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HECAMEAROUNDONEOFTHETABLESANDSAWIT.ASTEAMINGPILEOF
SOMETHING,CLOTHINGANDSKINANDGENERALBLOODYICKINESS.MOSTOFITWAS
UNRECOGNIZABLE.Xanderfeltnauseated.Heputahandoverhisnoseandmouth,bothtoblockoutthesmellandtokeephimselffromgettingsick.“OhmyGod,”hesaid.“OhGod.”
Hehadtogethelp.Buffyandtheothersareinthelibrary,hethought.Icouldbethereinlessthanaminute,ifIleaverightnow.EspeciallyifIrun.
Runningwasdefinitelyintheplan.
Heturnedtodojustthat,butthenhedidn’t.
Becausewhenheturned,hefoundhimselfface-to-facewithamonsterfromhisworstnightmares.
BuffytheVampireSlayer™
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NightoftheLivingRerun
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Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,placesandincidentsareproductsoftheauthor'simaginationorareusedfictitiously.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorlocalesorpersons,livingordead,isentirelyco-incidental.
AnOriginalPublicationofPOCKETBOOKS
POCKETPULSE,publishedbyPocketBooks,adivisionofSimon&SchusterInc.1230AvenueoftheAmericas,NewYork,NY10020
VisitusontheWorldWideWeb:http://www.SimonSays.com
™andcopyright©2000byTwentiethCenturyFoxFilmCorporation.Allrightsreserved.
Allrightsreserved,includingtherighttoreproducethisbookorportionsthereofinanyformwhatsoever.ForinformationaddressPocketBooks,1230AvenueoftheAmericas,NewYork,NY10020
ISBN:0-7434-3124-3
FirstPocketPulseprintingApril2000
POCKETPULSEandcolophonaretrademarksofSimon&SchusterInc.
Thisone’sforHollyandAmanda,trueXanderfans.AndDave,who’spartialtoHerbert.
AcknowledgmentsIttakesalotofpeopletowriteabook.I’dliketothanksomeofthosewhohelpedmewiththisone.Firstofall,myfriendChrisGolden,whogottheballrolling.MaryelizabethHartandNancyHolder,whoheldmyhandsallthewaythrough.Christine,Tigger,Scott,andDenise,formoralsupport.LisaClancyandMicolOstow,StateChampionsoftheeditorialworld.NicholasBrendon,forhisperfectportrayalofXander.AndJossWhedon,withoutwhom...
THEXANDERYEARSVol.2
PROLOGUETherewasn’tmuchtraffic—Sunnydaletendedtobethekindoftownthatrolledupitssidewalksandwenttobedearly—butthatdidn’tmeantherewasnone,andwhattherewas,Xanderfound.HemadearightontoPalm,andabrightredmusclecarroaredoutofnowhereathim,headlightsblinding.Itswervedaroundhim,jerkedbackintothelanedirectlyinfrontofhim,andthenracedawaywithagrowlandablastofexhaust.
ItshookXander,butheletitslideoffhim.Nothingwasgoingtospoilhismoodtonight.Besides,heknewhewasn’tinanymortaldanger.Mostly,herealized,hedidn’twanttohavetodealwiththequestionsthepolicewouldaskiftherehadbeenanaccident.Whatareyoudoingoutsolate?Whereareyougoing?Whydoesn’tthenameonthevehicle’sregistrationmatchtheoneonyourdriver’slicense?
Abriefmomentofpanic,andthenherememberedthatyes,hewascarryinghislicense.Healwaysdid—itwasjustthedrivingpartthatwasrare.
ThenameonthelicensewasAlexanderLavelleHarris,butexceptforhismotherwhenshewasangry—andthatstretchinfifthgradewhenhe’dgonethroughhisAlexandertheGreatphase—hewasalwayscalledXander.HehadalwayslivedrighthereinSunnydale,alwaysfiguredthathe’dgrowupandgrowoldhangingwithWillowandJesseanddespisingCordelia,andthatonedayhe’ddierighthereinSunnydale.
Okay,thatdaywaslookinglikeitmightarrivesoonerratherthanlater.
Butthekeywordherewas“always.”
Lifehadseemedprettyset,Xanderthought.IknewwhoIwas,whereI’dbe,whatI’ddo.Whenhetriedtoseehimselfinthefuturehesawbasicallythesamethinghesawinthemirror,onlymaybewithshorterhairandatie,orworseyet,oneofthosecardigansweatersTVdadswore.
AllthatwasbeforeBuffySummershadcometoSunnydale.
Blondandbeautiful,asfitasyoucouldhopefor—BuffywasXander’sidealof
Blondandbeautiful,asfitasyoucouldhopefor—BuffywasXander’sidealoffeminineperfection.He’dbeentakenwithherfromthemomenthe’dseenher,andhestayedthatway.Everytimehesawherwaslikeseeingherfreshagain.
Heknewnowthathe’dneverbe“with”Buffyinthewaythathewanted,butstandingbesideher—okay,alittlebehind,andmaybeofftotheside—asshefaceddownevilwasjustasgoodinitsway.Hewaspartofherinnercircle,partoftheScoobyGang,andimportanttoBuffy’slife.Howdiditgetbetterthanthat?
BuffyhadbroughtallkindsofnewthingsintoXander’slife,andsure,someofthem,likevampiresandwitchesandgiantprayingmantises,hecouldlivewithout.Butwhenonegotrightdowntoit,themostsignificantthingthatBuffybroughtwaschange.Statuswasn’tquitesoquowithheraround.
Madelifeexciting,thatwasforsure.
IfyoulookedatSunnydale,youwouldn’tthinkanythinghadchanged,butthenreally—Xanderremindedhimself—ithadn’t.HeknewnowthatSunnydalehadalwaysbeensituatedonahellmouth.Itwashisperceptionofhishometownthatwasdifferent.Theshadowsseemeddarker,thenightslonger,thesilences,well,quieter.
HeglancedoutthepassengersideattheBronze,justwhereithadalwaysbeen.Buttherehadbeenatimewhenhethoughtitwasjustaplacetochillwithhisfriends.Inthoselong-gonedaysbeforehe’dseenpeopleheknewkilledthere.Hestillwenttheretolistentomusic,drinkamochaccino,hangwithBuffyandWillowandOzandCordy...buteverynowandthenhehadaflashofsomeofthethingshe’dseenthereandgotalittletingleuphisspine.
Notthekindoftingleheliked,either.
Thosetimes,hefeltatouchofsorrowforthelossofinnocencethatSunnydalehadsufferedsinceBuffycametotown.Andthenheremindedhimself,yetagain,thattheinnocencelosthadn’tbeenthetown’s.Itwashis.Itwassomethinghe’dneverhavebackagain.
Yes,he’dchanged.Nodenyingit.XanderwasstilljustXander,totheoutsideworld.ButhisinnerXanderwassomeoneelse,someonewhocouldn’tbringhimselftoeatahotdogorahamsandwichanymore.Sofar,nothingevilhadcroppeduptointerferewithhisenjoymentofchocolate,thankGod.
croppeduptointerferewithhisenjoymentofchocolate,thankGod.
ButthiswasSunnydale.Heinousnessperchedaroundeverycorner,lurkedbehindeveryhappyfacade.LivingherewaslikegoingthroughadooratDisneylandandbeinggreetedwithamathtest.
Homesweethome.
Hecruisedthesilentstreets,feelingnoparticularhurrytogethome,onthisnightespecially.Hefeltgood.Ifheslept,thechargewouldbegonewhenhewokeup,andhe’djustbeplainoldXanderagain.No.Hemightbesleepyinschooltomorrow,buthewasgoingtostayoutforawhile.Besides,howoftendidhegettoactuallydriveacar?Surebeatskateboarding,which,intheold,pre-Buffdays,hadbeenhisonlymodeoftransport.
Insteadofmakingtheturnthatwouldtakehimtohisquietsuburbanstreet,hehungaleft.HedroveslowlydownRevelloDrive,butdidn’tstopinfrontofBuffy’shouse.Thatwouldmakehimastalkerorsomething,andaSlayerettedidn’tstalktheSlayer.Attheendofherblockhetookanotherleft,thenaright,andafewminuteslaterhepassedtheSunnydaleMall.Hekeptonthiscourse,headedtowardtheocean.ThiswaytookhimpastWeatherlyPark,andsincetherewasstillnotrafficheopenedherupalittlebit.TheNaturalHistoryMuseumandtheSunnydaleZooflashedpastonhisright.
Thezoo.Destinationofahundredtripswithfamily,friends,andclassmates.Thatplacebroughtbackmemories.
Allofthembad.
Gaveawholedifferentmeaningtotheword“change.”Xandershuddered,grippedthewheelalittlemoretightly,anddroveon.
CHAPTER1BuffySummersstrolledthroughtheSunnydaleZoo,enjoyingthewaythesunwarmedhercheeksonthiscoolspringday.Shewalkedalone,intentonthezoomap,comparingpointsonittothepostedsigns.Maybetherewassomethingheretheydidn’thaveinLosAngeles.Although,thisbeingSunnydale,shethought,itwouldprobablybesomemythicalkillerbeast,aKrakenoraWendigoorsomething.
“Oh,look.”
Thefamiliarvoicecaughtherattentionandshelookedup.KyleDuFours.CreepyKyle,Willowcalledhimsometimes.Hecametowardher,accompaniedbythekidshewasalwayswith:RhondaKelley,TorHauer,andHeidiBarrie.Alwaystogether,alwaysannoying.Well,she’djustmakeapointofavoidingthemfortherestoftheday.Shouldn’tbehard—Kyle’sshirtwasayellowsobrightshe’dbeabletospothimfromadistance.Like,say,Kansas.
“It’sBuffy,”Kylesaid.“Andallherfriends.”
“That’switty,”Buffysaid.She’dknownsomekindofobnoxiouslinewascoming.Afterall,hislipshadbeenstartingtomove.Butshealsoknewitwasn’tover.Theseguysneverletup.
Torfixedhisgazeonher.“Doyoueverwonderwhynobodycooleverwantstohangoutwithyou?”heasked.
“I’mjustthankful,”shereplied.
“Wereyouthispopularatyouroldschool?”Rhondaasked,gettinginontheaction.“Beforeyougotkickedout?”
Theyallresumedwalking,almostasone.RhondamovedpastBuffy,nudgingherasidewithoneshoulder.Buffyletitgo.They’rejustpunks,shethought.Rude,butharmless.
“Careful,”TortoldRhondaashepassedBuffy.HestaredatBuffy,turninghisheadashewentby.Shewondered,briefly,ifhethoughthelookedcool,or
headashewentby.Shewondered,briefly,ifhethoughthelookedcool,orworse,attractive.“Shemightbeatyouup.”
Theyalllaughedatthatknee-slapper,andthentheyweregone.Relativelybriefandpainless,Buffythought.Thebestkindofencountertohavewiththem.
Shemovedon,stoppingtoreadadisplayoutsidetheelephantenclosure.
Anothervoicecalledouttoher.Alsofamiliar,butmorefriendly.“Hey!Buffy!”
ShelookeduptoseeXanderHarrisandWillowRosenberg,hertwobestfriendsintheworld,runningtowardher.Theylookedhappy,liketheyweretrulyenjoyingthislittleescapade.Maybetheywere.Theybothseemedtohaveaknack,sometimes,forlookingonthebrightside.
“Youmissedit!”Willowsaid.Enthusiastic.Herusualstateofbeing.
“Missedwhat?”
“Wesawthezebrasmating,”Xandersaid.“Thankyou,veryexciting.”
“ItlookedliketheHeimlich.Withstripes,”Willowadded.Herwidesmilewasusuallyinfectious,butitdidn’tspreadtoBuffythistime.
“AndImissedit,”Buffysaid,withmocksadness.“Yet,somehowI’llfindthecouragetoliveon.”
Theystartedwalking,headednowhereinparticular.“Wherewereyou?”Willowaskedher.
“Iwaslookingatthefishes.”
“Wasitcool?”
Buffythoughtaboutthatforamoment.“Itwasfishes.”
“I’mfeelingthatyou’renotinthefieldtripspirithere,”Xandersaid,asifpickinguponherdecidedlackofexcitement.
“Well,it...it’snothing.”Shecouldn’tquitesummontheenergytoshrug.“Anyway,wedidthesamezootripatmyoldschooleveryyear.Sameold,sameold.”
old.”
“Buffy,thisisnotjustaboutlookingatabunchofanimals,”Xanderexplained.“Thisisaboutnotbeinginclass.”
Thistime,Buffydidsmile.Hehasapoint,shesupposed.GoodoldXander,findingthesilverliningtoeverycloudofgloom.“Youknow,you’reright.Suddenlytheanimalslookshinyandnew.”
“Gottahaveperspective,”Xandersaid.
Thechimpanzeeenclosurelookedlikeagranitecliff.Onarockyshelf,threechimps—mother,father,andbaby—sharedlunch.Or,themotherandfatherdid.Theyoungoneshriekedandgrabbed,buttheadultsmanagedtokeeptheirfoodtothemselves.
LanceLincolnleanedontherailattheenclosure’sedge,spiralnotebookopen,scribblingdownhisobservationsonthechimpfamily’smeal.Forhim,afieldtripwasn’taboutbeingawayfromschool,itwasabouthavinganopportunityforsomegoodsolidinsightintoprimatebehavior.Hewassoinvolvedinhisresearchthathedidn’thearthefourpairsoffootstepsapproachinghimfrombehind.
“Lance!”
Heturnedaround.Kyleandhisfriends,bearingdownonhim.Swell,hethought.Victim,thynameisLance.
“How’sitgoing?”Kyleasked.Likewe’reoldbuddiesorsomething.
“Hey,Kyle,”herepliedevenly.
Kyleleanedontherailingnexttohim,glancedatthechimps.“Sothisislikea,um,familyreunion?”
“No.”Well—fromanevolutionaryperspective,maybe.ButtogotherewithKyle?Hedidn’tthinkso.
KylewentonasifLancehadn’tsaidanything.“Ithinkit’safamilyreunion.It’ssotouching.Doesn’tanybodyhaveacamera?”Hemimickedwhippingoneout,snappingapicture.
Lanceflashedbacktogradeschool,whenhisloveforrerunsoftheoldTVshow“LancelotLink,SecretChimp”hadbecomecommonknowledge.Givenhisname,itwouldhavebeenhardforhimnottobedrawntotheshow,anditwasprobablywhatkick-startedhisinterestinprimatology.Buttheflackhe’dtakenfromschoolmatescallinghimLanceLink,orSirLancelot,hadalmostdrivenhimawayfromthatcalling.
Comparedtothesebullies,thosekidswerenothing,hethought.
RhondacameupbehindLanceandstartedtuggingatthehairsonthebackofhishead.“Hey,doesyourmomstillpickoutyourlice?”sheasked.“Orareyouoldenoughtodothatyourselfnow?”
“Quitit,”Lancedemanded.Hejerkedhisheadawayfromher.
Andindoingso,turnedjustenoughthatTorwasabletosnatchhisnotebookfromhishand.“Hey!Guys,comeon,”Lancesaid,grabbingforthenotebook.“I’vegotallmynotesinthere!”ButTorhelditoverhishead,outofLance’sreach.Onlyinthebackofhismind,wherehecataloguedsuchthings,didhevaguelyrealizethatthewholesceneduplicatedthechimpbehavior,withthelargerchimpsholdingfoodawayfromthelittleone.
Terrific.I’mthelittlemonkey,hethought.
Thegroup’slaughterwasinterruptedbythevoiceofMr.Flutie,SunnydaleHigh’sprincipal.“What’sgoingonhere?”heasked.
Lancewatchedhimapproach.Hewasnofashionexpert,butevenheknewMr.Flutie’splaidsportscoatwasjustwrong.Ithungopeninfront,asifbothhisbellyandhissenseofself-importanceweretooswollentoallowittobutton.Ashockofdarkhairsatatophisheadlikeanafterthought,orasmallfurrymammalabandonedtherebysomepredator.
“Ihavehadituptoherewithyoufour,”Mr.Flutiesaid.“Whatareyoudoing?”
“Nothing,”Kyleinsisted.
FlutieplantedhimselfinfrontofKyle.“DidIaskyoutospeak?Okay,IguessIdid.ButIwantthetruth.”HelookedatLance.“Lance?”
Tellthetruth—orsurvive?Norealcontest.“Theyweren’tdoinganything.Really,”Lancewentalong.Heevenforcedachuckle.“Wewerejustplayingaround.”LikeI’dplayaroundwiththeseguys.
Andyet,Mr.Flutieboughtit.“Allright.”Mr.Flutiestartedtogo,thenstopped,swiveled,andrakedafingerlikeamachinegunacrossthechestsofthefourtroublemakers.“I’llbewatchingyou,”hesaid,thenturnedagainandheadeddownthepath.
“You,”Kylesaid,pointingatLance’sface.Lancedidn’tlikethesoundofthat—orthatfingerinhiseyes.Nowwhat?“Camethroughbigtime,”Kylewenton.
“Waytogo,Lance,”Rhondaadded,pattinghimonthearmlikeanoldfriend.
“Flutie’sbeenlookingforareasontocomedownonus,”Torsaid.
Whew.“It’sokay,”Lancesaid,tryingnottosoundtoorelieved.
Kylereachedout,grippedLance’scollarbone,somewherebetweenapalandaprisonwarden.“Comeon.We’regonnacheckoutthehyenahouse.”
Lancehesitated.“But—Ithinkit’sofflimits.”
“Andtherein,myfriend,liesthefun.”
Lancechuckledagain,buttohimitsoundedevenlessrealthantheonehe’dgivenMr.Flutie.Hedidn’tquiteknowhowtoextricatehimself—thathadbeenabondingmomentofsomekind,hefigured,andnowtheywereaunit.Hewentalong.
Thepathwaytothehyenahousewasblockedoffbyyellowcautiontape,andsignsoneaselsread“PositivelyNoAdmittance.”Yetanothersignsaid“Closed.”Orangelightsflashedonthewarningsigns.Themeaningwasprettyclear,Lancefigured.Thezooofficialsdidn’twantanyonewanderingintothehyenaexhibit.
Which,accordingtoKyle,wasthe“funpart.”Lancecouldn’tquitefigure,buthewaswillingtogoalong.Afterall,theywerebeingnicetohim,whichwasafirst.Andbesides,theyhadhimmoreorlesssurrounded.Rhondaliftedthecautiontapeandtheyduckedunder,headeddownthepath.
Hyenas,herewecome.
Xander,Willow,andBuffyweren’tfarbehind.TheysawLancegounderthetapeanddisappeardownthepath.Therewassomethingverywrongaboutthispicture,anditwasasobviousasLance’sbrightredsweater—hewouldneverbepartofthatcrowd.XanderknewLancewasnomorelikelytohangwithKyleandthoseguysthanWillowwas.Orhimself,even.Like,notatall.
“WhatareKyleandhisbudsdoingwithLance?”Willowasked.
ToXander,theanswerwasclear.“Playingwithhim,asthecatplayswiththemouse.”
“Whatisitwiththoseguys?”Buffyasked.Theystoppedatthetape,lookingdownthepath.Lanceandtheothersweregonefromsight.
“They’reobnoxious,”Willowsaid.“Professionally.”
“Everyschoolhas’em,”Xanderexplained.“Youstartaschool,yougetdesks,someblackboards,andsomemeankids.”
Buffystartedtowardthetape.“Yeah,well,IbetterextractLancebefore—”
ButXanderraisedahandtoher,stoppingherinhertracks.“I’llhandleit,”heoffered.“Thisjobdoesn’trequireactualslaying.”Ihope.Heduckedunderthetapeandheadedforthehyenas,fullyawarethatthetwogirlsbehindhimwerewatchinghimgo.Asmalldisplayofbravery,tiny,really,comparedtosomeofBuffy’s.But,hey—youtakewhatyoucanget.
Buffywasn’tconvinced.“Youdon’tthinkweshouldfollow?”
“Kyleandthoseguysarejerks,butthey’realltalk.”WillowhadlivedinSunnydaleherwholelifeandknewthekidsbetterthanBuffy.Buffywasinclinedtotrusther,untilWillowadded,“Mostly.”
“Whydon’twe—”
Willowagreedwithanod.“Yeah,whydon’twe—”
Theyhadn’tmadeittwostepsbeyondthetapewhenazookeeperappeared.“Whoa,holdit,holdit,”hesaid.Whathairhehadwasblond,longinbackbut
“Whoa,holdit,holdit,”hesaid.Whathairhehadwasblond,longinbackbutmostlydome-likeontop.Hehadaneatblondbeardandglasses,analmostprofessorialdemeanor.Hisvoicewasgentle,butfirm.“Areyoublind,orareyoujustilliterate?Becausehyenasarequicktopreyontheweak.”
“Wewerejust—”Buffystarted.
Hecutheroffmidsentence.“You’renotgoinginthere.Anyonethatdoesisinaworldoftrouble.”Heraisedthetapeforthemtoslinkbackout.
Willow,alwaysthepeacemaker,chimedin.“No,noone’sgoinginthere.”Sheledthewaybackunderthetape.
Buffywasn’tsowillingtoletitgo.“Whyisitofflimits?”sheasked.
“It’saquarantine.ThesehyenasjustcamefromAfrica.Sokeepout.”Hisvoiceindicatedthathewouldacceptnoresponseotherthanobedience.Butheraisedasingleeyebrow,givinghisfaceaslightlyfriendlieraspect.ThenhesaidsomethingthatBuffyfoundverystrange.“Eveniftheycallyourname.”
“What’reyoutalkingabout?”sheasked.
Thezookeeperlookedevenmorelikeaprofessorashelaunchedintolecturemode.“AMasaitribesmanoncetoldmethathyenascanunderstandhumanspeech.Theyfollowhumansaroundbyday,learningtheirnames.”Hisvoicelowered.Nowhesoundedlikeamantellingaghoststory.“Atnight,whenthecampfiredies,theycallouttotheperson.Andoncetheyseparatehim”—hesnappedhisfingers—“thepackdevourshim.”
Therewasmorecautiontapeattheactualentrancetothehyenaenclosure.Kylejustrippeditdownashepassedthroughit,sothathewasfestoonedinitforamoment,yellowagainsthisyellowshirt.Itwasdarkinhere,shaded,andcoolerthanoutside.Thewallswereartificialrock,aman-madecavewithcutawaysforilluminateddisplays,andalargeroneforthehyenasthemselves,upacoupleofsteps,chest-highbarsacrossthefront.
Kylelookedaround,turningslowly.“Cool.”
“Idon’tseeanyhyenas,”Lancesaid.Hewashavingsecondthoughtsnow.Fifthorsixththoughts,really.Hewasreadytogo.
Almostasifoncue,ahyenasteppedforwardfromthegloomofitspen,
Almostasifoncue,ahyenasteppedforwardfromthegloomofitspen,revealingadark,almostblackmuzzle,fulloflarge,pointedteeth.Itgrowled.Itdidn’tsoundfriendly.NowLancewasmorethanreadytobegone.
“Okay,”hesaid.“Nowwe’veseenit.”Heturnedtogo,butTorwasstandingrightbehindhim,blockinghisway.
Andtheothershadn’thadenough,itseemed.“Itlookscute,”Rhondasaid.
“Ithinkitlookshungry,”Kylesaid.Hesteppedawayfromthebars.HeandTorgrabbedLance,muscledhimupthestepstowardthecage.
“Comeon,Spot!”TorgrowledastheydraggedLanceforward.“Suppertime!”Theyheldhiminfrontofthebars—whichnowseemedconsiderablyshorterandlesssubstantialthantheyhadjustaminuteago.Thehyenagrowledagain,deepinitsthroat.SomeonehadahandonthebackofLance’shead,pushinghisfaceintothecage.Everyonelaughed—exceptLance.
“Ow!”hecomplained.“Stopit!That’snotfunny!”
Xanderheardthatlastpart,andhadtoagree—despitetheraucouslaughtercomingfromtheKyleBrigade,noneofitsoundedterriblyhumorous.Heleaptupthestairsandintothethickofit,yankingpeople’sarmsawayfromLance.HeshovedLanceoutoftheirreach,downthestairs.WhenLancewassafelyaway,XanderfoundhimselfeyeballtoeyeballwithKyle.
“Whydon’tyoupickonsomeoneyourownspecies?”heasked.
Kyleglaredback,notgivinganinch.“What,areyougonnagetinmyface?”
Thehyenainterruptedthestare-downwithanotherlong,lowgrowl.Itraiseditsheadintothelightagain,growlingmore,andthentheywerealllookingatit.Thethingwasnotlovely,butitseyesheldamesmerizingquality,andthefiveofthemfoundthemselvesstaringintothoseeyes.
Barelynoticingwhentheeyesflashedwithaneeriegreenglow.
And,ofcourse,theycouldn’tseetheirowneyes.Flashinganansweringgreen.
Nordidthey,atthismoment,noticethebizarrereddesignpaintedontheenclosure’sfloor.Thedesignonwhichtheyallstood.Theirattentionwasrivetedonthehyena,growlingandmovinginitscage.
onthehyena,growlingandmovinginitscage.
*
Lancetookadvantageoftheirdistractiontomakehisescape.Hestartedfortheexit.Tripped.Hisnotebookslidacrossthedampfloor.Hegrabbeditupagain,hoistedhimselftohisfeet.Buttheothershadheardhimfall,wereturning—weirdly,turningslowlybutinunison—andlaughing.Laughingathim,theirlaughterrisinginpitch,becomingalmosthysterical.
Xander,whohadrescuedhim,wasthelasttoturn,theonlyoneoutofsynch,andLancedidn’tknowwhatheexpectedtoseeonXander’sfacebutitwasn’twhathesaw,whichwasasmile.Hewasn’tlaughingliketheothers,butthesmile—knowing,andwithoutatraceofkindnessorrealhumor—wasalmostworse.
Lanceran.
Later,Kyle,Rhonda,Tor,andHeidistrolledthezoogrounds.Theschoolbuseshadlongsincegone.Theyhadstoodinhiding,watchingthenear-franticsearchforthemselves,punchingeachotheronthearmsandbitingbackraucouslaughter.Finally,Mr.Flutiehadgiventheordertogoaheadwithoutthem—Anotherblackmarkonourpermanentrecords,Kylethought.Horrors!
They’dgethomesomehow.Itwasn’tthatfar.Nothingtosweat.
But—andthiswentunspokenamongthem—noneofthemwantedtoleave.Somethingabouttheplace—thesoundofhoovesscrabblingondirt,therufflingoffeathers,thesharpsmellsoffeedandfurandfilth—drewthem.Keptthemhere.
Theyfeltstrangelyathome.
Theywanderedthepaths,laughingatthelocalslookingintotheenclosures,andthetouristsinfromOhioorOmaha,gettingtheirfirstglimpseatarealCaliforniazoo.Anhourorsoafterthebuseshadfinallygone,theycameacrossayoungcouple,arminarmonabridge,watchingring-tailedlemursscamperaroundanislandenclosure.Thecouplelookedtobeintheirlatetwenties,maybeearlythirties.Middleclass.Hewastallandcleancut,shewassmaller,andcute,inthatred-haired,freckledway.Youngmarrieds,intentonstartingafamily,maybe.Yuppies.Conventional.
maybe.Yuppies.Conventional.
Kylehatedthemonsight.
Hestartedtosaysomethingtotheothers,buthisgazemetRhonda’sandheknewhedidn’thaveto.We’reallonthesamepage,hethought.
Thecouplefacedthecage,theirbackstothepath.Kylesteppeduptothesafetyrailing,nexttotheredhead.
“Likethosemonkeys?”heaskedher.
“Idon’tthinkthey’remonkeys,”shestartedtosay.Theman,thehusband,justglaredathim.
Heidiapproachedtheman,putherhandonhisarmasifhewereanoldfriend.Averygoodfriend.
“Ithinkthey’refunny,”shesaid.“Doyouthinktheycansmellusfromhere?”
“Acrossthewater?”themanasked.“Iwouldn’tthinkso.”Hetuggedhisarmaway,butHeidipersisted.
“Youdon’tmind,doyou,”sheaskedthewife.“DonaldandIgowayback.”
“Myname’snotDonald,”heinsisted.
“It’snot,”hiswifesaid,backinghim.“It’sHenry.”
Heidilaughed.“IthoughtyouweregoingtostopusingHenry,”shesaid.“Don’ttellmeyoutoldheryouwereaprogrammer,too.”
Theman’sfacewascloudingoverquickly.“Listen,”hegrumbled.“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retryingtopullhere—”
“Oh,verygood,”Rhondasaid.“I’dalmostbelieveitifIdidn’tknowyou.”
“Henry,youdon’tknowthesepeople,doyou?”theredheadasked,almostplaintively.
“Ofcoursenot!”
“You’rehurtingmyfeelings,Donald,”Heidiwhimpered.Sheputherhandsonhischest.Hebrushedthemaway.
“Benice,Donald,”Torsaid.Heswelledouthischestandarms,tryingtolookthreatening.“Isthatanywaytotreatoldfriends?”
Thewoman’sheadswiveledlikeaspectatoratatennismatch.Tearsstartedtorundownhercheeks.
“I’veneverseenthesepeoplebeforeinmylife,”Henrythundered.“NowgetawayfromusorI’mcallingsecurity!”
“Ooooh,”Kylesaidinmockterror.“Notthat!”
“Imeanit.”Henrypulledacellphonefromhispantspocketandstartedtopunchinnumbers.
“Isaid,notthat!”KyleslappedHenry’shandfrombeneathandthetinyphonewentflippingendoverend,landingwithasmallsplashinthewaterbeneaththebridge.
Henry’sfaceturnedbrightred.“Doyouhaveanyideahowmuch—”
Kylecuthimoff.“Canit,Donald.We’retiredofyou.Youwanttolietothisnicelady,pretendyoudon’tknowus,that’sfine.Wedon’tknowyoueither.Comeon,guys.”
Hestartedoffthebridge,clompingloudlyonthewoodencrosspiecesashewent.Hedidn’tlookback,butheardtheothersfollowinghim.Behindthem,hecouldhearHenryandhiswifetalking,arguing.
Kylestartedtolaugh.Heidijoinedin.Withinseconds,theywerealllaughingsohardtheycouldbarelystand.Theyfloppeddownonaswatchofgrass,rollingwithlaughter.Loud,high-pitchedsquealsoflaughter,thekindthatwassofunnythatwhenoneofthemstopped,thesoundofitgothimorhergoingagain.
Theywerestilllaughinganhourlater,whenthezooclosed.
CHAPTER2TheBronzewascrowded—likethatwasnews.Whenthere’sonlyonedecentclubintownwherekidsundertwenty-onecanhearmusic,drinkcoffee,dance,andhangout,it’slikelytodrawacrowd.
BuffySummersandWillowRosenbergturnedawayfromthepastrycounter.Buffycarriedacroissantandasoda.Willowsettledforaboxofraisins.She’spreoccupied,Buffythought.Itdidn’ttakeageniustofigureoutwithwhat.AsfarasWillwasconcerned,thesunroseandsetwithXander.
She’dfeltthatwaysincetheywerebothfiveyearsold—alittleyoungforseriousromance,butmaybenotforafirstcrush.Evenatthetime,though,she’dthoughtitwastruelove,recognizingthattherelationshipwasnotallshehopedforonlywhenXanderbrokeherBarbie.
Eventhat,Iforgavehim,shethought,witharuefulsmile.Eventhat.
Butinalltheyearssincethen,whilethey’dremainedsteadfastfriends,thatwasjustaboutasgoodasshegot.Xander,herbuddy.Xander,theguywhowouldcomplaintoherwhenhewashavinggirltrouble.
Neverseemingtorealizewhathecouldhavehad.
“IthoughtXanderwouldbeherebynow,”Willowsaidastheythreadedtheirwaytowardanopentable.
“That’dmakehimontime,”Buffyreplied.“Wecouldn’thavethat.”
“Didheseematallupsetonthebusbackfromthezoo?”
“Aboutwhat?”
“Idon’tknow,”Willowsaid.“Hewasquiet.”
Buffyslidontoaseatatoneofthechest-hightables.“Ididn’tnoticeanything.Butthenagain,I’mnotashyper-awareofhimas,oh,say,forexample,you.”
“Hyper-aware?”Willowasked,takingthestoolacrossfromBuffy’s.
“Hyper-aware?”Willowasked,takingthestoolacrossfromBuffy’s.
“Well,”Buffysaid.“I’mnotconstantlymonitoringhishealth,hismoods,hisbloodpressure—”
Willowknewthatone.“One-thirtyovereighty.”
Buffylaughed.“Yougotitbad,girl.”
“Hemakesmyheadgotingly.YouknowwhatImean?”
“Idimlyrecall,”Buffysaid,gazecasttowardtheceiling.
“Butithasn’thappenedtoyoulately?”
Ashrug.“Notoflate.”
“Notevenforadangerousandmysteriousoldermanwhoseleatherjacketyou’rewearingrightnow?”
BuffyglancedatthejacketAngelhadgivenher.Angel,thetall,dark,mysteryhunkwhoselifekeptintersectingwithhersintheoddestways.Hehadtoldherthatthejacketlookedbetteronher—whichwasn’t,strictlyspeaking,evenclosetotrue.Itwaswayoutofplace,forinstance,withthepalegreendressshewaswearingtonight.Andyet,shehadbarelytakenitoffsincehe’dgivenittoher.
“Itgoeswiththeshoes,”sheinsisted.
“Comeon,”Willowsaid,havingnoneofit.“Angelpushesyourbuttons.Youknowhedoes.”
“Isupposesomegirlsmightthinkhe’sgoodlooking,”Buffyrelented.“Ifthey...haveeyes.Allright,he’sahoney.”Understatementofthemonthclub,shethought.Shedidn’twanttoletontoWillow,though.Thepoorgirlthoughtthewholesituationwasterriblyromantic,buttherewasstillthatSlayerthingtocontendwith.Makesdatingalittlecomplicated.“Buthe’sneveraround,andwhenheisallhewantstodoistalkaboutvampires,andIjustcan’thavearelationship—”
Willowinterruptedwithanexcited,“Thereheis!”
Buffy’sheadswiveled.“Angel?”
“Xander!”
ThenBuffysawhimtoo,wendinghiswaythroughthecrowd,wearingabrownflannelshirtoveradarkT.Alittlemoresomberthanhisusuallook,shethought.Andhedidn’tmovequiteliketheXanderBuffyknew—hesauntered,stoppingnowandagaintolookatwomen,smileatwomen,flirtwithwomen.Okay,sonotcompletelyunlikeXander.Buthewasusuallymorediscreetaboutit.
Finally,hemadehiswaytotheirtable.“Girls,”hesaid.
“Boy,”Buffyreplied.
“SorryI’mlate,”hewenton.“Ijustforgotweweregonnabehere.”HelookedatBuffy’splate.“Hungry,”hesaid,tearingoffachunkofBuffy’scroissantandshovingitintohismouth.
Willowchosetoignoretheless-than-politebehavior.ShehadknownXandersincetheywerefive,soBuffyfiguredthatslack-cutting,wherehewasconcerned,wasalong-ingrainedhabit.
“Xander,youstillwantmetohelpyouwithgeometrytomorrow?”Willowasked.Asshespoke,hedownedaswallowofBuffy’sdrink,withoutatraceofpleasure.“Wecanworkafterclass.”
“Yeah,”hesaid.Then,indicatingBuffy’ssnack,asked,“Whatisthiscrap?”
“Well,itwasmybutterycroissant,”Buffysaid.
“Man,Ineedsomefood,”Xandersaid.Hisvoicecarriedatingeofanger,asifshe’dorderedthepastryjusttooffendhim.“Birdsliveonthis.”
Butapparentlyhewasn’ttooangrytonoticethelookthatpassedbetweenBuffyandWillow.“What?”heaskedwithananxioussmile.
“What’supwithyou?”Buffyasked.
Willowtookitmorepersonally.Shefiddlednervouslywithherraisinbox.“Issomethingwrong?DidIdosomething?”
“Whatcouldyoupossiblydo?”Xanderasked.“That’scrazytalk.I’mjustrestless.”
“Well,wecouldgototheicecreamplace...”Willowoffered.
Xanderraisedhishead,peeringoverthecrowd,asiflookingforsomething.Orjustsurveyinghisterritory.Hescratchedhischest.“Ilikeithere.”
Andasifthewayhe’dbeenactingwasn’tbizarreenough,hebegantosniffBuffy’shair.
“Okay,nowwhat?”sheasked.
“Youtookabath,”heexplained.Although“explained”wasn’tthewordforit,sinceitdidn’tactuallyexplainanything.Hekeptscratchingathisshirt.Fleas?Buffywondered.
“Yeah,Ioftendo.I’mactuallyknownforit.”
“That’sokay,”Xandersaid.
Gee,thanks.GladIhaveyourblessing.Slippingintoannouncer-speak,Buffysaid,“Andtheweirdbehaviorawardgoesto...”
Buthewasn’tevenlisteninganymore.Hisattentionhadbecomerivetedonthedoor.Buffyturnedtoseewhathewassointenton.
Andwasinstantlysorryshehad.
Kyle,Heidi,Tor,andRhonda.Thegood-timegang.
“Oh,great,”shesaid.“It’sthewingedmonkeys.”
TheywalkedthroughtheBronze,makingabeelineforthetablewhereXanderstoodbetweenWillowandBuffy.Xandercouldn’tlookaway,couldn’tblink,andwasonlysomewhatawareofthatfact.HiseyeshadlockedwithKyle’sthemomenthecamethroughthedoor,andtheystayedlocked.XanderandKylehadneverbeenfriends,butnowtheysharedsomething.
Xanderwasn’tsurewhatitwas.
Butsomething,definitely.
TheyreachedBuffyandWillow’stable,eachofthemlookingonlyatXander.Heacknowledgedthemwordlesslyastheywentby,andturnedtokeeptheminsightastheypassed.
Theystoppedatanearbytable—onethatwasalreadyoccupiedbyacoupleofkids.Onewasastockyguyinaplaidshirt,theotherthinnerandfamiliar-looking,thoughXandercouldn’tplacehim.KyleandRhondaleanedonthebigguy’sshoulders,andhistablematesilentlyscootedhischairbackandleft.
“Youknow,”Kylesaid.“Idon’tunderstandwhyyou’resittingatourtable.”
“Yeah,”Rhondaadded.“Shouldn’tyoubehoveringoverthefootballstadiumwith‘Goodyear’writtenonyou?”
Theyalllaughedatthat,Xanderincluded.Hewasstilllaughingwhenheturnedbacktothetable,andcameface-to-facewithBuffy’sexpression,whichsaidshedefinitelydidn’tgetthejoke.
“Kid’sfat,”hesaid.Whatmoredoessheneed?
HelookedatWillowandsawanexpressionofdismay.
Shedidn’tgetiteither.
Thenextday,BuffymetRupertGilesfortheirscheduledsparringsession.
Gilesworebodyarmorandheavy,paddedboxinggloves.Buffyworegloves,noarmor.Butthen,shewastheonedoingthepunchingandkicking.ShewastheSlayer.GileswasalibrarianandaWatcher,notawarrior.HisresponsibilitywastotraintheSlayer,guideher,directher.Watchher.Gettingthestuffingknockedoutofhimbyherwasn’tinthejobdescription,hencethechestprotector.
AndHisTweednesswasoneofthoseveryBritishtypes,shereflected,inwhomtherewasalotofstuffing.
Shethrewaright,aleft,spunandcameoutofthespinwithanotherright,spunagainintoakick,thenleaptintotheair,kickingoutwithbothfeetatonceintohisgloves.Hittinghard,notholdingback.Breathinghard,too.
Sheadvancedonhimagain.Hewavedhisgloves.
“Right,”Gilessaid.“That’senoughtrainingforoneday.”
“Well,thatlastroundhousewaskindofsloppy.Sureyoudon’twanttodoitagain?”Buffyasked.
“No,that’sfine.”Hewasbreathinghardtoo.She’dseenGilesinactionandknewhewasprettytough,foranoldguy.Butstill,hewasoverforty,sowhatcouldoneexpect?“Yourunalongtoclass,”hepanted,“whileIwaitforthefeelingtoreturntomyarms.”
Class.ThatwasthehardpartaboutbeingtheSlayer.Or,oneofmany.ShehadtobetheSlayer;itwasn’tlikeshe’dauditionedforit,likecheerleadertryoutsoranything.Itdemandedalotfromagirl.Shecouldneverjustbeoneofthegang,neverjusthangout.Theresponsibilityweighedheavilyonher.
Iftheotherkidsinschoolwereoutallnight,itwasbecausetheywerehavingfun,orgettingintomischiefofsomekind.Inhercase,itwasjustanothernightonthejob,keepingtheworldsafefromthebloodsuckingundead.AndthenIstillhavetogotoclassthenextday.
AsBuffynearedacornerofthehallway,sheheardacommotionfromtheotherside.Studentsshrieked.Andoveritall,soundingsomewhatstrained,theunmistakablevoiceofPrincipalFlutie.
“Lookout!”hecried.“It’sgottenloose!”
Thereweremoreshrieks.Theydidn’tsoundterrified—anditwasbroaddaylight—soherSlayerhacklesdidn’trise,butshewascurious.Shehurriedtowardthecorner.
“Stopthebeast!”Mr.Flutiecalled.
Thensheroundedthecornerandsawit,dartingstraightforher.Atinypinkpiglet,runninglikeporkchopswereontheschoollunchmenu.Probablyitwastryingtogetawayfromtheridiculousoutfitsomeonehaddresseditin.Vandals,maybe.
Buffybentoverandsnaggedthepiglet,liftingitintoherarms.ThepoorthingwaswearingatinySunnydaleHighfootballhelmetwithpapier-mâchétusks
waswearingatinySunnydaleHighfootballhelmetwithpapier-mâchétusksattachedatthesidesofhissnoutandhadarowofgreenfoamtrianglesstucktoitsback,likeacartoondinosaur’sfins.
Mr.Flutiecaughtuptothem.“NaughtyHerbert,”hesaid.“GaveMr.Flutiequiteascare,didn’the?”
Hedrewhimselfup,addressingthestudentscrowdingthehallway.“Students,I’dlikeyoualltomeetHerbert,ournewmascotfortheSunnydaleHighRazorbacks!”Thiswasmetwithasmatteringofapplause.
“He’ssocute!”Buffysaid.
“He’snotcute,”Mr.Flutieinsisted.“No,he’safierceRazorback.”Hepumpedhisfistsintotheair,andtherewassomehalfheartedclapping.
Buffystudiedthepoor,overaccessorizedpig.“Hedoesn’tlookmean,Mr.Flutie.”
“He’smean,he’sreadyforaction.”Mr.FlutieindicatedHerbert’sadd-ons.“See,herearethetusks,and...ascary...razorback.”Thegreenfins.Nowshegotit.
“You’reright,”Buffyagreed.Sometimesaprincipalhadtobehumored.“Heisafinemascotandwillengenderschoolspirit.”
“Well,he’dbetter—costsafortunetofeedhim.”Hebentdown,spokedirectlytoHerbert.“Let’sgetyoubackinyourcage.”Hereachedforthepig,andHerbertletoutasqueal.Mr.Flutiebackedoff,gesturedforBuffytocarrythenewmascot.
“Thisway,”hesaid.Buffyledtheway,thepigletoinkingcontentedlyinherarms.
WillowandXandersatononeofthestonebenchesscatteredaroundthecampus,hisgeometrytextbookopenonherlap.Hehadanotebookandapencilandwasjottingnumbersandlinesdown,butnotreallycatchingon.Theywereastudyincontrast—red-hairedWillowwearingabrightorangesweateroverapatternedskirt,andXander,dark-hairedandeyed,allinshadesofblackandgray.
“I’mnotgettingthis,”Xandersaid.
“It’ssimple,really,”Willowexplained.Shedidn’tunderstandwhyhispatience
“It’ssimple,really,”Willowexplained.Shedidn’tunderstandwhyhispatienceseemedtobesoshort—asin,nonexistent—today.Butshewaswillingtobeextrapatientwithhimtomakeupforit.“See,thebisectorofavertexisthelinethatdividestheangleatthatvertexintotwoequalparts.”
“It’slikeabigblur,allthesenumbersandangles,”hesaid,notreallyevenlisteningtoher.There’senoughgoingoninmyheadwithoutfillingitupwithlamemathematicaltheory,Xanderthought.IknowthemathIneed.Howfast,howstrong,howmean?Calculationsthatmatter.
“It’sthesamestufffromlastweek.Youhaditdownthen.”
“WhydoIneedtolearnthis?”hedemanded.
“’Causeotherwiseyou’llflunkmath.”
“Explainthepartwherethat’sbad.”
They’dhadthisconversationbefore.“Youremember,”shesaid.“Youfailmath,youflunkoutofschool,youendupbeingtheguyatthepizzaplacethatsweepsthefloorandsays,‘Hey,kids,where’sthecoolpartiesthisweekend?’We’vebeenthroughthis.”
Asshespoke,Xanderrubbedthebridgeofhisnose.“Doyouhaveaheadache?”sheasked,concerned.Shetouchedhistemple,gently,andheshookherhandaway.
“Yeah,”hesaid.“AndIthinkIknowwhat’scausingit.”Hesnatchedthebookoffherlapandtosseditintoanearbygarbagecan.Smilingathisdirecthit,hewenton.“That’sbetter.Itgoesrighttothesourceofthepain.”
“Xander—”
Buthecutheroff.Enoughisenough,hethought.Evenjustalittlebitofthis,that’sstillenough.Nomore.“Look,forgetit,okay?Idon’tgetit.Iwon’tever.Idon’tcare.”Hestoodsuddenly,throwinghisspiralnotebookintoWillow’slap,andstormedaway.
WillowhadbeenfriendswithXanderalongtime,and,frankly,hadthehotsforhimalmostaslong.Shewaswillingtooverlookalotofless-than-polite
behaviorfromhim.Eventhiswillpass,shethought.“Wecanfinishthisanothertime,”shesuggested,buthewasgone,beyondevenhearingher.
Mr.FlutieshowedBuffytoaclassroominwhichacagewassetupforHerbert.
“See,theproblemis,”hesaidastheywalked,“youkidstodayhavenoschoolspirit.Holdon,letmegethisoutfitoff.”HeremovedHerbert’shelmetandfoamrazorback.“Todayit’sallgangsanddrugsandthosemoviesonShowtimewiththenudity.”LookingatBuffy,hequicklyadded,“Idon’thavecable.Ionlyheard.”
Morepassionately,hewenton.“WhenIwasyourage,wecaredabouttheschool’sreputation,theteam’srecord,allthatstuff.”Then,asifherealizedwhathewassaying,heamendedhimself.“Ofcourse,whenIwasyourageIwassurroundedbyoldguystellingmehowmuchbetterthingswerewhentheyweremyage.”Hegaveupthen,andwentintopreparethecageforHerbert’sarrival.
Buffygaveasmalllaugh.“Yeah,”shesaid,moretoHerbertthantoMr.Flutie.Foraprincipal,heisn’talwaysascluelessasheseems,shethought.
ShewasstillstandingthereholdingthepigwhenXanderenteredthehallwaythroughthedoubledoorstooutside.Hedidn’tsayanything,justgavehertheslightestglanceandgaveHerbertaprolongedstareashepassedby.WhichBuffythoughtwasodd,thoughnotnecessarilyanymoresothantherestofhisbehaviorhadbeenlately.
No,whatreallycreepedherwasthatXandergavethepigthewiggins.Herbertsquealed,terrified,andwriggledinherarmslikehewantedtobeathisownpersonalbestatthehundred-yarddash.Itwasallshecoulddojusttohangontohim.HekeptsquealingandwrithinguntilXanderwaslongoutofsight.
WhywouldhebesoafraidofXander?shewondered.Hewasn’tthatwaywiththerestofthekidsinthehall—hadkindoflikedbeingthecenterofattention,itseemed.Sowhatwasitnowthatwassodifferent?SomethingaboutXander?
HarmlessoldXanderHarris?Apig-wigger?Couldn’tbe...
AsuddenstormhadrolledoverSunnydaleduringtheday,unleashingdrivingrainandboomingthunder.Rainhaditsplusesandminuses,butoneofthebigminuseswasthatP.E.hadtobeheldindoors,inthebigoldgym.AndCoachHerrold,nothugeonimaginationtobeginwith,hadalimitedrepertoireof
Herrold,nothugeonimaginationtobeginwith,hadalimitedrepertoireofactivitiesthathecouldthinkupforindoorworkouts,especiallyoncebasketballseasonwasover.
CoachHerroldwasabigmanwithsilverhairandamilitarybearing.Buffyhadheardrumorsthathe’dservedasadrillsergeantforyears,finallygettingoutandbecomingahighschoolcoachbecauseitwastheonlyotherplacewherehecouldcommandblindobedience.
“Allright,it’sraining,”hesaid,marchingupandbackbetweenthetwoassembledranksofP.E.students,resplendentinSunnydaleburgundyandgold.Hecarriedaredrubberballunderhisarm;othershadalreadybeenhandedout.“Allregulargymclasseshavebeenpostponed.Soyouknowwhatthatmeans...dodgeball.”Heheldhisballupinonebigfist,asiftodemonstratetoanyonewhohadn’tcaughtonyetwhatadodgeballlookedlike.“Now,forthoseofyouwhomayhaveforgotten,therulesareasfollows:youdodge.”
HetossedhisballtoBuffy,steppedoutofthecenter,andblewhiseverpresentwhistle.Thetwosidesbackedawayfromeachother,towardoppositewalls,studentsalreadyeyeingtheirintendedtargets.
CoachHerroldblewthewhistleagainandrubberflew.
“Onedown,”someonesaidasthefirstkidwastaggedbyoneoftheredballs.Morewentdownquickly,steppingasidetothebench.Tosurviveindodgeball,youhadtobelightonyourfeet,withthereflexestoavoidtheflyingballs,yetstillfastenoughtograbanythatcameyourwaysoyoucouldknockoutmembersoftheopposingteam.BuffyandWillowhadbothstartedwithballs,butthatonlygavethemostmomentaryofadvantages.
BuffyhadthedistinctsensethatshewasbeingparticularlytargetedbyRhondaKelley,butthatwashardtoknowforsureinagamewhereeveryonewas,bydefinition,atarget.Somepeoplethrewtheballharderthanothers,though,andBuffydodgedacoupleofwell-aimedburnersthatcameuncomfortablyclose.ThenshecaughtaglimpseofXanderwindingupforapowerfulthrow.Beforesheevenhadachancetowonderwhohewastargeting,shesaw—Willowhadjustthrownagoodone,followedthroughonherthrow,andherbackwasmostlytoXander.Hisballslammedintohershoulder,hard.
ThelookWillowtossedhiswayassheslunktowardthebenchalmostbroke
Buffy’sheart.Whatisupwithhim?shewonderedagain.
ButBuffydidn’thavetimetodwellonit.Herlastteammatewasknockedout,andsherealizeditwasjustshefacingdownsixopponents.
Andnotjustanysix.
Xander,Kyle,Rhonda,Tor,Heidi,andLance.BuffyflashedbackontheBronze,lastnight,andthezootripbeforethat.Thisistooweird,shethought.Shefacedthemforamoment,butthen,almostasone,theyturnedawayfromher.LookedatLanceLincoln.Heldthelook.
Lancereturnedit,verynervous.
Kylethrewthefirstball.Hard,atcloserange.Lancewentdownonthewoodengymfloor.Kylescoopedupanotherball,slammedLanceagain.Thentheywereallthrowingballs,poundingLanceintothefloorliketheywantedtonailhimtoit.
Buffyran,acrossno-man’slandandintothemiddleofitall.ShetookLance’shand,hoistedhimtohisfeetandawayfromthepunishingballs.Acoupleofballsbouncedharmlesslynow,butnoonewasthrowinganymore.TheywerejustlookingatBuffysilently.ShecaughtXander’sgaze,staredintohiseyesasifhopingtoseesomethingthere.SomeglimmeroftheXandershehadknown.
Buttherewasnothing.Hewasastranger.Heturnedaway,andhisnewfriendsfollowed.
Gameover.Asatisfactoryclasssession,atleasttooneperson.“God,thisgameisbrutal,”CoachHerroldsaidastheyfiledout.“Iloveit.”
*
WillowwaitedoutsidethegymforXander.Sheleanedagainstabankoflockers,andwhenhecameouthewasaccompaniedbyKyle,Tor,Heidi,andRhonda.Theywerealldressedindark,blacksandbrowns,almostlikeauniform.
“Xander,”shesaid,steppingtowardhim.“What’swrongwithyou?”
Withaglancebacktowardhisfriends,hemovedawayfromthem.HetookWillow’selbowanddrewhertooneside.“Iguessyou’venoticedthatI’vebeen
Willow’selbowanddrewhertooneside.“Iguessyou’venoticedthatI’vebeendifferentaroundyou,lately,”hesaid,hisvoicelowandintimate.
“Yes.”
“Ithink,um...”hepaused,asifsearchingfortherightwords.“Ithinkit’sbecausemyfeelingsforyouhavebeenchanging.”
Herheartskippedabeat.Dependingonhowhemeantthat...
“Well,we’vebeenfriendsforsuchalongtime,”hewenton,“thatIfeellikeIneedtotellyousomething.”Willow’sheartsoared.IsthisgoingtobewhatI’vealwayswantedtohearfromXander?IwantyoutogooutwithmeonFridaynight,hemightsay.Iwantyoutomarryme.Doyoulikebigfamilies?Shewaited,expectant,hopeswellinginher.
Xandercontinued,histoneserious.“I’ve...I’vedecidedtodropgeometry.So...Iwon’tbeneedingyourmathhelpanymore.”
Willowcouldfeelherhopecollapsing,herfacefalling.Shestruggledtoholdittogether.“Whichmeans,”Xandersaid,raisinghisvoicesohisfriendscouldhear,“Iwon’thavetolookatyourpastyfaceagain.”
Hestartedtolaughthen,andtheothersjoinedin.Thegroupofthemsoundedsicktoher,laughingsohardatsuchameanjoke.Willow’sheartsank.Hereyesfillingwithtears,sheturnedandwalkedaway,barelyregisteringthesightofherbestfriendBuffystandingatherlocker.Asshehurrieddownthecorridorthesoundoftheirlaughterranginherears,likechurchbellssummoningmournersforafuneral.
Buffyslammedherlocker.I’mwillingtoexcuseXanderalot,shethought,forWill’ssake.Butthisistoomuch.Shestormeduptohim,lookedhimintheeye.
“Yougonnasaysomethingtome?”sheasked.
Hejuststartedlaughingagain,thehigh-pitched,maniclaughthatheandhisnewfoundchumsseemedtoshare.Theyallcrackedup,andXanderjoinedthem.Theydisappeareddownthehall,onlytheirwickedlaughterlingeringbehindthem.
Itwasanewsensation,strollingthecampuslikeyouownedit.Likeyouwerethebigdogs,andallthepuppiesgotoutofyourway.Xanderlikedthewayit
thebigdogs,andallthepuppiesgotoutofyourway.Xanderlikedthewayitfelt.Hefeltpowerful.Hecouldn’tremembereverhavingbeenquitesoalive.Sensessharp,muscleshoned,mindalert.Andhisfriendshadhisback;KyleandRhonda,Tor,Heidi.He’dstartedthinkingofthemasapack,animalsonthehunt.
I’mnotsurewhatwe’rehunting,hethought.ButI’llknowitwhenIfindit.Hewasconfidentofthat.
Hestopped,andtheystoppedwithhim.Asone.Eachresponsivetotheothers’slightestsignals.
Xandersniffedtheair.Pickedupascent.
“Dogs,”hesaid.
“Where?”Kyleasked.Xandernoddedhishead,andthenledthewayagain,towardthecampuspicnictables.
Atonetable,threeguyswereeatinghotdogsandtalkingmusic.Xanderknewoneofthem,Adamsomebody.Hewasn’timportantenoughtohavealastname.Hewasn’toneofthepack.
“You’reoutofyourmind,”Adamwassayingastheyapproached.“That’snowaytoplayleadguitar.That’sjusthunt’n’peck.”
Xanderstoppednexttothetable,andhisfriendsfannedoutaroundit.Adamsawthem.“Hey,Xander,”hesaid.“You’veseenWretchedRefuse.Whatdoyouthinkoftheguywhoplayslead?”
Thequestionwastooinanetodeserveananswer.Xanderignoredhim,andwatchedasHeidiandTorleanedoverthetable,snatchinghotdogs—nobun,justthemeat—fromtwooftheguys’plates.
“Hey,”Adamprotested.“Hey,whatareyouguys—”Rhondacuthimoff.“Shutup.”
“You’resharing,”Kylesaid,voicelikeice.
“Friendsliketoshare,”Xanderadded.
HeidiandTortookbigbitesoftheir“shared”dogs.
HeidiandTortookbigbitesoftheir“shared”dogs.
“Good?”Xanderasked.
“It’stoowelldone,”Torsaid,tossinghisdogbackontoAdam’stray.Heidithrewhersdownaswell.
“Hey,”Adamsaid.Hesoundedoffended,asiftherewassomereasonforhisexistenceotherthantoprovideforXanderandhisfriends.“Thatisnotcool.”
ButXanderhadalreadycaughtanotherscentontheair.Hisheadsnappedaround,andhestartedawayfromAdamandhislunchcompanionsliketheyweren’teventhere.Theothersfollowed,Kylesteppingupandoverthepicnictableandscatteringlunchtraysashewent.
Xanderledthemintotheschoolbuilding,followinghisnose.Thescentgrewstrongerastheystalkedthehalls,headeddirectlytowardtheirprey.Somethingweak,somethingthatcouldbebroughtdownbythepack.
Orrather,thePack,Xanderthought,suddenlyrealizingthatitshouldbecapitalized.
Thescentdrewthemtoaclassroom.Xanderopenedthedoor,andtheywalkedin.Therewasnooneinside,justacage.Andinthecage,asmallpinkpiglet.Succulent,juicy,tempting.Xanderkneltbesidethecage,lookedatthelittlepig.
“Let’sdolunch,”hesaid.
CHAPTER3Hecouldfeeleverything,everysensation.Thesunonhischeek.Theslightestbreezeflickinghishair.Thesidewalkbeneaththeballsofhisfeet.Hecouldsmellperfumeonagirlallthewayacrossthequad.Hecouldhearwhisperedconversationsablockaway.
Buttherewasnoreasonto.Noneofthosepeoplemeantanythingtohim.Noneofthemmattered.OnlythePackmattered.
Theyroamedthecampuslikeitwastheirbirthright.Xanderreveledinthesidelongglances,thelooksofoutrightfearfromthosetheypassed.Hewasanobjectofterror,hethought,andittastedsweet.Atonepoint,theyconvergedonLance,whocringedandduckedoutoftheirway.Theylethimgo...hewasbeneathrealnotice.
Finally,somethinginterestingcaughthisattention.Theysatonalowwallonthesecondfloor.Theirbacksweretohim,butthatdidn’tmatter.Ifhehadn’trecognizedthem,hestillwouldhaveknowntheirvoices,theirsmells.BuffyandWillow.Helistened.
“I’veknownhimmywholelife,Buffy.Wehaven’talwaysbeenclose,but...he’snever...”Willow’svoicecaught.SheturnedtofaceBuffy,tearsrimminghereyes.
“Ithinksomething’swrongwithhim,”Buffysaid.
“Ormaybethere’ssomethingwrongwithme,”Willowcountered.
“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
“Comeon,”Willowsaid.“He’snotpickingonyou.He’sjustsniffingyoualot.Idon’tknow,somaybethreeisn’tcompanyanymore.”
“Youthinkthishassomethingtodowithme?”Buffyasked.Knowingtherewasonlyonethingthatcouldmean.She’dknownXanderhadhadacrushonherpracticallysinceherfirstdayinSunnydale.Butthatdidn’tmakesense—he’dhavetoknowthatbeingmeantoWillowwouldn’tgethimanywherewithher.
havetoknowthatbeingmeantoWillowwouldn’tgethimanywherewithher.
“Ofcourse.”
Buffyshookherhead.“No,”shesaidfirmly.“Thatstilldoesn’texplainwhyhe’shangingoutwiththedodepatrol.”Shesliddownfromthewall.“Something’sgoingon.Somethingweird.”ShestartedpastWillow.
Herfriendturnedtowatchhergo.“Whatareyougoingtodo?”
BuffyturnedtofaceWillowoncemore.“Gonnatalktotheexpertonweird.”
ThatexpertcouldonlybeGiles,whoshefoundinhisusualhaunt,theschoollibrary.
He’dbeencataloguing,shefigured,becausehewascarryingaclipboardandoneofthoselittlecardsfromthecardcataloguewithhimashemovedfromplacetoplace.
Whilehewascataloguing—shedidn’tknowifthatwastherightverb,butguesseditwoulddo—shewastalkingandfollowinghimaround.Andfindinghimsomewhatlessthansympathetic.
“Xander’stakentoteasingthelessfortunate?”
“Uh-huh,”Buffysaid.
“There’sbeenanoticeablechangeinbothclothinganddemeanor?”
“Yes.”
“Andspendsallhissparetimeloungingaboutwithimbeciles?”Gilesopenedacardcataloguedrawer,lookedintoitasifhe’dlostsomethingthere.
“It’sbad,isn’tit?”
“It’sdevastating,”Gilesagreed.“He’sturnedintoasixteen-year-oldboy.”Gilesshutthedraweragain.“Ofcourse,you’llhavetokillhim.”
“Giles,I’mserious,”Buffysaid.
Gilescrossedtheroomtoanothercabinet.“SoamI,exceptforthepartaboutkillinghim.”HelookedatBuffyandstopped,asifrealizingthatheowedhera
killinghim.”HelookedatBuffyandstopped,asifrealizingthatheowedheramoredetailedexplanation.“Testosteroneisthegreatequalizer;itturnsallmenintomorons,”hesaid.“Hewill,however,getoverit.”
“Ican’tbelievethatyou,ofallpeople,aretryingtoScullyme,”Buffyargued.“There’ssomethingsupernaturalatwork.”Shegrabbedsomebooksfromontopofthecabinet,shovedthemtowardGiles.“Getyourbooks!Lookstuffup!”
Gilestookthebooksfromherhand,replacedthemintheirproperspot.“Lookunderwhat?”
“Idon’tknow,”Buffymoaned.“That’syourdepartment.”
“Theevidenceyou’vepresentedmewithissketchyatbest,”Gilessaid.Buffycouldfeeltheargumentbeinglost.
“Hescaredthepig!”sheinsisted,withasuddenflailinggesture.
Gilesgaveheraget-reallook.
“Well,hedid.”
“Buffy,boyscanbecruel.”Lecturing,now.“Theytease,theypreyontheweak.It’sanaturalteenbehaviorpattern.”
“Whatdidyoujustsay?”
“Uh,what?”Gilesstammered.“Um,theytease—”
Buffyinterruptedhim.“Theypreyontheweak.Iheardthatsomewhere.”Thensherememberedwhere.Thatzookeeper.“Xanderhasbeenactingtotallywiggysincewewenttothezoo.HimandKyleandallthoseguyswentintothehyenacage...OhGod,thatlaugh—”
“AreyousayingXander’sbecomingahyena?”Gilesasked.Hedidn’tseemtogivehertheorymuchcredence,consideringsomeofthethingstheyhadbeenthroughtogether.
“Idon’tknow,”Buffysaid.“Orbeenpossessedbyone.NotjustXander,allofthem.”
Gilesshookhishead,tuggingonhisear.Hestillisn’tbuyingit,Buffyknew.“Well,I’vecertainlyneverheardof—”
ThenWillowchargedintothelibrary,clearlyupset.Nowwhat’sXanderdone?Buffyfoundherselfwondering.
“Herbert,”Willowexclaimed.“Theyfoundhim!”
“Thepig?”Buffyasked.
“Dead,”Willowreplied.“Andalso,eaten!PrincipalFlutie’sfreakingout.”
BuffylookedatGiles.“Testosterone,huh?”
Heavoidedherglanceandheadedforthestacks.
“Whatareyougonnado?”Willowaskedhim.
“Getmybooks,”heanswered.“Lookstuffup.”
Mr.Flutiefoundthemloungingonapicnictable.DuFours,Kelley,Hauer,andBarrie.Hekneweachofthemwell,onapersonalbasis.Hewasveryfamiliarwiththeirpermanentrecords.Thesewerethekindofkidseveryprincipalhadnightmaresabout,theoneswhoonlycametoschoolbecausetheyhadtoandlivedtomaketroublefortheadministration.Theyweren’tstupid,buttheywereaggressivelyunteachable.Youcouldn’tmotivatethembecausetheyonlyunderstoodpowerandmoney,andahighschoolprincipaldidn’thaveenoughofeither.
“Youfour!”heshouted.
KyleDuFourslookeduplazily.“What?”
Hewastooangrytobeataroundthebush.“Oh,don’tthinkIdon’tknow,”hesaid.“ThreekidssawyououtsideHerbert’sroom.You’rebusted.Yeah.You’regoingdown.”
“HowisHerbert?”RhondaKelleyasked.
“Crunchy,”HeidiBarrieresponded.Theothersbrokeintocacklinglaughter.
Norespectatall.Hecouldn’ttakeanymore.“That’sit.Myoffice,rightnow.”
Norespectatall.Hecouldn’ttakeanymore.“That’sit.Myoffice,rightnow.”
Theyjustsatthere,lookingathim.Thelaughterhadfaded,buthecouldfeelthechillinessoftheirstares.“Now!”hedemanded.
Kylegotupfirst,andtheothersfollowedhislead.Mr.Flutiemarchedthemaheadofhimself,towardthebuilding.“You’regonnahavesomuchdetention,”hethreatened,“yourgrandchildren’llbestayingafterschool.”
*
HangingoutinthelibraryhashadonepositiveeffectonBuffy,Willowthought.Ithadtaughtherhowtodoresearch,whenitneededtobedone.Likenow.Willowlovedresearch,butgettingBuffytogetherwithabookwassometimesachallenge,andothertimeswasnotevenintherealmofpossibility.
Buffysatonthestepsleadinguptothestacks,ahugefolioacrossherlap.Willowsatatatable,readingoneofherown.ShelookedupwhenBuffyspoke.“Wow,”Buffysaid.“ApparentlyNoahrejectedhyenasfromtheArkbecausehethoughttheywereanevil,impuremixtureofdogsandcats.”
“Hyenasaren’twell-liked,”Willowagreed.
“Theydoseemtobetheshmoesoftheanimalkingdom,”Buffysaid,bringingthebookdowntoshowWillowapicture.
“Whycouldn’tXanderbepossessedbyapuppy?”Willowasked.“Orsomeducks?”
“That’sassuming‘possession’istherightword,”Buffysaid.
“Oh,I’dsayitis,”Gilesoffered.Heemergedfromanotherpartofthelibrary,yetanotherbookinhishands.“TheMasaioftheSerengetihavespokenofanimalpossessionforgenerations.Ishouldhaverememberedthat.”
“Sohowdoesitwork?”Buffyasked.
“Well,”heexplained,“apparentlythere’sasectofanimalworshippers,knownasPrimals.Theybelievethathumanity—consciousness,thesoul—isaperversion,adilutionofspirit.Tothem,theanimalstateisholy.They’reable,throughtranspossession,todrawthespiritofcertainanimalsintothemselves.”
throughtranspossession,todrawthespiritofcertainanimalsintothemselves.”
“Andthentheystartactinglikehyenas.”
“OnlythemostpredatoryanimalswereofinteresttoPrimals,”Gilessaid.“Soyes,thatwouldfit.”
“Sowhathappenstothepersononcethespiritisinthem?”Buffyasked.
“Ifitgoesunchecked?”Gilessaid.Insteadofanswering,hehandedBuffythemassivevolumehecarried.
Shelookedatthepageheshowedher,horrorcreepingoverherfaceasshedid.Sheslammedthebookshut,putitdownonthetablenexttoWillow,andheadedforthedoor.“IgottafindXander,”shesaid.
Willowreachedforthebook,tuggedittoherself,flippeditopentothepageGileshadshownBuffy.Anoldengravingonthepageseemedtoshowafeastofsomekind.Butthemaincoursedidn’tlooktoWillowlikehyenachow,orevenrawpiglet.Itwashumans—missingarms,legs,evenheads,alldepictedingraphicandgorydetail.Ewww,shethought.IhopeCavalryBuffy’snottoolatetosavetheday.
Buffyfoundtheclassroomtowhichshe’ddeliveredHerbertbefore.Thedoorwasopen.Inside,thecageMr.FlutiehadboughtforHerbertwasbentandtwistedapart;theheavywirelookedasifanimalshadbeenatit.Inaway...
Theyarestrong,shesaidtoherself,movingaroundthewreckage.Thefloor,sherealized,waslitteredwithstrawfromthecage—andsomethingelse.Shebentover,pickedoneup.Itwasalmosteightincheslong,alittlebiggeraroundthanherfinger.Brokenattheend,asifsomethinghadsnappedit—orbitit,maybeinsearchofmarrow.
“Pigbones,”shesaid.
Sheputitbackinthemessonthefloorandstoodtoleave.Therewasnothingmoretolearnhere.Sheturned...
Andtherehewas,rightbehindher.Hisfaceheldamaliciousgrin.
“Xander.”
Hedidn’tspeak,justtookastepclosertoher.Shesidestepped,togoaroundhim,buthemovedtoblockher.Obviouslyhewasn’tgoingtojustletherpass,soshetriedanotherapproach.
“Thisisridiculous,”shesaid.“Weneedtotalk—”Onlyinsteadoftalking,sheleaptathim,handsathisshoulders,drivinghimbackward.Hewentdown,andshelandedonhischest,drivinghimintothefloor.
Hejustlaughed.“I’vebeenwaitingforyoutojumpmybones,”hesaid.
ThefourperpsstoodinMr.Flutie’soffice,andhepacedbeforethem,infrontofhisdesk.“Ihaveseensomesickthingsinmylife,believeme,butthisisbeyondthepale,”hesputtered.HewasstillenragedbytheviciousattackonHerbert.“Whatisitwithyoupeople?Isitdrugs?Howcouldyou—apoordefenselesspig...”
Thenherealized,withsometrepidation,thattheyweregettingcloser,andhecertainlywasn’tmovingtowardthem.Studentsshouldbekeptatarm’slength,hebelieved.Andlongarms,atthat.Butthesefourwereapproachinghim—encirclinghim.Andtheyhadstartedtomakestrange,almostsubvocalnoises—meaningless,animalsounds.
Hefoughttokeephisnervesundercontrol,hisvoicefrombetrayinghisfear.“Whatareyoudoing?”hedemandedastheysurroundedhim.
Xandergrowledananimalisticsnarlandheaved,catchingBuffybysurprisewithastrengthshedidn’tknowhehad.Hebuckedheroffofhimandspunherover,sothatshewasonherback,lookingupintohisface.Hepinnedherwriststothetiledfloor.
“Getoffofme!”
“Isthatwhatyoureallywant?”heasked.Shetriedtohurlhimoff,buthewasstrong—evenforher,theSlayer.PrettymuchconfirmsGiles’stheory,shethought.Shegaveanextrapush,testingherself,really,toseeifshewasholdingbackbecausehewasXander,afriend.Ahyena-possessedfriend,maybe,butafriendjustthesame.“Webothknowwhatyoureallywant,”hewenton.“Youwantdanger,don’tyou?Youlikeyourmendangerous.”
“You’reintrouble,Xander,”Buffytried.“Youareinfectedwithsomehyenathing.It’slikeademonicpossession—”
thing.It’slikeademonicpossession—”
Xanderignoredher,cuttingheroffasifshehadn’tevenspoken.“Dangerousandmean,right?LikeAngel,yourmysteryguy.Well,guesswhojustgotmean?”
Whentheyactuallytouchedhim,Mr.Flutielosthiscool.“Now,stopthat!”heshouted.“You’reonlygonnamakethingsworseforyourselves.”
Hemovedawayfromthem,behindhisdesk.Rhondafollowedhimbackthere,butatleastkeptherdistance.KyleandHeidifilledinthespaceontheotherside,sohewastrappedbehindthedesk.Panicwasbuildinginhim,buthewasstillinchargeofthesituation,heknew.Hewasstilltheauthorityfigure.Heheldthetrumpcard,anditwastimetoplayit.
“Okay,I’lltellyouhowthisisgoingtowork,”hesaid,straighteningouthisdarksportscoat,tryingtolookcasual.“I’mgoingtocallyourparentsandtheyaregoingtotakeyouallhome.”
Hereachedforthephone,butTorwastherefirst,pressingthereceiverdownagainstthecradle.Afteramoment,though,hehandedthereceivertoMr.Flutie.
“Thankyou,”Mr.Flutiesaid.
Trumpcard.Whenallelsefails,callthe—
Rhondaswattedthetelephonefromhishandandtheunitcrashedagainstthewall.
“Sorry,”Rhondasaid.
“Thatisit!”Mr.Flutieyelled.HespunawayfromRhondatogoaroundthedeskandleavetheoffice.Authoritywasonething,butthesekidswerebeyondanythinghecoulddo.He’dbeenuncomfortablefromthestart,butthathadescalatedquicklyintofearandwasnowjustahair’sbreadthfromabjectterror.AquickcalltotheSunnydaleP.D.,though,andthey’dbesomeoneelse’sproblem.
ButKyleandHeidiwerestillonthatsideofthedesk.AshenearedKyle,theboyleanedforwardandunleashedahideousroar,soundingmorelikeawildbeastthanahighschoolstudent.Mr.Flutie,startled,fellbackintohisswiveling
beastthanahighschoolstudent.Mr.Flutie,startled,fellbackintohisswivelingdeskchair.
“DoyouknowhowlongI’vewaited?”Xanderasked.“Untilyou’dstoppretendingthatwearen’tattracted—”Ashespoke,hereleasedonewrist,caressedherblondhairgentlywithhishand.Thewayaloverwould.
Buffytookfulladvantageofhisdistraction.Withthehelpofherfreehand,shewasabletothrowhimoffherandscrambletoherfeet.Hestood,andcametowardheragain,barelyevenbreakingstrideinhissentence.
“UntilWillowstopskiddingherselfthatIcouldsettlewithanyonebutyou—”
“Idon’twannahurtyou,Xander,”Buffysaid,backingawayfromhisrelentlessadvance.
Butitwasbluff,andsheknewit.Shecouldn’tbringherselftoreallyhurtXander.Shejusthopedhewouldn’trealizethat.
Hedidn’t.Helunged,slammingherbackwardintoavendingmachine.Someone’slong-lostchangeclinkeddownintothecoinreturn.
“Nowdoyouwannahurtme?”Xanderasked.“C’mon,Slayer—Ilikeitwhenyou’rescared.”Shestruggledagainsthimbutheheldhertight,sniffingtheairaroundher.“ThemoreIscareyou,thebetteryousmell.”
ThenXanderstoppedtalking,forcedhisheadinbetweenBuffy’sjawandshoulders,andbegantosavagelykissherneck.
RhondaandHeidiweretouchinghim,fingersrunningacrosshisarms,hisneck,hisshoulders.Touchingbetweenprincipalsandstudentswasamajorbadthing,inMr.Flutie’spersonalrulebook.I’mnotsurethisexactsituationiscoveredintheEducationDepartment’sguidelines,hethought.Butinconcept...
“You’reaboutthisclosetoexpulsion,people.”Herose,tryingoncemoretoforcehiswaythroughthefourgruntingproblemcases.“ButI’mwillingtotalktotheschoolcounselor,andwecandiscussoptions—”
Heidishovedhimbackintohischair.AndthenTorleaptuptothesurfaceofhisdeskandsquattedthere,snarling,lookingforalltheworldlikeajunglecreaturereadytospring.
“Getdownfromtherethisinstant!”Mr.Flutiecommanded,puttingeveryreservehehadintonotfallingtothegroundandbeggingformercy.He’dtaughtschoolandhadbeenaprincipal,foryears,buthe’dneverbeensoscared.
Rhondaclosedinontheothersideofhim,fingerssplayedfarapart.Sherakedhernailsacrosshischeek.Hefeltthemcuttingintohisflesh.
“Oh!”hecalledout.Hetouchedthetornskinanddrewhishandaway,seeinghisownbloodonhispalm.“Areyouinsane?”
Thestudents’gruntsandgroansintensifiedastheyclosedin,asifdrawnbythescentoffreshlyspilledblood,orthesightofMr.Flutiefinallygivingintohisterror.Theseweren’tjusttroubledyouth,theyweresomethingmorethanthat.Somethingmuch,muchworse,hethought.
AndthenTorattacked,springingfromthedesklikeacat,snarlingandvicious.HedroveMr.Flutiebackintohischair,andbeforeheknewit,theotherswereonhimaswell,andtheywerelaughinghysterically,laughingandclawingandtearing,andthelastthingheknewbeforehelostconsciousnesswasthathehadbeenwrong.Hehadalwayscontendedthattherewerenobadkids,onlytroubledones.Butthat’swhatthesekidswere,justplainbad,andtherewouldbenoreasoningwiththem,nodetentionorexpulsionthatwouldstraightenthemout.Itdidn’treallymattertohimanymorebecause,iftheywereevergoingtobecomeproductivemembersofsociety,hewouldn’tbearoundtoseeit.
CHAPTER4Schoolhadlongsinceletout,anddarknesshaddescendedonSunnydale.Willowsataloneintheshadowedlibrary,atoneofthecomputerworkstationsGileshadreluctantlyagreedtoallowinhissanctuary.Onthescreenbeforeherwasvideofootageofapackofhyenas.Theywereterrifyingtowatchastheysavagelytoreattheirprey,awildebeesttheyhadbroughtdown.Shehadalwaysthoughtofhyenasasscavengers,butitturnedouttheywerefiercepredators,huntinginpacksandgoingaftertheweak,theinfirm—easytargets,inotherwords.
Notbraveanimals,necessarily.Butdeadlyones.Andnotthecutejokesterstheyhadbeenmadeouttobeinthecartoons.
ThedooropenedandBuffyentered,draggingaheavyloadbehindher.“Hurryup!”shecalledtoWillow.“We’vegottalockhimupsomehow,beforehecomesto.”
Notjustanyheavyload,Willowrealized.“Omigod,Xander—whathappened?”
“Ihithim,”Buffyanswered.
Therewasalockingbookcageinthelibrary,forrarerbooksandmanuscriptsandsomeofGiles’socculttomesthathedidn’twanttofallintothehandsofthewrongpeople—like,anyonebuthimselfandmaybetheSlayerettes.Buffyheadedforthecage,Willowalongside,lookingforsignsofdamageonXander.Onlythetiniestpartofherwasvengefulenoughtohopetherewasatleastagood-sizedbruiseorbump.Hewasoutcold,butshecouldn’tseeanysignsofimpact.
“Withwhat?”sheasked,openingthecagedoor.
“Adesk,”Buffyreplied,haulinghimintothecage.“Hetriedhishandatfelonysexualassault.”
“Oh,Buffy,”Willowsaid,horrified.“Thehyenainhimdidn’t—”
“No.No,butit’ssafetosaythatinhisanimalstate,hisideaofwooing
“No.No,butit’ssafetosaythatinhisanimalstate,hisideaofwooingsomebodydoesn’tincludeaYanniCDandabottleofChianti.”Buffycameoutofthecage,closedthedoorbehindher,turnedthekey.Shejingledthekeysinherhandasshecrossedtoadesk.“There,thatoughtaholdhim.Where’sGiles?”
“Hegotacalltosometeacher’smeeting,”Willowtoldher.Buffytookabigswallowfromabottleofwater.Beatingupyourfriendsmustbethirstywork,Willowguessed.“Whatarewegoingtodo?”sheasked.“Imean,howdowegetXanderback?”
Thatdidn’tseemhighonBuffy’slistofconcerns.“Rightnow,”shesaid,“I’mworriedaboutwhattherestofthepackareupto.”
Gileswalkedinjustthen.“TherestofthepackwerespottedoutsideHerbertthemascot’scage.Theyweresenttotheprincipal’soffice.”
“Good.That’llshow’em,”Willowsaid.ThelookonGiles’sfacewasn’treassuring.“Diditshow’em?”
“Theydidn’thurthim,didthey?”Buffyasked.
“They,uh,atehim.”
Willowsankintoachair.
“TheyatePrincipalFlutie?”Buffysaid.
“Atehimup?”Willowadded.
“Theofficialtheoryisthatwilddogsgotintohisofficesomehow,”Gilessaid.“Therewasnooneatthescene.”
Willowfoundthebrightspot—Atinyone,butbrightjustthesame,shethought.Hoped.“ButXanderdidn’t—hewaswithyou,”shesaidtoBuffy.
“Oh,”Gilessaid,seeingtheunconsciousboyinthecageforthefirsttime.“Well,that’sasmallmercy.”
“Giles,howdowestopthis?”Buffyasked.“Howdoyoutranspossesssomeone?”Buffy,asusual,waslookingforsolutionswhileeveryoneelsewasstillfocusedontheproblem.ItwasoneofthethingsWillowlovedaboutherfriend,theSlayer.
friend,theSlayer.
“I’mafraidIstilldon’thaveallthepieces,”Gilesreplied.“AccountsofthePrimalsandtheirmethodsareabitthinontheground.Thereissometalkofapredatoryact,buttheexactritualis...”Heshookhishead,andpickeduponeofhismassivebooks.Heflippedtoacertainpage,andcontinued.“The‘MalleusMaleficarum’dealswiththeparticularsofdemonicpossession,whichmayapply.”
Heputthebookdownonthetable,flippingafewmorepages.“Yes,oneshouldbeabletotransferthespiritstoanotherhuman—”
“Oh,thanks,great,”Buffyinterrupted.“Anyvolunteers?”
“Oh,”hesaid,hisvoicesmall.“Goodpoint.”
Buffywenton.“Whatweneedtodoisputthehyenabackinthehyena.”
“But,untilweknowmore—”Gilesbegan.
Buffywasontosomething,anidea,andWillowgotalittlethrillfromwatchingherdogitstrail.“Betchathatzookeepercanhelpus.Maybehedidn’tquarantinethosehyenas’causetheyweresick.”
Gilesseemedtocatchon.“Weshouldtalktohim.”
Propelledbyherownenthusiasm,Buffystartedforthedoor,thenstoppedagain.“Oh,wait,”shesaid.“Somebody’sgottawatchXander.”
Willowstood.“Iwill.”
“Areyousure?”Buffyasked.“Ifhewakesup—”
“I’llbeallright.Go.”Willow’svoicewasfirm.Sheheldherhandout,andBuffyputthecagekeysinit.
“Comeon,”shesaidtoGiles.Theyleft,andWillowwasaloneagain,inthedarklibrary.
ExceptforXander,stilloutcoldinthecage.Shetuckedthekeysintothepocketofherskirt.
Jessamynwalkedthroughtheparkalmosteverynight.TheSouthernCaliforniaclimateletherdothat,notlikewhereshe’dmovedfrom,inMichigan,wherethewinterswerelongandkeptherinsidemostofthetime.Here,theeveningwascoolbutrefreshing,andshelikedthewalk,thefeelofthegrassunderhertennies,thebounceofthebabyinhisbackpack,movingandbreathingandsometimesgurglingagainstherback.Thesewalkshadhelpedherkeephersanity,staycenteredafterhavinghim,andshethoughthelikedthemtoo.
Buttonight’swasdifferent.
Therewerebuildings,notahundredfeetaway.Peopleinthem,havingdinner,watchingTV,reading,bathingtheirkids.
Here,beneathshadowscastbymoonlightonthebushes,fouryoungpeoplesleptonthegrass,huddledagainsteachother.Theylookedlikepuppiesinabox.
Only,notsocute.
She’dgivethemawideberth.Theylooklikehighschoolkids,Jessamynthought.But,strangeones.
Suddenly,eyesflashedsilverinthemoonlight.
Theywereawake.
Moving,theirmusclesfluid,likeliquidbeneaththeirskin.
Andevenworse,growling,lowthroatysoundsundertheirbreath.
Lookingather.
And,sherealized,lookingatthebaby.
Twoboys,twogirls.Shewasn’tsurewhichlookedmeaner.
Forgetthewideberth.Shebackedaway,backtowardthebuildings,towardthedirectionfromwhichshe’dcome,untilshefeltshe’dputsomedistancebetweenthem,andthensheturnedandran.
Afraidtheywerecomingafterher,paddingsilentlylikewolves,sheriskedaglanceoverhershoulder.
glanceoverhershoulder.
Buttheyweren’tthere.Theyweresettlingin,asiftheirnaphadbeeninterruptedbuttheyweregoingbacktoit.Alreadylosinginterestinher.
Shehadlikedthesewalks,throughthepark.
Sheknewsheneverwouldagain.
“Willow.”
ItwasXander’svoice,fromthecage.Willowpausedthehyenavideo.Which,sheadmittedtoherself,ismorbidlyfascinating.Ifyucky.
Sheturnedtofacehim.“Howareyoufeeling?”
Hetossedherawrygrin.“Likesomebodyhitmewithadesk.”Helookedaroundthecage,registeringwherehewasforthefirsttime.“WhatamIdoinghere?”
Awkwardquestion.“You’re...resting.”Awkwardanswer,too.Shewalkedtowardthecage.
Xanderrose,hookingthecagescreenwithhisfingers.“Youguysgotmelockedupnow?”
“’Causeyou’resick.Buffysaid—”
“Oh,yeah,”Xandersaid,disgusted.“Buffyhadherall-purposesolution:punch’emoutandknock’emdown.I’dlovetoseewhatshe’ddotosomebodywhowasreallysick.”
“That’snotfair,”Willowargued.“Buffy’ssavedbothourlives.”
“Beforesheshowedup,ourlivesdidn’tneedthatmuchsaving,didthey?”Xandersaid.Hehadapoint,shehadtoadmit.Shecouldn’trememberatimeherlifehadbeeninimmediateperilofbeingsnuffedout,beforeBuffy.Sincethen,therehadbeenseveraloccasions.“Weren’tthingsalotsimplerwhenitwasjustyouandme?”
“Maybe...”Butthenagain,therehadalwaysbeenstrangedeathsand
unexplaineddisappearancesinSunnydale.Thetownwasonahellmouth,afterall.Buffyshowinguphadn’tmadeitworse.WillowandXanderhadjustbecomeinvolvedalittlemorepersonally—Butbychoice,sheremindedherself.WevolunteeredforScoobyduty.It’snotlikeshedraftedus.
“Whenwewerealonetogether,”hewenton.Shelikedthesoundofthat—hopedshedidn’tlikeittoomuch.“Willow,”hesighed,“Iknowthere’ssomethingwrongwithme.Ithinkit’sgettingworse.Ican’tjuststandaroundwaitingforBuffytodecideit’stimetopunchmeoutagain.Iwantyoutohelpme.Iwantyou.”
Shereallylikedthesoundofthat.“Iamhelpingyou.”
“You’redoingwhatyou’retold.”
“Buffy’stryingtohelpyoutoo,youknowthat,”Willowcountered.“Or,Xanderdoes.”
“Yeah,Buffy’ssoselfless,alwaysthinkingofus.Well,ifI’msodangerous,howcomesheleftyoualonewithme?”Xander’svoicewaslowandwarm—almostasifthecagebetweenthemwasfadingaway,andtheyweretheonlytwopeopleintheworld.
Whichwasprettyclosetowhatshe’dalwayswanted.
Tooclose...
“Itoldherto.”
“Why?”Xanderasked.
“BecauseIknowyoubetterthanshedoes,”Willowanswered.“AndIwantedtobeheretoseeifyouwerestillyou.”
“YouknowIam.Lookatme.”Shedid,andshesawXander.Theboyshe’dknownmostofherlife.Theboyshehadalwaysharboreddreamsofbeingwith.Ofdating,marrying,growingoldwith.“Look,”hesaidagain.
Shemovedclosertothecage,wantingtotouchhim,smoothhishair,kisshischeekwhereitwasredfrombeinghit.
Whichwaswhenhelunged,shovinghisarmthroughanopeninginthecage’sdoorway.Reachingforthekeysdanglingfromherskirtpocket.
Shejerkedback,avoidinghisgrasp.
“NowIknow,”shesaid,withresignation.
Xanderlostallpretenseofintimacy,offriendship.Hepoundedatthecagewithhisfists.“Letmeout!”hescreamed,furyinhisvoice.“Letmeout!”
Thezookeeper’sofficewasbiggerthanBuffyexpected.Heseemedtoknowhisstuff.Therewerediplomasandcertificatesofhonoronthewall,aswellasphotographs,Africanmasksandweapons,andothermemorabilia.Inthecenteroftheroomhehadalighttable.Transparencieswerelaidontopofit,andthelightfrombelowshoneupthroughthem,makingthemeasiertosee.
ForGiles,anyway,whoseemedtoknowwhathewaslookingat.Theyweremeaninglesstoher.
“...thestudentshavebeenpossessedbythehyenas,”thezookeeperwassaying.Hismannerwassomehowreassuring,hisvoicelevelandcalm.
“Yes,”Gilessaid.
“Areyousure?”
“We’rereally,reallysure,”Buffyreplied.
“Youdon’tseemenormouslysurprisedbythis,”Gilessuggested.
“ThezooimportedthosehyenasfromAfrica,”thezookeepersaid.“Therewassomethingstrangeaboutthemfromdayone.Ididsomehomework.Thatparticularbreedisveryrare.Totallyvicious.Historically,theywereworshippedbytheseguys—”
“ThePrimals,”Gilesoffered.
“Yeah.Creepyguys.Nowtheyhadritualsfortakingthehyenas’spirits,butIdon’tseehowthatcouldhavehappenedtoyourkids.”
“Wedon’tknowexactlyhowtheritualworks,”Gilessaid.“Weknowitinvolves
“Wedon’tknowexactlyhowtheritualworks,”Gilessaid.“Weknowitinvolvesapredatoryactandsomekindofsymbol.”
“Apredatoryact.Ofcourse.Thatmakessense.Wheredidyoureadthat?”
Gilesseemedtosenseakindredspirit.“DoyouhaveShermanJeffries’sworkoncultsand—”
Gilescangoonfordayswiththisstuff,Buffythought.Bettergetbackontrack.“Boys!”sheinterrupted.
“Sorry,”Gilessaid.
Thezookeeperglancedathiswatch.“Look,Ithinkwemayhaveenoughinformationsothattogetherwecanpulloffareversetranspossession.”
“Whatdowedo?”Buffyasked.
“Yougottagetthosepossessedstudentstothehyenacagerightaway,”hesaid.“I’llmeetyouthereandwecanbegintheritual.”
“Well,wecanguaranteeyouoneofthem,”Buffysaid.“Butthere’refourmoreandwedon’tknowwheretheyare.”
“Iwouldn’tworryaboutthat,”thezookeeperexplained.“Afterhyenasfeedandrest,theywilltrackthemissingmemberoftheirpackuntiltheyfindhim.Theyshouldcomerighttoyou.”
BuffycaughtGiles’sglance.“Willow,”shebreathed.
Xanderpacedinthecagelike—Okay,whydenyit?Likeacagedanimal.Willowwaskeepingherdistance,now.He’dmadehismove,andshehaddodgedhim,andnowthekeystothistrapwereacrosstheroom.
Tomakeitworse,shewaswatchinghyenavideo,overandoveragain.Hecouldseethescreen,hearthelaughterofthepackontape.Hecouldalmostsmelltheblood,tastetherawflesh.Butjustalmost.
“Willow...”hesaid.
Sheglancedoverhershoulderathim.“I’mnotlistening.”Turnedbacktothe
screen.Shedidn’tevenwanttolookathim.Well,that’sokaywithme.Idon’twanttolookathereither.Justwantthatkey.
Anotherboywouldn’thaveheardthefaintestscufflingsoundsfromoutsidethelibrary,wouldn’thavecaughtthescentontheothersideofthewindows.ButXanderwasn’tanotherboy.Hewassomethingelse,now.Somethingmore.He’dbeentransformed.Heheard,hesmelled.Andthescentwasfamiliar.
Whenheheardthevoice,thatwasfamiliartoo.Soft,taunting.
“Wil-lowww...”itsaid.
ThePack.
CHAPTER5Theyhadcomeforhim.
“Wil-lowww...”ThevoicebelongedtoKyle.Xanderhadknowntheywouldn’tjustlethimrotinhere.Theywerehisfriends.Hisrealfriends.Notthelosershe’dgrownupwith,orBuffy,theso-calledSlayer.ThePackweretheoneswhoreallycaredaboutwhathappenedtohim.
“Xander,shutup,”Willowsaid.
“Wil-lowww...”Kylecalledagain.
Xandersawhershoulderstenseassherealizedthevoicewasn’this.Shedidn’thavetimetoreactmorethanthat,becausesuddenlytheywerecrashingthroughthelibrarywindows.Glassrainedontothefloor.
Sheleaptfromherseatandranoutthedoor,likethecowardhe’dlongsuspectedshewas.
Hekickedatthecage.Anxioustobefree,ontheprowlagain.
Theycameforhim.ThePack.Theytuggedatthecage,theircombinedstrengthbreakingtheheavywirescreen,tearingandbendinguntiltheyrippedthedoorfromitsveryhinges.
Xanderwasfree.
ThePackcametohim,surroundedhim.Theysniffedeachother,touchedeachotherthewaymembersofaPackdo.
Yes,hewashome,withthem.
But,herealized,shewasouttheresomewhere.Willow.Looseontheschoolgrounds.Shewasscared,butshecouldstillbedangeroustothem.TothePack.Shehadtobefound,andstopped.
Xanderledthehunt.
Willowturnedacorner,rantothefirstclassroomdoorshesaw.Grabbedtheknob.
Locked.
Oh,no,shethought.Shecouldhearthesoundsfromthelibrary,knewthecagehadbeenbreached.Knewtheywereontheirway.
AndtheyatePrincipalFlutie.AndevenHerbert.
Xander’swiththemnow,butXanderisn’treallyXander.
Iftheycatchme...
Shecrossedthehalltoanotherdoor.Thisoneopened.Shedartedinside,shuttingthedoorquietlybehindher.Whoknowshowwelltheycanhear?
Orsmell?
Insidethedarkenedroom,shethreadedherwaybetweenthedesks,crawledintothefootwelloftheteacher’sdesk,andpulledthechairintopositioninfrontofher.
Itwasn’tmuch,butitlookedlikethebestshecoulddo.
Attheintersection,thePacksplitup.Kyle,Rhonda,andToreachwentindifferentdirections.HeidifollowedXander.
Hesmelledtheair.
Iftherewasonethingheknew,afteralltheseyears,itwasWillow’sscent.
Thatdoor.
Heidisniffed,maybecatchingittoo.
Xanderopenedthedoor.
Theroomwasdark.Quiet.HeandHeidiwalkedamongthedesks,alert.Sniffing.
Willowremainedcrouchedunderthedesk.Sheknewsomeonewasintheroom.
Willowremainedcrouchedunderthedesk.Sheknewsomeonewasintheroom.Notellingwho.Sheheardsoftfootfalls.Someonebreathing.
Thenfootstepsreceding,andthedoorclosing.
Safe.
She’ddoneit.Nowshejusthadtofindhelp.
Sheshovedthechairback,cameoutofherhidingplace.
Xanderwaswaiting.Heidihadmovedon,buthe’dstayedhere,convincedshewasintheroom.Iftherewasonethingheknew...
Shestartedwhenshesawhim,gasped.Hegavealittleroarandlungedather,acrosstheteacher’sdesk.
Sheevadedhim,andran.
Hegavechase,butsheupendedachairasshewent,andhetrippedoverit.
Hitthefloor.
Shereachedthedoor,flungitopen.
IntoHeidi’sarms.
Willowscreamed.
Heidigrowled,forcingthegirlbackintotheroom.WhereXanderwaited.
Thishadbeenalongtimecoming.
Heidimadeafinetarget.TotallyfocusedonWillow,shedidn’tevenseeBuffyswingthefireextinguisheratherhead.Themetalmadeasatisfyingclangagainstherskull,andshecrumpled.
GilestuggedWillowtosafety,outinthehall.
Relativesafety,anyway.
TherewasstillXander.
TherewasstillXander.
Hechargedthedoorway.Buffybroughtthefireextinguisherupagain.Butitwasafeint.Hedodgedtheextinguisher,andshekickedout,catchinghiminthechest,knockinghimbackward.
Twiceinonedayshe’dhadtoindulgeinsomeXander-bashing.Notwithoutitscharms...
Buttherewasanoiseinthehallway,attheintersection.TheotherthreemembersofXander’spack,convergingthere.TheysawBuffy,Willow,andGiles.Charged.
“Run,”Gilesshouted.
Theydashedintoanotherclassroom,andBuffyslammedthedoorshut.Sheheldtheknob.
Ontheotherside,shecouldfeelthemyankingit,tryingtoturnit.Theypoundedontheheavywoodendoor,growlingangrily.
Afterafewmomentsofthat,thebarragestoppedandsheheardtheirfootstepsmovingaway.
“Ithinkthey’regoing,”shesaid.
“Theycouldbefakingit,”Willowsuggested.Buffyunderstoodherfriend’sfear—shefeltterribleforhavingleftWillowaloneinsuchavulnerableposition.Shecouldn’tbeeverywhere—butthatdidn’tpreventherfromfeelinglikesheshouldbe.
ShetriedtoreassureWillow.“No,they’rehungry.They’llbelookingforsomebodyweak.”Whichisnotus.“I’mreallyreallysorry,Willow,”shecontinued.“Ididn’tknowthey’dcomeafterXander.”
“It’sokay,”Willowsaid.
Gilescaughthisbreath.“Wemustleadthembacktothezooifwe’regoingtostopthis.”
“Yeah,andbeforetheirnextmeal,”Buffysaid.“That’smyjob.”
“Individually,they’realmostasstrongasyou,”Gilesprotested.“Asagroup—”
“They’retough,”Buffysaid.“ButIthinkthey’regettingstupider.YouguysgotothezooandI’llbringthemtoyou.”Sheopenedthedoorandwentoutintothenight.
HopeI’mright,shethought.
Visitingfriendswassupposedtobefun,RichAndersonbelieved.ButtheywerebarelyoutthedoorbeforeMelissastartedinonhim.
“Ididn’tsayshelookedbetterthanyou,”heinsisted.“Isaidshelookedbetter.”Okay,lame.Buthehadtomakeaneffort.
“IheardwhatIheard,”Melissasaid.Shestoppedonthewalk,lookeddownathersonshovingaTwinkieintohismouth.“Joey,chew,”shesaid.“Youhavetocheworyou’llchoke.”
LittleJoeynodded.
Theyallgotintothesport-utilityvehicle,pullingtheirdoorsshutbehindthemselves.Hecouldn’twaittogethome.Maybebythenshe’dhavemovedon.
“Idon’tseewhywehavetohavethisconversationeverytimeweseethem,”hesaid.
“Ididn’tstartit,”Melissaanswered.Hervoicedrippedicicles.Maybeshewouldn’tmoveonsoquicklyafterall.
Richpattedhispockets.“Damn,”hesaid.“Wherearethekeys?”
“Huh?”sheasked.
Andthen,astheysatthereinthesuddenlyquietcar,theyheardit—asoft,femininevoice,calling.
“Jo-eeey...Jo-eeey...”
TheAndersonslookedateachother,thefightforgotten.Whatwasthat?Whowasthat?
SuddenlyaheadappearedoutsideJoey’swindow—lookingdown,fromontop
SuddenlyaheadappearedoutsideJoey’swindow—lookingdown,fromontopofthecar.Theheadroared,andthenthereweremoreofthem.Theywerealloverthecar,bangingonitwithfists,growlingatthemthroughthewindows.Richclickedthelocksshut—justintime,sincetheyweregrabbingatthedoorhandles.
Therewerefourofthem,hethought,buttherecouldhavebeenmore.Itwasdark,andtheyweremoving,bangingonthecarhereandthenjustassuddenlypressingtheirfacesagainsttheglassthere.ShakingthebigSUV,androaringlikewildbeasts.Melissawasscreaming,andintheback,Joeyseemedpetrified.
“Hey!”Richshouted.“What’sgoingon?”
Surelysomeonewillcallthecops,hethought.Allwehavetodoiswaitherewiththedoorslocked,until—
Oneofthemsmashedthroughthebackpassengerwindow.NexttoJoey.Armsreachedin,grabbedfortheboy.Heheldontohismother.
“Joey!”Melissascreamed.
Thecarwasrockingbadlynow.Itwaslikeanightmare—growling,animal-liketeenagersoutside,callinghisson’sname.Morewindowswerebroken,andhandsreachedatthemfromeverydirection.TheAndersonsheldeachother,panic-stricken.Whatdotheywantwithus?Richwondered.Whatdotheywantwithmyson?
Well,theyweren’thardtofind,Buffythought.Notexactlykeepingalowprofile.
Thescreamsandsoundsofbreakingglasshadalertedherfromacoupleofblocksaway,breakingthroughthesuburbanstillnesslikefirecrackersinchurch.Closingin,theroarsandsnarlsofthepackhadconfirmedhersuspicions.ShecameuponthemastheyweretryingtodragsomeonefromtheSUV—probablygoingforthekidfirst,astheweakestmember,shethought.Butthe’rentsmightbenext—neitherofthemlookedallthatstrongorconfident,either.
Shejumpedintothefray,grabbingthejacketofoneofthem—shecouldbarelytellwhichwaswhich,especiallysincethey’dalltakentodressinginthesamedarkcolors—andhurlinghimtotheground.Orher,shecorrected.
Thenshejumpedtothetopofthevehicle.Kylemetherupthere.Shekicked
Thenshejumpedtothetopofthevehicle.Kylemetherupthere.Shekickedhiminthejawandhesailedoff.
Throughthesmashed-insunroof,shesawXander,halfinandhalfoutofawindow.
“Didn’tyourMomteachyou?”sheasked.“Don’tplaywithyourfood!”
Heslidfromthecar,facingher.Shelookeddownonhimfromherrooftopperch.Theothersbackedhimup.
“Comeon,”Buffysaid.“Youknowwhatyouwant.”
Shejumpedfromthecar,ontheoppositesidefromthem,andran.Behindher,sheheardtheirawfulhyenalaughter.Andtheunmistakablesoundsofthemgivingchase.
Theywerecoming.
*
Thezoowasdarkandquietwhentheyarrived.ThezookeeperhadleftGiles’snameatthefrontgate,andtheoneguardondutylookedtoosleepy,orotherwiseuninspired,toquizthemtoomuchontheirerrand.He’dtriedtohandthemamapshowinghowtogettothezookeeper’soffice,butWillowhadtoldthemanthey’dbeentherebeforeandknewhowtofindit.Theguardsaidsomethingabouthowdarkthepathswere,butsheshowedhimthebigflashlightshe’dcarriedwithherfromGiles’scar.Theguardstoppedtalking.
Ofcourse,thezookeeper’sofficewasn’ttheirrealdestination.
Thehyenaswere.
Withinacoupleofminutes,theywerethere.Shecouldsmellthesharpmuskfromoutsidetheenclosure.
“Thepathwaytothehyenapit,”Willowsaid,winded.“Where’sthezookeeper?”
“Hemustbeinside,”Gilessaid,duckingundertheyellowtape.“I’llgoinandpreparethings.YoujustwarnuswhenyouhearBuffyandtheothersapproaching.”
Hewentdownthepathway,andwasswallowedbythedark.Willowgrippedherflashlightalittletighter.
Surroundingthezoogrounds,therewasawideswathofthickvegetation—Jungle-like,really,Buffythought.Sheranthroughit,shovingasidehugehangingleaves,dodgingtreetrunks.Sheguessedtheideawasthatthejunglereducedtheanimalsounds,forthoseoutsidethezoo,andmaybemadethenoisefromSunnydalemorebearablefortheanimals.
NotthatSunnydalewasareallynoisyplace.Buteverynowandthenthereweresirens,ordemonshowling,orhyena-possessedteenagersjumpingoncars.
Sothesoundproofingthingwasprobablyallgood.
Exceptforthepartwhereshewasrunningthroughthetreesandbrush,andthehyenakidswererunningbehindher.Chasingher.
BecauseonethinghyenasknewhowtodobetterthanSlayersdidwasrunthroughthebrush.Morepractice.
Shewasmakinggoodtime.Theyweremakingbetter,judgingbytheleavesandunderbrushcrashingbehindher.
Shejusthopedherleadwouldholduntilshegotthemwheretheyneededtobe.
Gileswalkeddownthepathway.Itwasquietinside,anddark,andabitrank.Therewasmoretapeacrosstheentryway.Hewasn’tsureexactlywhathe’dbeenexpecting,butheknewonething.Thiswasn’tit.
“Doctor...?”hetried.“Zookeeper—?”
Ascufflingsoundcaughthisattentionandheturned.Thezookeeperhadcomeinbehindhim,fromanotherentrance,possibly.
Onlyhewasn’tdressedlikeanyzookeeperGileshadeverseen.
“Oh,ofcourse,”hesaid.“You’reintheMasaiceremonialgarb.Areyouotherwisepreparedforthetranspossession?”
Thezookeepersteppedintotheglowfromlightsinsidethehyenaenclosure.Hisfacewaspaintedblueandwhite,inabizarrepatternthatGileshalf-recognized
facewaspaintedblueandwhite,inabizarrepatternthatGileshalf-recognizedfromthetextshe’dporedoverinthelastfewhours.Arobe,ofafabricthatexactlymatchedtheblueofhisface,coveredhisbody,andbeneaththatheworesomekindoftights.Atoneankleandonewristheworebonebracelets.Hecarriedabigstick,astafforclubofsomekind,whichhetossedfromhandtohand.
Thewholeensemblewasmorethanalittledisquieting.
“Almost,”themansaid.
Gilesnoticedthestrangeredmarkingsonthefloor.“Right,”hesaid.“Thesacredcircle.You’dneedthatto...”Hewassuddenlyconfused.“Well,thiswouldbeherewhenthechildrenfirstcame.Whywouldyou...”
Itdawnedonhim,allatonce.Hegaveasmalllaugh,andturnedtofacethefright-maskedzookeeper.
“Howterriblyfrustratingforyou,”Gilessaid,“thatabunchofschoolchildrencouldaccomplishwhatyoucouldnot.”
Thezookeeperheldhisgaze.“Itbotheredme,”hesaid,matteroffactly.“Butthepowerwillbemine.”
Gilesknew,finally,thatthemanwasbeyondhopeofreasoning.Heneededtogetaway,towarnWillowandBuffybeforeitwastoolate.Hestartedtobolt.
Butthezookeeperwasfaster.Hesteppedin,swingingtheclubone-handedintoGiles’sstomach.Gilesdoubledover,andthebluemanwhippedtheclubaround,broughtitdownonthebackofGiles’shead.Gileswentdown,unconsciousontheflooramidthestrangesymbolspaintedthere.
Thezookeeperdidn’twasteanytime.Hegrabbedthelibrarian’sanklesanddraggedhimoutofsight.Hisplanswerecomingtoahead—thelastthingheneededwasasparecorpseonwhatwastobethestageforthegreatestmomentofhislife.
Theywerecloserthanever.Buffycouldhearthembreathing,behindher.Notevenpantingwiththeexertion,which,shehadtoadmit,wasgettingtobeabitofastrainonher.
Whatwasworse,was,theywerelaughing.
Whatwasworse,was,theywerelaughing.
Thathystericalhalf-insane,high-pitchedhyenalaughter.
Evercloser.
Sheranharder.
Willowheardthecrashingastheycamenearer.IthadtobeBuffy—notlikeanyoneelsewouldbedoingthejogging-for-healththinginthemiddleofthenightinaclosedzoo.
Gileshadsaidtowarnthem,soshepassedunderthetapeandrandownthewalktothehyenahouse.
“They’realmosthere!”shecalled.“Giles...?”Noanswer.“Giles?”
NoGiles,either.Theonlyonetherewasthezookeeper,andhelookedweird,allinbluewithhisfacepainted.ButWillowwasusedtoweird-lookingcreatures—atleastthisguywashuman.“Wherearethehyenasforthetranspossession?”sheaskedhim.
Hecockedathumboverhisshoulder,gesturingtothecage.“They’rerighthere,inthefeedingarea.Stayclear,”hewarned.“Theyhaven’tbeenfed.”
“Where’sGiles?”
“He’slayinginwait.”
“They’realmosthere,”Willowsaid,fightinghardtokeepthepanicfromhervoice.“Shouldn’tyoubringthehyenasout?”
Thezookeeperpickedupalongstripofleather.“Whenthetimeisright,”hesaid.HegrabbedWillow’swrists,startedwrappingtheleatheraroundthem.“I’mgonnaneedyourhelp.”
Well,ithadseemedlikeagoodideaatthetime.
Butnowthepackwasrightonhertail,andBuffywasn’tquitetothehyenahouse,andifevenoneofthosepossessedkidshadthepresenceofmindtomakealeap,theycouldprobablycatchher.
She’dwrestledXander.Sheknewhowstrongtheywere.Iftheybroughtherdown,asapack,they’dtakeher.JustlikeshewasoneofthoseantelopesorwhateverthattheywerebrunchingoninthetapesWillowwaswatching.
Shewasclose,though.MaybeGilesandWillowcoulddosomething.
Like,burywhateverscrapsthepackleftbehind.
Sheburstthroughtheyellowtape.“They’rerightbehindme!”shecalled.
Please,Giles,shethought.Belisteningforonce,andnottalking.
“That’sBuffy!Getready!”Willowsaid.
Thezookeeperhadtiedherwriststightlytogetherwithhisstrap.Nowhepulledsomethingfrombeneaththeflowingbluerobehewore—alongknifewithaveryshinyblade.
“Here,”hesaid,likehewasgivingherapresent.
“Whatisthis?”
“Thepredatoryact,remember?”hereplied.Hemovedbehindher,holdingherinonearmandbringingtheknifetoherthroat.
“Oh,right,”Willowsaid.Talkingwashardwiththebladepressedagainstherskin.“You’llpretendtoslashmythroatandputtheevilinthehyenas?”
Helookedherintheeyes,buttherewasnothingreassuringinhisvoice.“Somethinglikethat.”
Itwasclearnowthathewasn’tkidding.Norwasheontheirside.
Buffyburstintothehyenahouse.Therewasastrange-looking,blue-garbedmanholdingaknifetoWillow’sneck.AndWill’shandsweretied.TherewasnosignofGiles.Justtomakethingsmorecomplicated,Willowshouted,“Buffy!It’satrap!”
Buffystoppedinhertracks.
Which,cometothinkofit,mightnothavebeenthebestidea,sincethepackwasstillrunningfullspeedbehindher.
stillrunningfullspeedbehindher.
Xanderplowedintoher,throwingonearmaroundhermidriffanddrivinghertotheground.Thentheotherswereonher,handstearingather,teethgnashinghungrily.
“NyumbaYaSanaa!”thezookeepercalled.Sherecognizedtheedgeinhisvoicefromthefirsttimehe’dspokentothemoutsidetheenclosure,andrealizedthat’swhotheblueguywas.
Everybodylookedathim.ExceptBuffy,who,becausethepackwasn’tlookingather,lookedatthem.
Theireyes,afterall,wereglowinggreen.Itwasthekindofthingthatcaughtyourattention.
Allofthem—Kyle,Heidi,Tor,Rhonda—eyesflashingliketrafficlightssayinggo.Sheriskedaglanceatthezookeeper,andhiseyesflashedthesameweirdglow,asifinresponsetothem.
Andshesuddenlyunderstoodwhatitmeant.Thiswholethinghadbeenasetup.SomehowthehyenaspirithadaccidentallygoneintoXanderandtherest,whenthisguyactuallywanteditforhimself.Sohe’darrangedforeveryonetobebroughtbackherewhenhewasready.
Nowthehyenawasoutofthekids,andconcentratedinoneman.Whowanteditthere.
Hewasgoingtobetrouble.
Asifforgettinghowtousetools,thezookeeperdroppedhisknife,grabbingWillow’sheadbetweenhishands.Heroaredlikeawildbeast.Heleanedtowardher,baringhisteethlikehemeanttoripintoherflesh.
“Willow!”ItwasXander.Soundinglikehimself.Sheneverthoughthisvoicecouldsoundsowonderful.HepushedawayfromBuffy,launchedhimselfacrosstheroom,andslammedintothegrowlingzookeeper.Theybothwentdown,butthezookeeperregainedhisfootingquickly.WhenXandercameathimagain,heswungabackhandedblowthatknockedtheteentooneside.
WithXanderoffher,however,andtherestofthepackwatchingthefight,Buffy
WithXanderoffher,however,andtherestofthepackwatchingthefight,Buffycouldstand.Shedid,thenlaunchedakickatthezookeeper’spaintedjaw.Sheconnected,hard,andhefellback.Inasecondhewasupagain,andchargingher.Shestoppedhimforamomentwithaleft,andwhenheattackedagain,shegrabbedhisrobesandusedhisownmomentumtothrowhimoverhershoulderanddownontothehardstonefloor.
Hewaspowerful,though.Mostmenwouldhavebeenoutcold,buthejumpedupandcamebackformorewithananimal-likegrowl.
Sosheusedthesametrick,intheotherdirection.Graspinghisrobes,turning,spinning,bringinghimoverhershoulderanddown.
Exceptthatthistime,becausehewascomingatherfromtheotherway,“down”meantintothehyenapit.
Hescreamed.
Hereappearedagainamomentlater,tryingtohaulhimselfoutbythebarsofthecage.Buttherewasaferociousgrowlingbehindhim.Hescreamedagain,inpainthistimemorethanfear,andwasdraggeddownfromthebars.
Hewasoutofsight,butthegrowlingcontinued.Andevenworse,crunching,gnawing,gnashingofteeth.
BuffycaughtaglimpseofKyleandhisfriendsastheyranoutofthehyenahouse,horrified.Shedidn’tblamethem.
Shetookanotherlastlookinsidethecageandwassorryshehad.Ifthezookeepershadrulesagainstfeedingtheanimals,shewassurefeedingthezookeeperstotheanimalsmustbeanevenworseviolation.
Whensheturnedaway,unsteadyandalittlequeasy,shesawXander—wholooked,atlast,liketheplainoldXandereveryoneknewandloved—untyingWillow’shands.
Adooropened,andGilesstaggeredintotheroom.Heputahandtohisglasses,tryingtogainhisbalance.“Uh,”hesaid.“DidImissanything?”
Wheredoesagirlstart?
Thenextdaywasoneofthosebright,sunnydayswhenitreallybecomesclear
Thenextdaywasoneofthosebright,sunnydayswhenitreallybecomesclearthatsummerisjustaroundthecorner.Buffy,Willow,andXanderwalkedacrossthequad,headingforclass.Buffywasenjoyingthesunshine,and,strangeasitseemed,enjoyingbeingwithXander.
“Iheardtheviceprincipalistakingoveruntiltheycanfindareplacement,”Willsaid.
“Itshouldn’tbehardtofindanewprincipal,”Buffysaid.“Unlesstheyaskwhathappenedtothelastone.”
“Okay,butIhadnothingtodowiththat,right?”Xanderaskedforthemillionthtime.
“Right,”Buffyagreed.
Theystartedupanoutsidestaircase.“Youonlyatethepig,”Willowadded.
“Iateapig?Washecookedandcalled‘bacon,’or...”Xanderputhishandtohisforehead,inobviousdismay.“OhmyGod.Iateapig?Imean,thewholetrichinosisissueaside,yuck.”
“Well,itwasn’treallyyou,”Buffyassuredhim.
“Well,Iremembergoingonthefieldtrip,andthengoingdowninthehyenahouse,”Xandersaid.“Nextthingsomeguy’sholdingWillowandhe’sgotaknife.”
“Yousavedmylife,”Willowsaid.
“Hey.”Xanderstoppedatthetopofthestairs.“No-bodymesseswithmyWillow.”Heputhisarmsaroundher,drewherintoahug.
Shewasn’t,Buffynoted,inanyhurrytobreakitoff.
“ThisisdefinitelythesuperiorXander,”Buffyannounced.“Acceptnosubstitutes.”
Xandertouchedhislips,hischest.Buffythoughthewasmaybegoingalittleoverboardonthehandlanguage,but,incomparisontothehyenabit,decideditwasnotworthgettingworkedupover.“Ididn’tdoanythingelse,didI?Aroundyouguys?Anythingembarrassing?”
youguys?Anythingembarrassing?”
“Naah,”sheassuredhim.
“Notatall,”Willowadded.
BuffytookWillowbythehand.“Comeon,”shesaid.“We’regonnabelate.”
WillowlookedatXander.“Seeyouatlunch.”
“Cool,”hereplied.“Hey,goingvegetarian,huh?”Hegavethemabroadsmileandtwothumbs-up.
Hewasprettysuretheywerebuyingit.
Good.
Itfeltgreattobehimselfagain.Hepreferredthat,herealized.Butsometimes,youhavetopretendalittle,keepyourownsecrets.Forthesakeofyourfriends.
Heturnedandwalkedafewsteps—straighttowardGiles,whowascomingrightforhim,lookingcrispinafreshsuitandtie.
“I’vebeenreadinguponmyanimalpossession,”Gilessaid,“andIcannotfindanythinganywhereaboutmemorylossafterward.”
“Didyoutellthemthat?”Xanderpointedtowardthegirls.
Gilesleanedclosetohisear.“Yoursecretdieswithme,”hesaid.
Thatshouldhavebeenenough.ExceptGilesknew.AndheknewGilesknew.ItmightbebettertoletBuffyknow,thanGiles.Hecouldtrusttheman,hewassureofthat.Butstill...
“Shootme,stuffme,mountme,”Xandersaid.
Gilesclappedhimontheshoulder.Co-conspiratorstotheend.Xanderwalkedawayfromhim,handsontopofhishead,asembarrassedashecouldremembereverhavingbeen.
Therewasabrightsidetothis,heknew.
Hejustdidn’thavetheslightestideawhatitwas.
Theclosesthecouldgettoitwasthatthingscouldnotpossiblygetworse.Notallthatbright,afterall.Hewassurethatifhecouldgetoverfeelingsomortified,he’dbeabletofindabetterone.
The“if”thing.
Hewenttoclass.
INTERLUDEXandercontinuedheadingoutoftown.Thewindrushedpasthim,theblackstripofroadappearedmagicallybeneathhisheadlights.He’dleftthezoofarbehind,andhadanactualdestinationinmindnow.
Hegavethecaritshead,steeringwiththelightesttouchpossibleonthewheel.Itwasalmostlikethecarknewwheretheyweregoing.
Afteranotherfewminutes,hecouldsmellsaltwaterintheair.
Muchhadchangedsincehislittleadventureaspartofthecaninefamily.He’dheardtheoriesthattherateofchangeacceleratedwitheverypassingyear—thatthedifferenceinthewaypeoplelivedbetween,say,theyear500andtheyear1500wasnothuge.Butinrecenttimes,thingshadbeenadvancingatamazingrates.Thepeoplewhowerealivein1800wouldbarelyhaverecognizedtheworldof1900,andwouldhavebeentotallydumfoundedbythetime2000camearound.
Anyway,thatbusinesswiththehyenaspiritshadbeensophomoreyear.He’dbeenyoungandfoolishthen.Ashematured,heknewthechangesinhislife,thevarioustransformationsthatamanwentthroughashegrewolder,wouldbemoresubtle,butultimatelymoredefining.
And,hehoped,theywouldhavelesstodowithcaninesofanykind.
WhenBuffyshowedupintownandeverythingchanged,XanderrealizedthatSunnydale—andhislife—hadseemedprettyconstant,unchanging,before.Allthoseyearsofpeaceandquiet,growingupinanidyllicseasidetown,andthen...
Andthenthingsgotinteresting.Andfrightening.
TheworstwaswhenBuffydied.
Shehad,literally,beenclinicallydead,heknew.Ifshehadn’t,thenKendra,thenewSlayer,wouldn’thavebeenactivated.Butshewas,andthatmeantthatBuffy’sclosecallhadbeenalittlemorethanjustclose.
Buffy’sclosecallhadbeenalittlemorethanjustclose.
Xanderhadbeenthereforherthattime,though.Hehadadministeredmouthtomouth—whichhestillthoughtaboutwithadegreeofenjoymentfromtimetotime.Angelstoodhelplesslyby,watching,whileXanderbreathedlife-givingairintoherlungs.Andshehadcomeback.
Therehadbeensomanyotherthings,happyandsad,momentousandtiny.BuffyhadfallendeeplyinlovewithAngel,andthenbeenterriblyhurtwhenheturnedbadagain,afterhavingbeengoodforsomanyyears.Thatwholegoodvampirebusiness,itturnedout,hadbeentheresultofagypsy’scursethatrestoredthevampire’ssoul—andtherefore,hisconscience—tohim.Strickenwithguiltoverthethingshe’ddoneintheinterveningyears,Angelhadtriedtoliveasoneofthegoodguys,battlingvampirenastieswheneverhecould.ThatwastheAngelBuffyhadfallenfor.
Unfortunatelyforthatrelationship,thecursewaslifted.Soullessagain,Angelflipfloppedbackintofangsandforeheadguy.HekilledMissCalendar,whowasGiles’sgirlfriendandamemberofthesamegypsytribethathadcursedhim.AndBuffyvowedtotakehimout.
Xanderpulledthecartoastopintheparkinglotbythebeach.Hejumpedout,notbotheringwiththedoor.Fromthisspot,hecouldheartheroarofthesurf,buthecouldbarelyseethewater.
Hehikeddownthepath,tothewidestretchofbeach.Thereitwas,avastcarpetofblack,spreadingbeforehimlikevelvetonwhichsomeonehadscatteredahandfulofdiamonds:thefullmoon’sshimmeringreflectiononthewater.
Thingshadbeenquitedifferentforhim,aswell.Suchas,datingCordeliaChase.Thathadcomeasashocktobothofthem—asurprisethatwasn’tentirelypleasant,butfarfromallbad.Ithadstartedwithaninnocentkiss—okay,notsoinnocent,butstill.Thenitgrewintoanillicitaffair,keptsecretfromeveryoneintheschool.Finally,thetruthhadcomeout,andpeoplegrewtoacceptit.EvenWillow.
AlthoughitwasprobablyeasierforWillowtoacceptnowthatshehadOz,rockguitaristandteenwerewolf,whodidthewholeMichaelLandonroutineateveryfullmoon.
AnddatingCordeliahad,atleast,provenmorepleasantandsatisfyingthanhisshort-livedromancewithAmpata,whoturnedouttobeanancientIncan
short-livedromancewithAmpata,whoturnedouttobeanancientIncanmummy,reanimatedandravenous.
Theslayinggighadbecomemorecomplicated,too.BuffyhadkilledtheMaster,buttheAnointedOnehadbeenaroundtomakethingsdifficultforher.UntilSpikeandDrusillacametotown,andSpikekilledtheAnointedOne.BetweenSpike,Drusilla,andthenewlyevilAngel,theranksoflocalvampireshadbecomeverydangerousindeed.
Xanderkickedhisshoesoff,removedhissocks,andpushedhistoesintothecoldsand.Hestuffedthesocksintohisshoesandcarriedthemdowntowherethewavesscouredthesandsmoothandhard,letthefrigidwaterwashuparoundhisfeet.ForaCaliforniaguy,herealized,Idon’tspendalotoftimeintheocean.
Andthat,suddenly,broughtbackawholenewsetofmemories.Hebackedawayfromthewater,hurriedbackuptotheparkinglot.Therehestampedhisfeetonthepavementtoshakethesandoff.Leaningagainstthecar,hetuggedhissocksbackon,thenhisshoes.Hetiedthemandgotbackbehindthewheel.
Hefeltbetternow.Fromthisvantagepoint,theoceanlookedcalmandsafe.
Anddistant.
Thewayhelikedit.
CHAPTER6Therewasnothingtropicalaboutthebeachthatnight.Orevensubtropical,Xanderthought.Downrightcoldismorelikeit.
Troublewas,heseemedtobetheonlyonewhofeltthatway.Everywherehelooked,kidswerehavingfun,dancingandtalkingandgenerallycarryingon.
Okay,theyweredressedinsweatersandjacketsandhuddledaroundbonfires.Butstill,theyseemedtobeenjoyingthemselvesdespitetheelements.
SunnydaleHigh’sathletesweren’texactlyonafirst-namebasiswithvictoryparties,somaybetheconceptofholdingthemincomfortablesurroundingswasstillunfamiliartothem.
“AllI’msayingis,itwasastupidideatohaveavictorypartyatthebeach,”Xandersaid,warminghispalmsoverafire.HeworeastripedsweateroveraT-shirt,butthatwasn’tnearlyenough.“It’sofficiallynippy.Sosaymynips.”
Cordelia,whowasheremoreorlessashisdate,andhislongtimebestbudWillowstoodatthefirewithhim.
“Ithinkit’sfestive,”Willowsaid.“It’sapartywithnature.”
“Well,it’stheteam’schoice,”Cordeliaadded.“Itwastheirvictory.”
“Team?Swimteam.”Xanderchuckled.“HardlywhatIcallateam.TheYankees...AbbottandCostello...theA...Nowthosewereteams.”
“Jealous?”Cordyasked.
“No,”Xanderreplied.Hereflectedfurther.“Yes.Butnomorethanyes.Imean,lookatthat.”Heindicatedastudentpartwayacrossthebeach—tallandmuscular,withclose-shavenhair,wearingonlyaHawaiianshirtinspiteoftemperaturesthatXanderconsideredarctic.
“DoddMcAlvy,”hewenton.“Lastmonthhe’sthefreakwithjicamabreathwhowaxeshisback.Hewinsafewmeetsandsuddenlyheinheritsthe‘cool’gene?”
“Well,allIknowis,mycheerleadingsquad’swastedalotofpeponlosers,”Cordeliaargued.“It’sabouttimeourschoolexcelledatsomething.”
“You’reforgettingourhighmortalityrate,”Willowoffered.
“We’renumberone!”Xandershouted.LeaveittoWillowtofindthecogentargument.Xanderdidaslowturn,butthestudentsaroundhimseemedoblivioustohissuddendisplayofschoolspirit.Or,hethoughtmorbidly,schoolspirits.
Perchedonarockbythewater’sedge,Buffystudiedthemoon’ssilverreflectiononthedarkwaterofthePacificOcean.TheleatherjacketAngelhadgivenherkeptmostofthechilloff.Shestillworeit,eventhough...well,eventhough.
Thepartyroaredaroundher,asoblivioustoherpresenceasthecreaturesatthebottomofthisseaweretothechunkofrockthatorbitedhighabove.Butlikethosecreaturesandthemoon,everystudentherehadbeentouchedinsomewaybyBuffy.Ifitweren’tforher,theHellmouthwouldbeafarmoredangerousplacethanitwas.
Anditwasprettybad,evenwithheraround.
Theyneverevenknowthedangerthey’rein,shethought.Andthat’showshewantedtokeepit.Eventhoughitalsomeantthattheyneverknewhercontributiontowardkeepingthemfromharm’sway.
“Beautiful,”avoicefrombehindhersaid.“Isn’tit?”
CameronWalker.Sheknewhim,ofcourse,butnotatallwell.Hewasamemberoftheswimteam—oneofthebestswimmers,fromwhatshe’dheard.He’salsogoodlooking,shethought.Tall,powerfullybuilt,withaneasysmileandcurlybrownhairinsteadoftheshavedlookfavoredbysomeoftheswimteam.NoAngel,maybe.Butthen,whois?Andbesides,Angelwasevilnow,whileCamwasjustajock.AndAngel,soullessornot,wasstillavampire.MaybeanormalguyisjustwhatIneed,togivemealittlebreakfromtheslayingandall.
“Yeah,”shebegan.“It’sjustso—”
Hecutheroff,andwenton,staringoutatthesparklingsurface.“Eternal.Ourtruemothergivingbirthtonewlife,anddevouringold.”Hemovedaroundandsatontherock,nexttoBuffy.Whenhecontinued,hewaslookingather,notatthesea.“Alwaysadaptableandnurturing,yetconstantandtimeless.”
thesea.“Alwaysadaptableandnurturing,yetconstantandtimeless.”
“Boy,”Buffysaid,surprisedatsuchpoeticlanguagecomingfromsomeoneshehadalwaysseenasjustanotherathlete.“Iwasjustgonnagowith‘big’and‘wet.’”
Camerongaveapolitelaugh.“Meandsomeoftheotherguysontheteam,wecomeoutonceaweektotraininit.See,weswimagainstthecurrent.”
“Funny,that’showIfeelmostofthetime,”Buffysaid.Sheturnedtohimandusedherbestsportscastervoice.“So,CameronWalker.You’vejustwonthestatesemifinals.Whatareyougonnadonext?”
“I’mgoingtohangoutwithBuffySummers,”hereplied.“Gettoknowher.”
Whoa.That’sno“I’mgoingtoDisneyland,”shethought.
“Hey,pausethattapeforasecond,”shesaid.
“Nopressure,”Cameronsaid,clearlytryingtoputheratease.“Ijustlikebeingaroundyou,that’sall.”
Italmostworked.Shelookedathisfaceforamoment,hisall-Americangoodlooks,andthenturnedaway,towardthesea.Considering.
“Somebodyhelpme!”sheheard.Backfromthethickoftheparty.Thevoicecarriedanedgeofgenuinepanic,andtheSlayerwasinstantlyonherguard.
Upthebeach,shesawDoddMcAlvyholdinganotherstudent’sheadintooneofthebigstainless-steeltubsfilledwithicetokeepthedrinkscold.Thestudenthadaredsweatshirton,butBuffycouldn’tmakeouthisfaceuntilDoddlethimupforair.ItwasJonathonLevenson,oneofthosebrainykidswhowereneverquitesmartenoughtoavoidbecomingsomeone’starget.Hecameupgaspingandchoking.
“C’mon,Jonny,”Doddshouted.Heknewhewasperformingforanaudience.“Yougottaholdyourbreathlongerthanthatifyoueverwanttomaketheteam.Hey,somebodytimehim!”HeshovedJonathonbackintotheice-coldwater.
Buffymadehermove.ShecameupbehindDodd,caughtholdofhisshirt,andyankedhimbackward,offJonathon.
“Hey!”Doddshouted.
TuggingonDodd’sshirtdrewhissleeveback,andrevealedatattooBuffyhadn’tseenbeforeonhisupperarm—asharkwithaninsanegrin,frontfinsdrawnintotightfists,acigarclenchedbetweenhisteeth.
“Nicetat,”Buffysaid.“What,theyranoutofTweetyBird?”Shegavehimashoveandhewentface-firstintothesand.
“Hey,what’syourproblem?”Doddasked.
“Haditcomingtoyou,bro,”Cameronsaid,abroadsmileonhisface.HestoodbehindBuffy,backingherplay.
DoddregainedhisfeetandstartedtosteptowardBuffyandCameronlikehewantedtocontinuethealtercation.Beforehecould,though,hewasinterceptedbyanotherswimmer,GagePetronzi.
“Chill,dude,”Gagesaid.HewaseventallerthanDodd,wearingahighturtlenecksweaterthataccentuatedhistotalskinheadcut.“Abunchofusaregonnatakealittlenightdipdownthebeach.Youin?”
“Whatever,”Doddsaid.HeshotBuffya“die,freak”look,thenallowedhimselftobeledaway.
BuffyturnedtoJonathon,stilldrippingwetandshiveringinthebrisknightair.“Hey,”shesaid.“Let’sgetyouatowel.”
“Whydon’tyoumindyourownbusiness?”Jonathonshotback.“Icanhandlethiswithoutyourhelp.”Hestormedoff,angry—misplacedanger,Buffythought.ItshouldhavebeendirectedatDodd,notather.Butthereyougo.People.
Itwasalmostenoughtomakeagirlpreferbeingwithsomeotherformoflife.Like,say,vampires.
“See,”shesaidtoCameron.“It’sfuntohangoutwithme.”
Headingdownthebeachtowardthesurf,Gagesaid,“Man,Ican’tbelieveBuffy.”
“Man,thatgirlgivesmethecreeps,”Doddagreed.Hetookafewmorestepstowardthewater’sedge,andthenstopped.Thewavesrolledinandpulledaway,andhefeltsomething.Atugging,deepinsidehim.Anurgetobecome...
Gagehadgoneonahead.Suddenly,hebecameawareofanodor—no,callitwhatitwas,astench—rippingathisnostrilslikepoisonedfishhooks.
“Ahh,dude,”hesaid,makingaface.“Whatisthatfoulness?”
HelookedbacktowhereDoddhadbeen,buthisfriendwasnolongerinsight.
“Hey,Dodd!”hecalled,turningathree-sixty.Nosignofhim.Hehadjustbeenrighthere...“Dude!”Noreply.Hegaveashrugandjoggedofftowardanothergroupofpartyers,fartherdownthebeach.
Theroarofthesurf,thisclosetothewater,drownedoutthescreamsandthewet,tearingnoise.Andinthedark,Gagemissedentirelythepileoftatteredclothingandsomethingelse,softandglisteningredinthemoonlight,stillsteaminginthecoldnightair.Hadheseenit,andgonecloseenough,hewouldhaveseenafamiliarHawaiianshirtmixedinwiththeother,messierbits.Andcloserstill,hemighthaveseenthedecorationononeoftheflatsurfaces—atattooofagrinning,two-fistedshark,chompingonastogie.
Buthedidn’tseeanyofthat,nordidhesee,notsofaraway,theshadowofafiguredashingintotheopeningofalargewaterpipe.Thepipecarriedwatertothesea,anditledawayfromthebeach.
TowardSunnydale.
CHAPTER7“Okay,goodpiecharts,everyone,”Willowsaid.Shewalkedupanddownbetweentherowsofdesks,lookingatthescreensofthestudents’computers.Shereallyenjoyedthisstudentteachingthingshe’dbeenaskedtodo.
Enjoyeditalmostasmuchasshehatedthereasonshe’dbeenaskedtodoit.WillowwasreplacingMissCalendar,whohadbeenmurderedbyAngel.Shethoughtshe’dneverforgiveAngelforthat,andrememberingtheteachermadeWillowalmostregrettheteachinggigaltogether.
Butnotcompletely.
“Good,”shesaidasshepassedtheirdesks.“Allgood.”
“Thanks,”oneofthekidssaid.“Kids,”shethought.AsifI’manyolderthantheyare.
“Nice,“shesaidtoanother.
AndthentherewasGage.
TowardthebackoftheclasssheriskedaglanceatGagePetronzi’sscreen.Hemaybeagreatswimmer,shethought,buthiscomputerskillsleavealittlesomethingtobedesired.Like,ifhecouldswingajobatthesuper-market,he’dbetterplantobeabaggerratherthanachecker.Theconceptofusingtechnologyforgoodinsteadofevilseemedtobebeyondhim.
“Gage,yourpiechartislookingalotlikesolitaire,”Willowsaid.Sheleanedcloser,tookabetterlook.“Withnakedladiesonthecards.”
“What’syourpoint?”Gageasked.
“Nopoint.”
Thebellrang.Chairsscuffedbackacrossthefloor,studentsgatheredbooksandheadedforthedoor.Gagemovedwiththem,asifhecouldn’twaittogetoutofclass.
PrincipalSnyder,Mr.Flutie’sreplacement,pushedinsidetheclassroomdoorasthestudentswentout.Hewasshort,almostelfin,withawide,baldinghead.Hisgraysuitwasthree-piece,bothvestandjacketbuttoned.
HemetGagejustinsidethedoorway.“Niceworkinyesterday’smeet,son,”hesaid.“Nowlet’sgoforit.”
Gagewentaroundhim,outoftheroom.Willowhesitantlyapproachedtheprincipal.
“Uh,hithere,”shesaid.Thenadded,“Sir.”
“Rosenberg,”hesaid.“How’stheclass?Everythinginorder?”
“Well,actually—”
“Great,”heinterrupted.“I’vebeentalkingtotheboard.We’vebeenhavingtroublefindingacompetentteacherthislateintheterm.Doyouthinkyoucancontinuesubbingthroughfinals?”
Willowcouldfeelherfacebreakingintoawidesmile.Itwassogoodtobeappreciatedforthejobshewasdoing.“Oh,sure.Iliketeaching.”
“Isn’tthatnice,”Mr.Snydersaidwithoutatraceofsincerity.“You’reateamplayerandIlikethat.Ateamplayerwantseveryoneontheteamtosucceed.Wantseveryonetopass.”
“Uh,yeah,sure.”Willowwasuncertainwherethiswasgoing,anduncomfortablewithgettingthere.
“Iunderstandthere’saproblemwithGagePetronzi.”
Vastrelief.“Oh,good,thenyouknow.Well,yeah,”shesaid.“Besidesthebehaviorproblem,hewon’tdohomework,andhistestscoresare,well,actuallyhedoesn’thaveanytestscoressincehenevershowsupwhenwehave—”
“I’mnotinterestedinanyofthat,”theprincipalinterruptedagain.Thiswaslookinglikeatrend.Ormaybeahabit.“I’minterestedinwhy,”hewenton,hisvoicestern,“whenthisschoolisonthebrinkofwinningitsfirststatechampionshipinfifteenyears,youslapacrucialmemberofthatteamwithafailinggradethatwouldforcehisremoval.Isthishowyoushowyourschool
failinggradethatwouldforcehisremoval.Isthishowyoushowyourschoolspirit?”
“Yes,”Willowsaid.“Well,Imean,no.Imean,I’mjusttryingtogradefairly.”
“Gageisachampion,”Mr.Snyderinsisted.“He’sundermorepressurethantheotherstudents.AndIthinkweneedtocuthimsomeslack.”Heheadedforthedoor.
Nowsheknewwheretheconversationhadbeengoing,beyondanydoubt.Andshedidn’tlikeit.“You’reaskingmetochangehisgrade?”
Hestoppedinhistrack,swiveled,camebackintotheroom.“Ineversaidanysuchthing,”hesaid.Hisvoicewaslowanddeliberate.HestoppeddirectlyinfrontofWillow,almostasifstaringherdown,ordaringhertoflinch.“AllI’msuggestingisthatyourecheckyourfigures.AndIthinkyou’llfindagrademorefittingtoanathleteofGage’sstature.Perhapssomethingina‘D.’”
HeleftWillowaloneintheclassroom,hergoodmoodshattered.
XandercouldbarelybelievewhatWillowwassaying.Actually,hecouldbelieveit—PrincipalSnyderhadbeenaroundlongenoughtomakehiscontemptforanyoneundertheageofthirtywellknown,thatXandercouldbelievejustaboutanything.Butstill...
“Justlikethat?”heasked.“Heactuallytoldyoutoalterhisgrade?”
Theywerecomingdownfromthesecondfloor,Cordeliabetweenthem,heandWillowflankingher.Cordylooked,hehadtosay,terrificinaveryshortblackskirtwithasleevelesswhitesweater,acoupleofblackstripesaroundhermidriff.
“Exactly,”Willowreplied,bringinghisattentionbacktothesubjectathand.“Exceptforactuallytellingmeto.Buthemadeitperfectlyclearwhathewasn’ttellingme.”
Theyhitthefirstfloor,madearightturn,headedtowardclass.“Thatiswrong,”Xanderdeclared.“Big,fat,spankingwrong.It’saslapinthefacetoeveryoneofusthatstudiedhardandworkedlonghourstoearnourDs.”
Cordeliacontributedherownbrandofupliftingdialoguetotheconversation.“Xander,Iknowyoutakeprideinbeingthevoiceofthecommonwuss,butthe
“Xander,Iknowyoutakeprideinbeingthevoiceofthecommonwuss,butthetruthiscertainpeopleareentitledtospecialprivileges.They’recalledwinners.That’sthewaytheworldworks.”
Hetriedtoignorethefactthatthegirlspeakingwasalsotheonehewasdating.Afterall,shewasstillCordelia,eveniftheybothhadexperiencedsudden,andrecurring,lossesofjudgment.“Andwhataboutthatnutty‘allmenarecreatedequal’thing?”
“Propagandaspoutedoutbytheuglyandlessdeserving.”
“IthinkthatwasLincoln,”Xanderoffered.
“Disgustingmoleandstupidhat,”Cordysaid.
“Actually,”Willowpointedout,“itwasJefferson.”
“Keptslaves,remember?”
XanderwasalittlesurprisedbyCordelia’sgraspofAmericanhistory,butkeptthattohimself.“Youknowwhatreallygratesmycheese?”heasked.“ThatBuffy’snotheretosharemymoraloutrageaboutswimteamperks.She’stoobusybeingoneofthem.”
CameronWalker’smidnightblueFordMustangpulledintotheschoolparkinglot.LunchwithCamoff-campushadbeen—well,“interesting”wasn’texactlythewordforit,becauseitwasn’t.Or,hewasn’t.Maybe“enlightening,”shethought,hermindwandering.
“Idon’tknow,adolphin,”Cameronwassaying.Rather,continuingtosay,sincehehadbeentalkingnon-stopforbasicallytheentirelunchperiod.Andthethingofitwas,shecouldn’trememberasinglethinghehadsaid.“Adolphinintheocean.Because,youknow,whenI’minthevastnessoftheocean,it’slikeI’mneveralone.YoueverhearofawomannamedGertrudeEderle?”
“No.No,Ican’tsaythatIhave,Cam.”
Herresponsewasprettymuchjustanopportunityforhimtodrawabreath.Hedidn’tactuallylistentoher.Shefelthereyelidsgettingheavyashedronedon.“FirstwomantoswimtheEnglishChannel.Samething.Shewouldtalktoit.She’dcarryonentireconversationswithit.SometimesIdothat.OnceIwasout
She’dcarryonentireconversationswithit.SometimesIdothat.OnceIwasout—”
“Listen,Cam.”Sheinterruptedhim,fearingforhersanityifhewentonanylonger.“Thanksagain.I’dforgottenhowniceitistojusttalk...orinmycase,listen,withoutanyromanticpressure.”
“Hey,I’mnotaboutpressure,”hesaid.“Ijustwantyoucomfortable.”
“I’mcomfy,”shesaid.“I’msocomfyI’mnoddingoff,actually.Whichiswhy—”
Histurntointerrupt.“Areyouwearingabra?”Hisgazeroameddownthefrontofhersleevelesstop.
What?shethought.“What?”
“C’mon,”Cameronsaid.“Imean,tellmeyouhaven’tbeenthinkingaboutthiseversincelastnight.”
Buffyreachedforthedoorhandle.“WhatI’mthinkingaboutisthatIshouldprobablygetoutofhere.”
ButCameronknewthecarbetterthanshedid,andhepunchedtheelectronicdoorlockbuttonbeforeshegotherdooropen.Thelockschunkedshut.Herhandledidn’twork.
“Relax,”hesaid.“I’mnotgoingtohurtyou.”
Well,duh.Sheknewthat.ShewastheSlayer,afterall.IfbeingkilledbytheMasterdidn’tslowherdown,aneagerswimmerdidn’thavemuchchanceagainsther.“Oh,it’snotmeI’mworriedabout.”
Cam,though,seemedtolikethesoundofthat.“Youlikeitrough,”hesaid,reachingforher.
Shecaughtthereachingarm,yankeditforwardtopullhimoffbalance.Withherotherhandshegrabbedthehaironthebackofhishead,slamminghimbackagainsthisseat,andthendrivinghisfaceforwardintothesteeringwheel.ThehornhonkedasCam’shonkerhammeredit.
“Ow!”hescreeched.“Oh,youbrokemynose!”
“Ow!”hescreeched.“Oh,youbrokemynose!”
Justthenshenoticed,asCameronheldhisfaceinhishandsandmoaned,PrincipalSnyderlookingintothecar.“Unhappy”wasthekindestwordshecouldthinkofforhisexpression.Hegavehertheuniversal“comehere”fingerwag,exceptthatinthiscaseitwasmoreofa“comehereandmeetsixweeksofdetention”gesture.
Later,inNurseGreenleigh’soffice,thestockywomanpreparedanicepackforCam’snose.Preparedinthesenseofslammingitdownonacountertopwithenoughforcetosoundlikeasmallexplosion.SheputtheicepackonCameron’sface,andheflinched.Therewasalreadyabandagewrappedaroundhiswrist.
Buffywastooconcernedwithdefendingherselftocaremuchaboutwhathewasgoingthrough.
“Iwasn’ttheattacker,PrincipalSnyder,”shesaid.“Iwastheattacked.”
“That’snothowitlookedfromwhereIwasstanding.”
“Idon’tknowwhathappened,”Cameronaddedhelpfully.“Imean,firstsheleadsmeon,thenshegoesschizoonme.”
“Leadyouon?”Buffyasked,astonished.Doeshereallybelieve—?“WhendidIleadyouon?”
“C’mon,”hesaid,moretoMr.Snyderthantoher.“Imean,lookatthewayshedresses.”
Whichwasn’t,shethought,reallysobad,wasit?Areasonablytight—butnotexcessivelyso—sleevelessblackV-necktop,ashortwhiteskirt,blackboots.What’swrongwiththis?
Thedooropenedandanothervisitorenteredthecrowdednurse’soffice.CoachMarin,theswimcoach.Hewasabig,sturdyman,white-haired,cladallinSunnydaleHighburgundyandgold.Schoolspiritpersonified,shethought.Ourfirstwinningcoachinyears.Cometosoothehiswoundedwarrior.
JustwhatIneed.
“Coach,”Mr.Snydersaid.
ThecoachpushedpastSnyder,approachedCam.
“Howwedoing,Cameron?”heasked.
Cameronmovedtheicepackaway,heldhisnoseoutforthecoach’sinspection.
“CoachMarin,”PrincipalSnydersaid.“Howbaddoesitlook?”
ThecoachexaminedCam’snoselikeageneralinspectinghistroops.“Well,luckily,it’snotbroken.Butitsureashell’sgonnastingforafewdays.”
“Imean,ourchanceofwinningthestatechampionship,”theprincipalsaid,clarifyinghispriorities.HedrewCoachMarintooneside.“Canwestilldoit?”
“Oh.”Marinsaid.“I’mgonnaneedCambackatahundredandtenpercent.He’sthebestswimmerIgot,nowthatDodd...”Hetrailedoff.
“WhathappenedtoDodd?”Buffyasked.
“That’snoneofyourconcern,”Mr.Snydersnappedather.“You’dbetterhopethatboy’snosehealsbeforethemeetthisFriday.”
CoachMarinleftthem,wentbacktowhereCamsatontheexaminingtable.“Walker,”hesaid,“Iwantyoutohitthesteamroomassoonasyou’redonehere.Trytokeepthosesinusesclear.”TurningtoNurseGreenleigh,headded,“Youtakecareofmyboy,Ruthie.”
“Ialwaysdo,”thenursereplied.
ThenCoachMarinaddressedBuffy.“Andyou,trytodressmoreappropriatelyfromnowon.Thisisn’tadanceclub.”Helookedherupanddownonce,andstalkedaway.PrincipalSnyderfollowedthecoach.Camjustsatonthetable,theicepacknearhisfacenotquitehidingthebigunpleasantgrinthere.
*
“SoI’mtreatedlikethebaddie,”Buffytoldherfriends.“Justbecausehehasasprainedwristandabloodynose,andIdon’thaveascratchonme.Which,granted,hurtsmycasealittleonthesurface.Butmeanwhile,hegetsawaywithitbecausehe’sonthe‘aren’twethemost’swimteam,who,bytheway,ifnoone’snoticed,havebeenactinglikerealjerkslately...”
one’snoticed,havebeenactinglikerealjerkslately...”
SheslowedherrantlongenoughtorealizethatGiles,Willow,andXanderwerealllookingupatherfromtheirvariousbooks.Willwasseatedbehindatable,Gilesleaningonitnearher,andXandersatontopofthetable,abigbookopeninhislap.Itlooks,Buffythought,morelikestudyhallthanthelibrary.Well,sheamended,itactuallydidlooklikealibrary,shejustwasn’tallthatusedtoitbeingusedasone.
“So,”shelaughedsoftly.“Anythingnewwithyouguys?”Shesatinachairattheendofthetable.
“Thankyoufortakinganinterest,”Gilessaid.Asalways,hisBritishaccentmadeeverythinghesaidsoundso,well,English,orsomething.“Apparently,someremainswerefoundonthebeachthismorning.Somehumanremains.”
“DoddMcAlvy’sremains,”Willowadded.
“Vampires?”Buffyasked.
“No,”Gilesreplied.“Hewaseviscerated.Nothingleftbutskinandcartilage.”
“Inotherwords,”Xanderoffered,“thiswasnoboatingaccident!”
“So,somethingrippedhimopenandateouthisinsides?”Buffyasked,incredulous.
“LikeanOreocookie,”Willowsaid.Theotherslookedather,butnoonespoke.“Well,”shewenton,“exceptfor,youknow,withoutthechocolateycookiegoodness.”
“PrincipalSnyder’saskedthefacultytokeepthenewsquietfornowsoasnottoundulyupsetthestudents,”Gilessaid.
“For‘students,’read‘swimteam.’”ThesarcasmwasevidentinXander’stone.
“So,we’relookingforabeastie,”Willowexplained.
Gilespickedupthethread.“Thateatshumanswhole,exceptfortheskin.”
“Thisdoesn’tmakeanysense,”Buffysaid.
“Yeah!”Xanderagreed.“Theskin’sthebestpart!”
Buffyshrugged,asin,mypointexactly.“Anydemonswithhighcholesterol?”
Gilesturnedandgaveheralook.
“You’regonnathinkaboutthatlater,mister,andyou’regonnalaugh,”Buffysaid,pointingathimforemphasis.
Shehopeditwastrue.
CameronWalkersatinthesteamroom,hunchedover,elbowsrestingonhisknees.Thewarmhealingmistsoothedhisachingmuscles,buthisnosewasstillbotheringhim.Hetippedhisheadback,touchedhisnosewithhisfingers,drewthemaway.Noblood.Theskinhadbeenbroken,butatleastthebleedinghadbeenstopped.
Hethoughtheheardanoise,somewhereoutsidethesteamroom.Helistened.Nothing.Hebegantorelaxagain—
Andthedoorflewopen.Cameronstarted.
“Okay,son,”CoachMarinsaid.“Ithinkyou’vehadenough.Timetohittheshower.”Thecoachdisappearedthroughthefog.
Night.Theschoolwasasclosetosilentasbigbuildingseverget.Xanderheadeddowntheemptycorridor,jinglingchangeinhishand.Hewasparched,andhiseyeswerecrossingfromallthereadingthey’dbeendoing.Whywasn’ttheresomekindofUnabridgedDemonicDictionary?“Toomuchresearch,”hesaidashewent.“Needbeverage.”
Hewaslookingatthecoinsinhispalm,counting,sohewasn’tlookingattheintersectinghallway.
WhichwaswhereCameronWalkerwascomingfrom,alsonotlooking.HeslammedintoXander,scatteringhiscoinsonthefloor.
“Hey,watchit,”Camsaid.
XandergaveCamanawedexpression,asifhavingencounteredroyalty.“Oh,forgiveme,yourswimteamliness.”Hesquattedtopickuphischange.
forgiveme,yourswimteamliness.”Hesquattedtopickuphischange.
“Loser,”Cameronsaid,continuingonhisway.
“Likingthenose,Cam,”Xandersaid.“Goodlookforyou.”
Camstopped,turnedbacktofaceXander.“Meaningwhat?”
“MeaningBuffymustnotbeonyourlistofprivilegesafterall.”Camclosedwithhim,armscrossedoverhischest,butXanderheldhisgroundandlaughed.“Man,Iloveitwhenyouguysmesswithher.”
Cameronshookhisheaddismissively.“You’reluckyI’mhungry.”
“Oh,thecafeteria’sclosed,”Xandersaid,drippingmocksympathy.
“Nottome.”
Heheadedinthatdirection,leavingXanderstandingintheintersection,wonderingwhatitwasaboutswimteammembersthatmadethemthinktheywereputontheplanetfortherestofhumanitytoserve.
*
Thecafeteriawasdark.Moonlightstripedthewalls.Warminglightswarmedemptystainlesssteeltrays.Nofoodtobeseen.Cameronwalkedthroughthebigroom.Therewouldbesomethingaround,maybebackinthefreezers.
Butouthere,therewasanastysmell.“God,whatisthat?”heaskednooneinparticular.
Nooneanswered.
Xanderstoodbeforethesodamachine,facedwiththeeternaldilemma.Somanychoices,onlyonemouth.“Grape,orange.Orange,grape.”
Andfromthedirectionofthecafeteria,abone-shillingscreamsplitthesilence.
Sodachoiceswouldhavetowait.Heran.
Thecafeterialookedemptywhenhegotthere.Lightsoff,nobodyhome.
Butsomebodyhadscreamed,andGagehadbeencomingthisway.Xanderwent
Butsomebodyhadscreamed,andGagehadbeencomingthisway.Xanderwentin.
Henoticed,prettyquickly,thattableswereupended,chairsscattered.Thecustodiansdidn’tusuallyleavetheplaceinthiskindofshape.Whichmeantsomethinghadhappened.
And,fromthesmelloftheplace,thatsomethingwasn’tinthecategoryofgoodsomethings.Thesmellwasrank.Fetid,even.
Hecamearoundoneoftheoverturnedtablesandsawit.Asteamingpileofsomething,clothingandskinandgenerallybloodyickiness.Mostofitwasunrecognizable,buttherewasahandthatstilllookedlikeahand,fivefingersandeverything.
Xanderfeltnauseated.Heputahandoverhisnoseandmouth,bothtoblockoutthesmellandtokeephimselffromgettingsick.“OhmyGod,”hesaid.“OhGod.”
Hehadtogethelp.Buffyandtheothersareinthelibrary,hethought.Icouldbethereinlessthanaminute,ifIleftrightnow.EspeciallyifIrun.
Runningwasdefinitelyintheplan.
Heturnedtodojustthat,butthenhedidn’t.
Becausewhenheturned,hefoundhimselfface-to-facewithamonsterfromhisworstnightmares.
Itwasgreenandcoveredinscales.Ithadteeth,lotsofteeth,andhangingdownbesideitshorribleopenmouthwerewhiskers,fishwhiskerslikeacatfishhas,whichisthereasonit’scalledacatfish,otherwiselookingnothinglikeacat.Itshandsendedinfingerswithbigclawsonthem.Itstoodalmostaheadtallerthanhim.
Itscreamed.
SodidXander.
CHAPTER8Cordelia,itturnedout,couldsortofdraw.Which,whoknew?Xanderhadthoughtherskillswerelimitedtocheerleading,cuttingsarcasm,andpersonalgrooming.Butthereshesat,sketchpadonherlap,pencilinherhand,sketchingoutacreaturethatboresomeresemblancetothethinghehadencounteredinthecafeteria.
Emphasison“some”resemblance.
“No,themouth’salotbigger,”hesaid.“Anddownward.Likethis.”Hedemonstrated,turninghisownmouthdown.“Withmoreteeth.”
Shedroppedthepadandpencildownonthetableandstood,impatienceinhervoice.“I’mdoingthebestIcan.”
“Isthatwhatyousaw,Xander?”Gilesasked,tryingtodefusethings.
“Yeah.Ithinkso.Prettymuch.”
Gilesdrewthenextpartout.GivingXandertimetodecide,yesorno.“Areyousure?”
“Well,itwasdark.Andthethingwentthroughthewindowsoquick.AndIwasalittleshockedwhenIsawitand...”
“Goahead,sayit,”Cordyprompted.“Youranlikeawoman.”Thatbitingsarcasmtalent,comingthroughagain.
“Hey,”Xanderprotested.“Ifyousawthisthingyou’drunlikeawoman,too.”
Thelibrarydoorswungopen,andBuffyandWillowcamein.
“Buffywasright,”Willannounced.“Accordingtostatistics,DoddandCameronwerethebestswimmersontheteam.”ShehandedGilesacomputerprintout.
“Firstandsecond,actually,”Buffyputin.“Whichmeans,ifmytheory’scorrect,thatGagePetronzi,thethirdbestswimmerontheteam,wouldbethenextitemonthemenu.”
onthemenu.”
“God,thisissosad,”Cordeliasaid.Xanderwassurprised.Atouchofhumanity?“We’renevergoingtowinthestatechampionship,”shecontinued.Falsealarm.“IthinkI’velostallwilltocheerlead.”
Xanderliftedonehandintotheair.“Raiseyourhandifyoufeelherpain.”
Gilesignoredthemboth,studyingtheprintout.“Ifyou’resayingthesekillingsaren’trandom,”hesaid,“itwouldsuggestsomeone’soutforrevenge.”
“Andraisethepossibilitythatsomeonebroughtforththisseademonfromwhenceitcametoexactthatrevenge,”Buffysaid.Then,asifhearingherownwordsforthefirsttime,shelookedatGilesandadded,“‘fromwhenceitcame?’I’mspendingwaytoomuchtimearoundyou.”
“Whowouldhatetheswimteamthatmuch,though?”Xanderasked.“Besidesme,Imean.”
Willowhadathought,whichsheexpressedbyraisingherhandandsaying,“Ooo.”
Buffyencouragedher.“Willow?”
“Jonathon!HewasbulliedbyDoddtheotherdayonthebeach,remember?”
“Hedidsayhecouldtakecareofthingshimself,”Buffysaid.“It’sagoodcall,Will.Youshouldquestionhim.”
Willowwasalittletakenaback,butsmiledquickly.“Really?Me?”sheasked,thengotintoit.“I’llcrackhimlikeanegg.”
“Meanwhile,”Gilessaid,hisover-the-glassesgazelandingonBuffy,“Ithinkswimmernumberthreemightbenefitfromyourwatchfuleyeandprotection.Discreetly,ofcourse.”
“I’monit,”Buffysaid.
“Whataboutme?”Xanderasked.“WhatcanIdo?”
“Well,”Cordeliasaid.“Youcouldgoouttotheparkinglotandpracticerunninglikeaman.”
likeaman.”
Xanderfoldedhisarmsoverhischest,defensively.Thereweresomethingsshewasjusttoogoodat.
GagePetronzisatinthestudentlounge,feetuponatable,hisattentionrivetedtoahandheldvideogame.
OrsoBuffyhoped.
Itwasthenextday,andtheloungewasfullofstudents.Butitwasn’tsofullthathewouldn’tbeabletoseehersittingthere,ifhelookedup.Shewasnotexactlyinconspicuousinherbrightpurpleshirtandblackpants.Sheheldamagazineinfrontofherface,flippingpagesnowandthentomakeitlooklikeshewasreadingit.Butmostly,shewatchedGage.Thelastthingsheneededwasforoneofthosecreaturestosnatchhimrightoutfromunderher.
Helookedup.Sheturnedawayquickly,lockinghergazeonthemagazine.Whenshethoughtitwassafe,shesnuckanotherglancehisway.
TheinterrogationtookplaceinWillow’scomputerclassroom.ShehadJonathonsittinginthefrontrow,hergooseneckdesklampturnedandaimedintohiseyes.She’dseenenoughmoviestoknowhowthisworked.EvenBasicInstinct,butthen,shethought,thatdidn’tre-allyapplyinthiscase.
“So,Jonathon,”shesaid,inherbestinterrogativevoice.“Youtriedoutfortheswimteamtwiceandnevermadeit?”
“I’masthmatic,”herepliedsimply.“Icouldn’tkeepup.”
“Youresentedit,didn’tyou?”
“Maybe.”
“YouhatedbeingpushedaroundbyDoddandtheothers.”Andwhowouldn’t?shethought.
“So?”
Foramoment,shethoughthehadherthere.Butthenshepulleditout.“So,youwantedrevenge,didn’tyou?”Andagain,louder,rightinhisface.“Didn’tyou?”
Thiswasthepartwheretheyalwaysbrokedownandconfessed.
Jonathonblinkedbacktears.“Yeah,okay?Idid!”
Success.
Norubberhosesevennecessary.
Thisgrillingthingiseasierthanitlooks.
“So,”shewenton.“Youdelvedintotheblackartsandconjuredupabeastfromtheocean’sdepthstowreakyourvengeance.”
Helookedatherlikeshehadgoneinsane.
“Didn’tyou?”
Heshookhishead,clearlyconfusedbytheturnshehadtaken.“What?No,Isnuckinyesterdayandpeedinthepool.”
“Oh.”Hershouldersfellindisappointment.Then,realizingwhathehaddone,shemadeaface.“Eew.”
CoachMarinandPrincipalSnyderenteredthebuilding,walkedthroughthecrowdedschoolhallways.CoachMarin,asusual,worehisschoolcolorslikeabadgeofhonor.Theprincipalwasdressedinanothergrayvestedsuit,althoughtheshirtandtieweredifferentpatternsthanthedaybefore.
“Thisissuchablow,”thecoachcomplained.“Soonerorlatertherestofmyboysaregonnafindout.HowcanIaskthemtoswim?”
“It’saterrible,terribletragedy,”PrincipalSnydersaid.Theyturnedintothestudentlounge.“Weallfeelyourpain,Coach.Idon’tknowtwofinerboysthanCameronand...thatotherone.”Hestoppedthecoach,pointingwithonefingertoemphasizehispoint.“ButIknowthey’dwanttheirfriendstogoonandwinthatstatechampionship.It’stimetothinkabouttheteam.”
“Well,Idon’thaveafullteamasitis,”CoachMarinsaid.“Ifwedon’tfindsomeonebythisafternoon’stryouts,wewon’tbeeligibletocompete.”
“You’llfindsomeone,”Mr.Snyderassuredhim.“Allhehastodoisweara
“You’llfindsomeone,”Mr.Snyderassuredhim.“Allhehastodoiswearabathingsuit,right?”
Thetwomencontinuedthroughthelounge,outofearshot.ButXander,sittingatanearbytable,hadheardenough.
Gageleanedoverthepooltable,intohisshot.Heworehisteamjacket,goodoldburgundyandgold,overawhitesweater.MusicfromthePAalmostdrownedoutthesharpreportofthestickhittingthecueball,thecrackasthecuerolledintoitstarget.
Hewasplayingalone.
Sittingatthepastrybar,Buffywasalsoalone.Herhairwaspulledintoabun,securedbyachopstick.Sheworeallblacknow,thebettertoblendintotheshadowsoftheBronze.
Butitwasn’tworking.
Gagefelthergazeonhim,lookedup.Sheglancedaway,leftthebar,casuallystrolledtoaspotbehindoneoftheI-beamsthatsupportedtheroof.
Butshewasn’tentirelyhiddenbehindthebeam,andhespottedherthere,too.Hetossedhisstickontothetable,leftthegame.
Shestartedtomove,comingaroundthebeamtokeephiminsight.
Andwalkedrightintohim.
Shetriedtogoaroundtheothersideofthebeam,buthemetherthereaswell.
“This‘meandmyshadow’act?”Gagesaid.“It’sgettingold.Whatdoyouwantfromme?”
Caughtoffguard,shetriedtothinkonherfeet.“Well,um...It’salittleembarrassing,butsee...I’maswimgroupie.”
“Uh-huh,”Gagesaid.Notbuyingit.
Buffydugherselfindeeper.“Ohyeah.There’sjustsomethingaboutthesmellofchlorineonaguy.”Shereachedforsexy.“Ohbaby.”
Hesaid“Mmm,”andturnedonhisheel.
Hesaid“Mmm,”andturnedonhisheel.
Shechasedafterhim,gotinfrontofhim,andbroughthimtoastop.“Okay,okay,”shesaid.“Okay,obviouslymysexappealisonthefritztoday,soI’lljustgiveittoyoustraight.There’ssomethinglurkingaroundmakingfilletsoutofthepopulaceandIthinkyoumightbenext.”
Hewasnomoreconvincedbythisstorythanhewasbythelast.“Uh-huh.Andyouthinkthatbecause—”
“Well,it’salreadyattacked...it’salreadykilledsomepeople.”
“You’reonetwistedsister,youknowthat?Camtoldmeaboutyourgames.Gofindsomeoneelsetoharass.”Hepushedpastherandwentoutthedoor.Shehadblownit,bigtime,andcouldn’tevenbringherselftofollowhim.
Evenoutside,hecouldn’tshakethecreepyfeelingBuffygavehim.Gageshookhishead,tryingtoclearit.“Whatapsycho,”hesaid.
Hehadbeentalkingtohimself,butnowhenoticedsomeoneelseinthealley,atallguyinadarkcoat.Handsome,butpale.Theguymusthaveheard,becausehespoke.
“GottabetalkingaboutBuffy,”hesaid.
“How’dyouknow?”Gageasked.
“SheandI...hadthisthingonce,”thestrangerexplained.“Biggestmistakeofmylife.”
Nokidding.“Mycondolences,dude,”Gagesaid.
“She’sarealheadtripper,”theguywenton.Gagewasstartingtobealittlefreakedoutbythepersonalwaythisguywastalkingtohim.Afterall,they’djustmet.Actually,theyhadn’tmet.
“Tellmeaboutit.Girlthinksshe’sGod’sgiftorsomething.”
“Whoisshe,theChosenOne?”thestrangerasked.
“Exactly.”
“Youknow,”theguycontinued.“Whatshereallyneedsisforsomeonetoknockherdownafewnotches.”
“That’dbesweet,”Gagesaid,likingtheconcept.“Anyoneinmind?”
“You’reinluck,myfriend...”
Gageturnedbacktoseewhyhewasinluck,buttheguywasn’twherehehadbeen.Hecouldstillhearthestranger’svoice,though,continuing.
“Justsohappens...”
Andthentheguywasinfrontofhim,eventhoughitdidn’tseemlikeanyonecouldmovethatfast.Andhewasdifferentnow.Hisforeheadwas...thicker,somehow.Andridged.Itmadehiseyeslooksmaller,beady.Andhisteethwere...well,fangswastheonlywordthatcametomind.
“I’mrecruiting.”
Gagetriedtoscreamastheguylungedathim,growlinglikeananimal.Gagemanagedtogetoutacoupleofhoarseshouts,puthisarmsup.Buttheguybatteredawayhisdefenses.He’sstrong,Gagethought.Thentheguymovedin,grippingGageinanunshakablegrasp,andthenGagefeltthestranger’steethbiteintohisneck.Theyarefangs,hethought,astheysankdeepinhisflesh.“Hey,getoff!”heshouted.“Help!Getoffofme!Help!”
Buthealsorealizedthatthestrengthofhisshoutswasdiminishingwitheverypassingmoment.Ifnoonehadheardyet,noonewaslikelytonow.
BuffylefttheBronze,feelingverymuchdefeated.Shecouldn’texactlywatchdogGageifhedidn’twanttobewatchdogged.Buthewasnextuponthefeedingfrenzylist,shewassure.Shedidn’twanttheskinsofanymorestudentsleftlyingaround,emptiedoutlikeoldgrocerybags.Especiallywhensheknewwhothenextvictimwouldbe.
Sheheardastrangledcry,maybebecauseshewaslisteningfortrouble,ormaybejustbecauseshewastheSlayer,andthatwasthekindofthingshedid.
ItsoundedlikeGage.Anditsoundedlikehewassayingsomethinglike,“Help!Getoffofme!Help!”
Getoffofme!Help!”
Sheran,aroundthecorneranddownthealley.
Andtherehewas,sprawledoutontheground.Standingabovehim,someonedressedindarkclotheswasspittinglikehe’djusttastedsomethingtrulyick-inducing.
Shespunandlashedoutwithakick,knockinghimbackawayfromGage.Herespondedwithafamiliargrowl.Vampire.Sheyankedthechopstick—sharpenedtoapoint—fromherbun.Herhairfelldownaroundherface.
AndsherecognizedAngel,finally,atthesamemomentthatherecognizedher.
Sheheldthechopstickattheready.
“Why,MissSummers,”Angelsaidwithacoldsmile.“You’rebeautiful.”
Beforeshecouldfigureouthowtorespondtothat,hereacheddown,liftingGageaseasilyasonewouldachild.Angelthrewthelimpswimmerather,andtheybothwentdowninatangleoflimbs.Bythetimeshehadregainedherfeet,Angelwasrunningawayintothenight.Shedidn’tbothertogivechase.
“Oh,”Gagesaid,gettingtohisfeet.Hewasbleedingfromthebite,butotherwiseokay.“WasthatthethingthatkilledCameron?”
“No,”Buffyassuredhim.“Thatwassomethingelse.”
“Somethingelse?”heasked,surprised.
“Yeah,unfortunatelywehavealotofsomethingelsesinthistown,”shesaidflatly.“G’night.”
Butshehadn’tgonemorethantwostepswhenGagecalledout.“Hey!Walkmehome?”
Theywalked.
*
SunnydaleHigh’sOlympic-sizedpoolwasindoors,surroundedbywoodenbleachers.Inyearspast,thosebleacherswereseldomused,evenduringthe
bleachers.Inyearspast,thosebleacherswereseldomused,evenduringtheswimteam’smeets.Butthisyear,withthestatechampionshipwithingrasp,theywerejammedformeets,andevenpracticesessionsdrewspectators.
ThespectatorstodayincludedBuffy,Willow,andCordelia,althoughtheyhadadifferentagendathanmostofthecrowd.
Theteammembersstoodattheedgeofthepool,looseandrelaxed.Theyallworeswimcapsandgoggles.CoachMarinshouted,“Swimmers!Takeposition!”andtheswimmersdroppedintotheirstartingcrouches,readytodive.
Heblewashort,sharpblastfromhiswhistle.Suddenlytheairwasfullofswimmersinmotion.Theyhitthewater,eachinhisownlane,andstartedreachingout,cuppingthewaterintheirhands,propellingthemselvesthelengthofthepool.
CoachMarinwalkedalongsideastheywent,shoutingoutwordsofencouragement.“Keepitgoing,keepitgoing,”hesaid.“Allthewaytotheend.Allthewaytotheend.”Herepeatedhimselfasiftheyweresmallchildren,ormaybebigoneswhowerenotallthatbright.Butthenagain,Buffyreflected,shehadspentquiteabitoftimewithCameronWalker,whosheknewforafactwasnoEinstein.Somaybealittlerepetitionisagoodthing.
“Breathedeep,”thecoachsaid.Confirmationoftheory.
Gagestoppedswimminginthemiddleofthepool,scannedtheaudience.WhenhesawBuffy,hewaved.Shegavehimalittlehandwaggleinreturn.
Butthecoachspottedhimtoo.“Gage,youwithusornot?”hedemanded.“C’mon,let’sgo!”
Coincidentally,BuffyhadbeentellingWillandCordy,betweenthehandfulsofpopcornthatweretoday’slunch,abouttheeventsoutsidetheBronzethenightbefore.
“Hejustspititout?”Cordeliaasked.“IthoughtAngellikedblood.”
“Heusedto,”Buffyagreed.
“Maybehiseyesweretoobigforhisstomach?”Willowsaid.
“OrmaybetherewassomethinginGage’sbloodAngeldidn’tlike,”Buffy
“OrmaybetherewassomethinginGage’sbloodAngeldidn’tlike,”Buffyoffered.“Say,forexample,steroids.”
“Thatwouldexplainalltheirbehavioralchanges,”Willowsaid.
“Andthewinningstreak,”Cordeliaadded.
Willowtookthelogicalnextstep.“Somaybewhateverisintheirbloodiswhat’sattractingthiscreaturetothem!”
“Anyluckresearchingourfishmonster?”BuffyaskedCordy.
“Zippo.Wecouldn’tfindanyseademonsthatmatchthedescriptionthatXandergaveus.NotthatChickenLittle’smuchofawitness,but—”Cordeliastoppedinmidsentence,distractedbysomethingdownattheendofthepool.
“Oh,”Cordeliasaid,eyeswidening.“Oh.Oh,my.That,girls,ismykindof...”
Buffyturnedtoseewhatthegirlwaslookingat.Aswimmerwalkedtowardthepool,strong,muscularlegsleadingtoatiny,tightSpeedo.Aboveit,anarrowwaistflaredtoastrongchest,broadshoulders,powerfularms.
Goggleshungathisneck.
Abovethat,Xander’sface.
“Xander?”Willowsaid,astonishmentringinginhertone.
“Xander?”Cordyechoed.HearinghisnameseemedtoremindXanderofwhathewaswearing.Or,notwearing.Hescrambledforakickboard,helditinfrontofthelittleswimsuit.Behindhim,forwhatgooditdid,heheldhisyellowswimcap.
Thegirlsclimbeddownfromthebleachers.
“Whatthehellareyoudoinghere?”Cordeliaaskedhim.
Xanderwhisperedhisreply.“I’mundercover.”
“You’renotundermuch,”Buffyobserved,stiflingagiggle.
“Getoutofherebeforesomeoneseesyouimpersonatingaswimteammember,”
“Getoutofherebeforesomeoneseesyouimpersonatingaswimteammember,”Cordeliainstructedhim.
“Idon’tdoimpersonations,”Xanderprotested.“Itriedoutfortheteamlastnight.Imadeit.”
“Really?”
“Yeah,”heexplained.“IfigureIcankeepaneyeonGageandtheotherswhenBuffycan’t.”
“Whenyou’renude?”Willowasked.BuffygaveWillowasmack,andshecorrectedherself.“Imeanttosay‘changing.’”
Atweetfromthecoach’swhistlecuttheair.
“Harris,”CoachMarincalled.“Youcanflirtonyourowntime.”
“Okie-dokiecoachie,”Xandersaid.Hebackedawayfromthegirls,tossedthekickboardbacktowardthepileitcamefrom,andjoinedtherestoftheteam.
Cordeliaseemedalmostinawe,butBuffycouldn’ttellwhetheritwasofhimorofherself.“I’mdatingaswimmerfromtheSunnydaleswimteam,”thecheerleadersaid,almostdreamily.
“Youcandiehappy,”Buffytoldher.
Cordydidn’tseemtohear.ShewastoobusywatchingXanderadjusthisgogglesashestoodwithhistoesatthepool’send,preparingtodivein.
“WhataboutJonathon?”BuffyaskedWillow,tryingtogetbacktotheearlierdiscussion.“Heinvolved?”
“Oh,no,”Willowanswered.“Hejust,uh...hesortofpeedinthepool.”
“Oh,”Buffysaid.
Xanderdove.
Buffyrealizedwhathewasdivinginto.“Oh,”shesaidagain.Thistime,though,hertonewasmuchmoredistressed.
Xanderdidn’thavealotofexperiencewithsteamrooms.Forthatmatter,sittingaroundanykindofroomwithabunchofguyswearingnothingbuttowelswasprettynewtohim.Thefactthatnoonewastalkingmadeitthatmuchworse.Alongsilencecouldbeuncomfortable.Along,nakedsilencewasdownrightunbearable.
Sohefilledthespace.“Don’tyouguysgetclaustrophobicinhere?”heasked.“Imean,what’sthedeal?Youperspirealot,youcan’tbreathe.Orread.Imean,youcould,butthepageswouldprobablygetallwet...”
Inthelockerroom,justoutsidethesteamroom,therewasadrainleadingintothesewersystemthatranbeneaththeschool.Overthedrainwasagrate,acoupleoffeetsquare.Normally,thegratejustsatthereinthefloor,asgratestendtodo.
Butthiswasnot“normally.”Andalsonotnormalweretheclawed,scalyfingersthathookedthroughthegrate,liftingitoutoftheway...
Buffypaced.ShepretendedtoreadaNoSmokingnoticeonthecorridorwall.Thenshegotsoboredsheactuallydidreadit.Thenshepacedagain.Finally,sheleanedagainstthewall.
Morefinallythanthat,Xandercameoutofthelockerroom,awhitetoweldrapedoverhishead.Ifhe’sgoingfortheLawrenceofArabialook,shethought,hehasn’tquitegraspedtheconcept.
“Yougottalovethisundercoverdeal,”hesaid.“Twentyminutesinahotroomwithabunchofsweatyguys.”
“Where’sGage?”sheasked,gettingrighttobusiness.
“Idon’tknow.Hewasrightbehindme,puttinghissneakerson.Butthey’renottheVelcrokind,sogivehimacoupleofextraminutes.”Xandertappedheronthearmashewalkedoff.“Tag,you’reit.”
Backtowaiting.
Insidethelockerroom,Gagewasindeedtyinghisshoelaces.Ashefinished,henoticedaputridodorcomingfromsomewhere.Hesniffed.Nothisshoes.Heraisedhisarms,checkinghimself.Nope.Hewasshower-fresh.
Heleftthebench,walkingthroughthedesertedlockerroom.Itsmelledlikeawalrushadcurledupinsideoneofthelockersanddied.
Thedisgustingodorwasevenmorepronouncedatoneparticularbankoflockers.Hesniffed,followedthestinktoaspecificlocker.Heopenedit.
Buffywasbeyondbored,andgrowingedgy.Howlongcouldittakeforoneswimmertotieapairofshoes?Maybethechlorinedoessomethingtothementalprocesses,shethought.Orthesteroids.Fastinthewater,slowonland.
Shewasonhermillionthpacewhensheheardhimscream.
“Oh,God!”Gagecalled.
Sheshovedthroughtheswingingdoorsandranintothelockerroom.Hewasstillscreaming,panicinhisvoice.“Help!Helpme!Helpme!”
Whenshecamearoundthebankoflockers,therehewas.Andthere,also,wasoneofthefishmonstersXanderhadseen,closinginonhim.
BuffyshovedGagebackoutoftheway.Hehitthelockersandslidtothefloor,terrified.Helookedlikehewasinpain,butBuffy’sfirstconcernhadtobethehuge,slimycreaturefromthedepths.Shefacedit,readyforittomakeitsmove.
ButGageletoutanotherscream.Somethingwasverywrongwithhim.Themonsterwasn’tattacking,soshetookacalculatedrisk,andleftitalone.Ifitwantstotangle,itknowswheretofindme.
Gagewascurledintoalmostafetalpositiononthefloor,hisbackagainstthelockers.WhenBuffyapproached,hereachedoutforher.Heseemedtobeinbig-timeagony.
“Gage?”sheasked,concerned.
Hescreamedagain,convulsing.Hisshirtwasopen,andheclutchedhischest.Foodpoisoning?Buffywondered.Heartattack?
Orsomethingworse.Hiswholechestseemedtobeheaving,skinrippling.Hedughisfingersintohisownflesh.Then,grabbinghisskininbothhands,hepulleditapart.She’dseenthatdoneondoctorshows,butthosepeoplehadthingslikeinternalorgansandribcagesbeneaththeflesh.NotGage.
thingslikeinternalorgansandribcagesbeneaththeflesh.NotGage.
Stillmoaning,heheldhisownhandupandlookedatit.Buttheskinofhishandfelloff,likeadiscardedglove,assomethingwetandslickpushedupthroughit.Thesamestuffforceditselfthroughtheholeinhischest.
Buffyrealizedwhatwashappeningjustbeforeitrosetoitsfullheight.OneofthefishmonsterswaseruptingfrominsideGage.Itsloughedoffhisskinlikeasheddingsnake.EverythingthathadbeenGagewasnowanemptysackonthelockerroomfloor,andahuge,andapparentlyunfriendly—gillmonsterwaslookingatBuffy.
And,likemostnewmonsters,itwashungry.
Itlungedforher.
Shebackedupastep.Andfelt—orrather,smelled—therankbreathoftheotheronerightbehindher.Whoops!
Shewassurroundedbysealife.Mykingdom,shethought,forafishhook.
CHAPTER9Bothcreaturesgrowled.Thiswasnotasimplefish-familyreunion,then.Theirintentionsseemedhostileattheveryleast.
Buffydidn’twasteanytime.Shegaveoneaquickkick,anditreeledback.Continuingherspinshelashedoutwiththesamefoot,catchingtheotherbeastinthechest.Itslegsflewoutfromunderitandithitthefloor.Shesnatchedupametalgarbagecan,hurleditatthefirstone.Itswattedthecanawayasshewouldafly.
Sheneededaweaponofsomekind.
Therewasalacrossestickinacorner.Shehadneverreallyunderstoodlacrosse,butsheunderstoodalongsolidobjectwithtwoendsthatcouldbeusedtojabandstrike.Shegrabbedthestick,swungitintotheheadofoneofthecreatures.Itroaredinpain,fellaway.Sheswungagain,drivingithomeontheother’sskull.Then,spinningaround,shetookacoupleofswingsworthyofMarkMcGwireintotheribsofthefirstoneshe’dhit.It’sfeelingthepain,shethought.
Thisjustmightwork.
Whichwaswhentheothermonstercaughtherfrombehind,burieditslongteethintoherarm,liftedherintheair,andslammedherintoabankoflockers.
Buffywasdazed,justawareenoughtoknowthattheywereabouttofinishheroff.
Buttheydidn’t,becausethenCoachMarinwasthere,helpingherupanddraggingherawaytosafety.
And,asifscaredofafairfight,thetwocreatureshitthefloor,slidingtowardthestill-opengrate.Theydovehead-firstdownthedrain,andweregone.
Thelasttimeshe’dbeeninNurseGreenleigh’soffice,itwastobereprimanded.Thistimeitwastobebandaged.ShesatinthesameplaceasCameronhad,afewdaysearlier.NurseGreenleigh,dressedinherwhitenurseclothes,lookedlikeshehadnevermovedawayfromthisspot.
likeshehadnevermovedawayfromthisspot.
“Idon’tthinkthatthis’llneedstitches,”thenursesaid.“Butyoumightwanttohaveyourfamilyphysiciantakealookatit.”
“Howareyou?”Gilesaskedher.
“I’mdefinitelyfeelingtheburn.”
CoachMarinflankedGiles.Thelibrarianturnedtohim.“Well,thegoodnewsis,itwouldappearnoneofyourteamactuallydied.”
“Butthebadnewsis,they’remonsters,”Buffyadded.
Thecoachseemedgenuinelyupset.“Howcouldthishappen?”
“Areyousayingyoudon’tknow?”Gilesasked.
“Well,youworksohard,youstartwinningsuddenly...youthinkit’sjustyou,you’reinspiringtheboystogreatness.Butinthebackofyourmind,youstarttowonder.”
Gilesdidn’tseemconvinced.“Youneveraskedtheboysiftheyweretakinganything?”
“MaybeIwasafraidto,”thecoachadmitted.
Afterschool,Xander,Buffy,andWillowmetinWillow’scomputerclassroom.Willowsatinfrontofoneofthemachines,whichisfitting,Xanderthought,becausesheactuallyknowshowtousethem.HeandBuffywerefeelingtheirwaytowardthetwentiethcenturywhileWillhadalreadyjumpedintothetwenty-first.
“There,”Buffysaid,pointingtosomethingonthemonitor.
Willowread.“‘DoddMcAlvy...torntendon.GagePetronzi...fracturedwrist...depression...headaches—’”
“It’sallhereintheschoolmedicalrecords,”Buffypointedout.
“Allsymptomaticofsteroidabuse,”Willowagreed.
Xanderfeltlikehewasstillastepbehind.“Butissteroidabuseusuallylinked
Xanderfeltlikehewasstillastepbehind.“Butissteroidabuseusuallylinkedwith‘Hey,I’mafish?’”
“Theremustbesomethingelseinthemix,”Willowsaid.“Butthepointis,theboyswereobviouslydrugged.”
Buffyadded,“AndNurseGreenleightreatedeachandeveryoneofthem.Shemusthaveknown.”
“Ifsteroidsarethatdangerous,”Willowasked,“whywouldtheydothattothemselves?”
Sonaive,sometimes,Buffythought.“Theyneededtowin,”sheexplained.“Winningequalstrophies,whichequalsprestigefortheschool.Youseehowthey’retreated.It’sbeenlikethatforever.”
Xanderjumpedin.“Sure,thediscusthrowersgotthebestseatsatallthecrucifixions.”
“Meanwhile,”Buffysaid,“I’mbreakingmynailsbattlingtheforcesofevilandmyFrenchteachercan’tevenremembermyname.”
WhichXandercouldactuallyseeanupsideto,aroundreportcardtime.Buthekeptthattohimself.“Sowhat’sthedrill?”heasked.“GetNurseGreenleigh?”
“Let’sthrowthebookather!”Willowsaid,maybealittletooenthusiastically.
“Sheprobablywenthomefortheday,”Buffysaid.“Ithinkitcanwait.Xander,whydon’tyouseeifyoucanfindoutwhattheseboysaretaking,oratleasthowthey’retakingit.Powder,pills,syringes—”
“I’mlooking-aroundguy.”
“Whataboutyou?”Willasked.
“Gilesisloadingupthetranquilizergun,”Buffyreplied.“We’regoingfishing.”
ThegroundbeneathSunnydalewashoneycombedwithsewerpipestallenoughforapersontowalkthrough,butnastyenoughthatonlytheverywiggiestpersonwouldwantto.
Buffysupposedthatthesamecouldbesaidofanycity.Butwhenit’sSunnydale,shethought,everything’salittlecreepier,anddittoforthesewers.ShewasgladshehadherWatcherwithher.Andmoregladthat,whileshewasarmedwithonlyaflashlight,Gileswascarryingabigoldgun.Hewasloadedforbear,asthesayingwent.
Onlyinthiscase,morelikeloadedforbarracuda.
Theybothsawitatthesamemoment,amotionjustbeyondthebeamofherlight.Sheraisedit,shiningitatthemovement.Gilesbroughtthegunup,cockedit,sightingalongitslength.
Butshetouchedhisarm.Onlyabigrat.Ooky,buthardlysupernatural.Itbelongedhere;theywerethetourists.Theykeptlooking.
Andastheyturnedacorner,movingdeeperintothedripping,malodorousdark,neithernoticedashadowyformwatchingfromthefarendofthetunnel.Watching,andwaiting...
Backinthesteam.Xanderwasgettingusedtothenearlynakedbodiesofhisteammates,andthesmalldegreeofmodestythatpaper-thinwhitegymtowelsprovided.
Thelackofconversationstillbuggedhim,though.That,andthefactthat,withoutconversation,informationwashardtocomeby.Sohedidhismonologuethingagain,hopingtoelicitaresponsefromsomeone.
“Ifeelgood,”hesaid.“Lovingthisswimming.Hadsomecarrotjuicethismorning,alittlewheatgermmixedin...wokemerightup.Nothinglikeit,huh?Breakfastofstatechampions,youbetcha.”Hepumpedhisfistforemphasis.
Hemightaswellhavebeeninaroomfullofcorpses.
Except,cometothinkofit,he’dalreadydonethat,andtheyweremuchmorelively.
Subtletyisn’tgoingtoworkwiththiscrowd,hethought.Timetobemoredirect.
“Okay,so,whendowegetournextdose?”
And,bingo.Paydirt.
Sean,sittingcatercornerfromXander,spokeup.
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Who’scarrying?”Xanderelaborated.“Ineedalittlesomethingtoimprovemyperformance.Givemeanedge.Rrrr,”hegrowled.
Seanlookedaway.
Xanderdecidedhe’dbeenrightaboutthesubtleapproach.Theseguysneededtobehitoverthehead.“Thesteroids?Wherearethey?”
Thistime,Seanlaughed.“You’resoakin’init,bud.”
“Huh?”Xanderasked,notquitefollowing.
Seantookadeepbreath,blewitout.“Aromatherapy,”heexplained.“It’sinthesteam.”
CoachMarinwalkedbrisklyaroundthepool,movinglikeamanwithamission.Behindhim,NurseGreenleighrushedtokeepup.“Thishasgottostop,Carl,”shesaid.“Thosepoorchildren.”
Heglancedbackather.“What,areyouaquitter?There’snoroomforquittersonthisteam.”
“Doyouevenunderstandwhat’shappening?Listentoyourself!”
“We’reveryclosetoperfectingthis.Wejustneedtoadjustthemix.”Hereachedastaircaseandheadeddown.
NurseGreenleighkeptrightonhisheels.“Carl,youcan’tbethinkingofcontinuingtoexposetheseboys.”
“They’regonnabethebest,”thecoachinsisted.“Idon’tacceptanythingless.”Atthebottomofthestairs,heturnedintoapumproomthatranbeneaththepool.Insidewasashortstaircase,andheclimbeditsthreestepstoaplatform.
“They’regonnabemonsters!”thenurseargued.“Carl,please.Don’tmakeitanyworse.You’vealreadylostthree.”
worse.You’vealreadylostthree.”
Shewasstillrightbehindhim.Hestoppedsuddenly,andturnedtoher.“Lost?They’renotlost.”Hegrabbedherbyherupperarms,gaveamightypush,andshovedhertowherethereshouldhavebeenagrateinthefloor.
Butthegratewasmovedtooneside,andtheholewasopen.
Withashriek,shefellthrough.
Andsplashedintoadank,filthygrotto,aboutoneflightdown.Thecoldsmellywatercametoherwaist.
“Carl!Whatareyoudoing?”shedemanded,tearsinhereyes.
Thesewers!
Hesmileddownfromabove.“I’mjustlookingaftermyboys.Theymaybeoutofthegamerightnow,butthey’restillateam,”hesaid.“Andateam’sgottaeat.”
“Carl!”shecalledagain.
Buthesimplypushedthegratebackintoplace.“Youquitter,”hesaid.Thenhedisappeared,andsheheardhisfootstepsreceding.
Shebackedthroughthewater.Therehastobeawayoutofhere,shethought.Thewatermustcomefromsomewhere.She’dfindherwayout.Shewasnopushover.Andwhenshegotout,she’dmakeCarlMarinpay—
Whichwaswhenshefeltclawedhandsaroundherankles.Shewasonlyabletoletoutashortshriekbeforeshewasyankedunderthewater.
Withinafewmoments,thesurfacewasplacidoncemore.
CHAPTER10Xanderpacedthelibraryfloor,nervous.Hewasn’tordinarilyanail-bitin’guy,butthiswasnotanordinarysituation,andheworriedthemtothequickashewalked.
“They’reabsorbingthesteroidmixturethroughthesteam,”Gilessaid,asifhewastellinganyonesomethingtheydidn’talreadyknow.
“Notthey,”Xandersaid.“We.Me.Weneedtofindanantidote,don’tyouthink?Theclockisticking,people.”
Willowwasinachairnearby,lookingappropriatelyworried.BuffysatIndianstyleonatable.Cordelialookedgorgeousonthesteps—notespeciallyuseful,asshewasn’tmixingchemicalsoranything.Butcute,justthesame.
“Iwouldn’tbreakoutthetartarsaucejustyet,”Buffysaid.“It’snotlikeyouwereexposedmorethanonce.”
Xanderlookedather,willinghertoacceptreality.
“Twice?”sheasked.
“Threetimesafishguy.”
“Oh—whoa,”Willowsaid.
“WhatamIgonnado?”Xanderasked,makingeveryattempttoavoidactualwhining.
“You,you,you...Whataboutme?”Cordeliasaid.“It’sonethingtobedatingthelame,unpopularguy.It’sanotherthingtodatetheCreaturefromtheBlueLagoon.”
“‘Black’Lagoon,”Xandercorrected.Hisanxietywasapparentinhistone,whichevenherealizedwasvergingonsnappish.“ThecreaturefromtheBlueLagoonwasBrookeShields.Andthankyousomuchforyoursupport.”Hesankontothestairbelowhers,headinhishands.
Hewasdoomed.
“Ithinkwe’dbetterfindtherestoftheswimteam,”Buffysuggested,“andlockthemupbeforetheygetintouchwiththeirinnerhalibut.”
“Yes,good,”Gilessaid.“Wealsoneedtoknowexactlywhatwasinthissteroidgassothehospital’stoxicologylabcandevelopanantidote.”
Mynewfavoriteword,Xanderthought.“Antidote.”Itwaslikemusic.
“Well,I’lltalktoNurseGreenleigh,”Willowoffered,risingfromherchair.
“You’rereallygettingintothisinterrogationthing,”Buffysaid.
Willowsmiled.“Thetrickisnottoleaveanymarks.”Sheheadedouttofindthenurse.
“Onthatnote,”Buffysaid,“IthinkI’mgonnagohavealittletalkwiththatcoach.SomehowIdoubtthatallhe’sbeengivingtheseboysisinspiration.”
Xanderwatchedhergo.Giles’stalkofanantidoteaside,heremainedconvinced.
Anyminutenow,hethought,I’llbebreathingthroughgills.
Thepumproomwasanunpleasantplacetovisit.Itwascrowdedandcloseandsmelledlikegreaseandsweat.Notasbadasthesewers,butstillnotBuffy’sideaofanidealspottopassthetime.
WhichmadeitperfectfortalkingtoCoachMarin,becausehewasnotheridealpersontopasstimewith.
“You’vegotquiteanimagination,missy,”hesaid,leadingherupashortflightofstairs.
Hewasrightaboutthat.“RightnowI’mimaginingyouinjail,”Buffysaid.“You’rewearingabigorangesuitand—oh,look!Theguardsarebeatingyouup!”
“Youdon’thaveanyproofthat—”
Shecuthimoff.“Tellmewhat’sinthesteam,”sheinsisted.Heknows—hehas
to.Shehadnodoubtofthatanymore.
And,amazingly,hetoldher.“AfterthefalloftheSovietUnion,documentscameintolightdetailingexperimentswithfishDNAontheirOlympicswimmers.Tarpon,makoshark...Buttheycouldn’tcrackit.”
“Andyoudid.Sortof.”Buffywasastonishedthattheswimcoach,notagentlemanknownforoverexercisinghisbraincells,couldsucceedwherewhoknewhowmanySovietscientistshadfailed.ChalkoneupforAmericaningenuity.Butonequestionremained.“Why?”
“Whatkindofaquestionisthat?”heasked.Heseemedtogenuinelynotgetit.“Forthewin.Tomakemyteamthebesttheycouldbe.Doyouunderstandwehaveashotatthestatechampionship?”
“DoyouunderstandthatIdon’tcare?It’sover.There’snotgonnabeanyswimteam.”Whatdoesittaketogetthroughtosomepeople?shewondered.
Andstillhecouldn’tbuyaclue.“Boy,whentheywerehandingoutschoolspirityoudidn’tevenstandinline,didyou?”
“No,Iwasinthelinefor‘shredofsanity.’”
AsBuffyspoke,CoachMarinturnedawayfromher,towardacabinetofsomekind,reachedintoadrawer.Whenheturnedback,hishandwasfullofblackmetal.Agun.
Fromhervantagepointitlookedlikeabigone.Mostlyhole.Fromwhichabigbulletcouldcomeblastingoutatanytime.
Shefinishedherthoughtanyway.The“sanity”line.Notevenashredhere.“Whichyouobviouslyskipped.”
“Getinthehole,”thecoachdemanded.Hegesturedwiththeguntowardabigsquareholeinthefloor.Thegratethatshouldhavecovereditwasofftotheside.
Shedidn’tmove.Hewouldn’treallyshoother,wouldhe?
Butthenagain,shethought,he’sbeenbusyturninghisswimmersintogilledcreatureswhohideoutinsewers.Notthekindofguyyouwanttounderestimate
whenhe’sholdingagunonyou.
“In,”hecommanded.Whenshestilldidn’tgo,hebarked,“Now!”
Shesatdownontheedgeofthehole,legsdanglingintothecooldarknessbelow.“Thisisn’tover.”
“In!”herepeated.
Shepushedoffanddropped.
Thewaterwasnastyandcold,butnotdeep.Shesubmergedwhenshehit,butsurfacedagainquickly.Wipinghereyes,shelookedupatthecoach’ssmiling,insanefacethroughthehole.Hewavedthegunather.
“YouthinkIdon’tcareaboutmyboys,”hesaid.“ButIdo.Theycountonme.”
Somethingmovedinthewateraroundher,andshestarted.Thefishmonsters?Somethingelse.Bigandwhiteandred,floating.Italmostbumpedintoherasitdriftedpast,andittookheramomentoflookingatittorealizewhatitwas.
ThecorpseofNurseGreenleigh.
Ormostofit,anyway.
Buttherewerebigchunksofhermissing,whichwaswheretheredcamein,stainingheronce-whiteuniform.
Buffyfeltherselfontheedgeofpanic,butknewshehadtokeepittogether.“So,what,”shesaid.“You’rejustgonnafeedmetothem?”
“Oh,they’vealreadyhadtheirdinner,”heexplainedpatiently,likesomedementeddaddy.“Butboyshaveotherneeds.”
“Noone,”Cordeliasaid.“WillowandGilesmust’veroundeduptherestoftheswimteam.”
Theywereatthepool,buthadn’tbeenabletofindanymoreofXander’steammates.Although,Cordeliathought,ifXanderdidalittlemoresearchingandalittlelesspawingathimself,wemighthavehadmoreluck.
“Doesmynecklookscalytoyou?”heasked.
“Doesmynecklookscalytoyou?”heasked.
“Ofcourseitlooksscaly,thewayyou’vebeenrubbingitdrylikeanidiot.”Don’tboysknowanythingaboutskincare?shewondered.Moisturize,don’tirritate.
Xanderstoppedoutsidethedoortotheboys’lockerroom.“Ineedtolookinthemirror,”hesaid.“Waithere.Butfeelfreetocomeinifyouhearmescream.”
Hedashedinside,andshebrieflyconsideredgoingintothegirls’lockerroomtocheckherselfinthemirrorthere.Butno,shethought.Therewasmoreatstakeherethanmakingsureherhairwasjustsoandherskinwasn’tinanydangerasaresultofXander’sparanoia.Thestatechampionship.Shecontinuedaroundthepool.
Anyway,hewasn’tgonelong.Sheheardadoorclosebehindher.“Anygillsyet?”sheaskedoverhershoulder.
Butinsteadofjoiningher,therewasahugesplashinthepool.Thetangofchlorinefilledtheairasthecalmwaterwasdisturbed.“Xander,whatareyoudoing?”
Shelookedintothewater.Hewasswimmingfast,ablurofmotionandbubbles,andatfirstshecouldn’tgetagoodlookathim.
Butthenhisstrokesbecamesmoother,andherushedthroughthewaterlikea...
Well,likeafish.
“Xander?”
Becausehewasafish,orafish-man,anyway,allgillsandspikesandfinsandscales,andhewaskindofadarkgreen,andthisjustwouldn’tdoatall.
Ohno!
“Oh,myGod,”shesaid.“Xander...it’sme.Cordelia.I—Iknowyoucan’tanswerme,butGod...thisisallmyfault.Youjoinedtheswimteamtoimpressme.YouweresocourageousandyoulookedreallyhotinthoseSpeedos.”
Whatawaste!Icouldjustcry!
Hewentonswimming,andtherewasnowaytotellifhecouldhearher.Butshefeltshehadtosayitanyway.“AndIwantyoutoknowthatIstillcareforyou,nomatterwhatyoulooklike,”shebravelywenton.“Andwecanstilldate—ornot.Imean,I’llunderstandifyouwanttoseeotherfish.”
Shecrouchedbythewater’sedge,wantingtomakesureheunderstoodwhatshewassaying,whilestillkeepingherdressdry.“I’lltrytomakeyourqualityoflifebetter,whetherthatmeanslittlebathtoysorwhatever—”
“Uh...”someonesaidinherear.Shegasped.“That’snotme.”
Xanderstoodbesideher,pointingatthecreatureinthepool.ButifthisisXander,andhe’shuman,thenwho’s—
Theseabeastlungedatthem.
“OhmyGod!”Cordeliashrieked.“Ohhh!”
Theyran.Throughherpanic,Cordeliawaspleasedtonotethat,atleast,Xanderwasrunninglikeaman.
Gilesclosedthedoorofthelibrary’sbookcagebehindthefiveswimteammembershehadherdedintoit.“Staycalm,chaps,”hesaid.“Eitherwe’llfindaneffectiveantidote,or,uh...”Withoutafollow-up,hethrewthebolt,lockingthemin.“Staycalm.”
Willowcheckedherlist.“Everyone’saccountedfor,exceptSean,”shesaid.
XanderandCordelia,hurryingintotherelativesafetyofthelibrary,overheard.“IthinkwecansafelysaywefoundSean,”Cordeliapointedout.“Hewasinthepool,skinless-dipping.”
“Where’sBuffy?”Xanderasked,figuringitwasabouttimeshestartslayingsomething,already.
“Shehasn’tcomebackyet,”Willowreplied.
Which,toXander,wasjustalittlebitmorethandisturbing.
WhereBuffywas,wasstillinthedisgustingwaterofthetunnelbeneaththepumproom.Therewerenoisesallaroundher.Waterdrippingfromabove,lowgrowlsfromhereandthere,unidentifiedsloshingandsplashing.
“Great,”shesaidtoherself,turningslowlytoseethem.“Thisisjustwhatmyreputationneeds.ThatIdiditwiththeentireswimteam.”
Theywereclosingin,sheknew.Shegaspedatanearbysplash.Thewaterwasbeingstirredup,butsofarshehadn’tactuallyseenanyofthem.Theyhadn’tattacked.Buttheywereoutthere,andsheshouldhavebeencirclingherwagonsexceptthatshewastheonlywagonshehad.
Inthepumproom,XanderfoundCoachMarin,kneelingonthefloorlookingatsomethingbeneathhim.Xandercouldn’tseewhatitwas.ButsinceBuffyhadbeenonherwaytoseethecoachlasttimeshe’dbeenseen,heknewitwasn’tsomethingniceandsunny.
“What’sup,Coach?”heasked.
CoachMarinswungaround,startled.“Oh,uh,Harris.Howareyoufeeling?”Hesmiled,allcasual,likeafouryearoldcaughtintheact.
“Alittledry,”Xanderreplied.“Nothingalemonbuttersaucewon’tcure.”Heleftallpretenseofhumorbehind.“Where’sBuffy?”
Thecoach’sgazedriftedtohisside,toafifty-gallondrumthatstoodnearhim.
Or,moreaccurately,tothepistollayingontopofthatdrum.
OneofthecreaturesbrokethesurfacenexttoBuffy.Sheletoutacryasitdoveather.Shecaughtitsarms,turnedwithit,anditsailedharmlesslypasther.
Butithadafriend.
Thisonecameupbehindher.Shetriedtopushitawaywhenthefirstone,stillunderwater,grabbedherlegsinitspowerfulgrip.Ityankedherunderthesurface.
Shetastedthefoulwater.Itstunghereyes.
Shekickedandfought,strugglingnottoswallowanyofthewaterasitheldher
Shekickedandfought,strugglingnottoswallowanyofthewaterasitheldherdown.Shecouldfeelthething’steethgrazeherleg,tryingtofindpurchase.Musteringallthestrengthshecould,shekickedagain,jerkedherlegfree.
Shebrokethesurface,grabbedthemonster.
Hurledhimagainstthewall.
Anotherlungedforher.Shecaughtitsoutstretchedarms.Thewatermadejudoharder,butshepivoted,broughtitoverhershoulder.Slammedhimintoanotherwall.
AboveBuffy,CoachMarinwentforthegun.Xandersawhimmakethemove,andgrabbedthecoach’srightarmwithbothhands.Thecoachwasstrong,buthedidn’thaveanyleverage.Xanderdid.HebroughtCoachMarin’sarmup,anddroveitdownagain,hard,ontheedgeofthebarrel.Thecoach’shandspasmed,releasingthegun.
Xanderpressedtheadvantage,spinninganddrivinganelbowintoCoachMarin’sjaw.Theoldermanfellback.
Buffywasgettingtired.Movingthroughthewater,fightinginit,washarderthanfightingonland.Itopposedherwitheverymotion.
Thefishguys,however,thrivedinit.Nomatterhowmanytimesshepunchedthemorthrewthemorkickedthem,theycamebackformore.
Shewouldn’tgodowneasy.But,asthreeofthemsurroundedher,edgingcloserwitheveryheartbeat,shefinallystartedtothinkthatshemightbegoingdown.
“Buffy!Hurry!Yourhand!”
ItwasXander,stretchinganarmdownfromtheopeninginthepumproomabove.
Buthewasasfullyextendedashecouldget,anditwaswaytoohightojump.
Foranynormalgirl.
Buffyhadn’tbeennormalforalongtime.ShewastheSlayer.
Shesubmergedherself,coilingherselflikeaspring.
Shesubmergedherself,coilingherselflikeaspring.
Andlikeaspring,shesprang.
Uncoiling,shootingupoutofthewater,justasthethreegill-thingscameather.
ShecaughtXander’swrist.Hehadhers.
Butwashestrongenoughtolifther?
Oneofthecreaturesjumpedup,catchingherleg.Thentheyallstartedleaping,clawsrakingherfeet,hercalves.Shekickedthemaway.
ButthatthreatenedtobreakXander’sgrip.Shetightenedhersonhisarm,andhebegantopullherup.
Themonstersweren’tgivingup,though.Twoofthemgotgripsonherfeet.Sheshookthemoff.
“Holdon!“Xandercalled.“Comeon!”
“Pull!”Buffycried.
And—miraculously—hewasliftingher.Themonstersgrowledferociouslyasshewasraisedbeyondtheirrange.ShecaughtXander’supperarmnow,practicallyclimbinghimtogetoutofthathole.
Finally,sheclearedthefloor.Putahandonittohelphaulherselfout,thenherlegswerefreeandshewasonherhandsandknees,chokingandspittingoutthewretchedwater.
“Ohhhh...”shesaid,tryingtocatchherbreath.“Thanks.”
“Justdoingmypartforourteam,”Xanderreplied,shakingalittlewithrelief.Nottomention,exertion.Oughtahittheweightsmoreoften,hethought.
Buffycoughedagain,shookthewateroutofhereyes,andlookedupjustintimetoseeCoachMarinswingingapipewrenchdownonthebackofXander’sskull.
Xanderslumpedtothefloor,unconscious.
AndBuffykickedout,sweepingthecoach’slegsoutfromunderhim.Themanwenthead-firstthroughthehole.
wenthead-firstthroughthehole.
Shesnaggedhislegashewent.
“Helpme!”hebellowed.“Helpme!”
ButCoachMarinwasnotasmallman.Hehadmomentum,andhehadweight,andhewasthrashinglikeawoundedbuffalo.
Shelosthergrip.
Hesplashedintothewaterbelow.
Buffyflattenedherselfonthefloor,extendingherarmdown.“Grabmyhand!”shecalledtohim.
Hedidn’tevennoticeherthere.Couldn’thavemadetheleapthatshedid,anyway,sheknew.Buttherewasnootherwaytoreachhim.
“Uh,boys?Boys!”thecoachsaid.Darkshapesclosedinonhim.“No,no,boys!”
Andthentheywereonhim,allofthem.Hedisappearedinaburgundyandgoldblurbeneaththewater,beneaththescalesandfinsandgillsofhisstarswimmers.
Hischampionshipdaysarebehindhimnow,Buffyrealized.
Xanderstirred,joiningBuffyattheopening.Helookeddown.“Thoseboysreallylovetheircoach,”sheobserved.
Somedays,Xanderthought,youhavetoconsideryourselfluckyjusttobewalkingaround.Hisheadwasstillsore,andtherewasatenderswellingtherefromthepipewrench.
Butonthebrightside,hestillbreathedthroughlungsinsteadofgills.CoachMarinhadusedahandtoolonhim,buthadnothadachancetousehisgun.Hehadn’tbeeneatenorotherwiseviolatedbyanyfishmonsters.
Andtoday,hewassittinginthestudentlounge,fullydressedanddryasabone.HisSpeedodayswerebehindhim.
HisSpeedodayswerebehindhim.
Tomakeitevenbetter,sittingonthecouchnexttohimwasCordelia,andacrossfromthem,WillowandBuffy.Threelovelyladies,oneguy...couldn’taskforabetterratiothanthat.
“Let’ssee,”hesaid,reviewingtherestofthedayahead.“I’vegottotakeamake-upchemtestatthree,andthenI’mmeetingsomeoftheguysforplasmatransfusionsatfive.It’sturnedintoquitethebusyafternoon.”
Buffygracedhimwithhersmile.“Thefunneverstopswithyou,doesit?”
“Gilesseemsprettyconfidentthatthetreatmentsaregonnawork,”Willsaid.Whichwasgoodnews,ashewasn’tquitesurehowtotellhisparentshewantedtotradeinhisoldbedforanoversizedsaltwatertank.
“TurningintoaCreepyCrawlywasn’tinmy‘TopTenlistofthingstodobeforeIturntwenty,’”hepointedout.
Cordeliaturnedtohim.“Iwantyoutoknowthatyou’vereallyprovenyourselftome,”shesaid,withunexpectedtenderness.“Andyoudon’thavetojointhenewteamnextyearifyoudon’twant.”
Forwhich,hethought,myeternalgratitude.And,bytheway,nokidding.
“I’dbejustashappyifyouplayedfootball,”shecontinued.
BuffyandWillowexchangedlooks.
Gilesenteredjustthen,savingXanderfromhavingtodoorsaysomethingterribletoCordelia,fromwhichtheirrelationshipmightneverrecover.
“Thepeoplefromanimalcontroljustleft,”Gilessaid.“Ourcreatureshaveapparentlymadeadashforit.Sotospeak.”
Which,Xanderthought,isaboutascloseasGilescomestomakingafunny.Comedy,thelibrarianseemedtobelieve,wasapurelyColonialinvention.
“Doesthatmeanwehavetohuntthemagain?”Willowasked.
Buffyansweredher.“No,Idon’tthinkso.Idon’tthinkwe’llbeseeingthemanymore.”
anymore.”
“Wheredoyouthinkthey’llgo?”Gilesasked.
Buffylookedintospaceforamoment,asifshewereseeingsomethingtheotherscouldn’t.“Home,”shesaidsoftly.
Thesurfrolledingently,wavesfoldinguponthemselvesandbreakingaswhiteandfrothyasacappuccino.Thebeachwasquiettoday.Studentswereinschool,touristsgonefortheseason,nosurftospeakofsothesurferswereelsewhere.
Sotherewasnooneontheshoretolookoutbeyondthebreakingwaves.Iftherehadbeen,thatpersonmighthaveseenadarkformbreakthewaterandtakeafinallookbacktowardSunnydale.Almost,anobservermighthavethought,asifsayingalastgoodbye.
Then,theblackshapeturnedtothevastnessoftheocean,anddoveintoit,strikingoutforthetracklessdistance.Andifthatobserverhadbeenespeciallysharpeyed,heorshemighthaveseenasecondshape,andathird.
Alldoingthesamething.
Swimmingouttosea.
Goinghome.
INTERLUDEItwaslate—waylate,Xanderknew.Hisparentshadprettymuchgivenupworryingaboutwhenhewasgoingtocomehome,sohewasn’ttooconcernedaboutthat.Buthe’dhavetomakeittoschoolontimetomorrow—today,hecorrectedhimself.Andit’dbeeasierifhegotsomesleepratherthannosleep.Eventhoughthenighthadbeenaneventfulone,hefiguredatthispointhecouldprobablymanagetodropoffifhecouldgethimselfinthegeneralvicinityofabed.
Hepulledthecaroutofthebeachparkingareaandheadedbacktowardtown.Eventhoughitwasreallycoldnow,unpleasantlyso,heleftthetopdownbecause,hey,itwasaconvertible,afterall.Andwasn’tthatkindofthepoint?
Xanderfiguredhisparentsprobablytoldthemselvesallkindsofstoriesaboutwhatitwashedidwithhisfriendsatnightthatkepthimouttoallhours.Itsaddenedhimthattheyprobablybelievedthetypicalteenagestuff.Butatleasttheycoulddealwiththat,intheirheads.Iftheyknewwhatwasreallygoingon—thathe’dalmostbecomeafishguy,forinstance,orbeenabductedbythevillainousvampSpike,orturnedintoavampirehimselfbyawaywardwishofCordelia’s—they’dprobablybealotmoreworriedandsometherapistwouldbecashingtheirpaychecksasfastastheycouldearnthem.
Sohekepttheminthedark,andletthembelievewhatevertheywanted.
Anothersignofmaturity,hefigured,wastakingintoaccountthefeelingsofothers.Especiallywhenthoseothersraisedyouandkeptaroofoveryourhead.
AndXanderhopedthatallthechangeshe’dgonethroughwereatleastsomewhereneartheroadtomaturity,ifnotrightsmackonit.Therecameapointwhenyougottiredofthewholehighschool,adolescence,postpuberty,your-voice-and-body-have-changed-but-everybodystill-thinks-you’re-a-useless-kiddeal.
Ofcourse,notallthechangessincetheDayoftheFishhadbeenhis.
SlayerBuffyhadbeenthroughsomeofherown.She’dhadtosendAngeltoHell,forstarters.Which,admittedly,fromSunnydalewasn’tthatfaratrip.But
Hell,forstarters.Which,admittedly,fromSunnydalewasn’tthatfaratrip.Butshe’ddoneitrightasWillowhadcompletedaspellMissCalendarhadleftbehindonacomputerdiskthatwouldrestorehissoultohim—whichmadeitanactofsupremelybadtimingwithwhichBuffyhadahardtimecoping.
She’dlefttown,changedhername,andworkedasawaitressinsteadofaSlayer.Personally,Xandercouldn’tseeit.He’dwatchedwaitressesputupwithsomeprettyobnoxiousdiners.Butthosewaitresseswouldn’thavebeenabletodecapitatesaiddinerswithasinglekick.And,asmuchashecaredforBuffy,Xanderwasthefirsttoadmitthatpatiencewasn’talwaysherstrongsuit.
ShehadeventuallymadeherwaybacktoSunnydale,though,andtheSlayeretteshadreassembledaroundher.They’devenbeenjoinedbyFaith,yetanotherSlayerwhowasactivatedwhenSpike’sfriendDrusillakilledKendra.ApparentlytherewasabuginthiswholeSlayersystemthatcouldn’taccommodatethefactthat,whileBuffyhadindeeddied,shehadn’tstayeddeadforallthatlong.
Faith,asfarasXanderwasconcerned—well,especiallynow,butevenbefore—hadfitintotheScoobyGangbetterthanKendrahadanyway.ShemoreorlessadoptedGilesasherWatcher,andBuffygottohaveapeershecouldbondwith—prettyunusual,consideringthatthewholepointoftheSlayermythologywasthattherecouldbeonlyone.
Justtocomplicatethingsfurtherforher,AngelhadreturnedtoSunnydale.Again,thereturnticketfromHellwasnotsohardtoget,itseemed.It’dbeenhardforBuffytotrusthimagain—harderstillfortherestofthem—butitseemedthatMissCalendar’sspellhadworked,andhewasthecoolandwaytoo-good-looking,ifsomewhatdrawntodark,Slayer-attractingclothes,Angel.
Xandermadeonemorecircuitofdowntown,makingsurethetownreallywasquietforthenight.OnefinalpatrolintheBatmobile.Allthecitizensappearedtobesnugintheirbeds.
DrivingpastUncleBob’sMagicCabinet,wherehehadlastseenWillow,remindedhimofhernewhobby.ThewholesoulrestorationspellcastingthingintriguedWillowtothepointthatshetookupwitchcraft,and,despitetheoccasionaloops,wasturningouttobenothalfbadatit.
AftermostofalifetimeofknowingWillow—sincetheywerefive,anyway—theirfriendshiphadfinallyexpandedtoincludetheaspectoflust.Whichwas
theirfriendshiphadfinallyexpandedtoincludetheaspectoflust.Whichwasawkward,asXanderwasstilldatingCordeliaandWillowwasseeingOz.Theytriedtokeepthemselvesapart,evengoingsofarastoworkonaspellthatwouldkilltheattraction,butstill,OzandCordyhappenedupontheminmid-kiss,anditwasanunpleasantscene.
Likeitwasourfaultorsomething,Xanderthought.ImprisonedbySpikeintheFactory,theybothbelievedtheyweregoingtodie.Weneverwouldhavekissedifwethoughtweweregoingtohavetolivewithit.WhoknewthatOzwouldbeabletosmellWillowandfindthemthere?Whoknewhe’dhaveCordeliawithhimwhenhedid?
Cordyjustcouldn’tseethekissingpart—okay,somemightcallitmakingout—astheresponsetoalife-threateningsituationthatitsoclearlywas.Shethoughttherewasmoretoitthanthat.Sometimes,itjustdidn’tpaytoberescued.
Theupshotofitwasunpleasant,primarily,becauseforawhilethere,XanderhadhadtheoptionofquietingCordeliabyplantinghislipsonhers.Withoutthatfreedom,hersharpmouthreturnedtoitsoldhabits,whichincluded—highonthelistofhabits,infact—makingthosearoundhermiserablewithhersarcasticandinsultingcomments,andpassingjudgmentonthosewhodidn’tliveuptoherownstandards.
Which,byherdefinition,was—well,everybody.
Oz,notsurprisingly,turnedouttobealittlemoreunderstandingthanQueenCordy.HeandWillowhad—eventually—renewedtheirrelationship,leavingXanderaswingingsingleagain.Only,heobserved,withoutsomuchoftheswinging.
Aslandmarksofpersonalgrowthwent,Xanderfiguredturningeighteenwasoneofthebiggies.Thatlifeevent,itseemed,wasalittlemoretroublesomeforSlayersthanforthegeneralpopulace—asifthewholebitaboutnotgettingtohaveareallifebecauseyouspentpracticallyeverynightfightingevilandbadnessandsuchwasn’tbadenough.Onthebrightside,notthatmanySlayerslivedtobeeighteen,soitwasseldomaproblem.
ButBuffydid.AndtheWatchers’CouncilhadthisrulethatwhenaSlayerhitthatmark—passingherprimeSlayeryears,Xanderguessed—theyputherthroughatesttheycalledtheCruciamentum.
throughatesttheycalledtheCruciamentum.
Nicenameforabirthdayparty.
Whatitmeantwasthatshehadtofacedownaparticularlybadvamp,withoutherpowers.Shecouldusewhateverskillsshehadlearnedovertheyears,butshehadnoextrastrength,lightningreflexes—allthestuffthatbeingaSlayerhadgivenher,wasgone.
Andthekickerwas,theSlayerwasn’tallowedtoknowanyofthis.Shewassomehowsupposedtofigureitoutasshewent.
Theideawasthatavampirewouldbelockedintoahouse,andtheSlayerwouldbelockedinwithhim,andonlyonewouldcomeoutalive.Butthisvampireescapedthehouse,andtookthebattletoBuffy’sownhome,threateninghermom.Atthisturnofevents,GilesdefiedthecouncilbytellingBuffywhatwasgoingonandhelpinghertrackanddefeatthevampire.ThecouncilwaspleasedwithBuffy’spowerlessperformance,butnotsomuchwithGiles’sdefiance.Theykickedhimoffthecouncil,leavingBuffyWatcherless.
Niceguys.
Sunnydalewasasleep.Xanderknewthatheshouldjointhem.Hepulledthevehicletothecurbinfrontofhisparents’silenthome.Openedthedoor,climbedout,closeditasquietlyashecould.Thecarwouldbeheretomorrow.Itwasn’tlikehehadtogetallhisdrivingdoneinonenight.Hehadalifetimeofdrivingaheadofhim,heknew.He’dhavehisowncar,oneofthesedays.Thiswashislastyearofhighschool.He’dbeenthroughplentyofchanges,butprettysoon,therewouldbethatbigone,theleapintotheworldofadultcaresandresponsibilities.Manhood.Maybe,someday,marriage-hoodandfatherhood.Andthenhe’dhaveateenager,andhisteenagerwouldstayoutmostofthenight,drivingaroundtowninborrowedwheels.AndwhentheadultXandersawhiskidatthebreakfasttablethenextmorning,insteadofgivinghimthefifthdegree,he’dhavetomakesureherememberedtosmile,pathisoffspringontheback,andsay,“Congratulations.”
Xanderwentinsideandtiptoeduptohisroom.Inspiteoftheday’sevents,SunnydaleHighwasstillstanding,andwouldbewaitingforhiminaveryfewhours.Hemeanttobethereforit.
CHAPTER11Thecavernwasfullofsmokeandsnarls.Buffycouldn’ttellwhowaswhere—shecouldhearthedemonsbutnotseethem.Whichmeanttheycouldn’tseeher.
Whichcouldhavebeenagoodthing,exceptthatshewasn’talonehere.SheneededtoworryaboutGiles,herWatcher—well,formerWatcher,sheremindedherself—andWillowandXanderandFaith.ThoughFaith,beingaSlayertoo,couldprobablytakecareofherself.
Butthepointwas—focus,shetoldherself—thereweredemons,nastyones,andtheyneededtobedealtwith.She’dalreadytakenoutacouple.Butevenonestillwalkingaroundinthefogwasplentydangerous,especiallytoherfriends.
Throughthemist,apointoflightmovedintothecave.BuffycouldbarelymakeoutWillow,carryingacandle,chesthigh.WillowspokeafewwordsofLatin,andblewouttheflame.
Asuddenwindsweptthroughthecavern,andthesmokecleared.
Thedemonwassuddenlyvisible.Therewasjustoneofthemleftstanding,Buffysaw.Herskinwasasteelybluishgray.Shewasmany-horned,withlongpointedears,andamouthfulofbigunpleasantteeth.Iftheyhadbeautypageantsindemonland,thisonewasnotgoingtobeawinner.
ProbablynotMissCongeniality,either.
Buffychargedher.
Shecaughtthedemonjustasshewasturningaround,slammingintoherandknockinghertotheground.Thedemon’sstrengthwasenormous,andittookeverythingshehadtoholdherdownwhileGilesjoinedher.ShewassuddenlythankfulforherSlayerpowers—herrecentexperimentatlivingwithoutthemhadn’tturnedoutsowell,andthisuglybeastwouldhavealreadyrippedherheadoffanddecoratedthewallofhernestwithitifshehadbeenplainoldmortalBuffySummers.
Gilesgrabbedthehideousthing’sarmandtheyliftedhertoherfeet,backup
Gilesgrabbedthehideousthing’sarmandtheyliftedhertoherfeet,backupagainstthecavewall.ItsstrengthwastoomuchforGiles,though.Shehurledhimintothefarwall,knockingthewindoutofhim.
Buffyheldon,pressedthedemonagainstthewall,andshoutedtoFaith.
“Now!”
Faithraisedaceremonialbroadsword,andcoveredthedistanceinafewswiftsteps.Shedrovetheswordintothedemon’sheart.Thecreatureletoutalongdeathscream.
WhenFaithwithdrewtheblade,itwasredwithblood.Buffyletgo.Thedemonplungedforward,dead,andlandednexttoGiles,whoregardedthecorpsewithhorror.
“Ithinkthatwasthelast,”hesaid.
Willowcameintotheopencenterofthecavern,stillclutchingtheextinguishedcandleinitselaborateholder.
“Will,areyouokay?”Buffyasked.
“Yeah,I’mfine,”Willowreplied.“Theshakingisasideeffectofthefear.”
BuffyhelpedGilestohisfeet.Hewasn’thurt,justalittledazedbytheferocityoftheattack,shethought.
“Thankyou,”hesaid,stillatadbreathless.
“Well,ifitwasn’tforthatcloudingspell—”BuffygesturedtoWillow.
“Yeah,”Willowsaid.“Itwentgood!Nothingmeltedlikelasttime.”
“Thesebabeswerewickedrowdy,”Faithsaid.“What’stheirdeal?”Allthedemonsthey’dencounteredherewereclearlyfemale,whichwas,inBuffy’sexperience,alittleunusualinthedemonworld.Feminisminaction?Demonicsuffragettes?Gileswillknow,shethought.
“IwishIknew,”Gilessaid.Heturnedoverthelast-killed,lookedintoafaceonlyaplasticsurgeoncouldlove.“Mostofmysourceshavedriedup,sincethecouncilrelievedmeofmyduties.Iwasawarethattherewasanesthere,but
councilrelievedmeofmyduties.Iwasawarethattherewasanesthere,butquitefrankly,Iexpectedittobevampires.Thesearenew.”
“Andimproved,”Buffyadded.
“Yes,I’msorry.Ishouldhavebeenbetterprepared,andIshouldneverhaveallowedWillowand,uh...and,uh...”hetrailedoff.
Asheetofcardboardshifted,overagainstafarwall.Everyonetensed,suddenlyonguardforanotherassault.Butthecardboardcontinuedtoslide,andthenXanderappearedfromunderneathit.Hepushedhimselfunsteadilytohisfeet,breathingheavily.
“I’mgood,”Xanderassuredthem“We’refineoverhere.Justalittlebitdusty.”
Heclimbeddownfromthepileoftrashinwhichhe’dbeenhiding.“Goodshow,everyone.Justgreat,”hecontinued,clappinghishandstogether.“Ithinkwehaveahit.”
“Areyouokay?”Willowaskedhim.
“Tiptop,”hesaid,notveryconvincingly.“Really.Ifanyoneseesmyspinelayingaround,justtrynottosteponit.”
“Xander,oneofthesedaysyou’regonnagetyourselfhurt,”Buffysaid.
Faithputinhertwocents.“Orkilled.”
“Orboth,”Buffywenton.“Andyouknow,withthepainandthenthedeath,maybeyoushouldn’tbeleapingintothefraylikethat.Maybeyoushouldbefray-adjacent.”
Xanderwasclearlyhurtbytheimplication.Buffyfeltbadforhim—butnotasawfulasshe’dhavefeltifhe’dbeenphysicallyhurtduringthefighting.“Excuseme?”hesaid.“Who,atthecrucialmoment,distractedtheleaddemonbyallowinghertopummelhimaboutthehead?”
Faithdidn’tseemtoshareBuffy’sempathy.“Yeah,thatwasrealmanlythewayyoushriekedandall,”shesaid.
“Ithinkyou’llfindthatwasmoreofabellow,”Xanderprotested.
Buffychangedthesubject.“Whatshouldwedowiththetriohere?Shouldweburnthem?”
Willowpipedupatthat.
“Ibroughtmarshmallows!”shesaidwithawidesmile.Theotherslookedatherinastonishment.“Occasionally,”shecontinued,“Iamcallousandstrange.”
Gilestriedtosteertheconversationbackontrack.“Iexpectwecanleavethem,”hesaid.“I’mmoreinterestedinfindingoutwhattheyare,andwhetherwecanexpectmoreoftheirkind.”
“Ihopenot,”Buffysaid,rememberingtheirincrediblestrength.“They’rewaytoofit.”
“Isay,bring’emon,”Xanderannouncedloudly.
GilesputahandonXander’sshoulder,attempting,Buffythought,toleadtheyoungmanbacktosomethingresemblingreality.“Xander,”Gilessaid,“Ithinkinthefuture,itwouldbebestifyouhungbacktotherearofthebattle.Foryourownsake.”
Xanderwrinkledhisforeheadandspokeinahigh-pitchedvoice.“Butgee,Mr.White.IfClarkandLoisgetallthebigstories,I’llneverbeagoodreporter.”
“Hmm?”Gilesasked,clearlynotgettingit.
“JimmyOlsenjokesareprettymuchgonnabelostonyou,huh?”Xandersaid.
“Sorry,”Gilessaid.
“It’sokay.”
Theyleftthecavern,leavingthethreedemoncorpsesthatlitteredtheground,andwentoutintothenight.
CHAPTER12Thenextdaydawnedcrispandclear.ItwasJanuary.Less-than-superbowlgameswereover,buttheSuper-bowlloomed,andfootballfeverhadswepttheschool.Xander,hangingoutonSunnydaleHigh’squad,longedforthefeeloftheoldpigskininhishands.
NotenoughtohavetakenupCordelia’ssuggestionlastyearthathejointheteamoranything—thoseguysgothurt.Hedidn’twanttospendhissenioryearinacast.Buttherewassomethingaboutthisseasonthatmadehimwanttofeelthestingofitinhishands,watchaperfectpassspiralingfromhisarm.ThatoldYchromosome,actingup.
Andthereweresomeguystossingaballaroundthequad.Hecouldhearthesmackoftheballagainstfleshastheycaughtit.
“Hey!Doug,”hecalled.“Tossmeone!”Xanderbouncedupanddown,plaidshirttailsflappingwheretheydangledoutfrombeneathhisbrightredsweatshirt.
Doug,astockyguyinaletterjacket,wasactuallyontheteam.HeshotXanderalookandthenthrewtheballtoLes.
“Les,man!”Xandershouted.“I’mopen!”
LestosseditbacktoDoug.
Andnowtherewerecheerleaderswatching.
Thisisgoingtogetembarrassing,Xanderrealized,ifnoonethrowsmetheball.
“Buddy!”hecalled,unabletopreventanoteofdesperationfromcreepingintohisvoice.“Doug,righthere,man!Righthere!Doug,please!”
Dougrelented,threwahighpasshisway.
“Allright,”Xandersaid,runningtosnagtheball.“It’sallme—”
Butitwasn’t.
Theballbouncedoffhisfingertips,andlandedinthelapofastudentnamedJackO’Toole.Well,Xandercorrectedhimself,nothislap,exactly.Morelike,hislunch,knockingoveracanofsodaandsquishingasandwich.
And“student”wasn’tevenreallythewordtobeusedinreferencetoO’Toole,sinceitcarriedthatconnotationofstudying,whichwassomethingJackseemedtomakeeveryeffortnottodo.Hewasasenior,andhadbeensoforthreeyearsthatXanderknewof.Neverquitepulledtogetherthegradestomoveon,butdidn’tseeminterestedindoingthedrop-outthingeither.
Maybehewasafraidthatwouldleavehimwithoutanacceptablenumberofpeopletoterrorize.
Jackstoodupfromtheremainsofhislunch,footballinhand.Hewasunshavenandoldenoughforittomakeadifference,withshort,lightbrownhair.HeworeadarkbrownleatherjacketoveraplainwhiteV-neckedT-shirt.Amedallionhungfromaleatherthongathisneck.Fromtheglarehewasgetting,XanderknewhehadjustwrittenhisownnameatthetopofJackO’Toole’slist.Hetriedtodefusethings.
“Boy,Iamsosorry.Doug’sarmiskindalikespaghetti,we’reallsoverysadforhim.Isyourlunchokay?”
“Whatareyou,”Jackasked,“retarded?”
“No,”Xandersaid,stammeringalittle.“IhadtotakethattestwhenIwasseven,alittleslowinsomestuff,mostlymathandspatialrelations,butcertainlynot‘challenged’oranything.CanIgetyouanothersoda?”
“Ioughttocutyourfaceopen,”Jackhissed.Ifhe’sdoingClintEastwoodinDirtyHarry,Xanderthought,he’sgotitdown.
“Hey,hey,whoa,”Xandersaid.“Itwasanaccident.Cooldown.”
Jacklookedhimoverwithanexpressionsomewherebetweenamusementandmenace.“Youwannabestartingsomething?”heasked.
“What?Startingsomething?LikethatMichaelJacksonsong,thatwasalotoffun...”Hedidalittledancestepashesang.“‘Toohightogetover—yeahyeah.’Remember...thatfunsong...”
Jackdidn’tseemimpressed.“Igetmybuddiestogether,we’regonnakickyourasstillit’sabrandnewshape.”HepushedtheballintoXander’shands.“Nowgetouttahere.”
Xandergot.
Asheheadedbacktowardthequad,Dougcalledtohim.“Yo,man!Theball!”
Xandertosseditbacktohim,allinterestinfootballgonefornow.Cordeliawasstandinginfrontofhim,havingseenthewholeexchange.Great,hethought.It’salwaysbettertohaveyourlowestmomentsobservedbyyourex.
“Boy,ofallthehumiliationsyou’vehadthatI’vebeenwitnessto,”Cordeliasaid,“thatwasthelatest.”
“Icould’vetakenhim,”Xanderinsisted.
“Oh,please.O’Toolewouldmacrameyourface.He’sapsycho.Which,”sheadded,“isstillalotcoolerthanbeingawuss.”
“Whyisit,”Xanderasked,glancingatJack,“thatI’vecomeface-to-facewithvampires,demons,themosthideouscreaturesHelleverspitout,andI’mstillafraidofalittlebullylikeJackO’Toole?”
“Becauseunlikeallthoseothercreaturesthatyou’vecomeface-to-facewith,”Cordeliaexplained,“Jackactuallynoticedyouwerethere.”
Thiswas,Xanderreflected,oneofthosetimeswhenitwaseasytorememberwhyheandWillowhadformedtheIHateCordeliaClubwhentheywerekids.“WhyamIsurprisedbyhowcomfortingyou’renot?”
“Itmustbehardwhenallyourfriendshave,like,superpowers,”Cordywenton.“Slayer,werewolves,witches,vampires.Andyou’relikethislittlenothing.YoumustfeellikeJimmyOlsen.”
Remarkablyastute,hethought,consideringthewhothatitwascomingfrom.“Iwasjusttalkingto—”hebeganwithachuckle.Buthecuthimselfoff.“Hey!Mindyourownbusiness.”
“Ooh,Istruckanerve.TheBoyThatHadNoCool.”Xandercouldn’thavesaidwhy,afteralltheseyears,hestillfelttheneedtodefendhimselfagainstCordy’s
why,afteralltheseyears,hestillfelttheneedtodefendhimselfagainstCordy’sverbalattacks.Somedeep-rootedinsecurity,maybe?Whateverthereason,hedid,eventhoughitwasalwayshopeless.
“IhappentobeanintegralpartofthatgroupandIhappentohavealottooffer.”
“Oh,please.”Shestartedtowalkawayfromhim.
“Ido!”
Shespunaroundonhim.“Integralpartofthegroup?Xander.You’rethe...theuselesspartofthegroup.You’retheZeppo.”
Hegotthatreference,unfortunately.TheMarxBrothernooneremembered.Gummohadbetterlines.EvenGroucho,Harpo,andChicoforgotheexistedhalfthetime.
“‘Cool,’”Cordeliacontinued,throwingalooktowardwhereJackO’Toolestillworkedonwhatremainedofhislunch.“Lookitup.It’ssomethingthatasubliteratethat’srepeatedtwelfthgradethreetimeshasandyoudon’t.”
Sheturnedawayagain,leavingXandertohisverbaldefeat.Asshewent,heheardhersaytoherself,“Therewasnopartofthatthatwasn’tfun.”
Xanderignoredthelunchonhiscafeteriatray.Spaghettiwithsomekindofmysterymeatsauce,aroll,anapple.Hecouldsmellit,butthatdidn’tmakehimespeciallywanttoeatit.
HesatwithOz,wholistenedwithinfinitepatiencetohisrant.
“But,it’sjustthatit’sbuggin’me,”Xanderwassaying.“Thiscoolthing.Imean,whatisit?Howdoyougetit?Whodoesn’thaveit?Andwhodecideswhodoesn’thaveit?Whatistheessenceofcool?”
“Notsure.”Ozsaid.Succinct,asusual.Guyevengottochangehisnametosomethingcool,Xanderthought.AlmostnooneevenrememberedthathewasreallyDannyOsbourne.Oz.Succinct.Andcool.
“Imean,youyourself,Oz,areconsideredmoreorlesscool.Whyisthat?”
“AmI?”Ozpoppedapotatochipintohismouth.
“Isitaboutthetalking?”Xanderasked.“Youknow,thewayyoutendtoexpressyourselfinshort,noncommittalphrases?”
“Couldbe.”
“No,”Xandersaid,suddenlyseeingthelight.“You’reinaband.That’slikeabusiness-classtickettocoolwithcomplimentarymojoaftertakeoff.Igottalearnaninstrument.Isithardtoplayguitar?”
“NotthewayIplayit.”
“Okay,”Xandercontinued.“Butontheotherhand,eighthgradeI’mtakingflugelhornandgettingzerotrim,sotheinstrumentthingcouldbeamislead.Butyouneedathing.Onethingnobodyelsehas.WhatdoIhave?”
“Anexcitingnewobsession,”Ozreplied.“WhichIfeelmakesyouveryspecial.”
Xanderdidn’tmisstheimpliedsarcasticquotemarks.“Nowwiththemocking,whichIcanhandlebecauseIknowI’mrightaboutthis.I’monthetrack.Justneedtofindmything.”
“Itseemslikeyou’reoverthinkingit,”Ozofferedwithashrug.“Imean,you’vegotsomeidentityissues,it’snot—”
“—theendoftheworld,”Gilessaid.
Buffylookedathim,amazedthathehadevenraisedtheidea.Hewouldn’thavesaiditifhedidn’tmeanit,though.Thecouncilmayhavefiredhim,butonlybecausehewastryingtosaveherskinwhenherCruciamentumwentallkerflooey.Asfarasshewasconcerned,hewasstillherWatcher,andshetrustedhimcompletely.
“Cantheydothat?”sheasked.
Theywereintheschoollibrary,whereGileshadbeendoingsomeresearchintothedemonsthey’ddefeatedthenightbefore.Itwas5:20,schoollongsinceover,sotheyknewtheirconversationwouldn’tbeoverheard.
“Theyseemfairlycommitted,”hereplied.“TheSisterhoodofJheisanapocalypsecult;theyexistsolelytobringabouttheworld’sdestruction.And
apocalypsecult;theyexistsolelytobringabouttheworld’sdestruction.Andwe’venotseenthelastofthem.Morewillfollow.”
“Andthey’reinSunnydaleforwhat?DemonExpo?”
Gilestookoffhisglasses,gaveherthesternlook.“Buffy,thisisnolaughingmatter.”
“Hencemynolaughing.”
“I’msorry,”Gilessaid.“IknowI’mnolongeryourofficialWatcher,but—”
Thelibrarydoorswungopenwithasqueak,interruptinghim.
“Hey,”Ozsaid,bywayofgreeting.
“Hey,”Buffysaidback.Fullmoontonight;she’dalmostforgotten.
Ozwalkedpastthem,intothebookcage.
Gilesglancedathiswatch.Darknesscameearlyontheselatewinterdays,Buffyknew.“Um,”Gilessaid,“you’recuttingitabitclose.”
Ozclosedthecagedoorbehindhimself,startedtoshakeoffhisjacket.“Well,youknowme.”
Buffywentbacktothetopicathand,namely,theendoftheworld.“Well,doweknowwhythey’rehere?”
“Ithinkso,”Gilessaid.Hereachedforabookinwhichhe’dfoundsomebitofdataorother.“BasedonsomeartifactsIfoundwiththem,andtakingintoaccountthecurrentastralcycle—”
Shecuthimoff.“Giles,Idon’tneedtoseethemath.”
Heputthebookbackdownonhisdeskandsaid,verymatter-of-factly,“TheyintendtoopentheHellmouth.”
Sohewasn’texaggeratingwiththeapocalypsetalk.“TheHellmouth.Theonethatopens—”
“Abouttwentyfeetfromwhereyou’restanding,”Gilesfinished.
“Abouttwentyfeetfromwhereyou’restanding,”Gilesfinished.
Shelookedatanemptyspotoffloor.Empty,fromthisangle.Frombelow—notsomuch.
Andinthecage,afullytransformedwerewolfOzgrippedthecage’swirewithclawedpaws.Almostasifsensingthefearintheroom,hethrewhisheadbackandhowled.
“Andifitopens?”Willowasked.
Itwastheendofschool,thenextday.Anothercold,sunnyone.Theywalkedtogetheronthegrassinfrontoftheschoolbuilding.Aroundthem,otherkidswereheadinghometodohomeworkorwatchTV,goingtotheirafterschooljobs,planningdatesandparties.
NosuchluxuryfortheSlayer.
“DoyourememberthedemonthatalmostgotoutthenightIdied?”Buffyasked.Spokencasually—shereallyhadlargelyputitbehindher.
“EverynightmareIhavethatdoesn’trevolvearoundacademicfailureorpublicnudityisaboutthatthing,”Willowassuredher.“Infact,onceIdreamedthatitattackedmewhileIwaslateforatestandnaked.”
“Well,it’llbethefirsttocomeout,”Buffysaid.“AndGilessaysitwon’tbetheworstbyalongshot.Theworldwillbeoverrunwithdemonsunlesswestopit.”
“Doweknowwhenthisissupposedtohappen?”
“Gilesistryingtonarrowitdown,”Buffyanswered.“Ifyou’reupforit,we’reheadingintodeepresearchmode.”
Willowsoundedpositivelyeager.“I’dbeoffendedifyouhaven’talreadycountedmein.”
“Thanks,Will.There’ssomethingaboutthisone...itscaresme.IneedmyWillow.”
“Youdon’thavetobeafraid—”
Atwhichpoint,bothgirlsjumpedoutoftheirskinsatthemanichonkingofacar
Atwhichpoint,bothgirlsjumpedoutoftheirskinsatthemanichonkingofacarhorn,rightbehindthem.
Theyspun,adrenalinepumping.
Xander.
But,Xanderinacar.
Andnotjustanycar.Oneofthoseboatsfromthefifties,allchromeandfinsandsheer,gas-guzzlingmass.Aconvertible,noless.Mintgreen.Theradioblared.
Xandersmiledbehindhissunglasses.“Yougirlsneedalift?”
“Whatisthis?”Buffyasked.
“Whatdoyoumean,whatisit?It’smything!”Xandersaid.
“Yourthing?”Willowrepeated.
“Mything.”
Buffymadeaface.“Isthisapenismetaphor?”
“It’smythingthatmakesmecool!”Xanderexplained.“Youknow,thatmakesmeunique.I’mcarguy.Guywithacar.”
“Howcanyouaffordit?”Willowaskedhim.
“UncleRory,stackinguptheDUIs,lettingmerentthisbadboytillhe’smobileagain.”Xanderturnedthemusicdown.
Buffyfishedforsomethingtosayaboutit.Allshecouldcomeupwithwas,“Well,it’snice.”
“Couldyousoundalittlelessenthused?”Xandersaid.
“Sorry.”
“Evil,”Willowoffered,bywayofexplanation.
“Big?”Xanderasked.
“Biggest,”Buffysaid.“MaybemorethanIcanhandle.”
Xanderpulledofftheshades,suddenlyserious.“Thenwe’llhandleittogether,”hesaid.“YouknowI’mhereforyou.JusttellmewhatIcando.”
“Taketwoglazed,twocinnamon,couplecreme-filled,andajelly,”Xandertoldthedoughnutshopclerk.Theairinthelittlestorewascloyinglysweet.“No,no,let’sroundthatouttofourjellies.”
MaybeCordeliawasright.IamtheZeppo.
ThebiggestevilBuffyhadeverfaced,andhisjob?Fetchdoughnuts,Xander.Keepoutofthewayoftherealsoldiers,Xander.
Heresentedit.Butnotsomuchthathewouldn’tdowhathewasasked.Anarmyfightsonitsstomach,orsomethinglikethat.IftheSlayerandherSlayerettesneeddoughnuts,thendoughnutsthereshallbe.
Therewas,herealized,onlyonethingthatcouldmakethisworse.
Andthenshewalkedinthedoor.
“Ooh,someevilgoingon?”Cordeliaasked.“Itmustbebigforthemtoentrustyouwiththisdaredevilmission.”
“Cordelia,”hesaidingreeting.“Feelfreetodropdeadofawastingdiseaseinthenexttwentyseconds.”
“AgainIstrikethenerve.”Shesoundedquitepleasedwithherself.Whichwas,afterall,herusualstateofbeing.“Iamasurgeonofmean.”
Hetookhisboxofdoughnutsandwalkedoutthedoor.“I’mkindabusyrightnow,okay?”
Cordelialethimgetallthewaytohiscar,parkedinfrontoftheshop,beforeshestoppedhim.“Right,Buffyneedsyourhelp.Canyousay‘expendable’?”
“Youthinkyouknoweverything—”
“IthinkIknowyou,”shesaid.
“That’salaugh.”
“That’salaugh.”
“Oh,what,”Cordeliasaid.“Yougotashinycarandnowyou’resomeonenew.Likeanybodycaresabout—”
Shewasinterruptedbyablondgirlwalkingupthesidewalktowardhim.Andwhatablond.Youngandbeautifulandmostdefinitelyhot,withafigure-huggingsweaterthatshowedplentyoffigure.Luckysweater,Xanderthought.
Andshewastalkingtohim.
“Isthatyourcar?”sheasked.
Heloweredhisvoiceanoctave.“Whyyes,itis.”
Shelookedatthevehicle,admiringly,andsaid“’57ChevyBelAir,283C.I.D,solidlifter,fuelinjectedv8?”
Heknewshehadthenameright,anyway.Therest,hewasn’tsosureabout.Itwasn’tlikeUncleRoryhadgivenhimacrashcourseoranything.“Uh...verypossibly.”
“Howdoesshehandle?”
“Likeadream,”hereplied,stillbarelybelievingthisgoddesswastalkingtohim.“Aboutwarm,stickythings.Wouldyouliketogoforalittledrive?”
“Youbusy?”sheasked.
Right.
ThedayI’mtoobusytospendtimedrivingaroundtowninaclassicconvertiblewiththeprettiestgirlwhoeverjustwalkedupandstartedtalkingtome...
Well,justburyme,’causeI’llbedead.
“Justgottadropthisstuffoff,andthenI’ddescribemyselfas‘expendable.’”ThatlastwasforCordy’sbenefit,andhewatchedhertomakesureshecaughtit.Shedid.
Heopenedthedoorfortheblond.Shesatdown,andhecloseditbehindher,everthegentleman.Insteadofgoingtohisowndoor,hesteppedoffthe
everthegentleman.Insteadofgoingtohisowndoor,hesteppedoffthesidewalkintothebackseat,putthedoughnutboxdown,andthenclimbedintothedriver’sseat.
Itdidn’tgoquiteassmoothlyashehadenvisionedit.
Shedidn’tevenseemtonotice.
Hername,itturnedout,wasLysette.
Shelikedcars.
Andthatprettymuchdefinedher,asfarasXandercouldtell.
TheywereattheBronze.Itwasdarkout.Shewastalking.
Still.
“...andthen,youknow,IstartedseeingDavePeck.HadaThunderbird,enginecompletelytrickedout,buttheupholsterywaskindashot,sothenIstartedseeinghisfriendMike,nottheMikewiththeMercedes,theMikewiththeMustang,an’82,v6,youknowthelook...”
HisonlysalvationwasrememberingtheexpressiononCordy’sfacewhenhe’ddrivenoffwithLysette.That,atleast,wasworthsomeamountoftorture.
Maybenotthismuch.
Butsheissuchthebabe.
Evenso,whenhespottedAngelcomingintothecrowdedclub,itwaslikeseeingsalvation.
“Angel!”Xandercalled,practicallyleapingoffhisstool.Hewavedthevampireover.“Buddy.Friendbuddy.Youwanttositandtalk?”
“I’mlookingforBuffy,”Angelsaid,inhisusualbrusquemanner.
You’dthinkaguywouldlearnsomeetiquetteinalmosttwohundredandfiftyyears,Xanderthought.
“Library,lastIsaw.”
“Library,lastIsaw.”
“Something’shappening,”Angeltoldhim.“I’veseenportents—”
Nonewsthere.“Theapocalypse.They’reontopofit.”
“Idon’tthinktheyknowwhatthey’redealingwith.”Angelsoundedgenuinelyconcerned.
“Let’sgothere!”Xandersuggested,feelingthelifelineslippingfromhisgrasp.“Andtellthemthat.”
“No,”Angelsaid.“It’sbestyoustayoutofharm’sway.”
“ButIcouldhelp...”Xandersaid,butAngelwasalreadyatthedoor.Thelifelinewasgone.
Asiftoconfirmthat,Lysetteasked,“Hey,youwannagoforanotherdrive?”
Hewalkedhertothecar,parallel-parkedatthecurbclosetotheBronze’sfrontdoor.“Youknow,it’snotlikeIhaven’thelpedbefore,”heexplained.He’dfinallyturnedtheconversationawayfromcarsandtowardhimself.Although,I’mnotentirelysureshe’slisteninganymore.But,ohwell...it’snotlikeIwaslisteningtoher.“I’vedonequalityviolenceforthosepeople,dotheyeventhinkaboutthat?”
Hispretenseatchivalrygone,hesimplyopenedthedriver’ssidedoor.Shegotin,scootedover.Hesteppedinbehindher,slammingthedoor.
Hecrankedtheignition,threwthecarintogear,andstartedtopulloutoftheparkingspace.
“Imean,theyactlikeI’msomesortofklutz—”
Hehadn’tgonetwofeetbeforethecarstopped.
Butnotbecauseofanythinghehaddone.Atleast,anythingintentional.
Itstopped,becausethat’swhattendstohappenwhenonerunsintoanothercar.
Whichiswhathehaddone.Therewasaloudcrunchingofmetal,andthetinkleofglasshittingtheground.
ofglasshittingtheground.
“OhGod,”Xandersaid.“Areyouallright?”Arhetoricalquestion,sincehecouldseethatshewasfine.
Hegotoutofthecar,andLysettefollowed.
“OhGod,”hesaidagain.“Staycalm.Littlefenderbender,it’snot—”
Thedriver’sdoorofthecarhehadhitopened,andthedriveremerged.
JackO’Toole.
Homicideinhiseyes.
“—theendoftheworld.”
CHAPTER13Ozstoodinhiscageandgrowled.
“He’scranky,”Willowsaid.
“It’sagoodnightforit,”Buffyagreed.Theysatinthedarkenedlibrary,withjustenoughlighttoreadby.Thetablebeforethemwaspiledhighwithbooksthey’dgonethroughlookingforinformationthatmighthelpavertthecomingapocalypse.
“Can’tdogssensewhenthere’sanearthquake,andtheybark?”Willowasked.“Orcowsliedownorsomething?”
Buffyignoredher,readingoutloudfromthetextinherlap.“‘SisterhoodofJhe.Raceoffemaledemons,fiercewarriors.’Eew.‘Celebratevictoryinbattlebyeatingtheirfoes.’Theycouldn’tjustpourGatoradeoneachother?”
Gilesstormedintotheroom,mumblinghalftohimself.“Councilwouldn’teventakemycalls,”hesaid.Hesoundedfurious.“Idiots!”Then,tothegirls,heasked,“Anythingusefulinthebooks?”
“Notwildly,”Buffyreplied.Sheclosedtheoneshe’dbeenreadingfrom.
“WestillhavethebooksofPheriontogothrough,”Willowpointedout.
ButBuffydidn’twanttoreadmore.Shewantedtobedoingsomething.Anything.
“I’mgettingitchyfeet,Giles,”shesaid.“Wedon’tturnupsomethingsoon,I’mgonnahitthestreets.MaybecheckoutWilly’s.”
“Fine,”Gilessaid.Hewasheadedforthedoorhimself.
“Whereareyougoing?”Willowaskedhim.
Gilestookhiscoatfromahook,begantuggingiton.“Um,totryandcontactthespiritguides,”hesaid.“Theyexistoutoftime,haveknowledgeofthefuture.Ihavenoideaifthey’llrespondtomyefforts,butIhavetotry.Allweknowis
havenoideaifthey’llrespondtomyefforts,butIhavetotry.Allweknowisthatthefateoftheentireworldrestsonit.”
Hecamebacktothetable,lookedattheopendoughnutbox.
“Didyoueatallthejellies?”heasked.
“Didyouwantajelly?”Buffysaid.
Hesoundedhurt.“Ialwayshaveajelly.I’malwaystheonethatsays,‘Let’shavejellyinthemix.’”
“We’resorry,”Willowsaid.“Buffyhadthree.”
Buffygaveheralook.Rattedoutbymybestfriend.
“Nomatter,”Gilessuggested.“HaveXandermakeanotherrun.”
Buffyspokefirmly.“No.Xander’soutofthis.Henearlygotkilledlasttimewefought.Thiswholethingwillbeeasierifweknowhe’ssafe.”
*
“Oh.Gosh,Jack.Areyouokay?”Xanderasked,tryingnottosoundpanic-stricken.Helookedatthecars.Hiswasfine,butJack’shadabrokentaillightandsomedamagetothefender.“Iamreallysorryaboutthat.Yourcarcameoutofnowhere.”
“Iwasparked,”Jacksaid.Hisvoicestillhadthatsinisterhushtoit.
“Exactly,”Xandersaid.“Look,Icancoverthedamages.Idon’thaveinsuranceinthestrictestsenseoftheword,butIhavealittlemoney...theimportantthingisthatwe’reallallright,andwecanworkthisoutliketworeasonable—”
TherewasthefaintesttingasJackwhippedhisknifefromitsscabbard.Hehelditupinfrontofhimandthebroadbladecaughttheglowfromthestreetlights.
ItwasthebiggestknifeXanderhadeverseenoutsideofapiratemovie.
“—frontiersmen...”
“Wheredoyouwantit?”Jackasked.Likeitwasaforegoneconclusionthat
“Wheredoyouwantit?”Jackasked.LikeitwasaforegoneconclusionthatXanderwouldtakeitsomewhere.
“What?”
“Wheredoyouwantit?”Jackrepeated.
“I’mfairlycertainIdon’twantitatall,”Xandersaidabruptly.“Butthankyou.”
“Wow,coolknife,”LysettesaidfrombehindXander.Hewasbeginningtoregreteverhavinggivenherthatfirstride.
“Yeah,greatknife,”heagreed.“AlthoughIthinkitmaytechnicallybeasword.”
“She’scalledKatie,”Jacksaid.Hemoveditbackandforth,lettingthelightplayacrossitsblade.
Herblade,Xandercorrected.
“Yougaveitagirl’sname,”Xandernoted.“Howveryserialkillerofyou.”Tothegirl,hesaid,“Lysette,Ithinkweshouldbegoing.”
ButJackgrabbedhim,turnedhimaround,andheldtheknifeagainsthisface.Hecouldfeelthesharpedgeonhischeek,notquitecutting.Shavingtheday’swhiskers,though.
“Areyouscared?”Jackasked.
XanderwasprettysurewhatanswerJackwantedtohear.“Wouldthatmakeyouhappy?”heasked.Hecaughtthecrackingsoundofhisownvoice.Affirmative,hethought.Scared.
JackmovedthecoldbladebackandforthacrossXander’scheekandneck.Takesgoodcareofher,too.Niceandsharp.“Yourwomanlookingon,youcan’tstanduptome?Don’tyoufeelpathetic?”
“MostlyIfeelKatie,”Xanderansweredsincerely.
JackpressedthebladealittleharderintoXander’sflesh.“Youknowwhatthedifferencebetweenyouandmeis?”
“Again,Katie’sspringingtomind.”
“Again,Katie’sspringingtomind.”
“Fear,”Jacksaid.“Whohastheleastfear.”
“Andithasnothingtodowithwhohasthebig,sharp—”
JackwhippedtheknifeawayfromXander’sfaceandslappedthepommelintoXander’shand.NowXanderhadthebigsharpknife.Jacktookastepback,motionedXandertowardhimwithbothhands.Givinghimaclearshot.
“Comeon,”heprompted.
Xanderfeltthecomfortingweightoftheweaponinhishand.TriedtopictureplungingitintoJack’sbullyingheart.Justlikestakingavamp,hethought.
Buthecouldn’tdoit.Differenceis,avampire’salreadybeendeadonce.
“Iwannagoforadrive,”Lysettewhined,uninterestedinthislatestturnofevents.“I’mbored.”
“Oh,gee,”Xandersaid,lookingawayfromJackforamoment.“I’mreallysorrymylifeordeathsituationisn’texcitingenough—”
JacktookadvantageofXander’sdividedattention.HegrabbedXander,slamminghimbackwardontotheChevy’shood.SnatchingXander’shand,heturnedit,pushingthepointofKatie’sbladeupagainstXander’sthroat.Xandercouldalmosttastethesharp,oiledsteel.
Fromtheoutside.
ThenabrightlightshoneinJack’seyes.“Hey!What’sgoingon?”avoicedemanded.ThethugletXandergoandbackedaway,Katiesuddenlyvanishing.
Xanderstraightenedandsawapoliceofficerapproaching.HetrainedaflashlightonJackandtookinthescene.
“Nothing,”Jacksaid.“Justrasslin’.”
“O’Toole.Whatasurprise.”Thecopknewhim.Guessthatfigures,Xanderthought.Then,toXander,hesaid,“Heattackyou?”
Sayyes!Xanderthought.WithaknifethesizeofRhodeIsland!
Buthecouldn’tdoit.He’ddefusedJackbefore.Heknewhecoulddoitagain.Theguy’snotallbad,hethought.Bettertostayinhisgoodgraces.GettingJackarrestedwouldjustaggravatehim,andhewouldn’tstaylockedupforever.
“No,”hefinallysaid,givingtheofficerabig,we’sall-just-friends-heresmile.“Justblowin’offsteam.Twoguysrasslin’.Butnotinagayway,”hehastenedtoadd.
“Doitsomewhereelse,huh?”thecopsaid.Heleftthemalone.
WhenXanderlookedbackatJack,herealizedJackwasjuststaringathim,grinning.
“What?”
“Thatwasallright,”Jacksaid.“Couldanarkedonme,didn’tdoit.Decentofyou.”Hepaused.“Ilikeyou.”
SuddenlyXanderwasn’tatallsureifbeingfriendswithJackwasbetterorworsethanbeingenemies.“Yay?”
“Youtwowannahavesomefun?”Jackasked.
NowLysettewasinterested.“Like,withdriving?”
“Yeah,”Jacksaid.
Xanderknewthishadtobeabadidea.Whathedidn’tquiteknowwashowtogetoutofit.“Whatdoyouhaveinmind?”hestalled.
“Iwasonmywaytogettheboys,”Jacksaid.“Gonnacruisearound.”Hegesturedtowardtheconvertible.“We’lltakeyourwheels.”
“Whataboutyourcar?”Xanderasked.
Jackgavethedamagedvehiclealonglook.“Itain’tmine.”
JackclimbedintotheChevy’spassengerseat.Lysetteslidinbesidehim,inthemiddle.Xandersatbehindthewheel.“Great,”hesaid,withoutenthusiasm.“Whereto?”
“Whereto?”
“Gonnagettheboys!”Jackannounced.
“Yeah.Great,”Xandersaid.“Wherearetheboys?”
Itjusthadtobe,Xanderthought,somethinglikethis.Hadto.
Theywereinthecemetery.OneofSunnydale’smany.Jackstoodnexttoagrave,wavingachickenfootoveritasherecitedanincantation.Xanderwouldn’thavetakenhimforastudentoftheBlackArts,but,somuchforstereotyping.
“Hecallsforth,thespiritofUurthu,therestless,nooneshallspeak,”Jackwassaying.“Heshallarise!Hearme,thebloodoftheEarthshallrestorehim—”
Hedroppedthechickenfoot,drewKatie,andslicedopenhisownpalm.Bloodfromhishanddrippedontothegrave.
“Andheshallarise,”Jackcontinued.“Shallarise!”
Didn’tseemlikemuchofaritualtoXander,whohadseenoneortwodooziesinhistime.Lysettedidn’tseemtooimpressedeither—boredtodistractionwasmorelikeit.
Butresultswerewhatcounted,intheritualbusiness.Andthisonegotresults.Someone—presumablythe“he”ofwhichJackhadbeenspeaking—arose.
Twofistsshovedtheirwaythroughthegrave’shard-packedearth,followedbyacrewcut-coiffedhead.Asheclawedhiswayupfromtheground,Xandersawthathe’dbeenburied,inaquestionabledisplayoftaste,inaletterjacketwithabigSunnydale“S”onthechest,andadirtyT-shirt.
Andthat,sometimebeforebeingburied,he’dbeenshotinthehead.Therewasabig,puckeredbulletholejustoverhislefteye.
HelookslikeMoose,fromthe“Archie”comics,Xanderthought.Well,ifMoosewasreal.Andhadbeenshot,andthenburied.
“Buddy!”thedeadguyshouted.
Jackspreadhisarmswide,ahugesmileonhisface.“Bob,youbighideous
Jackspreadhisarmswide,ahugesmileonhisface.“Bob,youbighideouscorpse,comehere!”
BobthrewhimselfintoJack’sarmsandgavehimabigdead-guyhug.
Lysette,nolongerbored,gaveablood-curdlingscreamandranforherlife.
“I’llcallyou—”Xandercalledafterherdisappearingform.
Jackandhisfriendwerestilldoingthereunionthing,laughingandpoundingeachotherontheback,thewaymanlyguysdid.Evenmanlyzombies,itseemed.
“Man,youraisedme!”Bobshouted.Hisnormalspeakingvoiceseemedtobeashout.Xanderwonderedifthatwasasideeffectofhavingspenttimeinthequietofthegrave.ButBobwasabigside-of-beefkindofguy—Xanderfiguredquietandlow-keywerealienconceptstohim.
“Itoldyougrandpappycouldworkthatmojo,”Jacksaid.“BigBobisbackinaction!”
Bobpumpedhisfistsintheair.“Yes!”heshouted.ThenheandJackbuttedtheirheadstogetherinabondingritualXanderwasn’tfamiliarwith.“D’ahh!”Bobgruntedastheycollided.HegrabbedJack’sarms.“Ican’tbelieveyouraisedme!Thatissoawesome.Youarethecoolest!”
Xanderfiguredthiswashisbestopportunitytomakeagetaway.“MaybeIshouldletyouguyscatchup—”
JackpointedatXanderwiththeknife.“Bob,thisisXander,”hesaid.“He’sourwheelman.”
Ihaveajobdescription,Xanderthought.DoesthatmeanI’mhired?Because,retiringsoundslikeagoodidea.
BobtookasteptowardXander,gavehimafriendlypunchintheshoulder.Didn’tquitedislocateit,butitknockedXanderbackacoupleofsteps.“Hey,”Bobsaid.
“Howdy,”Xanderreplied,withagrimaceofpain.
“Dude,wherearetheotherguys?”BobaskedJack.“Wegottagoget’em!”
“Dude,wherearetheotherguys?”BobaskedJack.“Wegottagoget’em!”
“Absolutely,”Jackagreed.
“Allright,”Bobsaid.
Jackstartedwalkingtowardthecar,Bobfollowing.
Xanderstayedbythegrave.“Are,um...areallyourfriendsdead?”heasked.Notreallywantingtoknowtheanswer.
Jackobligedhimbynotanswering.“Xander,let’sroll.”
Xanderbroughtuptherear.
“HowlongIbeendown?”Bobaskedastheywalked.
“Eightmonths.Ihaddawaittillthestarsaligned.”
“Oh,eightmonths!Man.Igotsomecatchin’uptodo.”Bobstopped,jammedafingerintoJack’schest.“‘WalkerTexasRanger.’Youbeentapin’’em?”
“Everyep,”Jackassuredhim.
“Allright,”thezombiesaid.“We’regonnagettheguystogether,we’regonnaparty,man.”HeslappedXanderontheothershoulder.IfXanderhadanyfeelingatallleftinhisarmsbytheendofthis,he’dbehappy.“Thisisgonnabeanighttoremember,”Bobwenton.“Yeah!”
“I’msensingthat,”Xanderagreedquietly.
“ThebloodoftheEarthshallrestorehim,andheshallrise.”
Jackwasrepeatingthesamesceneatanothergraveyard.Hewas,Xandernoted,evenmoreefficientwithpractice.
Ahorribleheadpushedupthroughthedirt.Thisone’sskinwasalldiscolored,missinginpatches,toastylooking,likehe’dsurvivedaterriblefire.
Only,withoutthesurvivingpart.
“Dudes,”hesaid.
Andtheywereofftothenextcemetery.AsXanderpeeledawayfromthecurbwithascreechoftires,Bobwavedhisfistsintheairandscreamed,“Beeeeer!”
*
GilesstoodinRestfieldCemetery,alightedcandleinhishand.Torcheswerelitandjammedintopolesbeforethedoorofamausoleum.
GilesspoketherequiredincantationinLatin.“Donotdenyme,spiritguide!”hesaid.“Letthewisdomofthosewhohavepassedbeshowereduponme!”
Abovethemausoleumdoor,abrightcloudwasforming.Fromwithinthecloudadeepvoiceboomed,alsospeakingLatin.
“Thesesecretsbelongtotimeandthedarkregions!”thevoicesaid.“TorevealthemwouldbringChaosdownuponthelivingEarth!”
“Thebeastmustbefought,”Gilesinsisted.“Ouronlyhopeliesinfindingitsweakness!”
“Seeknot!Disturbusnolonger!”Thecloudblewawayonasuddenwind.Thetorchesandcandlewentout,leavingGilesaloneinthedark.
Inmorewaysthanone.
Xandersawtheendofit.Jackandhispalswererepeatingtheirritual,afewgravesover,andhe’dwanderedthiswaywhenheheardGiles’svoice.“Giles,”hesaid,relievedtofindsomeoneheknew.Andwho’salive.“Hey,what’sgoingon?”
“Oh,Iwasjusttryingtogainaccesstothespiritguides—notgoingverywell,I’mafraid,”Gilessaid.Hesoundedfrustratedashegathereduptheequipmenthe’dbroughtwithhim.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”
Xanderwasn’tsurehowmuchhedaredtosay.Itwasn’tjustthatJackwasdangerousandscary.Althoughthatentersintoit.Itwasalsothathe’dbeenhelpingJack,evenifsomewhatunwittingly.XanderknewhowmuchGilesdisapprovedofWillow’soccasionalforaysintospellcastingonherown.
Gottafigureraisingthedeadisevenworse,inhisbook.
“Oh,wewerejustraising...someheck.”
Jack’svoicecalledfromtheothergravesite.“Xander!Let’sgo!”
XanderrealizedthatGilesmightbehislastchancetoleavethesezombiesbehind.IftherewasawayhecouldlatchontoGiles,withoutconfessingwhathe’dbeenupto...“Listen,doyouguysneedanyhelp?”
“Hmm?”Gilesasked,distractedbyhisownworries.“Oh,no.Thankyou.Probablybestifyoustayoutoftrouble.”
“Notmuchchanceofthat,”Xandersaid.
Jackandhisbuddies—includinganewone—stoodbesidetheChevy.“Xander!”Jackyelled.“Motor!”
“There’ssomethingdifferentaboutthismenace,”Gileswenton.“Somethingintheair.Thestenchofdeath.”
“Yeah,Ithinkit’sBob,”Xandersaid.
“Wemayallbecalledupontofightwhenithappens.”
Xanderwasgettingalittletiredofthis“nobodytrustXanderwiththeinfo”thing.ButmaybeGilesisn’tinontheconspiracy,hethought.Worthatry...“Whenwhathappens,exactly?”
“Comeon!”Jackwasgrowingimpatient.
AndGilesdodgedthequestion.“I’dbettergo,”hesaid.“Hopefully,weshallhavetimetoprepare.Allweneedisafewweeks.”
“Tonight?”Buffyasked.
“Beforesunrise,”Willyanswered.“That’swhattheysaid.”
Willy’sAlibiRoomwascompletelytrashed.
Notthatitwasparticularlystylishinthefirstplace.Callingitadivewouldbekind,Buffythought.Itwasthekindofplacedemonsandseriousdrinkerscametoseekoblivion,company,andbruisedknuckles.She’dheardaboutlegendary
barbrawlsthathadtakenplacehere,butshewasprettysurethattonight’sdamageratedprettyhighevenbyWilly’ssomewhatflexiblestandards.
Willyhimselfwasabloodymess,crumpledonthefloorbehindthebar.Hiscashregisterwasdowntherewithhim,bothsurroundedbybrokenbottles.Therestoftheplacewasinthesameshape:furnituresmashed,mirrorsbroken,lightfixturestornfromtheceiling.
“Whydidtheydothis?”Buffyaskedhim.
Willysoundedmoreupsetthanshehadeverheardhim.“TheywerelookingforAngel.”
“Angel,why?”
“Saidtheywerecomingafteryou,too.Saidnothingcouldstandintheirwaybecausetonightwasthenight.”Hecoughed,clutchedhisbleedingchest.“Ahh,man.”
Buffywasworriedaboutthebarkeep.HewasatransplantedeasternerwhohadneverquiteacclimatedtosouthernCalifornia.Hisdarkhairandpaleskindidn’tlooklikethey’deverseenthesun—notbecausehewasavampire,butbecauseheworkednightsandsleptdays,shefigured.
Willy’swasn’taplacesheandherfriendshungoutin—youweresupposedtobetwenty-onetoevengetinthedoor,foronething.Andmostofhisregularsweredemonsandotherundesirables.Willyalwaysmadeperfectlyclearthathisowninterestswerehisnumber-onepriority,andhisassistance,whenhegaveitatall,usuallycarriedasteepprice.Butshedidn’twishhimanyharm.She’dcalled911assoonasshe’dfoundhim.“Theambulanceisonitsway.”
“Look,kid,”hesaid.“Myclienteleain’texactlynunsandorphans.ButIneverseenanythinglikethesedemons.”
Comingfromhim,astatementlikethatcarriedsomeweight.Butshewantedtosoundconfident.“I’mgonnastopthem,”shepromised.
“ThatHellmouthopens,they’regonnabetheleastofyourproblems,ismytrainofthought,”hesaid.“IfIwereyou,I’dgofindAngel,gosomewherequiettogether.I’dbethinkingabouthowIwannaspendmylastnightonEarth.”
TheradiowasblastingasXanderdrovethroughthenormallysubduedstreetsofSunnydale.Dickie,theburnvictim,andParker,whohadbeendrowned,satintheback.BothDickieandParker,atleast,hadbeenburiedinthetraditionaldarksuitsandties.
Jackrodeshotgun.Bobstoodinthemiddle,betweenDickieandParker,fistsraisedtothesky.
“Let’sgetsomebeer!”hewailed.
Parkerhadhisownideas.“Let’sgopickupsomegirls,man.We’llhangoutTacoBell,getsomegirls,gocruisearound.”
Theyalllaughedatthat—butthen,Xandernoted,theyallthoughtprettymucheverythingwashilarious.Asideeffectofbeingreturnedfromthedead,hefigured.
“Iwannabakeacake,”Dickiesaid,toanotherroundoflaughter.
“Hey,weneedsomebeers,though,”Bobinsisted,takinghisseat.Thebigguyhadaone-trackmind.
“Ican’tbelieveyougotshot,man,”Parkersaid.“WasitthemJackals?”
“Areyoukidding?”Jackresponded.“Wewipedthemoutaftertheythrewyouoffthebridge.”
“Oh,man,”Parkersaid,voicequakingwithemotion.“Youguysarethebest,man.Imeanit.”
“Itwasaliquorstore,”Bobtoldthem.“LittleArmenianguy,runstheplace,hehadagunbehindthecounter.Hey,weshouldgokickhisass!”
“Yeah!”Parkerscreamed.
“Yeah!”Bobechoed.
Xandercouldn’tbelievehewaschauffeuringabunchofzombiethugsaroundtown.Myfolkswouldhavemylicenseiftheyknew,hethought.NottomentionwhatUncleRorywoulddoiftheseguysleftsomekindofresidue,embalming
fluid,anythinglikethat,onhispristineseats.“Ifyouguyswantmetodropyousomewhere,that’s—”hebegan.
“No,”Jacksaidsharply.“You’rewithusnow.”
“Yeah,man,”Parkeragreed.“You’reontheteamnow,baby.Woohoo!”
“Whatarewegonnado?”Bobasked.
“Well,I’veheardsomeinterestingsuggestions,butI’mgonnahavetogowithDickie’s,”Jacksaid.“Let’sbakeacake.”
Thispronouncementwasmetwithachorusofcheersandcatcalls.Xanderhadtorethinkhisearlierposition.Abunchofzombiethugswithaninterestintheculinaryarts.
Hewasprettysurethenightcouldn’tgetanyweirder.
JackhadXanderpullupoutsideahardwarestore.Thegangpiledoutofthecar.“Youstayhere,”Jacksaid.“Andkeepthemotorrunning.”
“Thistimeofnight,”Xandersuggested,“I’mprettysurenothing’sopen—”
Bobthrewsomethingthroughthestore’splate-glasswindow,shatteringit.Thedeadguyspushedtheirwayinthroughthebrokenglass.
“Oh,”Xandersaid.“Butofcourse,they’realwaysopenforcrime.”Hekepthishandsonthewheel,eyesinfront.Hedidn’twanttoseeanymoreofthisthanhehadto.
Buthecouldn’tbringhimselftonotlook.
“Okay,nowI’minvolvedincrime,”hesaidtohimself.“I’mthecriminalelement.Havingacarsureiscool.”
Acrossthestreet,heheardabelljingle,andafamiliarvoice.
“Thankyou!Sorrytowakeyou!”
ItwasWillow!Thenhesawher,comingoutofashopdoorway.UncleBob’sMagicCabinet,thesignoverthedisplaywindowread.Therewasamanatthedoor,lockingupbehindhimself.“Noproblem,”theguysaid.
door,lockingupbehindhimself.“Noproblem,”theguysaid.
Xandergotoutofthecar.“Will!”hecalled.Hefeltawaveofreliefwashoverhim—butjustassuddenly,itpassed.
Andyou’regoingtotellherwhat,exactly?heaskedhimself.Shewashisoldestfriend;hewasn’tgoingtogethermixedupwiththeunder-the-hillgang.Theyhadn’tbeenviolentyet—towardhim,anyway.Butitwasapparentthattheyhadthecapacity.
Willowcameacrossthestreettowardhim.“Xander.Whatareyoudoinghere?”
“Nothing,”hereplied.“Certainlynotcrime!”Heglancedbacktowardthehardwarestore,makingsuretheguysweren’tcomingoutyet.“Whataboutyou?”
Sheheldupthepaperbagshehadcarriedfromtheshop.“Ineededsuppliesforaprotectionspell.BuffycalledfromAngel’s.It’shappening,tonight.”
Themysterious“it.”“Andthatthingthat’shappeningwouldbe...?”heasked.
“I...Ican’tsay,”Willowstammered.“Buffy’llneedthis.”Shestartedtorushoff,thenstoppedherself.Shecamebacktohim,threwherarmsaroundhisneck,squeezinghimtightly.“Iloveyou,Xander,”shesaid.Thenshereleasedhimanddartedoffintothedarkness.
Xanderwatchedhergo.Therewasdefinitelysomethinggoingon,andheknewhehadtobethereforBuffyandtheothers.HehadtogetawayfromJackandhisgang.“Okay,that’sit”hesaid.“I’mgoingto—”
HeturnedandwalkedstraightintoJack.
“Whereyougoing?”
“Look,”Xandersaid.“Something’sjustcomeup.”
“Youwannabailonme?”Jackaskedquietly.“Isthatit?”
Justthen,theotherscameoutofthestorecarryingshoppingbags.“Wegotthecakemix!”Dickieannounced.
“Wheredoyouwannabakeit?”Parkerasked.
“Wheredoyouwannabakeit?”Parkerasked.
“Xander’slookingtoleave,”Jacktoldthem.
“Noway,”Bobsaid.“Weneedawheelman.”
“Xanderdoesn’tfeelhe’spartofthegroup,”Jackexplained.Theotherguyscircledaroundhim.
“No,”Xandersaid.Idon’twanttobepartofthegroup.Buthedidn’tthinkthey’dappreciatehearingthat.“I’mkindofbusy...”
“Hedoesn’tfeellikepartofthegroup,”Bobsaid,“becausehehasn’tbeeninitiated!”
Xanderdidn’tlikethesoundofthatatall.Whatkindofterriblehazingritualwouldtheseguyscomeupwith?Wouldhehavetobreakintoastore?Killsomeone?Notelling.
“Doyouthinkhe’sready?”Jackasked.
“Ithinkhe’searnedhisstripes,”Parkersaid,drapingadisfiguredarmoverXander’sshoulderlikeadearfriend.Hesmelledkindoflikeacoffeepotthathadbeenleftontoolong.“Isaywelethimin,boys.”
Outnumberedandsurrounded,Xanderpastedabigfakesmileonhisface.“Great.Iwannabeinthegang,sure.”
“Allright,yeah!”Parkersaid.
“That’sthespirit,”Jacksaid.
“WhatdoIgottado?”Xanderasked,dreadingtheanswer.
JackwhippedKatiefromhersheath,heldherupinfrontofXander’sface.Xandercouldseehimselfreflectedintheblade.Hedidn’tlookhappy.
“Yougottadie,”Jackhissed.
CHAPTER14ParkerhadafirmgriponXander’scollar,andBobpressedagainsthimfromtheotherside.Hewasn’tgoinganywhere.
JackturnedtheknifefromsidetosidebeforeXander’sface,asifadmiringthewaythelightplayedacrosstheexpanseofblade.
“Allright,guys,”Xandersaid.“Let’sjusttalkaboutthis.”
“Youwannabeinthegang,don’tyou?”Parkeraskedhim.
Xanderanswerednervously.“Yes,butI’mnotdyingtobeinthegang.Ifyougetthe...thepunthere.”
Bob’ssenseofhumorseemedlimitedwhenitcametozombiegags.“What,areyou—you’retoogoodtobedead?”hedemanded,realangerinhisvoiceforthefirsttimesincebeingraised.HegrabbedXander’sjacketinbothhammyfists,pulledhimuptohisownbroad,bullet-scarredface.“Yougotaproblemwithdeadpeople?”
Xanderthoughthesawanout.“WhataboutJack?Jack’snotdead.”
Wrong.
JackliftedhisT-shirt,revealingaflatstretchofbellymarredbymultiplebulletholesstrunginanunevenline.
BobreleasedXander,wholookedattheroundentrywoundswithtrepidation.
“Driveby,”Jackexplained.“Threeweeksago.”
“Ohboy,”wasallXandercouldsay.
“Grandpappyfoundmybody,”Jackwenton.“Iwasn’tgonetenminutesbeforeheraisedme.It’sarush,man.”
Theysayskydivingisarush,too,Xanderthought.Andskiingdowntheslopeof
Mt.Everest,that’sbeendescribedasarush.Thosekindsofrushes,Xanderdidn’tfeelanyurgencyaboutexperiencing.
Sameforthisone.
“Let’skillXander!”Dickieurged.“It’llbefun!”
“Yeah,man,”Parkeragreed.HishandwasdrapedonXander’sshoulderinafriendlywayagain;he’drelaxedhisgriponXander’scollarwhenBobhadgrabbedhim.“Youcouldbeafull-fledgedmember.”
“Comeon,Xander,”Jacksaid.“Takeitlikeaman.”
“Allright,enough!”Xanderinsisted.Thiswasn’tgoinganyfurther.“Youguyshavehadyourfun.Butyouforgotaboutonething.”
Theyallstoodaround,waitingforhimtoenlightenthem.
Buttherewasno“thing.”Therewasonlytheslimmesthopeofcatchingthemoff-guard.
Xanderbolted.
“Gethim!”Jackshouted.
Therewasaclosedcoffeeshopacrossthestreet,theEspressoPump,withoutsidetablesandchairsbehindalowwall.Thewallhadopensections,blockedatnightbychains.
Xanderhadspentplentyofafternoonsatthosetables.Heknewthelayout.
Heduckedunderoneofthechains,racingontothepatioarea.Thezombiescameinontwosides,underthechains,andastheydidXanderleapttooneofthetables,thenbackoverthewall.
Fortunately,hehad,asJackhadinstructed,lefttheenginerunningintheBelAir.
Astheguyscamebackoutfromthepatio,Xanderjumpedintothecar,slammeditintogear,andpeeledoffdownthestreet.
Theywatchedthecarturnacorner,anditwasgone.Nowaytochaseitonfoot.
Theywatchedthecarturnacorner,anditwasgone.Nowaytochaseitonfoot.
“Damn!”Bobsaid,furious.“Theregoesthewheels.”
“Hetookallourstuff,man,”Parkersaid.
One-trackDickieadded,“Iwannabakeacake!”
“It’sallright.We’llgetmore,”Jacksaid.Thevoiceofreason.“Thenightisyoung.”
Theyheadedbackintothehardwarestore.
Blocksaway,Xanderwasstillbreathinghard.Hecouldfeelhishearthammeringinhischestandthroatandtemples.Therewasn’tanythingaboutthefeelingheliked,exceptforthefactthathishearthadn’tbeencutoutofhischest.
“I’dsaythat’sprettymuchenoughexcitementforoneevening,”hesaidtohimselfashegunnedtheengine.Themoremilesbetweenhimandthe“boys,”thebetter.
Hedidn’tevenslowdownforthecorners.Thestreetswereempty.Hescreechedaroundone,headedforthepark.
AndspottedFaith,lockedinmortalstrugglewithoneofthosegrotesqueblue-skinnedladydemonsliketheonesthey’dfoughtacoupleofnightsbefore.
Well,thattheothersfought,whileIhid.Butstill...
BuffyandFaithhadsaidtheyweretoughcustomers,eventhen,whenthewholegangwasalliedagainstthem.ThisonewastakingonFaithallbyherself,andseemedtohavetheedge.
AsXanderpulledoutoftheturn,thedemonhadFaithupagainstawirefence.Faithgottwohandfulsoffenceandkickedoutwithbothfeet,andthedemonwasknockedseveralstepsbackward.
Intotheparkinglot.
Xanderflooredit.
ThedemonmadeasatisfyingthuddingsoundasthefrontendofthebigChevy
ThedemonmadeasatisfyingthuddingsoundasthefrontendofthebigChevyplowedintoher.Shewasthrownbackintothegrass.
Xanderbackedup,jerkedtoastop.
“Getin!”heshouted.
Faithgotin.
Thedemonwasalreadyregainingherfeet.
Xanderthrewthecarintogearandracedbackoutintothestreet.
Theyweren’tgoingtobeatthatdemontonight.Butitcouldn’toutrunthem.
Havingacarsureiscool,Xanderthought.Thistime,hemeantit.
FaithhadaroomattheDowntownerMotel.Shehadn’tbeenintownlongenoughtofindpermanentdigs,butshe’dalreadyprovenherselfaloyalandhelpfulallytoBuffy.Eventhoughshewasn’tstrictlyneeded,sinceoneSlayerwasusuallytraditional,itneverhurttohavetwo.
Xanderpulledintothemotelparkinglot,crankedthecarintoaslotinfrontofRoom3.Theydashedfromthecarintotheroom,lockingthedoorbehindthem.Xanderpeekedoutthroughthewindowblinds.
“YouthinkDemonMamafollowedus?”heasked.
“Naw,”Faithsaid.Shestrippedoffherjacket.Beneathitsheworeatightblacktanktop.“We’recool.”Shewinced.“Thebitchdislocatedmyshoulder,though.Holdme.”
Xanderwasn’tquitesurehowshemeantthat.Sure,shewasabeautifulgirl,andshelookedgreatinthatskimpytopandtightpants.Butthey’dneverbeenalonelikethisbefore,inamotelroom.Couldshe...?
Hewenttoher,armsouttogiveherahug.
Andshebreathedalittleannoyedhuff,tookhishand,positioneditonhershoulder.Shepressedherownhandagainsthischest,andwrenchedhershoulderbackintoplace.
Thesoundwaslikesnappingabranch.Xandercringed.
ButatleastIknowwherewestand,hethought.
“That’sbetter,”Faithsaid.
But,oddly,shedidn’ttakeherhandawayfromhischest.Instead,shebeganmovingit,gently,ineverwideningcircles.
“Shereallygotmewoundup,”Faithsaid.“Afightlikethatandnokill,I’maboutreadytopop.”
“Really?”Xanderasked,swallowinghard.“Pop?”
Bywhichshemeans...?
Herlefthandcameupbehindhishead,strokingthebackofhisneck.“Youupforit?”sheasked.
Andherrighthanddroppedlower,deftfingersunbuttoninghisshirtasitwent.
“Oh,I’mup,”heagreed.“I’msuddenlyveryup.”
Shemovedclosertohim.Herlipswereparted,andhecouldfeelherbreath,hotonhischest.Shesmelledgood.Likesweat,butalsolikesoapandshampooand,well,female.
Hefelttheneedtoclarifyhismeaning...orisitjusttheneedtobabblesenselessly?“It’sjustthatI’veneverbeenupwithpeople,before.”
Shepressedherlipsagainsthis,shuttingoffanyfurtherconversationforamoment.
Helikedit.
Alot.
Shebrokethekiss.“Justrelax,”shebreathed.“Andtakeyourpantsoff.”
“Thosetwoconceptsareantithetical,”hepointedout.
Shekissedhimagain,akissthatgavehimthewillingnesstotrytooverlookany
Shekissedhimagain,akissthatgavehimthewillingnesstotrytooverlookanyapparentcontradictions.
Sheyankedhisshirtandjacketdownoffhisshoulders,throwingthemtothefloor.Kissedhimagain,hardandlong.
Shespunhimaroundandhurledhimtothebed.
Ashewatched,spellbound,sheclimbedontop,straddlinghim,andpeeledherownshirtoff.
“Don’tworry,”shesaid.“I’llsteeryou’roundthecurves.”
Hewondered,briefly,whyhe’dnevercomeupwiththiscaranglebefore.“DidImentionthatI’mhavingaverystrangenight?”heasked.
Thentherewasnomoretalkingforawhile.
Afterwards,sheledhimtothedoor,openedit.Hesteppedoutside,shirt,jacket,andshoesinhishands.
Shehad,atleast,givenhimtimetopullhispantson.
“Thatwasgreat,”Faithsaid.“Igottashower.”
Sheshutthedoor,lockingitbehindher.Apparentlyshehadn’tbeenthinkinglong-termcommitment.
Oreven,short-termconversation.Didn’tgirlsliketotalkafter?Gooutforbagels?Makeweddingplans?Oristhatallamythperpetuatedbythemoreexperiencedtoscaretherestofusawayfromjoiningtheclub?
Brightside,atleastI’vestillgotthecar.
Insidethebookcage,Ozsnarledandgrowled,leapingagainstthedoor.
“I’veneverseenhimlikethis,”Willowsaid,worriedaboutherfriend.
“It’stheHellmouth,”Gilesexplained.“Hecansenseit’sgoingtoopen.”HehandedWillowthetranquilizerrifle.“Bereadyjustincase.”
Gileswenttothecagedoor,shovedhiskeyintothelock.
Gileswenttothecagedoor,shovedhiskeyintothelock.
“Now,don’thesitate,”hesaidasheturnedit.
Willowraisedtheguntohershoulder,sighteddownitslength.“Doit.”
“NowOz—”Gilesbegan.Heopenedthedoor.
AndOzslammedintoit,drivingGilesbackintothewall.ThewerewolftookasinglestepintothelibraryandWillowpulledthetrigger.ThetranquilizerdartflewintoOz,itsimpactknockinghislegsoutfromunderhim.Hehitthefloorwithawailofpain.
Buthewasonhisfeetagaininlessthanasecond,andcomingforWillow.
“Again!”Gilescried.
Willowtriedtoshoveanotherdartintoplace.Herfingersfumbled.ShebackedupasOzleapttothetopofthetableinfrontofher.Hewasreadytopounce.
He’dkillherinaflash.
Gilescameupbehindhim,throwinghisstrongarmsaroundOz’swolfenform,andrestrainedhim.
Hecouldn’tholdOzforlong,though.
Finally,thedartslidhome.Sheliftedtheweapon,aimed,fired.
OzwentlimpinGiles’sarms.Thelibrarianputhimdownonthetable.
“We’vegottomovehimbeforehewakesup,”Gilessaid.
Willowknewhewasright.IftheHellmouthopened,therewouldn’tbeanygoodplacestobe—butlockedupherewouldbetheworstplacepossible.
Shestrokedhisfur.“Sorry,”shesaid.“Ihopeyou’renotmadatmeinthemorning.”
Xanderwasconfused.Hetuggedonhisclothesintheparkinglot,standingnexttohiscar.She’dthrownhimoutthedoor.Itwasnothingbutaphysicalrelease,forher.
forher.
Butatthesametime,hefeltgreat.Fantastic.Triumphant,even.
Okay,maybeshehaddonemoreconqueringthanhe,inthisinstance.Butstill...
Hefeltgreat.
Heopenedthedoor,gotintothecar.
Lookedathimselfintherearviewmirror.Hedidn’tlookanydifferent.
Buthewasdifferent,andheknewit.
Everythingchanges.
Then,intherearview,hecaughtaglimpseofDickie’s“ingredients,”stillinthebackseat.Hereachedback,gotthebag,broughtitupfrontwithhim.Rustledthroughit.
Abigcanofkerosene.Acoiledlengthofwire.Anine-voltbattery.Analarmclock.
“Hey,”Xandersaidtohimself.“They’renotbakinganycake.”
Hedrovebacktothehardwarestore.Thestreetwasempty.Thesmashedoutwindowgavesilenttestimonytothefactthatthezombieshadbeenhere,butotherwisetherewasnosignofthem.
“Longgone,”hesaid.“Probablyloadedwithsupplies.Gottathink.”
Hethoughtforamoment.“Ican’tbelieveIhadsex.”Wrong,Xander.Notimeforthat.“Okay,bombs,”hesaid.“Alreadydeadguyswithbombs.Oh,man,I’moutofmyleague.”Hepoundedonthedoorwithhisfist.“Buffy’llknowwhattodo,”hesaid.Hesteppedonthegas.
“Idon’tknowwhattodo,”Buffysaid.
SheandAngelwereinthegardenofhismansion.She’dtakenWilly’sadvice,afterall.FindAngel,hehadsaid.
Notsurprisingly,Angelhadalsobeenlookingforher.Hehadaknackforknowingwhenhewasreallyneeded.
Tonight,he’sreallyneeded.
Theywerelitbycandles.Afireflickerednearby.
Anyothertime,Buffythought,thiswouldallbedevastatinglyromantic.
“Thenletmedecideforyou,”Angelsaidgrimly.“Icanfacethisthing.”
“Youcan’t!”
“Look,”heargued.“IcanatleastbuyyouenoughtimeforWillow’sspelltobindit.Buffy,thisisworsethananythingwe’veeverfaced.Honey,it’stheonlyway.”
Shewasafraidthathewasright.Buthecouldn’tbe.Shewouldn’tlethimbe.
Angelwastheonlyman—ifthedefinitionof“man”couldbestretchedalittle—she’deverloved.Andthey’dbeenpartedtoomanytimes.
“Ican’twatchyoudieagain,”shetoldhim.
Hestrokedhercheekwiththebacksofhisfingers,tenderly.“Iloveyou.”
Sheraisedahandtohis,helditagainstherface.
“Iloveyou,”Buffysaid.
“Nothingcanchangethat,”Angelassuredher.“Notevendeath.”
Shethrewhishandawayfromher,backedawayfromhim.
“Don’ttalktomelikethat!”shesaidangrily.“YoumaybereadytogobutIamnotreadytoloseyou.Okay,thisismyfightandifyouwon’tdoitmywaythenyou—”
Xanderclearedhisthroat.Hestoodinthegardenentryway,feelingbadforinterruptingwhatseemedtobeaveryheartfeltdiscussion.Buthedidn’tknowwhereelsetoturn.
Theybothwhirledtofacehim.Hefeltsuddenlylikehewasunderaspotlight.
Notthemostpleasantfeeling.
“Hey,I’vegotthis...”hestammered.“Um...there’sthis,uh...it’sprobablyabadtime.”
Fromtheexpressionsontheirfaces,heknewhewasright.
“CanIhelp?”heasked.
Buffygavetheslightestshakeofherhead.
“Okay,”Xandersaid.Heleftthemtotheirargument,andwentupthegardenstairstowardthestreet.
“Igottaworkthisout,”hesaidasheclimbed.“Ijustgottafigureoutwhatthey’dbelikelytobomb.”
GilesintonedtherecitationintheappropriateLatin.
“Earth,wind,fire,andrain.AllfourpowersIbeseechyou.Protectusfromfreshevilunleashed...”
Ashespoke,hemovedaroundamysticalcirclepaintedonthelibraryfloor,lightingcandleswithalongoneheheldinhishand.
Willowinterrupted,comingbreathlesslyintothelibrary.
“Okay,”shesaid,asGilescontinuedwithhiscandlelighting.“Ozismoved.HecouldbarelywalkafterthatmickeyIgavehim,butwemadeit.”Sheputthetranquilizerrifledownonthecounter.“Ishegonnabeallrightthere?”
“Anywhereissaferthanhere,”Gilesassuredher.Hetossedheranunlitcandle.“Helpmewiththecandles.”
“We’redoingthebindingspellfromtheHebron’sAlmanac?”Willowasked.
“Yes,butonceit’sready,you’retostaybackandletmefinishtherecitation,”Gilesreplied.Shestartedtosaysomething,buthecutheroff.“Don’targue.Iwantyousafe.Whoknowswhat’sgoingtocomeupfrombeneathus?”
Willowknelttolighthercandlefromanalreadyglowingoneonthefloor.
Andbeneaththelibrary,fourformsmovedintheschool’sboilerroom.Dickieworkedinsideabizarreconfigurationofwiresandpipes.Attachedtoitallwasadigitalalarmclock.
AsDickieconnectedtwowires,thealarmclockflashed9:55.Then,amomentlater,thedisplaybeepedandchangedtoread60:00.Therednumberswerebrightinthedimroom.
Dickielaughed.
Thedisplaychangedagain,to59:59,andbegantobeepdownthroughtheseconds.59:58.59:57.
“Thisisgonnabelarge,”Jacksaid.
“Oh,yeah,”Dickieagreed.
Hedidlovetobake.
CHAPTER15Agitated,Xanderdrummedonthewheelwithhisthumbsashedrovethedarkstreets.Wheretoturn...?
“Giles’llknowwhattodo,”hesaid.“He’swaymorecalmthanBuffy.”
AndGilescouldusuallybefoundattheschoollibrary.Unlesssomethingbigwasbrewing.
Liketonight.
XanderrealizedhehadnoideawheretolookforGiles.He’dstartwiththelibraryanyway.Then,ifthatdidn’tpanout—
Hecamearoundacorner.Therewerefourguyswalkingdownthemiddleofthestreet,aheadofhim.Goingthesamedirectionhewasgoing.
Fourdeadguys.
Theboys.
“Okay,”hesaidtohimself.“Ineedaplan.”AndIneeditnow.
Ashepulledupbehindthem,hesloweddown.
“Hey,”Bobsaid.“Ourwheels!”
Theypartedashedrovebetweenthem,cruisingataboutthespeedthey’dbeenwalking.Lettingthemthink,Xanderhoped,thathewasgoingtoallowthembackintothecar.
Theylaughed.
Xanderreachedoverthedoor,grabbedParker’sarm.
Gunnedit.
“Hey!”Heheardbehindhim.Hekeptgoing,throughanotherturn.Leavingthem
“Hey!”Heheardbehindhim.Hekeptgoing,throughanotherturn.Leavingthembehind.
ExceptParker,whogrippedhishand.Hisdead,crispyfacewascontortedinfear.Parker’sfeetscrabbledalongtheroadasthecarracedaway.
“Stop!”Parkerscreamed.“Comeon,man,stop!”
ButXanderkeptgoing.Hisplanwasworking.Itwasaspurofthemomentthing,alast-ditchattemptataplan.Butsofar,sogood.“Where’sthebomb?”heasked.
Parkerdidn’tevenhesitate.“It’sinthehighschool!”
Xanderfoughttocontrolthebigcarwithhisrighthand.Itweavedfromsidetoside.Iftherehadbeenanytrafficthey’dhavebothbeendead.
“Intheschoolwhere?”hedemanded.
“Thisreallyreallyhurts!”Parkerallbutcried.Sothedeadcanfeelpain,Xanderobserved.Goodtoknow.“It’sinthe—intheboilerroom!”
Xanderstruggledtokeepthecargoingstraight.LookingintoParker’seyesinsteadoftheroad,heusedhisbesttough-guyvoice.
“Allright,”hesaid.“NowI’mgonnaaskyouthisonce,andyoubetterprayyougettheanswerright.HowdoIdefuse—”
Buthehadveeredtoofartotheleft,andajuttingmailboxcollidedwithParker’shead.
Themailboxstayedwhereitwas.
Parker’sheadstayedwithit.
Xanderwasholdingaheadlesscorpseinhislefthand.
Heyelpedandletgo.
“Iprobablyshould’veleftoutthatwholemiddlepart,”hesaid.Hemadealeft,andheadedtowardSunnydaleHighSchool.
Behindhim,theotherthreeranfullout.“He’sheadingfortheschool!”Dickiecalled.
“That’sit!”Jackreplied.He’dhadenoughofthiskid.
Xanderwasgoingtopay.
Xanderburstintotheschoolatadeadrun.Healmostpassedthedoorthatsaid“BasementAccess:DoortoRe-mainLockedatAllTimes,”buthebacktrackedtoit,grippedtheknob.
Locked.
Sometimesyoujusthadtobelievethesigns.
Andthroughthesameoutsidedoorhe’djustenteredcameJack,Dickie,andBob.“Thereheis!”Jackshouted.
“Where’saSlayerwhenyouneedone?”Xanderasked,takingoff.
Buffystoodinthelibrary.RankedaroundherwereAngel,Willow,Giles,andFaith.
Theylookedoninaweandhorror.
Thebeastwashugeandterrible.Multipleheadssnappedandgrowledonlong,stalk-likenecks.Tentacleswavedintheair.Thethingwasnearlyastallasthelibrary’shighceiling.
Mysticallightningflaredintheroom,theonlyillumination.
IthadcomefromtheHellmouth.WhatterrifiedBuffywastheideathattheremightbemore,orworse,stilltocome.
TheonlyoneholdingaweaponofanykindwasWillow,whogrippedaspike-headedmedievalmace.
“MyGod...it’sgrown...”Gilessaid.
HerWatcher’sfearfrightenedBuffyallthemore.
Dickiestoppedoutsidethelibrary,drawnbythestrobesoflightshowing
Dickiestoppedoutsidethelibrary,drawnbythestrobesoflightshowingthroughthedoor’sroundwindows.Helookedinside.Fivepeoplewerestaringatamonsterthelikesofwhichhehadneverimagined.Evendyinghadn’theldsuchterror.
“Wow!”
ButJackwasstillonXander’strail.“Comeon,man!”heshouted.Dickiefollowed.
Theycamethroughdoubleswingingdoorsintoanintersection.NoXanderinsight.
“Whichway?”Bobasked.
“Hecouldn’thavegottenfar,”Jacksaid.“Let’ssplitup.”
Theydid,eachtakingadifferentarmofthehallway.
Bobdescendedastaircase.Hungonthewall,behindaglasspanel,wasafireax.Hedroveabigfistthroughtheglass,yankedtheaxfromitstethers,lookedatthesharpblade.
“Goodforchopping,”henoted.
Xanderranintothedarkenedstudentlounge,dodgingtablesandchairsashewent.Hehadtofindawaytotheboilerroom,andhehadtodoitfast.Funnyhowaguycanspendfouryearsinaplaceandstillnotknowhowtogettosomethingassignificantas,say,aboilerroom,whenheneedsit,hethought.Whoknowswhenyoumighthavetoboilsomething?>Heracedupthetwostepsintotheelevatedseatingarea.
Butaformroseupoutofthedark.BigBob.Carryingsomethingthatwhistledwhenheswungit.
Xanderbacksteppedawayfromtheswingingax.Hisfootmissedthestepbehindhimandhewentdown.Atthebottomofthestairshehitatable,upendedit.Helandedonthefloor,winded.
Hetriedtoscrambletohisfeet,butBobwasthere.Heswungthebuttendofthe
axhandleintoXander’sjaw.Xandersawabrightflash—notstars,likeinthecartoons,butclose—andfellagain,backpressedagainstoneofthetables.
Bobraisedtheaxoverhishead.
“NowthisiswhatIcallfun,”hesaid.
Heswung.
Onlyonechance.
Xanderrolledoffthetable,justbeforetheaxfell.Itsbladebitintothetabletop,stuckthere.AsBobstruggledtofreeit,Xanderpunchedhimintheface,thengrabbedhisletterjacketandslammedhimdownagainstthetabletop,hard.Dazed,Bobdroppedtothefloor.
Xanderyankedtheaxfreeofthetable.Hestood,forjustamoment,withtheweaponinhishands.LookingatBobonthefloor,aneasytarget.
Oneswing.
Andhey,he’salreadydead.WhatdoIhavetolose?
Buthecouldn’tbringhimselftodoit.Choppinganunconsciousvictim—evenawalkingdeadone—justseemedwrongsomehow.
Besides,he’salreadydead—whatifhejustgetsupandcomesafterme,anyway?Beheadinghimmightjustmakehimmad.
Inthiscase,trappingmightbemoreefficient.Xandercrossedtoasodamachine,standingnexttothewall.Heshovedtheaxhandlebehindthemachine,forleverage,andpushed.Themachineswayed.Xandergrunted,pushedharder.
Thesodamachinetoppledforward.
Withawetthump,Bobdisappearedbeneathit.
Dickiecameintothelounge,drawnbythenoise.
Hesawthemachine,sawBob’slegsstickingoutfromunderneath.
Xandersteppedfromtheshadows,fireaxinhishands.
Xandersteppedfromtheshadows,fireaxinhishands.
Forgetthe“talksoftly,bigstick”bit,hetoldhimself.Talktough,andcarryabigax.Muchbetteradvice.
“Shouldalearnedbynow,”Xandersaid.“Ifyou’regonnaplaywithfire,yougottoexpectthatsoonerorlater—”
Dickieran,backoutthedoorthroughwhichhe’dentered.
“Iwasn’tfinished!”Xanderyelledathisdepartingform.
Hegavechase.Asheran,hesaid,“Notetoself:lesstalk.”
Buffysailedbackwardthroughthelibrarydoors,blowingthemopen.Shelandedtwentyfeetaway,onthehardtilefloor.Tentaclestwitchedandquiveredinthedoorway.Smokepouredfromtheroom.
Thisisn’tgoingatallwell,shethought.
Shepushedherselftoherfeet,shakingherhead.Gatheringhercourage.
Thecreaturewastoostrong.Itwasgoingtobehardtogobackinthere.
Butitwasalsonecessary.ShewastheSlayer.Shedidwhatshehadtodo.
“Faith!”shecalledassheheadedbackintothefray.Atleastshewasn’t,currently,theonlySlayer.“Gofortheheart!”
XanderwasrightonDickie’sheels.Stillcarryingtheax.Dickiemadeacoupleofsharpturns,goingdownanarrowhallway.Xanderrightbehind.
Amomentlater,Xandercamebackoutofthehallway,runningevenfaster.Behindhim,Dickiewasturningupthejuice.
BehindDickie,threeshe-demons.Theuglyblue-grayones,allhornsandteeth.
WhatwasitBobhadsaid?“Anighttoremember?”Isn’tthatalsothenameofamovieabouttheTitanic?
Encouragingthought,Harris.
Xandermadeaquickrightandduckedintoapatchofshadow.Dickiemissedtheturn,though,andranstraightintoaclassroom.
Classroomsonlyhadonedoor.
Thedemonsfollowedhiminthere.Xanderheardsnarlingandspitting,andsawDickiepressedupagainsttheblindsoverthewindowintheroom’sdoor.
Dickiescreamed.Badasthatsoundwas,itwasn’tquiteasbadasthesoundsofbitingandchewingthataccompaniedit.Thedemonsweren’tmuchontablemanners.
Twodown,Xanderthought.
Hetookadeepbreath.“Okay,boilerroom—”
Hebegantoheadforit,butbeforehe’dgonemorethanastepthewallexplodedinfrontofhim.Ahuge,eyelesshead—eyeless,butnotmouthlessortoothless—burstthroughtheplaster,attheendofathicksnake-likeneck.Itsensedhim,turnedtowardhim.Ihatetobeinsensitive,Xanderthought,butyou’reBuffy’sproblem.Ihaveworriesofmyown.
“—otherway,”hesaid.
Heran.
Theax,itturnedout,madeiteasytounlockthebasementaccessdoor.Xanderclompeddownthestairs,axreadyjustincase.
Heopenedthedoorintotheboilerroom.Itwasnarrow,filledwithstrange-lookingmechanicalequipment.Theboiler,Xanderpresumed.Therewasanotherdoor,withanilluminatedexitsign,acrossfromhim.Onthatdoorwasasignthatsaid“KeepDoorClosedatAllTimes.”
Whichmakesyouwonderwhyit’sadooratallthen,hethought.Ifyoujusthadawallthereyoucouldsaveyourselfthetroubleofmakingthesign.
Thebombwasinthecenteroftheroom,rightwhereParkerhadpromisedjustbeforebeingdecapitatedbytheU.S.Mail.Itsatatopadarkgreenfifty-gallonmetaldrum.
“Hello,nasty,”Xandersaidtoit.Heclosedthedoorbehindhim.Examinedthebomb.
Which,ofcourse,heknewnothingabout.Hewascapableofreadingadigitalclock,though.“Lessthantwominutes,”hesaid.“Dumbguy.Littlebomb.Howhardcanitbe?”
Somethinghithimonthebackofthehead.Heblinkedwiththeforce,thenfelthimselfbeinghurledagainstatoolcabinet.
Ribsaching,headthrobbing,hepulledhimselftohisfeet.
JackO’Toolestoodthere,breathinghard.
“Itjustgotharder,”Jacksaid.
“I’mnotleavinghereuntilthatthingisdisarmed,”Xandervowed.
“ThenIguessyou’renotleaving.”
JackswungatXander.Xanderdodged.Jackcameathimagain,fistsflying.Xandertookacoupleofhits.Ontopofalltheotherpunishmenthe’dtakentoday,though,hebarelyfeltthem.
ButthenJackhadhimupagainstawall.HewhiskedKatiefromherhome,broughthertowardXander.XandercaughtJack’sarm,tryingtoholditback.TheknifehoveredaninchfromXander’sface.
Gettingreallytiredofthatknife,Xanderthought.MaybeifJackdatedgirlsmore,hewouldn’tfeelsoattachedtoKatie.
“I’mgonnacarveyouupandserveyouwithgravy,”Jackthreatened.“Youpissmeoff,boy,nowyoupaytheprice.Firsttheeyes,thenthetongue,thenI’llbreakeveryoneofyourfingers—”
“Yougonnadoallthatinforty-nineseconds?”Xanderaskedthroughclenchedteeth.
Jackturnedtolookattheclock.Xanderjerkedhimselffree,slammedhisfistsintoJack’smidsection.WhenJackdoubledover,Xanderdrovehimintoawall.
Jackcamebackfighting.HepunchedatXander,missed,butcaughtXander’sjacket.HeflippedXanderoverandthrewhimtothefloor.
Xanderregainedhisfooting.HestoodbetweenJackandbothdoors.
Theyfacedeachother,Jack’sgazedartingbetweenthebombandtheexitsignandthedoortothestairwellXanderhadcomedown.
“Iknowwhatyou’rethinking,”Xandersaid,panting.“CanIgetbyhim?Getupthestairs,outofthebuilding?Secondstickingaway.Idon’tloveyourchances.”
“Thenyou’lldietoo,”Jackrasped.
“Yeah,lookslike,”Xanderagreed.“SoIguessthequestionreallyis...whohaslessfear?”
“I’mnotafraidtodie,”Jackremindedhim.“I’malreadydead.”
Xanderwasn’tbuying.“Yeah,butthisisdifferent.Beingblownupisn’t‘walkingaroundanddrinkingwithyourbuddies’dead.It’s‘littlebitssweptupbyajanitor’dead,andIdon’tthinkyou’rereadyforthat.”
Jack’sbreathingwasragged.Helookedatthebomb.Atthedoor.Madeafeinttowardonedoor.
Xandermoved,sohestayedbetweenJackandthewayout.
Anywayout.
Theclockbeepedofftheseconds.
“Areyou?”Jackasked.
Xandersmiled,suddenlymorecalmthanhehadanyreasontobe.Heknewtheanswer.He’dspentthelastfewyearstellinghisfriendshewasn’tafraid,thathewaswillingtohelpbattlewhatevertheHellmouththrewatthem.Swallowinghisfear,pretendingcouragewhenhefeltnone.
Tonighthadbeenalifetime.Everythinghadhappenedtohim,andhewasstillstanding.
Hewasn’tbluffinganymore.“Ilikethequiet,”wasallhesaid.
Hewasn’tbluffinganymore.“Ilikethequiet,”wasallhesaid.
Thebattleinthelibraryraged.MembersoftheSisterhoodofJhehadjoinedtheHellmouthcreature.Weaponswerewielded—swords,axes,Willow’smace.Butthecreaturewasn’tphased.
IthadBuffywrappedinatentacle,holdingheroffthefloor,almostuptotheceiling.Shegrippedanaxtightlyinherfists.
GileswasspeakinginLatin,screamingtobeheardabovetheroar,slashingatthethingashedidso.“...andallthevesselsoftruth!”Theritualwordsfinished,heshouted,“Now,Buffy!”
Overhead,sheslammedheraxdownintothetentaclethatheldher,againandagain,feelingitbiteintohellishfleshandsinew.Hotbloodsplashedherhandsandarms.
Xanderwaited.Hefeltcentered,atpeace.
Theclockbeeped.Secondsflashedbyinredcrystaldigits.
00:12.
00:11.
Jackwasawreck.Twitching,nervousgazedartingaroundtheroom.
00:05.
00:04.
Jackreachedintothemechanism,grabbedawire.Tuggedonit.
00:02.
Theclockwentdark.
Whenthebuildingdidn’tblowup,Xandersaid,“Goodboy.”Hiscalmwassuddenlygone,asherealizedwhathehadrisked.HewalkedaroundtostandbesideJack.Hisvoicetrembledalittlewhenhespoke,butstill,hespokewithauthority.“Idon’tthinkIwannabeseeingyouoncampusanymore,Jack.”
Jackdidn’tanswer.
Xanderkepthislegsfromturningtojellyandlefthimthere,withtheuselesscollectionofpartsthathadoncebeenabomb.Hewentthroughthedoorhehadcomein,backupthestairstowardtheschool.
WhenXanderwasgone,Jacksaid,“I’mnotgoinganywhere,Harris.”Hecrossedtotheotherdoor,ignoringtheKeepDoorClosedatAllTimessign.Heturnedtheknob,pulleditopen.“Andthefirsttimeyouturnyourback—”
Ozleaptthroughthedoorwithaferociousroar.
Jackscreamed.
EPILOGUETheyspokequietly,sittingatapicnictableoncampus.Theywereoutofthesun,intheshadeofaspreadingtree,andthedaywascool.
Butbeautiful.
Giles’slefthandwasbandaged,andtheleftsideofhisfacetorn,gashedbyunearthlyclaws.Hisrighteyewasblackened,thebruisereachingallthewaybacktohistemple.Buffy’srightarmwaswrappedinabrightbluesling.AbutterflybandageoverWillow’srighteyeheldhereyebrowtogether.
Theirwoundswerenothing.
“EvenaftertheHellmouthwasclosed,”Willowobserved,“youcouldhearitscreaming.”
“ButAngel’sgonnabeokay?”Ozasked.
“Hewasonlyoutforafewminutes,”Buffyreplied.“Longestofmylife.”
“I’llneverforgetthatthing’sface.Itsrealface,Imean,”Willowsaidquietly.
“Yes,”Gilesagreed.
BuffylookedatthemanshewouldalwaysconsidertobeherWatcher.NomatterwhattheWatchers’Councilthinks.“Idon’tknowhowyoumanaged...itwasthebravestthingI’veeverseen.”
“Thestupidest.”Gilessmiled,embarrassed.“Buttheworldcontinuestoturn.”
“Noonewilleverknowhowcloseitcametostopping,”Willowsaid,lookingaroundher.“Neverknowwhatwedid.”
Whichis,Buffythought,thewayit’ssupposedtobe.
Xandersawhisbestfriendssittingtogether,approachedthetable.Hestillhadn’ttoldanyoneaboutlastnight.Thebomb,theboilerroom,thezombiegang.They’dhadproblemsoftheirown,heknew.“Guys,”hesaid.
They’dhadproblemsoftheirown,heknew.“Guys,”hesaid.
Theyalllookedupathim.
“Xander,”Willowsaid.“Boy,you’reluckyyouweren’tatschoollastnight.Itwascrazed.”
Maybehewouldn’ttell.Drivingaroundafterward,he’dcometosomeconclusions.Oneofwhichwasthathecouldholdhisown,nomatterwhatanyonebelieved.Andtheother,moresignificantone,wasthatitreallydidn’tmatterwhatanyoneelsethought.Whatwasimportantwasknowinghisowncapabilities,hisowndepths.
Soheswallowedit.Hewouldn’tsayanything.“Well,uh,givemethequietlife,”hesaid.“I’mgonnagrabasnack.Anyonewant?”
Giles,Buffy,andWillowshooktheirheads.Ozjuststareddownatthepicnictable.
“Oz?”Xanderasked.
Ozlookedathim.“No,”hesaidfinally.“I’moddlyfulltoday.”
“’kay,”Xandersaid.Hewalkedawayfromthetable,ahalf-smileplayingacrosshislips.
Hefeltgood.Hefeltconfident.Thesmilegrew.
AndherecameCordelia.
“Oh,look,it’smisterexcitement,”shesaid.“Onanotherlifeordeathdoughnutmission?Orarewecruisingforbimbosagain?Givingthemlessonsinlackofcool.”
Xanderkeptthesmile.And,herealized,theconfidence.Hejustlookedather.
Smiling.
“What?”sheasked.
Hesaidnothing.Heknewthesmilesaiditall.
“What?”sherepeated.Hervoicehadmoreofanedgetoitthistime.
Hewalkedaway.Takinginadeepbreath.Anall-is-right-with-the-worldbreath.
Smiling.
“What?”Cordeliademandedagain,behindhim.
Shewashatingthis.
Hewaslovingit.
Smiling.
ABOUTTHEAUTHORJeffMariotteisaco-ownerofthespecialtybookstoreMysteriousGalaxy,senioreditorforthecomicbookpublisherWildStormProductions/DCComics,andwriterofmanycomicbooks,includingtheseriesDesperadoes,andtheoccasionalnovel.He’scurrentlyworkingonBuffytheVampireSlayer:TheWatcher’sGuide,Vol.2withNancyHolderandMaryelizabethHart.HisnextnovelwillbeGen13:TimeandChance,cowrittenwithScottCiencin.HelivesinSanDiegowithhisrapidlygrowingfamilyandsomeanimals.He’swaytoobusy.