Willow felt flames around her. Agony swept over her body as she fell.
Fingernails scraped over her skin, drawing blood. She could smell the
stench
of death all around her. Somewhere above her, she heard laughter. She
felt
hands reaching for her, pulling at her. She kicked and tried to crawl
away
but to no avail. She screamed as pain filled her soul and the torture
began.
Suddenly, a familiar voice spoke up from the shadows. The pain was
gone as
was everything else. She looked into the pure darkness, listening to
the
words.
"My sweet child...you time is nearly up."
Willow nodded, sadness going through her. "I know."
"Then why is nothing done?" the voice demanded harshly.
"I...I couldn't leave him" Willow said simply.
A harsh laugh, "You were chosen, my dear. It was an honor for us to
present
you with your gift. Six years almost gone. Yet, things are as they
were. Do
you not realize the magnitude of your procrastination?"
She remembered the heat and the pain and looked at the two figures,
"I
understand. I'm sorry...I have three more months....I'll do it. I can't
live
like that."
"Well, if something is not done soon, you will. Eternal damnation for
your
soul. That was just a small hint of what will await you, my pretty."
"In reality, the pain will be so tremendous...someone with a human's
mind can
not even imagine. Three months, my dear. That is all you have. Will
your
chosen assist you?"
Willow bit her lip, "I hope so" she said softly.
"Love is very strong, my dear. But, it fades with time. Remember that
and
your decision will be much easier. Now, three months. That is all."
"Thank you" Willow said softly.
"Do not thank us. Nothing has been done yet. We gave you the opportunity,
that is all. Now it is up to you and your chosen. You've seen what
waits for
your soul if you do not succeed. Keep that in mind and be careful.
Your six
years is almost up."
Willow watched as the images faded as she was left alone in the darkness
of
her mind. Three months. That was all she had left. Tomorrow, she would
speak
to Spike. She'd tell him everything and hope that her faith in him
was
justified. If not, she only had three months until eternal damnation.
She
shivered, memories of that brief pain consuming her mind. She couldn't
go
through that...not forever. Spike had to help her. He did love her
as she
loved him. Together, they had to save her soul.