before but unlike the last time he stayed here. "It's not going to away, something is going to happen or it's happening now and you're going to have to come back." Angel just stood there once more not saying anything for a second.
"I'm doing this," Angel paused for a moment and then started to pace. "I screwed up Dawn, I know I did and," He let out a sigh. "I'm not the same guy anymore."
"Angel," Dawn was concern. "You're not going to be I mean you were pulled out of heaven. You got out; you made it I understood why you did what you did. I know you're sorry and I am too. But…" Dawn let out a sigh of her own. "This isn't what you're meant to do. Something is happening around here and with school…we're going to need the class protector back." Angel gave a very small chuckle and Dawn smiled a little. But it was more than just the slaying, there was also Buffy.
"I drove Buffy away," Angel started and Dawn listened. "She was right there waiting for me to speak up and I didn't do anything, I let it fall apart." He was supposed to confide in her but he chose booze and sadness. "I never told you what happened the last day she was here." And he didn't as Dawn listened. "We didn't even look at each other, just stood there side by side. I said I was sorry and she seemed to understand. I asked her if she was still my girl. She put her hand on my shoulder…" Dawn was ready for the romantic finish hoping they kissed goodbye. "Then she left."
That's how that day ended. Buffy went inside and packed clothes and left not telling anyone not even Dawn. Angel had sat outside until the sun set and decided to go find Buffy. But when he made it upstairs there was a note saying she left and she didn't know when she would come back. That's how it ended and Dawn never knew.
Dawn nodded a little feeling sad but not for herself but for Angel and Buffy. They were so in love, so committed and now this. So she did what she could and went and hugged Angel. He gratefully took it.
Out in town at a local café sat Anya and her sister vengeance demon Halfrek drinking coffee together. Helfrek was going on about all the vengeful things she has done lately. Anya seemed to be listening but she wasn't entirely interested.
"Anya?" Helfrek asked and finally she paid attention. "Are you alright?"
"Oh, yes, just great." Anya shook it off but Halfrek was not convinced.
"You know, they've been talking." Helfrek started and she knew she had Anya's interested. "The other demons, your work is…lacking…these days."
"I haven't been a vengeance demon in a while." Which was true once she became human.
"I remember the way you would skin a man and now…" Helfrek sounded concerned. Just like the rest of the scattered A-Team, it's been a rough and long summer.
"I'll change soon." Anya insured Helfrek. "I'm waiting for a big one." Helfrek smiled in delight and sipped her coffee.
"Don't wait too long." Helfrek warned Anya and she looked up. "There's something big coming." Helfrek then leaned in. "Something's on the rise bigger than the old ones. It's the best time be a timid human right now." That was Helfrek's warning to Anya and she went back to her coffee.
It was nighttime outside a busy city in Frankford Germany. But someone was on the run. It was a young girl and she was running as fast as she could from the two shadows. She stopped looked four ways down the alley and from a distance she heard music. She headed in that direction and the music got louder and louder until she came to a night club.
She had to pay to get in but there was another way. The girl with bright pink hair ran to the club and headed around back. She opened the back door that led to the kitchen and ran in. She continued to run through the kitchen until she made it to the main floor. There were a ton of people dancing and caring on with the rave party. She thought maybe she could disappear into the crowds and started to make her way in. The girl stood there in the middle of the crowd space but she felt very alone.
Just then she swore she saw one of the shadows and started to run again. She was just about to pass a small hallway when something grabbed her. She girl kicked away the cloaked person and went to run back out in the crowds but the cloaked being gabbed her and slammed her against the wall and took out a large knife and stabbed her.
Angel jolted out of sleep as he was on his bed. He had fallen asleep for a little while. But he was in that cold sweat again. Angel felt like he couldn't move as he laid there alone. It took him some extreme willpower to sit up and look around. He looked to his clock and it was only five in the afternoon. Angel got up and went to the bathroom and turned on the sink and splashed some cold water on his face. He hung over the sink for a moment and then finally turned the water off and then looked in the mirror. Maybe Dawn is right, maybe the slayer needs to come back.
But down in the depths of the school Spike was pacing. Before him was a desk a student would use and on top of the desk was a rat.
"No, no, you listen," Spike was talking to the rat. "No, no it's not the time and you know it. I know it, we need to make them understand." Spike insisted as the rat looked up at him. "It's a different matter alright?" Spike asked the rat. Spike then stared at the rat and in quick move grabbed it and sunk his teeth into it.
Willow sat under the porch cover as there was a light rain falling. It was a bit chilly out now as she sat there. Giles came over seeing her and stood next to her.
"You ready?" Giles asked and Willow shrugged. "I think you are." And Willow looked up to him.
"I don't feel like I'm done here." Willow was nervous and Giles sighed.
"It's the fear talking." Giles insisted.
"And you tell me to trust my gut and my gut says it's scared." Willow finished and Giles sighed yet again.
"This day was bound to happen. You can't stay forever because it won't help you. It's time to go home and face those fears." Giles needed Willow to leave but it wasn't just about returning to reality and home. Giles finally got Wes' message. It was a brief one and all it said was Rise of the Witnesses. Giles felt compelled to keep that secret and it was time to move on. The Hell Mouth was getting more active again and that's the other reason why Willow needed to go home. All in all it was time to assemble the team back together.
"You think I can do it, being so close to the Hell Mouth?" Willow asked because that was her fear. What if the evil of the Hell Mouth brought out the bad in her again and she loses control.
"I have faith in you." Giles was sincere about it and Willow smiled a little. "It's time to go home." And Willow nodded.
The school had already started for the day. Angel had gone through two PE classes but now he wanted to look around. Just like before when something strange happens the people talk for a day and then it's over. It's the only way to get over the fear. But for Angel something was pulling him to the basement so headed that way.
Once in the dark Angel looked around seeing what he would be able to find. He knew he should flip on some lights but it could make whatever he was looking for go away. But then again he kind of felt too old be chasing monsters in the dark. He's twenty one and he feels old that's what this job has done to him.
So far the basement was clear, maybe it'll always just be creepy because of how close it is to the mouth of Hell. But then again maybe Angel spoke to soon.
"Slayer," Angel turned around and Spike stood before him. Before Spike could say anything Angel ran to him shoving him to the wall. Spike went to fight but Angel was stronger at the moment. Angel grabbed Spike again and threw the vampire to the ground. "Wait!"
"What the hell are you doing here!" Angel yelled and went to grab Spike again but the vampire kicked him away. Angel got back up and blocked a punch from Spike and shoved him back. "I should have just killed you a long time ago." Spike stood there for a moment.
"Maybe you should have." Just then Spike disappeared into the shadows and Angel followed, it wasn't over yet. "Something's coming Angel." The slayer stood there in the dark only hearing Spike's voice. "You come from a long line of history. You get visions, me I'm just a simple vampire with his ear to the ground. But something is coming." Angel looked behind him hearing Spike was close. "It's ugly and damned, makes Elizabeth look like a fizzy bunny."
"You have my attention." Angel went ahead and gave in. Something told the slayer he needs to hear this.
"Speaking of Lizzy…where's Buffy?" Spike asked and Angel looked up seeing Spike's face in what light was being cast.
"I don't know." And Angel didn't.
"I wanted to tell her, say I was sorry." Spike started but now he was losing Angel's attention. "Right, I can help."
"And since when did you become the champion of the people?" Angel asked and then Spike disappeared into the shadows again.
"I'm not," Spike continued to circle Angel.
"So what happened to you?" Angel thought why not? "You tried to rape Buffy,"
"I didn't want to." Spike defended himself and Angel gave that sarcastic disgusted laugh.
"Yeah, it was so hard not wanting to pin her down right?" Angel just had to be sure that was the truth.
"You two weren't together, still not." Spike added but even though Angel hasn't slayed in months doesn't mean his reflexes aren't sharp. Spike felt himself flung to the floor as Angel caught him.
"Why did you come back?" Angel was done playing games.
"For her." Spike answered and then shoved Angel off of him. "I left for her." So why wouldn't he stay gone. "I did care about her. I looked out for her." Maybe that was true but Angel still couldn't get the image out of his head seeing Spike pinning Buffy down trying to force his way. He's never seen Buffy look so helpless and he never wanted to see that again.
"She's gone," Angel somewhat had that tone admitting it. The whole summer and even before he didn't really believe Buffy was gone. He thought maybe she stayed close by. But now thinking about it, she's gone, she left and right now she shouldn't come back to this awful place.
"I came back to give her what she wanted." Spike looked to Angel. "I left to give her what she wanted, what she deserves." Angel then realized what it was.
"How did you do it?" Angel asked and Spike looked over to him. "And why?"
"For her." That was Spike answer. "It was test and I passed."
"And now you have a soul?" Angel didn't sound impressed. "Because that was going to make it all better? You come back to my town?"
"You're town?" Spike laughed a little. "This town is going to hell and you can't stop it." The vampire threatened and just then Angel heard the bell ring. It meant he had to go. "Go to class slayer." Angel then walked right up to Spike and punched him to the ground.
"I catch you anywhere near my people, I will kill you." Angel left Spike there letting the warning sink in. Once he reached the halls of the school it sunk in for him too, Spike was back but how? And when?
Dawn remained at school for a new sport she was interested in, cheerleading. That was fine with Angel, maybe she can be a normal teen for a little while. Angel headed back to the mansion and went to the books. How did Spike get his soul back? And before Angel grabbed a book he headed to the basement of the mansion and looked around. He went to check one thing and went to a wall and opened it. Once opened he took out an iron case and then opened it. The Kelgor Medallion was in the iron case. Angel put it away and then walked across the basement and opened up another secret compartment. He reached for it and pulled out two different size iron cases.
The first one was small and thin and once he opened it he found the paper of the Spell of Restoration in it. No one could read it besides Willow let alone use the magic in it. Angel put it away and the there was another iron case and he opened it and it contained an Orb of Thesulah. It was all here so Angel relaxed a little as he put it all away. But instead of getting up to look for another way to gain a soul Angel just sat on the floor and then laid on his back.
He wanted Buffy to come home. Not because he wanted to apologize over and over again and get on his knees just to show how stupid he was. He just missed his best friend. He didn't know where she was and it scared him. What if she is hurt or lost? He can't help her. Angel just laid there for a moment somewhat enjoying the silence.
Dawn's friend's mother pulled up to the mansion looking as the big place. Dawn was in the back seat with her friend as she got a ride home from the cheer practice. No one really knows how Dawn could live here in such a big place. Rumor is that she had a wealthy grandparent or something. Dawn said goodbye to her friend and headed inside to the quiet place. She went upstairs first to drop off her backpack and then went to find her brother. He was here somewhere the Mustang was outside.
Dawn made it to the study and found Angel at the table reading. He had two books opened and he was going back and forth to each.
"What are you doing?" Dawn asked and the slayer looked up as she got closer to look and be nosy.
"Translating." Angel answered and he gave that frustrated sigh meaning the translating was taking a long time.
"Why?" Dawn asked because…why? Should Angel tell her? Would it freak out Dawn to know?
"Spike," Angel looked to Dawn. "He's back." Dawn's eyes widen and she quickly sat down at the table. "He's…living in the school basement." Angel was confused to why he was down there of all places.
"Why's he here?" Dawn wanted to know especially after he tried to rape Buffy.
"That's what I'm trying to find out," Dawn could see Angel was worked up over something. "He has a soul now." Now Dawn looked beyond shocked. "I don't know how he did it."
"Maybe like how Buffy," Dawn suggested and Angel shrugged.
"Those magics are long lost. Only Willow can do it." Angel stated and Dawn nodded a little.
"Would Willow?" Dawn didn't want to think about that.
"No, the spell is locked away and she's in England." Meaning no Willow wouldn't be able to not without the text.
"Why…" Dawn asked. Why would Spike get a soul? Angel looked up to his sister.
"He loves Buffy. He's trying to prove himself to her." Angel answered and it was just that simple. "He went out probably some dark mystic and got a soul."
"But Buffy doesn't love him." Dawn started. "Especially after what happened before. And besides she loves you." Dawn just tossed that out there and Angel looked to her a little bit unconvinced. "She does I mean she might be with you or around but somehow I know if something were to happen to you she would help. She's not going to stop loving you." Angel hoped that was true. Dawn didn't like that Spike was back with a soul. "Does it mean he's good?"
"No," Angel answered. "People have souls but they're not all good. A soul doesn't make you good." Dawn nodded and it made sense.
"You think sometimes a person goes bad because the soul dies?" Dawn asked and that was a good question.
"I don't know," And Angel didn't. "But Spike he's the kind of person who will help for his own personal gain." Which meant to Angel he only went out to get a soul to win over Buffy. But how long would it last? Having a soul after all he's done it could destroy him. Buffy never went out to seek a soul it found her. And that soul tortured her for a long time and it's only been in the last seven years she's seeking redemption. Spike however only gained the soul for one purpose and it was a personal purpose. Buffy is trying to make peace with her past. "There are two types of monsters," Angel started and Dawn listened. "One can be redeemed well more importantly wants to be redeemed."
"The other?" Dawn asked him.
"The void of humanity." Angel then stood up grabbing the two books to put them away. For both Angel and Dawn Buffy was the monster that has been redeemed, she's no longer a monster. Spike though, that was a huge question mark. Angel put the books away and then stood there for a moment. "If I asked you if you wanted to patrol tonight,"
"You don't have to ask twice." Dawn meant yes they could patrol.
Angel was upstairs in his room putting on his long black trench coat. He was in black pants, black button up shirt, he looked like the slayer again. Headed downstairs and when Doyle saw him he had to admit to himself he missed the slayer look. Angel, Dawn, Cordelia, Doyle and Xander went to the training room to get their weapons of choice. Angel went to reach for his old crossbow but instead took the one Buffy had made for him. He did like the weight and feel of it.
One place to hunt the underworld was the cemetery. The amount of vampires over the summer was little. It was small enough for Xander, Cordelia and Doyle to handle. But now that slayer has decided to come out tonight maybe they will be more. Angel was leading the small group through the dark cemetery and then stood before a grave. It was fresh and they all knew what would come out of the fresh grave.
"Just give it a second." Angel said and they could already hear something coming out of the ground. The five of them wait and then right on cue a vampire rose but he wasn't the only one. There were a few more vampires coming out of the shadows. "Let's do it." Angel held up his crossbow, looked through the scope and fired at a vampire across the way. The five of them even though being five and not slaying together for a sometime feld like the old days. Angel fired at another one and Dawn with her katana she hasn't used all summer sliced a head off.
It didn't take much to kill the seven vampires. Angel hasn't felt this good in a while. It felt good to do his real job.
"Alright, we're going to do a sweep, stay close." Angel stated the objective and the five fanned a out a little as they went to clear the cemetery. They wondered how many vampires they were going to encounter tonight. With Hell Mouth looking like it was starting to get active it means more vampires were going to show. Just then they heard a scream. The five headed in that direction and saw who made the scream. A teen was running while her boy was behind trying to fend off the oncoming vampires. There a few of them.
The group headed to in danger teens and Xander shoved them away to keep running. Angel held up the crossbow and fired. But then the girl teen stopped staring at Angel.
"Coach?" She asked and her boyfriend did a double take.
"Coach O'Brien?" The boy asked and Angel looked to him. "Whoa, it is the coach." The girl however started to swoon a bit.
"Get out of the cemetery now." Angel ordered and they nodded and kept running.
"So, the slayer comes out after what four months of hibernation and we see more vampires in one night than we do in one week?" Cordelia asked and Angel shrugged, he doesn't know. "You really do attract the undead, where you are dark forces follow."
"Could just be a fluke." Xander suggested.
"We've lived on the Hell Mouth for how long?" Dawn started. "There are no flukes."
"So they were waiting on the slayer?" Doyle suggested and looked to Angel. It could be true. Every vampire's dream is to kill a slayer. If a vampire kills Angel the slayer then that's an eternity of bragging rights. "Let's test that theory, East Cemetery has no vampire, demon, supernatural activity all summer."
"Great, now I'm a ginnypig." Angel deadpanned.
"You're the one who wanted to go slaying." Dawn reminded him and it was true.
"Then let's go hunting." Angel stated and they all smiled. Angel had that half grin, he looked…he looked like Angel for once. Angel led the way as the business was open. But as the five walked together to look for more vampires someone was in the shadows watching them. Father Michael watched as Angel left the cemetery. He thought it was about time the slayer returned to his post. But was it going to be enough?
No Buffy yet I know, I'm so mean. She's right there like two hours away. It'll all get explained later. I have more in the forum about this chapter and why it's here. Also you guys get a sneak peek of chapter 4 here and in the forum as well. Don't forget in the forum you can chat, ask questions, possibly get answers. TheBuffAngelWhedonVerse is the title if you're interested. What do you think so far? And as always thank you all for reading, commenting and being awesome.
Chapter 4 One Returns, Two to go
Angel and Xander looked at the dead skinless body on the ground. Angel looked up into the bright sky seeing the crows circling waiting to eat. He looked around the place and saw a whole row of bushes all dead or dying. They keep replanting but nothing seems to be taking. Angel then looked back to the dead body.
"Shit, right?" Xander asked looking up from the body to Angel. Angel stood there with his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket. "Well, found it first, called my crew before they came in, gave them the day off. This looks more supernatural than typical murder." Xander explained. "But I know what you're thinking," Angel nodded.
"Willow might be back." Angel answered but he hoped he was wrong. A demon could have done this easily but you have to take everything into consideration. Angel continued to look at the dead body and the first thing to do was to know who this person was. If it was Willow why would she go after this particular person. "Call it in, we'll start researching." Angel then started to walk away but something caught his attention like it sounded like someone was running away but he couldn't see anything.