Chapter 1: the Interview

Michael Boldland was a rather average person.
He was working in the construction business for one of the biggest companies available in the USA.
He had learnt early on that demons were real – and working for him.

So when his boss gave him and his partner, Anthony Hollers – a vampire by the way – this new site to work on, both men nodded and went to work.

Anthony was still very young, a little over 70, and had been working for their company even before his death.
The management had wanted to keep him and placed a spell on him that would keep him from eating people.

Back in the day the firm had already employed demons, because they were strong and good workers.
The company kept true to that policy and had mixed teams of humans and non-dangerous demons on all of their sites.

Michael and Anthony were now supposed to clean up the mess that was once known as a town called Sunnydale and rebuild it as something better.
Iole – another vampire on a non-human-diet – told them that the city had been home to many demons back in its day.
Therefore, it was soon decided that they needed lots of workers with strong nerves and little fear.

Anthony started to gather demons to work at the site, while Michael did the same with humans.
Therefore, lots of applications had found their way onto Michael’s desk in his New York office. He didn’t read them. He just sorted them by knowledge, wrote down the names and invited the guys over.

Today he had already held three interviews with construction-workers and was looking forward to the fourth: Alexander LaVelle Harris.

“Mr. Harris, sir!” his secretary announced and led a young man into Michael’s office.

‘Odd…’ was the first thought in Michael’s head when the applicant entered the office. Michael took in the other’s appearance and couldn’t help but wonder. The man looked young and strong, with shaggy brown hair, well kept and… an eye patch over the left eye.

Nevertheless he smiled, stood and extended his hand. “Michael Boldland, Mr. Harris. Please, take a seat.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“You must excuse my staring…” Michael started, eyes still fixed on the patch.
“Oh, no, it’s fine. It’s always the first thing that catches people’s attention.”
Alexander Harris had a nice voice too.
“But I assure you,” he continued, “that it does not handicap me while working. Much…”

That was said with a bright smile and Michael found himself smiling back. He liked the guy.
“I hope you don’t mind doing this interview my way. I haven’t read your application yet; I want to get to know you first.”
Alexander nodded.

“Where are you working currently?” Michael leaned back in his chair, watching how openly his soon-to-be-worker held himself.
“I’m working for a construction company in Denver right now. We are building sky-scrapers and houses.”

Michael nodded. “Give me a few reasons then why I should employ you.”

Alexander gave a nod and smiled.
“First, I’ve got experience. I’ve been in the construction business for 7 years now.”
That actually surprised Michael, but then he didn’t know when exactly the man had lost his eyesight.

“Secondly, I’m a good worker and adapt to new situations easily. I work well with others. I’m used to giving and receiving orders. I don’t make differences between ages or gender.”

“So you wouldn’t mind if your boss was a woman?” Michael interrupted.
Alexander shook his head. “Not at all. 95% of my friends are female. I’m used to them bossing me around as well as snapping back at them.”

Michael smiled. He was rather sure that he would employ Mr. Harris. He seemed to fit in. “Go on.”

“Well, the most important argument for employing me would be that I’m a Sunnydale-Survivor. I lived there my whole life. I knew the town. And I don’t scare easily.”

Michael wasn’t sure if Alexander was implying what he thought the man was implying – I know about demons and I’m not afraid of them – so he just smiled.
“Having someone from the old Sunnydale working on the site really could be an advantage. Would you mind waiting while I check over your application?”
“Not at all. Would you mind if I took a look at that whilst waiting?” Alexander pointed at the model of the new town that stood a few feet to the side.
“No, not at all!”

And while Mr. Harris got up and took a look at the plans for the New Sunnydale, Mr. Boldland took a look at his application.

He was mostly interested in Alexander’s references. If he really had worked as a construction worker for 7 years, he should have at least enough experience.

The first reference was from a company formerly situated in Sunnydale. It was a reprinted copy, due to the fact that Sunnydale was now a pile of rubble, about five years old, covering 3 years of work and given to Mr. Harris while he was at the hospital, recovering from an accident.
Michael wondered if the accident was the one that had cost Mr. Harris his left eye.
The next was from a company in Cleveland, covering a year of work and the last was from Alexander’s current employer.

With a grin Michael looked up, finding Alexander studying the model closely.
“Mr. Harris, would you mind if I read parts of what your employer wrote about you?”

Alexander looked up, smiling again. “I hope it was something good.”

Michael cleared his throat. “Mr. Harris is an experienced worker. … He is well liked by his co-workers, knows how to receive and give orders. … Often his ideas could be put to good use, helping the sites, the workers and the company. … We are very sorry that Mr. Harris decided to participate in the project of rebuilding Sunnydale. Should you decide not to employ him, send him back asap please, he is strongly missed here. Best regards…”
Alexander laughed. “Yes, my boss would write something like that.”

Michael closed the file again and looked at his future-employee, who had sat down again. “Mr. Harris, I admit that I thought about employing you the minute you walked through that door. And I honestly think I will do just that. I’m going to call you in a few days with the details. Thank you very much for coming here today.”

Alexander got up with a smile. “No problem at all. It was a pleasure meeting you and I’m looking forward to being part of the team.”

After they shook hands and Alexander had left, Michael felt like he had done something absolutely right.

Chapter 2: the Site

A month later the ‘rebuilding Sunnydale project’ was about to start.

The remains of the old city had been surrounded with high fences and warning signs. The old electricity line and water pipes had been ‘repaired’ and provided water and energy. Two trailer-parks had been set up, including modern trailers the workers were supposed to stay in. Some of them had brought their families along.
A big trailer labelled ‘office’ was set up and mobile toilets were installed.

Michael Boldland and Anthony Hollers were busy readying the office, the windows shaded against the sun.

“Have you decided who you’re gonna name foreman?” Anthony asked, while sorting the employee files into a drawer in an alphabetical order.

“I’m still stuck on that Harris-guy. He seems to fit in best…” Michael replied, setting up the desk.

The trailer contained a desk which Anthony and Michael would share, a few drawers, a couch on the other side, a small fridge and a microwave.
Anthony would work here during the night while Michael would take care of everything during the day.

“Someone’s coming,” Anthony announced, moving himself more into the shadows due to the fact that it was still daylight out. He valued his un-life.

Seconds later there was a knock. “That’s Harris,” decided Michael and called out. “Come on in!”

“Hello, Mr. Boldland.” The door closed quickly again. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yes, please take a seat. Mr. Harris, this is Anthony Hollers, my partner.”

Both man shook hands, Anthony expected some comment about his cold fingers, but nothing came forth.

“Mr. Harris,” Michael began, but was interrupted. “Please, call me Xander. To me, Mr. Harris was my father and I… I prefer Xander.”

“Very well, Xander, then.” Michael smiled and so did Anthony behind their backs. He liked the young man too.
“Xander, I have been thinking about naming you my foreman.”
“ME?”

Michael chuckled. “Yes, you. You have the most experience and you lived in Sunnydale before. When I look out there,” he pointed towards his window, “I only see rubble, rubble and more rubble. You could probably tell me where the mall used to be, and where the school was, and if there was a park…”

For a moment Xander stared at the window, lost in a time when the rubble was still a town.
Then he turned his head back to Michael with a smile. “I’m honoured, sir. Thank you.”

Michael and Anthony grinned. There was another knock at the door.

“Come in!” Michael called, and a young man stepped in, closing the door behind him quickly.
He wasn’t tall and rather thin, with milky-white skin, long blond hair and blue eyes. He nodded to everyone.

“This is Sharon, my foreman,” Anthony introduced, and Xander shook hands with the small blonde. “Sha, that is Xander, Michael’s foreman.”

Sharon blinked at Xander. “I can’t shpell shat…” he lisped.
Xander smiled. “Pronounce it however you want.” Sharon blinked again. “Shander…”
With a grin Xander nodded. “Shander,” he repeated and Sharon smiled.

“Gentlemen, let me explain what awaits us during the next year,” Michael announced, getting up and pointing to a map on the wall, showing the model of New Sunnydale.

“All in all, our client has given us three years, and more should we need it, to rebuild the city into something bigger and better than before.”

“Our first job,” Anthony continued, “will be to clear up the ruins so that we can build something new atop.”

“Question,” said Xander, who had stood up too, raising his hand a little. Michael nodded. “Are we supposed to dig up every last pebble or are we just digging deep enough for a solid foundation?”

Anthony answered him. “We were asked to dig to the ground and rescue every single bone that is still down there.”

Xander frowned. “That’s what I feared… Not to be a spoil-sport, but that hole is deep. Really deep. And it could also be really dangerous.”

Sharon, who was a head smaller than Xander nodded to him. “He ish right. It ish dangeroush to dig sho deep, Shony…”
Shony – Anthony – nodded. “We are aware of that. Therefore, we will see how far we get and then take it from there.”

They talked about the site some more, Xander pointing out where what had been – schools in the middle, mall to the right, residential areas there, there and there…
When they departed shortly after sunset, they were all looking forward to getting started the next day.

Chapter 3: the Work

Three hours after sunrise the next day, a respectable hour, Xander had everyone from his team assembled near the storage huts.

“First off,” he announced with a raised voice to be heard by all of his fifty men, “I was asked to be your foreman. That title means nothing to me, other than that you can come to me if you should have any kind of problem, ok?”
Everyone seemed to be nodding.

“Secondly, you will pair off in teams of 5! Pick whomever you want, but never less than 5, ok?”
Nods and shifting around until 10 teams of 5 persons each stood before Xander.
He smiled.

“Third! I will show you were you will start to work and you will stay there! No wandering off! This site is dangerous!”
A few murmurs.

“It is dangerous!” Xander repeated, voice firm. “There is a big cavity beneath our feet and we could all find ourselves a few feet further down if we aren’t careful!”
Now everyone nodded.

Xander grinned. “Let’s get at it!”
Tools – shovels, wheelbarrows and so on – were handed out, and when everyone was ready, Sharon led his team over.

Sharon was responsible for another fifty people and had them paired off in teams of 5, like Xander had advised him to.

Together they spread their teams over the site, two of Sharon’s teams ending up in the middle of the town with Xander and Sharon.

“Listen,” Xander began and everyone looked at him. “Sunnydale High School is somewhere down here. It’s where the – earthquake started. The hole is probably deepest here.”

Sharon noticed the hesitation before ‘earthquake’ but didn’t call Xander on it.
“We will be careful, Shander,” he promised. “We know to shell should we need help.”

Xander blinked, then understood. “I’ll be walking around then. Good luck!”
He patted the guy next to him – who was two heads taller – on the arm and walked off.

When all eyes turned to Sharon the small man shrugged. “He’sh shtransh, but I like him.”

Shaking their heads, the crew got to work.

Xander kept everyone working from three hours after sunrise till three hours before sundown with a big and two small breaks in-between.
He also kept telling everyone how dangerous it was around Sunnydale and made the mothers promise to keep track of their children.

For twenty days everyone worked as hard as they felt they should. Xander could always be seen with a shovel amongst his men, helping and working hardest.
For twenty days everyone thought that Xander was sometimes over-reacting.

Then the first skeleton was found.

Xander’s radio sprang to life while he was helping a group clearing away some furniture from what could have been a house once.
They were already at least eleven yards down into the hole.

“…Shander…” crackled the radio and he answered it. “Yes, Sharon?” “…We found… firsht… near she mall…”
“I’ll be right over.” Xander took off with hasty steps, not noticing that his men were following him.

One of Sharon’s and two of Xander’s groups had been digging around the mall and shopping mile.
Xander tried not to think about the Magic Box being somewhere beneath him while he ran.

Lots of the workers had already gathered around when Xander arrived. Michael Boldland was approaching the group too.

The skeleton looked like anyone would after lying around for five years.
Nothing was recognisable, with just an arm being found so far.

Xander took a deep breath, moved his right hand in a cross-like motion before his chest and folded his hands.
Everyone hurried to follow his example.

“Lord,” Xander prayed, just as Michael arrived. “you took this poor soul with you a long time ago. May body and soul find rest now. Amen.”

Xander wasn’t religious – not after Caleb – but he always thought that something nice should be said in such a moment.

Michael took a deep breath too. “Everybody take the afternoon off. Sharon, Xander would you help me?”
Both men nodded while everyone wandered off to spread the news.

With smaller shovels and the greatest care they started to free the skeleton.

While removing dirt and stones, carefully putting the bones in bags and labelling them, they soon discovered the second skeleton.

When they had recovered half of it, Anthony joined them, giving a helping hand.

Soon they found the third.

“Shish ish horrible…” whispered Sharon, lifting a rib and cleaning off the dirt.
“You could stop if it’s too much,” Anthony offered, but Sharon only shook his head.

“Who’s that?” Michael suddenly asked, pointing towards an approaching figure with blond hair and a black coat.

Everyone looked up.

“Will!” yelled Xander, waving and explaining. “That’s Will, my husband. What time…?” He stopped when he noticed that it was already dark, the light they’d been working in coming from two spotlights.
“Oh… He’s probably here to see why I didn’t come home.”

“No problem,” said Anthony with a smile, watching the other man approaching.

“He’sh handshome…” whispered Sharon to Xander.
Xander grinned. “Don’t tell him that, you’ll burst his ego.” Sharon giggled.

“I didn’t know you had a husband,” Michael said, not taking his eyes off the blonde.
“It’s in my file,” explained Xander with a grin and Michael actually laughed – a little.

By now Will had nearly reached them and Sharon could see him more clearly.
The blond was obviously bleached, his eyes were blue and he had sharp cheek-bones. The black leather duster gave him a dangerous air.

“Oi! Pet! What the bloody hell is keeping you…”

Will stopped his rant when he saw what the four men were kneeling around.

With a sigh, he shrugged his duster off and knelt down too.

“You don’t have to help…” explained Michael when Will made a grab for a brush.

“Bollocks!” was all the blonde said and began to help.

It was due to the company’s influence that they didn’t need the cops to do this work. All they had to do in the end was to give the bags to the police who would identify the persons – if possible – and make sure they were returned to their families or got a funeral.

Chapter 4: the Dog

Another twenty working days passed in peace.

By now what had once been Sunnydale was now a round hole, maybe fifteen yards deep, with a lot more to come.
Just the other day there had been a little landslide when a cavity had given way and everything had fallen further down.
No one was harmed but it underlined Xander’s wish for handling things with care.

Xander was just helping one group dig out a car, when they heard the scream.

It was a terrified scream from one of the teams to their left and Xander was already halfway there before he even noticed that he had started to run.

Something had obviously scared the five men working on one spot in the residential area.
They had scattered around the area they had been clearing. One of them was white as a sheet and shaking.

Xander hurried over to him. Everybody else stayed as far away as their curiosity allowed.

“David! David!” Xander took the man’s head in his hands and forced him to look at him. “Everything is all right, ok? Calm down…”
David was shaking, his eyes wide. “There… There…”
“Yes, shhh… Something scared you. It’s ok now, ok?”

Xander let go and took a step back. David seemed to be a little bit better.
“I’ll take a look at what you saw, ok?” At David’s nod Xander turned and went over to where the worker had dropped his shovel.

Whatever had scared the man was half hidden beneath dirt and the shovel.
Xander took a peek, making sure that no-one else saw too much.
Then he turned back to his audience.

“David, it’s ok, it’s just the skull of a dog.”

David’s eyes were still wide. “A dog?”
“Yes, just a dog.”

Xander got up and walked back to where the workers had gathered around David.
“Adam,” Xander turned to one of them. “Take David to his trailer and tell his sister to make him some tea and let him rest. The rest of you can take a long break.”

Adam was surprised at how well Xander knew his workers after just two months and took off, leading David by the elbow.
The others either went to get some coffee or got back to work.

Xander went back to where the skull was still covered by the shovel and flicked his radio on.
“Sharon, this is Xander, can you hear me?”
“Loud and clear, Shander!” came the reply, making Xander smile.
“Fetch two of your guys who have tough nerves and a couple of black plastic-bags and meet me at RA3, ok?”

A few minutes later, Sharon showed up with the guy who was two heads taller than Xander and a bunch of plastic-bags.

“She boysh shaid you found a dead dog?” Sharon dropped two brushes onto the ground. They would need those to clean the bones.

“No,” Xander shook his head. “it isn’t a dog.”
“But you said…” complained the tall one. “I know,” said Xander, “I know…”
He then moved the shovel away to show them the skull.

On the first glance it could have been a dog.
The skull was long, like a snout, the eyes at the sides rather than the front, and it had sharp teeth.

On the second glance Sharon noticed how big the skull was.

It was at least twice the size of a human’s skull. Sharon shuddered. “No dog shen…”
The tall one seemed to swallow. “What do you think it is then?”
“I’d say wolf,” said Xander, “but I would like to see the rest of it first.”

“Korr, you help Shander. I talk to Shony…” Sharon hurried off.
“Hi Korr, I’m Xander!” They shook hands, took their shovels and started to dig.

Sharon returned soon and by the time Anthony showed up darkness had settled in, but they had uncovered the skeleton completely.

Under the light of a spotlight all four stared at it.

It was Anthony who finally asked: “What the hell is that!?” He had seen a few strange things in his life, but never before something like this.

The big skull still looked like it might have been a giant dog.
If only there hadn’t been two of them with just one spine.

Judging from the length of the spine the thing must have been at least as tall as a human.
The leg bones indicated that it had been walking upright, but on paws instead of feet. It also had four arms ending with paw-like claws.

“Let’s stick with the dog story and put it away,” advised Xander and half an hour later the strange skeleton was stored in three plastic-bags and on its way to a safe place.

 

Chapter 5: the Problem

Another ten working days passed by. It was on a Friday, in the afternoon, when things went downhill again.

Xander was, as always, walking around the site, checking with the teams to see that everything was all right.
Sharon was following him, mostly because he had started to strongly like the dark-haired man, husband or not.

While they were walking Xander was explaining to Sharon how Sunnydale had looked while it was still upright.

“This was one of the not-so-nice parts of town,” Xander said, looking around. “Over there,” he pointed to where one of the teams was just climbing into a hole, “was one of worst bars ever! Willy’s!”
“Have you been shere often?” Sharon asked with a smirk and Xander laughed.
“Only when we needed to rough Willy up for some information or something that we couldn’t buy in regular shops…”
Sharon was about to ask what kind of ‘products’ that could have been when the screaming started.

There were screams of pure terror and of pain – and they came from directly in front of them.

Three of the workers were already emerging from the hole, screaming and yelling and Xander was already running.

The men couldn’t talk, only scream and point downwards and Xander was already jumping down, not knowing what might have been down there.

He soon found Charlie, bleeding from a cut in his leg, screaming for Adam.
Adam must have been further down, the hole was turning into some kind of cave with a narrow opening that might have been walls and doors and windows once.
Adam was also screaming in pain and terror.

Xander simply followed the sound, knowing that whatever was there was one of the usual Sunnydale-nasties.
Squeezing past another wall Xander came upon Adam, who was bleeding and trying to fight off something ugly and strong and mean with his shovel.

As always Xander didn’t think much. He pulled his flashlight from one of his pockets, flashed it at the creature and threw himself against it only seconds later.
Blinded and irritated the thing moved away and vanished further into the cave.

From behind him Xander could hear Charlie and Sharon yell for him and Adam.
Quickly Xander grabbed his co-worker and dragged him away, towards the exit.

Adam was badly wounded, with claw-marks on his legs, arms and chest, but he was breathing and sobbing and, to Xander, that was enough right now.

“Call an ambulance!” he yelled as soon as he could see where the others were.
Charlie was just being lifted from the hole, Sharon came running over, helping Xander to handle Adam.

“We already have…” his voice was as shaky as his hands.

It was Korr who helped them lift Adam up and who pulled them out too.

A lot of people had already gathered around, and now – seeing Adam so bloodied – many started to mutter and talk at once.

“Silence!!” yelled Xander, shutting everyone up. He had a small gash on his forearm, but didn’t seem to notice.
“Evacuate the site!” he said. “Go to your trailers, close the doors and don’t fucking open them again until tomorrow morning!”

Nobody needed to be told twice.

Korr stayed behind, as well a few of Sharon’s other workers. Four of them came running, carrying stretchers.
Carefully they carried Adam and Charlie off to where two cars were waiting, ready to drive to Oxnard.

“Turn on every shpotlight, yesh?” Sharon said to Korr and grabbed Xander’s arm, leading him away to patch him up.
A few of the others stayed behind, looking like they were guarding the hole.

 

Chapter 6: the Story

The night wasn’t dark at all.
The stars were visible clearly, and on the site every available spotlight had been turned on.

Sharon, Korr and Anthony had gathered around the hole where the ‘accident’ had happened earlier.

Others – namely those who had been named the security-team – were walking around the site, making sure everything stayed quiet.

“And you really didn’t see what it was?” Anthony asked Sharon again.
The small blonde shook his head. “No, Shander rushed off sho fasht, I couldn’t follow him…”
“Whatever it was, it tore some nasty gashes into that human,” said Korr, not taking his eyes off the hole.

“We can’t keep on working if we don’t know what it was and how to stop it,” explained Anthony. “We need a solution, and quick.”

“Shander!” said Sharon, his face lighting up.
“I don’t think Xander is our solution, Sha…” sighed Anthony.

“Hello,” greeted someone from behind him and the vampire nearly jumped.

Korr turned his head. “Xander! You’re sneaky!”
Xander blinked. “That’s a new one. Normally I’m told that I make the same amount of noise as a herd of elephants.” He grinned.

Anthony put his left hand over his heart. “Xander, don’t sneak up on people, that’s dangerous…”
Xander grinned some more. “I know, I know. I just wanted to see if I could do it at all. Any news?” He pointed with his chin towards the hole.

“No,” Anthony relaxed again, shifting some kind of metal-rod in his right hand and finally resting his weight on it, like one would with a cane.

“Xander…” He turned his head a little to face the young man, “any idea what attacked the men today?”

Xander looked at him for a moment, then at Korr, then at Sharon and back to Anthony.
“You want the truth?”

Anthony nodded. Xander smiled a little ruefully before answering. “A Turok-Han.”

Whatever it had been that Anthony had been leaning on, it clattered to the floor when the vampire jumped backwards, eyes going wide.

Korr and Sharon stared at him, confused.

“Shony, you’re shcaring me when you’re shcared…” the blonde finally said, frowning at his friend.

Anthony didn’t even respond. His frightened eyes were fixed on Xander.
“You’re kidding, right?! You’re abso-fucking-lutely kidding me!”

“What’s a Turok-Han?” Korr asked, his gaze going from Sharon – who shrugged – to Anthony – who ignored him – to Xander – who answered.

“The Turok-Hans are the first vampires that ever walked the earth. They are meaner, tougher and more evil than any ‘normal’ vampire ever.”

“Shey shound like bad newsh…”
Anthony snorted. “They are worse than bad news…” He picked up the thing he dropped earlier and now Xander saw that it was a sword.

“Can they be killed?” Korr was still facing Xander, seeing how he seemed to have the most information – and be willing to share it.

“You can stake them, be-head them and fry them in sunlight,” Xander ticked off on his fingers.

Anthony snorted again. “Are you mad?!” He started to gesture wildly with his arms, making Sharon dodge, because the sword was swinging his way.
“You can’t kill them! You can’t get close enough to stake or be-head them! They are too strong! They would tear you apart before you could blink!”

“Geesh! Ever heard about ‘positive thinking’?” Korr spat at Anthony.

Anthony stared at him, then at Sharon. “Sha, Korr, do you remember the stories I told you about the Master? The head of the Clan of Aurelius?”
Both nodded. Xander listened.

“Now, take all those stories I told you about how cruel and strong and evil the Master is and multiply them by, oh lets say twenty!”
Korr raised an eyebrow, Sharon swallowed.
“Then,” continued Anthony, “then you have maybe half a Turok-Han! That’s how bad it is!”

“The Master is the most horrible vampire around and I would do anything – really anything! – to never cross paths with him!”
Anthony had lowered his arms – and the sword – again.

“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” said Xander.
All heads turned to him.
“What?” Anthony blinked.

“The Master. You don’t have to worry about crossing paths with him. He’s dust.”

Anthony blinked again before sighing.
“Xander, the Master is the ultimate vampire. There is no way he would ever turn up as dust.” His voice indicated that he was talking to a small child.

Xander smiled.
“Anthony, I saw him scatter himself over a wide area. Believe me, he’s dust.”

The vampire blinked then sighed again.
“Xander, you’re nuts. Sorry for putting it that way, but that’s how I see things.”
Xander just shrugged. Sharon looked a little insulted.

Sighing again, Anthony shook his head. “Now that we’ve cleared that up, whatever you saw down there probably wasn’t a Turok-Han at all. I mean, how would you even know what a Turok-Han looks like?”

Xander held his thump up. “Been there.” He raised his index-finger. “Fought them.” His middle-finger went up. “Walked away alive.”

They stared at each other.

“Xander,” Anthony started to sound like he wanted to hit him, “there is no way in hell that you could have walked away from a fight with a Turok-Han as the winner and that the Master is dust. What’s next? You telling me that you’re friends with Angelus and the Scourge of Europe?!”

Xander shook his head. “No, I can’t really stand Angelus. He’s a ‘poncy git’ who uses too much hair gel.”

Anthony slapped his left hand over his face and started to laugh.

Korr looked at Sharon. “I feel so left out of this joke…”
“Shere’sh probably an ishshue of ‘Vampiresh today’ shat I mishshed,” replied Sharon, shrugging.

 

Chapter 7: the Surprise

Nobody worked on the weekend, but Michael Boldland, Anthony Hollers, Sharon and Xander met in the office-trailer on Saturday evening to talk about the situation.

Sharon and Xander shared the couch while Anthony sat on the desk and Michael behind it.

“Xander, thank you very much for calming the workers down and making up a story, that was quick thinking,” Michael began, “but we need to discuss what happened and what we’re going to do now.”

Michael placed his elbows on the desk, intertwined his fingers and rested his chin on them.
“Xander, what do you think?”

Xander sighed deeply.
“I admit that I first thought that digging so deep would be great because the remains of my ex-wife are still down there somewhere.”
Sharon and Anthony raised an eyebrow each.
“But right now I just want to pour lots and lots and lots of cement down that hole and make sure nothing can ever crawl back out.”

Michael nodded. “Anthony?”

Anthony shook his head a little. “We still don’t know what’s down there and I don’t like that. But if it’s dangerous – and I think seeing how Adam nearly died makes it really dangerous – then I’m all for Xander’s idea.”

Michael rubbed at his face. “Sharon?”

“I only shaw what it did to Adam. I don’t know anyshing elshe, but I’m wish Shander.”

Looking tired Michael sighted. “Then I will call the boss and tell him that we can’t dig any deeper without putting the workers in danger because of the ground being unsteady or something. The boss can tell our clients then…”

Silence settled for a moment.

With a forced smile Michael finally said: “Well, what are you waiting for? Enjoy your weekend. See you back on Monday, hopefully with lots of cement!”

“It’s already nearly dark outside,” said Anthony while he hopped down from the desk, “shall we walk you home, Xander?”
The dark-haired man shook his head. “Will’s waiting outside for me. And I want to check the hole again before going to bed.”

Once outside Will was already waiting, a cigarette between his lips, pacing a little.

“Hello Will,” greeted Sharon. “’ello pet!” grinned the bleached-blonde.
Anthony smiled. He liked the bleached-blonde but for some reason he also gave him a strange feeling every time they met. Anthony just couldn’t place it. He decided to make himself useful. “I’ll check on the hole too, you coming, Sha?”
“Right behind you lot.” Sometimes his lisp could barely be heard.

Xander stuffed his hands into his pockets while walking.
“Anthony,” they both turned their heads to look at each other, “if the client wanted us to dig everything up, do you think they will agree to the cement?”
Will raised an eyebrow, clearly asking ‘what cement?’ but kept quiet.

Anthony shrugged. “I never talked to them before. I only know that it’s some kind of law-firm.”

Both Xander and Will stopped dead in their tracks for a second. “Law-firm? What law-firm?”

Anthony shrugged again while Sharon started to look suspiciously at them. “Sheepheart & Wolf, or something like that.”

Xander and Will exchanged a quick glance. “Wolfram & Hart?” ventured Xander.

“Yeah, that,” nodded Anthony.
“BLOODY BUGGERING HELL!!” Will kicked a stone violently and it flew a few yards.

They came to a stop at the hole where Korr and someone else were standing guard.

“Ok,” sighed Anthony, “what’s wrong now?”
“You’ve never heard of Wolfram & Hart before?” asked Xander, watching as Will stormed around a little furiously.

“No, not really. Korr, Sharon, Iole, ever heard of a law-firm called Wolfram & Hart?”

Korr and Sharon shook there heads.
Iole, a guy with sandy-coloured hair and green eyes frowned. “For some reason or the other that rings a bell… Where are they from?”
“Mainly from Los Angeles, with offices in Rome, Berlin, New York, Mexico and so on and so on…” explained Xander.

Iole shook his head. “Little ringing sound but nothing firm.”

Anthony sighed. “After yesterday I’m a little worried to ask, but… Xander, what’s Wolfram & Hart?”

Xander smiled brightly. “It’s an evil law firm connected directly to hell.”

Everyone – except Will – stared.
“An evil law firm connected directly to hell?” Anthony sounded like he didn’t believe one single word.
Xander nodded. “90% of their clients are demons, 10% humans who want to cover up that they are doing evil things.”

“The bell’s getting louder,” claimed Iole while Anthony just sighed again.

“Bloody hell, peaches!! Don’t tell me! Move your broody ass already!!”

Will had walked – well, stormed, rather – by and now all eyes were on him.

“Whash’sh he doing?” asked Sharon. “Do we even want to know?” asked Anthony.
Iole grinned. “Shony, what crawled up your ass and died today?”

Anthony shot him a death glare before answering. “Oh, a whole bunch of little things. Hey, have I told you yet that Xander here thinks he saw a Turok-Han down there?”

Iole jumped backwards. “For real?!”
“Yes!” yelled Anthony, throwing his hands up, “And hey, did you know that the Master is dust?”

“Well,” Iole scratched his chin, “that’s kind of old news.”
“What?” Anthony dropped his arms, looking – defeated.
“Happened years back. Ten or so. Rumour has it he got dusted by the slayer.”
Anthony blinked. “You’re kidding, aren’t you?” His arms went back up. “Why am I never told such things?!”

Iole leant forward a little, lowering his voice. “Want to hear the newest stuff?”
Anthony did the same. “What is it? Hell bowing to the Powers?”

The sandy-haired man grinned and whispered: “The Clan of Aurelius: Darla – dust…”
Anthony mock-gasped.
“Angelus – out of the picture, unwilling to lead. Drusilla – on a holiday in Brazil.”
Another mock-gasp.

The other didn’t give up. “William the Bloody is rumoured to be in Rome. With the Immortal!”

Anthony gasped again. “With the Immortal? And here I thought he might be working as an evil lawyer these days.”

Xander burst out laughing.

Iole stood, back straight. “You’re not taking me seriously, are you?”
“No, not right now…” admitted Anthony.

They both turned to look at Xander.
“Whash wish him?” asked Sharon.

Will stopped his pacing and lowered his phone, while Xander doubled over howling with laughter.
“What the bloody hell were you lot talking about?”

“Oh,” drawled Anthony, “Iole here mentioned that William the Bloody is working as a lawyer in Rome with the Immortal.”

Will blinked then raised his phone again.
“Peaches! Stop laughing right now or I swear I’ll drop by in L.A. and hide all your hair-gel!”

Anthony threw his hands up.
“Insane! The whole bunch of them!!”

 

(To all of you who actually know the difference between cement and concrete: feel free to insert what ever you find more fitting. I’m sticking with cement, ‘cause it sounds better. ^__^)

 

Chapter 8: the Fight

It was in the wee hours of the morning, around 3 a.m., when Xander and Will showed back up at the hole.

Korr, Anthony, Iole and Sharon were still around, by now sitting on empty crates, playing cards.

“Go fishsh,” lisped Sharon and Iole groaned. “Not again…”
With a grin Sharon snagged some sweets from the crate-turned-table.

“Hello Shander, hello Will. Want to play too?”
“Sure,” said Spike with a shrug and took Korr’s place, who stood up at that moment.
“Great, you take my place a bit, I need to stretch my legs.”

Sharon dealt the cards.
“Iole and me against you and Will?” asked Anthony, the short blonde with a smile.
Sharon looked at Will, who nodded, and nodded at Anthony.

Xander stood behind Will and peered over his head at the cards.

Anthony and Iole played well – too well, if you asked Xander.
Sharon thought so too. “You two are sheating again!” he accused them.

“No, we’re not!” cried both of them simultaneously.

Will looked at Xander, who nodded, then at Sharon. “Hey, Sharon!”
“Hm?” The blonde was pouting.

“Drashsh’nah losh nommshim ferr a sho. Noggsh da prsh?”
Sharon’s eyebrows shot up. “Nogg losh. Drash ho’hosh.”
“Brash.” “Shsha.”

“What?!” yelled Anthony and Iole, looking from Will to Sharon and back and forth.

Finally, Anthony looked at Xander.
Xander raised his hands defensively. “Hey, don’t look at me. I didn’t understand a word either.”

Before anyone could say anything else, a low, dangerous growl vibrated around them.

“That wasn’t my stomach, was it?” asked Xander, taking a few steps back, reaching for something strapped to his back.
Wordlessly, Will stood, pulling a sword from his duster.

Sharon, Iole and Anthony jumped to their feet too.
Korr made a grab for something that looked like a giant hammer.

Iole and Anthony picked up their swords too, while the growl came again – this time answered by a second.
Sharon backed off a couple of steps.
All eyes were glued to the hole.

“From beneath you it devours…” whispered Xander.
“Pet, no reminiscing right now,” scolded Will, but it sounded like he was laughing.

“Tomorrow I’m going to drag you all to a shrink…” decided Anthony.

A creature the size of a human but with brown-green skin burst from the hole, showing fangs and claws, snarling and growling.

Iole swallowed hard. “If there is a tomorrow…”

“Xander…” Anthony again. “I am so absolutely, horribly sorry. You were right. It is a Turok-Han.”

Will sighed. “And I didn’t bring my sparkly necklace.”
“The one that made you look like Liz Taylor? Pity…” decided Xander.

Sharon sobbed. “Shish ish not how I wanted to die…”
“Who said we’d be the ones to get offed?” asked Will with a grin in his voice - and charged.

For a moment the Turok-Han was confused by the thing rushing at him and he took a swing at Will.
Will ducked and aimed for the Turok-Han’s legs, rolling out of its way.

Korr was next. He landed a good blow with his hammer before the Turok-Han managed to knock him from his feet.

By that time Anthony and Iole were attacking, Will only a second or two behind them.

The Turok-Han got angry, not being used to his food fighting back and landed some solid blows against his attackers before charging at the thing which seemed to have the weakest resistance: Xander.

Sharon cried out – panicked – as the Turok-Han charged at Xander, who didn’t even try to move.

A flash of light caught on something silver.

The Turok-Han’s body fell to the ground, its head two seconds behind.

An explosion of dust.

Silence.

At the very last second Xander had raised his weapon and beheaded the vampire.
Everyone stared at him. Except Will, who was grinning and shrugging the dirt off his duster.

“Xander…” It was Anthony who found his voice again first. “What ever the hell is THAT!” He pointed at the weapon Xander was holding.

“That’s the Scythe of Sunnydale,” said Xander with a grin. “And to quote my friend who King-Arthur-ed it out of a stone: it slices, dices, makes julienne preacher and Turok-Hans.”

Everyone stared some more.

“It’s a long story, isn’t it?” Anthony finally asked, sitting down on a crate again.

“Well, I could give you the short version…” ventured Xander with a shrug.

 

(‘Scythe of Sunnydale’ – I just came up with that because I can’t remember if that scythe ever had a name.)

 

Chapter 9: the Others

“Ok, let’s see if I’ve got this right…” Anthony had long since slapped his left hand over his face, leaving his right to gesture around while Sharon, Iole and Korr listened with fascination.

“There was a Hellmouth in Sunnydale. That means that the Slayer lived here. The Slayer also dusted the Master, but that’s a side-story.”
Xander only nodded, a small smile on his lips.

“One day, the First Evil decided to raise an army of Turok-Hans and the Slayer raised an army of Slayers and everyone fought and the Hellmouth closed and Sunnydale collapsed. Is that it?”

“In a nut-shell,” confirmed Xander.
“Sounds horribly insignificant when one cuts it that short…” Will complained, lighting another fag and holding the packet out for the others to help themselves. Iole did.

Anthony peered through his fingers. “And you are? – Or better yet: you fit in how?”
“’m Spike,” grinned the bleached blonde. “Or William the Bloody, if you prefer. And you don’t want to know how I fit in that little story.”

Anthony sighed. “I so totally believe that.”
“Shat he ish William she Bloody?” “No, that I don’t want to know his story.”

“Our life-story aside, we have bigger problems to discuss now,” said Xander, trying to explain something, when Anthony stopped him.
“Hold it!” he yelled, holding up his right hand, his left still firmly attached to his face. “That,” he pointed to the pile of dust that once had been a Turok-Han, “is – or rather was – our problem! What else could there be?”

“Well, first,” Xander ticked off and Anthony groaned. “sun’s coming up and if you don’t want to end your un-life soon, we should take this discussion elsewhere.
Second, and biggest, if Wolfram & Hart – the evil law firm – wants us to continue digging then we might run into more Turok-Hans – and maybe even the remains of the Hellmouth. Now guess why we were digging in the first place.”

Anthony groaned, slapped his right hand over his left and sighed. “I don’t want to guess…”

Iole finally dragged him to his feet. “Let’s meet at the office-trailer at sundown,” he suggested and led Anthony away to the nods of Xander and Spike.

Sunday was, of course, a work-free day and when Anthony, Korr, Iole, Sharon, Xander, Spike and Michael met shortly after sundown nothing at the site had changed.

“I’ve got some good news,” Michael started, coming out of the trailer. “First it looked like our client wanted to keep digging, now they’re sending us someone who will sign a contract saying that we can use as much cement as we think fitting.”

Sharon, Korr and Xander cheered – not loudly, but they cheered.

“I’ve already placed orders with five different companies, one from Oxnard, two from L.A. and two from San Francisco. The first batch should be here by Monday afternoon.”

“Good enough for me,” said Anthony with a shrug, “as long as they don’t try to make a run for it tonight.”

“I’ve got my best men out there,” replied Iole, “and Korr and I are going to join them now.”

“We’ll be over later too,” promised Xander, waving as the two walked off.

“Xander, if you don’t mind, I’d like to…” Michael was cut short by a black limousine pulling up next to the trailer.

Three people climbed out: a man in a suit, looking like a lawyer should; a dark-haired man in more normal clothes and a pretty girl with brown curls in a skirt.

The lawyer was the first to approach the group. “Mr. Boldland?”
Michael raised his hand.
“I’m Robert Foxer, Wolfram & Hart. I’m here to sign your permission to use cement on the remains of Sunnydale.”
If Anthony had ever seen a forced smile it was on the face of that lawyer right now.
“Pleased to meet you,” Michael shook his hand. “Please, step in, Mr. Foxer.”

“Leave the door open, I’d like to watch you sign those papers,” the dark-haired man had his arms crossed over his chest and was glaring at the lawyer.
“Of course, Mr. Angel” replied Foxer with the same forced smile and followed Michael into the trailer.

Through the open door everyone watched as they talked about the papers for a moment.
Then Foxer pulled a pen from the inner pocket of his jacket to sign them.

“No,” barked the one named Angel, “don’t use yours! You can borrow a pen from Mr. Boldland.”
That earned him a few confused stares and a tight “Of course” from Mr. Foxer.

Once both of them had stepped back out again the lawyer dropped his smile while the dark-haired one turned to Michael.
“I hope you’ve managed to already place the first orders. I would hate for the hole to be open longer than absolutely necessary.”
“We’ll start on closing it tomorrow,” explained Michael and indicated over the site. “This will be the foundation of the new town. It should be more than enough.”

The lawyer snorted and started to look sullen which only earned him another death-glare from the dark-haired one.

Suddenly the air was filled with a terrible growl.

The lawyer blanched. “What… What was that?” Now he looked like he was ready to run.
“That?” Angel put his hands into his pockets. “That must have been one of the Turok-Hans I threatened to feed you to.”
Mr. Foxer swallowed hard.

Spike meanwhile grinned at the petite girl. “Oi, Smurf, how about some action?”
A devilish grin that didn’t fit her at all split the girl’s face and she followed Spike and Xander.
Anthony and Sharon were quick to follow them too.

“Maybe you’d like some coffee inside my trailer?” Michael offered the lawyer, who looked like he was about to faint.
“No, thanks. I think we’ll watch,” replied the other, as he grabbed the lawyer’s tie and started to drag the protesting man behind him.

A few people were already gathered at the hole, Iole and Korr among them.
The growl came again – closer now.

When Michael, Angel and the struggling Mr. Foxer reached them, three Turok-Hans were crawling from the hole.

The lawyer got frantic. “I swear to quit my job and only help children and old ladies from now on, but don’t let them get me!”
He was ignored.

“Shander, you got your toy wish you?” asked Sharon, fearfully backing up a few steps.

The girl turned to her dark-haired companion.
“I wish to inflict violence on those creatures.”

“Be my guest,” smiled Angel, never letting go of Mr. Foxer’s tie.

“Listen, Miss…” began Anthony when the girl suddenly turned blue, her clothes morphing into a skin-tight suit and she rushed at the Turok-Hans.

Xander and Spike started to cheer from the side-lines. “Illyria – Illyria – Illyria!”

The poor Turok-Hans never knew what hit them.

By the time the blue girl had dusted them, Anthony’s jaw was hanging open.

Angel pulled the lawyer closer by his tie. “Do you understand now why you shouldn’t mess with us?”
Foxer nodded enthusiastically.

With a smile the man turned to Michael. “We will leave now. I’m looking forward to seeing this site again once you’ve got the city built up.”
Michael just nodded, stunned speechless.

Spike turned. “But, Peaches! I didn’t make fun of you yet!”
“Yes,” snarled Angel into Spike’s direction. “That’s exactly why we’re leaving now.”

Xander and Spike exchanged a look. “Spoilsport!” complained Spike. “You are no fun anymore, Deadboy,” claimed Xander.

“What is that ‘fun’ you keep mentioning?” The blue girl had stepped closer, dusting herself off.

Spike grinned. “That feeling you get when you tear things apart, that’s fun!” he explained.
The blue girl looked sceptical.
“Spike, don’t tell her things like that!” complained ‘Peaches’. “Illyria, we talked about this. Fun is when you feel like laughing. Jokes, remember.”
Illyria blinked at him.
“I do not find your jokes amusing.”

“See, Peaches, you are no fun!” grinned Spike.
‘Peaches’ glared at him, then turned to Illyria with a cruel smile. “Illyria, remember how you told me you wanted to keep Spike as a pet?” “OI!” “You had fun when you could throw him around.”
Illyria blinked again. “I remember that.”

“You know,” said Xander suddenly, “seeing how close we are to L.A. we should drop by on the weekends, shouldn’t we?”
Spike grinned, Angel turned, dragging the lawyer behind by the tie. “We’re leaving!”

Illyria changed colour again, waved at Xander and Spike and trotted off towards the car.

For a moment nobody spoke, watching the limousine drive off.

It was Anthony who finally spoke.

“Do we even want to know?”

Chapter 10: the Moment After

Sharon and Anthony had been invited to Xander and Spike’s trailer afterwards.

While Xander heated two cups of blood like it was the most normal thing to do – and here Anthony decided not to think anymore – Spike ushered the guests into the sitting area.

“Sha, pet, what can I get you?”
“Shome water or lemonade or shomshing shweet…”

Anthony picked up a book that had lain there all forgotten. He turned it around in his hands this way and that, studied the title, opened it, flipped through the pages, turned it around and around again…

“Are you going to read shat?” asked Sharon, watching Anthony toy with book.
The vampire shrugged. “I would love to, but I have no clue what language that is…”
He handed the book to Sharon.

The blonde turned it the right way around and looked over a few pages. “It’s a book about Gnovrov and Hammafuff Demonsh written in Ullkurush,” he finally decided.
Anthony stared.

“Got to translate that for a bloke back in London who can’t read it,” Spike said, setting down two glasses of lemonade.
For a moment or two Anthony looked like he really wanted to ask. He didn’t.

Xander placed two cups of warm blood in front of Spike and Anthony before sitting down next to Sharon.
“Would you like to know…” “No!” interrupted Anthony firmly. “We do not!”

Sharon snickered. “Tell ush shomeshing shat hash noshing to do wish today,” he suggested. “Tell ush how you met!”

“How we met?” Xander looked at Spike, who just dunked a cookie into his blood. “I think that was during a parent-teacher-night at my high school.”
“Right!” Spike grinned. “The poof had offered you to me as a snack and Joyce hit me with an axe later on!”

Sharon blinked while Anthony sighed into his cup.
“You got hit wish an ashe and you got offered ash a shnash? Horrible!”
“Horribly funny, pet.” “Yes, now – years later – I find it funny too.”

“How long ago what that?” asked Anthony – against his better judgement.
“About… 12 years?” Xander looked at Spike who shrugged. “12 years,” the construction worker decided.

“And you were togesher all shish time?” Sharon looked interested.
“No,” Xander shook his head. “During our years in Sunnydale we didn’t like each other much at first and were just good friends later. Spike was with a friend of ours, Buffy, and I got married to a girl named Anya, who died here.”

“After Sunnyhell fell I stayed in L.A. for a year and Xan in Cleveland with the slayers.”

“Then we met again when I had just moved to Denver and Spike was visiting someone there. Spike moved in with me and from there…” Xander shrugged.

“Shash sho cute…” grinned Sharon, looking like a love-struck teenager himself.
Spike snorted. “Don’ call me cute!” “Wouldn’t dare to…”

“Your life story could probably fill books, huh?” joked Anthony, putting his empty cup down.

“You bet,” decided Spiked, “a whole TV series even!” “With a new season for each year!” joked Xander.
“A brand new adventure each day!” joked Spike and Xander started to laugh.

Sharon and Anthony watched them wistfully for a moment.

“I said it before and I’m saying it again…” muttered Anthony.

“You two are so weird…”

That only made them laugh harder.

When Sharon joined them, Anthony sighed and decided not to bang his head against the table.

They only had to work together for a few years…

Chapter 11: the End

New Sunnydale was marvellous.
Everything looked so much better than Xander remembered.
The Mall, the High-School, the College, the Park, the houses – even the graveyard…

To Xander, Sunnydale looked like a perfect little town from the movies or from a book about perfect towns.

The town smelled of fresh wood and paint, the colours crisp and untainted, the nature ready to grow again.

It was their last evening at the site. Tomorrow morning would be the grand opening. The new Mayor – Xander hadn’t even bothered to learn his name – was supposed to give a speech, the press was coming, all Sunnydale Survivors had been invited…

Walking around in the dusk, the new and shiny streetlamps his only guiding light, Xander reached the new town centre: a fountain with the statue of Fortuna, goddess of Luck.

Xander looked at the white marble, admiring the lady’s beautiful features.
“You’ll watch out for this town, won’t you, Lady Luck?” he asked.

Spike emerged from the shadows, wrapped his arms around Xander’s waist and rested his chin on Xander’s shoulder.
“Saying good bye, pet?” He noticed a bunch of flowers Xander was holding. “Whom are those for, pet? Do I need to be jealous?”

Xander smiled sadly. “No…”

He plucked a red rose from the bunch and placed it in the still dry fountain.
“This one is for Jesse, who died at 16, far too young and far too unknowing...”

A second rose followed the first.
“This one is for Larry, even if he helped making my life horrible…”

A third rose was laid down.
“This one is for Harmony,” A snort from Spike, “who will always be ‘brain-dead’…”

Another rose, this one a very deep red.
“This one is for Joyce Summers, who will always be the mother we all wanted…”
Spike pulled a white rose from his duster.
“To the only Lady who wasn’t afraid of me and made me hot chocolate – with marshmallows.”

Another dark-red rose followed.
“This one is for Tara, who will always be the sweetest little girl…”

A light-red rose came next.
“This one is for Cordelia, who might have died somewhere else, but will always be a Sunnydale-girl at heart…”

Now came two roses at once.
“Those are for Jonathan and Warren, who died doing the wrong thing, even if they maybe didn’t want too…”

Another dark-red rose followed.
“This one is for Anya, who was a great person – with little blemishes…”

Another light-red rose.
“This one is for Halfrek, Cecile, who died because of other people mistakes…”

Another rose.
“This one is for Chloe, who shouldn’t have had to die…”

Finally Xander placed the remaining roses in the fountain.
“To all those girls we lost during the last fight. To all those good people who didn’t make it out. To my parents, if I must and to all I forgot who shouldn’t be forgotten…”

After a moment of silence a dark figure stepped from the shadows, stopping not too far from Xander and Spike at the fountain.

Angel’s eyes asked: ‘May I join you?’ and Xander’s answered: ‘Be our guess, grief can be shared.’.

Angel placed a peach-coloured rose in the fountain.
“To Francis Allen Doyle, a real friend.”

The next rose followed.
“To Cordelia Chase, toughest girl ever.”

Another rose.
“To Winifred Burkle, sweetest girl ever.”

Another rose.
“To Charles Gunn, friend and fighter.”

Another rose.
“To Wesley Wyndam-Price, friend and fighter.”

With a little sigh Angel placed a bunch of daisies in the fountain too.
Spike and Xander looked at him, questioningly.

“To Willow’s fish, because I never apologised for them…”

~The End~