A Handful Of Slayers

Bill the Bloodless

A Handful of Slayers - Dani

Set some months after Chosen, it's a fic inspired by something I said when pointing out possible consequences with the activation of all the Slayers and in consequence is not a very happy fic.
A rating of 15 for swearing and violence.
Disclaimer. All familiar characters are owned by JW and ME.
Many thanks to Sho for pointing out all my mistakes. :)

"Two out and bottom of the ninth and up to the plate steps Ray Sanderson," the announcer shouted over the tannoy. A huge cheer erupted from the crowd and within moments the chant of `Ray, Ray, Ray...' echoed around the stadium.

Sitting alone at the top of the bleachers Dani's gaze was fixed firmly on the young man as he strode confidently forward, and silently prayed that he would hit a home run. Not that Ray Sanderson, most popular guy in school, would have any idea who she was or deign to speak to her if they passed each other in the corridor.

"With the tying run on second a home run by Sanderson would send the North Montgomery High School `Gators to the state play offs," the announcer continued but was now barely audible above the roaring of the crowd.

At the plate Ray took a couple of practice swings and then setting himself, bat in the air he waited. On the mound the pitcher watched the catcher, waiting for his signal. The crowd went quiet. Seeing one that he liked the pitcher nodded, checked the runner at second, wound up and threw. 

At a speed approaching ninety miles an hour the ball flew through the air a thousand pairs of eyes fixed firmly on it. Dani's however were not amongst them, her eyes were still watching Ray. She saw him pull back his bat and let loose a mighty swing. Much to her disappointment though she also saw his bat miss the ball by a good six inches and heard the thud as the ball hit the catcher's glove. 
"Strike one," the umpire called and a huge gasp went up from the crowd.
"Come on Ray I know you can do it," Dani urged.
Unfazed and unaware of Dani's encouragements Ray stepped out of the batter's box to begin his preparation again. With the tension nearly unbearable Dani leant forward her gaze never leaving the young man in the batter's box and willed with all her heart for him to hit a home run.

For the second time the pitcher wound up and threw but this time Ray's swing was on the money. Bat and ball connected with a loud crack and the ball was sent high into the night sky. As soon as he hit it Dani knew that it was a home run but like everyone else she watched with baited breath until the ball cleared the centre field fence. Then pandemonium broke loose. 

To the sound of wild cheering Ray set off to complete the winning run. Round first he jogged then second and third and finally he reached home where he was greeted by his jubilant team mates and a huge deafening roar from the crowd. A beaming smile on his handsome Ray high fived the whole team and then waved to the crowd accepting their adulation. Still up in the bleachers Dani sat back, physically and emotionally drained but completely happy. 

Out on the field Ray continued to play to the crowd for some time.

The celebration party took place the following night. The honour of throwing the year's biggest party fell to Stacey Monroe, head cheerleader, homecoming queen and Ray's girlfriend. Dani hated her with a passion. Everyone who was anyone was invited. Neither beautiful nor popular Dani was not on the guest list.

Usually the lack of an invite wouldn't have bothered her, she didn't make it to many parties, but this time she was determined to go even if it meant gate crashing. Wanting to look her best Dani agonized for hours over what to wear and finally decided on a simple black dress stolen from her sister's wardrobe.

As was the case with most popular girls Stacey was not only very pretty but also very rich and lived in a very exclusive part of Montgomery. For Dani it meant a bus ride across town followed by a long walk.

Nearly an hour after getting on, the bus pulled up at Dani's stop and she hopped off. After a moment to get her bearings she began to walk in the direction of Stacey's house.

Half way there, her feet sore and aching, Dani stopped to give them a bit of a respite. It was then that she noticed a car parked haphazardly just a little further up the road. Curiously she went to have a look. The car, a silver convertible, was empty, the driver's door wide open and the radio blaring.

Where was the car's owner? Dani wondered reaching in and turning off the radio. As she did so she heard a shout from the bushes at the side of the road. She straightened, maybe that was the driver and he was in some sort of trouble. She hurried forward.
"Hello," she called peering into the undergrowth. "Is there anyone there?
For a moment there was only silence but then she heard some rustling followed by a muffled grunt. "Get lost bitch," a voice then shouted out. "This is none of your concern."
Slowly Dani's eyes adjusted to the gloom and she was able to make out two figures at the bottom of a steep slope, high school boys by the look of their sports jackets. What they were doing down there was anyone guess? Then she spotted a third figure slumped on the ground between them. Oh dear it seemed someone was about to get a beating. She turned away, there was nothing she could do for the poor sap.

The young girl had only taken a couple of steps though when she stopped, a horrible thought forming in her mind. Didn't Ray drive a silver convertible? She was sure he did. And those jackets had been blue and white hadn't they? The colours of the Wetumpka Wyverns, the team they had beaten last night. Dani gasped, oh my God that was Ray down there.

What was she supposed to do? If she went to get help by the time she returned he could be seriously hurt but what other option did she have? It wasn't if she could help. Behind her she heard a dull thud followed by a groan of pain. She had to try. She turned back. "Get off him," she shouted her voice cracking.

At the sound of her shout both of the Wyverns looked up. "I told you to get lost," the larger of the two shouted at her. "I'm not gonna tell you again."
Dani flinched, but having made her decision she would not let the fact that she was more scared than she'd ever been put her off. "Just leave him alone. I know karate," she lied.
The kid laughed. "Did you hear that Pete? She knows karate."
Pete laughed as well. "Ooh I'm shaking in my boots Mike, whatever shall we do?"
"Careful Pete maybe she's gonna come down here and teach us a lesson," Mike said and laughed even harder.
Hearing their laughter something inside Dani snapped. How dare they make fun of her and how dare they beat up Ray. Someone does need to teach them a lesson, she fumed and before she knew it she had taken several steps down the slope.

"Now we're in for it Pete, here she comes." His laughter became even louder. Mike was still laughing when Dani reached the bottom of the slope and punched him on the nose. His laughter stopped abruptly. Looking up at him Dani gulped fearfully, what for the love of Christ had she just done?

"Didn't I warn you?" he asked then gave her a shove. Dani stumbled back and fell heavily against the trunk of a fallen tree, scraping her arm. The two boys came to stand over her. "Look Pete she's hurt her arm, do you think that'll stop her showing us her karate moves?"
Pete smirked. "Let's see," he answered and swung his foot at her head.

What happened next Dani was unable to explain. With Pete's boot only inches from her head instinct from somewhere deep inside screamed at her move and she found herself lurching forward ducking beneath the kick. Then as his foot crashed into the tree trunk she sprang to her feet and kicked him between the legs.

Shocked at the strange turn of events Dani could only stare as Pete fell to the ground clutching his middle. But only for a moment because, with a growl of anger, Mike charged forward and she found herself embroiled in her first ever fight.

For the next several minutes Dani somehow dealt with everything the two Wetumpkans had to offer, blocking their punches, dodging their kicks and was able to give them a thump or two of her own. It was like somebody else had taken over her body and she was along for the ride. It was all so unbelievable. 

Dani wasn't the only one who found it unbelievable either. She could tell by their faces that Pete and Mike were just as surprised. Finally after she had cracked Pete in the face with her elbow possibly breaking his nose he turned tail and fled. Seeing his mate fleeing Mike gave Dani one last look and followed.


Dani watched them go but hearing a sound behind her she turned to find Ray struggling to his feet. Somewhat dazed he looked around then seeing Dani he frowned. "Where did they go?" he asked her. For several moments Dani was too shocked to reply, this was the first time Ray Sanderson had ever spoken to her. "Th…they ran off," she said eventually.
Ray walked towards looking none the worse for his experience. "They ran off?"
The young girl nodded. "I shouted at them, told them I'd phoned the police."
He stopped in front of her. "And what happened to your dress?"
Dani looked down and gasped. Her dress was a right state, covered in dirt and, oh god, there was a small rip as well. Her sister was going to kill her. "I slipped down the slope," she told him trying to put thoughts of what her sister might do to her to the back of her mind.
"I see," he said sounding not entirely convinced but then he smiled. "Well thanks anyway, you saved me an ass whooping."
"That's ok," she told him, shyly returning his smile. "Who were they?"
He shrugged. "A couple of sore losers from last night I expect. They'll get what's coming to them," he promised. "Were you on your way to Stacey's party?"
"Yes."
He started up the slope. "Do you want a ride?" Dani's mouth dropped open, a ride in Ray's car. Too excited to speak she nodded and hurried to catch up.

Seated in the passenger seat of Ray's silver sportscar, the wind in her hair as he drove them to the party was beyond Dani's wildest dreams. This night was just one unbelievable event after another. But all too soon Stacey's house came into view and the ride was over. Pulling up on the drive he turned off the engine. "Here we are then."
"Thanks."
Ray jumped out the car. "Ok then, maybe I'll catch you later," he said and headed off in the direction of the music.

Left in the car Dani sat there for several more seconds savouring the experience of being in Ray Sanderson's car and then got out and slowly followed.

Reaching the house Ray was immediately surrounded by a group of his friends exclaiming at his lateness and the state of his appearance. Hanging back Dani watched, a smile on her face,

It was several minutes before anyone noticed her. Two girls broke from the group and seeing Dani they stopped, looked at each other and smiled. A smile that Dani didn't like the look of in the least. Jodi Fellin and Lysette Van Gaal were part of the popular set and a pair of right bitches.
"Well, well what do we have here?" Jodi asked.
"What are you doing here geek?" Lysette demanded.
"I…I…I've come to the party," she stuttered.
Both the girls laughed. "Sh…sh…she's come to the party," Jodi mocked.
"I don't think you were invited geek," Lysette told her.
"I…I…I came with Ray."
Lysette slapped her. "You lying slut."
Dani rubbed her face. "Ask him."
The girls closed in and stood shoulder to shoulder blocking her view of Ray and the others. "We don't need to ask him," Jodi said giving her a push. "You are a liar" she pushed her again "a slut" another push "and a gatecrasher" and another. "You are not welcome here so get lost," she told her and gave her one final push. 
Dani stumbled and fell on her bum.
"Go on geek piss off," Lysette shouted.
Dani got to her feet and fled. Behind her she heard the sound of laughter and she started to sob. What a fool she was, expecting to get into the party. She didn't belong with them, she belonged with her own kind, with the geeks and the ugly kids.

Feeling a hand on her shoulder she lashed out with all her strength. She had had more than enough of those spiteful bitches for one night. It was only when her fist connected that she realised that it wasn't Jodi or Lysette she had hit but Ray. The object of her affections for the past year gasped and then crumpled to the ground, the side of his face covered in blood.

Dani gasped in shock and horror. Oh God, what had she just done? For several seconds all she could do was stare agape at Ray's still form then cautiously she bent forward. A shrill voice stopped her in her tracks. "Get away from him you bitch," Stacey Monroe screamed. Dani looked up and, seeing Ray's girlfriend and a dozen others rushing towards her, slowly back away. 

Reaching Ray they stopped and Stacey sank to her knees by his side. "Wake up Ray baby," she pleaded cradling his head, but when there was no response looked up. "I think he's dead." The words hit Dani like a body blow. Hot scalding tears began to fall across her cheeks. Ray was dead, she felt nausea rise up inside, and it was she had killed him.

All eyes turned in her direction. "Call the police," she heard someone mutter.
"Don't let her get away," someone else said and two or three of the boys took a step forward. 

Dani turned and, ignoring the angry shouts, ran. And ran and ran and ran. How long she kept running for she had know idea but Ray and the party was far behind by the time stitch forced her to slow to a walk. Tears continuing to stream down her face she tried to make sense of what had happened. And couldn't. Somehow she had killed Ray with a single blow. She shook her head in disbelief. How was that possible? He was a six foot tall senior, the star of the baseball team and she was a scrawny sophomore. It just wasn't possible. The facts though seemed to belie her thoughts.

Then all of a sudden she remembered. She remembered Mike and Pete, she remembered the fight and she remembered the beating she had given them. With a cry of despair she fell to her knees. She had killed him. After some time Dani became aware of a roaring far below her and she struggled to her feet to discover that she had stopped on the North Boulevard Bridge. At last something had gone her way tonight. Knowing what to do, she stumbled to the edge of the bridge and climbed up on to the guard rail. Far below, swollen by the winter rains, raged the Alabama River.

How could a night that had started so well turn into such a tragedy? Why was life so unfair? Why did some people get everything while others got nothing? For the first time in her short life something wonderful had actually happened to her and it was snatched away. Life was just too cruel. She had killed Ray and now she had nothing to live for. It was for the best, she told herself and jumped.