Halloween Surprise - BOCA
I woke up yelling her name and completely covered in sweat; it was the same damn nightmare again, the one I've had ever night since her death. I looked around to get my bearings and realized I was at home, in our bedroom. Well not our bedroom, my bedroom. She’s dead…gone. It’s my fault, I didn’t double check everything to make sure we weren’t going into a trap; she was dead because of me.
I had to deal with a grief counselor every other day for two months; it was mid February by the time I had finally convinced the stupid shrink to let me go back to work. It wasn’t helping at all at first, but I slowly realized that maybe the entire thing wasn’t my fault and that it was meant to happen. Things happen for a reason. That’s what the shrink kept telling me. When I asked him for the reason he said he wasn’t the one holding all the cards, he didn’t know. Lot of help he was. In the end though, it was a good thing. I still miss her, not a day goes by where it doesn’t hurt, but at least now the pain is manageable.
I’m not quite up to strength yet, because whatever the hell it was that attacked me did a number on my body, I’ve got scars all over my body, but it makes for a good war story right? I spent a week in a coma at the hospital while the doctors stitched me up and checked on my wounds before I woke up and then spent the rest of December in the hospital under the strict supervision of Doctor.
However, now it’s time for me to go back to work and figure out what the hell happened and what killed my wife.
I got out of bed and started the hot water and shaved and began my normal routine. I finished my shower and got dressed and headed towards the base, I didn't need to come in, but I wasn't resting until the hostile that had taken away my wife was dead. And I was the one to kill it. I had Graham running down some leads for me, and it was time to check to see what he’s gotten so far.
Everyone was staying clear for me for the most part, not that I blame them entirely; I wouldn’t know what to say to me either. However, Graham, good ole-Graham is straight to business as he hands me the folder with all the information he could find. I thank him and then look over the information, there’s nothing here that’s any good. I’m going to have to start all over and build my own case.
A year goes by and I’m finally almost there to figuring out what happened to Sam. Mack was running some more information for me, turns out that my new ‘friends’ are in the UK, hiding out or regrouping or whatever it is that the bastards do. I’m about ready to go and take them out, but I haven’t pinpointed their exact location. I’m sitting at my desk when I get another e-mail from Dawn, inviting me to a Halloween party at the new Lindenbrook Estates in England, I told her that I would try to make it, but made no promises to actually showing up. In fact, I had planned to show-up, a chance to check in on the Summers family and see how things were going.
I had airplane tickets, my luggage, and my new costume all ready as I boarded the plane. The flight didn’t seem that long, but maybe that’s because I was sleeping through most of it. I woke up as we touched down, it was raining and humid. I grabbed my bags from the baggage claim and then went to the taxi stand and caught a cab to the hotel I was staying at. I unpacked my costume and took a shower before changing into the costume. It’s a bit tighter than I expected, but I guess you get what you paid for. I paid to be batman, and that’s what I got. The entire outfit, I always wanted to be him as a kid, I thought it would be cool to fight bad guys and have Alfred as a guy to help out. Then there was the whole thing with his cool car and a cave.
I looked in the mirror to make sure that everything was in place. Bruce Wayne has nothing on me, that’s for damn sure. I called a cab from the room and walked down to meet the cab, I gave him directions and he started driving. As we were leaving London I watched as people walked around minding their own business, everything seems so normal here.
I paid the cab driver and then walked to the entrance as I rang the buzzer.
“Can I help you?” A female voice answered.
“Yes, I’m here for the Halloween party.” I replied.
“Name?”
“Finn, Riley.” I say, I was tempted with the whole James Bond thing, but I’m sure she’s heard that one a couple times.
“Enjoy the party” She says as the gate opens.
I walk in and head towards the bright lights and music. Seems that Giles went all out in his party decorating, the entire grounds are decorated and everything seems so detailed.
I walk in through the doors and look around; there are quite a few people in here already. I can’t seem to find anyone I know, but then again, it would be hard to tell since a lot of people are wearing full masks or partial masks that cover up their facial features.
I see a familiar blonde and walk towards her, Buffy, she’s with Dawn too.
Dawn…my god she’s grown up. Come on Finn, get a hold of yourself she’s Dawn. Buffy’s little sister, Buffy’ll kill you just for the thoughts you’re having right now! I shake my head as I walk towards them; a blonde Xena and Snow White. I’m trying to think of something witty to say, after all these years, but all that comes out is, “How are you ladies doing?” That’s it? That’s all you can get out Finn? Come on, you can do better than that.
It’s going to be a long night.