Tales of the Slayer - One and Lonely: Chapter 2
by Simon Northwood
India reeled in pain as her father continuously hit her in the chest and her ribs.
She wanted to scream but had to concentrate more on breathing.
“You stupid cow,” her father screamed, “you killed her and you destroyed me.

At his hospital bed Kit listened to the sound of bones breaking.
Then…
…silence.
Kit closed his eyes and cried.

India’s father backed away from the body of his daughter India.
A tear came to his eye but he wiped it away in disgust. He saw the phone hanging from the bed-side table and picked it up.
“If you tell anyone,” he told Kit down the line, “then I will tell the Watchers Council about you.
Terror struck Kit.
“You knew,” Kit said, breathless, “you knew India was the Slayer?”
“Of course. I’m drunk not stupid. I saw a vampire kill my wife. I saw you talking to her and India beforehand. I saw you taking her to that island in Japan, the locals said it was infested with the drinkers of life. Vampires to us.”
“You blamed India and you saw the vampire kill her.”
“If you two hadn’t got involved we would never’ve had to worry.”
“You killed India.”
“She fought back and…and…. I didn’t mean too.”
“Well you did.”
“If you tell anyone the truth. I’ll tell the council then have you killed!”
India’s father hung up the phone and cried.

An hour later Kit built up the strength to make another phone call.
“Hello,” said the voice at the other end of the line, “how may I direct you call?”
“This is Christopher Bothwell; I need to talk to the boss.”
After a few moments the boss answered the phone.
“Quentin Travers. Kit what’s the matter…is India-”
“Dead.” Kit felt his throat clam up. “India’s dead.”
“Oh my God. How?”
Kit wanted to tell the truth but he remembered what India’s father had said. You’re a bloody coward Kit. You’re leaving the Council anyway but you’re afraid for your life. What’ve you got tot live for now.
“It was the Gatherer. Gatherer of Water I think. It followed her home and..”
“Okay Christopher. You make your way to London for a debrief and the Council will deal with adapting the police reports.”
Even as Kit put the phone down he knew he wouldn’t go back to the Council.
He reached into his bed-side cabinet and retrieved some Famous Grouse whiskey.
He began to drink.

London, England

At the Council Headquarters in London, Quentin addressed the Emergency Room.
Knowing that Kit would not likely return and the Slayer was dead, the Search would have to begin anew.
“Ladies and gentlemen. It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that Christopher Bothwell and India Cohen are dead. Bring me Willem Bryardale and Rupert Giles for briefing on the possible opening.”

Los Angeles, USA


Buffy Summers had just killed the master vampire.
“Hey no fair Buffy,” Dawn Summers, her younger sister, pleaded. “How comes you always beat him and I always get kidnapped?”
“It’s called skill Dawn live with it.”
“Anyway, I don’t care about Super Monster Fighter 3 it’s boring.
Buffy and Dawn sat in silence for a few moments before Dawn asked, “do you think they’re still arguing?”
“If they’re not asleep then yes.”
Hank Summers came storming out of the kitchen,” he looked at his daughters. “Dawn, why aren’t you in bed? Oh Buffy, nice to see you. Not out with David tonight?”
“No dad. Me and David split. It’s Jeffrey now.”
“Don’t get cheeky with me young lady. Get to your room and don’t come down until tomorrow morning.”
“Fine,” Buffy screamed a she went upstairs to her room.
“Oh Hank don’t blame the girls.” Joyce Summers said coming out of another argument in the kitchen.
“Don’t lay this on me again Joyce. Go to bed, I’m staying on the couch.”
Joyce pleaded, “Oh Hank don’t be silly.”
“Not being silly Joyce. I got work in the morning. Don’t need to be arguing with you ‘til two again.”
With that Hank and Joyce Summers parted.
From her room Buffy felt her stomach reel; she ran to the bathroom and for about seven minutes threw up.
In one moment she had gone from being Buffy Summers, Champion of Super Monster Fighter to Buffy Summers.
The Vampire Slayer.


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