Little Red Riding Hood
By Courtney
Disclaimer: You know the drill…I own nothing. The characters of Buffy, Giles, Xander, Cordelia, Willow and Oz belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy Productions (grr..argh) and Warner Brothers. If I owned them, I wouldn't be a poor college student. The minor characters that have not appeared on the show that are in the story are the product of my creatively deprived mind. Don't steal them, k? The story of Little Red Riding Hood does not belong to me, and the title and song lyrics are from that crazy 60's band Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs (that's a mouthful!)
SPOILERS: Anything up to Dead Man's Party…after that, I make my own third season.
And no Faith…I hate her.
RATING: Um…borders on R…some delicate situations and violence. Sex? Well that depends
on your definition of sex? If it's Bill Clinton's definition, no. but there are sexual
situations. Let's leave it at that.
Archivist’s Warning: This story contains non-graphic rape scenes. While brief and
not graphic, they may still be disturbing to some readers.
Owoooooooo!
Who's that I see walkin' in these woods?
Why, it's Little Red Riding Hood.
Hey there Little Red Riding Hood,
You sure are looking good.
You're everything a big bad wolf could want.
Listen to me.
Little Red Riding Hood
I don't think little big girls should
Go walking in these spooky old woods alone.
Owoooooooo!
What big eyes you have,
The kind of eyes that drive wolves mad.
So just to see that you don't get chased.
I think I ought to walk with you for a ways.
What full lips you have.
They're sure to lure someone bad.
So until you get to grandma's place
I think you ought to walk with me and be safe.
I'm gonna keep my sheep suit on
Until I'm sure that you've been shown
That I can be trusted walking with you alone.
Owoooooooo!
Little Red Riding Hood
I'd like to hold you if I could
But you might think I'm a big bad wolf so I won't.
Owoooooooo!
What a big heart I have-the better to love you with.
Little Red Riding Hood
Even bad wolves can be good.
I'll try to be satisfied just to walk close by your side.
Maybe you'll see things my way before we get to grandma's place.
Little Red Riding Hood
You sure are looking good
You're everything that a big bad wolf could want.
"L'il Red Riding Hood," Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs, Pharaohization
Sunnydale, CA
February 20, 1999
It was approaching dusk in Sunnydale, California. The sun cast a glow of pink and
red over the streets as it set behind the trees. There weren't many people out on
the streets, despite it being a weekend evening. Without the sun's rays, a chill
was settling in the air, and a light breeze rustled the leaves of the trees. A small
girl exited the grocery store, clutching a gallon of milk in her left hand. She looked
about eight years old or so, and she had light brown hair that was fastened back
in a ponytail, tied with a red ribbon. The brisk air hit her exposed skin. She shivered
and tightened her red windbreaker, quickening her pace as she walked. She hated being
out after dark, but her mother said they needed milk for dinner. She was chosen to
go, against her will, and she was anxious to get home to her safe house.
The old woman watched the little girl from her seat on the park bench. She had been
watching the child since she entered the grocery about ten minutes ago, waiting for
her to emerge. A smile played on her wrinkled lips as she struggled to her feet.
She grabbed her cane and bag of groceries and darted across the street as fast as
her arthritic legs would carry her. It's been too long, she thought, steadily gaining
on the little girl's pace. When she was about fifteen feet or so from the child,
she made her move.
"Oh!" the old woman cried, falling to her feet, spilling the contents of
her bag onto the sidewalk. The little girl jumped, startled, and turned around. She
placed her milk on the ground and edged towards the elderly hag.
"Are you okay?" she asked in a tiny voice. The old woman revealed a gap-toothed
smile and nodded. "Can I help you?" the child offered. The woman nodded
again. Two small hands began gathering cans and boxes and placing them into the paper
bag. The hag scanned the area. Hardly a person in sight. She took a deep breath and
slid her hand in her pocket, fingering the handkerchief and withdrawing it slowly.
In one swift motion, she grabbed the child, careful to cover the tiny mouth with
the chloroformed-soaked cloth. Leaving the groceries scattered all over the sidewalk,
the old woman retreated into the alley holding the child to her tightly. In the comfort
of the dark, deserted alley, she paused and closed her eyes, suddenly morphing back
into her/his old self. With a gleam of the street lamp off of its protruding fangs,
the creature disappeared into the night, the little girl still limp in her arms.
Part One
CORDELIA'S HOUSE, Sunnydale, CA
February 21, 1999
"So what's it gonna be tonight?" Cordelia asked, entering her massive living
room with two large bowls of popcorn. Xander was close behind, attempting to balance
a tray stacked with glasses and soda cans. The gang had decided to watch a movie
rather than go to the Bronze for a night. And since Cordelia's parents were out of
town, as they usually were, they elected to watch at her house. The fact that Cordy
had a big screen television didn't hurt either. Buffy reached up from her perch in
one of Cordelia's leather armchairs and grabbed a Diet Coke from Xander. Willow and
Oz were cuddled together among large pillows on the plush carpet. Cordelia handed
them a bowl and set the remaining bowl on the glass coffee table. Xander sank down
onto the couch and pulled Cordelia with him.
"I was thinking of 'Ferris Bueller'," Xander offered with a wicked grin.
His suggestion was met with a chorus of groans.
"Not again, Xander," Willow groaned. Cordelia laughed.
"At least he didn't say 'Star Wars'," she smirked. Xander pouted playfully
and kissed the top of her head.
"How about 'Armageddon'" Oz asked. "Good action, romance for the ladies,
and Aerosmith. Can't go wrong…" Cordelia shook her head.
"Boring, much? I mean, I like Ben Affleck as much as the next girl, but can
we watch something we haven't seen, like, 100 times?" Cordelia frowned, twirling
a lock of hair absently, trying to think of a title they could all agree on. Buffy
grabbed the remote out of Xander's hand.
"Look, Cordelia gets enough channels that we'll be able to find something we
all agree on," she announced, clicking the "on" button. Buffy scanned
through the channels, searching, and waiting for someone to tell her to stop. A flash
of familiarity caught her attention on one of the movie channels. "Hey, you
guys ever seen 'Fallen'?" She motioned at the movie which was just beginning.
She got scolding glances from Xander and Cordelia.
"No demon movies, Buff," Xander warned.
"We're going to have a nice, peaceful, no-Slaying-non-hellish evening,"
Cordelia added.
"Buffy, stop!" Willow called. "How about this?" Five pairs of
eyes turned their attention towards the television.
"'Heathers,'" Oz repeated the title off the screen. Cordelia nodded enthusiastically.
"This is good. I haven't seen this movie in years!" she grinned.
"Never seen," Buffy and Xander replied in unison. Willow turned and stared.
"Xander? You've never seen this movie? Buffy?" Willow asked incredulously.
Both shook their heads.
"I'm feeling kind of deprived now," Xander lamented. Cordelia gave his
arm a squeeze.
"It's okay, we still love you. Or, at least I still do," she gave him a
private smile. Xander returned her smile and leaned down to kiss her. Buffy felt
a twinge of jealousy that her friends were blissfully coupled off, and she was, at
the moment, uncoupled. But the feeling passed. It got easier everyday.
" 'Heathers' it is," Oz announced, tossing a handful of popcorn into his
mouth. Cordelia dimmed the lights, and the room fell silent.
It was just another night in Sunnydale.
SUNNYDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Sunnydale, CA
February 22, 1999
The old woman watched the children boarding the bright yellow school buses in front
of Sunnydale Elementary School. She studied each child as they raced out of the double
doors, the sound of laughter and excited shrieking filling the air. Her narrow eyes
focused on a little girl who was standing by a large palm tree. Her blonde hair was
held off her face by a black headband, and she wore a red gingham dress. The old
woman licked her lips in anticipation. The child, who appeared to be about six years
old, seemed to be waiting for someone, for she was not getting on a bus or into a
car like the rest of the children. A fine choice, she commended herself. She stood,
steadied herself and began walking towards the little girl.
"Hello," she gave the child a warm smile. The girl looked at the hag with
her big, innocent blue eyes.
"Hi," the girl replied brightly. She picked at a hole in her red tights.
"Can I ask you something…Amanda?" the old woman asked in a whisper, reading
the girl's name off the tag on her backpack. The child hesitated.
"Mommy always tells me not to talk to strangers," Amanda replied, avoiding
eye contact. She pushed her black Mary Janes into the dirt, tracing a circle with
her toe. The old woman reached into her pocket, passing over the chloroformed handkerchief
to grab the glossy photograph that rested beneath it. She held the picture up to
Amanda.
"Please? I just need some help finding my puppy. She's still very tiny, and
I'm worried she may be hurt," she pleaded. Amanda's eyes grew sad.
"I had a puppy once," she frowned. "He ran away," her tiny voice
quivered as her lower lip began to shake.
"Well I would very much like to get my puppy back. Will you help me?"
"What is his name?" Amanda asked, taking another step closer to the woman.
"Her name. She's a girl. Her name is Sugar," the old woman clapped her
hands. "So you will help me?" Amanda nodded.
"Your puppy needs you. I will help," she replied. "But my mommy will
be here soon, so I hope we find Sugar soon!"
"Thank you," the old woman concealed a triumphant smile. She took Amanda's
hand and led the child away. She kept silent, listening to Amanda's small voice call
"Sugar" over and over again. The woman snuck the handkerchief into the
palm of her hand, waiting for just the right moment. As they approached that alley
by the grocery store, she deftly covered Amanda's mouth and before the child could
scream, she went limp. The hag cackled and hobbled down the alley with Amanda in
her arms. Once again, when she was certain they were out of sight, she allowed herself
to transform, feeling the fur replace skin and the fangs emerge over its lips. The
creature's hunt had claimed another victim.
Part Two
SUNNYDALE HIGH SCHOOL, Sunnydale, CA
February 23, 1999
"Anyone seen Xander and Cordelia yet this morning?" Buffy wondered aloud,
putting her feet up on the table in the library. Willow shook her head, and Oz mumbled
a "no" between bites of an Egg McMuffin. Giles didn't look up from the
newspaper he was poring over. "Well, I'm sure they'll turn up," she announced
cheerfully, trying to raise some conversation.
"Giles? Can I see the local section of the paper?" Willow asked sweetly.
Giles nodded, still not lifting his eyes from the printed pages, and he slid a section
across the table towards Willow. She studied the headlines, and her eyes got wide
as she focused on a small article in the bottom left corner.
"Willow?" Buffy asked cautiously, noting the look of concern on her friend's
face. Oz leaned forward and put his arm on his girlfriend's shoulder.
"What's the matter, babe?" Willow frowned. She pointed at the article.
"Giles, did you read this article?" she asked pointedly. Giles finally
dragged his eyes upwards and glanced at the page.
"No, Willow, I did not. I've been reading the front page section. I have yet
to read the local news. Why is something the matter?" Giles took his glasses
off and set them down on the desk.
"It's just this girl…she disappeared."
"People disappear in Sunnydale all the time, Will," Buffy reasoned. "It's
a part of life here."
"She was…is…six. She vanished after school Monday," Willow read. Giles
thought for a moment.
"There was a story on the news Monday evening…a young girl…eight years old,
I think, disappeared on Saturday afternoon. Her mother sent her to the grocery to
buy milk, and she never returned," he recalled with a strange look on his face.
"You think the two are related?" Buffy piped up.
"Quite possibly," Giles replied, replacing his glasses on his nose.
"But kidnappings happen everywhere. It's not exactly a foreign concept. Sick,
but common," Oz added.
"Never rule anything out living in Sunnydale," Buffy corrected him. "Do
you think there are any other disappearances recently?"
"I'll do some research," Giles responded, closing the newspaper. The ringing
of the bell disrupted the solemn mood. Oz stood.
"I should get to biology. I've got a test…or something that is mandatory."
He kissed Willow and took her by the hand.
"We should get to study hall Buffy," Willow said, entwining her fingers
in Oz's. Buffy sighed and got to her feet.
"Yeah, yeah. Giles, I'll be back during lunch," she called as Willow and
Oz pulled her out of the library.
"Yes, I hope to have some more information about these disappearances then."
Giles pointed his mouse at the computer screen and clicked a few times. He had a
sinking feeling that what they were about to get involved in wasn't pretty.
Meanwhile….in the utility closet….
"Xander…stop. We're going to be late to class," Cordelia whispered, not
really wanting Xander to cease the trail of kisses he was planting along her neck
and the column of her throat. She backed away and playfully swatted him. He ran his
hands through her hair and cradled her neck.
"C'mon Cordy. Study hall won't miss you," he urged, running his finger
along her cheek and resting it on her lips. He replaced his finger with his lips.
Cordelia sighed. This was much better than class.
"Mrs. Barton may not miss us in study hall, but Principal Snyder only needs
one reason to drag our guilty butts into his office and hand us detention. Or worse!"
Her eyes got real big.
"You have a cute guilty butt," Xander laughed, pulling her close again.
"We're only young once…" His hands moved to the buttons on her sweater.
"Damn Xander, why do you have this power over me?" Xander loved knowing
the things he did to her.
"Because, sweetheart, you love me," he whispered teasingly, even though
they both knew what he was saying was true.
"That I do," she replied in between kisses. A soft knocking on the closet
door stunned them both. Xander stood, clearly panicked. Cordelia fumbled with the
buttons of her sweater, desperately refastening them. The door creaked open.
"Xander? Cordelia?" A voice called softly.
"Buffy?" Xander asked. Buffy peeked her head inside the closet, seeing
a flushed Xander and a blushing Cordelia. She snickered.
"Quite the little niche you two have here," she giggled. "Anyway,
Barton is taking attendance cause Snyder came in and threatened her. He said too
many people are cutting study hall, and study hall is for studying."
"I was studying…anatomy, actually," Xander joked. Cordelia turned a deeper
shade of red. He laughed and grabbed her hand.
"I just thought you should know. Detention would be bad for Cordy's reputation
and all," Buffy said knowingly. Cordelia smiled gratefully at her.
"Thanks Buffy."
"No problem. Besides, I can fill you guys in on the latest in the realm of the
Slayer. Missing children and all," Buffy started as the three of them headed
towards study hall.
The Library…later that afternoon
"Little girls are disappearing? That's creepy." Cordelia shuddered, remembering
what Buffy had told them a few hours earlier.
"I know. Demons should pick on victims their own size," Xander agreed with
his girlfriend.
"Or not pick on people at all," Willow replied. Xander nodded and gave
a sheepish grin.
"Regardless, evil is out there, and it feeds on all kinds. We're just here to
stop it," Buffy reminded her friends.
"I found two other instances of disappearances of young girls…One girl, a Lindsey
Fairchild, 12, was last seen by her piano teacher when she left the woman's house
two weeks ago. And the other, Caitlin Phillips, vanished after her field hockey practice
last Thursday. She was 14," Giles concluded. His voice was full of concern.
"So the victims are getting younger and younger," Oz noted.
"But what else do they have in common?" Willow asked. Giles shrugged.
"Nothing as far as I can tell. It's so frustrating," he frowned. "Until
we get an identification of the person or persons…" he began.
"Or demon," Buffy chimed in.
"Or demon," Giles added, exasperated. "But as I was saying, until
we determine who is responsible, no young girl in Sunnydale is safe."
"What else is new? I hate this town!" Cordelia sighed angrily. Xander put
his arms around her as the rest gave her strange looks. "What, I can't show
concern?" Cordelia pouted, upset that her friends didn't take her seriously.
"I hate to bail, but the band's got practice since we got that gig at the Bronze
on Friday," Oz announced, standing and grabbing his books. "You wanna come
watch, Will?" She smiled but shook her head.
"I'm going to head home and do some more research on this. Then I have a chemistry
lab to finish," she replied. "Are you going to stop by after practice?"
"Yeah," he answered. He gave her a lingering kiss on the lips. "You
want a ride home?" Willow nodded. He waved. "Later guys." A chorus
of goodbyes echoed.
"Giles, is there anything we can do?" Cordelia offered, trying to be helpful.
"No thank you, Cordelia."
"Well I think we'll be going then too," Xander decided. "Cordy?"
She nodded and gathered her things. Buffy wished she had somewhere to be. But her
mother was taking some ceramics class evenings at the community college, and Angel
hadn't been spotted in days. She was going to spend another evening training with
Giles and watching Dateline on NBC.
"You two have any plans for the evening?" Cordelia smiled and linked her
arm through Xander's.
"We're going to do geometry homework, and then Xander is taking me to dinner,"
she replied, gazing admiringly at him. Buffy smiled.
Xander was clearly enjoying his position as the center of Cordelia's universe.
"Have fun," she said, trying to sound enthusiastic.
"Thanks!" Xander answered.
"Have a nice evening Buff! Bye Giles!" Cordelia called as she and Xander
exited the library. Silence prevailed over the library. Giles had returned to his
book to research demons and evils that preyed on children. Buffy heaved a sigh and
headed to the lavatory to change into her workout gear. She had some aggression to
get out, and the punching bag was just calling her name.
SUNNYDALE HIGH SCHOOL, Sunnydale, CA
February 26, 1999
"Victim number 5," Willow announced, walking into the library and throwing
a newspaper down on the table Buffy, Xander and Cordelia were already sitting at.
Giles snatched the paper before Buffy could examine it. He skimmed the page, his
eyes scanning back and forth.
"Hmmm…this girl was eleven," Giles began.
"Is eleven," Cordelia corrected. "Let's think positive." Giles
flashed her an uncertain look.
"That sort of breaks the pattern," Buffy noted. Giles nodded.
"This is most peculiar. I mean, there are plenty of demons and spirit that feast
on children. But these disappearances don't have a defining characteristic to try
to match them to a specific evil," he sighed.
"At least, there is nothing we've found yet," Buffy emphasized.
"But Buffy, until we find something, how are we supposed to prevent this from
happening to other innocent children?" Willow asked.
"I don't know Will. I haven't seen anything unusual on patrol lately. Just your
average undead vamps begging to be staked." She paused. "Wait, Giles, all
the girls vanished sometime before dark, right?"
"Um, yes, I believe so," Giles nodded, examining his notes. Buffy stood.
"Well there's a lead for you to check while we head to homeroom," she grinned.
Xander groaned.
"Suddenly feeling very ill…" he said, clutching his stomach. Cordelia grabbed
his collar gently and forced him to stand.
"C'mon Xand, homeroom won't kill you," she smiled. "Hey Willow, where's
Oz today?"
"He's cutting. He wanted to practice for the Bronze tonight," Willow informed
the gang. "He's a rebel," she added with an admiring look on her face.
"Giles, I'll be back after school," Buffy said over her shoulder. Xander,
Cordelia and Willow called their good-byes to Giles and left with Buffy through the
double doors. Giles heaved a sigh and studied the five newspaper articles carefully,
desperately searching for a small clue, any lead that would help stop these incidents.
Later that day…the cafeteria
"I wonder if serving edible food is against the National Code of Cafeteria Workers?"
Xander thought aloud, poking his egg salad sandwich with a celery stalk he had stolen
from Cordelia.
"That's why some of us bring our lunches from a reliable place: home,"
Cordelia replied, taking a bite of her chicken Caesar salad and giving him a satisfied
smile.
"Yes, well, some of us don't have the luxury of a gourmet chef to prepare brown
bags for us," Buffy sighed longingly. "I have to make do with my mother's
idea of tuna fish." She motioned at the flattened sandwich in front of her.
"It's still better than rancid egg salad," Xander reminded them.
"Rancid? Bonus points for vocabulary boy," Willow grinned. Xander straightened
up his shoulders.
"I can speak English real good," he mocked. Cordelia and Buffy both giggled.
Willow rolled her eyes. Same old Xander. Cordelia had made some positive alterations,
but he would never completely change.
"So what time is everyone getting to the Bronze tonight?" Willow asked
brightly, changing the subject. Buffy shrugged.
"Whatever time I get done with Giles," she answered. "I haven't really
given him much Watcher-Slayer quality time since Tuesday."
"Plus, maybe you'll find something about this whole vanishing mystery,"
Willow added, her eyes shining. "It really gives me the wiggins that whoever
is doing this is targeting children."
"Truly sick," Cordelia agreed, cringing. "But Xander and I will be
there around 8, barring any unforeseen circumstances." She smiled, raising her
eyebrows at Xander suggestively. Xander grinned, knowing what that look was for.
"You think you guys could get there a little earlier? That record executive
is gonna be there, and Oz could really use the moral support," Willow's voice
was calm, but her eyes were pleading with them.
"I'll get there ASAP, Will," Buffy offered.
"It's a sacrifice I think we're prepared to make," Xander agreed, ignoring
Cordelia's playful pout. He knew she understood. "Actually, Cordy, maybe I'll
go with Willow and meet you there. Then you'll have plenty of time to get ready without
me interrupting you." Cordelia mulled over his proposal.
"Okay. But I'll try to get there as close to 7 as I can Willow," she promised.
"Thanks guys," Willow beamed with excitement. "It means a lot to me…and
Oz! Tonight is gonna be major fun," she finished. Little did any of them know
how far from the truth that was.