{"id":4194,"date":"2015-07-06T20:48:07","date_gmt":"2015-07-06T19:48:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=4194"},"modified":"2015-07-06T21:26:42","modified_gmt":"2015-07-06T20:26:42","slug":"breakdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2015\/07\/06\/breakdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Breakdown. 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Title: Breakdown<\/b>
\nAuthor: <\/b>Liam<\/strong>
\nPosted here: <\/b>05-26-2002
\nEmail<\/b><\/a>
\nRating: <\/b>PG-15.
\nCategory: <\/b>Action
\nContent: <\/b>C\/A
\nSummary: <\/b>A small town. A horrifying secret
\nSpoilers: <\/b>
\nDisclaimer: <\/b>The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
\nDistribution: <\/b>Just ask.
\nNotes: <\/b>
\nThanks\/Dedication:<\/b>
\nFeedback:<\/b><\/p>\n

\n

Teaser<\/b><\/p>\n

Serenity, California<\/i>
\nJune 12, 2003<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, don\u2019t hurt me,\u201d Carol Emerson begged.<\/p>\n

The two masked individuals paid no attention to her. They dragged the young woman by both arms past the procession of people.<\/p>\n

A twenty-foot wide pathway had been cut down through the cornfield in which all had gathered. People stood single file along both sides of the pathway, holding small torches and chanting in Latin. The procession all wore dark, flowing robes and wooden masks covering their faces.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, you\u2019re scaring me. What are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

The two continued to drag the woman through the aisle of corn until they reached a hundred foot wide clearing in the center of the cornfield. Carol looked around in fear at her surroundings. In the center of the clearing stood a large rectangular boulder, standing perhaps ten feet high and six feet wide. On three sides were lit large bonfires, and in front was a stone bench.<\/p>\n

The two men holding her stopped at the clearing\u2019s edge. The double row of people walked by them, torches held high as they continued to chant. The processions stopped when the lead individuals reached spots on either side of the bench.<\/p>\n

From behind her, another appeared. This person was different from the rest. His robe was a bright red, and the mask he wore was decorated in the fashion of some monster. The being walked confidently down the center of the aisle of parishioners. When he reached the bench, he turned around and nodded at the two holding Carol.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d she cried. \u201cWhy are you doing this?\u201d<\/p>\n

The two dragged her past the parishioners and threw her before the red cloaked being. Cold blue eyes stared down at her through the mask. \u201cWhat\u2019s happening?\u201d she cried again. \u201cLet me go, please!\u201d<\/p>\n

The red being ignored her and began to chant in Latin. Hands raised in the air, he cried out emphatically.<\/p>\n

Then he was silent.<\/p>\n

He turned, and from his cloth removed some powders. Chanting a few phrases, he tossed the powder at the boulder. Then again, silence.<\/p>\n

The fear in Carol was multiplied as the boulder began to glow a bright yellow, seemingly turning the night into day. The boulder did so for a minute before fading out.<\/p>\n

The red being turned back and faced Carol. For the first time that night, English was spoken.<\/p>\n

\u201cJosiah has deemed you\u2026unworthy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Carol screamed. \u201cI don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

The red being spoke no more. He nodded to the lead parishioner on his left. From his cloak was produced an axe. Carol tried to jump back, but the two who brought her grabbed her once more. The red being moved aside, allowing the two to throw Carol on the bench.<\/p>\n

Forcing her on her back, the two strapped her down, the young girl screaming all the while. \u201cPlease stop! What are you doing?\u201d Carol struggled against the ropes, but was unable to break free.<\/p>\n

The axe man stepped closer and raised his blade. With a swift stroke, he brought it down.<\/p>\n

\n

Part 1<\/b><\/p>\n

County Road W
\nThree miles outside Serenity, California
\nJune 20, 2003<\/i><\/p>\n

Cordelia Chase lifted the hood of the Plymouth convertible. Brushing back a piece of stray hair, she shook her head in disgust. \u201cIt\u2019s the radiator,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLadies and Gentlemen, that is why you always check the engine before going on long road trips.\u201d Faith hopped from the passenger seat and joined Cordelia in looking at the boiling over radiator. \u201cOh yeah, that puppy is shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Faith,\u201d Cordelia said dryly. \u201cBut I kinda noticed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Faith grinned in amusement. \u201cHey, just trying to lend a helping hand. Offer input, trying to be a productive member of the Angel Investigations team.\u201d Faith then turned serious. \u201cWell, we\u2019re a couple miles from the nearest town. You wanna walk it or wait to see if a kindly local will give us a ride?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNumber two is sounding good to me.\u201d Cordelia pointed in the distance. Coming towards them on the gravel road was a pickup truck. \u201cYou wanna show leg to get him to stop, or you want me to do it?\u201d<\/p>\n

The two women waved their arms at the coming vehicle. Both breathed a sigh of relief as the truck slowed to a stop by the side of the road. \u201cCar trouble?\u201d the middle aged man asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNah, we stopped to set up a produce stand,\u201d Faith muttered.<\/p>\n

Cordelia grinned at the slayer\u2019s quip before answering. \u201cYes sir. It looks like our radiator is shot. Could you give us a ride into town?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure can,\u201d the man smiled. Faith almost busted out laughing at the man\u2019s yellowed teeth. \u201cHop in back. I\u2019ll drop you off at the auto repair shop.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you. We\u2019d appreciate it,\u201d Cordelia said. They hurried back to the car and grabbed a few bags. Then the two women went around back and hopped in the bed of the truck. Once they swept away some beer cans, they took a seat. In moments, they were moving again.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou gonna call Angel when we get in town?\u201d Faith asked. \u201cHe\u2019ll probably be worried about us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia gave a sardonic grin at Faith. \u201cHe\u2019ll be more worried about needing a new radiator than anything else.\u201d Faith laughed. It was probably true. \u201cI figure we can get a hotel room, then I\u2019ll call him. He\u2019ll need to call that Davidson guy and tell him we\u2019ll be late for our appointment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYup,\u201d Faith agreed. \u201cUntil we get a new radiator, Sacramento will have to wait.\u201d<\/p>\n

****<\/p>\n

Hyperion Hotel<\/i><\/p>\n

Earlier that day<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cAngel, it\u2019ll be a simple job. I\u2019ll only be gone two days, three at most. I\u2019m sure things won\u2019t fall apart that quickly around here without me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not what I\u2019m concerned about,\u201d Angel sighed. He loved the girl, he really did, but sometimes she frustrated the hell out of him. \u201cI don\u2019t like the idea of you going up to Sacramento by yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia turned her best smile on the vampire, the one that turned him into putty that she could mold. \u201cAngel, I\u2019m a big girl. I\u2019m also half demon, and I\u2019ve learned self-defense from the best. Besides, the job is to exterminate an apartment full of Vocklar demons. A Chihuahua could kill one of those things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that\u2019s what the guy says, but how do we know? You\u2019re going to be a couple hundred miles away. We won\u2019t be able to help you if you need it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia gave the frustrated vampire a kiss on the cheek. \u201cI get that you want to protect me,\u201d she started, \u201cbut I\u2019ll be fine. Anyway, no use in arguing. Since I\u2019ll be traveling in daytime you can\u2019t ride up there with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t going to suggest that I go,\u201d Angel defended. \u201cI want you to take Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause. She just got paroled, she just got a place to stay, and she just got a job. I want her to feel like she\u2019s earning her keep around here, that I\u2019m not letting her stay out of obligation or something. Besides, it\u2019ll be someone to watch your back. And, maybe give you an opportunity to get to know each other. You know, girl to girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

He wasn\u2019t going to relent on this, she realized. \u201cFine,\u201d she huffed. \u201cGo up and tell Faith to be ready in thirty minutes. I want to be up there by sundown.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angel smiled and pulled his Seer close for a kiss. \u201cThat wasn\u2019t such a big deal, now was it?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess not,\u201d she begrudgingly admitted. She more than willingly accepted the vampire\u2019s kiss.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo I get a goodbye smooch, too?\u201d Faith quipped. The recently paroled slayer had a duffle bag all set.<\/p>\n

Cordelia pulled away and glared at the vampire. Angel had the good sense to look embarrassed. \u201cI might have told her I might be able to, uh, you know, let her come with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling would ruin the death look she sent him. \u201cIf I didn\u2019t need to go real soon, I\u2019d take the time to stake you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about my smoochie?\u201d Faith asked again.<\/p>\n

Angel rushed over to the newly employed slayer and gave a peck on the cheek. It was an excuse to get away from Cordelia. He thought she was only pretending to be mad, but he knew best not to chance it.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Faith,\u201d Cordelia called. \u201cLooks like a road trip.\u201d
\n****<\/p>\n

The head mechanic looked to be about fifty. With calloused hands and a smile missing a few teeth, he wasn\u2019t the prettiest thing either woman had ever seen. They also didn\u2019t like what he was saying.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Miss,\u201d Henry said, rubbing the stubble at his chin. \u201cBut it\u2019ll probably be three, maybe four days before we can get a new radiator in for ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t believe this,\u201d Cordelia said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Henry apologized again. \u201cThis is a small town. There\u2019s no need to carry around parts for a 1960\u2019s Plymouth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia was, to say the least, very upset. She felt a hand on her arm and turned to face Faith. \u201cC\u2019mon,\u201d Faith said. \u201cIt won\u2019t do any good to get upset. Let\u2019s just get a hotel room and get some rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

When did Faith become the voice of logic? But still, Cordelia had to agree. Losing her temper would not help matters. \u201cFine. Sir, we\u2019ll be back tomorrow to discuss this further. Is there a hotel around here that we can stay at?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure is,\u201d Henry nodded. \u201cJust down the road here about half a mile.\u201d<\/p>\n

Resignedly, Faith and Cordelia gathered their bags and began to trudge off in the direction Henry had pointed. They had gone only ten feet or so when they saw another young woman arguing with a second mechanic. The young blonde woman walked away, realizing the argument was going nowhere.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you believe this town?\u201d she asked when Cordelia and Faith approached her. \u201cFour days ago they told me it\u2019d take 72 hours to get me a new carburetor. Now they\u2019re telling me it might be another two days. I can\u2019t believe this damn town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know the feeling,\u201d Faith sympathized. \u201cThey just told us maybe four days for a new radiator.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI swear they\u2019re trying to run some scam,\u201d the blonde huffed. \u201cYou girls heading to the hotel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Mechanic said it\u2019s about half a mile?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s about right,\u201d the woman said. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, there will be plenty of room. Surprise, surprise, but this place doesn\u2019t seem to be a big tourist spot. I feel like I\u2019m in Deliverance or something. By the way, my name is Andrea Ballinger.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Cordelia Chase, this is Faith Burton. Pleased to meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three women walked slowly back towards the hotel. None noticed the sheriff car that pulled up at the repair shop. The sheriff rolled down his window and called Henry over.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t believe I\u2019ve seen those two before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir car broke down outside town. Radiator. Told \u2018em it\u2019d be a few days before I could get the part.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d the sheriff said. \u201cThat\u2019ll give us time to watch them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t want to just grab them all tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. We performed the ceremony just last week. We should wait a few more days. Don\u2019t want any eyebrows to be raised.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that one has already been here a few days. I don\u2019t know how much longer I can stall before she tries to find another means out.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sheriff turned a pair of cold blue eyes on the mechanic. \u201cIf she asks, say the part will come in day after tomorrow. We\u2019ll have a meeting tonight. We\u2019ll prepare her for tomorrow night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd those other two?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will deal with them,\u201d the sheriff said. \u201cJust like the others.\u201d<\/p>\n

****<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Angel, we\u2019re fine. Just an unforeseen delay.\u201d Cordelia tucked the cell phone to her shoulder as she tossed some jeans into a drawer. \u201cThey say it could be a few days before we get a radiator. I know it\u2019s bullshit, but we\u2019re not exactly in a bustling metropolis. Things apparently take time around here. No, Faith is fine. Ya wanna say hi?\u201d Cordelia held the phone out.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, sugar daddy!\u201d Faith called. The slayer claimed the single bed furthest from the door as her own. \u201cCordy\u2019s being mean to me!\u201d<\/p>\n

Cordelia tucked the phone back to her shoulder. \u201cJust ignore her. She doesn\u2019t know mean until I try to smother her with a pillow. Angel, I\u2019m sure we\u2019re fine. Just call Davidson and tell him we can\u2019t get there until Friday. I know he\u2019ll be upset, but tough cookies. Who else will exterminate an infestation of Vocklar demons? I can’t see Animal Control trying to deal with them. Bunch of guys in white overalls with butterfly nets trying to catch a couple dozen Vocklars. Listen, we\u2019ll call if something goes wrong, right Faith?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn right!\u201d Faith called out.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to come out and play knight in shining armor. Okay? I love you and I\u2019ll call again tomorrow. Bye.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I wuv you,\u201d Faith teased. \u201cI\u2019ll call again tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Faith,\u201d Cordelia said, turning a slight shade of red.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Cordelia\u2019s blushing! Tell you what, how \u2018bout we scream each other\u2019s name and bang the headboards to see if we can freak out the neighbors?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Faith.\u201d<\/p>\n

****<\/p>\n

Nearly two-dozen people gathered in the living room of Sheriff Michael Brady. The people talked animatedly to each other, discussing the possibility of having not one, but THREE visitors in their town.<\/p>\n

Brady sat in his rocking chair, cold blue eyes surveying those around him. It was time to call things into order. \u201cLadies and gentlemen.\u201d The room quickly fell silent. \u201cWe\u2019re here to discuss what to do about our visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should all take them out to be judged immediately!\u201d one person called out. A chorus of support rang out.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will not,\u201d the sheriff said calmly. \u201cWe have not had time to observe our two newest guests. Josiah would be displeased if we hurried and made poor judgment. We shall watch them. As for the other, this Miss Ballinger. Tomorrow we shall gather. We shall take her before Josiah. Perhaps she will be The One.\u201d<\/p>\n

The crowd enthusiastically agreed. Yes, maybe this girl would be The One.<\/p>\n

Part 2<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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