Fic: Missing Red 2/?

["frank_8281" <frank_8281@xxxxxxxxx>]

Author: Bob Head  
Disclaimer: None of the characters below (Except for the Slayer's 
Shadow) belong to me. All the BtVS people belong to Joss Wheadon, 
Mutant Enemy and 20th Century Fox. I'm just trying to have fun.
Rating: PG-13 for now
Feedback: Well, Yeah! frank_8281@xxxxxxxxx   






Missing Red: part 2



She's cutting a path of destruction through the demon world the likes 
of which I have never seen before. And I was around along time. Eight 
days now she's been like this. Eight days of non-stop mayhem and 
carnage. Two days ago, Willie the snitch closed his bar. Maybe for 
good. Last night, the other Demon bar in town burned to the ground. 
Rumor has it the Slayer lit the match. All because of one little red 
headed witch.

I've been doing some digging the past couple of days, and I finally 
come up with the who, the when the where and the why. A demon named 
A'racmos kidnapped Willow, the Slayer's best friend, because he had a 
vision of a ritual. This ritual is supposed to undo the one that made 
the first Slayer. Make her human, vulnerable. The where is right near 
the Hellmouth, either in the church that got buried in that big quake 
in '32 or in the High school library right above. The when is in two 
more days at the dark of the moon on the autumnal equinox. Why kidnap 
Red? Two reasons. One, to make the Slayer crazy. And it seems to be 
working. Two, it seems the ritual requires a specific Human 
sacrifice. That's right, a red haired witch bound to the Slayer's 
destiny.



Buffy's POV


Eight days! Eight damn days! Is she even? no don't go there! She has 
to be okay! She has to be. I'm at Giles' apartment, picking up 
supplies (hope he doesn't ask where his gas can is) and to ask if 
he's heard anything. 

"Unfortunately, no" He says, while I restock my equipment bag with 
Holy water crossbow bolts and stakes.

"Buffy, I don't think?"

"What, Giles!" I snap at him. "What don't you think I should do!"?

"Buffy, you cannot continue like this! You need rest!" More 
softly, "What good will it do Willow if you find her location and 
you `re too exhausted to rescue her."

"Don't you think I know that! Don't you think I spend every minute 
terrified that I won't be strong enough or fast enough to save her if 
I do find her!" I know I'm screaming and starting to cry now but I 
can't stop.
 
"I'm so scared Giles. Scared that I'm gonna be too late when I do 
find her. Scared that I won't be able?" I just collapse sobbing into 
Giles' arms. Pathetic much?

We stay like that for a while, with me crying and Giles trying his 
best to comfort me. Then the phone rings and we both just stare at it 
for a minute like it was some alien creature. He untangles himself 
from me and answers it.

"H-hello. Yes this is Rupert Giles."

I sit on the couch drying my eyes and trying pull myself back 
together, while listening to Giles' half of the conversation.

"Yes, Who is this?"

"Are you sure? How do you know this?"

"Yes, of course, I understand."

"One hour."

"Who was that?" I asked.

"I'm not sure," Giles said, "He claims?"

"What, Giles? What does he claim?" A small note of panic starts to 
creep into my voice.

"He says?" Hesitating.

My nerves snap. "For God's sake Giles! Just say it, please!"

"He says he may know how to rescue Willow. He wants to meet with me."

"Where?"

"Buffy, I don't think it's wise for you to accompany me." He said 
softly. "You're just too distraught,"

"To Hell with that! I'm going Giles' and if you don't like it that's 
just too damn bad."

"Fine, I don't have time to argue, but I'd like to remind you this is 
the first solid lead we've had. If you kill him we may never find 
Willow." 
I felt like he'd slapped me. "If there is one thing you do not need 
to remind me of it's that saving my Willow is top priority. And don't 
you ever suggest otherwise again."

Okay, I know that last comment was a little rude but why is Giles 
suddenly
looking at me like I just grew a second head?


Shadow's POV


I'm waiting on the darkened stage at the Bronze when they get there. 
I wanted the Brit to come alone, but I guess I should have known 
better.

"I don't see anyone, do you?" He's whispering but I can still hear 
him even all the way across the club.

"No, but someone's here, I can feel it." She pulls a stake from 
behind her back.

"Buffy?" There's a little warning tone in his voice.

"I know!" She snaps. "I'll be careful"

She sounds bad; I can hear the rage in her voice. But more than that, 
I can hear
the fatigue, and the fear. I guess I'd better not put it off any 
longer.


"Up here?" She whirls, and leaps onto the stage facing me 
almost before the words leave my mouth. I stand perfectly still 
knowing she's right on the edge.
            
"Buffy, calm yourself, we want information not a fight." 
He speaks in even tones and she seems to listen. This is a good thing.

"Okay Giles," She answers him without looking away from me. "Where's 
my Willow?"

>From the puzzled look on the Watcher's face he's only just starting 
to figure out what's going on with his Slayer. I wonder if she has 
yet.

"I gotta ask Slayer, do you even know?"

There's a distrustful look on her face, "Know what?"

"How you say her name, my Willow."

"I don't?" She gets this thoughtful expression then she looks up at 
me and gives me `the look'. You know the one, guaranteed to scare the 
hell out of any newby Vampire in a ten-foot radius. Kind of wasted on 
me though.

"What difference does it make, do you know where she is or are you 
just wasting my time. `cause if you are?" I don't give her time to 
finish the threat.
"I don't know where she is right now, but I know where she's going to 
be day after tomorrow." At this I hear a sharp intake from the 
Watcher.

The Slayer and I both look over at him. "Oh dear Lord,"

"Giles?"

"From the look on his face I think he knows where I'm going with 
this."

"Giles, what is he talking about."

"Uh? a ritual, it's supposed to be a myth a? uh? a legend." He 
stammers.

"So this Demon, he wants Will to do this ritual for him? That's why 
he took her?"

"Not exactly, and his name is A'racmos."

"A'racmos, are you sure?"

I just look at him with an irritated expression.

"Giles, share? Who is this Aracnid guy?" Asks the Slayer.

"A'racmos, he is supposedly the oracle of the Demon world. At last 
account he was living somewhere in India."

Huh, figures the Watcher would know who he is.

The Slayer growls at both of us, "One of you tell me what the Hell 
this ritual is and what it has to do with my Wills."

I let the Watcher answer. As he speaks I watch the Slayer, while she 
starts to go wide-eyed and pale. When he gets to the part about the 
sacrifice, she utters a small whimper and faints dead away.



TBC?