Creative Works   

Extra Help Needed (Part 6)
By Amy Mina

Disclaimer: Any characters that you recognize from Buffy belong to Joss Whedon, the Mutant Enemy company, and the WB. Strange characters that you have never heard of such as Amy, Beth, Angela, Mr. Kraus, Mr. Upton, and any others belong to themselves.

. . .

Chapter 5

"This is just wrong!" Bob exclaimed. "You said we could go to the Bronze tonight."

"Well, I'm sorry," said Mr. Upton. "You'll just have to stay here. Tomorrow night you can go." If everything goes okay tonight, he thought to himself.

"You know, what is it with this feminist attitude now?" asked Pete. "You let the girls go to the Bronze, but when we want to go, you say no. I think someone has a favoritism problem."

"I think we should go," said Brad.

Mr. Upton groaned and put his head in his hands. These three could be worse than the girls. When he heard a knock on the door, he was more than willing to get it.

"Cordelia!" he said, surprised. "What are you doing here? I thought you'd be with the others."

"Yeah, well, I didn't really want to fight, so Buffy suggested that I come here and help keep the guys in check. I brought some movies. Braveheart, Dante's Peak, and the Relic."

"Good. Thank you. I think they are doing everything they possibly can to drive me insane."

Cordelia walked in and watched the guy's faces change with her entrance. She never got tired of watching the effect she could have on guys.

"Hey. I'm Cordelia, and I brought some movies to watch." She quickly rambled off the titles, and they all decided on Dante's Peak. Mr. Upton went to dig through the cupboards and found some popcorn and soda. He made it up and took it out to the teenagers in the living room. He found that the guys were more interested in Cordelia than the movie, but if it kept them inside, he didn't care. Once the sun set, Mr. Upton made sure that all of the doors and windows were closed and locked.

A little more than halfway through the movie, there was another knock on the door. Mr. Upton ignored it and told the guys to let the person knock. A minute later, a large vampire entered the living room.

"What is it doing here?" asked Cordelia. "I came here tonight to get away from the vampires, not have some come to me."

"How did you get in?" asked Mr. Upton. "We didn't invite you."

"Yes you did," said the vampire, enjoying the effect he was having on everyone. "The mat outside said "Welcome." We have permission to enter."

"We?" squeaked Cordelia. Three more vampires appeared behind the first one. "Oh, we."

The vampires moved and each stood next to a teenager. "You," said the first, pointing to Mr. Upton, "are going to walk ahead of us. If you try to run, you will hear the sounds of bone cracking in these fresh young morsels. We'll start with the legs and end with the neck."

"Excuse me, what do you think you are doing just coming in here without any permission and threatening to break our necks?" asked Brad.

"We're the undead coming to get our meals. If you don't shut up, you'll be the first."

"Undead?" asked Pete. "Of course you're undead, I'm undead. My heart still beats and I can talk."

"We can talk," said the vampire, "but our hearts disappeared a long time ago. We like to eat them now."

"This is a sick joke," Bob whispered to Brad.

"It's no joke," said Cordelia. "Just shut up and do what they say. I want to have a chance to live."

"They wouldn't hurt-"

"They'll kill you and relish the moment. They'll suck every drop of blood out of your body until you die. Now, shut up and listen to them."

"Ohh, we have a smart one," said the vampire. "How do you know so much about us? Is the Slayer a friend of yours?"

Cordelia ignored them and Mr. Upton watched in despair. "If you're going to take us somewhere, shouldn't we be going?" he asked.

"Fine. But anything more trouble out of any of you, we're going to choose who dies, I think we'll start with the girl. Now, move it."

. . .

"So, Beth, are you having fun yet?"

"Nope," she replied to Xander. "How about you?"

"Not really. You look very funny prowling around a graveyard with a stake in your hand."

"Why?"

"You actually look like a slayer."

Beth sent him an annoyed look. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I mean that-well,I-never mind."

Beth stopped and turned to face him. "Never mind nothing. What did you mean?"

"Nothing!"

"Yeah, right. I don't know why they keep sticking me with you."

"Probably to punish me."

"Shut up!"

"Make me!"

They stood staring at each other for a few moments and Beth turned away. "We can't argue right now. We need to watch out for the vampires."

"You're right. Do you think they'll kill us?"

Beth rolled her eyes. "Of course, Xander. They're vampires."

"I was kidding."

"Oh."

"Can I have a stake?" asked Xander. "I don't feel like opening my bag."

"Here."

"Thanks."

"Okay, now be quiet. It is easier to hunt that way."

"Sorry."

. . .

"So, Mr. Kraus, do you have the powers that your protégés have?"

"What?" questioned Mr. Kraus, turning around to face Willow.

"Can you do what they do with your mind?"

"Not really. I know more about fighting and can do a few things, but they have more power than me when it comes to their mind."

"Oh. Well, can you sense vampires?"

"Yep."

"Really?"

"Absolutely. I knew Angel was a vampire before I even talked to him. Every time I was in the area with him, I knew he was there."

"Do you still want to kill him?"

"Not really. He's helped us quite a bit, and he hasn't even hurt anyone."

"That's good."

"Do you trust him?" he questioned Willow.

"Who, Angel? Yeah. I trust him. He once pulled me out of a boiler room. It was filled with gas, and if he hadn't shown up, I would have died, as well as Giles and Xander."

"Xander doesn't like Angel, does he?"

"Nope, Angel gets in the way of Xander's feelings for Buffy."

Mr. Kraus laughed. "Teenage love."

"Do you think Mr. Upton and the guys will be okay?"

"As long as they don't invite any vampires in. Wait, why didn't you ask about Cordelia?"

"Well, Cordelia and I don't get along very well. She thinks I'm a nerd, and I think she's a you-know-what."

"How'd she end up in the gang?"

"It's a very long story. Maybe some other time."

. . .

Angela watched Buffy's moves and admired how easy it was for her to hunt. She felt some envy at Buffy's abilities.

"Are you okay?" questioned Buffy.

"Yep, fine. Why?"

"You looked like you were lost in your own little world."

"I was, but I'm okay."

"Nervous?"

"Just a little," Angela answered sarcastically.

Buffy was silent for a moment. "Did you really train yourself?" she asked Angela.

"Yes, there was no one to train me."

"That had to be hard."

"There was easier ways of doing it, but then again, life is never easy."

"You've got that right."

"Did you really burn down a gym?" Angela asked curiously.

"Unfortunately."

"Some people have all of the fun," joked Angela. Buffy turned to look at her in disbelief, then they both laughed.

. . .

"Angel, slow down!!"

"Sorry."

"Goodness. Why are you in such a rush?" Miss Calendar ran to catch up with Angel. He turned around to face her.

"I want to find this master before she finds Buffy."

"She is the Slayer, Angel. She can take care of herself."

"Last time she couldn't. She ended up dying."

"That was last time. She was on her own. Angel, you've got to get over this possessiveness of Buffy."

"I'm not being possessive," Angel snarled at the computer teacher.

"At least over protective. She is the Slayer. She was ordained for this."

Angel turned back around and began to walk. Miss Calendar followed him. He suddenly stopped in the middle of her path, and she bumped into him.

"Angel, what is it?"

"They're screaming for help."

"Who?"

"I don't know everyone, but I think one is Cordelia."

"Let's go help them."

. . .

Amy ran in the direction of the voices. "Amy, slow down!" shouted Giles. "It could be a trap."

"I don't care. They need help."

"Quit being so rash."

"You would be too if you were me."

"Amy-"

Amy turned around angrily. "Giles, those are my classmates, one of my teachers. I am responsible for what happens to them. Now I'm going. If you want to be safe, go help the others."

Amy ran off and Giles turned around to go find Buffy. "Bloody girl is going to get everyone killed," he muttered under his breath.

"I heard that!" she shouted.

Amy ran as fast as she could toward the voices. Turning around a bend, she saw five people chained to a large oak tree. Around them were a few vampires. She took two stakes from her pocket and held them up. She lowered her hands, and the stakes stayed up. Using what little decent aim she had, she let them fly. One vampire was nailed, and turned into ashes. The other just became ticked at her and summoned others to chase her. 'Oh, boy,' she thought to herself. Giles was right.

"Amy!" shouted Beth from the other side of the tree. She went running forward and pulled the vampire off of Amy.

"Thanks."

"Don't you ever slow down to think for thirty seconds?"

"Are you okay?" asked Xander.

"Fine," she said getting up. The other vampires backed off and went back to the tree to guard their prizes.

"Amy, you could have been killed!" screamed Beth.

"We need to get them out of here."

"Hold your horses, and we'll do that."

Angel and Miss Calendar came running up. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Trying to save them," said Beth, gesturing towards the tree. "But Amy, here, decided to try on her own, and we almost had another casualty."

Amy lost her temper. "Beth, why don't you just take your fat attitude and-"

"HEY!!" screamed Miss Calendar. "We aren't going to get anything done if we bite off each other's heads. Save it for later."

Everyone was quiet after that outburst, when another vampire walked over to them. Beth watched Angel's game face immediately come on. "Darla," he spit out.

"Angel, my dear Angel. You're still hanging around with these losers."

Xander jumped behind Beth and Amy. "Darla," whispered Amy. "Buffy said she was dusted."

"I was," said Darla. "If it wasn't for modern technology, the ritual to bring me back would still be hidden."

"What do you want?" asked Angel.

"What I've wanted for eighty years. I want you."

"This is all about me?"

"No, but that will be one of my rewards when we rule the earth together," said Darla. Xander looked around and noticed vampires coming out from every imaginable area.

"Um, guys, we have alot of trouble," he said. Miss Calendar looked around and noticed that they were surrounded.

"Thank you, bait, for doing your jobs so well," said Darla, calling out to the tree.

"Not by choice," called Bob.

Darla laughed. "Real swift, Bob," muttered Amy.

"Grab them," said Darla, pointing at Amy, Beth and Xander. A few dozen vampires moved forward to do her bidding. The teens put up a good fight, but were outnumbered. Within a few minutes, the three teens were held tightly against another tree by some chains.

"You know," said Darla, "I don't know who you are, and personally I don't care. Anyway, my question of the year is where did you get those powers and why are you helping the Slayer?"

"What powers?" asked Xander playing dumb. "There is no special power here, I know of no powers."

"Shut up," said Beth to Xander.

"Well, where should I begin?" questioned Darla. "Not many people have the ability to hold up stakes in thin air and then throw them. So the next question is, why are you helping the Slayer and not fighting on our side?"

"None of your business," said Beth, spitting at Darla's feet.

"That wasn't very lady like," said Darla. She smacked Beth across the face.

"Hey!" shouted Angel, attempting to move forward. He was stopped by another bunch of vampires. "That was uncalled for."

"But it was so fun!" Angel snarled at her, that was about all he could do in his state.

"Duck!!" came the scream from behind some tombstones. Amy, Xander, Beth got down as far as their bonds would allow them. Angel's captors let him go, and he ran over to protect Miss Calendar. The next thing they heard was crashing jars against the other vampires.

"What is this?" screamed Darla. Buffy jumped out from behind a tombstone.

"Nothin' much. Just a little heat rising." She charged at Darla, almost blinded by her rage. Mr. Kraus and Willow went running over to the tree that held the three teens. Willow and Mr. Kraus examined the locks.

"Amy, can you unlock this?" asked Willow

"If I can get a few seconds of concentration."

"Do you need help?" questioned Beth.

"Yep."

They both threw their mental energy at the lock, and it shattered into millions of pieces. Xander was the first to move away from the tree. Amy and Beth soon followed. "Beth, are you okay?" questioned Amy.

"I'm in pain, but I'll live." Amy looked at the side of Beth's face and saw an ugly blue bruise already showing. A few curses escaped Beth's mouth when she gently put her fingers on it.

"Uh, guys?" said Xander. "Now would be a good time to start showing us what you can do." There was at least seven dozen vampires surrounding them. Angela and Giles came running over to join them.

"How's Buffy and Angel?" asked Giles.

"I'm here," said Angel, coming over. "Buffy's working on Darla. We need to beat the rest of the peanut gallery."

"How many are there?" asked Willow.

"Too many for the nine of us."

"Anyone have a match?" asked Xander.

"Why? Do you want a smoke?" said Beth.

"No. I think that was gas that the vampires are drenched in.

"Yep," said Willow proudly.

"But we can't light it until we get the five chained to the other tree out of here," said Mr. Kraus.

"Miss Calendar and Angela, get the students loose," said Giles. "The rest of us can distract the vampires. Once they are gone, we'll go and then throw in a match."

"How do we know when to run?" questioned Amy.

"We'll run towards the wall. The wall will give us some kind of defense against the vampires." Miss Calendar grabbed Angela and they went running over to the tree to save the hostages.

"Okay everyone, kill who you can, be ready to run. Angel, go make sure that Buffy is holding her own against Darla." Angel nodded and ran off. Beth and Amy paired off and went to fight a small bunch. Beth almost gagged with the smell of gas that was radiating off of the vampires. Making up for each other's weak points was what kept them from getting killed.

Giles and Xander went off in the other direction. Xander spent most of the time throwing holy water at the vampires. Giles used his trusty crossbow to fight the vampires off. Between the two of them, they kept the vampires away.

Mr. Kraus and Willow were having very good luck against the vampires. Willow was throwing holy water like Xander, and was resupplying Mr. Kraus with weapons from the bag.

"I need another stake!" shouted Mr. Kraus. Willow drenched the vampire blocking her and ran over to hand one to him.

"Thanks. For immortal beings, these guys sure are stupid." He took the stake and used it on the vampire next to him. When the vampire turned to ashes, he waved his hand in front of his face. "Good grief. What a smell."

Willow saw a vampire charging at her, but didn't move out of the way fast enough. When Mr. Kraus heard a scream, he turned around and saw Willow about to become a vampire's next meal. With speed that he didn't even know he had, he ran over to Willow and grabbed the vampire off of her. The vampire wasn't very happy about this. He turned around, and Mr. Kraus came to face with the ugliest vampire he had ever seen. Before he had a chance to react, the vampire backhanded him across the face. Mr. Kraus felt himself flying backwards.

He opened his eyes to discover the vampire leaning over him. "For that, you are going to die first, mentor." The vampire began to lean down, but before he could get close enough to drink, Mr. Kraus jabbed his hand forward and shoved the stake through the chest of the vampire. He crumbled to ashes, but Mr. Kraus moved out of the way and jumped up before they could land on him. Willow ran over.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," he said, rubbing the back of his head. "I think so."

"Thanks for saving me."

"Sure. No problem."

Angela and Miss Calendar weren't having such good luck. The vampires didn't notice them at the tree, which was a plus, but they couldn't figure out how to undo the lock. Angela couldn't do it on her own, she wasn't strong enough.

"What now?" asked Miss Calendar. "Do you know how to pick locks?"

"No," answered Angela, looking around. Her eyes came to rest on their bag of weapons. "Is there anything heavy in there?"

"Stakes, jars of gas, and holy water, not really."

"Okay, that idea is out." She thought for a moment. "I got another idea. Look for a broken tombstone. We can use that to break the lock."

"Good idea." Miss Calendar and Angela left, and returned quickly with a heavy chunk of granite.

"Give it to me," said Angela. Miss Calendar quickly handed over the rock. Angela focused on it with the mental ability she had and threw it at the lock. It broke off very quickly.

"Nice shot," said Pete. "Now, can you get us loose??"

"I don't know," replied Angela. "At this point, your comments are really starting to tick me off and I may just decide leave you there."

She ignored the murmurs coming from the guys and began working on the chains. Within a few minutes, she and Miss Calendar had gotten the guys loose.

"Thanks," said Mr. Upton. "Where to now?"

"The library," said Miss Calendar. "Take they guys with you. There should be some garlic and stuff around, so cover all of the windows. We'll be there as soon as possible."

Mr. Upton pushed the four teens off in the direction of the library. "Go with them," Miss Calendar instructed Angela. "I'll tell the others so that we can get this over with."

Angela left, following them and Miss Calendar ran over to Giles. Armed with only a bottle of holy water, she somehow managed to make it there.

"Rupert," she shouted. He pushed the vampire he was fighting away from him and ran over to her. He caught her before she fell over.

"Rupert, the people are free. We need to get out of here!"

"Good. Well done. Xander!" he yelled at the boy. "Time to go."

"I'll let the others know."

Xander ran over to Mr. Kraus and Willow. He pushed a vampire away from Willow and saw an group of vampires chasing Giles and Miss Calendar as they headed towards the wall.

"Xander, what is it?" questioned Willow, while continuing to fight.

"Time to go."

"Good. Mr. Kraus, time to get out of here," she shouted. He killed the vampire he had been fighting with and ran over to the teens.

"How are we going to get away from these vampires right now?" asked Willow. The vampires that they had been fighting were lined up and ready to attack.

"How many bottles of holy water do we have left?" asked Mr. Kraus.

"Five or so."

"Everyone grab a few. When I tell you to, throw them at the vamps." Willow took the jars out of the bag and handed them to the guys. They all opened them quickly.

"Ready?" questioned Mr. Kraus. They nodded. "Now!"

They tossed the water, and within a few moments, the vampires were smoldering and screaming in pain. Willow and Mr. Kraus ran to the wall, while Xander ran over towards Amy and Beth.

. . .

"Take that," said Darla, kicking Buffy in the stomach, causing her to double over. "Maybe next time you will think twice about stealing my boyfriend."

Buffy looked up from the ground, feeling weak after the repeated blows from the jealous vampire. A look of terror crossed her face as Darla prepared to cut her heart out with a knife. Angel grabbed Darla from behind and threw her into a tree.

"You know Darla, you really need to get over your possessiveness," he said.

"It's not right. You're mine. I created you for me, not for the use of a slayer."

"Yeah, well, that's the way life goes."

She got up, and they began to circle each other. Buffy jumped up and moved out of the way to watch for a few moments, until she could regain her full strength.

"So, Darla, how exactly were you brought back?" Angel questioned.

"You would like to know that, wouldn't you?"

"Yes, I would," said Angel.

Darla smiled with pride. "The internet is a very useful tool. Through it, some faithful vamps were able to find a ritual to bring me back. The ritual of Aricital, very useful to bring back vampires. Just a few rare materials, and a terror of the night can be returned."

"That's nice to know," said Angel, taking out a stake and jabbing forward. Even though Darla had been dead (again), she was still quick and knocked it out of his hands. In the process of doing so, she tripped his legs out from under him, and he fell to the ground.

"Oh, Angel, my dear, dear Angel. I guess I'll have to kill you now." Darla began to thrust the stake down towards his chest. Angel closed his eyes and got ready for the impact. A few moments later, he felt a light dusting cover him. Opening his eyes, he discovered Buffy standing where Darla had been.

"Just returning the favor," said Buffy weakly.

Angel gave her a small smile and quickly got up. He immediately saw Giles running with Miss Calendar towards the wall. Buffy was still somewhat weak, so Angel quickly picked her up and followed them over the wall.

. . .

"Do you know what we are going to look like when we return to Barker?" Amy shouted to Beth.

"I can just imagine what my face looks like."

"Hey, you guys," said Xander, running towards them, with a few vampires hot on his trail. "Miss Calendar just gave the signal, time to head out."

Amy staked the vampire she was fighting with, and Beth kicked hers in the stomach. They ran towards the cemetery wall. "Faster!" shouted Beth.

Amy turned around and saw a dozen vampires following them. "Where is everyone else?" she asked Xander between breaths.

"They're already at the wall. You two were the last to be told."

"Keep running," said Xander. He took a packet of matches out of his pocket and stopped. Beth and Amy kept moving, not even noticing at first that he was no longer running beside them. Xander lit a match and threw it at the vamps, once they were close enough. He didn't even wait to see what kind of damage had been done. He just ran. Feeling the heat up against his back, he couldn't stop himself from crying out in pain, but he knew he couldn't stop.

Angel and Mr. Kraus waited at the wall. As soon as Xander was there, they each grabbed an arm and quickly pulled him over. Once he was down on the ground safely, Willow and a few others grabbed more gas containers and threw them over the wall. Before they knew it, all of the vampires were up in a blaze. Xander laid his head on Beth's shoulder and cried. His back felt like it was still on fire. Amy got worried and looked at it. Quickly noticing a few holes and blisters, she made a note to tell Mr. Kraus as soon as they got out of there.

"We'd better go," said Buffy. "I've been caught at the scene of an arson case one too many times."

"Yes, let's hurry," said Giles. "I don't think we need to worry the vampire master or her minions taking over the world tonight."

Angel carried Buffy to the library. Willow and Beth helped Xander the best they could without touching his back. The rest of the group followed behind them.

. . .

"Vampires," said Brad. "You know, Amy, that's an explanation I have never heard before. I think that you need to work on your honesty."

Amy rolled her eyes heavenward and groaned in exsaperation. "You asked for an explanation. Bob or Pete, am I going to get any support from you two?"

"I believe you," said Bob. "I don't think you are creative enough to lie about something like this."

"Thanks, Bob," she replied, her voice laced with sarcasm.

"So, you, Angela and Beth were sent here to help fight an army of vampires."

Amy took a deep breath and tried to retell every thing again. Mr. Kraus and Mr. Upton laughed from the other side of the library. "With those three, there is just no way to win," Mr. Upton said to Giles and Miss Calendar.

"You know," said Giles, "once you return to Barker, it would be in your best interests to make sure that this all stays a secret."

"Oh, yeah," said Mr. Kraus. "I'm going to do everything possible to make sure it does."

"Are you going to continue to train them?" asked Miss Calendar.

"I don't know. If they want me to, but they seem to be able to survive on their own."

"Don't let them get lazy with their powers," said Giles. "Who knows when vampires could show up in Barker."

. . .

"Ahh, that's good. No wait, a little lower. Better," said Buffy. Angel wanted to sigh, but just contented with rolling his eyes. He continued with her back rub and decided to tease her.

"You are a fussy patient."

"I like perfection," teased Buffy.

"How do you feel now that this is all over?"

"Relieved. I had so many friends to protect me."

Angel continued to massage Buffy's back. A moment later, she started crying. He stopped and walked in front of her. She gave him a monster hug, refusing to let go. He just smoothed her hair with his hand and tried to soothe her.

"Shh, Buffy, it's okay. Never again is Darla going to come after you."

"It's not that. She went and killed all of those students-for-for no reason!"

"I know."

"All because they knew me. They hadn't done anything wrong."

All Angel could do was hold her and try to comfort her.

. . .

"What are you doing?" asked Angela.

"Trying to delete any hint of the prophecy," answered Willow, faithfully working on the computer.

"How can you do it from here?" asked Beth.

"Working with the slayer, you tend to learn to do some illegal things."

Cordelia sat in the corner of the library with Xander, rubbing some cream unto his back. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just a little sore. I'll be fine."

"You know," said Cordelia, "you were so brave today, risking everything for others."

"Really?"

"Oh, yeah."

"Does this mean a few extra trips to the broom closet?"

"I think we can arrange it."

"Cool."

. . .

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