Chapter One
The fist came down against her jaw before she could stop it. It sent her reeling back, causing her to slam her head on a picture frame in the hallway. She slid down the wall along with the picture of a once happy family. Before another blow could be landed she got up and ran up the stairs to her room. She could hear the foot steps behind her. She hurried up and shut the door, locking it behind her.
She ran to her closet and grabbed her backpack. Running frantically around the room, she stuffed all the clothes and other odds and ends that she could. Maybe some time she could come back for the rest of it. All the while the yelling and pounding at the door got louder. Right before she thought the door would bust open, she grabbed her cell phone off of her bedside table and ran to her window.
Climbing out the window onto the roof top she made up her mind. She could not do this any longer. She had to get away from this man. If she stayed there one more night she might not live to see the next day. She grabbed onto the tree limb hanging over the roof. Like she did so many times before, she shimmed down the tree. As soon as her feet hit the ground she was running and not looking back. She went to the place she always went. The cemetery.
The cemetery was the only place she felt safe anymore. She silently fell to her knees in front of a familiar grave. Reaching out, she traced the letters that were engraved on the tombstone. She quickly pulled back her hand as if it burned her.
“Oh, mommy. I’m so sorry. I can’t do this anymore.” She said, with silent tears running down her face. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed a number; she waited a few rings before there was an answer.
A women’s giggling could be heard. Then the same women said, “Hello?”
“Will? Can you come and get me please?” she asked in a low whisper.
“Buffy? Are you ok?” Willow asked. Then all she heard was sobs. She knew about Buffy’s home life. Ever since her mom died her father became an alcoholic. Whenever he was drunk he took his anger and grief out on Buffy. Blaming her for her mother’s death. In reality it was a hit and run that happened on her way home from work. Buffy was not with her. There was no way it could have been her fault.
When the cries lowered Willow tried again.
“Buffy? Where are you?” she asked getting worried.
“With my mom.” She told her, tracing the cravings again.
“Hang on. I’ll be right there.” Then she hung up.
“Give me a ride.” Willow side to her brother that was sitting on the other side of the room watching tv.
“Why?” he asked, not looking at her, to intent on the tv.
“Because mom and dad has the car and you won’t let me drive yours.”
“Damn right you can’t drive my baby.”
“Please? Buffy’s in trouble.” She asked in a sad, low voice.
Spike knew all about Buffy. Once in a while when she was really in trouble she would came to their house. He felt bad for her. He liked the girl and she did not deserve to be treated like that. She never told anyone who did it. She tried to play it off saying that the bruises where from accidents. But Spike knew that it had to be her good for nothing father. What he could not figure out was why someone would want to hurt the bright sunshine that Buffy had. She was sweet and innocent.
“Ok. Come on.” He said getting up and walking out the door.
When they got to the cemetery they knew exactly where to go. Every time something happened to Buffy she would go there and sit next to her mothers grave until morning when she would go back home. She tells her mother everything that happens in school and all the problems she has in life. She never told her about her father. Even dead, Buffy did not think that her mother should know that. When they got to the grave they saw her sitting there. She was kneeling beside it not saying anything.
Willow slowly made her way to her. Not wanting to scare her, she softly said her name and put her hand on her shoulder. She motioned for Spike to move closer as she kneeled down next to Buffy.
“Hey, sweetie. You ok?”
Turning around slowly to face Willow, she gave her a weak smile. Willow could see the deep bruising forming on her jaw. She wondered what other bruises where hiding.
“I don’t think so.” She started to cry again.
“It’s ok.” Willow whispered as she pulled her into a comforting embrace. She moved her hand up to her head so she could smooth her hair in comfort. When her hand touched her hair she felt a warm, gooey liquid.
She pulled her hand away to look at it and saw red. She held it up for Spike to see and saw the look of worry on his face.
“Come on pet. Lets get you home.” Spike said.
Buffy began shouting no. she did not want to go home. She was done. She never wanted to go back again. She was ready to run when Spike grabbed her arm.
“It’s ok, luv. We’re not going to let anything happen to you. You’re going to come home with us, so we can clean you up. Ok?” he gently asked, trying not to frighten her.
“Ok.” She said. With the hand that was on her arm he put it around her waist and led her back to his car.
He helped her get in the back sit, and then gestured for Willow to join her.
“Sit in the back with her. Watch her. Don’t let her fall asleep. She probably has a concussion.” She nodded.
Before she got in she looked at him.
“What are we going to do? We can not let her go back. He might kill her next time!” Willow tired to keep her voice low, but she was just so angry.
“Don’t worry. I will not let her go back. Mom and dad will let her stay for a while. We can figure out what to do then. You guys only have a month or so left of school. Maybe she will want to go to college. I only know that we will not let her go back.
I think we should try to get her to press charges. I think that is the only way to truly stop this man. Maybe dad can have a talk with him.” They both had evil smiles on their faces.
“Your right. Maybe we can go to UC Sunnydale together and get a dorm. Then she will be on her own and away from that man.”
“We can figure out more after we check her out and make sure she’s ok.”
Willow nodded and got in the back with her. Spike went around to the driver’s side. He swore right then and there that no harm would ever come to Buffy Summers again while he lived.
TBC...
squawks
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!