The Circle: Part Two
by Kelli Brown
At once, the vampires attacked. Since Cassandra was much stronger than regular vampires, she almost successfully fought them all off. However, one of the vampires blindsided her and hit her over the head. “Oh fuck.” She muttered outloud before going unconscious.

When Cassandra awoke, she was in the alleyway outside of Willie’s bar. She looked at her watch and noticed that she had been unconscious for about an hour and a half. *Damn, they must have hit me a few more times after I went out. That is the only way I could have stayed down so long.* Quickly, Cassandra got up and brushed herself off. *I got to get to Buffy, I hope it’s not too late.* She then took off at a sprint to Sunnydale High, hoping that she was there.

A few minutes later, Cassandra reached the school. Using the back entrance, she slipped into the library through the stacks. When she saw the somber group sitting in the library, she knew that Angelus had already revealed himself to them. The looks of terror and sadness of their faces said it all. Cassandra was not even noticed until she spoke up. “Buffy.”

Quickly, the Slayer turned around. When Cassandra saw Buffy’s face, she felt so sorry for this young Slayer. *Poor thing, she’s got such a hard road ahead.* The Vampire walked down the stairs to the table. “I assume everyone knows.”

Giles nodded. “Yes, he was here about a half an hour ago. He attacked Willow.”

Cassandra turned her head to Willow. “Are you all right?”

Willow nodded weakly. “Yeah, he would have killed me if Xander hadn’t used that cross against him.”

“How did it happen, does anyone know?” Asked Cassandra.

Giles shook his head. “No, not yet.” The watcher then looked at Buffy. “Buffy, if anyone would know it would be you.”

“I don’t know Giles.” The Slayer answered back weakly.

“Buffy, you were with him, you should know.” Giles insisted.

Suddenly, the Slayer got up. “I don’t know Giles.” She then left.

“Buffy wait!” Giles called out.

“Giles shut up.” Said Willow softly.

“How did you find out?” Giles asked Cassandra. “How long have you known.”

Cassandra sat down in the seat that was once occupied by Buffy. She looked across the table and saw that the other members of the group staring at her. “Angelus called me, he told me that he wanted to discuss what was going on with the judge. I met him at Willie’s, and I knew pretty much as soon as he opened his mouth.”

“What do you mean?” Cordelia asked.

“I know Angelus. I know how me moves, how he talks, and how he thinks. The soulfilled vampire that you knew is totally different. When he talked to me, I could tell that his tone of voice was different. Also, I could tell just by the way he moved that he had lost his soul.”

“I’ve read watcher’s diaries about how Angel was before his soul was restored, however, the information is sketchy at best. Anything you can tell us will be useful.” Giles’ tone was a mixture of curiosity and fear.

Cassandra did not want to answer these questions. It was bringing up memories that she had not wanted to deal with. Also, the answer to these questions would make the group of mortals more frightened than they were already. If they truly knew how Angelus thinks, it would scare them tremendously. However, Cassandra knew that they had to find out what they were dealing with. Cassandra finally answered, “I’ve met a lot of vampires in my life; when I was slaying, and after I became a vampire. Angelus is like no other. Like other vampires, he’s cruel, vicious, and bloodthirsty. However, Angelus takes it to an extreme that few other vampires have even come close to.”

The group of mortals did not say anything. They just listened. Cassandra could almost sense their fear rising. Giles finally spoke up. “According to his profile, I believe he will attack Buffy the most. He strikes out at the things that make him most human.”

Cassandra nodded, “Yeah, he’ll focus most of his attention of her. He’ll follow her around, watch her, and do things that will throw Buffy off of her game.”

“So, he’ll be stalker vamp.” Deduced Cordelia in her characteristically non-tactful manner.

Cassandra chuckled grimly. “Yeah, he’ll stalk her. However, he’ll do more. All of you will have to be careful. He’ll go after her friends and family. Killing Buffy won’t be enough. He’ll want to destroy her and everything she loves first.”

“Like he did Drusilla?” Asked Willow.

“Drusilla was one of many. I was also a special project of Angelus for over a year. It is hell, pure and simple.” Cassandra then faced Giles. “Do you know of any way to reverse this?”

Giles nervously shook his head. “No, if I had any idea how it happened, maybe, but it is still a long shot.”

“For everyone’s sake, I sure hope you can reverse this.” Stated Cassandra.

“We have the judge to worry about as well. What are we going to do?” Willow asked.

Xander spoke up. “I don’t know what is the deal with Angel, but I think I have a way to get this Judge guy.”

Cassandra took this as her cue to leave. She could not deal with any planning tonight. She had too many things on her mind and she knew that she would be of no use to them tonight. “When you get the plan, call me. I have to go.” She then turned to Giles, “You might want to drive them home, it’ll be safer.”

Cassandra hurried to her apartment. She was grateful that she did not run into Angelus. She did not think that she could handle him anymore that night. Knowing that she could do no more that night, she dressed for bed. Before going to bed she got out her journal to record this new event in her life.

Cassandra’s Journal January 23, 1998:

Why is it that just when you think that life is going fairly well, The Fates decide to kick you in the ass a few times? Things were going well here. I had an apartment. I was making a good living; and also I was developing friendships. The Fates decided to throw my good life upside down. Angelus is back. Something happened to make him lose his soul. So now, the demon that destroyed my life, and brought me into his world is back. It doesn’t matter how it happened, all that matters is that the most vicious vampire that I’ve ever known is running amok on the streets of Sunnydale. Not only that, the Judge, another powerful demon is here also. Things do not bode well for the citizens of this town.

The Slayer is in the worst position. I know Angelus, I know that he will strike out against her the most. That is not a position I would want my worst enemy to be in. I feel sorry for the poor girl. From what I saw tonight, she’s already a basketcase, I hope she pulls herself out of it so she can fight him. Even if she does pull herself together, Angelus is a very hard demon to kill. Believe me, I know. I know his MO, I know what he’ll do to her. I hope that God still looks out for Slayers, she’ll need all the help she can get.


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