SIT

#2.5

Leon

The rain continued to patter against the Los Angeles sidewalk in one of those oh so rare summer storms they were currently having. Still for little Annabel Forester, it was one of the last things she was interested in right now. Despite the rain, the schools air conditioning had broken down, so the classroom was uncomfortably warm. Miss Branagh however didn’t seem to notice or even care. She continued to write on the marker board, detailing something about the rise of the Roman Empire.

“Now Class, if you did your homework last night you will know the answer to this question” Miss Branagh said turning to face the children. Annabel looked up bored, and didn’t seem to care that the teachers gaze found her among the class.

“Well Annabel?” she asked. Annabel sat up straighter, and looked puzzled, I didn’t even hear the question she thought.

When an answer wasn’t forthcoming Miss Branagh’s expression turned cold.

“Well?” she demanded.

“Ermm... 1452?” Annabel guessed

“No Annabel The Roman emperor was NOT called 1452. In 1452 Columbus sailed the Ocean blue, and discovered America. A little after the Romans don’t you think?”

“I’m sorry miss, I didn’t hear the question” Annabel said softly.

“Didn’t hear? or was not listening as usual?”

“Same thing” Annabel muttered, fed up with the questions.

“I beg your pardon?”

“You heard” Annabel said more forcibly.

“I think Miss Forester, we should pay a visit to the Principal, don’t you?”

“No Miss, I don’t”

“Come with me Annabel” Said Miss Branagh stepping forwards and grabbing Annabel’s wrist.

“I said No” Annabel sneered, A moment later there was a slicing sound and the teachers head flew from the body to land by the desk. The result was immediate, the children began to scream and panic. All except Annabel.

“I told her it was a bad idea” she said softly....

“Okay, we got tea, we got O.J we got chocolate milk...chocolate milk? is nothing sacred?” muttered Giles as he unloaded the next batch of shopping into the cupboards of the Hyperion Hotel, that had so kindly been handed to the SIT’s by Angel when he had moved over to head Wolfram & Heart.

“Its a sign of the times watcher, you should move with them” said a voice behind him. Giles jumped into the air and spun around to see Hope standing in the doorway.

“I wish you wouldn’t sneak around like that, you liable to give someone a heart attack”

“Wouldn’t want that now would we” agreed Hope.

“I do hope that was a jest” Giles said. Hope gave him her sweetest smile.

“Maybe”

“Well seeing as your here can you help me unload this shopping?”

“Do I Look like I spent a year working at 7/11?” she said, but she took one of the bags anyway and began to help Giles unload the shopping.

“So, where is everyone?” asked Giles. Hope shrugged.

“Dunno, Stephen and Rose are checking out some murder at a school, Kara has Jenna and Kelly doing research into this creature that showed up and put the willy’s up Dark Marc, and Simone I have no idea”

“I see, well I suppose I should go help Kara with the research, care to join?”

“Ohhhh no.. I’ve done the whole dusty page thing, its not a nice thing when your older then most of the old books in a collection, besides I’ve got an appointment with a Law Firm”

“Ahh Have fun with Angel then” Giles said.

“Its NOT a date Giles, its a...business... thingy...thing, ya know”

“Yes I was young once many a year ago”

“Was that a crack about how I’m 300 plus years older than you, AND still look better than you?”

“Not at all, I’m sure those mud packs are handy for other things too”

“Oh shut up” said Hope walking out.

“So any witnesses apart from the other children?” asked Rose, looking up at the Principal.

“None I’m afraid.. there was quiet, then the screaming. When Mr. Bradshaw came running in all he saw was the blood and.. well you know the rest”

“I see, Ermm I believe, that, for the moment it would be prudent to send the kids home, and close up this classroom. Can you inform the parents of the kids that we’ll be contacting them to arrange interviews?” asked Stephen.

“Of course, I’ll provide a copy of the class register for today so you know who was in here when the.. incident took place”

“That would be very helpful” said Rose. With that, She and Stephen left the school. Outside Rose turned to face her watcher.

“Any ideas?”

“Too many at the moment, all we can do is interview the children and see what we can find out”

“It must have been horrible” mused Rose.

“Yeah, although most of the kids will probably be looking at this as an excuse for a couple of days off school.

“Couldn’t they just call in sick?” asked Rose.

“You would think so wouldn’t ya” Stephen replied.

“So Giles, here to hep with the research?” asked Kara as Giles sat down at the table.

“Not quite, I have my own little bit of research to do”

“On?” asked Kelly, looking up.

“Well Hope may know a lot about us and the past, but I’ll be damned if I’m not going to find out something about her”

“What’s to know? old broad, kicks ass” Kelly suggested.

“Hence me doing the research” Giles said slowly.

They looked over as the door opened and Stephen walked in with Rose.

“How was the trip?” asked Jenna.

“Not exactly a fun filled Mickey Mouse adventure, the blood in the classroom was bad enough” Rose said.

“So any hints as to what we’re facing here?” asked Kara.

“Not yet, it could be anything from a PMSing poltergeist to another version of Der Kinderstod , until we talk to the kids we’re not gonna know much else” Stephen admitted.

“Well that sounds like fun” Kelly said, looking up from her book.

“OOOO Found it!” Jenna said excitedly. When everyone looked over at her, Jenna held up her book.

“Listen to this: When Demons ran throughout the Earth, during the expulsion most were sent into other dimensions. This was not true for one of them. The Darkling. Trapped within a mirror blessed by monks, and trapped in an endless, boundless prison, it has waited until one other was with it. For when one is freed so shall they both. The Darkling is one of the First, its origins date back to the beginnings of the world. It is an Old one” Jenna read.

“Well that’s peachy. We’re fighting an old one now?” asked Kelly.

“We really need to see where it’s come from tho” said Kara.

“Maybe that Neona broad had something to do with it... they did show up around the same time” suggested Kelly.

“Maybe... its does seem coincidental” said Giles.

“Did Neona have the sort of Power to control an Old one?” asked Simone walking in from the living room.

“Who knows” replied Kara with a shrug.

“Maybe Marc might know something?” suggested Rose, sitting down and writing in a pad.

“Well, Neona was after him when she revealed herself to us” agreed Stephen.

“I’ll give him a call” replied Kara, standing up. Stephen stood as well and beckoned to Rose,

“as for us, we’ve got some interviews to do” he said. Rose stood and followed him out of the room. In the hall, Kara was just hanging up the phone.

“Any luck?” asked Stephen.

“I got some guy called Barney... said Marc was out... He also said something about scones...” she shrugged as her voice trailed off.

“Well, good luck” said Stephen opening the front door.

“You as well” she replied, walking back into the front room.

Annabel Forrester looked up into her mother’s loving eyes as she was tucked into bed.

“Try and get some sleep now love, you’ve had a bad day” said her mother.

“I’m not frightened mom, I’ve got Leon looking after me as well” she said with a yawn.

“Ok love, tell Leon I said thank you for looking after you” she replied with a smile. Standing she went to the door and turned off the light.

“Sweet dreams love” she said quietly. Annabel turned over and closed her eyes. When her mother closed the door, she opened them again, the red light that glowed from them would have petrified her mother.

“Your welcome” the voice that came out of Annabel’s mouth wasn’t human.

Hope walked into the front room, carrying a mug of warm blood.

“How was the meeting?” asked Giles looking at her.

“Informative” she replied.

“Oh.. do tell” he said.

“Oh nothing concrete... seems Dark Marc is upsetting the Senior Partners of Wolfram & Heart, treading on their toes as it were, apart from that, not much else” she said, sitting down. “What you researching?” she asked the group.

“The Darkling, seems its an Old one” explained Kelly with a yawn.

“ahh, and where’s Stephen and Rose?” asked Hope.

“They should be back soon, they’ve been out most of the day interviewing the children about the incident in the school” Kara said.

“The beheaded teacher?” Hope asked.

“The... teacher beheaded by an invisible force” amended Giles.

“And we’ve got zip” said Rose from the doorway.

“nothing at all?” asked Simone.

“No, all the kids say the same thing, she was telling a girl off... Annabel Forrester.. when well, her head went for a walk without the body” said Stephen.

“Colourfully put... have you interviewed this young girl yet?” asked Giles.

“no.. we’re gonna see her tomorrow, we didn’t want to pressure her too soon, seems the girl lost her father recently, we thought it might be better to give her some time alone” said Rose.

“A wise choice.. strange that the teacher was scolding this child when the incident took place however” Giles offered.

“Yeah, well... its been a long day, we can try again tomorrow. Any luck on your end?” asked Stephen.

“No... I’ve tried Marc a couple more times, still no answer” said Kara.

“Maybe he’s busy with Neona or something” said Kelly.

“Maybe...” agreed Stephen. A quietness fell across the group.

“well.. I’m tired, how about we turn in?” asked Hope. The group nodded.

“yes.. there’s not much else we can find out tonight.. maybe some sleep would do us all good”

“Stephen and me did a patrol, there’s not much happening out there, a couple of vampires, but apart from that its quiet” Rose said.

“Good, then I shall see you all in the morning” said Giles, picking up his book and leaving the room.

Stephen lay in bed, looking up at the ceiling, hands propped behind his head. thinking over events of the day, he kept coming up blank.. surely there had to be something. There was a light knock at his door. Frowning he sat up.

“Come in” he called out. The door opened and Hope walked in, closing the door behind her.

“What’s up?” he asked.

“nothing, I just... I just need to say a few things. You’ve all taken me in, treated me well, when you don’t know much about me” she said.

“If you want to say thanks, don’t worry, you’ve helped us out a few times as well remember” he said with a smile.

“No.. not just for brining me with you... for everything. I’ve felt alone... been alone for so long. I guess I’m just not used to being around people who accept me for what I am” she said.

“Your a demon” said Stephen. “I guessed that much” he added.

“Yes. .but that’s not the half of it” she said. “I’ve.. I’ve been watching you for a long time. When Willow went bad and nearly destroyed the world.. and before that too” she said.

“Oh... and.. why is that?” he asked.

“I... I suppose its because I’ve decided to dedicate my life to helping Slayers in their battles” she said.

“A guardian?”

“Of sorts... when the Slayers were all activated, I found my task that much harder. When the First had its Bringers killing off potentials I went away, saved more than I can remember, then Buffy told them to go to Sunnydale. That’s when I came back” she said.

“And when we met” Stephen replied.

“Yes” her voice was hesitant, but she held his gaze firmly.

“You don’t talk about your past much” Stephen said.

“I’m over 400 years old” she said. “That’s a lot of past to cover”

“Still, I’d like to get to know more about you.. your past that is” Stephen said a little too quickly. The corner’s of Hope’s mouth turned up in a smile..

“My past is... difficult. Giles knows that” she said. “I know he’s been researching me.. apart from a few odd sightings here and there, I tended to stay out of the limelight” she explained.

“Why?”

“I don’t know... secretive... I suppose. But I guess I do owe a few explanations. For one thing my father was a Vampire”

“You were turned” said Stephen.

“No.. my.. .biological father... I was born like you” she said. “I just stopped growing old when I hit 33”

“Biological...? Hope the only Vampire to give birth was Darla” said Stephen.

“She was the only known one... she’s not the first... not by a long way” Hope replied.

“Who was your mother?” asked Stephen. Hope’s features fell.

“She was... a kind loving person... I really don’t want to talk about her, not yet” Hope said.

“I understand” Stephen said gently. Hope smiled and leaned forwards. Kissing Stephen on the lips gently. Pulling away she let out a chuckle.

“I bet that’s confused you” she said standing.

“Ermm... yeah” he said. Hope winked at him before walking out. Stephen watched as she closed the doors then whistled softly to himself.

“My life gets stranger every day” he said to himself.

“Annabel is in her room” said Mrs Forrester as Stephen and Rose stood with her in the kitchen.

“We’ll be as quick as we can” said Stephen.

“Please, she’s a bright girl, but she’s had so many bad things happen lately....”

“We know about your husband Mrs Forrester.. that’s why we waited until today to interview her. Give her some time to deal with the shock of what happened yesterday” said Stephen.

“Thank you” she said, her gaze finally found Rose.

“I have to wonder why you’ve involved a child in this” she said.

“Well a lot of people ask that” Rose said with a chuckle. “Its basically a child thing. Stephen’s found that when a child has seen a crime.. or something equally frightening that they may respond better to another child asking questions.. It makes them feel less intimidated” she explained. Mrs Forrester nodded, accepting the explanation.

“If we may...” said Stephen.

“oh.. yes of course... Annabel, there are some people here to see you” she called out. A moment later Annabel walked into the kitchen. She looked from Rose to Stephen then back to Rose, then to her mother.

“mom..?” she asked, her voice quivering.

“Its ok honey, we’re just here to talk” Stephen said soothingly. Annabel gulped and then nodded.

“Can I get you anything?” asked Mrs Forrester, as they walked into the lounge.

“A coffee would be lovely” said Stephen.

“Yes, thank you” agreed Rose.

“Annabel?” asked her mother.

“I’m fine mom” she replied, sitting down opposite them.

“Annabel, My name is Stephen, this is Rose” Stephen said introducing themselves. “Annabel, we need to ask you some questions about what happened at school yesterday” he continued.

“Miss. Branagh was teaching, she was telling me off.... and then her head....” Annabel began.

“Annabel did you see what caused it?” asked Rose gently. Annabel thought for a moment, then shook her head, a moment later Mrs Forrester put the coffee’s down onto the table in front of Stephen and Rose.

“I thought it might have been me” Annabel suddenly said. Mrs Forrester nearly dropped her own drink, but caught herself.

“You? why would it have been you?” asked Rose. Annabel shrugged.

“Because she was telling me off when it happened. But then Leon said it wasn’t me, that I was a good girl” Annabel said.

“Who’s Leon?” asked Stephen pulling out a notepad with the names of all the kids in the classroom.

“He’s a friend.. he looks after me”

“Where is Leon now?” asked Rose.

“Oh silly... he’s here, you can’t see him” said Annabel.

“ahh.. well thank you for all your help Annabel” said Stephen smiling at her.

“Your welcome” she said standing up.

“Go watch your cartoons now” said Mrs. Forrester. Annabel nodded and walked back into her bedroom, closing the door. As it closed Mrs Forrester let out a quite sob.

“Its ok Mrs Forrester” soothed Stephen.

“Its all she ever talks about.. Leon...” Mrs Forrester said, taking a sip of tea.

“And its perfectly natural. You lost your husband very recently.. She lost her father. Children often invent fantasy friends in these times, so that they don’t feel so insecure” explained Rose. Stephen looked at her, an expression of amazement on his face.

“I just wish she’d get over it” Mrs. Forrester said.

“She will, when she’s ready, until then just going as you have been” said Rose. Mrs. Forrester smiled at her.

“Maybe if she had more friends like you around she’d be alright” Mrs Forrester said.

“Well when this is all over, I’d be happy to stop by” Rose offered.

“Oh thank you, I’m sure Annabel would love that”

“no.. she would not” growled the inhuman voice from within Annabel.

“Well thank you for your time Mrs. Forrester, if we have any other questions we’ll contact you” said Stephen standing in the doorway.

“Of course, I just wish We could help more” she said.

“Well, we’ll put together all the statements and see what we can get from there” said Stephen. Mrs Forrester watched them go, then closed the door.

Outside, the sun shone brightly, a contrast to the dim gloom of the apartment.

“Poor kid” muttered Rose.

“Yeah.. still something’s bothering me” said Stephen.

“What?” asked Rose.

“I need to research, but for now lets call it a hunch”

“You think Annabel did this?” asked Rose.

“No.. not Annabel... Leon” he replied getting into the car.

“Your joking right?” she said looking at him.. his grim features didn't show any hint of humour. “Your not joking. Annabel’s invisible friend?” she carried on.

“Like I said, I’ll have to do some research” he replied.

The daylight didn't penetrate the small alleyway. It’s hunger was growing, the few people it had consumed not enough to sustain it for long. Still the Darkling hunted. A homeless person, there in a doorway. The smell of too much drink on his lips. Slowly the Darkling scuttled towards him. A moment later it pounced on him.

The screams were short.

Giles looked up as Stephen and Rose walked in. Stephen immediately grabbed a book, and then reading the spine, tossed it aside.

“Do you mind? that’s my personal collection your throwing around” Giles said.

“Sorry Giles, no time for being nice tot he books. Ahh.. here it is” Stephen replied sitting down, Rose leaning over his shoulder.

“I take it your interview went well” said Giles.

“Maybe.. If I can just find it... yes..” said Stephen.

“You found it?” asked Rose.

“Its a long passage... listen” said Stephen “Leon.... demon of the children... Nightmares given forms... A child or group of children will call him fourth, usually without knowing so until he has.. manifested to them. At which point the demon will protect them. the downside is that the demon feeds off the life energy of the child. It will protect the child until it has filled its needs, at which point.. it will consume the child. Unlike Der Kinderstod, Leon CAN be seen, you just have to know where your looking. It will usually when in a see-able state appear as eyes, mouth or even a black cloud, on rare occasions it can take the form of its caller. Usually it only does this when it is threatened... so the people attack have no way of knowing which is the real child.. and which is Leon”

“so in other words there’s a 50/50 chance of killing the real child” said Rose Stephen nodded, then continued.

“Its Origins are unclear, tho it is believed to be the ghost of Nightmares. When a person, or in Leon’s case, a child dies. The energy of the nightmare that killed them remains in the atmosphere. Over time it grows in form and strength, until Leon is created”

“the ghost of nightmares” muttered Giles.

“Can it be killed?” asked Rose.

“Yes. To kill it one must implant themselves within the child’s final nightmare... where Leon will kill them. That is the ONLY place Leon can be killed. Only another child.. and one of the same sex”

“Ok two problems here. How do we get into the nightmare.. and second, how do we know when Annabel’s going to have her final nightmare?” asked Rose.

“I can help with the first, there’s an old spell for supplementing oneself into a nightmare” said Giles.

“As for the second, well it seems that the final dream depends on the mental state of the child, as well as age and sex. Basically anything for a week to a month... there’s none listed here longer than that”

“there’s a list?” asked Giles looking at the book.

“Yes.. of circumstances in which a child may find itself possessed by Leon” replied Stephen.

“Ok.. age.... how old did the records say Annabel was Rose?” asked Stephen. Looking down the register information Rose looked at him.

“12” she said,

“Ok.. 12 years old.... and she lost her father a month ago....” he said.

“Is this going somewhere?” asked Rose.

“Rose, we’re going back to see Annabel. Giles can you get the others, I have a feeling something is going to be happening” Stephen said.

“Of course, where should we meet you?” he asked. Stephen wrote down the address.

“Here, and bring that spell” Stephen said.

“Oh, your back soon” said Mrs. Forrester.

“Sorry to disturb you, Mrs Forrester, but we had a few more questions” Stephen said.

“Of course, please come in” she said. The pair walked into the apartment.

“What can we do for you?” asked Mrs. Forrester.

“We have reason to believe that Annabel is in serious danger” Rose said bluntly.

“Annabel? why.. she’s just a child” Mrs. Forrester began.

“Mrs. Forrester, I need you to think very carefully about the next question. When did Annabel start talking about this Leon?” asked Stephen.

“About a month ago... Just.... just after”

“Ok.. you might want to sit down, but I have something important to tell you” said Stephen. Mrs Forrester nodded and sat down, her hands shaking.

“We have reason to believe that this Leon isn’t imaginary at all. We think it caused the death of the teacher” Stephen said.

“Oh this is insane... an imaginary person doesn’t go around killing people” Mrs. Forrester said.

“We never said it was a person” said Rose.

“What your saying... is... insane” Mrs Forrester said.

“We hope it is too.. but you have to believe me... if we’re right about this then Annabel is in serious danger”

“We can help your daughter Mrs. Forrester” said Rose.

“Get out of my house.. I’ll call the police!” she said.

“Mrs. Forrester please.... the Police aren’t equipped to handle this” said Stephen.

“And they’re right” said Annabel from the doorway. Her voice was low pitched, and wrong. Her eyes were glowing red.

“Annabel” began Mrs. Forrester.

“That’s not your daughter Mrs. Forrester... that’s Leon” said Stephen.

“A watcher and a Slayer... I must admit I’m impressed you discovered me so quickly” Leon said.

“Please... If you go, maybe he’ll leave my daughter” said Mrs. Forrester.

“He wont, all he wants is her life... when he’s done he’ll kill her” Rose said, glaring at the demon.

“You’ve done your homework.. Then you know you can never kill me” Leon said.

“we know where and how to Kill you Leon” said Stephen.

“Then I’ll be seeing you tonight Slayer” Leon replied. A moment later the red faded from Annabel’s eyes.

“mommy” she whispered.

“we have friends coming here, they’re going to help us beat Leon” said Stephen grasping Mrs. Forrester’s arms gently. She nodded.

“I just want her safe” she replied.

Giles, Hope, Kelly, Simone, Jenna and Willow stood watching Rose as she lay next to Annabel. Stephen positioned between them, holding each girls hand. Mrs. Forrester stood next to Hope, tears running down her face.

“They’re asleep” said Stephen finally.

“Willow, are you ready?” asked Giles. Willow nodded, and holding a book open in front of her, put her hand on Stephen’s forehead.

“Alak nor, Por nok.. Let the sleeping forms be joined, let dream that are separate be one” she intoned. When she removed her hand, Stephen was asleep.

“why is he asleep?” asked Hope, concerned.

“They must rage this battle on neutral territory, otherwise both may be lost. Stephen volunteered for his own dreams to be the battlefield” said Giles.

“What?” Hope asked incredulous.

Rose looked around, the bright sky was almost blinding, and the images had a blurry edge to them. Before her stood Annabel.

“Annabel!” she called, the smaller girl ran to her.

“He’s here isn’t he?” said Annabel, hugging her tightly.

“Yes.. and I’m not going to let him hurt you” Rose told her.

“I know” she replied.

“Such heroic nonsense” the two girls turned to face the form of a man, maybe 20 standing there, watching them. His eyes were blood red, and the nails on his fingers were long and sharp.

“Leon” muttered Rose.

“Lets get this over with” Leon sneered. Rushing forwards he cut Rose’s arm.

“Oh my god” said Kelly. Rose’s arm had just opened and was bleeding.

“Its started” muttered Giles.

“And you call yourself a slayer...” Leon taunted him.

“And you call yourself a demon... hurting children”

“I hurt no one, I protect them” Leon said.

“Before you kill them!” Rose leapt into a flying kick, knocking Leon to the ground.

“Face it Leon, your just a bully” Rose said.

“Yes.. but remember this bully has power” He said, knocking Rose’s feet from under her. Rose hit the ground hard.

“Sorry Steve” she muttered.

“Its finished Slayer.. you... Annabel... and the mind of this watcher” Leon sneered.

“Not quite” Rose replied, jumping up, and grabbing Leon around the neck. Spinning around behind him, she closed her fists tightly. Leon began to choke.

“How does it feel? Dying?” Rose asked. Leon struggled and fought back, but couldn't loosen the grip around his neck. Finally he sank to his knees. The red light in his eyes dimming. Rose glared at him.

“This is for everything you’ve put this girl through” She said, then she snapped his neck. Leon fell to the ground, turning into a rotting corpse before her eyes. Annabel ran to Rose.

“is it over?” she asked, tears in her eyes. Rose nodded.

“Its over”

“It’s over” Rose said opening her eyes, looking into Giles’s face.

“Mommy” said Annabel. Standing and running to her mother. Mrs. Forrester hugged her daughter tightly.

“Stephen.. you can wake up now” said Giles, shaking him. Slowly Stephen opened his eyes.

“Sorry Steve?” he asked, glancing at Rose.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you”

“Sorry? I’ve got a migraine the size of New Jersey brewing” he muttered. “anyone got an aspirin?” he asked. Giles let out a laugh, then so did the rest.

“Stop it.. my head hurts” Stephen growled. The gang just laughed more. Rose looked over at Annabel, smiling.

“Your free now Annabel” she said. Annabel hugged her tightly.

“thank you” she said.

“Your welcome”

“No one thanks the battlefield” Stephen moaned, then he smiled as Hope gave him an aspirin.