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buffyfic-digest      Tuesday, September 22 1998      Volume 02 : Number 333



In this issue:

       BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (11/31)
       BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (12/31)
       BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (13/31)
       BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (14/31)
       BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (15/31)
       BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (16/31)

See the end of the digest for information on (un)subscribing to the buffyfic
or buffyfic-digest mailing lists and on how to retrieve back issues.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 21:58:59 -0700
From: "J. Jericho Born" <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (11/31)

TITLE: "The Necromancer" (Part 11/31)
AUTHOR: J. Jericho Born
E-MAIL: [e-mail]
FEEDBACK: I'd greatly appreciate any constructive criticisim.
DISTRIBUTION: The author reserves rights on this story. Please do not
distribute without expressed permission.
RATING: PG-13  Contains violence and sexual implications.
DESCRIPTION: My first BTVS fanfic with a new villian as the title character.
This story is set after the end of the second season and after Buffy returns
for the third season. It was written before the third season was broadcast and
may not accurately reflect a third season setting.
DISCLAIMER: The writer of this unauthorized fan fiction is not affiliated with
any of the parties involved in the making of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The
characters are the property of Joss Whedon and whomever else the lawyers may
deem fit, they are used without permission. Technically that is not legal, but
I'm not anticipating any law suits. This work, the plot line, and the
characters introduced that are not already featured on Buffy the Vampire
Slayer are the work of Joshua Jericho Born, Copyright 1998.
SPOILERS: Spoilers to "Phases" and "Becoming".

==============

Scene 10

Abel sat behind his desk in the underground cavern he called home. He was busy
sorting through various books and manuscripts, always faithful about his
studies. The diligence he showed in his work was interrupted as his tutor
entered.

Abel looked up and questioned, "How goes the construction of the lair?"

"It goes satisfactory. I must say that your zombies are very good workers
indeed," commented the older necromancer.

"That's the way I resurrect them," Abel stated proudly with a smirk. No smile
was given in return.

"You have a call," said the elder necromancer.

"I'll take it in the seeing room," said Abel as he got up and took a brisk
walk around a couple corners to reach his destination.

The space he now occupied was made of barren earth; walls, floor, ceiling, and
all. The only illumination came surreally from the ground itself. Abel stared
at the center of the glowing floor. As he stood focused, his eyes soon met a
worm like creature that wriggled itself out of the dirt and came about chest
high. As it stood there unsteadily a sort of eyelid opened to reveal none
other than a horrific eye.

As this strange creature drifted back and forth, to and fro it beamed an image
into the air above it. The picture was of a dark, hooded figure who's facial
features could not be made out.

"I trust you have everything in order there," spoke a voice that must have
been partnered with the figure.

"I am always in control," replied Abel confidently.

"That is good to hear," commented the voice.

"Trust me, it's much better to say," said Abel with a smile.

"I am sorry to have to tell you that a coup de tat is being staged against
me," said the voice.

"That's unfortunate to hear," remarked Abel.

"It's much more unfortunate to have to say," the voice said with much grief.

"I must ask you to return and help me put down this uprising," shakily added
the voice.

"What?" angrily questioned Abel.

"You are my only hope. No one can match your prowess as a necromancer," the
voice said as its tone became more and more worried.

"But, if I return we will lose our link to this realm," reminded Abel.

"I am aware of this," somberly stated the voice.

"How typical of us! Too busy infighting to seize the opportunity to conquer
this world," exclaimed Abel.

"You are needed here," the voice persisted.

"I do not wish to be there!" yelled Abel in return.

"Then I will retrieve you," ominously stated the voice.

"Oh, no, guess again, big guy. Consider the Gateway closed!" defiantly
declared Abel.

Before any reply could be given Abel laid waste to the worm creature with a
terrible hellish fire. Its muffled screams sang a duet with the awful sound of
the flames themselves. As the pupil of its eye dilated and it fell to the
ground Abel turned to leave. However, his egress was blocked by his tutor
standing in the entryway. The two stared each other down.

"Are you with me?" questioned Abel.

"Let me consider my options. If I err on the side of loyalty and say no, you
will most certainly kill me. If I err on the side of self preservation and say
yes, I will become your perpetual lap dog," stated the older necromancer.

"Well?" snapped Abel.

"I can hardly be against you. My allegiance lies in your camp," said Abel's
former teacher.

"Good. Come now, we have a world to conquer," said Abel as he led the way out
of the room.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 22:00:23 -0700
From: "J. Jericho Born" <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (12/31)

TITLE: "The Necromancer" (Part 12/31)
AUTHOR: J. Jericho Born
E-MAIL: [e-mail]
FEEDBACK: I'd greatly appreciate any constructive criticisim.
DISTRIBUTION: The author reserves rights on this story. Please do not
distribute without expressed permission.
RATING: PG-13  Contains violence and sexual implications.
DESCRIPTION: My first BTVS fanfic with a new villian as the title character.
This story is set after the end of the second season and after Buffy returns
for the third season. It was written before the third season was broadcast and
may not accurately reflect a third season setting.
DISCLAIMER: The writer of this unauthorized fan fiction is not affiliated with
any of the parties involved in the making of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The
characters are the property of Joss Whedon and whomever else the lawyers may
deem fit, they are used without permission. Technically that is not legal, but
I'm not anticipating any law suits. This work, the plot line, and the
characters introduced that are not already featured on Buffy the Vampire
Slayer are the work of Joshua Jericho Born, Copyright 1998.
SPOILERS: Spoilers to "Phases" and "Becoming".

==============

Scene 11

Giles emptied a bag of paraphernalia onto the Sunnydale High library table.
Buffy studied the equipment while Xander and Willow looked on.

"What's this?" asked Buffy as she picked up a finely finished dagger.

"That is a Dagger of Tzeenclach," answered Giles.

"Nice name. Sounds like a football player clearing his nose," commented
Xander.

"I wonder how you spell it," wondered Willow curiously.

"I don't care how you spell it just tell me how you use it," Buffy said.

"According to lore if you stab a zombie with it the aethereal bonds that its
necromancer has on it get cut," explained Giles.

"It also slices, dices, and julian fries," wittingly said Xander.

"Now this is an Amulet of Celindra," Giles said while picking up a small,
polished back stone attached to a simple string.

"Giles, you renegade! Snooping through Celindra's jewelry box again," said
Xander.

"Xander, this would go a lot easier if you didn't endeavor to make jest at
every object we discuss," chastised Giles.

He continued, "This amulet is very important because it provides protection
against the primary means of a assault utilized by necromancers: hellfire."

"Is that as nasty as it sounds?" inquired Buffy.

"Tenfold," answered Giles.

He explained, "Although no manuscript was particularly certain on the subject
of hellfire. It was speculated to be the life force of those who have fell
victim to the undead."

"What are these?" questioned Buffy while picking up a variety of long, slender
nails.

"They are the Nails of Schlounge," replied Giles.

All heads turned to Xander in expectation of a timely quip.

"I'm not saying a word," uttered Xander as he shook his head and kept back a
grin.

"Legend has it that once a necromancer is nailed down to a surface with one of
these he can never brake free," said Giles as attention returned to the matter
at hand.

"Wait, is there anything in here that will actually kill these guys?" asked
Buffy.

"Well, there is this," quietly said Giles as he picked up a regular looking
ax.

"Is that some kind of magic ax?" inquired Willow.

"No, I purchased this at local hardware store," replied Giles as he was given
an array of dumbfounded looks.

"The only documented method to kill a necromancer is to injure him beyond his
capabilities of recovering. Dismembering is perhaps the surest way," Giles
explained further.

"So let me get this straight, you want me to chop this guy to pieces until he
can't put himself back together anymore?" asked Buffy in dismay.

"Basically, yes. I suggest you'd start with decapitation," benignly answered
Giles.

"Ok, so when do I head down there and do my best Lizzy Borden imitation?"
queried Buffy.

"On the contrary, necromancers are most lethal in their own lairs. You should
wait for him to emerge before you strike," counseled Giles.

"But, if we wait for him to make the first move chances are he'll be the one
doing all the striking," observed Xander.

"Nevertheless, it would be deathtrap to walk into a necromancer's lair," said
Giles.

"I suppose you want me to patrol every night, too?" questioned a slightly
irritated Buffy.

Giles responded with a look of consolment as he began to say, "Well. . ."

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 22:01:26 -0700
From: "J. Jericho Born" <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (13/31)

TITLE: "The Necromancer" (Part 13/31)
AUTHOR: J. Jericho Born
E-MAIL: [e-mail]
FEEDBACK: I'd greatly appreciate any constructive criticisim.
DISTRIBUTION: The author reserves rights on this story. Please do not
distribute without expressed permission.
RATING: PG-13  Contains violence and sexual implications.
DESCRIPTION: My first BTVS fanfic with a new villian as the title character.
This story is set after the end of the second season and after Buffy returns
for the third season. It was written before the third season was broadcast and
may not accurately reflect a third season setting.
DISCLAIMER: The writer of this unauthorized fan fiction is not affiliated with
any of the parties involved in the making of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The
characters are the property of Joss Whedon and whomever else the lawyers may
deem fit, they are used without permission. Technically that is not legal, but
I'm not anticipating any law suits. This work, the plot line, and the
characters introduced that are not already featured on Buffy the Vampire
Slayer are the work of Joshua Jericho Born, Copyright 1998.
SPOILERS: Spoilers to "Phases" and "Becoming".

==============

Scene 12

"Are you sure you wish to try this?" coldly stated the older necromancer with
very little sincere caring. He was standing just inside the entryway of an
unidentifiable underground room.

"Why? Do you think I may fail?" inquired Abel while kneeling in the center of
the room. Two zombies entered as they carried a corpse hidden within the
confines of a dark canvas bag. Their movements were very deliberate although
their faces led one to believe they weren't even there.

"I expect you to fail. Very few have accomplished this feat," replied Abel's
elder. His limited expressive capability showed curiosity and interest.

"Thank you for the words of encouragement," Abel said with heavy sarcasm. The
zombies dropped the corpse in the darkness before him and exited hurriedly.
With that Abel closed his eyes and and became very still.

The older necromancer studied Abel's demeanor then began to circle the room
while watching inquisitively. When directly behind Abel he peered over his
shoulder then continued his pacing.  As he came within eyeshot of Abel's face
again he was startled to see his former apprentice with a quite evil
expression and his eyes wide open. Abel stared directly ahead with menacing
intensity. The older of the two followed Abel's eyes in an attempt to realize
what he was looking at, but saw nothing there.

Abel quietly began saying and repeated a foreign, mysterious phrase again and
again. After what seemed like a few quick statements of this mantra a chorus
of dark voices began to accompany him. Together they stated the incantation
over and over like it was the only thing they knew how to say. Their combined
cry quickened with each pronunciation while the sound they generated
crescended to an incredible volume.

As the older necromancer reexamined Abel's face he noticed that Abel had
stopped mouthing the words that so loudly penetrated his ear. Just as the
noise was about to become unbearable it stopped much quicker than it came.
Abel swooned and fell to floor immediately.

"I knew he could not succeed," pronounced the elder of the two.

Suddenly Abel raised his head and looked directly at his naysayer.

"Did you?" he said sarcastically. A hideous creature of a vampire stepped
forward out of the darkness. Although quite monstrous its appearance also
possessed the quality of a newborn foal.

"I never doubted myself," said Abel through a thick grin and exhausted, heavy
breaths. His attention now turned to the addition to the scene.

"Don't look so confused, my blessed creation. I believe I shall call you
"Puritan", since you are originally created, pure, and not tainted by
centuries of mixing with the blood of humans," advised Abel.

The newly born vampire journeyed the room erratically with his eyes. He seemed
rather overcome with nervousness. Without warning he leapt forward and tossed
Abel aside with a growl. Before anyone could realize what had transpired he
was out of the room.

The older necromancer's look of amazement transfigured itself into smugness.

"It appears your blessed Puritan didn't take a liking to you," he said.

"He'll be back," assured Abel.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 22:02:43 -0700
From: "J. Jericho Born" <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (14/31)

TITLE: "The Necromancer" (Part 14/31)
AUTHOR: J. Jericho Born
E-MAIL: [e-mail]
FEEDBACK: I'd greatly appreciate any constructive criticisim.
DISTRIBUTION: The author reserves rights on this story. Please do not
distribute without expressed permission.
RATING: PG-13  Contains violence and sexual implications.
DESCRIPTION: My first BTVS fanfic with a new villian as the title character.
This story is set after the end of the second season and after Buffy returns
for the third season. It was written before the third season was broadcast and
may not accurately reflect a third season setting.
DISCLAIMER: The writer of this unauthorized fan fiction is not affiliated with
any of the parties involved in the making of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The
characters are the property of Joss Whedon and whomever else the lawyers may
deem fit, they are used without permission. Technically that is not legal, but
I'm not anticipating any law suits. This work, the plot line, and the
characters introduced that are not already featured on Buffy the Vampire
Slayer are the work of Joshua Jericho Born, Copyright 1998.
SPOILERS: Spoilers to "Phases" and "Becoming".

==============

Scene 13

Willow and Oz sat chatting happily at a high table in the club known as the
Bronze. The stools they sat on lended themselves to the comfort they felt with
each other. It was quite a Friday night with a good band playing, the dance
floor crowded, and two sweethearts reunited.

Buffy entered the only cool place in town both tired and bored from the
monotanous task of patrolling. She spotted her two friends thoroughly caught
up with each other and began to head the other way so as not to disturb them.
Before she could, however, she was spotted and Willow waved in recognition.

"Hey, you two look cozy," greeted Buffy as she leaned on their table. She
didn't occupy an available stool as she still did not wish to get in their
way.

"You wouldn't believe some of the stuff that happend to Oz while his band
toured," said Willow enthusiastically.

"Willow exaggerates my stories just a bit. I'm sure it's been just as
interesting here for you guys," shrugged off Oz. No one said a word to confirm
Oz's statement.

"Right?" he queried.

"In a word: no," acknowledged Buffy.

"Slayer thing been getting you down, huh?" asked Oz.

"Yeup, Giles has got me out doing the whole Slayer thing every night," Buffy
said just a tad grumbling.

"Oh, but these necromancers are new and interesting. . . well, they're at
least new aren't they?" offered Willow.

"I don't know, saving the world gets pretty dull and samey after awhile,"
commented Buffy.

"So, wait, if Giles has you out patrolling every night then why aren't you
hitting the streets right now?" Oz inquired.

"It was pretty quiet out so I thought I'd call it a night early," explained
Buffy.

In an alley behind the converted wearhouse that was the Bronze a muffled echo
of the music being played inside could be heard. A dapper young man who was
out "crusin' for chicks" approached his destination eagerly. A rustling noise
attracted his turned head toward some garbage leaning against an old, run down
building.

Uninterested, the young man turned back and resumed his strut-like walk. Again
the noise presented itself. He thought it best to ignore its persistence. As
the noise came yet a third time he conceded and looked over his shoulder to
see nothing, but the garbage again. Abruptly, a large, muscular hand stabbed
the air in front of his face and grasped itself on top of his mouth. His eyes
widend and he tried to let out a scream, but only a wimper of sound was
bellowed. The struggles that he put up to fend off his attacker could not
compare to the strength of the vice that was upon him.

A face drew in close to him and his eyes strained to see the outstretched
fangs and horrible visage of Puritan. The victim's eyes drew even wider as he
saw the end to his insignifigant life personified. With a terrible hiss
Puritan thrusted his head forward and bit deep into the young man's burly
neck. His feeding was quick and as the young man's eyes rolled back he let him
drop to the murky ground.

Puritan's hunger was great. This boy didn't satisfy it. He looked down upon
his victim without a thought in his head, he was driven purely by instincts
now.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 22:04:57 -0700
From: "J. Jericho Born" <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (15/31)

TITLE: "The Necromancer" (Part 15/31)
AUTHOR: J. Jericho Born
E-MAIL: [e-mail]
FEEDBACK: I'd greatly appreciate any constructive criticisim.
DISTRIBUTION: The author reserves rights on this story. Please do not
distribute without expressed permission.
RATING: PG-13  Contains violence and sexual implications.
DESCRIPTION: My first BTVS fanfic with a new villian as the title character.
This story is set after the end of the second season and after Buffy returns
for the third season. It was written before the third season was broadcast and
may not accurately reflect a third season setting.
DISCLAIMER: The writer of this unauthorized fan fiction is not affiliated with
any of the parties involved in the making of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The
characters are the property of Joss Whedon and whomever else the lawyers may
deem fit, they are used without permission. Technically that is not legal, but
I'm not anticipating any law suits. This work, the plot line, and the
characters introduced that are not already featured on Buffy the Vampire
Slayer are the work of Joshua Jericho Born, Copyright 1998.
SPOILERS: Spoilers to "Phases" and "Becoming".

==============

Scene 14

Early next morning Abel sat behind his desk consistently intrigued by his
studies as a necromancer. The reading and writing of morbid topics that made
up most of his time would seem frivilous if it weren't for the amazingly
gratifying results of their applications. A bothersome unknown word halted his
reading like a pothole in a highway.

Abel stood up and exited his study. He would have to consult the archives to
solve this enigma. As he casually stumbled down his lair's hallway with his
head buried in a book he thought about exactly which manuscripts he would
peruse. A gut feeling made him stop in his tracks and look up. Puritan's broad
chest hovered in front of him.

"I see you've returned," Abel observed.

A half dozen or so fellow vampires emerged from the darkness around Abel.

"And you've brought friends," he added. The stone-like silence of Puritan's
chin chilled the room.

"Can you not pass a word through those lips of yours?" facetiously questioned
Abel.

"Get him," Puritan barked in return.

Abel's head drifted backwards in a cackling laugh.

"'Get him' he says. Well, come get me," said Abel while still recovering from
his laughter.

The menagerie of vampires hesitated en masse. Abel stared down his would be
attackers one by one. As his eyes met the vampire on his extreme left the one
lurking at his right finally mustered enough courage to close ranks with his
prey. Before he could come within range Abel's arm leapt out toward him and
shot out hellfire that blasted the brave hearted vampire into ashes which
playfully fluttered in the air.

"Let me explain to you something," began Abel while grinning with enjoyment.

He continued, "There's a food chain. You see, at the bottom there are humans.
Above that we have vampires, which would be you. Skipping up we eventually get
to me. You owe me with your very lives not because I created you and made you
what you are."

Abel paused while making a disgusted noise then said, "I almost gagged on that
cliche."

He righted himself then completed, "As I was saying you owe me not for that
reason, but because I can proverbially eat you for breakfast."

"What you want from me?" savagely asked Puritan.

Abel answered, "Well, my verbiage challenged friend, I want you to do what you
naturally do. Feed on humans, sire vampires, and if you happen upon a Slayer-"

A furrowed brow on Puritan interrupted as he vocalized, "Huh?"

"You'll know her by the fact she's trying to kill you," explained Abel.

Puritan acknowledged with a maliciously innocent, "Oh."

"Anyway, if you happen upon this Slayer then do me a favor and dispatch her.
Odds are another one will be sent rather quickly, but you could have some fun
in the mean time," commissioned Abel.

Puritan nodded in understanding.

"So, run along with your friends then and get into mischief. Oh, just spare me
one vampire as a bodyguard if you will," Abel said.

That having been said Puritan gestured at what used to be the young man he
assaulted in the alley to stay. The rest of his gang made their way out of the
lair ready to appease their collective hunger. The remaining vampire looked at
Abel eagerly for orders.

"Guard the entrance to the lair," commanded Abel.

The vampire grunted in approval and scurried off. Abel also began to return to
his study, forgetting the reason he had emerged from it in the first place.
His former mentor happend by along the way.

"Beware, there are vampires in this lair," Abel cautioned. Without a word
spoken the older of the two removed a piece of stained black metal neckware
and began to put it on.

"Going to wear your gorget I see," Abel said with minor amusement.

"It is a valuable precaution," coldly stated the elder necromancer.

"I never liked those things much. Rather ugly to my tastes," mentioned Abel as
the two parted in opposite directions.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 22:06:16 -0700
From: "J. Jericho Born" <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (16/31)

TITLE: "The Necromancer" (Part 16/31)
AUTHOR: J. Jericho Born
E-MAIL: [e-mail]
FEEDBACK: I'd greatly appreciate any constructive criticisim.
DISTRIBUTION: The author reserves rights on this story. Please do not
distribute without expressed permission.
RATING: PG-13  Contains violence and sexual implications.
DESCRIPTION: My first BTVS fanfic with a new villian as the title character.
This story is set after the end of the second season and after Buffy returns
for the third season. It was written before the third season was broadcast and
may not accurately reflect a third season setting.
DISCLAIMER: The writer of this unauthorized fan fiction is not affiliated with
any of the parties involved in the making of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The
characters are the property of Joss Whedon and whomever else the lawyers may
deem fit, they are used without permission. Technically that is not legal, but
I'm not anticipating any law suits. This work, the plot line, and the
characters introduced that are not already featured on Buffy the Vampire
Slayer are the work of Joshua Jericho Born, Copyright 1998.
SPOILERS: Spoilers to "Phases" and "Becoming".

==============

Scene 15

"Where are we going?" impatiently asked the vampire that had been given
bodyguard duties. He was part of a small entourage consisting of Abel on the
point and a few zombies tagging along behind. This tireless group prowled the
dark, early morning of Sunnydale.

"We are going shopping. Could you hand me that crow bar?" answered Abel. A
zombie produced the requested hooligan tool and the vampire delivered it to
its destination.

"Thank you," said Abel politely. He used the device on a large, red metal box
with no success.

"Could you give it a try? Elbow grease was never really my forte," requested
Abel. He made way for his brawnier companion who made short work of the task.

"Thank you again," reiterated Abel as he peered into the contents of the box.
A sign stated the equipment as the property of a mall security agency. Abel
looked at it with contemplation at how he would disarm this high tech system.
He drew back slightly and laid waste to the multi-thousand dollar equipment
with hellfire.

"That ought to work," Abel stated assuredly.

The midnight party made their way to the entrance of the mall which was soon
openend in a similar manner. Abel and company preceded to the young men's
section of a department store with due haste.

Meanwhile a restless Buffy Summers could not attain a desired state of sleep.
She lay awake preoccupied with an odd feeling. Was it a sense of guilt for
ending patrol early and hanging at the Bronze? Could it be an intuitive
warning of iminent danger? She couldn't tell, but she had a solution for both.
She got up and began getting dressed in preperation of a quick climb out of
her bedroom window and then some spirited roaming of the streets of Sunnydale.

"I like it!" proclaimed Abel back in the mall. He examined the solitary figure
that was his image dressed with newly aquired clothing in a department store
mirror. The vampire standing next to him projected no reflection.

"This world has quite a sense of fashion," Abel said admirably. He placed his
hands in his pockets and turned first to his right then to his left. He freed
his hands quickly to pick up a pair of shoes that caught his eye.

"Oh, these look quite nice!" declared Abel as he looked them over up close.

"Go see if they have these in size tens," he ordered as he tossed them into
the unexpecting arms of his bodyguard vampire.

"Why me?" questioned the vampire.

"It seems I've sent all the zombies off on other tasks," observed Abel while
he looked around.

The vampire growled in displeasure, but he went off in search of a pair of
shoes for his master anyway.

"You are being impulsive and juvenile," Buffy told herself as she took easy
steps on a quiet Sunnydale sidewalk. She resolved to stay in bed the next time
she couldn't sleep.

Not a soul stirred as a crescent moon added its light to that of an overhead
streetlight. An odd sight broke up the lonely moonlight serenade. A figure was
walking toward Buffy with a bag like that from a department store in each
hand.

"I didn't know any stores were open this late," Buffy whispered into the moist
early morning air.

The figure closed and then passed while Buffy realized its true identity of a
zombie by its absent face and its methodical walk.

"He's shopping," realized Buffy aloud. She let out a restrained laugh.

"They didn't have any size tens so I got you a pair of nine and a halfs and a
pair of ten of halfs," stated Abel's accompanying vampire. He tossed down two
shoeboxes on a table and a security guard clad corpse with two holes in its
neck upon the floor.

"You had time to get a snack I see," observed Abel. The vampire replied with
an evil smile.

"You know what, I like this color better," Abel informed as he handed another
pair of shoes to his would be protector. The vampire's grin turned into an
exasperated expression as he turned to head back to the stock room.

Abel continued examining the displayed articles of clothing before him with
great interest. He was throughly and enthusastically entertained by the
merchandise available.

"Hold it right there!" exclaimed a frightend mall security guard as he aimed
his sidearm shakily at Abel's center of mass. He looked down at the body of
his fallen comrade then back up at Abel.

"Don't try anything!" he yelled, but Abel already made paces in his direction.
Fearing for his own life he fired one shot that hit Abel squarely. The sudden
force knocked Abel back and he fell scrunched up against a display case. Still
in shock at having to take a life, the security guard slowly approached the
two corpses.

Abel got up quite abruptly. To the security guard's horror the wound he had
just inflicted on Abel now closed up before his very eyes.

"That was very," Abel's sentence lingered as he searched for a word.

"Compelling," he finished. The security guard could not believe his eyes. As
Abel approached him he fired multiple shots into Abel's torso which all healed
nearly instantously. No acknowledgement of pain was given. The guard
backstepped in terror to match Abel's forward progress.

With Abel just a few feet away and closing the security guard was too
preoccupied to notice what lay in his backwards path. That was particularly
unfortunate since a vampire that had abandoned his cargo of a pair of shoes
waited ready to pounce. Abel managed to reach their unwitting victim first and
he calmly took advantage of his proximity by removing the guard's firearm from
his hand.

Now disarmed, the security guard turned and ran right into the awaiting arms
of a still hungry vampire. As cries of of pain and anguish permeated the scene
Abel looked himself over to survey the damage inflicted.

"Damnation! He ruined this shirt," Abel grumbled.

------------------------------

End of buffyfic-digest V2 #333
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