**August 15, 1999**
Choices - that’s what life is about. Tonight, I have made mine. There
was no hesitation in my decision, it was clear what needed to be done.
It would
be a battle for a soul, a single soul that no one seemed to care about.
A war had been waged, a war I would partake in.
I’ve never been in LA before. I look over at the person next to me.
She had come along with me without a moments hesitation. Perhaps it was
that
bond we created when we had done the sister spell, or the fact that
we were best friends. It doesn’t matter, I’m grateful she came with me.
To be honest, I’m scared. I’m not sure what to expect. Cordelia wasn’t
able to tell me much, only that we were needed. I know I should have told
them where I was going, but Cordelia had sounded so worried....so scared.
I’ve never heard her sound like that before. They think nothing’s wrong,
but I know better. I can feel it. I just hope I make it before it’s
too late.
* * * * * * * * * *
What a way to die. I hear their voices, all of them, mocking me, chanting
my death. There had been too many of them, too many to fight off. History
had repeated its self. Now it was my turn to die at the hands of my
childe.
I never thought Spike had it in him. I’m sure he knew I would try to
stop him from opening up the chest. He knew I could spoil his plans and
I’m sure
he came down with one solution - kill the threat against him.
Drucilla has come to visit me, trying to place some comfort on my impending death.
“Daddy, I will miss you...”
“Dru....what is Spike planning?”
“Daddy, you need some rest.....it’ll all be over soon.”
She kissed me then left. There’s something different about her. Something
I can’t figure out. I need to feed, I can’t heal. I need to try to find
a way
out, but it just hurts too much to move.
I always wondered how I would die and what would be waiting for me on the other side.
* * * * * * * * * *
August 18, 1999
Angel picked up the phone and called the only person who would speak
to him. He waited for the familiar voice to answer and was glad to hear
her
voice by the fourth ring.
“Hello?”
“How is she?”
“Hello to you too”
“Sorry, Cordy. How are you?”
“Okay, considering the circumtances.”
“How is she?”
“Well....in what sense...there’s just so many...”
“Tell me.”
“Angel....it isn’t good....I called Giles an hour ago...her condition....”
“What about her condition...”
“It....worsened.....”
“Oh God no.....”
“She fell into a coma last night.....the doctors....they don’t think...she’ll
recover consiousness..,” Cordelia said as she tried to hide the crack in
her
voice.
Angel nearly dropped the phone as he heard the words.
“Angel? Are you there....?”
“I’m....here....”
“Giles’ looking for her parents...they’re on a business trip or something...they
have Giles as next of kin in case she....Amy tried to....but she was
too...weak....”
“Where...is she?” Angel asked as he tried to fight back the tears that threathened to fall.
“She’s at Sunnydale Hospital. They transferred her there last night...right after we saw Giles and the rest of them....”
“How are they....?”
“They seem to be holding up pretty well.....I haven’t spoken to the rest of them...I don’t think they really want to talk to me....”
“Cordelia...I’m sorry...you never should have...’
“It was the only way...”
“God...what have I done...”
“I was thinking about going back.....maybe tomorrow....”
Angel remained silent. Tears began to fall down his cheek. His mind
travelled back to the memory of that horrific night. He could still smell
the fear,
the blood, hear the cries.....see her struggling body on the ground....so
much blood...so much pain....The memories consummed him every time he
closed his eyes...but what most haunted him was the look on her face
as she made the final attempt to save him.
“Angel?...are you there.....?”
“We can take the Express back....”
“Then you’ll come....”
“I will.....”
With that said, he hung up the phone and laid back down on his bed and
closed his eyes, fearing to see the face that had haunted his dreams for
the
past three nights.
******