FIC: Dianna Wears Red:Secundus-Third Test

[Mad Hamlet <Mad-Hamlet@xxxxxxx>]

Greetings,
Here is the latest installment of Dianna Wears Red:Secundus.
I have decided to attach it rather than simple copy/pasting because lately something has FUBARED the formating of my posts. If for some reason your email accounts cannot open an attachment...
I recomend you get yourselves a real Internet connection! (Or you could drop me a line and I SUPPOSE I could email the story to you)
I remain, as always, Mad-Hamlet

Look upon my work ye mighty and...ah skip it. http://www.realmoftheshadow.com/madhamlet.htm -Mad Hamlet
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(Much to their regret I'd wager) \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri-1530\nowidctlpar\tx900\tx6570\faauto\rin-1530\lin0\itap0\pararsid14508121 {\f1\insrsid14508121 \par \par }{\f1\insrsid14508121\charrsid14508121 Drain Brameged Inc.}{\f1\insrsid14508121 Proudly Presents \par A Mad-Hamlet Production \par \par \par Dianna Wears Red \par Secundus \par Third Test \par \par \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri-1530\nowidctlpar\tx450\tx900\tx6570\faauto\rin-1530\lin0\itap0\pararsid13720435 {\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 \par \tab "Why am I still here?" I say with a sigh. \par \par \tab The fat little member of the Council who seems to be in charge just smi les at me indulgently. "As I mentioned hours ago, your services are still required for added security." He tilts his head back and stares at the ceiling thoughtfully. "You did capture her after all and it would make sense to have the one responsible for t he capture of the Feral additionally responsible for her continued incarceration while we try to help her." \par \par \tab "You're so generous," I sneer. \par \par \tab "And altruistic," he adds nodding. \par \par }{\f1\insrsid7175493 \tab "You've got her in a}{\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 twelve by twelve steel box!" I say rolling my eyes. "You don't need me here anymore. Let me go. I've completed my side of the agreement." \par \par \tab The greasy ball of lard waves his finger in the air, one of the tiny silver rings he wears on his }{\f1\insrsid7175493 pudgy }{\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 hands glitter in the poor light. "Not quite," he purrs. "The stipulations for the contract state the capture of The Slayer and as long as the Council}{\f1\insrsid7175493 M}{\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 ember in charge deems. That would be me." \par \par \tab "Fine," I growl. "How long is this supposed to take?" \par \par \tab "Not long," he replies. "The therapy will either bring back the human from within or..." his voice drifts away and he shrugs helplessly. \par \par \tab "Or she dies." I finish for him. \par \par \tab "Sad but true," he nods }{\f1\insrsid7175493 using a sympathetic tone of voice}{\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 . "Either way though the Council's interests are served." \par \par \tab A nagging thought enters my mind, something I had meant to pursue more closely but had overlooked. "What," I say slowly. "What exactly does this 'therapy' involve?" \par \par \tab Lard ball shifts his weight from foot to foot, tapping his index fingers against his pursed lips as if thinking terribly deep thoughts. After a moment he sighs, "Come with me." \par \par \tab He leads me to the back of the warehouse. Behind the steel box that now houses the still unconscious Slayer is a small control room. He enters the small room and flips on a few switches. I can hear generators begin to whine as if building a charge and the lights in the wa}{\f1\insrsid2188404 rehouse dim for a moment. Along}{\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 the back}{ \f1\insrsid2188404 wall}{\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 of the room are a series of monitors. These he activates with a flip of hi}{\f1\insrsid2188404 s pudgy fingers. As the m}{\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 onitors warm up I can see the inside of the cell where the Slayer is still sleeping. The cameras cover every possible angle. \par \par \tab "All the cameras have one hundred and eighty degree range." He explains proudly. He sounds like a sales man. "They're recessed within in the walls and encased behind armored glass. While she could, with effort probably, get to them she does not know exactly where they are, nor will she get the chance." \par \par \tab Reaching for the control panel he grabs a tiny joysti ck and moves it around. The camera on one of the monitors, the one directly over the slayer pans back and forth across her naked body. He pushes a button on the top of the joystick and the camera zooms in on her breast and even more as it pans across her crotch. \par \par \tab "She really is a lovely creature," The fat little man says in a totally even voice. I'll give him points for self control; but I can still smell it on him,}{\f1\insrsid2188404 he likes this. He's looking forward to it;}{ \f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 I feel sick. \par \par \tab "What does this have to do with the therapy?" I say a little too loudly. \par \par \tab "Oh that," he replies turning away from the monitor. "It's simple really; also within the cage-" \par \par \tab "Cell," I interrupt. \par \par \tab "Excuse me?" He asks politely. \par \par \tab "It's a cell," I repeat. "You put animals in cages, not people." \par \par \tab "How quaint," He says. "Well right now she is in danger of becoming an animal, which is why I am here. But for the sake of argument: The Cell is also live." \par \par \tab "Live?" A slight chill settles in my bones. \par \par \tab "Yes," He nods. "It's totally wired so every square inch of the floor can conduct an electric charge," He beams at me as if proud of the fact. "Not enough to cause perm}{\f1\insrsid13720435 an}{\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 ent damage but enough to cause pain, even to one such as her." His gaze turns back to the monitor. "It's for her own good you realize." \par }{\f1\insrsid7175493 \par }{\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 I clench my fists tight, my nails biting into the palms of my hands; I'm not surprised to feel blood oozing between my fingers. \par \par }{\f1\insrsid7175493 \tab "We also}{\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 have concealed speakers within that- Oh, fortune smiles," He points at one of the monitors. "Sleeping beauty awakens. Now I can save myself the effort of explaining everything and simply demonstrate." \par \par \tab On the monitor The Slayer sits upright slowly, one hand pressed to her temple. "Willow?" I hear her voice crackle through the speakers. \par \par \tab Fat }{\f1\insrsid7175493 Man}{\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 reaches over and presses a large red button, I hear the increased whine of generators then The Slayer screeches loudly, her body arches off the floor t ill only her fingers and the tips of her toes still have contact. The muscles in her throat stand out in stark contrast as she tries to find the capacity to voice the pain. \par \par \tab After a few seconds the }{\f1\insrsid2188404 C}{\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 ouncil member releases the button and The Slayer collapses on the steel floor. \par \par \tab He wraps his chubby fingers around a microphone beside the camera control joystick and in the dim light of the control room I can see the sheen of sweat on his palms. He grips the microphone tightly. "Now that I have you}{\f1\insrsid2188404 r}{ \f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 attention, Slayer," He says clearly. "Here are your instructions. Before you is a table and on that table is a box. Inside the box are some clothes which you put on now." \par \par \tab The Slayer rolls over and pushes herself slowly to her feet. "Who...who are you?" Her voice is thick and the words come out slurred. "Whadya...what do you want?" \par \par \tab The Council member again pushes the red button. The Slayer's fresh scream comes through the speakers loud and clear as the electric charge courses through her body. After a moment he releases the button and The Slayer collapses . "Questions will not be tolerated," He says into the mike. "Hesitation will not be tolerated. Disobedience will not be tolerated. There will be obedience. You will open the box and you will put the clothes on. Now." \par \par \tab Flicking off the microphone he turns to me. He's s}{\f1\insrsid7175493 miling. A rather pleasant smile, I've seen demons from hell;}{\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 I've seen rabid bears that had to be put down, but I've }{\f1\insrsid13720435 not}{\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 seen anything so terrifying in }{\f1\insrsid13720435 a very long time}{\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 . "It's quite simple really," he says calmly. "She is given a clear order and will receive repeated and lengthier punishment until she obeys. Negative reinforcement you understand." \par \par \tab I swallow a few times trying to gather enough saliva to reply. It takes a few seconds. "Of course," I say. \par \par \tab He turns away with a nod and flicks on the mike again, "Obey," he says sharply. \par \par \tab The Slayer looks around, trying to find the source of the voice I guess, "Fuck you!" she snaps. \par \par \tab He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly through his nose then reaches over and presses the red button again. Still holding it he turns to me, "If you'll excuse me I have to give this matter my full attention." He's still leaning on the button.
\par \par \tab "Sure," I say carefully. "}{\f1\insrsid13720435 The sun will be up soon, }{\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 I'll go give the perimeter a check." I have to speak loudly to be heard over The Slayer's shrieks. \par \par \tab "An excellent suggestion}{\f1\insrsid7175493 ,"}{\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 he replies already looking back at the monitor. He }{\f1\insrsid7175493 takes his finger off }{\f1\insrsid13720435\charrsid6573476 the button and turns the mi crophone back on, "You will open the box and you will put the clothes on," he says into it. \par \par }{\f1\insrsid13175209 \tab Heading for one of the side doors to the warehouse I grab the rusty doorknob and open it slowly. I step across}{\f1\insrsid2188404 the threshold out into the pre}{\f1\insrsid13175209 dawn gloom of early morning. The door swings shut behind me, latching into place with a quiet click. And through all sound proof walls, armored glass and the wa}{\f1\insrsid920680 rehouse itself I can still hear- but that's not really important is it.}{\f1\insrsid13720435
\par }{\f1\insrsid920680 \par \tab I said I was going to check the }{\f1\insrsid7175493 perimeter}{\f1\insrsid920680 and that's what I'm going to do. Even if is a complete waste of time; why should this part of my little 'mission' be any different? I jog across the open space to the warehouse directly across from the one where my }{\f1\insrsid7175493 ex-prey is receiving the best in}{\f1\insrsid920680 hospit able service. There's an old ladder on the side that I scramble up, damn, it'll take a lot of work to get those rust stains out. Upon reaching the roof I crawl across the metal roof on my belly until I reach the crest. \par \par \tab Far to the east the first sliver of the rising sun can be seen; the horizon of buildings, la}{\f1\insrsid7175493 mps, church towers and houses are}{\f1\insrsid920680 outlined in orange light. From this distance}{\f1\insrsid7175493 , in the orange glow or sunrise this town}{\f1\insrsid920680 actually looks like an accomplishment, something to be proud of. \par }{\f1\insrsid7175493 \par }{\f1\insrsid920680 \tab But I'm not here for the view. I scan the horizon, }{\f1\insrsid2188404 but all I see are }{\f1\insrsid920680 the surrounding warehouses }{\f1\insrsid2188404 stretching away into vague}{\f1\insrsid920680 shapes in the gloom. I lie still and I wait. \par \par \tab Five minutes become ten, ten becomes thirty. There. \par \par \tab One of them must have gotten bored because outlined against the now risen sun I see a man shaped figure break from the shadows and move across a distant roof. This member of the Council meets up with another. They're talking I think, one of them offers th e o}{\f1\insrsid7175493 ther something, cigarette maybe; t}{\f1\insrsid920680 hat or a joint. Wouldn't be surprised. Shifting away from the rising sun I face the west. \par \par \tab There, another guard on that warehouse roof. No, two. \par \par \tab I shift again and carefully scan the northern rooftop. Nothing, at lea st nothing I can see and if I can't see anything I very much doubt there is anything to be seen. No point in checking the south, the Watcher's warehouse, slash hotel, slash headquarters, slash torture house, }{\f1\insrsid7175493 is the southernmost warehouse; j}{\f1\insrsid920680 ust empty lots beyond that. \par \par \tab I mark the position of the four guards, two to the east, and two to the west. Then I shimmy back across the sloping rooftop, down the ladder and back across the paved road to the main warehouse. I open the door again and ease my way inside. \par \par \tab Heading for the tiny control roo}{\f1\insrsid7175493 m, cause I'm sure that's where Fat Man}{\f1\insrsid920680 is going to be, I open the door and peek inside. \par \par \tab Yep, there he is alright. \par }{\f1\insrsid6883269 \par \tab In the tiny room the monitors are the only illumination; the bright glow gives his skin a pale reptilian sheen; there is sweat on his }{\f1\insrsid10511711 forehead and his eyes are gleaming. I could smell him the second I entered the warehouse again. }{\f1\insrsid6883269 \par }{\f1\insrsid10511711 \par \tab "Ah," he says without taking his eyes off the monitor. "Perimeter secure I trust?" \par \par \tab "Sure thing," I reply casually. "How goes your little pet project?" \par \par \tab "As planned," he says, he steps away from the monitors and gestures to them. "See for yourself." \par \par \tab I don't want to. I don't particularly have too but it would help me if this slug thought I was on 'his side'. So I look. \par \par \tab I was right, I shouldn't have. \par \par \tab Inside the cell the Slayer has pressed herself into a corner. In the ceiling. She's bracing herself with her hands and feet pressed against the wall, using sheer muscle power to hold herself off the ground, away from the el ectrified floor. The downside of her strategy is her legs are spread and she's still naked. It takes effort but I manage not to look away. \par \par \tab "This is progress?" I ask. \par \par \tab }{\f1\insrsid7175493 Fat}{\f1\insrsid10511711 Man shrugs. "I allow her small victories, it gives her hope and that is a hope that I can, when I wish, crush. As it is, the view is\'85" he pauses and purses his lips. "Enjoyable." He says slowly.
\par \par \tab He glances at me, "If you go for that sort of thing," he says hastily. He doesn't want to offend me, how nice. \par \par \tab I choose my next words with care. "Hey," I say with a shrug of my own. "Fun's fun." \par \par \tab He}{\f1\insrsid5724287 turns to me,}{\f1\insrsid10511711 smiles, showing all his teeth in the process. "Yes," he says, }{\f1\insrsid5724287 his voice a horse, choked whisper}{\f1\insrsid10511711 . "Fun is fun." \par }{\f1\insrsid5724287 \par \tab He turns back to gazing at the monitor. "And now?" I ask. \par \par \tab "Now we let her win," he replies. "She'll stay up there until exhausted. Then I shall repeat the commands and punish her when she refuses." His eyes flicker to me and back to watching the screen. I school my expression to one of careful neutrality.
\par \par \tab "This cycle will repeat several times, punishment, rebellion, exhaustion," }{\f1\insrsid7175493 Fat Man}{\f1\insrsid5724287 continues. "Then I'll let her recover for a short time; giving more hope to her, sowing weakness." \par \par \tab "And then?" I gently prod. \par \par \tab "The cycle will resume}{\f1\insrsid7175493 but I will change it," He says slowly.}{\f1\insrsid13641327 He stares at the monitors hungrily. }{\f1\insrsid5724287 \par \par \tab "Care to elaborate?" \par \par \tab "Instead of allowing her to resist I shall activate the second phase of the therapy," He smiles at the screen. I glance at it and see the Slayer's head has slumped slightly. The tendons in her legs and arm are trembling slightly. \par \par \tab Fat}{\f1\insrsid7175493 Man}{\f1\insrsid5724287 leans over the microphone, "You will go to the box on the table. You will open the box." He instructs. \par \par \tab The Slayer's head whips around toward the camera}{\f1\insrsid11746038 , she know s where it is, and she knows where we're watching her from. I stare at her, and she, through the camera stares at me. The image is tiny, grainy and black and white. But I know, I know her eyes are blue. And angry. \par \par \tab Then}{\f1\insrsid5724287 she b}{\f1\insrsid11746038 ares her teeth; her lips pulled back, teeth clenched together and the corners of mouth stretched upward. It's a smile. A hideous, proud, fierce smile. T}{\f1\insrsid5724287 he muscles in her frame tense and the trembling stops. Fat }{\f1\insrsid7175493 Man}{\f1\insrsid5724287 }{\f1\insrsid13641327 grins slightly.}{\f1\insrsid5724287 "So predicable," he sighs. \par }{\f1\insrsid11746038 \par \tab He didn't see it. Or if he did he didn't understand it. \par \par \tab I do. \par }{\f1\insrsid5724287 \par }{\f1\insrsid11746038 \tab Fat }{\f1\insrsid7175493 Man}{\f1\insrsid5724287 }{\f1\insrsid7175493 turns his attention}{\f1\insrsid5724287 to me, "So as I was saying; the second phase involves auditory and visual bombardment. Discordant noise and flashing pattern less lights. Ultra-sonic bombardment will throw her inner ear off and the visual onslaught will make think}{\f1\insrsid10050713 ing impossible. However, the sub}{\f1\insrsid5724287 conscious will be susceptible to suggestion." He grins suddenly. "This will cut down on the voyeuristic enjoyments but there are other forms of fun." \par \par \tab I want to take a bath. \par \par \tab I want to take a bath in a clear, ice cold mountain stream far, far away from humans. \par \par \tab I nod, "Sounds effective." \par \par \tab "Oh it is," he replies. "I've been trying for some time to have such training made mandatory for all newly discovered Slayers but there is a softer element in the Council these days." \par \par \tab He shrugs, "Still there's the now." \par \par \tab "I'm hungry," I interrupt. "I'm going to get something to eat." \par \par \tab "Very well," he says absently his full attention back on the monitor. "Don't be long." \par \par \tab "Not my call," I reply heading for the exit, I make it a point to walk casually. "If the prey is cooperative I could be back before noon, if not I'll be back before dark." \par }{\f1\insrsid14315603 \par \tab He glances at me, "That's hardly satisfactory," he says. \par \par \tab I return his stare and meet it, "That's the way it is." \par \par \tab He licks his lip}{\f1\insrsid13641327 s nervously; at least I hope it}{\f1\insrsid14315603 s nerves. He's silent for a time. \par \par \tab "Very well," he says finally. "By dark." \par \par \tab "By dark," I repeat. \par \par \tab "Have fun," He calls out to me. \par \par \tab "This is feeding," I say before the door shuts. "That's fun," I point to the monitor. \par \par \tab He only laughs. \par \par *** \par }{\f1\insrsid10511711 \par \par }{\f1\insrsid13175209 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri-1530\nowidctlpar\tx900\tx6570\faauto\rin-1530\lin0\itap0\pararsid13175209 {\f1\insrsid13175209 \tab }{\f1\insrsid13175209\charrsid6573476 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri-1530\nowidctlpar\tx900\tx6570\faauto\rin-1530\lin0\itap0\pararsid14508121 {\f1\insrsid14508121 \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri-1530\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx900\tx6570\faauto\rin-1530\lin0\itap0\pararsid14508121 {\f1\insrsid14508121 }{\f1\insrsid14508121\charrsid6573476 She didn't come home. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri-1530\nowidctlpar\tx900\tx6570\faauto\rin-1530\lin0\itap0\pararsid14508121 {\f1\insrsid14508121 \par \tab \par \par }{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 She was supposed to come home. She was supposed to leap through the open window and gathe r me up in her arms. Everything was supposed to be alright after she came home. We'd had that fight in front of the library and she stalked off and I tried to find her and when I couldn't, which was no big surprise, I came home and went to sleep. \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri-1530\nowidctlpar\tx450\tx900\tx6570\faauto\rin-1530\lin0\itap0\pararsid14508121 {\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 \tab Sh e should have woken me up in the middle of the night with a big fluffy hug. A big fluffy hug that I would have returned and we'd have done the hugging to tell each other that everything was all better but we didn't because she didn't. Come home. \par \par \tab Okay...okay relax. She could have gone to her mom's. Or Xander's. Yeah that's it, she was upset and needed more down time then I though}{\f1\insrsid13641327 t}{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 . She's probably just gone to her mom's and had a quiet night. There's }{\f1\insrsid6573476\charrsid6573476 absolutely}{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 no chance that something has happened to her or she's hurt or been killed by- Oh God! \par \par \tab Where is she!? Where is Buffy? I know she didn't go home. We had a small argument; it wasn't a major thing, it wasn't a terrible thing it wasn't a bad bad no good thing it was just a small thing and it wo uldn't have, couldn't have resulted in her needing to spend the night }{\f1\insrsid6573476\charrsid6573476 somewhere}{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 else! Something's happened! I know it! I know it, I don't know how I know but I know and she needs me, she has to need me! She needs me and I have to do something but...but....how? I couldn't find her when ...what do I do? \par \par \tab I ...I'll call Giles. He'll know what to- He won't have a clue. Probably want to do something involving books and asking all sorts of nosey questions. I don't want to tell him about the }{\f1\insrsid6573476\charrsid6573476 argument}{ \f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 or my worries about Buffy's }{\f1\insrsid6573476\charrsid6573476 behavior}{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 . He'd probably }{\f1\insrsid6573476\charrsid6573476 associate}{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 it with that 'feral' thing he's so worried about. Ever since he brought it up he's been doing maj}{\f1\insrsid10050713 or duty research despite all our}{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 claims that everything is okay. Or it was. \par \par \tab I...I got it! The search spell. The one I was going to do last night! I'll do it now! I'll find her and help her and then we...yes! \par \par \tab I leap out of the bed and sit }{\f1\insrsid6573476\charrsid6573476 cross-legged}{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 on the floor. I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths, I'm trying to relax, find my center all the inner peace stuff.
\par \par \tab "Remember," I say to myself. "Magic works best when there is a focus." \par \par \tab The second the words are out of my mouth a mental picture hits me across my head; Buffy hurt, bloody, lying somewhere in the dark too weak to move or call for help. All she can do is stare at the dark over her head and wish that someone would-
\par \tab \tab \par \tab "Aradiagoddessofthelostthepathismurkythewoodsare densedarknesspervadesIbeeschtheebringthelightNOW!!" I blurt quickly. \par \par \tab My eyes fly open and before me, like the night when I had to find Buffy, the night everything began, there is a ball of light floating before me. Unlike the other it is deep red and about the size of a baseball. It bobs around sluggishly, almost resentful o f having been }{\f1\insrsid6573476\charrsid6573476 summoned}{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 . \par \par \tab I'd feel bad about the lousy calling but I simply don't have the time! Staring at the ugly ball in front of me I glare at it, as if daring it to keep up with the attitude. "Lead me to Buffy," I say }{\f1\insrsid6573476\charrsid6573476 fiercely }{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 . "Quickly." \par \par \tab The light turns and begins to drift toward the window then pauses. It drifts back and forth looking a bit uncertain then starts to shake. \par \par \tab "What are you waiting for?" I demand. "Take me to her, take me to Buffy!" \par \par \tab Its shaking gets worse until its just an indistinct red blur. I take a step toward it, ready to try hitting it like }{\f1\insrsid6573476\charrsid6573476 someone}{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 upset at their computer. It flashes bright red and I cover my eyes }{\f1\insrsid6573476\charrsid6573476 instinctively}{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 . There's a quiet pop and when I peek out from behind my arms the guide is gone. \par \par \tab "What?" the words escape aloud. \par \par \tab It couldn't...it couldn't find her! Tha}{\f1\insrsid13641327 t means...it means she's not he}{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 r}{\f1\insrsid13641327 e}{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 ! She's dead! No! She can't be...she can't be de ad no! I..I don't believe it, I won't believe it! I jump to my feet, yank the door open and dash down the hall. I think I'm saying something, I'm not sure...just..no! No no no no no no!! \par \par \tab I leap down the stairs to the main lobby. Usually in the mornings someone has bought the local paper. Yes! I grab it from the hands of a student. \par \par \tab "Hey!" He protests. "What do you think-" \par \par \tab "I need this!" I hiss at him. He stares at me, }{\f1\insrsid6573476\charrsid6573476 swallows}{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 and nods }{\f1\insrsid6573476\charrsid6573476 dumbly}{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 . I ignore it, I ignore everything; }{\f1\insrsid10050713 I flip through a few pages, scanning}{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 the headlines. There's nothing}{\f1\insrsid3110657 there about bodies being found}{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 . Around me the }{\f1\insrsid10050713\charrsid6573476 murm}{\f1\insrsid10050713 ur}{\f1\insrsid10050713\charrsid6573476 ing}{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 of people grows a little louder. I ignore it; I'm too busy because I have to find out, I have to know if....DAMNIT! \par \par \tab "There's nothing in here!" I shout crumpling the paper up and throwing it across the room. "It's useless!" I spin around to return to my room, I gotta think of something. There's got to be something I can do, I refus e to accept the possibility that Buffy is...is.... \par \par \tab "No!" I cry aloud. "I won't believe it!" \par \par \tab Right in the faces of a small crowd of gathered students who are all staring at me. "Get out of my way," I snap at them, and they part bef ore me as I stalk up the stairs. I know what they're staring at. I just got out of bed so all I'm wearing is an oversized T-shirt and my underwear. So what? Let them stare, I have to find Buffy! \par \par \par }{\f1\insrsid7227394 ***}{\insrsid7227394 \par }{\f1\insrsid7227394 \par \par \tab Soon I leave the hustle and bustle of Sunnydale awakening to a brand new day far behind. Into the deep woods I plunge, heedlessly, recklessly, trying to lose in the green and light of the forests her furious eyes. \par \par \tab I'd seen eyes like that before; on the features of a cornered bear, a tree'd mountain lion, all numbers of examples. \par \par \tab 'You will not win,' that look always whispered in my mind. 'I will be free.' \par \par \tab I'd never really believed it, after all I was the one who had cornered the bear or trapped the lion in the tree; but now\'85. Now I think I believe.}{\f1\insrsid6449277 }{\f1\insrsid7227394 \par }{\f1\insrsid6449277 \par \tab I shake my head violently, "No," I say firmly. "No flipping out now, we're outside, we're hungry, and we're going to get something to eat." \par \par \tab With some effort I begin to move quietly through the woods; tracking\'85searching. 'Like she should be doing,' my mind whispers. \par \par \tab I think I'll bang my head against a tree, that'll shut up that annoying voice. }{\f1\insrsid721671 On second thought I'd prefer to not have a headache.}{\f1\insrsid6449277 \par }{\f1\insrsid7227394 \par }{\f1\insrsid721671 \tab With practiced patience I stalk the woods; I'm silent as I move but it takes effort which bothers me. I've done this for so long it should be, usually is, natural. Something is off but I don't know what it is. \par \par \tab 'Liar.' \par \par \tab That's it. Time to bang the head. \par \par \tab I head for the nearest tree. It's an oak, old, solid looking. "No offense old timer," I whisper patting the rough bark. "Just got a few wires crossed." \par \par \tab Then I see it. A deer. A buck I think, somewhat young but strong. It's nibbling on some shoots, fully intent on what it's doing. Either I was actually quiet or I got lucky; either way there's my breakfast. \par \par \tab Reaching for my boot I carefully and slowly pull out the knife I keep strapped there. Running my thumb along the blade I insure what I already know, that the blade is sharp; for a quick, clean kill. \par \par \tab Easing around the tree I step silently toward my prey. Looks like there is enough meat on those flanks to keep my supplied for a day or three. It's not easy sneaking up on a deer with only a knife to kill, but I left my other stuff at the warehouse and i t's not like I haven't done it before. \par \par \tab I take a deep, quiet, breath, hold it for a ten count and then let it out slowly. I center myself, pull in my presence. I am now part of the woods, part of the backdrop, there is no hunter here, there is nothing he re but the trees, leaves, small bushes, lichen and the deer. \par \par \tab I step. \par \par \tab It doesn't react, its ears do not flicker, its eyes do not blink, it just bends its head again nibbling at the plant. \par \par \tab I take another step. \par \par \tab Still no reaction, no sense of danger; I am not }{\f1\insrsid11746038 invisible;}{\f1\insrsid721671 I am n}{\f1\insrsid11746038 ot here at all. There is nothing but the breeze blowing against my face,}{\f1\insrsid721671 the woods and the deer.
\par \par \tab A third step. I could stretch out my hand and brush my fingers along its back; if I wanted to pet it, if I wanted to touch it I could. I have to reach its throat though. One more step and I can wrap my forearm around its neck and then one quick slash \'85it'll be all over. \par \par \tab I step\'85my foot lands on a dry branch. The snap is tiny, barely audible at all. The wind is blowing in the trees, th e birds are singing from the branches; squirrels dig for nuts and store them in their cheeks, chattering and squabbling with each other as they do so. No, the snap of the branch underneath my heel makes almost no sound at all compared to all the others.
\par \par \tab The deer leaps away, like an arrow from a bow, its legs carry it out of my reach, over the hedge and its gone, deep into the green. \par \par \tab Shit. \par \par \tab With a sigh I slump to the ground. \par \par \tab "Shit!" I say aloud this time slamming my knife back into its sheath. "I'm better than this!"}{\f1\insrsid11732441 \par \par \tab Everything has gone quiet now; no birds, no wind, no squirrels\'85no deer. That means no breakfast.}{\f1\insrsid6109414 }{\f1\insrsid11732441 \par }{\f1\insrsid6109414 \par \tab "Something is off," I grumble. "Something is really off!" \par \par \tab And I know what it is, and I know what I have to do. \par \par \tab Damnit, this is going to really complicate my life. \par \par }{\f1\insrsid7227394 \par }{\f1\insrsid14315603\charrsid6573476 *** \par \par \par \tab \par \tab }{\f1\insrsid6573476 I'm sitting on the floor staring at the pieces of our new Mickey Mouse alarm clock. When Buffy killed our old we went out and bought another. She really didn't want it but I thought it look ed so cheerful with its big plastic Mickey smile and those white puffy gloves that pointed at the numbers. Buffy let me get it mumbling about the pleasure she'd get watching Mickey dislocate his own shoulders for her amusement. }{\f1\insrsid14315603
\par }{\f1\insrsid7082192 \par \par \tab Buffy's not here though, I don't know where she is. My\'85my guide couldn't find her and that might\'85it might\'85. \par \par \tab No. Won't think it! It isn't possible, not now, not yet, she's not, I mean\'85Buffy's not\'85 \par \par \tab When I got back up to my room}{\f1\insrsid3110657 after stealing the newspaper}{\f1\insrsid7082192 Mickey was sitting on our bedside table, being all cheerful. His alarm went off, the second alarm, the one I }{\f1\insrsid3110657 set}{ \f1\insrsid7082192 to remind me not to be late for classes. His alarm was a recording of him laughing, a bright, cheerful happy laugh. \par }{\f1\insrsid3110657 \par \tab 'Ha Ha Ha,' It went. 'Ha Ha Ha!' \par }{\f1\insrsid7082192 \par \tab Without thinking I grabbed Mickey by his face and smashed him into the floor. And I smashed him, smashed him, smashed him and smashed him until he stopped laughing. \par \par \tab So Mickey's dead but Buffy isn't! She isn't\'85the }{\f1\insrsid604603 guide; just because the guide couldn't find her doesn't mean anything. It was a- a- bad guide, that's right, that' s what happened. I summoned a guide that was lazy and not very good at its job. \par \par \tab I should}{\f1\insrsid14955820 be\'85I could\'85that is\'85}{\f1\insrsid3110657 .}{\f1\insrsid14955820 \par }{\f1\insrsid3110657 \par \tab One piece of plastic-Mickey-face catches}{\f1\insrsid10110483 my eye; part of its}{\f1\insrsid3110657 eye and half of }{\f1\insrsid10110483 its}{\f1\insrsid3110657 smile. \par \par \tab 'Ha, Ha, Ha!' }{\f1\insrsid10110483 The memory of its laugh echoes in my memory.}{\f1\insrsid3110657 \par }{\f1\insrsid14955820 \par \tab ARRggghh!! I jump to my feet, grab the pieces of Mickey up in both hands and hurl them at the wall as hard as I can! \par \par \tab That was pointle- OW! I grab my head where one of the larger pieces just hit me after bouncing off the wall. Rubbing the spot I go to the mirror. No, no blood, just a little red spot. \par \par \tab God, I look terrible and\'85I sniff my sleeping shirt. What time is it anyway? I forgot to check before butchering Mickey. Walking across the room I flip open and wake up my lap top. Ten seventeen; }{\f1\insrsid7492346 my}{\f1\insrsid14955820 classes started hours ago and I didn't even notice. Mickey's alarm went off at \'85 I've been staring at nothing, doing nothing for over an hour and a half! Buffy could be in trouble, she might be \'85be\'85 who cares what, she could be in real trouble and here I've sat feeling sorry for myself. No more, I'm going to sit down and figure this out. The guide spell, yeah first I'll research the guide spell and find out exactly how it works, and then I'll know \'85well I mean something should\'85come up. No, I will find Buffy, I will help her because- Because I have too. \par \par \tab But first a shower. \par }{\f1\insrsid13583029 \par *** \par \par *** \par }{\f1\insrsid7492346 \par \par It's the normality of what I'm doing that bring}{\f1\insrsid812894 s}{\f1\insrsid13641327 comfort; o}{\f1\insrsid7492346 r at least denial. I'm standing in the shower letting the hot water pour over me. I'm not thinking about what I'm doing, I'm not thinking at all}{\f1\insrsid1460840 ,}{\f1\insrsid7492346 my mind is blank, }{\f1\insrsid1460840 and my}{\f1\insrsid7492346 mind will be blank}{\f1\insrsid1460840 . Won't think about it, won't think about anything. Just going to get clean. I reach for the bottle of shampoo-}{\f1\insrsid7492346 \par }{\f1\insrsid1460840 \par \tab Buffy's lying on the ground behind some buildings; the morning sun right outside but it can't get into the narrow alley. Garbage mixing with her lon g blonde hair; head at an odd angle, tiny trickle of blood seeping out between her lips. Eyes open staring at nothing, empty blue eyes, flat like dead water. The words echoing off the dirty bricks still hours after she's stopped breathing. 'Help me Willow !' \par \par \tab No! The shampoo bottle slips from my fingers; I lunge after it and slip. We hit the same floor at the same time. Pain streaks up my arm and leg. \par \tab \par \tab "No!" I shout pounding the floor, water splashes in my eyes. "No!" I say again, still hitting the floor. Using the pain in my hand to try and drive away the nightmare. \par \par \tab "She's not dead!" I hit the floor. \par \par \tab "She's not!" My hand is probably bleeding. \par \par \tab "She's not!" I scream. \par \par \tab I wipe the water\'85just water\'85out of my eyes. I see the shampoo lying a few inches away. I grab it and stand up slowly; my hand aches, my elbows ache and my legs aren\rquote t happy either. I ignore the pain and flip the cap on the bottle. \par \par \tab I concentrate on keeping my hand from shaking while pouring the shampoo into my palm. This is very expensive shampoo and I'm on a budget. I can't afford to waste any of this very expensive shampoo. Buffy would not be happy if I had to spend more money on my expensive shampoo- \par \par \tab That's it! I rinse the shamp oo off my hand and then grab the bottle with both hands. Turning it upside down I squeeze it as hard as I can. A might surge of shampoo comes jetting out of the top and is quickly rinsed down the drain. I squeeze the bottle again and more of my shampoo wa shes away. \par \par \tab Only a little left. \par \par \tab This little bit of shampoo I pour into my hand and then, setting the now empty bottle down, I start washing my hair. \par \par \tab I've wasted all my expensive shampoo}{\f1\insrsid12791799 and now Buffy will have to come back and tell me how upset she is with me. It's simple now. Buffy can't be dead, she won't be dead, not now. She has a job to do.}{\f1\insrsid1460840 \par }{\f1\insrsid12791799 \par \par }{\f1\insrsid812894 \tab I lather the soap in my hair and run my fingers through the suds. Mmm\'85that feels good. All the tension is just running down my body, out through my toes and going swirly down the drain. I think I'll sing.}{\f1\insrsid1460840
\par \par }{\f1\insrsid812894 \tab "Gonna wash that death right outta my hair," I }{\f1\insrsid10110483 mumble}{\f1\insrsid812894 . "Gonna wash that death right outta my hair and bring}{\f1\insrsid10110483 my}{\f1\insrsid812894 Buffy back to me." \par \par \tab I can see it now. I'll walk back to our dorm room, maybe using the tip of my towel to get the last of the water out of my ear. I'll fish my keys out of my bathrobe pocket and push the door open. She'll be standing in the middle of the room. She'll \'85she'll be wearing her red jacket and white slacks\'85I love that outfit on her. Her legs will}{\f1\insrsid12529173 be spread slightly in a proud,}{\f1\insrsid812894 stance.}{\f1\insrsid12529173 Her hair will glow in the rising sun, right outside our window. She'll be so\'85there. So vibrant. So full of life.}{\f1\insrsid812894 \par \par }{\f1\insrsid11605977 \tab I close my eyes and lean back into the stream of hot water letting it rinse the soap out and taking away the last of my worries with it. I close my eyes and luxuriate in the sensation. It's so good to be perfectly content.}{ \f1\insrsid812894 \par }{\f1\insrsid11605977 \par \tab Buffy will walk across the room and grab my now empty bottle of shampoo. I haven't left it in the shower but will have brought it back with me. This is important because I'll take it to be recycled along with all the other plastic bottles. \par \par \tab "Didn't you just buy shampoo?" Buffy will ask me. She won't be angry, but she'll be staring at me, right in the eyes. Her look will be strong, powerful, }{\f1\insrsid12529173 full}{\f1\insrsid11605977 of force. \par \par \tab I'll want to look away but won't be able to. Her look will have me trapped; like }{\f1\insrsid12529173 in a vice}{\f1\insrsid11605977 . "Uh-huh." I whimper and nod. Maybe I'll even have my puppy-dog look. \par \par \tab "Willow," Buffy will say shaking the empty bottle under my nose forcefully. "You know this shampoo is very expensive. We can't afford it often." \par \par \tab "You're right," I reply. "I'm sorry." \par \par \tab Buffy will then drop the }{\f1\insrsid1065135 bottle;}{\f1\insrsid11605977 no she'll throw it over her }{\f1\insrsid1065135 shoulder. }{\f1\insrsid11605977 Then she'll put her arms around me and, with steady but gentle force, push me back against the door. \par \par \tab Our noses will be almost touching, her eyes never having left mine the entire time}{\f1\insrsid12529173 ; they'll be glowing with life}{\f1\insrsid11605977 . "That's okay," She'll whisper. I'll more feel her words in the warmth of her breath than hear them. "But it's important you buy more of your expensive shampoo soon." \par \par \tab "Why's that?" I'll try to say, but I'll be so \'85so\'85 I'll be almost stuttering. \par }{\f1\insrsid12529173 \par }{\f1\insrsid11605977 \tab "Because," Buffy will breathe, goose bumps will ripple across my back. "You smell delicious when you use it." \par \par \tab Then she'll close the distance between us and kiss me, holding me clo}{\f1\insrsid12529173 se with great force, kissing me, }{\f1\insrsid11605977 pushing me against the}{\f1\insrsid12529173 door and it will feel wonderful and we'll be full of life, together, no force will keep us apart ever again.}{\f1\insrsid11605977 \par }{\f1\insrsid12529173 \par }{\f1\insrsid11605977 \tab Force\'85. \par \par \tab Force\'85. \par \par \tab Force! \par \par \tab That's it! \par \par \tab My eyes snap open. I've been leaning with my eyes closed under the water for so long the lights in the shower hurt. I blink until they adjust. \par \par \tab }{\f1\insrsid9711471 I can barely breathe. I understand now, why didn't I figure it out earlier?}{\f1\insrsid11605977 \par }{\f1\insrsid9006049 \par \tab "Rosenberg," I mutter aloud. "You are an idiot." \par }{\f1\insrsid9711471 \par \tab I grab my towel and b}{\f1\insrsid10110483 athrobe off the rack and run to the door of the shower before skidding to a stop. I nearly lose my balance on the slippery floor, pin wheeling my arms like crazy so as not to fall over. \par \par \tab Naked me plus }{\f1\insrsid5388065 Public Hallway equals very embarrassed Willow.}{\f1\insrsid10110483 \par }{\f1\insrsid5388065 \par \tab Buffy\'85 \par \par \tab I halfway wrap my towel around me, yank the door open and run as fast as I can for the door of our room. Lucky me, nobodies around; probably all in classes. I reach our door and start digging through the pockets of my robe, trying to find the keys. } {\f1\insrsid9711471 My hands are wet and they keep slipping out of my grip. \par \par \tab Stupid\'85frustrating\'85aha! \par \par \tab Got em! \par \par \tab I yank my door open then slam it behind me. }{\f1\insrsid9006049 I throw}{\f1\insrsid9711471 my bathroom supplies on my bed. Hm, left the shampoo bottle in the bathroom. \par \par \tab Screw the environment. \par \tab \par \tab I know how to find Buffy! \par }{\f1\insrsid1065135 \par }{\f1\insrsid10963720 \tab }{\f1\insrsid1065135 \par }{\f1\insrsid10963720 \par \tab I hustle over to my desk and grab one of my books on witchcraft. I want to flip through the pages, I want to find what I'm looking for and I want to find it now! But I don't. The book is very old and delicate. Their really isn't a table of contents either, just }{\f1\insrsid5195097 sections so I have to carefully turn the pages one by one. I have to examine each page slowly as my Latin is rusty and I'm probably going to tear one of the pages because my hands won't stop shaking and-}{\f1\insrsid10963720 \par }{\f1\insrsid5195097 \par \tab }{\f1\insrsid5388065 Better idea: Let's check online.}{\f1\insrsid5195097 \par \par \tab I sit down in the chair to my desk \par \par \tab And stand right back up again! \par \par \tab That's cold! \par \par \tab I forgot I'm still not dressed. \par \par \tab I reach into my closet and pull out th}{\f1\insrsid13769187 e first thing I lay my hands on which I quickly slip over my head.}{\f1\insrsid5195097 Okay, I'm all set, ready to find what I nee}{\f1\insrsid5062421 d. I sit back down in front of my computer and logon. A few mouse clicks and searches later I have what I need. }{\f1\insrsid5195097 \par }{\f1\insrsid5062421 \par \tab And I know what I did wrong. \par \par \tab There on the screen before me is a clear explanation of the guide spell. I really have to bookmark this site. \par \par \tab The spell didn't work not because she was\'85. She wasn't. The spell was blocked. I should have picked up on that, even if\'85if\'85. Just If! The spell still would have taken me to her. It didn't, that means something is blocking my spells\'85 .that means something has\'85oh God and that could mean\'85Oh God! \par \par \tab I enter a search command for the archive for the spell I now seek, the one I should have thought of before. I've wasted so much time! There, there it is. I scan the page quickly\'85okay\'85seems simple enough. Nothing too }{\f1\insrsid5388065 exotic} {\f1\insrsid5062421 here like feathers or blessed beads just\'85just some chalk. Or a marker. \par \par \tab I print out the spell. Then going over to my }{\f1\insrsid5388065 book bag}{\f1\insrsid5062421 I dig around in my pencil box. No actual markers just\'85. Hope the powers won't be offended if I use my bright orange highlighter. \par \par \tab I pick up the scattered clothes that are on the floor and sweep what's left of Mickey under Buffy's bed. Then I carefully draw a circle, ar}{\f1\insrsid5388065 ound me, using the highlighter; or I try to. The stupid thing refuses to leave a mark! This isn't fair! All I need a stupid circle\'85and I don't have any more markers and \'85and\'85. }{\f1\insrsid5062421 \par }{\f1\insrsid5388065 \par \tab I scan the room, looking for anything that I could- \par \par \tab Buffy's makeup bag. \par \par \tab Leaping to my feet I unzip the tiny bag and pull out Buffy's lipstick. It's not the very expensive kind, just average. Not too dark, not too light; a nice}{\f1\insrsid3887377 ,}{\f1\insrsid5388065 pale}{\f1\insrsid3887377 ,}{\f1\insrsid5388065 pink color}{\f1\insrsid3887377 , kinda normal,}{\f1\insrsid5388065 for a girl who's anything but normal. \par \par \tab It's my favorite. \par \par \tab I take the cap off and inhale slightly; the familiar mixed berry scent \'85hurts. The silver tip of the lipstick goes all blurry, the emotions hit\'85so hard. Can't see very well\'85stupid tears\'85. She, Buffy, she was wearing this lipstick yesterday}{\f1\insrsid3887377 at the Library during\'85.}{\f1\insrsid5388065 \par }{\f1\insrsid3887377 \par \tab I wipe my eyes with my freed hand and can't help but read the words written on the side of the tube. \par \par \tab 'Guaranteed Smudge Proof' \par \par \tab I can't help it, I start to giggle, 'guaranteed'\'85right. Then I'm crying some more, right in mid-giggle but the giggles don't give way, so I'm crying and giggling at the same, sitting in the middle of the floor, rocking back and forth on my knees cradling a tube of lipstick. \par }{\f1\insrsid3540549 \par \tab I have to stop this; I have to finish\'85what I started. \par \par \tab Won't be distracted or \'85 become lost. I'm not lost, I'm the one searching and I will find her, I will find Buffy. Now. \par \par \tab I wipe my eyes again, take a few breaths, stupid hiccups, okay\'85breath\'85breath\'85better. Okay, here we go. This probably will take a chunk out of our security deposit. \par \par \tab I twist the tube and using the pink lipstick draw a circle around me where I sit. Unbroken, whole, complete. \par }{\f1\insrsid3887377 \par }{\f1\insrsid3540549 \tab }{\f1\insrsid5062421 I sit down in the middle of the circle and close my eyes. I can feel my heart thudding in my chest}{\f1\insrsid17929 , my hands are still shaking. It's\'85Buffy is\'85 I should call Giles. He'll know what to do. Yeah, I'll get up right now, call Giles, fill him in on all the details and then \'85then we'll do\'85stuff\'85 something. And Xander can come too! Even Anya, I'll take all the help I can get because we'll all be looking for Buffy because she needs us\'85but\'85 \par \par \tab Buffy's \'85she's\'85she that\'85I need her. And\'85and she needs me. \par \par \tab My head turns almost against my will until I'm staring at the phone. It's sitting right there, on the corner of my desk. Some sunlight through the window makes the handle kinda shiny. I could call them\'85I really could. \par \par \tab We're a team! We're the }{\f1\insrsid5388065 S}{\f1\insrsid17929 coobies! We stick together and share but\'85I \'85 \par \par \tab Buffy could be in trouble, no she is in trouble and I might not be strong enough to get her out. Okay\'85so\'85 .I'll call them. I'll call the rest of the gang and tell them what's going on. Then we'll get together, pool our resources, rescue Buffy and get coupon}{\f1\insrsid9909042 s}{\f1\insrsid17929 for happily ever afters good for a few days at least!}{ \f1\insrsid5062421 \par }{\f1\insrsid9909042 \par \tab Right. Going to call Giles. Yup. Uh huh, going to do it. \par \par \tab After I cast the spell. \par \par \tab }{\f1\insrsid5317685 Well, that's decided.}{\f1\insrsid9909042 \par }{\f1\insrsid5317685 \par \tab I adjust my sitting slightly so I'm kneeling in the middle of the circle. \par \par \tab }{\f1\insrsid3540549 I cup my hands in front of me}{\f1\insrsid5317685 , the palms crossing over each other; I take a deep breath}{\f1\insrsid2718348 , hold it for a few seconds then let it out, I take another, hold it again and release it. A third breath, deep, in through my nose, I hold it. }{\f1\insrsid5317685 \par }{\f1\insrsid2718348 \par \tab Taste it. \par \par \tab I can smell her. Buffy. Maybe just a memory, maybe because she's in the room, this is her room, our room. Me. Mine, ours, hers. Here, us. Together. She's all around. I can taste her in the air; feel her heat in the breath in my lungs, I exhale.
\par \par \tab I'm ready. \par \par \tab I close my eyes slowly, still kneeling, hands cupped. \par \par \tab "Please," I say aloud. They're listening, I know they are. "Please, take me, this tiny part of me, take it to her." \par }{\f1\insrsid15562217 \par \tab My hands grow slightly warm, I don't focus on it, I don't focus on anything, I just try and give, give of myself so it can be given to Buffy. \par \par \tab "It's right here," I say aloud. "Please just take it to her, it's not much because I'm still kind of new at this but, please, take it to her. Take it to Buffy." \par }{\f1\insrsid2718348 \par }{\f1\insrsid15562217 \tab A gentle breeze picks up, and the warmth in my hand vanishes. }{\f1\insrsid2718348 \par }{\f1\insrsid15562217 \par \tab I sit back on my feet and brush some of my hair out of my eyes. "Well now," I say that wasn't so haraAAAAHHH!!!" \par \par \tab My \'85hands! They're\'85they're burning! My feet, my hands\'85oh God oh God oh God oh God\'85so\'85aaaahhH! Make it stop, make it stop, please \'85Buffy\'85what? Too much, no don't pull at \'85stop! I\'85they're\'85they're hurting her\'85hurting us \'85can't\'85stop\'85.screaming\'85everything's pain and bright\'85oh God\'85make it stop! \par \par \tab Pain, pain and fear and pain\'85can't breath\'85can't see\'85just white\'85white and that voice\'85 \par \par \tab "Obey!" It commands. \par \par \tab "No!" I scream back. \par \par \tab White and\'85white\'85pain\'85 \par \par \tab "Obey!" Again. \par \par \tab "No!" I scream back, again the pain, the burning\'85I can\'85I can smell\'85burnt meat. \par \par \tab Oh God my hands! \par \par \tab "Obey!" \par \par \tab No! }{\f1\insrsid13641327 Can't}{\f1\insrsid15562217 say it this time, blood in my mouth, cough it up, on the floor\'85it starts to boil. \par \par \tab "Obey!" \par \par \tab Coughing, gagging\'85pain\'85white\'85burning\'85white\'85 \par \par \tab Dark. \par \par *** \par \par \par \tab Oh my head. \par \par \tab I roll over slowly and instantly regret it. Opening my eyes takes a while; the dim light coming through the windows goes right to the back of my skull. \par \par \tab "What\'85what happened?" I mumble to myself. \par \par \tab }{\f1\insrsid798357 Oh yeah, now I remember}{\f1\insrsid15562217 . \par \par \tab The spell. \par \par \tab The Voice. \par \par \tab The Pain. \par \par \tab The White. \par \par \tab "Buffy!" I shriek and jump to my feet or try to. Instead my head blows into a million pieces }{\f1\insrsid5116028 that scatter}{\f1\insrsid15562217 all over the floor; that's what it feels like at least.}{\f1\insrsid15149725 The impact of my knees on the floors is a pleasant distraction from the screaming in my head.}{\f1\insrsid15562217 \par }{\f1\insrsid15149725 \par \tab The screaming of }{\f1\insrsid5116028 pain}{\f1\insrsid15149725 and the screaming of Buffy. \par \par \tab I put my hands to my face and they come away wet, with tears. I'm not surprised. \par \par \tab "Buffy," I quietly sob. "Where are you?" \par \par \tab "I can tell you that." A voice says from behind me. \par \par \tab I turn around slowly, trying to think of some sort of\'85magic if it's needed. Th}{\f1\insrsid5116028 ere's someone sitting on my bed so it's probably needed, needed very badly. Too bad I'm drawing a blank.}{\f1\insrsid15149725 \par \par \tab "Who are you?" I say, trying not to sound afraid. I'm probably not doing }{\f1\insrsid1784797 a great job of it}{\f1\insrsid15149725 . \par \par \tab The figure turns their face slightly so the dim light spills across their face. I see tough, tan, leathered }{\f1\insrsid266039 skin;}{\f1\insrsid15149725 I see hard jaw lines and a few scars. I also see long, flowing black hair pulled back into a ponytail. \par \par \tab "I'm }{\f1\insrsid14366976 a}{\f1\insrsid10291264 Hunter," t}{\f1\insrsid15149725 he woman replies. \par \par END-SECUNDUS-Third Test\tab \par \par \par \tab \par }{\f1\insrsid9711471 \tab }{\f1\insrsid9711471\charrsid6573476 \par }}