Disclaimer: Buffy The Vampire Slayer and related characters are owned by Joss Whedon, WB and Mutant Enemy. I can only take credit for the new main characters I have created and various other vampire minions which may wander into my stories. I created them, so they are mine. Don't sue as this is just pure fanfic.
*****Chapter Two – It’s All In The Soul*****
In the library Giles, Oz, Angel, Xander, Willow and Buffy were sitting at a table near Giles’ office. Cordelia, Esme and Eve were standing near the door, still talking about the strange discovery that evening in Cordelia’s basement. They were all waiting for Eli to show up, he’d said he was coming back, but he didn’t say when…or how.
‘Did you here that?’ Asked Esme.
‘What?’ Said Cordelia.
‘That low rumbling noise.’
‘I hear it.’ Said Eve. ‘It’s getting louder…its right outside, in the hall.’
Then suddenly a huge Harley Davidson motorbike came crashing through the library doors. Everyone screamed; Eve ducked out of the way and Esme pulled Cordelia to safety. The bike landed on a nearby table and came to a stop. The passenger was thrown to the side and rolled across the floor, and the driver was thrown forward into a bookshelf. Everything went silent as the two passengers stood up.
‘Pierce?’ Asked Cordelia.
‘Eli?’ Said Eve and Esme.
‘The guy off the bike!’ Xander yelled. Pierce scrambled over to Eli, there was another moment of silence, and then Eli spoke.
‘Eve, Esme, we have to get out of here, tonight.’
‘What, why?’ Asked Eve, she studied Pierce with a curious eye, he seemed slightly familiar but she couldn’t place him.
‘You don’t remember me do you?’ He asked. Eve and Esme shook their heads. Pierce took a breath, as if preparing to break terrible news to them. ‘I was there when they killed Caleb…it was me who told Eli.’
‘Pierce, what’s going on, how do you know these guys and, who is Caleb?’
‘Cordelia, you’d better sit down.’ Said Eli. Cordelia did as she was told, and Pierce walked over to her.
‘Cordy, Caleb was a vampire…he was my…was my…creator.’ He struggled to say, not looking her in the eye.
‘What? You mean you’re a vampire?’ Cordelia stood up again quickly and hurried over to Buffy for protection.
‘I was…well, I am…part of a gang that rode through Texas in the fifties. Another vampire with a soul took revenge on us by turning us into vampires. We don’t have souls, but we’re different, we retained our characters, our morals and …’
‘Why did he take revenge on you?’ Cordelia interrupted.
‘It was…for raping his sisters…Bonnie and Heidi…of course.’ Giles muttered and ran to his office, he returned a few moments later flipping through an old Watcher’s diary.
‘Did you just say rape?’ Cordelia almost gasped.
‘Cordelia, listen, I…’ Pierce began, but Giles interrupted him.
‘Here it is.’
Oh God. Thought Buffy. He’s consulted his books again
‘It appears that there have been a few other vampires with souls in the past…one in particular lived in a small Texas town…erm, Caleb. He was turned in around 1945; but his sisters dabbled in the black arts and were able to return his soul…reclaiming their brother. Like Angel, he chose not to feed upon human beings. Unfortunately, in 1956 a gang of biker’s came into town. The leader and three of his gang took it upon themselves to attack and rape Caleb’s two sisters, Bonnie and Heidi.’ Pierce hung his head in shame. ‘So, as you can imagine Caleb was in an absolute rage. It says here that he broke his vow and fed on the entire gang, turning them all into vampires. As revenge they killed him and his family. However…’
‘There just had to be a ‘but’ or a ‘however’ in it somewhere huh Giles?’ Buffy whined.
‘Um, yes…but these vampires are different to others; they were changed by someone with a soul, so they retain their original characters. They don’t have souls or anything; they’re just the same as they were when they were alive. Except they are vampires…’ Said Giles.
‘Giles, what are all their names?’ Asked Cordelia bitterly, looking at Pierce with hatred.
‘Well, it has the gang listed as being referred to as Slasher, Harpoon, Stick, three women called Barb, Quill and Sly, the leader Blade and…and…Pierce.’ Giles closed the book slowly and took off his glasses. There was a very tense moment of silence as no-one dared speak.
‘How could you lie to me!’ Cordelia shouted and stormed out the door.
‘No, Cordelia…they might be out there!’ Said Pierce, moving towards the door.
‘Might be is a slight understatement.’ Said Blades voice. He appeared at the door holding Cordelia by the neck. The rest of the gang stood behind him. Cordelia looked petrified, she’d only met Blade once…the night she met Pierce, and that eye made her uneasy even then. But now…
‘Now now, Pierce, look what you’ve done to her…she’s scared of us for no reason. We won’t hurt her, it’s him we want.’ He pointed at Eli; then he thrust Cordelia headfirst at the doorframe. She fell against it with a thud and then fell to the floor, almost unconscious. Harpoon advanced on Pierce with a stake and forced him to join the gang in the doorway.
‘Eli,’ said Blade. ‘You never told me that your sisters were so beautiful. You know they remind me of someone. Oh yes, Caleb’s beautiful sisters…what were their names again? Bonnie…and…Heidi, that’s it. Lovely girls, shame they had to die. Lots of fun as I recall, very…giving.’ He leered at Esme and Eve.
Eli lunged at Blade but Eve pulled him back. ‘Eli, he’s not worth it!’ She said.
‘Oh come on, let him fight me. You know he wants to finish what he started all those years ago…you’d like to see me die wouldn’t you Eli?’
‘You know I would.’ Eli said through gritted teeth. ‘And it’ll be sooner than you think!’ He struggled in Eve’s grasp, forcing Esme to pull him back again.
‘Oooh, fighting talk, just like the old days isn’t it, Strike?’
‘Whose Strike?’ Asked Buffy.
‘Oh, hasn’t he told you…he used to ride with us, back in the old days. Strike was his nickname. He was like a viper…quick, skilful, sharp…venomous.’
‘Those days are gone Blade, and you’ll be gone too…soon.’
‘Oh really, and who’s gonna stop me from killing you? You’re little vampire sisters? Or maybe this tough little gang of kids, huh? Maybe even the librarian.’ He growled and lunged forward in a mock attack. ‘He looks vicious. A real challenge.’
‘No challenge, we can take you.’ Said Buffy, coming closer to them. She laughed slightly. ‘Oh, would you like us to introduce ourselves? I’m Buffy, the vampire slayer. This is Giles, my watcher. That’s Willow, she’s a witch, and that’s her boyfriend Oz, he just happens to be a werewolf.’ The gang’s confident smiles began to fade. ‘Angel, why don’t you say hello?’ No-one else but Buffy had realised that he was in the library, hiding out, being stalky-guy again. But this time, just this once, it was a good thing.
Angel stepped out from the shadows of the bookshelves…he really liked stepping out of shadows; it had a sort of Batman-The Dark Avenger quality to it.
‘Hello.’ He said flatly. ‘I guess you could say that I’m the guy who made most of the vampires in this room, and I’ve killed a few of my own kind in my lifetime. I don’t have a problem with adding more to the list.’ With that he threw a stake at Stick, and dusted him. Blade looked desperate and grabbed Esme.
‘Yeah, well…I’ve got no problems killing my own kind either.’ He held a stake to Esme’s chest.
‘I’m not one of your kind Blade.’ She said, and began to morph into a werewolf.
‘What the…?’ Blade said letting go of her. She turned to face him in full werewolf form. She growled in his face and knocked the stake from his hand. It landed at Eli’s feet. Buffy loaded her crossbow and shot Sly, she missed the heart and Sly tumbled backwards out of the doorway, screaming in rage.
Eli bent down and picked up the stake, and seizing his opportunity for revenge he rammed it into Slasher’s chest. Blade yelled out in horror as Slash exploded in a cloud of black dust. Enraged by Slash’s death, Barb headed for Cordelia’s body, hoping to even the scores a little. Esme lunged forward to protect Cordelia as Buffy reloaded the crossbow.
Buffy aimed for Barb, but Esme got in the way while she was protecting Cordy. The crossbow hit Esme in the arm; she immediately turned back into her human form and fell onto Cordelia. Barb turned and ran, followed by the rest of the gang; they dragged Pierce with them. The screech of tires could be heard outside, and then they were gone. Esme stood up and pulled the crossbow bolt out of her arm.
‘Nice shot.’ She said.
‘Sorry.’ Said Buffy.
Xander pulled Cordelia to her feet and slumped her in a chair, she was regaining consciousness.
‘Well, at least Snyder can’t blame me for this.’ Buffy said, looking at the smashed door, broken table and knocked over bookshelves. ‘I’m not even supposed to be here.’ She turned to smile at the group. ‘Well, what are we waiting for, let’s sort this out.’
Everyone, except Esme, Eli and Angel sat down at a table and began to talk rapidly about what had just happened and how to deal with it.
‘I think we need to get some facts straight.’ Said Giles.
‘Yeah, exactly how many skeletons do you have in your closet?’ Angel asked Eli, glaring down at the slightly shorter man.
‘I could ask you the same question.’ Replied Esme sharply standing between Angel and Eli with her arms folded across her chest.
‘Angel, I’m grateful for what you did just now, but this isn’t the time to start this.’
‘Start what!’ He began to shou, but Willow stopped him before he could say another word.
‘Guys, this isn’t helping.’ She got up to fetch Cordelia a cup of coffee from Giles’ office. Angel glared at Buffy, who returned his glare defiantly, backed up by an angry pair of green eyes that belonged to Esme. He threw his arms up in a gesture of frustration and stormed out, muttering about women. Willow returned moments later and handed the cup of coffee to Cordelia, who was groggy, but conscious. She laid a small table on the desk with other cups of coffee on it and a tea for Giles.
‘Thanks. I just need to know one thing…why do they want to hurt Pierce…and Eli?’ She muttered. Eli stayed silent.
‘Well? We need to know, if we’re gonna get them out of Sunnydale…one way or another.’ Said Buffy.
‘Okay, here goes.’ Said Eli. ‘About 60 years ago we moved to Grapevine City in Texas. We met this vampire there called Caleb. He lived in the city and visited family at night, or at weekends. Caleb decided to move back to town, and after an argument the three of us had, I decided to go with him. While I was there something happened to Caleb’s family. First I didn’t see his sisters for a few days, then the whole family were mysteriously murdered.’
‘By vampires?’ Asked Buffy.
‘Yeah, by the gang. I met this guy called Blade, he said he was just like me, so were his gang, so I joined. I became really good friends with Pierce, and Quill too. Blade had told me that a slayer had killed Caleb and his family, and I believed him. But the night before my proper initiation Pierce asked to talk to me, he said he couldn’t stand me being lied to.’
Eli stood up and walked round a little, he was struggling to go on.
‘He said that the gang had come into town and met Caleb, Pierce accepted his vampirism and became his friend…but then…the gang got drunk one night…they went to Caleb’s house and then they…’ He looked like he was about to cry ‘…then they…they raped his sisters.’ Cordelia closed her eyes, trying to shake the images of Pierce as a rapist from her mind.
‘Caleb was so angry, he went totally ballistic…he went to their camp that night and turned them all. When they realised what they were…Blade was angry…really angry…they stormed Caleb’s house…they murdered his entire family…it was like a blood bath…then they killed Caleb.’ He stopped to drink some coffee, by this time he was shaking badly. Esme comforted him and tried to stop him shaking.
‘But, why do they want to kill you?’ Asked Buffy.
‘Because…when I found out what they’d done I wanted revenge for Caleb…so, at the initiation ceremony that night I tried to kill Blade…I staked him in the chest, but when he didn’t turn to ash, I realised I’d missed the heart. The gang tried to kill me…Pierce and Quill did what they could to buy me time, but Pierce said I should get out of town quickly…they paid dearly for helping me, especially Quill…’ He couldn’t go on anymore; he ran and shut himself in Giles’ office.
Esme went to follow him but Eve grabbed her arm. ‘We’d better leave him, he needs to be alone for a while.’ Esme nodded and sat down.
‘So, they tracked him across the country?’ Asked Buffy.
‘I don’t know.’ Said Esme. ‘He came back to Grapevine and told us we had to get out of town quickly…he assumed that they’d follow him, but they never did. He never saw them again until now.’ Said Eve. They heard a noise at the door; they all looked round and saw Pierce standing there.
‘They sent me back for my bike.’ He said quietly, not looking at them.
‘Let’s check outside.’ Said Buffy, hinting.
‘Yeah, and we need the keys to Giles’ office.’ Said Oz.
‘I have them in my…’ Giles began reaching for his pocket.
‘In your car, oh right, we’ll go there then. Will, Xander, you coming?’ Buffy grabbed his arm and lead him towards the smashed doors.
‘Um…yeah.’ Said Xander. Everyone shuffled out of the door, leaving Cordelia and Pierce alone. They were silent for a moment as Pierce approached his bike.
‘Look, Cordelia…’ He began, but she interrupted him.
‘Just tell me the truth Pierce, are you one of them. I mean really one of them, did you…were you…did you rape those girls?’ She cried. He walked over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
‘No, I swear on my life that I didn’t touch those girls, I didn’t even know about it until it was over. Then Caleb came to our motel and started going mad, he killed us all. When we came back the others killed Caleb and his sisters…all his family. They wanted me to join them, but I didn’t…I told Eli what happened as soon as I found out they’d lied to him…Eli was my friend, I couldn’t lie to him, neither could Quill. I can’t lie to you either.’ Said Pierce.
‘Really?’ She sniffed.
‘Yes, really.’ He hugged her briefly and kissed the top of her head. Then he climbed onto his bike.
‘Wait, where are you going?’ She said desperately.
‘I have to get back, or they’ll come for me…I don’t want to leave you guys, but I have to.’ He used his feet to push his bike backwards. Eli came out of Giles’ office.
‘I thought I heard your voice.’ He said. ‘Where are you going?’
‘I’ve got to go back.’
‘You can’t, they’ll kill you.’ Eli said.
‘They won’t, but they will kill you if you don’t get out of here. And someone’s got to watch over Quill…Blade keeps smiling at her, with that look in his eyes….like he wants to kill her for what she did. For what we did… Just get out of town Eli, please.’
‘I can’t leave now, I have to face them. I have to fight.’
‘They’re gonna be really angry now you’ve killed Slash, he was Blades brother.’
‘I know, but I don’t care, they’re not going to drive me out of every town I go to.’ Eli practically shouted at Pierce, he wasn’t just angry with the gang…he was furious.
‘Okay, but be careful.’ He turned the bike around. ‘And Eli?’
‘Yeah?’
‘If you’re staying, look after her.’ He said pointing to Cordelia. Then he revved his engine and drove off.
Cordelia started to cry on Eli’s shoulder, so he hugged her. He was almost crying himself. They needed to comfort each other. Cordelia missed Pierce and Eli was trying to come to terms with his future. Face Blade or die, maybe even both.
Pierce drove out of the school and down the street. He didn’t want to leave Cordelia or Eli, and he knew that there was no real way that he could help his old friend. He’d given him his warning and that was all he could offer…there was no way that Quill would risk helping them again. Now it was up to Eli not to get dead.
To be continued…
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