InsaneJournal

Fic: Sarah Slayer 1/3 Magnificent Seven/Buffy: The Vampire Slayer
Series Prophecy Of The Seven
Title: Sarah Slayer
Author: Lopaka Tanu And Erika Tanner
Disclaimer: I do not own Magnificent Seven or Buffy: The Vampire Slayer
Characters: Sarah, The Seven, Buffy Characters, Steven Travis.
Words: 27,100
Fandom: Magnificent Seven/Buffy: The Vampire Slayer
Pairing: Sarah/Chris, JD/Vin - Others.
Rating: Adult
Warnings: Language, Violence, Character Death, Sexual Situation.
Summary: Sarah knew she was a Slayer, with her Watcher now dead, she is trying to start over in SunnyDale. This is her story. The beginning of the Vin Slayer AU.
Author's Note: Unbetaed, but spellchecked, so beware. It is one of only four M7 collaborations I ever wrote. The series was never finished, so this has never been posted before.
______________________________________


Steven Travis ran a hand through his sandy blonde hair, glancing around the room in consternation. He wasn't sure he had everything he would need. The fact that his father was yelling at him again did nothing to assuage the fact he felt there was something missing. Stepping forward, he rummaged through a chest of drawers hoping it would jog his memory.

"Steven haven't you heard a word of what I said?" Orin Travis stood behind the younger man.

"Yes, father, and if you had paid attention you would also understand I didn't... I wasn't interested in your opinion. I am going and that is final!" He slammed the drawers shut and closed the doors. "Have you seen my head band? You know, the one aunt Gennie gave me last year."

"No, I haven't. The Hellmouth is no place for you!"

"The hellmouth is hardly a place for any living being yet that isn't stopping you from sending a teenage girl not even past secondary school age." Giving the bureau across the room a dirty look, his eyes frantically scanned the room. "What am I forgetting?"

"Your common sense." Travis put in.

"Father, insults are beneath a man of your station, don't make me join you in that pit." Chuckling, he peered at his father between fingers and waved. "Don't forget to pick up a nice cold one while you are down there."

"Steven. This isn't funny." Travis grabbed his shoulder.

"Death never is, Father." Shrugging the hand from his shoulder, the young man turned away. "She knows no one there and the only person who knew about her special skills died fighting to save her life. Merric was a good friend, if a little old."

Travis sighed. "Merric was a good man and you don't know the girl anyway."

Sighing, Steven walked into his bathroom. Taking one look, he walked back out. "No, but I am just two years older than her, I would be a better influence than stuffy old Josiah. You know he considers the most dangerous thing he has done is wearing tweed with plaid."

"Josiah will do a good job with her and you don't need to go."

"No! I think Josiah is incompetent and I am calling your decision to send the old man to SunnyDale, USA a crock. The only way I can in good conscious allow this to happen is to go and make sure myself. I am a member of the Council of Watchers, not a hapless babe in need of a change. Just accept it and move on before I am gone." Latching the handle of his attache case, he ignored the angered huffing of his father. "Besides, if I must endure one more of that prattling twit of a crone you call a wife's lecherous stares I shall peel my outer skin off and take an acid bath. Really, father, why did you marry such a shrew?"

"That's enough, Steven. She is your mother." Travis glared at the young man.

"Again, no, my mother is holed up in a nice sanitorium in the South of Wales, thank you very much. I still believe she had a little extra help in getting there. Whatever you do, don't turn your back on her, voodoo witch." Giving a shudder, Steven turned his back and picked up the rest of his bags. "If I do remember what I haven't taken with me, I will be sure to give Wes Sponge a ring. He is a dowdy little twat, but he gets the menial tasks done. We all fear the day he should ever be given a slayer charge."

"It could happen especially if you go off with Josiah who is a capable man."

"You give him a posting and I will make sure you and mom share conjoined cells!" Shoving past his father, he kicked the door open and stormed into the hall. He saw Josiah come towards his room and picked up his pace. "Those your bags, I'll take them, thank you." With practiced hands he lifted Josiah's bags, his passport and wallet in under thirty. "Meet you in the car."

Josiah nodded and watched him go before he walked up to Travis. "Orin I see you couldn't change his mind."

"Far from it. The boy is as willful as his... Never mind." Clearing his throat uncomfortably, Orin gave the other man a sharp once over. "Far be it from me to decide what you do with your slayer, but make sure this one lasts longer than our last one. Three months was hardly enough time for her to know which end of the stake was the sharp end."

"I know." Josiah looked at Orin.

"Was there something you wanted?"

"I've got the info on the new slayer and I'm getting my cover story in place. It will be easy to fit in to this school." Josiah told Orin.

"Not according to my son. Then again, my son thinks he knows everything. It wouldn't be so much of a problem if he wasn't at least halfway right most of the time." His face taking a grim tone, he boxed his shoulders. "Take care of him, Josiah. Don't make me regret sending you."

"I will. See you." Josiah started toward the door.

"If you fail, I will most definitely 'see you' in hell that is." Following the younger Watcher to the dormitories' entrance, he waved to Steven through the back window and sighed when the car finally rolled away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sarah sat and watched her new principal and mother talk. She sighed as they talked on her behavior in her other schools why couldn't they just let that be. She straightened her legs out and rolled her eyes.

"It is not that I am concerned about your daughter's behavior, Mrs. Summers, it is just," Principal Flutie gestured grandly with his hands. "We just got it repainted," he said with whine.

Sarah looked at her nails indifferently.

"I see." Joyce said looking from the principal to her daughter.

"Yeah, so, here is what I am purposing. A student mentor. I have the person all lined up for you. He is a top honors student and refrains from those less than pleasant aspects of teenage existence." Going through his papers, his eyes widen. Clearing his throat, he covered up the paper. "His name is Steven Travis, a very intelligent boy. Works in the library in his off time. I will have one of the office pages show you around." Hitting the button on the intercom, he spoke into it. "Mrs. Florees, can you send in Casey, please?"

"Right away." Mrs. Florees said over the intercom.

"This won't take a moment." He folded his hands and waited.

Casey walked in. "You need me Mr. Flutie?"

"Yes, please show Ms. Summers around." He motioned for Sarah to get up and follow Casey. "Run along, I am sure you have lots to see."

"I bet she does." Sarah stood up and grabbed her backpack.

They walked out of the principal's office.

"I'm Casey Wells."

"Sarah Summers." She shifted her backpack onto her back.

Ducking her head in embarrassment, Casey walked ahead of Sarah. "So, you're the new girl everyone is talking about. Did you really burn down the gym at your last school?" Her head shot up, eyes wide and mouth open. "Oh oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to ask that. Well I did, just not right away. And if you didn't, that's okay. But if you did, that is so cool! Not that I condone vandalism of any kind, I just really kinda dislike gym, sorta may be a lot."

"I did, but it wasn't my fault. Gyms not my favorite subject either. Though I'm good at it." Sarah said as she walked with her tour guide.

Nodding, Casey headed down the hall. "Cool. This is the hall, we walk down it to get to class."

"I would never have guess that." Sarah snipped.

"Oh, just what I was looking for, a couple of monkeys to go complete the zoo." Cordelia Chase's voice rang out loud and clear in the busy hall way. "What, the bus station kick you out because of the fleas again?"

"Who's the fashion model wanna be?" Sarah asked as walked toward the group.

"Hardly, I have the good sense to eat every day." Holding out her hand, she took Sarah by the arm and forcefully dragged her back from Casey. "Always stay ten feet away from them or risk infection."

"Of what?" Sarah looked from Cordie to the others.

"Or you can become a loser like that." She snapped her fingers. "Ignore the primates behind us that will answer to Xander and Jesse if you give them bananas." Smiling at Sarah, she wrapped her arm around the Slayer's. "Lets leave this cesspool of bad fashion, I am starting to feel dirty. I'm Cordelia Chase, and you are Sarah Summer, charmed, I am sure."

"I'm not." Sarah looked back at Casey as she was dragged off by the fashion queen.

"Don't worry, those three will be just another bad memory by lunch time, or else that is why we have therapists." Moving through the halls, she shoved people out of there way. "Excuse me, losers!"

"Where are we headed?" Sarah stopped her mid stride.

"Whoa! Warn a gal before you come to a complete stop!" Adjusting her pastel jacket, Cordelia tried to appeared unruffled. "We have to go by the library and pick up your books. Despite my looks, I am far from stupid."

"Or so you say." Sarah looked around them. "So we are headed for the library?"

"Find it yourself." Cordelia looked her up and down. "I see I was far too late. Such a shame, I had hoped to get to you before the infection set in." With a shrug, she turned on heel and stalked away.

Sarah rolled her eyes skyward and looked around for the library.

Xander's hand on her shoulder made her turn around. "Hi, Xander here."

"Sarah." She put her hand out to him.

"Good, good." Shaking her hand, he held out one for the others. "These are my best buds, Jesse and Casey. I hope the Cordie monster didn't upset you too much. She moved too fast for us to intercept her and cut her off at the pass."

"I see. I believe Casey was showing me to the library." Sarah smiled at them. "That way?" Sarah pointed down the hall.

"Actually, no." Jesse, kept grinning at her breasts until Casey elbowed him. "Oh, right, this way." He walked up to a pair of double doors behind them. Pointing up, he gestured. "Sign, reads Library."

"Oh I missed that." Sarah walked through to door and into the library she looked around the large room.

Xander smacked Jesse across the shoulder. "Real smooth, exlax. Keep your eyes on her face while she is looking at you, duh!"

"Hey, she's hot." Jesse said as he licked his finger and place it on his butt making a sizzling sound.

"You guys are such dorks!" Casey slapped them both on the back of their heads. "Keep your eyes above her chest and your mouths shut!" Stepping away from them, she walked into the library.

Sarah had moved toward the check out table.

Josiah had noticed someone had entered the library, but then Ms. Calendar, the computer teacher, had bent over to pick up her lip gloss yet again and he promptly forgot about anything else. It wasn't until the person was standing in front of him did he regain his thoughts. "Yes?"

"I'm here to get my text books." Sarah told the man who must be the librarian.

"Over there," he gestured at the far wall absently as Ms. Calendar chased her lipgloss after kicking it.

Sarah looked over where he had waved. The slayer walked over to the section of books and looked it over she wondered how she was suppose to know which books she would need. She ran her hand over them.

"Hello."

Sarah turned and looked at the person who had spoke to her. "Hello."

Steven offered his hand. "Hi, I'm Steven Travis, and you are?"

"Sarah Summers. I believe you are my mentor." The new girl shook his hand.

"Yeah, let me see what I can do about that. Follow me please." He grabbed a stack of books off the counter as they went into the library office. Handing them to her, he smiled. "These are for school."

"All of these?" Sarah looked at the books and sighed. "And what are you suppose to do for me?"

"I am supposed to help you." Holding out his hand, he turned it over, palm up. "And this is for you."

Sarah stared at the stake in his hand, knocked her books over has she bolted from the office and the library.

When Steven looked up from the scattered books, he saw three of his fellow students watching him. "What?" Steven shrugged. "So she needs a little time."

Casey stepped up to Steven. "Why were you trying to give the stake to Sarah?"

"Stake," Steven peered at her through his sun glasses innocently. "What stake? Check ya later, babe, I gotta tan to work on."

Xander and Jesse stepped up so Steven couldn't leave.
"Yeah, the stake. The one you use on vampires." Jesse told him.


"Vampires? You Americans are whacked, a little soft between the ears, I think." Trying to shove between the two boys, he got poked in the rear by Casey. He glared over his shoulder while rubbing he butt. "Watch were you stick that thing, little girl."

Casey twirled the stake in her hand. "This stake and the vampires that crawl of their graves.

"Step aside, freshmen, or else I will have to get mideivel on your asses." Steven brought up his hands in a defensive posture. "I assure you, I am more than a match for you three."

"Sophomores. We could always go looking for the vampires by ourselves." Casey told him as she poked him again.

"Yes, you could, and then you would just be three more lines in the obituaries. A lesson to smartassed teens everywhere in what not to do." Taking the stake from her, he hid it back in his jacket. "Take a lesson from me, yank, don't involve yourself with the dark, it tends to bite," he snapped his teeth, "hard!"

"Oh we should be scared of the brit." Jesse said pretending to shake in fear.

Steven's hands shot out and smacked the boy upside his head. "Think I'm just another poncy push over? Get on, wanker!"

"Come on, boys, this brit is a scared cat." Casey pushed passed Steven. "He don't have the balls to hunt vampires anyway."

"Fancy that, a brat telling me about balls." He noticed that Josiah was waking from his lust induced stupor and panicked. He was not about to admit to the old man he was right about the slayer! "All right! Meet me in the promontory in the back after school, then we will talk. Be late by five and I am gone."

"We'll be there." Xander told him, then walked off.

"No skin off my nose." Steven moved out into the main part of the library. Noticing Sarah come back in, he hid among the stacks. He watched her grab her books off the floor then disappear without Josiah even noticing. That Watcher was hopeless.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He sat up on the grubby mattress, holding his head. At first, he thought the blackness was from the throbbing wound on the back of his head, then he realized he was in a dark room. When he started to move, a figure struck a match and lit a candle. Before he could see who it was, the figure disappeared in the shadows again. "You say something about my eyes or my neck and I will seriously cut you!"

"What are you going to cut me with?" The person from the shadows asked.

"Well, the moment I get my blades back, you are a dead man." Standing shakily, he held his stomach. A concussion was not out of the question if his symptoms were anything to go on. "What do you want with me?"

"Sit. I have a propose for you."

"Not with this goose egg, ass. You already got my blades, not going to give up my last advantage." Folding his arms, he glared into the shadows where he was reasonably sure the man was. "Now what do you want?"

"I want you to become part of my gang." Came a deep voice that carried a slight accent.

"Sorry, pal, but I don't do the gang thing. Me and my blades are a solo deal." Starting towards the voice, he tilted his head. "Now if you give them back I will be on my merry way."

"it's not the easy. You see my gang has a lot of offer Death as we deal in a lot of death ourselves." The voice drifted across the room.

"So ya know my name, how nice for you." He struck out with timed accuracy. When the figure dodged his blow, he grabbed the blade from the table. "Now where is the other one?"

"The other will not be as easy to retrieve." The voice stated letting his words flow to Vin.

"Fine, you can dodge and talk at the same time." He swung at the voice.

"I see you have found your other sword." The voice spoke as metal hit metal.

"I know you have a beef with the Humans and you want vengeance on them. I offer that you can get that with us. I can also gave you eternal youth." The voice stated calmly.

"The gangs are not my concern. I will kill Than's little bitches on my own, I don't need your kinda voodoo to get it done." Vin took a swing and slammed his fist into the person holding his sword. Taking back his blade, he smirked. "Any last words before I blow this popsicle stand?"

"The hunter can become the hunted."

"And just what kinda hunter are you that I would hunt you too?"

The shadow moved swiftly and had Vin pinned to the floor before the boy could register the attack. the candle light showed the vampire's features. "A night hunter and your way to being young forever." The vampire licked his fangs. "Or you could be just a tasty morsel." The vampire smirked.

"Oh, please." Wrapping his arms around the vampire, Vin clenched them tight. "I can crush you with these arms, what makes you think a little tumble is going to scare me?"

The vampire's fingernails racked Vin's sides, leaving trails of blood as Vin withered in pain. The vampire moved back into the dark, extinguishing the candle light.

Listening for movement, Vin rocked into a standing position. He held up one blade over his chest and the other behind him. With a shift from one foot, he lifted the other and spun, arms wide. A curse came from his right and he swung the second blade to meet the first one that had made contact. "Is that all you got, Eli Joe?"

Eli Joe opened the door. "If you wish to join you may now?"

"Wonderful," Vin deadpanned. "I was beginning to worry you actually meant to kill me."

Eli Joe wondered if that wouldn't be easier.

Smiling, Vin walked through door. "I told you last night before your skirmish with the Humans I would consider it, I hate Than's people just as much as you. Those people were my friends, they gave me a home when no body else would." Holding up the blade, his eyes flashed dangerously. "Make no mistake, they will all suffer for it. But it is good to know I have other options. See ya."

"You will see me again." Eli Joe said, if I wish you to he thought.

"Whatever."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sarah sat in the swing, her feet kicking the ground with each sway of the chains. Her mind raced over thoughts best left alone. So what if that weird old dude had said she was destined. Wasn't destiny just another word for someone else trying to control you?

A blonde walked up to the swing set and looked at her. Then he sat down and gave himself a little push.

Glancing over her shoulder that stranger, Sarah smiled. "Hi."

"Hey. You must be new here."

"And you must be Mr. Obvious." Holding out her hand, Sarah reached for his. "Name's Sarah, Mr. Obvious."

He reached out and took her hand and shook it. "Chris is what I'm known by."

"Chris Obvious, not the most unusual name I have ever heard." Shivering, she slowly withdrew her hand from his. Smiling as his remained there. "What brings you out here aside from stating the obvious?"

"Larabee, Chris Larabee." Chris told her, "I don't think I heard your last name. Going for a walk. I like walking at night."

"Well, Larabee, you should be careful, there are monsters out after dark." Coming up behind them, the man snarled, twisting his blade. "In fact, you might not live long enough to remember that!"

"I've been here for awhile so I know what I have to contend with at night." Chris stood kicking his swing backward toward the man. He took Sarah in the other and pulled her away from the swing set.

"What," Sarah shouted as she was jerked to her feet. "Okay, so not liking this first impression!"

"You don't want to become a monster's feast now do you?" Chris said getting between her and the man with the blade.

"I hardly call a mugger a monster." Picking up her purse, she swung it over Chris' shoulder and slammed it into the man's arm. Seeing the blade fall to their feet, she kicked it out of sight. "Deck him and lets get out of here."

Chris reached out and popped the man between the eyes.

The man dropped into a heap.

Standing over the man, Sarah kicked some dirt on him. "My boy's toy is bigger than yours, so neah!" She heard a snicker and looked up. "What? He wants to fight on a play ground? Who older than a ten year old fights on a play ground?"

"Your boy toy as in me? Are you that immature?" Chris asked as he rolled his eyes.

"Oh, let me bow down before the mighty mister man in front of me, the perfection of adulthood!" Turning away with a sigh of disgust, she started away. "And rolling your eyes, yeah, that's real mature."

Chris wondering he was supposed to reply to something he didn't enjoy having pointed in his decision. Teenage sarcasm. He wondered if he was getting too old, the answer he told himself was no. He just needed to sink his teeth into some more teenagers.

About thirty feet away, she looked over her shoulder. "You going to escort me home or is that too 'mature' for you?"

"Coming." Chris trotted up to her.

Giving him a once over, Sarah snorted.

"What's that for?" Chris asked looking over her. He wanted to tell her wasn't all that and he had killed slayers that had more on them than she did, but he didn't.

"I was just checking your outfit. You know, that whole stalker trench coat look is just a little much." She smiled at him to take the bite from her remark. "But you could definitely pull it off. That is if you were a brunette."

"It's a duster and it has nothing to do with stalking. I like it and it's black."

"Yeah, it's just you can't pull it off. It makes you look gay."

"Excuse me?" Chris stepped back from her.

"Nothing, nothing." Looking flustered, she picked up her pace.

Chris walked beside her.

"So, what do you do, aside from not-stalk people in a not-gay coat and rescue not-damsels in not-distress." She stuck out her tongue and wagged it. "Say that five times fast."

"I might if I knew what to hell you are talking about." Chris said trying to ignore her child like behavior.

"What do you do? You know, job wise."

"I do this and that, here and there. when I need to." Chris said watching where they were going.

Tilting her head, she ticked off on her fingers as she spoke. "So, basically you have no job and hang out in parks after dark. If it wasn't for the gay coat, I would swear you were someone on the dark side of the force."

"Saved by the coat." Chris retorted. spreading his arms out.

"Yea Gay." She pumped her arm and twirled her finger with more sarcasm than enthusiasm. "My name is Sarah Summers, by the way. I am a local student, jail bait if you have any ideas."

"Why worry about me?" Chris gestured at himself.

"Nothing, you just seem to be a nice guy and I thought I should tell you, no nookie." Crossing her arms, she shook her head. With a sigh, she lowered her arms, slapping her purse against her knees. "So, what kinda freak attacks a girl and a guy on the swings in the park after dark?"

"A crazy one." Chris looked back toward the park.

"Totally." They continued on in silence for a bit longer and Sarah looked up at the street signs. "Well, I live just down this one. Wanna walk me to the door or do you have to take your gay coat on its merry way?"

"I can walk you to your door." Chris said he was getting annoyed about her comments about his coat. He wasn't going to stop wearing it!

"That's good, I think." Pulling on his arm, she dragged him down the street. "This is a strange town. I feel different here, like nothing could ever go wrong."

"Really? Here in Sunnydale, USA." Chris followed along like a puppy on a leash, dragging his heels to slow her down.

"Yeah, here in old SunnyD. Where I am from you can't walk three feet without dodging half a dozen bullets." Sarah sighed, it was such a relief sometimes to be away from it all. Gangs, preps, vampires... not that anyone had to know about the last one. Nope, not gonna tell.

"So where are you from? Bullets huh?" Chris tried to sound interested.

"Yeah, I am from East L.A. Urban squalor is the pits. At least I lived north of the mess, but I had to go to school there. Major pain." She stopped at the front walk of her house. "So, this is it."

"Rough area I've been told." Chris said and looked up at the house. "See you again?"

"Perhaps," she said. She knew if she could help it, they would be seeing a lot more of each other. Then again, he was out after dark in the middle of a park, despite the gay coat, that didn't sit right with her. Sarah ignored that little voice, smiled at Chris, then turned and walked up to her house. Turning back around, she saw the block was now completely empty of people. "Oh yeah, definitely gonna watch out for you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Steven slapped the vampire across the face in a fit of anger. He didn't know who was more shocked, the blood sucker or himself. Oh well, it didn't matter as he shoved a stake through the still stunned vampire's chest. "Ouch!"

"Way to go, Steve-a-reno." Xander praised him and clapped his hands. "One and who knows how many to go."

"You think that was fun? I just saved your sorry arses from a fledgling, a baby!" Steven shook his hand while shouting at the assembled group. Glaring at the still out of it Casey and pale Jesse, he fought off the urge to finish the job the vamp had started with them. "Never turn your back on a vampire! Never taunt a vampire unless you are luring it into a trap!"

"Will do." Xander looked around. "Come lets get this going."

"No, you three will go home. This was a mistake." Picking up the dropped stakes, he started away.

"Come on, Brit," Xander called, "we can do this."

"I don't think so, yank, it was a bad idea. You three are just too childish to take this seriously."

Xander looked around at the others. "Are we?"

"Yes," Steven didn't wait for the other two to gather their wits long enough to respond.

"Come on you two." Xander put an arm over each of their shoulders and started to walk.

"I'm not going!" Casey shook her head to clear it. "It was one stupid mistake, but we survived it and now," she clutched her head to fight off another dizzy spell. "I'm sure you nearly died on your first attempt too!"

Xander looked from Casey to Steven.

"No, I didn't nearly die on my first time!" Steven turned and faced Casey. "I actually had some god given common sense."


"Oh mister perfect are we," Casey said sarcastically.

"Yes, yes I am! I killed that vampire, it was either that or die." Storming up to her, he emphasized his words by shaking the stake. "My first time with a vampire, I was locked in a crypt with a two hundred year old blood sucker. I was fifteen, a year younger than you!"

"Who was the ass who locked you in there with a vampire?" Casey couldn't remember hearing a dumber thing in her life.

"It is a test all Watchers must go through, just like the slayers. We must prove ourselves worthy of the Watcher honor."

"We're not Watchers." Casey snorted. "Just someone wanting a better world."

"Evidently your want is not as great as mine." Moving away from her, he stuck out his hand. "If you are trying to convince me, you aren't helping your case."

Casey rolled her eyes. "So what will convince you?"

Pausing, he put a hand to his hip. The thought of Josiah came to mind and he reconsidered. "Only time. Time and a lotta practice. From now on you do what I say when I say it or you are through. Probably permanently."

The three youngens nodded.

"Very well, meet me at the Saloon for coffee at six, and from there we will go." He saluted them with the stake. "Until tomorrow."

END SCENE


Here We Go

Rubbing a hand down the side of his jaw, the Master wondered if it was possible for a vampire to feel giddy. From what he has heard from the Humans that his people have tortured of this century, he could very well be experiencing the alien emotion. He sat back on his stone throne and steepled his fingers in thought. Perhaps he was feeling giddy, he wondered. "Luke, come forth.""

Luke stepped froward. "Yes, Master."

"The time has come, my eldest. You shall go and summon the Anointed One!"

Luke nodded. He knew that this was his destiny. "I will do as you wish, my master."


"Excellent!" All right, now he knew he was giddy. Standing up, he was too revived with anticipation to sit down any longer. "You will take a large contingent of your fellows, take Ella with you. There is a slayer in town and I do not want any mistakes. The bus containing the Anointed One will arrive tonight at midnight at the depot. Have your people sire the entire bus load to distract her, but the child is for you, and you alone. Bring him back here before he revives. I want to see his first evil little smile."

"It will be done." Luke stepped back and turned, looking at the assembly around him.

Boredly twisting her golden locks, Ella patted a hand to her yawning mouth. This was pretty much the routine lately. Excitement over nothing. The old vamp had been stuck in the dimensional barrier almost a century, and it looked like he was going to be there another fifty years at this rate. Despite her lack of enthusiasm, she climbed to her feet and followed Luke out of the tunnels.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JD finished the last chord, letting the echo fly through the strings and down the base. When the last vestige had died off, he opened his eyes. Blinking in the brightness of the spotlight, he tried to see the reaction of the crowd. The lack of applause was a major disappointment. Lowering his head, he unplugged the base guitar and walked off the stage. "Fuck this!"

"JD, dude, we are suppose to do more songs." Tyler called behind him.

"Not tonight, Ty. They are more interested in getting stoned than listening to us!" JD pointed a hand off in the general direction of the club. "Look at them, they are all fucking wasted. We are only here to provide ambiance. At this stage, we could be a house plant for all they cared."

"Dude we need the money." Tyler called back as he undid his lead guitar and followed JD.

"We already got the money. Just not the bonus for the encore. I refuse to continue to this crap." After lifting up the lid on his case, JD slid his base in it lovingly. He sealed it quickly then picked it up. "We played our asses off out there for an hour and the most we got was a request to play something more mind tripping. We are a grunge rock alternative genre, not a damned jukebox for some over the hill hippies!"

"Your right." Tyler said as the other band members came off the stage.

JD nodded at the group. "You finish up with the packing, if I touch anything aside from my Colt here, I will break it," he said with extra emphasis to let the guys and gal know he meant it. Taking his guitar case in one hand, he pushed his way out the stage door with the other. The moment he stepped into the dark ally, smogy, cold, night air stung his lungs. He had to clear his head, so he walked on towards the van letting the door slam shut behind him.

Tyler watched him go and wished he would have waited for one of them to go with him. The band began to pack up.

Sighing, JD put his base in the back of the Van and slammed the door shut. Turning around, he leaned back against it.

There was a clicking sound came from the street. Then a beer slid across the alley and movement from the mouth of the alley stopped.

JD's head shot up. Tilting forwards, his swiveled around to look about him. "Anyone there?"

There was dead silence.

"Whoever is out there, I am warning you, I do not go quietly," he called. Moving away from the van, he pulled out a large knife from a shoulder holster. "Either show yourself or go away."

There was a chuckle from behind him.

Spinning around, JD sliced out at the air. Growling, he braced for an attack.

"Frisky this one." A voice came from off to his side.

"Oh, look, puppies." Chuckling darkly, Vin drew his twin blades.

The leader growled deep in his throat. "Take care of that one. This one is mine."

"What, aren't even going to exchange pleasantries? Fine, I'll go first, I'm Death." He rushed forward, blades ready to slice.

The leader lunged at JD.

JD rolled with the attack, bringing the leader down and on to his knife. Jabbing upwards, he stabbed the hairy man.

The werewolf howled, slashing JD with his claws.

After butchering his third werewolf, the rest of the pack seemed reluctant to challenge Vin. He wiped the blood from his face and spit hair from his mouth. "Come on, don't be shy, I bite too."

The werewolf that had ahold of JD sunk his teeth into the young man.

Shrieking in pain, JD sawed the knife through the chest bones until he was sure he was close to the man's heart. "Bite this fuck face!" A final stab drove the dagger deep into the were's heart. With a side to side motion, he sliced it in half.

The werewolf growled. "You may have killed me, but will you kill yourself as you are one of us now." The wolfman laughed, but it became a gurgled sound. the man beast shuddered and coughed bathing JD with the blood he had coughed up.

Pushing the body off him, JD laid back and gasped.

The rest of the wolves seeing their leader fell, took off.

"Cowards!" Vin slid the blades of his swords together to remove the gore, then wiped them clean on a nearby corpse.

"Eww." JD said as he wiped the animal's blood off his face.

After sheathing his swords, Vin knelt down beside JD. Giving the Bassist a once over, he whistled.

"What?" JD said looking at the one who called himself death and wondered if he would be the man's next victim.

"Just thinking."

"About killing me?" JD brought the knife was still holding up so he could try and protect himself with it.

Taking the knife away from the weak boy, Vin looked at it. "Silver plated, lucky you. Saw you play tonight, thought I'd get a better look. Seems it was a good thing I did."

"oh." JD muttered not sure it was a good thing on or not. Having death wanting a better look.

"Of course you know you're gonna turn into one of them hairy beasties tomorrow night, right?" Turning the blade in his hand, he traced the bloody edge.

"Oh, great just the way to end this lousy night."

"Well, the way I see it, you have one of two options. Either I let you go and let you run rampant the next two nights, or," he placed the blade along JD's neck. Smiling as the boy swallowed in fear. "Or, I could end it all for you hear and now."

"Do I get a vote here?" JD managed, trying to move away from the knife

"No. Not really." Removing the knife, Vin pocketed it.

"I think I should." JD stated as he sat up slowly. "I don't want to die."

"Say good night, JD."

"What?"

Vin drew back his fist and hit JD in the jaw.

END SCENE


Here We Go

Steven glared at the jock who had tried to shoulder his way between the group. Had being the operative word as the boy now laid on the ground with a bloodied lip. "Watch wear you're goin, wanker! Your face hurt my fist."

Jesse smirked at what Steven had done. The boy looked around to make sure no one seen it that would do anything about it.

Dismissing the boy from mind, Steven turned back to Casey. "There is little to know about magic before you begin using it. Never do anything for personal gain, to get your goods you have to give something in return. Every magic has a price. For every action there is an opposite reaction. Never try more than you know you are ready for, if you get caught in a spell, it can suck the life from you, literally. Finally, never practice around great sources of evil if you wish to remain untainted by it. The taint can cause an addiction and eventually you'll make a mistake or burn out. Everything else is just translation, preparation and practice."

"I see. That don't seem too bad." Casey said thoughtfully looking at Steven.

Glancing over his shoulder at the clock above the lockers, Steven sighed. "There is too little time to properly berate you on your relaxed attitude towards the enormity that magic represents. I shall have to just tell you. Fuck up once, and that is it. You and your friends are jam."

"I actually got that part." Casey shifted to avoid a nerd coming down the hall.

"Good, because I would hate to see you end up in a smuckers jar." Smiling, he shifted his book bag uncomfortably. "I still do not see the reason why I must wear this god awful tote. My briefcase was just fine."

"Because you are a teenager and therefore have to wear one." Xander told him shaking his head. "I even know that one."

"Hardly. This thing is bloody ridiculous. Not only does it foster bad posture, but I think I actually pulled something lifting it this morning." Grimacing, he shifted it to his other shoulder. "I have a locker, I should damn well use it!"

"Makes sense to me." Xander looked up at the clock. "Damn time goes too fast around here expect when you are in class."

Steven was about to reply when someone slammed into him from behind. "Watch where you're going, you... Oh, Hello Ms. Summers." Glancing at the others, he made gestured for them to remain normal.

"Hi, what are you doing here?" Sarah looked up and down the hall, noticing all the teens moving too and fro.

"I attend this god forsaken torture chamber, the same as you do." He smirked at her glare. "I assume you remember the three mouseketeers."

"I think so. Casey I do anyway."

Casey waved. Pointing at the boys she reintroduced them. "These two are Xander and Jesse. They are really close friends, really really close. Hey!" Rubbing her side, she glared at Xander.

Xander put his hand out. "Nice to meet you,Sarah."

Shaking it, she returned his grip. "Like wise."

"So how to do you like this school?"

"Like another hole in the head."

"That good huh." Jesse nodded and smiled at her.

Sarah gave him a pitting look. "Uh, no."

Jesse nodded. "What's so bad about here?"

"It's school, duh." Raising an eyebrow, she looked to Casey to ask if Jesse was for real.

Casey shrugged as she looked at her Mickey Mouse watch.

"So, any new problems you are thinking of slaying, Sarah," Steven asked.

Sarah gave him dirty look. "No and good day." Sarah left the group in a rush and nearly knocked over a girl heading in the opposite direction.

Casey watched as a jock suddenly dropped everything, including the girl in his arms, to rush and help teetering girl Sarah had hit. "I don't believe it."

"What's her problem?" Xander asked watching the wake that Sarah left.

"No, look who just helped Ms. Pretty in Pink." Gesturing at the jock. "Since when has Paolo, highschool quarterback Paolo, deigned to help the little people? And caress their... Hey! He's touching her, in no-touching places!"

"Thanks for keeping me from falling." Inez said lightly.

Grinning, he shook his head. Tracing a hand down her hip, he smiled. "Anytime, babe."

"I'm fine now." Inez said and took a step back from him.

"What's the rush, you and me can take a little time from next period. I gotta car." He waggled his eyebrows, flexing his muscles when she looked.

Inez rolled her eyes. "I don't think so. Take one of your buddies to your car."

"Come on, sweets, don't be like that." Moving to intercept her, he blocked her path.

Inez lifted her leg, catching him in the groin.

"Oooo, that looked like it hurt!" Casey watched as the three guys grabbed themselves reflexively.

Inez strolled away down the corridor.

"Quite." Steven, released himself when he realized he was gripping his privates.

Xander straighten up and looked down the hallway that had few teens in it now.

Casey glared at the others. "Do you realize what just happened?"

"what?" Jesse asked looking from Casey to where Inez had wandered off to.

"Hello! Paulo helped Inez. The biggest of the ass jocks helped his arch enemy up and she let him! Doesn't that strike any of you as weird?"

"They are always doing weird things." Xander countered.

Ignoring Xander, Casey turned to Steven. "Isn't there such a thing as a love spell? One to make certain people love you?"

"There is." Steven concurred as he looked both ways down the hall.

"I knew it," Casey crowed. "If it isn't some joke, then Inez is a witch and she has Paolo under her spell."

Steven nodded. "Not mean people left in this hall."

"So?"

"Doesn't that usually signify something here in America?" Steven asked as he looked at student's filing into class rooms.

"I meant about Inez being a witch!" Casey ground her teeth in anger.

"She could be. I don't know of her though." Steven replied.

"Isn't there a way to sense magics, like a magical sixth sense?"

"There are ways to detect magic, but I didn't bring them with me." Steven said as he looked at the clock.

"There are ways to detect magic without using special tools, Mr. Travis, its called scam artists. Which is what you are going to be if you don't get to class!" Principal Wickes strolled up to them, his nostrils flaring in anger.

"Class that's a good idea." Jesse said as he headed for his. "Come on Xander."

"The same goes for you two, move it!" Wickes jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "Get out of my sight!"

Casey headed out for her class.

Steven gave Wickes an underhand sweep two finger salute. Laughing at the confused man, he walked to class.

END SCENE

HERE WE GO

The midnight bus pulled in to the terminal at 12:04 am. The driver was happy, that he was more on time than late. He had been being late and they were thinking about letting him go and he had a family to support. He had been doing this job for the last 20 years. He didn't know what else to do. He sighed and looked up and down the long terminal building as he opened the door it was vacate. He wondered where the workers and the other driver was. "Must be inside still." He muttered.

Walking outside the terminal, Luke signaled his people to follow. Switching to game face, he strolled up to the bus and knocked on the door.

"You need to back up and let these people out." The driver said as he motioned for them to back up.

Slamming his fist through the door, Luke smiled. "This is the last stop." With that he yanked the door off and tossed it behind him. Walking on to the bus, he looked at the screaming people. "So this is meals on wheels."

The driver tried to radio for help.

Grabbing the mic from his hand, Ella crushed it in her fist. "Un un uh, bad little boy." With her free hand, she sliced out, slitting his throat with her nails.

He hands came up toward his neck, but dropped down as his the life and blood drained from him and he fell limp in his chair.

Luke gave her a disappointed look. "That was a waste of good blood."

Ella shrugged. "He was old and it would have probably curdled in your stomach."

"Age matters not, he was healthy. These are all healthy, and will taste good." He growled at the Humans, laughing after they screamed. "Time to feed!"

The vampires started to grab victims and feed.

"Take your time, there is no one to stop us." Luke reached down and grabbed a boy from his crying mother's arms. "You belong to me."

"Take me, let him live. He has never done anything wrong." The woman with reddish brown hair begged.

"But he will." Snapping her neck, Luke smiled at the boy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Wakey Wakey," Vin said, tapping JD's face. "Time to get up, sleepy head."

JD tried to moved his head away from the annoyance. Then he remembered what had happened and jerked awake.

"Well good morning, Puppy." Giving JD a quick tweek on the nose, he smirked and slid off the bed. "Today is a new day and we are alive."

JD sat up and looked around. The room seemed to transport JD back in time. It was remind him of something he would have seen in a movie about the Twenties, right down to the gaudy light fixtures. JD was glad he hadn't had to live through that.

"What did you want to eat? I got rat, cat, cow, chicken, and pigeon." Pulling out a cage from the top shelf, he shook it gently causing the bird inside to chirp. "The pigeon is the only thing fresh, the rest is frozen."

"Umm...Nothing right now. You do have a stove and it cooks, right?" JD slid his feet off the bed.

"No stove in this neighborhood, puppy." Grabbing the pigeon from the trap, he stuck the cage back up on the top shelf of the kitchenette. Walking over to JD, he held out the bird. "However, there is delivery."

"how do you cook then?" JD asked pulling back from the bird.

"Open fire pit and brick oven, much better tasting. However, you need fresh protein, so either you eat it whole, or I force it down your throat." Waving the bird in front of him temptingly, Vin smiled. "Don't be a bad puppy, eat."

JD pulled back to the back of the bed. "I don't want that damn bird and stop calling me puppy!" JD yelled at Vin.

"Fine!" Snapping the bird's neck, he ripped its head off, then tossed it over his shoulder. "I am not going to end up furry once a month because you refuse to take measures for your first changes! Now open wide!" Grabbing the other boy by the scruff of his neck, he held him up.

JD struggled to pull away. "Let me go!"

"You have to eat! If it isn't the bird now, it will be me later, and I refuse to play doggie bag for any guy no matter how cute he is! Now hold still, this will only taste bad for a second."

JD pushed at Vin trying to get him to leave him alone.

"Eat!"

"NO!" JD yelled, pushing with all his might.

Standing up, Vin threw the bird in the trash can on the far side of the bed. "Fine, you don't want to eat, then don't." He walked over to the closet at the end of the room. Throwing it open, he grabbed a set of chains from inside. "You will have no control tonight and I refuse to let you be a danger to me or anyone else."

JD scrabbled from the bed and realized he was naked. He hesitated for a second.

Standing there shaking the chains from side to side, testing their strength, Vin ignored the teen's movements.

JD glanced at him. Then straighten. "Where the hell's my clothes?"

"Ruined last night, you will have to borrow some of mine." Snapping the links, he shifted his attention to JD. "But not for another two days. Until then you are going to be furry and naked."

"I'm not staying here with you." JD said and looked around for some clothes.

"You have no choice, puppy." Strolling over to JD, Vin began to whistle the theme of Lassie.

"I think you're wrong." JD grabbed a pair of pants and started to put them on. "I have places to go."

Vin shoved JD over the edge of the bed, and yanked the pants down. When he had them off JD's legs, he slapped a cuff around each ankle. "Sorry, puppy, but you can't go running around."

JD tried to get them off of his ankles.

Smacking JD's hands from the restraints, Vin turned JD over on his back. "What part of 'I can't let you hurt people' don't you get?"

"I'm not hurting anyone you are hurting me."

Looking into the youth's blue eyes, Vin swallowed. "You will, JD, when you transform, the first thing you are gonna want is food."

JD stared at him. "I'll have some take out."

"I got some Chinese in the fridge, that's it. I'll go get it." Standing up, he traced two fingers up JD's side.

A shiver went through JD and JD watched him go.

Shaking his head to clear his hair from his face, Vin headed for the fridge. "There are a few things you need to know about before tonight. You are essentially now a loner, that means anything you are going to face as a wolf, you face alone. There are a few others like you out there, but most of them stick to themselves, it is safer that way. Clans don't make others lightly, you must have shown them promise for the alpha to risk that many of the clan just to get you."

"I don't know what you are talking about. I was attack last night, it was a random act." JD informed Vin.

Vin tossed a glance over his shoulder, a sly smug grin, then turned back to the fridge. Opening the door, he started riffling through the many bags of fruit, blood, meat, and other oddities. "You simply aren't aware of what they wanted. It was probably your musical talent, or those beautiful baby blues. Who knows what it was exactly? All I know is they booked you at that shit hole of a club where they knew the locals wouldn't interfere. If I hadn't been bored, your entire band might at this very moment have been learning the ways of the moon people."

"You are saying that werewolves own that join?" JD said doubtfully making sure he was covered with a sheet.

"Hardly. They wouldn't be caught dead in this town. No, they set it up with your band manager and the owner of that cesspool. I overheard that much from the back where I was... Playing cards." Grimacing, Vin smelled a half empty plastic bag. "I got word of it, cashed in my chips, so to speak, and went out back to interfere with their plans. I hate werewolves. Present company exception of course."

"Can't you make so I won't turn into one?"

"Sure, only if you enjoy dying."

"That's it?"

"Well, there is getting the wolf who... Ooopps, wrong breed. Yeah, pretty much, you're fucked. Now where is that damn Orange Beef?" Bending over, he started riffling through the bottom drawer.

"I think I lost my appetite again." JD put his elbows on his legs and his head in this hands.

"Found it!" Shooting up, Vin smacked his head on the shelf of the fridge. "Damn it!" He kicked the door closed. Light filtered into the old hotel room making him squint. "Shit, I hate this time of day, what the hell am I doing up for?"

JD shrugged.

Vin handed the carton of Orange Beef to JD and pushed him a little over to the side. Climbing in the bed, he kicked off his boxers and curled around the stunned JD. "Go to sleep after you finish, it's going to be a long night."

"You're...naked." JD stammered at Vin and moved away from him.

Holding the Were closer, Vin grumbled. "Eat, lay back, sleep."

JD thought about complaining, but knew it would make no difference. He began to eat.

Vin slid a hand up and down JD's back in comforting strokes.

JD sighed he didn't feel like fighting anymore. He ate and laid down.

Taking the empty carton from the werewolf, Vin tossed it in the can. He pulled up the blankets to cover them and tangled their limbs together. "You're warm."

"Do you have to be so close?" JD asked stiffly.

"Yes." A minute later his breathing evened out and Vin was asleep.

JD leaned as still as can be, trying not to bother his companion, but to get out of sleeping with him. But exhaustion finally over took him and he dozed off.

Smiling in his sleep, Vin hugged JD closer to him, then settled down.

END SCENE


Here We Go

Ezra tossed back another glass of the cheap beer with a sour expression. When the glass was empty, he slammed it down on the bar. He shook his head to clear the taste while waving the bar tender over. "Give me another."

The bartender nodded and brought the requested beverage. He sat in down in front of Ezra. "Anything else sir?"

"Absolutely nothing. I have everything I have ever desired." Snickering, Ezra took a long drink from the beer before swallowing and setting the half empty glass on the bar. "This time next week, I shall be in a position to aquire this establishment with minimal fuss."

"Why would you want this place?"

"Oh, my dear fellow, it isn't about want. I do not wish to own this watering hole, merely suggest I could do so." Finishing off the glass, he twirled the glass between his fingers. "You know what I had to do to get what I wanted?"

"No I don't." The blonde bartender said watching the man and wondering if he was going to have to clean up broken glass.

Pondering his reflexion in the glass, Ezra smiled. "You know, the price of a man's soul isn't worth what it used to be. No, now these days you can aquire an even dozen for the amount of a cheap glass of beer. People want more than that from you, a lot more than you ever thought you had in you."

"Is that so?" The bartender raised in eyebrow.

Putting the glass down, Ezra sat up on the bar stool. "Let me put a question to you. What is the price you extract from a man who is willing to give even his immortal soul away? What could somebody wish to gain from that kind of desperation? That is aside from a suicidal killer?"

"I have never been asked such a question. Do you have an answer?" The bartender shifted his stance.

Ezra frowned at the man. "You have no idea what kind of monster I truly am."

"You don't look like a monster at all sir. Though I have to admit monsters come in many shapes and forms and I do not know all of them."

"The people I work for do not want what is easily given." His hand shot out and grabbed the bartender by the throat. Pulling the man to him, Ezra tapped on his nose. "Do you know what they wanted from me?"

"I don't." The bartender gasped as his hands came to his throat.

"They wanted me to be human." Ezra snorted with laughter twice before a giggle escaped his lips. "They wanted 'me' to be human."

"But you are human."

"There is a difference between physically human and being truly human." Shoving the bartender back, Ezra growled in anger. "They wanted me to be a friggen simpering, whimpering cow eyed human! Me! Ezra Standish, human! The very nerve of those people! Well I told them the hell with it, cut out a few tongues for even suggesting it and stormed out of there. Of course I was stopped before I even reached the elevators. Seems it was all just a test, they don't really want someone with a conscious in their employ."

The bartender rubbed his neck and stayed back from the chestnut haired man.

Laughing to himself, Ezra settled back into hunch over the bar. "Get me another beer."

The bartender did as the man asked, but made sure to not get too close to the man.

Setting a fifty down on the bar, Ezra downed the glass in one gulp. Just as he was about to stand, a ruckus exploded from a door of to his right. A man came crashing out of it followed by two burly grey demons and a third short, fat demon with yellow skin and green eyes.

The tall man with dark hair and mustache landed on the floor and rolled over on his stomach and pushed away from the demons.

"Buck, you disappoint me," the fat demon said rubbing a hand down his suit. "I thought we had an understanding about your bettings."

"Come it wasn't that bad. I'll get you the money." Buck moved back on the seat of his pants using his feet to papal himself backward.

The thugs moved forward on Buck at the signal of the fat demon. He shook his head with disgust. "Buck, you just don't understand the trust I have placed in you. This is the fifth time you have been late with payment. You were warned about delinquency. Now we will simply have to take it from your hide."

Buck got to his feet backing up.

Both thugs grabbed Buck by an arm.

Buck struggled to get free, pulling first on one side then on the other.

"There is no use, Buck, you will pay one way or another." The Bookie Demon nodded at the thugs.

Buck stomped on one of the demons foot.

The other Thug demon, seeing Buck trying to escape slammed his fist into the man's face. When he fell to the ground, the Thug smiled at him. "No fighting back, it doesn't work that way."

Buck moaned in pain.

"Pardon me, but what seems to be the problem here?" Ezra stood off to the side of the Bookie Demon, his hands on either lapel of his suit.

Buck looked up from where was stumped on the floor. The thugs still one on each side of him.

When the demons merely glanced at him, Ezra's face twisted in a snarl. Slamming his flattened palm into the throat of the Bookie Demon, he kicked his legs out from under him. With a growl of rage he jumped the two thugs at once.

The bookie demon gasped for breath as Buck backed away from the brawl.

Ezra brought his knee up into the chest of one, cracking the ribs. Turning his attention to the other, he shoved his fingers into its sinus cavity through its nostrils and jerked it down. Spinning around, he smacked the one in his grip to the first thug's shuddering body. Using his left foot on its shoulder, he pried the dazed demon off his fingers. Knocking it to the ground, he stomped dead center of its chest with all his weight. He quickly turned to the second thug demon, using the force of his twist to drive his foot into its face. The second thug demon's head snapped back then hung off its shoulder by skin as it collapsed to the floor.

Buck backed up slowly, his eyes huge with shock.

Still simmering with rage, Ezra walked over to the bar, grabbed a stool and turned it over. He strolled up to the Bookie Demon and stared it straight in the face. His expression cold and calculating, he slammed the stool into the demon's face. Ezra repeated the action four more times, making sure it was completely dead. He turned the stool back up right and set it down straddling the remains of the Bookie Demon's head.

Buck didn't move. He didn't want to bring this man's rage on him.

Turning his attention on the downed man, Ezra reached out a hand.

Buck swallowed and shifted to his demon guise for a moment then became human again.

Pausing, Ezra blinked back his anger. "You're a demon?"

"Half." Buck managed.

"Figures." Chuckling, Ezra pulled back his hand and reached inside his suit. He laughed a little harder when Buck jerked. Pulling out his hand, he tossed Buck a card. "Use it wisely, may it bring you all the luck it gave me."

Buck caught the card and read it.

Ezra turned on his heel and stalked out of the bar.

Buck put the card in his pocket. Buck crawled over to the two thugs he rifled through their clothes. He did the same with bookie, then walked out of the bar.

END SCENE