Willow had woken up early to clear away the potion ingredients that she had left on the kitchen table, being careful to hide the book before Tara came in. The kitchen was bright, with the sun beaming in through the window and the sound of songbirds chirping away outside. The back door hung open, allowing the warm breeze into the house. It was a perfect day.
When Tara walked into the kitchen she found Willow staring out of the window, her cute half smile on her face, the sun making her bright eyes sparkle and her hair shimmer. She wore a pair of faded jeans and white shirt over a light blue t-shirt. Everything about her seemed bright and cheerful. Tara stared at her for a moment, a smile on her face.
“Someone’s cheery this morning.” She said, walking passed the kitchen table to Willow’s side. Willow turned away from the window, greeting her with a hug and a kiss.
“I have a feeling that today is going to be a good day.” Willow said with a smile.
“I hope so.” Tara nodded, walking to the fridge. “I mean, since yesterday was kind of a bust.” She glanced back at Willow with a sombre expression. “I’m worried about Dawn.” Willow shook her head, returning her gaze to the window, admiring the wonderful day.
“I think Dawn will be fine.” She smiled. She couldn’t wait for Dawn to wake up so she could she how the potion had worked. Willow could imagine her come skipping down the stairs, a smile on her heart-shaped face, could imagine Dawn’s bright greeting when she saw her and Tara, could imagine her singing to herself as she went out with her friends. Willow couldn’t wait.
There was a knock on the front door, followed by Xander making his entrance.
“Will? Tara?” He said loudly, poking his head around the kitchen door.
“Xander, hi.” Tara acknowledged. Willow turned from the window, a welcoming smile on her face.
“Hey Xand.” Willow gave a little wave, moving to take a seat at the kitchen table. “You came a little early, Dawn’s not even up yet.” Willow said.
“Why, what’s going on?” Tara asked, a look of confusion on her face.
“Will said Dawn was feeling better.” Xander explained, Tara passing a glance at Willow. “Said she was up for hitting the mall and catching a movie, and yours truly offered to take her.”
“Dawn told you that?” Tara asked Willow. “That’s great. I’m glad she’s feeling better.” Willow smiled to herself, silently congratulating herself.
“So you guys are completely free to do… stuff.” Xander grinned mischievously. Tara gave a quiet laugh.
“Xander?” Tara said in a surprised tone. “We’re not gonna…” She trailed off, turning to Willow.
“We’re just going to spend the day together.” Willow stated.
“Sure.” Xander winked, making the girls laugh. “So, should I go wake Dawn up?” He asked.
“Yeah.” Willow nodded. “I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you.”
Xander pushed open the door to Dawn’s room, quietly shuffling inside. The curtains were drawn but the bright sunlight continued to shine through. The room was fairly cluttered, clothes strewn across her desk and hanging over her cupboard door. A typical teenagers room. Xander moved up beside the bed, finding Dawn curled up under the covers, still asleep. He started to lean over, his arm catching on the completely empty mug on the bedside table, nearly knocking it off. He stopped himself and caught it before it teetered off the tabletop. He placed it beside the framed picture of Dawn and Buffy before looking back at her, still sleeping. He leant over, resting his hand on her shoulder and rocking her gently.
“Dawn, time to wake up buddy.” He said, trying not to startle her. “Dawn?” In response she let out a low moan and rolled over, still sleeping. “Come on, rise and shine.” He spoke slightly louder, but Dawn remained asleep.
‘Man, and I thought I was a heavy sleeper.’ He thought to himself. He rocked her harder now.
“Dawn!” He said loudly, and finally her eyes flickered open. “Morning.”
“Good morning.” She said sleepily, a warm smile on her face as she stared at him.
“I was starting to wonder if you’d gone into hibernation or something.” Xander laughed, still leaning over her. Then Dawn’s eyes widened as she looked at him, making Xander feel uneasy. “What?” He asked. In response Dawn began to scream, making Xander start to scream too, immediately backing away from the bed and looking round in a panic. Dawn sat up in bed, staring at him, a wild fear in her eyes. The sound of hurrying footsteps on the stairs came from outside before Willow and Tara burst into the room.
“What? What’s going on?” Willow asked, a look of concern on her face.
“I don’t know.” Xander shrugged. “She just started screaming and scared the crap outta me!”
“Dawnie? Are you ok?” Tara asked, starting towards her, but Dawn quickly rolled out of the opposite side of bed, staring at them all in fear. “Dawn?”
“Dawn chill, ok?” Xander said, taking a step forwards. “It’s us.” Willow hung back, a cold dread washing over her. She glanced at the empty mug on the bedside table. Dawn took a step back, backing into the wall and her gazing ticking between the three of them.
“Dawn?” Willow took a step forwards. Dawn stared at Willow for a moment before replying, and her words sent a chill down Willow’s spine.
“Who are you people?”
“If this is a joke, it’s gone way passed the point of being funny.” Xander said seriously. From the look of confusion and fear on Dawn’s face it was clear that this was anything but a joke. Willow stood frozen, knowing that the potion must have something to do with it. Something had gone horribly wrong.
“Where am I?” Dawn asked looking around her in panic. “Who are you people?”
“Dawn, it’s us.” Tara said soothingly, trying to calm her. “Don’t you remember us?”
“What’s going on here?” Dawn was near hysterical. “Where am I?” Willow stared at her, her bright and cheerful mood completely shattered, being replaced by dread and confusion. Xander started forwards towards Dawn but Willow grabbed his arm, pulling him back.
“Willow, what are you…?” Xander protested but she cut him short.
“Come on.” Willow said, pulling Xander towards the doorway, Tara casting one last look at Dawn before hurrying after them.
When Dawn heard the door close she looked about the room again, a million questions spilling through her head.
‘What am I doing here? How did I get here? Where is here? Who are these guys?’ Dawn stopped as another question entered her mind. ‘Who am I?’ Dawn looked at the door, hearing their muffled voices outside. ‘They’ve done something to me.’ Dawn thought. ‘They’ve drugged me so I can’t remember anything. What do they want with me?’ Dawn turned to the window, looking out into the sunny backyard. She looked around for anything that might answer her questions. She spotted something tucked under her bed in a cargo bag, something that was shining. She dropped down and pulled the bag out, discovering the shining object was in fact an axe. Dawn pushed the axe to one side, finding an assortment of weapons inside. ‘Oh my god!’ Dawn began to panic, looking back at the door. ‘They’ve kidnapped me!’ Dawn stood up, unsure what to do. ‘I have to get outta here!’ Dawn pulled up the bag, tipping the contents out onto the bed, before hurrying to the open cupboard and piling clothes inside.
“Ok, what the hell was that?” Xander asked, standing outside Dawn’s door.
“I don’t know.” Tara shrugged, turning to Willow. “Was she like this last night?” Willow shook her head.
“So what’s going on here?” Xander inquired.
“I don’t know.” Tara said with a worried look on her face.
“Oh, maybe it’s all the stress that’s been on her lately.” Xander suggested. “Sometimes when people suffer a traumatic experience they turn all schizo.”
“Or it could be something mystical.” Tara added. Willow remained silent, wondering how things could have gone so wrong. “We’re going to need an expert.”
“Giles!”
Dawn pulled the black tank top down over her head and grabbed a dark, denim jacket. She wondered why everything seemed to fit her perfectly, but all her thoughts were pushed aside by the fear of what might happen to her if she didn’t get out of there. She had gotten changed into navy-blue jeans, and a jacket to match pulled over the black tank top. She had loaded up the cargo bag with clothes and started towards the window when she noticed a wallet amongst the clutter on the bedside table. Quickly, but quietly she placed the bag down and moved for the wallet. She opened it, finding nearly eighty dollars inside and tucked it into her back pocket. She moved to the window and opened it, grabbing the bag before slipping out through the gap.
“I’ll call him now.” Tara said, starting down the stairs.
“And I’ll go pick him up.” Xander followed after her. Leaving Willow standing alone at the top of the stairs. She was about to start after them when she heard a soft thud from Dawn’s room. She turned to the door, a look of concern on her face.
“Dawn?” Willow called, making Xander and Tara stop were they stood. “Dawn?” Willow called again, opening the door. A moment of silence passed before Xander and Tara heard Willow call out. “Guys!” They both hurried up the stairs, moving into Dawn’s room to find Willow staring out the open window.
“She’s gone?” Tara gasped. Xander turned on his heel, pulling his car keys from his pocket.
“I’ll get Giles.”
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