The Next Evening
 

"Did you hear that?"

Billy and Robert were riding through a forest on the Devlin estate.  At his friend's question, Billy stopped so Robert could catch up.

"What?"  Billy asked, confused.

"Shh!"  Robert paused a bit before continuing.  "I thought I heard something."

"That's not very unusual unless you're deaf, Jenkins,"  Billy scowled.  "Come on, it's time we got back.  It's getting dark, and mother will be upset if I'm not home for supper.  I would invite you, but we're already expecting the Thurstons and the Moores.  I have a feeling mother wants to assure
herself that the girls Philip and I plan to marry are ‘worthy'."  He laughed.

"Ah yes, your mother does take pride in you two.  The Thurstons, ay? Why them?"

"Philip's taken a fancy to the girl...Vanessa, or something."

"My boy, you really must pay more attention to the ladies around here."

Before Billy could answer, they heard a faint moan.

"That's it," Robert said.  "That's the sound I heard."

At first Billy thought it was some hurt animal, but as they listened, it started to sound more and more human.  Dismounting, and Billy and Robert made their way towards the cry, taking the horses along with them.

Finally, they found the source.  A young woman was curled up next to a tree, under it's shadow, a porcelain doll held tightly to her chest.  The dress she wore was torn and stained with blood and dirt, and her arms and legs were bruised.  Her eyes were closed and she was badly burned.  Though it was warm, she shivered as if freezing.

Billy's eyes widened as she looked up, as if just noticing their presence.  It was Drusilla Morgan.  There was a large bruise on the side of her face and her lip was bleeding.  Her large eyes, blue-gray, he noted, stared up at them, frightened.  But even though she was anything but presentable, Billy
found her strangely lovely ... vulnerable, childlike even.

Robert was the first to recover from the shock.  "Miss Morgan!  Are you quite alright?"

She nodded slightly, not saying anything, her eyes staring out into space.

"Of course she's not alright, Jenkins!"  Billy practically shouted, impatient with his companion's waste of time in pleasantries.  "Come on, where does she live?  We have to get her inside immediately!"

Drusilla looked up at this, surprised.  This man seemed truly concerned for her.

"The Angelus estate is many miles from here.  It'd take hours to get there," replied a startled Robert.

"Then she can come home with me!"  Billy declared.  "I'm sure mother can spare a room for her."

"But Devlin," Robert protested.  "That is out of the question.  What would your parents, think, you bringing in a girl?  You don't even know her.  Let's take her to my house.  At least my family has a bit of an idea to who she is! And besides, you have guests coming.  It's not proper."

Billy's voice became deadly serious.  "I don't care about what's ‘proper'.  I just want to get Miss Morgan out of here, and under the care of a doctor, and my home just happens to be nearest.  Just look at her!  Can't you see she's been attacked?"

Robert sighed.  "At least it's your head, not mine."

With that, Billy picked up the still rather detached Drusilla, placed her on his horse, and started for home.
 

The carriage came to a halt.  Stepping down, the driver cautiously approached the figure lying in the middle of the road.  The figure's eyes were open, staring up at the darkening sky.  Its throat was slashed, blood staining the dirt road.  Sorrowfully, the driver turned back towards the carriage.
There was nothing he could do.

He never had a chance when the vampire came from behind him, sinking his teeth into the man's neck.  The three other vampires ascended on the carriage and the people inside, pulling at the doors with their demon strength.  There was a scream, then a curse.

Without warning, one of them burst into dust.  The others looked around, confused, and stopped their assault on the carriage.  A door opened, and a figure stepped out.  Another vamp lunged at her, only to be met with a strong kick and a stake in the heart, while the other ran into the night, unnoticed.

Victoria took a deep breath.  It was about time the vampires started showing up.  Stepping over the piles of ash and the body of the driver, she made her way towards her Watcher and their bewildered traveling companion. She'd have a lot of explaining to do.  Luckily Gareth was there to help.

"Beth, I have something to tell you..."
 

"Wait, don't tell me, you're Mr. Allen's little girl, aren't you?"  Angelus named a squire who worked for a nearby estate..

The little girl nodded at him.  She was a pretty young thing, long dark hair and pale eyes.  Just like in a storybook.  She reminded him of Drusilla. ‘Poor little harlot,' he thought.  He'd just have to find another victim to torture and later turn.  ‘The things I do to get a decent companion...'

The little girl looked uneasy.  "Who are you?" she asked.

"A friend," he replied.  "Your guardian angel.  What's your name, sweet?"

"Jane."

"Are you lost, Jane?"

She nodded again.  "I wasn't supposed to go out this late but mama wanted me to go get my brother from outside and I lot my way searching for him."

"What would you say if I told you I found your brother?"  Angelus paused, returning her smile.  "He's just in the forest over there," he said, pointing to the woods just along the road near his own mansion.

Happily, Jane seized his offered hand and followed him into the forest.
 

"Mr. Devlin?  Are you alright?"  Beth tilted her head to the side, confused.

"Oh,"  Billy answered, as if just noticing her.  "I'm fine."  He returned to staring out towards the rest of the people, his eyes occasionally darting to the room where Miss Morgan was being cared for.  "If you'll excuse me, Miss Moore," he mumbled, walking towards his brother.

Beth frowned at Billy.  Ever since he'd returned with that girl, he'd been oddly detached, as if in another world.  She was worried.  He usually talked to her about things that were bothering him.  She was the only one who knew about his annoyance with his mother, and feelings of neglect with his father. He was different from those other polite but distant gentlemen, who, though nice, didn't seem to feel a thing and were always worried about manners. Billy wasn't like that, and she loved him for it.

She really did love him.  It was so wonderful how he'd just rescued Miss Morgan, just like a brave knight from days long past.  He was perfect for her. He not only was he kind and humorous, but he treated her as an equal. She was sure he was going to propose to her soon.  After all, why not?  He knew she was in love with him, and as far as she knew, he was in love with her.

She thought back to what Victoria Thurston had told her earlier, about Slayers and vampires and demons.  It was strange, ridiculous!  Yet she'd seen men with demon faces burst into dust right in front of her eyes!  She'd been scared at first, but strangely fascinated.  But it couldn't have been
true ... could it?
 

Angelus smiled as the little girl screamed in terror and pain.  His game face was on, and his hand gripped her arm, almost breaking it.  He'd just finished crushing most of her fingers, one by one, and was about to go in for the kill.

"Sir!"

Angelus looked up to see one of his minions running towards him.  "What?" Angelus answered, annoyed.  "Can't you see I'm busy?"

"I'm sorry sir, but she's here."

"Who?"

"The Slayer, sir."

Angelus' eyes went wide but he didn't drop his victim.  "Thank you, Marcus. You may go now," he answered, dismissing the other vamp.

Turning back to the child, he quickly snapped her neck, throwing the body near where her lost brother's corpse rested.  "Sorry kid, I've suddenly lost my appetite."
 

After supper, Mrs. Devlin pulled her younger son aside to talk.

"I don't see why you're being so rude to Beth Moore tonight.  You are going to be marrying her soon, and--"

"Mother, I don't want to marry Beth."

Billy's mother sighed, thankful to be out of hearing range of the guests. "William, you and she are a good match.  Her father recently increased her dowry, and she is one of the richest girls you'll ever find.  She's beautiful, accomplished, and seems to be attached to you.  And until tonight you
seemed to be attached to her as well."

"Still, I don't want to marry her anymore,"  Billy protested, exasperated.

"And why not?"

"Because..."

Jean Devlin frowned.  Here she was, trying to match her son up with a girl that was not only rich, but sure to make him happy.  Why didn't Billy want to marry the girl?  She would surely boost the family name to the top of society. Besides, he'd seemed all too eager to propose until tonight.

"Think about it Billy.  I don't want you doing anything without being willing, but you will marry her, one way or another.  And if not her, some other rich girl.  I'm only looking out for your happiness, dear," she said, returning to the others.
 

Billy stood alone in the library, staring off into space.  How could his mother just assume that he wished to marry Beth Moore?  She was a lovely girl, he had to agree.  But she was a girl, a child!  A young girl with a childish fancy for him.  It would pass, it wasn' t... He sighed, gathering his thoughts.
A few days ago, he would have entertained the notion of marrying her...eventually.  But ever since he'd seen--

"Miss Edith," said the soft voice behind him.  He turned, startled, to see Miss Morgan rush past him to embrace the doll sitting on a shelf. "There you are," she said, talking to the doll.  Holding it up to her ear, she smiled. "You found ‘im."  As if just noticing Billy's presence, she turned to him, her
lovely eyes looking deeply into his.

Billy watched her, a bit bewildered by her actions, but curious at the same time.

"Miss M--"

"Shh," she put a finger to his lips.  "Drusilla.  I am Drusilla."  She looked at the doll, pausing. "Miss Edith likes you.  She wants to tell you a story." Her lips formed a coy smile.  "Would you like ‘ear it?"

"Drusilla," he began, the word sounding sweet to his ears.  "I..."  Looking at the hurt expression on her face, he gave in.  "Tell me then, Dru."

She smiled widely.  "There once was a girl.  She was of middle class, and worked ‘ard everyday just so she could get a meal.  Then one night she started ‘aving terrible dreams...
 

Edith hesitantly opened the door of the druggist's shop.  Peeping inside, she called out softly.

"Hello?"

Hearing no answer, she stepped in, the floor creaking under her feet.  The room was dark, lighted only with candles, but as her eyes adjusted, Edith could see the various potions and tins of powders lining the shelves.  She called out again, still no answer.  Figuring no one was in, she turned
back towards the door.

"Hello, Miss.

She turned to see a figure standing in the shadows.  Startled, she quickly tried to maintain her composure.

"I--I, didn't mean..."

"What can I do for you?" he interrupted, stepping into the candlelight. He was a young man, with dark hair and a rather pale complexion.  She guessed he was an apprentice of some sort, for she had not seen him before.

"A sleeping potion," she answered.  "Anything to help me sleep."

"Let me guess," he said, coming closer to her.  "You've been haunted at night. By dreams of blood, death.  I know, Edith."  His voice was deep, secretive, as if hiding something from her.

"How...how did you know?  How did you even know my name?"

"I know a lot about you, Edith.  You live with your mother and uncle. You have a sister and three brothers.  For the past week you've been haunted by horrible dreams.  You are the Slayer.  And I am your Watcher."
 

"And that's what she did.  She killed demons. She decided that wherever death went, she'd follow.  But she was wrong.  Wherever she went, death followed."

"What happened to her?"  It was all Billy could say, speechless at her horrific tale.

"She's here in my arms," Drusilla answered, glancing at her doll, cradled against her as if she were a baby.  "And she's tired."  She leaned in so her mouth was next to his ear.  "Goodnight, Billy," she whispered before pulling away.

And when he turned to face her, she was gone.
 

It was only when Billy finally left that Beth Moore came out of her hiding place from behind a book shelf.  Slumping against it, she started to cry.