Faith rolled off her bed and grabbed a stake by instinct when she opened the door. She always did, even when it was day. Carefully opening the door so that she was behind it but still able to manoeuvre she stared in open-mouthed horror at the girl standing there.
"Pleased to see me Faith?" said the girl. Faith wasn't. This innocent looking girl was part of the thing she had been trying to escape since she left Boston. "I can see you haven't forgotten what I told you said the girl.
"I didn't believe you then and I don't now," snarled Faith, but she couldn't lie to her self. Even before this girl had first spoken to her she had been plagued by dreams that weren't part of the a slayers psychic powers. Dreams of killing and feeding as a vampire. Dreams of her face, only changed so it was no longer human. And worst of all since coming to Sunnydale a feeling that could only be described as blood lust.
Faith shuddered remembering what she had been told. The reason that she kept people at a distance. The reason that she attacked so ferociously as a Slayer. The reason that she always kept a stake with her, day or night.
"Lost your voice?" said the girl. "Maybe this will help."
Faith stared at what she was being offered. It was a bottle of blood and Faith could tell it was fresh.
"Go on Faith, you know you want to. Taste the blood, feel it sliding down your throat..."
Franticly Faith snatched the bottle out of the girl's hand. She pierced the top with her teeth, now elongated and sharp. Drinking Faith looked eager for a real kill.
"Oh my God, oh my God," whispered Faith. The spell broken she recoiled in disgust from the bottle and the knowledge of what she had done.
"You did what you were born to do Faith. It's what you are. You won't be happy until you accept what you are."
"What do you want? WHAT DO YOU WANT?"
"Faith, I only want you to be happy. Be among your own kind. We care for you Faith. My Mistress wants to help you."
"No, NO. I'm not one of you." The early quite was replaced by hysterical sobs.
The girl stood watching with an expression of supreme detachment for a minuet before kneeling on the floor next to Faith.
"Poor, poor child. Why do you refuse to understand? You belong with us. You belong to us. You'll never be happy until you admit it." The mocking tone she had used earlier was replaced by motherly concern.
"Get the Hell out of my live," screamed Faith. "I am not one of you, I will never be one of you." Faith made a move towards the girl, who dogged.
"Then stake me," said the girl, her mocking tone back. "Go on stake me, you can't and you know why? You are me. You are the same as me. Hunt, kill, maim. It's your nature Faith."
"GET OUT." Picking up the girl Faith threw her across the room and out of the door. Slamming it shut she collapsed on her bed crying. The mocking laughter played like and accompaniment to her tortured tears. Kakistos had known what she was and that was why he had wanted her. This girl knew what she was and wanted her. She had tasted human blood and enjoyed it. She had thrilled at the thought of the hunt. She was a monster.
Suddenly she was seized by an idea. She might be a monster but she had a soul, which put her in a very select club. She could never tell Giles now, he wouldn't understand. He would try to stake her. Pour holy water over her. Hold a crucifix in her face. So would Wesley, but there was one person left who might be able to help her. One person who would understand.
However much she had mistrusted him in the past Faith gave thanks to any God listening now for his existence. He was the only person who might be able to help her, the only person who might be able to teach her to control her nature. How ironic that the Slayer should be asking a vampire how to deal with demons.
Smiling softly and filled with a new hope Faith placed several stakes in a bag together with a bottle of holy water. When she tried to pick up her cross the smile slipped as she felt the shape grow warm. To her surprise, she couldn't feel any pain from it but she put it down. The warmth was an unwelcome reminder of what she was.
With a purposeful stride, Faith headed out of her apartment and towards the Bronze.
