Hell on Earth: Signum - Series 1: 102: Black Widow – Act 4
by Timan
Belle leaned against the wall awkwardly. She had turned a light shade of green and was swaying in a queasy manner. Rebecca wrapped the giant spider leg in a piece of old cloth near buy and joined her.
“You alright?” she asked
“No,” Belle replied, “that guy is dead.”
Rebecca placed a caring hand Belles shoulder.
“The first is never easy,” Rebecca replied, “you’ll get used to it.”
Belle looked up at Rebecca in shock
“I don’t wanna get used to it!”
“I feel the same way Belle but being a slayer means that you’re going to see a lot of dead bodies.”
Belle folded her arms awkwardly and stared at the corpse. Rebecca could feel how anxious the new slayer was.”
“Go home I’ll take this to Nigel,” Rebecca said, “be at school early so we can work out how to track this thing.”
Belle nodded silently then started to head home. Half an hour into her trip home the image of the mutilated man still played on her mind. If this is what a slayer has to do then she didn’t want to be one anymore. As she was trying to think of a way of quitting she noticed a familiar figure standing in the middle of the road near by.
“Isabelle Susan Galloway!” the figure said angrily
Belle stopped. Only one person used her full name when they were angry. She looked up to see her father, Sergeant Peter Galloway of the Raleighfield Police, standing in the center of the road glaring at her. Near by his partner was reading the criminal their rights. Peter walked up to his daughter
“You’re supposed to be at home studying young lady!” he continued
Belle looked around awkwardly.
“I know dad,” Belle replied, “I had to go to the library to look something up.”
“The library, at eleven o’clock at night, you’re not carrying any books.”
“I had to look it up on the internet.”
“So why didn’t you use the computer at home?”
Belle looked down. There was no way her dad was going to believe the truth and she was running out of excuses. Peter put one of his hands on his hips and the other he rubbed his forehead stressfully.
“I don’t appreciate this kind of behavior Belle. You know the rules no going to parties on school nights.”
“But dad . . .”
“I don’t want to hear another word. You’re grounded for one month.”
Belle looked at him in shock.
“Dad I need to . . .”
“Two months.”
“But . . .”
“Do you want to go for three?”
Belle dropped her head defeated.
“No.”
“Then I suggest you got straight home.”
Back in the library Nigel was working late he was trying to find out more about the Signum when a giant spider leg was place in front of him. Putting down the book he was holding the watcher picked up the leg and examined it. He looked up at the Divine One curiously
“What’s this?” he asked
“Some kind of demon leg,” Rebecca replied, “Belle and I found it after patrol impaled in the body of a young man.”
Nigel went back to the leg with fascination.
“Was there any other marks?”
“The top of the guys head was missing and something ate his brain if that helps.”
“Oh good lord,” Nigel exclaimed, “How did Belle take it?”
“She had the usual reaction for her first. I sent her home. So any clue what kind of spider demon we’re dealing with?”
“Not sure. There are at least two dozen breeds. I’ll make a few inquiries see what I can find out.”
Rebecca's cell began to ring.
“See what you can find out,” Rebecca replied as she opened her phone, “Hello?”
“Rebecca, its Alex.”
A smile crossed Rebecca's face.
“Hi sweetie.” She replied
“I just got a strange cryptic call from Angel,” Alex replied in a concerned tone, “he said you called him then hung up half way through the conversation?”
Rebecca's smile dropped.
“Yeah,” Rebecca replied, “I think it was a bad connection.”
“That’s not the way he tells it. Angel’s worried about you Rebecca and, to be quite frank, so am I.”
“Nothing is going on Alex I already told you this.”
“Then why are you out so late,” Alex replied, “the last time you kept these kinds of hours you were patrolling with Shona and Penny.”
“I just had to finish off some paperwork.”
“You’ve only had the job for a week. I seriously doubt there would be that much.”
Rebecca paused for a moment.
“I have to go Alex I’ll see you when I get home.” She replied.
Rebecca hung up before he could reply. She looked over and saw Nigel staring at her seriously.
“You haven’t told him about training the slayer?”
“That’s just a worry he don’t need.” Rebecca replied
Back at their home Alex put down his cell and sat for a moment. Rebecca had not been herself ever since she started at that school. Every instinct was telling him that she was hiding something from him and that something could affect the both of them. He sighed heavily and picked up the receiver of the house phone.
“Did you get anything?” Angel asked on the other end of the line
“She didn’t tell me.” Alex replied heavy hearted
“What’s the next move?”
The next day Nolan whistled to himself happily. He didn’t actually know any real tunes to whistle so it sounded more like audio feedback from a stereo speaker but he didn’t care. About halfway through collecting his books Belle slammed his locker door shut.
“Hey!” he yelled, “what was that for?”
“Where were you last night?” she replied annoyed
“I was at a friends.”
“Did you forget something?”
Nolan looked at her curiously. Nothing immediately sprang to mind.
“You were supposed to cover for me while I went on patrol Nolan!” Belle continued, “Dad sprung me last night!”
“Bad?”
“Two months.”
“Sorry Belle I was busy.”
“Busy with a certain dark haired new girl?”
Nolan rolled his eyes and started to walk away.
“Here we go,” he replied irritated, “Queen Bee has to make sure the drone is under her control.”
“I don’t trust her.” Belle replied
“You saw her once for, like, five seconds! God, you do this every time.”
“Do what?”
“Screw up every chance I have with a girl. It’s like a sickness with you!”
Belle glared at her brother.
“Name one person I screwed you out of.”
“Kristy Baker in the eighth grade”
“How do you know that was me?”
“She told me you told her I wet the bed.”
“So? You did.”
“That’s because you threw water on me! Sorry Belle you got yourself grounded. Don’t drag me down with you!”
Outside Heidi waited patiently. She knew who she was waiting for and when she was going to arrive but anything after that was uncertain. Heidi moved behind the pole as she saw Meredith walk up the path towards the building. When she entered Heidi started to follow. Meredith stopped at her locker so Heidi hid next to them. The seer watches every action carefully trying to decide what her next move was. Once Meredith was done Heidi continued her pursuit. Meredith entered the girl’s bathroom but when Heidi entered she was nowhere to be seen. Confused she looked around the stalls for a moment but the girl just vanished. Heidi turned to leave but ended up face to face with a very angry Meredith
“Why are you following me?” she asked
Heidi started to walk back cautiously.
“I-I’m not gonna let you do it.”
“What?”
“I-I’m not gonna let you hurt Nolan.”
Meredith frowns even more.
“What makes you think I’m going to do that?”
“You’re a demon.”
Meredith began to snarl. This girl knew too much for someone she never met. Quickly she walked up and sniffed around her head.
“A seer,” Meredith replied, “I should have guessed especially in this town.”
“I-I know the slayer.”
“You think I haven’t dealt with a slayer before?”
Meredith’s eyes shifted to black. She grabbed Heidi by the collar and threw her against the mirrors. Heidi fell to the ground as blood poured from the glass cuts. Meredith moved on top of her.
“You won’t be warning anybody seer.” Meredith snarled, “Otherwise there will be two bodies on just one.”
Heidi closed her eyes tightly as she felt the demon pin her to the floor hard. Just then they heard the door to the bathroom close.
“Is there something wrong Heidi?” Belle asked as she fixed her gaze on Meredith
Heidi looked up fearfully which explained everything. Shifting her eyes back quickly Meredith looked urgently at the slayer.
“Go get the nurse,” Meredith said
“Why? Do you want to beat her up to?” Belle replied
Dropping the act Meredith climbed back onto her feet. Belle walked into her personal space.
“You’ll be leaving Heidi alone now.” she said seriously, “and if I see you anywhere near my brother you’re gonna need the nurse.”
“You can’t watch him all the time,” Meredith replied as she slinked passed Belle then left the bathroom
“So do we have any idea what we’re dealing with?” Rebecca asked
Nigel placed his tenth book down in frustration.
“I need more to go on,” he replied, “This simply isn’t enough. I have found at least five types of spider demon who kill and consume their prey in the manner which you described and all of them have a similar physical structure.”
Just then the library door opened. Belle helped Heidi to one of the nearest chairs. Rebecca and Nigel looked at each other then rushed over to the pair.
“What happened?” Rebecca asked
“The new girl went psycho and pushed Heidi into the mirrors.” Belle explained
“No,” Heidi replied painfully, “No a girl.”
Rebecca checked out some of the cuts on Heidi’s face they were pretty deep.
“Nigel! go get some bandages.”
The watcher nodded and turned to head back into his office. Just as he was going past the leg he noticed something he didn’t notice before. There was a small marking on the leg. It was an ornate symbol. Nigel studied the symbol for a moment which jogged his memory.
“Wait a moment.” he said as he returned to one of his books
Horridly he flicked through the pages until he found the demon he was looking for.
“Oh my god.” He exclaimed
“What?” Rebecca asked
Nigel picked up the book and carried it over to Heidi.
“Is this what you saw?” he asked
Heidi nodded slowly. Nigel looked at the other two women in concern.
The bell rang for class. Nolan was about to get his books for class when Meredith stepped in front of her locker.
“Hey baby.” She said sweetly
“Hi.” Nolan replied excitedly
“What are you doing now?”
“Call me crazy but I was thinking of going to class.”
“Wanna do something fun?”
“Like what.”
Meredith smirked and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“You and me by the lake in the park.”
Nolan grinned broadly but a moment later shook his head.
“No I can’t,” he replied disappointed, “Mrs. Ward all ready has it in for me.”
Meredith pouted
“Pity I was thinking of going swimming. Even though I didn’t bring my bikini.”
This got Nolan’s undivided attention.
“I’ll come.” He said without thinking
“Say that again?” Belle said curiously
“A queen,” Nigel replied showing them the illustration inside the book, “It’s an Ahoras Demon. A vicious spider like race that lay waste to villages through out Europe for a better part of a century.”
“How do you know it’s a queen?”
“The markings on the leg. These are usually caused by the queen laying an egg sack full of offspring in rocky outcrops.”
“So how come we didn’t see this thing earlier?” Rebecca asked
“Because it had the ability to assume the form of any other species,” Nigel replied, “According to this the Ahoras have assumed the identities of lower animals like dogs and cats and, in many cases, they can take on human form.”
“So someone in this town in a human spider,” Belle commented, “anybody want to put money on who it is?”
“Why now? Why haven’t there been hundreds of bodies?” Rebecca asked
“Because they only need to feed every fifty years. The Ahoras devours the head of its prey to maintain its form for another half a century.”
Belle thought about this. Something crossed her mind.
“I have a really disgusting question. If this insect . . .”
“Arachnid.” Nigel corrected
“What?”
“It’s an arachnid, it has eight legs, and an insect only has six.”
“Whatever if this thing only needs to feed then why hasn’t it eaten Nolan yet?”
“According to this it’s because humans are incredibly tricky to mimic. In order to maintain human form the prey has to willingly give themselves to her.”
Rebecca looked at Belle in concern.
“You think your brother would do that?”
“No,” Belle replied, “just because some skank is throwing herself at him doesn’t mean . . .”
Belle went silent for a moment. She then looked up at the group in panic.
“We have to find him fast!”
“T-the lake.” Heidi said softly, “W-when I saw her she was at the lake.”
Rebecca stood up commandingly.
“Nigel take care of Heidi,” she ordered, “Bell and I are going after Meredith and Nolan.”
Rebecca walked over to what looked like a supply cupboard. She opened it and inside were various medieval weapons. She pulled out two swords and threw one to Belle.
“Lets go.” Rebecca continued as she opened a portal in the center of the room
Belle looked at her hesitantly
“Do we actually have a plan?” she asked
Rebecca looked at her seriously
“We stick to the basics. Hack and slash until it stops moving.” Rebecca replied
“Remind me never to tell anybody schools boring again.”
At the lake Nolan and Meredith sat quietly. Meredith rested her head on Nolan’s shoulder and lightly rubbed his stomach with her hand. Nolan beamed happily to himself.
“You come up with the best ideas Meredith,” he said giddily, “I would have been sitting in a math test right now.”
Meredith sat up and smiled at him. She leaned over and kissed him passionately. After a moment she leaned back and gazed into his eyes.
“I want you to say It.” she said coyly
Nolan looked at her confused.
“Say what?”
“You know.”
Nolan rolls his eyes.
“Oh come one Meredith . . .” he starts
Meredith pulls away from him.
“No more until you say it.” she said
Nolan smirked. Meredith always managed to get what she wanted.
“Alright, I love you.” he said
Meredith smiled broadly and narrowed her eyes.
“Do you want me?” she asked
“I want you.” Nolan replied
“Do you need me?”
“I need you.”
Meredith crawled back a few paces still smiling at Nolan.
“That’s all I needed to hear.”
She hunched over. Suddenly her body began to grow and distort her clothes beginning to rip from the strain. Nolan screamed in as Meredith began to sprout six extra legs and vicious claws. The demon stared hungrily at Nolan as he tried to scramble. This wasn’t that successful since the demon shot out a web from its thorax binding his legs and dropping him to the ground. He clawed at the ground wildly as the demon dragged him towards her. Just then an energy ball hit the webbing causing it to snap. The huge spider demon turned to see Rebecca and Bell standing nearby.
“That’s not very lady like.” Rebecca commented
“Yeah and remember what I said about staying away from my brother?” Belle continued
The demon screeched. It turned it attention back to Nolan as it trudged forward on it’s seven good legs. Nolan tried to get to his feet but was knocked down. The slayer and the Divine One charged in. swinging her blade around quickly Belle took out two more of the spiders legs while Rebecca made short work out of it’s thorax. The demon screamed in pain and started to strike back. Belle was back against a tree. She landed painfully on her back. The demon tried the same trick with Rebecca but the Divine One opened a portal beneath her dropping into it moments before the leg made contact. A second portal opened just about the creature and Rebecca dropped down onto it’s back. It was difficult to get secure footing but she managed.
Turing her sword upside down she slammed it through the creatures head just as it lifted it to see where she had gone. Giving one last howl the giant spider collapsed onto the ground. Rebecca jumped down and walked over to a very stunned Nolan.
“You alright?” she asked
“I think so,” Nolan replied, “that doesn’t usually happen with dating does it?”
Back in the library the group sat around painfully.
“So the demon was disposed of?” Nigel asked
“Yeah it was, like, uber creepy,” Nolan exclaimed, “Rebecca just snapped her fingers and it burst into flame.”
Rebecca gave Nolan a look then returned her attention back to Nigel
“There’s nothing left I made sure of it.” Rebecca replied
“Good, let’s just hope she didn’t lay any egg sacks somewhere in town.”
“You mean there could be more of them?” Nolan exclaimed
“Welcome to life on a Hellmouth.” Rebecca smirked
“Great,” Nolan replied sarcastically, “This year’s gonna be fun.”
“Don’t worry I’m sure we can find something a lot better to eat you next time.” Belle joked
~ The offices of the new council of watchers, Essex England – one day ago ~
Rodger Stone sat sternly in his chair. He clasp the receiver of the phone tightly in his hand
“Are you able to do this Nigel or do I need to replace you?” he said angrily down the line
“That won’t be necessary.” Nigel Wincroft replied on the other end
Rodger hung up sharply. There was something about Nigel that got on his nerves. He was a good watcher but he tended to ask too many questions. There was a light knocking at the door that broke his train of thought.
“Come in.”
The door opened and a thin looking nervous man walked in carrying a manila folder. Rodger looked up at him seriously.
“What is it Bant?” Rodger asked
“We found one sir!” Brant Jennings replied excitedly
“You sure? I don’t want to go on another wild goose chase.”
“Yes sir,” Brant replied placing some photos in front of him, “This time we double checked to make sure.”
Rodger looked at the photos with interest. They were all of a short red headed woman. While he was doing this Brant placed the folder in front of him.
“Her name is Penny Whitfield. She worked in Los Angeles before the battle. She’s been working around the city of Phoenix in California for at least the last two years.”
Rodger looked up at Brant in surprise
“Whitfield?”
“That’s correct but it get’s better. This slayer was one of two slayers who worked directly with the Divine One.”
Rodger smiled slyly.
“So effectively we could kill two birds with one stone,” he replied
Rodger pressed a button on his desk. A moment later a tall man with a military style haircut walks into the room. Rodger throws the photos at him.
“This is your new target,” he explained, “I want you to bring her back to England for processing. Use force if you have to just bring her back here.”
“Right away sir,” The tall man replied
Brant looked at the tall man nervously.
“Wait sir,” he interjected, “Maybe a less violent response is a better method.”
“What the devil are you talking about Brant?”
“Let me go I’ll negotiate on the council’s behalf.”
Rodger looked at Brant curiously.
“Trust me,” Brant replied, “if you go in weapons firing you’re going to drive her away and we might not be able to find her again.”
“Alright Brant you can go along with them. Just make sure she on the first flight back.”
“I will sir.” Bran replied
Brant moved swiftly out of the room. Rodger looked up at the tall man.
“Once Brant is finished with his song and dance number I want you to bring the slayer directly to me.”
“Yes sir.” The tall man replied
“Oh and one more thing,” Rodger continued, “If the slayer become to much of a problem kill her.”
“Of course Sir.”
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