"A few passages down?" I repeated, a sinking feeling in my stomach. This wasn't good... this scent of blood smelled like it was very close, like it was-
Ten feet in front of me, sprawled on the ground carelessly. I stopped again, but this time held a hand out behind me to warn and stop Wesley. As he stopped, I knelt by the body, cautiously turning the body over.
"Dammit... Wes?" I asked, looking up at him. "It's another one... red headed woman." I stood up slowly, looking around cautiously as I stepped subtly closer to Wesley. The body was warm... which meant that the demon hadn't been here too long ago. Which also meant that it was not too far away...
"It's still warm," I whispered to Wesley, looking around. "It's probably still close by..." I smiled coldly to myself as I heard a growl a few feet further on, just around a bend.
Looked like we weren't going to have to wait long... it ad been my fault in the first place that we hadn't saved the woman... my chasing phantoms in the sewers in the opposite direction of where we needed to be. Then again, I hadn't even heard anything. How had the demon killed her so silently? Unless the demon had a human form...
I motioned to Wesley to stay back, as I moved ahead quietly, creeping closer to the corner. I began to edge around, just as something sprang around the corner, hands to my throat. Yup, human formed, alright...
I nodded at him when he asked me if it had been a few passages down. Didn't I just say that? And I certainly didn't like the tone of his voice. That didn't bode well. I looked at him anxiously and then followed his line of vision as it seemed glued to something.
It was the that the smell hit me. I stared at it for a moment, the images of all the other women flashing before me. Dammit, another one. Stupid. I've been so stupid. How many more were there going to be killed due to my stupidity? Christ, this was just... Unacceptable.
I moved closer a little bit, not at all noticing that Angel had stepped closer to me. All I could do was stare at the nameless woman who had died so horribly. Who's death could've been prevented if we'd only been a little fast, a little brighter, a litle...something.
"What?" I asked softly, looking up just in time to see him wave at me to stay. I'm not a bloody dog. Sighing, I grouched down next to the body and turned the womens face toward me. A young women, same modus operandi as all the others. I looked up and frowned when I heard a sudden scuffle up ahead.
"Angel?" Hesitantly, I stood up and moved toward the corner and glanced around it. My eyes went wide when I saw that something was attacking him. Human? It seemed human, but appearances can be deceiving. "Angel!" I called out, aiming my crossbow at the...thing.
I rolled with the human-thing on top of me, slamming up against a wall. It howled, an inhuman sound, and I smiled. Yup, a demon... Slamming it against the wall, I pinned it.
For all of two seconds, until the demon rolled me over, then got to its feet faster than even I could. It kicked me in the side, and I grunted, before rolling away and getting to my feet.
Dammit, this thing was fast... Turning to the side, I saw Wesley standing there, looking uncertain.
"Wes!" I yelled, wondering if the demon would try going after him. God, I hoped not... I could barely handle the demon now, let alone if he tried going after Wes... "Shoot it!"
I knew he had great aim... and I trusted him. He would hit the demon... and I needed every advantage I could get right now.
Well, that scream was not at all human. Which probably came as no surprise to either of us. It had to be a demon the way those bodies had been mutilated at times. I watched Angel and the whatever it was roll around and getting into quite a tangle. I could shoot, of course, but with the way those two were moving I could hit Angel. And that was a most definitive no.
I moved to the right a bit to get a better aim, narrowing my eyes at the both of them. If only they could stand still, which was never going to happen unless Angel killed it. Or Angel needed to step away a bit. I only needed a second. Startled I looked up as Angel yelled at me and I sucked in my breath. "I'm trying!"
Then Angel flung the creature against the wall and gave me the opening I needed. Within seconds the arrow left my crossbow and I watched it, as if slow motion, fly toward the demons throat. Then there was a sickening, wet, thud and it embedded itself into the soft flesh of it's throat. The arrow trembled, and the demon turned it's head slowly toward me. Growling it leaped at me and I quickly scooted backward. Only to trip on something and fall backward into the shallow water of the sewer. "Bloody hell!" And the demon was still coming toward me.
I finally managed to throw the demon against the wall, giving Wes a clear shot at the thing. An arrow immediately stuck itself in the throat, and I grinned, turning to Wesley.
It was a nice shot... but then, Wes was pretty good with that. Then, before I could say anything, Wesley tried to move backwards, tripping and falling, as I heard a growl.
Okay, not dead.
I dove an intercepted the demon, knocking it away from Wesley. Rolling again, I winced, and was glad that I hadn't decided to wear one of my good jackets down here... this was going to be hell on my clothes as it was. Not to mention, Cordy would no doubt complain about the smell...
I managed to hit the demon across the face, now that it was weaker. Then, it clawed me across the face, the hands starting to form back into claws or whatever it usually had. I felt a cut open and start to bleed, and I slammed against the demon again, kicking it away from me.
It rolled a few feet across the filthy floor, before stopping, struggling to get up. I shot Wesley a startled look- the thing was still going... and it was still somewhat of a challenge for me.
Good lord, I was soaked and no doubt smelling like a pig. Cordelia was going to be so mad the moment we emerged through the sewer entrance. I'm sure the entire neighborhood would be able to smell us. I managed to push myself up, fishing around for my glasses which had been knocked off my face. When I finally found them I had seen Angel roll past several times, if only in a blur. Looks like I wasnt' going to be the only one to face the wrath of Cordelia.
Small comfort really.
I hoisted myself out of the sewer and scrambled for my crossbow, quickly loading another arrow. Why was the blasted thing no dead yet! I had shot it quite thoroughly, only it was still attacking Angel. Or Angel it, I wasn't quite certain at this point. The arrow kept slipping in my wet, and slippery hand, but I managed it in the end.
Pulling off my glasses, I couldn't see anything through them as ti was anyway, I put them in my pocket and then focused on Angel and the demon again. They were still fighting, exchanging blow after blow until Angel rolled away. This was my chance and I took it. Aiming the crossbow, I narrowed my eyes and let the arrow fly. It landed directly between his eyes with a sickening, wet thud. Breathless, I watched as the demon swayed, growled, tried to lunge for either of us, only to fall face down in the sewers.
I watched, breathing as the demon finally collapsed face first into the sludge. I watched it for a moment, making sure it was staying down, until I was sure it was finally down. Then, I turned to Wesley, offering a small smile.
"Well," I said after a moment, then moved to run a hand through my hair, before thinking better of it. Didn't want that sludge in my hair... "That was... interesting."
I moved away from the body, and looked up at Wesley. Well, the demon was dead... which meant no more bodies, and no more of my being too slow to react... I should have known which way to go for the demon... I heard it, and I had gone the wrong way.
"You okay?" I asked after another moment, snapping out of it. Then, glancing down at myself, then looking Wes over from head to toe, I smiled wryly. "Great... any chance Cordy will stay out long enough to let us both shower?"
I sighed, then dropped my hand to my side, trying to prevent myself from running it through my hair. Hopefully, we could shower before the other two got back, because Gunn I knew would laugh, and Cordy... Cordy would be pissed. And I didn't know if Wes could get sick from this stuff, but I wasn't going to take any chances with my friends in this stuff. Who knew what was in this sewer sludge? Nothing healthy, to be sure... kinda the definition of sewage.
Returning his smile, I wiped my hand over my face and wrinkled my nose. Well, wasn't this bloody marvelous. Soaking wet and god only knew what had all died and...done other things in that sewer. We'd better get back quick because I really don't fancy catching a cold.
I noticed how he tried very hard not to run his hand through his hair and I quickly hid a grin behind my hand. That was just such a typical Angel thing to do. "Yes, I'm fine. Just uh... a little soaked." Not having any such qualms, I did run a hand through my hair and grimaced at the feeling. We'd better hurry up before this dried up, then we'd both be in trouble.
"And I think you just jinxed us by saying that." Giving him a wry smile, I turned to pick up my glasses where I had dropped them on the floor. One glass was cracked and I sighed. Great, I was going to have to fish out my spare ones. Did I even have one left at the hotel? Putting them in my pockets right now, I made a face when I felt...something...in there.
"Well, we'd better get back and hope we can beat them to the punch...uh...so to speak." I grabbed the flashlight, shook it, flicked it on, only to see...nothing. "Bugger."
"Good... and I don't think we're jinxed," I said, keeping a perfectly straight face. "I think Cordelia's stronger than any jinx could be."
I frowned when the flashlight didn't come on, and asked, "So, um, how new were those batteries?"
The tunnel was pretty dark without the light, and I wondered how well Wes would be able to see without it. Earlier, he had been okay, but now with his glasses broken, in addition to no light... it might not end as well. At least I knew my way back to the hotel from here- I was relatively familiar with the sewers surrounding the hotel.
After a moment, I offered, "We should... probably start heading back. You ready?"
I shook my head as his remark that Cordelia was stronger then any jinx, not entirely certain about that. Certainly not with my luck. We might quite possible be jinxed.
"The were rather new," I muttered, shaking the flashlight. Still, nothing. "I guess it dropped in the water as well." Bloody marvelous, I hope it could be repaired. Might be a job for Fred, she likes fiddling with these things. That'll give her something other to do then scribble on the walls all the time.
I glanced up again, squinting toward Angel. "I suppose so." Taking a step, I tripped over something, which I couldn't see of course. Holding my hands out I caught myself on the wall and looked left and then right. Uhm...where'd Angel go? I now he has that whole dark, stealthy brooding modus operandi, but this was ridiculous. Confused, I turned around only to look straight into Angel's face.
"Ah! Bloody hell. Good god." Clutching my hand over my chest, I glared at him. "Would you please stop doing that?"
As Wesley almost tripped, I moved forward, trying to prevent him falling face first into the muck. He caught himself, however, and I stopped a few inches from his back. Then he turned, and I held my hands up entreatingly as he gasped, his hands flying to his chest.
"Sorry," I muttered, moving back and retreating. I waited until he was on his feet and steady again, before speaking again.
"Ready to go, then? Can you... see well enough to walk?" I asked, motioning toward the flashlight, before remembering maybe he couldn't see me without the light. If not, I had no idea what we were going to do to get back, short of me guiding him by the elbow or something.
I took the flashlight from Wesley's hand, however, and looked at it, examining it in the dark. Not even a flicker of light... and the casing was cracked. From that, I guessed that some water had leaked into it...
If I'd roll my eyes now, here in the dark, I have no doubt he could see that. Sometimes Angel really needs to step out into the real world. Though, after the last few weeks, I suppose I should be glad he stepped out of his room at all. I could only hope it would stay that way.
I frowned when he took my flashlight and looked it over. What? He didn't believe me when I said it was broke? A scowl slid over my face and I quickly hid it when I noticed I was doing so. Sighing, I glanced into the direction I assumed we'd have to go if we wanted to go back to the hotel. And by now I was starting to get bloody cold. I'd never noticed how chilly the wind was in here. Where'd that come from anyway, stupid draft.
"I can't see a thing, Angel," I sighed, running a hand through my hair and stopping half way. As Cordelia would say? Ewwww and a lot of it. "How about if I held on to your coat and just follow you?" Oh my goodness, not the sacred coat! I'd laugh if the situation was actually funny. But it was loosing its amusing appeal rapidly when I felt myself starting to shiver. How far away were we from the bloody hotel anyway?
Ten feet in front of me, sprawled on the ground carelessly. I stopped again, but this time held a hand out behind me to warn and stop Wesley. As he stopped, I knelt by the body, cautiously turning the body over.
"Dammit... Wes?" I asked, looking up at him. "It's another one... red headed woman." I stood up slowly, looking around cautiously as I stepped subtly closer to Wesley. The body was warm... which meant that the demon hadn't been here too long ago. Which also meant that it was not too far away...
"It's still warm," I whispered to Wesley, looking around. "It's probably still close by..." I smiled coldly to myself as I heard a growl a few feet further on, just around a bend.
Looked like we weren't going to have to wait long... it ad been my fault in the first place that we hadn't saved the woman... my chasing phantoms in the sewers in the opposite direction of where we needed to be. Then again, I hadn't even heard anything. How had the demon killed her so silently? Unless the demon had a human form...
I motioned to Wesley to stay back, as I moved ahead quietly, creeping closer to the corner. I began to edge around, just as something sprang around the corner, hands to my throat. Yup, human formed, alright...
Reply
It was the that the smell hit me. I stared at it for a moment, the images of all the other women flashing before me. Dammit, another one. Stupid. I've been so stupid. How many more were there going to be killed due to my stupidity? Christ, this was just... Unacceptable.
I moved closer a little bit, not at all noticing that Angel had stepped closer to me. All I could do was stare at the nameless woman who had died so horribly. Who's death could've been prevented if we'd only been a little fast, a little brighter, a litle...something.
"What?" I asked softly, looking up just in time to see him wave at me to stay. I'm not a bloody dog. Sighing, I grouched down next to the body and turned the womens face toward me. A young women, same modus operandi as all the others. I looked up and frowned when I heard a sudden scuffle up ahead.
"Angel?" Hesitantly, I stood up and moved toward the corner and glanced around it. My eyes went wide when I saw that something was attacking him. Human? It seemed human, but appearances can be deceiving. "Angel!" I called out, aiming my crossbow at the...thing.
Reply
For all of two seconds, until the demon rolled me over, then got to its feet faster than even I could. It kicked me in the side, and I grunted, before rolling away and getting to my feet.
Dammit, this thing was fast... Turning to the side, I saw Wesley standing there, looking uncertain.
"Wes!" I yelled, wondering if the demon would try going after him. God, I hoped not... I could barely handle the demon now, let alone if he tried going after Wes... "Shoot it!"
I knew he had great aim... and I trusted him. He would hit the demon... and I needed every advantage I could get right now.
Reply
I moved to the right a bit to get a better aim, narrowing my eyes at the both of them. If only they could stand still, which was never going to happen unless Angel killed it. Or Angel needed to step away a bit. I only needed a second. Startled I looked up as Angel yelled at me and I sucked in my breath. "I'm trying!"
Then Angel flung the creature against the wall and gave me the opening I needed. Within seconds the arrow left my crossbow and I watched it, as if slow motion, fly toward the demons throat. Then there was a sickening, wet, thud and it embedded itself into the soft flesh of it's throat. The arrow trembled, and the demon turned it's head slowly toward me. Growling it leaped at me and I quickly scooted backward. Only to trip on something and fall backward into the shallow water of the sewer. "Bloody hell!" And the demon was still coming toward me.
Reply
It was a nice shot... but then, Wes was pretty good with that. Then, before I could say anything, Wesley tried to move backwards, tripping and falling, as I heard a growl.
Okay, not dead.
I dove an intercepted the demon, knocking it away from Wesley. Rolling again, I winced, and was glad that I hadn't decided to wear one of my good jackets down here... this was going to be hell on my clothes as it was. Not to mention, Cordy would no doubt complain about the smell...
I managed to hit the demon across the face, now that it was weaker. Then, it clawed me across the face, the hands starting to form back into claws or whatever it usually had. I felt a cut open and start to bleed, and I slammed against the demon again, kicking it away from me.
It rolled a few feet across the filthy floor, before stopping, struggling to get up. I shot Wesley a startled look- the thing was still going... and it was still somewhat of a challenge for me.
Reply
Small comfort really.
I hoisted myself out of the sewer and scrambled for my crossbow, quickly loading another arrow. Why was the blasted thing no dead yet! I had shot it quite thoroughly, only it was still attacking Angel. Or Angel it, I wasn't quite certain at this point. The arrow kept slipping in my wet, and slippery hand, but I managed it in the end.
Pulling off my glasses, I couldn't see anything through them as ti was anyway, I put them in my pocket and then focused on Angel and the demon again. They were still fighting, exchanging blow after blow until Angel rolled away. This was my chance and I took it. Aiming the crossbow, I narrowed my eyes and let the arrow fly. It landed directly between his eyes with a sickening, wet thud. Breathless, I watched as the demon swayed, growled, tried to lunge for either of us, only to fall face down in the sewers.
"Well," I muttered. "That was rather unexpected."
Reply
"Well," I said after a moment, then moved to run a hand through my hair, before thinking better of it. Didn't want that sludge in my hair... "That was... interesting."
I moved away from the body, and looked up at Wesley. Well, the demon was dead... which meant no more bodies, and no more of my being too slow to react... I should have known which way to go for the demon... I heard it, and I had gone the wrong way.
"You okay?" I asked after another moment, snapping out of it. Then, glancing down at myself, then looking Wes over from head to toe, I smiled wryly. "Great... any chance Cordy will stay out long enough to let us both shower?"
I sighed, then dropped my hand to my side, trying to prevent myself from running it through my hair. Hopefully, we could shower before the other two got back, because Gunn I knew would laugh, and Cordy... Cordy would be pissed. And I didn't know if Wes could get sick from this stuff, but I wasn't going to take any chances with my friends in this stuff. Who knew what was in this sewer sludge? Nothing healthy, to be sure... kinda the definition of sewage.
Reply
I noticed how he tried very hard not to run his hand through his hair and I quickly hid a grin behind my hand. That was just such a typical Angel thing to do. "Yes, I'm fine. Just uh... a little soaked." Not having any such qualms, I did run a hand through my hair and grimaced at the feeling. We'd better hurry up before this dried up, then we'd both be in trouble.
"And I think you just jinxed us by saying that." Giving him a wry smile, I turned to pick up my glasses where I had dropped them on the floor. One glass was cracked and I sighed. Great, I was going to have to fish out my spare ones. Did I even have one left at the hotel? Putting them in my pockets right now, I made a face when I felt...something...in there.
"Well, we'd better get back and hope we can beat them to the punch...uh...so to speak." I grabbed the flashlight, shook it, flicked it on, only to see...nothing. "Bugger."
Reply
I frowned when the flashlight didn't come on, and asked, "So, um, how new were those batteries?"
The tunnel was pretty dark without the light, and I wondered how well Wes would be able to see without it. Earlier, he had been okay, but now with his glasses broken, in addition to no light... it might not end as well. At least I knew my way back to the hotel from here- I was relatively familiar with the sewers surrounding the hotel.
After a moment, I offered, "We should... probably start heading back. You ready?"
Reply
"The were rather new," I muttered, shaking the flashlight. Still, nothing. "I guess it dropped in the water as well." Bloody marvelous, I hope it could be repaired. Might be a job for Fred, she likes fiddling with these things. That'll give her something other to do then scribble on the walls all the time.
I glanced up again, squinting toward Angel. "I suppose so." Taking a step, I tripped over something, which I couldn't see of course. Holding my hands out I caught myself on the wall and looked left and then right. Uhm...where'd Angel go? I now he has that whole dark, stealthy brooding modus operandi, but this was ridiculous. Confused, I turned around only to look straight into Angel's face.
"Ah! Bloody hell. Good god." Clutching my hand over my chest, I glared at him. "Would you please stop doing that?"
Reply
"Sorry," I muttered, moving back and retreating. I waited until he was on his feet and steady again, before speaking again.
"Ready to go, then? Can you... see well enough to walk?" I asked, motioning toward the flashlight, before remembering maybe he couldn't see me without the light. If not, I had no idea what we were going to do to get back, short of me guiding him by the elbow or something.
I took the flashlight from Wesley's hand, however, and looked at it, examining it in the dark. Not even a flicker of light... and the casing was cracked. From that, I guessed that some water had leaked into it...
Reply
I frowned when he took my flashlight and looked it over. What? He didn't believe me when I said it was broke? A scowl slid over my face and I quickly hid it when I noticed I was doing so. Sighing, I glanced into the direction I assumed we'd have to go if we wanted to go back to the hotel. And by now I was starting to get bloody cold. I'd never noticed how chilly the wind was in here. Where'd that come from anyway, stupid draft.
"I can't see a thing, Angel," I sighed, running a hand through my hair and stopping half way. As Cordelia would say? Ewwww and a lot of it. "How about if I held on to your coat and just follow you?" Oh my goodness, not the sacred coat! I'd laugh if the situation was actually funny. But it was loosing its amusing appeal rapidly when I felt myself starting to shiver. How far away were we from the bloody hotel anyway?
Reply
Leave a comment