Part Twelve
XANDER'S HOUSE, Sunnydale, CA
February 27, 1999
"Damn, I know it is in here somewhere!" Xander's muffled voice called from
the tool shed. He was throwing tools left and right, frantic to find an ax. Buffy
ducked as a hammer flew by her head.
"Easy, Xander. I can't help you if I am decapitated," she joked.
"Sorry, but I lack Giles's organizational skills and your sixth sense, Buffy,"
he replied. "A ha!" His head peeked around the shed door, right hand triumphantly
holding an ax. He carefully climbed out from among the clutter and slammed the doors.
"Let's get back to the alley. We can't waste any time." He tore off, leaving
Buffy and Giles to play catch up.
Back at the alley…
"Are you bored with doing that yet," Willow asked lightly, watching Oz
stick first his arm into the portal, then removing it and putting his foot in. He
had repeated the process several times. He grinned at her and plunged his head into
the wall.
"Cool, can you hear me?" His voice echoed, and he waved his arms at her.
Willow rolled her eyes at her boyfriend's way of killing time. He was too cute.
"Yeah, sweetie, I can hear you." He jumped back and smiled at her.
"Nothing but black space," he noted. "So," he changed the subject.
"You think Cordelia is okay?"
"I don't know. But this thing that has her is not a nice creature. I can see
the fear on Xander's face. He's scared. He knows the threat to Cordelia is real,
and that's what scares me," she confessed. Oz nodded.
"I know he appreciates your help, Will. Saving Cordelia wouldn't be possible
without you," he smiled, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"Thanks Oz," she gazed at him admiringly. "I wish they'd hurry up
though!" As if on cue, Xander turned down the alley towards them, waving the
ax. Buffy and Giles followed.
"Got it," he called, stopping in front of the portal. Willow touched a
finger to the cold steel that topped off the wooden handle.
"You know how to do this right, Xand?" she asked hesitantly.
"Even I can manage swinging an ax," Xander replied. She shook her head.
"No, I meant where you have to cut him. Remember the story? The woodsman killed
the wolf by chopping at his stomach. You have to go for its stomach, okay?"
she said emphatically. Xander nodded.
"Understood," he echoed. Giles tapped his foot.
"Are we ready?" he asked.
"Yes," Xander and Buffy replied together. Xander was clutching the ax tightly
against his chest. Giles went first, followed by Buffy. Xander took a deep breath
and started into the portal. Willow grabbed his hand. She had a serious look on her
face.
"Be careful, Xander. And bring her back," she whispered.
"I will," he replied. "I will." With those words, Xander disappeared
into the wall. Willow and Oz exchanged a solemn look. All that was left to do was
wait.
Part Thirteen
BEYOND SUNNYDALE
February 27, 1999
Cordelia was shaking in terror. Madchen stood before her, no longer masked as Xander,
drooling in anticipation. Why hasn't he changed into human form yet, she wondered.
He always changes from wolf to human before he…she couldn't finish the thought. Her
entire body ached, and she didn't think she could withstand any more pain. The creature
moved towards her slowly and deliberately. He grabbed her wrists and freed them from
their restraints. He dragged her roughly away from the wall. She resisted, dragging
her feet. He growled and threw her to the ground. Her shoulder slammed against the
dirt with such force that it took several seconds for the pain to register. She curled
into a fetal position instinctively. He quickly forced her onto her back and climbed
on top of her. Oh God, Cordelia moaned, tears springing to her eyes.
"Are you ready for this?" he asked with a gleam in his eye. Cordelia bit
her lip. She wanted to die. There was no Xander, there was no Buffy, there was no
one left to save her. Madchen reached out and ripped the remaining thread that was
holding her bra together. With the breaking of that thread, her last bit of hope
disappeared.
"Please, don't do this to me," she whispered through her tears. He cocked
his head and traced his claw along her lower lip. It reminded her of the way Xander
would run his fingers around her lips before he'd lean in to kiss her. She sobbed
harder.
"Crying isn't going to help you," he hissed, licking her ear. Her whole
body shuddered in response. "I promise this won't hurt," he said, taking
her chin in his paws forcefully.
"Please?" she begged. Madchen cackled and wiped away a tear that was running
down her cheek. He took her chin in his grasp forcefully.
"On second thought, I lied," he grinned. "It will hurt."
Somewhere in the portal….
"Did I mention I hate forests?" Buffy mumbled as she brushed several branches
out of her path. She yelped as her hair caught and tangled on another low-hanging
branch. "Ugh. They're dark, they're creepy and remember the Wizard of Oz? The
trees threw apples! I hate trees," she groaned. Xander stopped several feet
ahead of her. Giles wasn't paying attention and slammed into him.
"It's a fork," Xander muttered flatly. "A goddamn fork in wherever
we are!" He spat angrily.
"Which way?" Buffy looked at Giles.
"Well I think we should split up. What if we were to choose the wrong one? Cordelia
would be lost," he pointed out. Buffy nodded.
"I'll go left," Xander offered quickly. "I just have this feeling."
He took off, clutching the ax, without waiting for Giles and Buffy to approve his
decision.
"Xander!" Giles called. No response. "Buffy, head right. I think you
can handle anything you find on your own better than Xander could. I am going to
go after him. Be careful," he squeezed her shoulder and raced off in pursuit
of Xander. Buffy stared after him for a moment.
"I don't know Giles," she said aloud to herself. "I think Xander will
do anything to save Cordelia." She turned and ran to the right.
Back at Madchen's lair…
Cordelia felt sweat and tears mixing and running down her face. She was frozen, staring
at the monster looking down at her. She suddenly had an idea. It may cause her more
harm in the long run, but it would buy her a few more seconds to think and try to
escape. Madchen began to descend on her. She swallowed hard and bit down on her tongue,
trying to be gentle, but her nerves caused her to bite harder than she intended to.
The taste of blood frightened her for a moment, but she gathered what strength she
had left and spit in the creature's face.
"Damn you!" he shrieked, stumbling backwards. Cordelia exhaled and scrambled
to her feet. But Madchen was only temporarily fazed by her action. He seized her
by the shoulders and threw her hard against the wall. "Bitch!" Grabbing
her wrists, he rebound them. She let out a sharp cry as the metal pinched her skin.
"I can't trust you, can I? I guess we'll have to do it this way," he threatened.
"And it's gonna hurt more."
In the portal…
Xander's legs ached from running. He knew he couldn't stop. Cordelia needed him.
He was not giving up on her. He could see her beautiful face, marred with fear and
pain and despair. He wanted so badly to soothe her fear, to relieve her pain and
rescue her from the brink of despair. He felt his calf muscles burning, but he kept
running. Suddenly the trees gave way to darkness, and he was falling. He flailed
his arms and kicked his feet, desperate to catch onto something. His pulse was racing,
and his heart was pounding. Then he hit the ground. It stunned him momentarily, but
the sound of screaming brought him back to reality. He knew those screams. Xander
opened his eyes and adjusted to his surroundings. Oh God. Oh God, he thought.
Cordelia.