Found

She was fifteen, and getting to the age where if she was going to be called as a slayer, it would happen very soon, or not at all. She knew deep down that it was never going to happen, but she just couldn’t give up hope. Not yet. When she got to Oxford in a couple of years to join Rupert, then she knew she’d have to give up her dream, and focus on reality. But she still had time.

Rupert was so lucky, and so utterly stupid, Deidra thought. There he was, a Watcher in the making, a clear future, a destiny to save the world, and he was depressed about it! What was wrong with him? She’d trade him vocations in a heartbeat. Rupert had it very lucky in many ways, in comparison to her. He had two parents, his real parents, that loved him and cared about him. His father, Mr. Giles, was brilliant, and a great teacher. He had trained her right along with Rupert, so she knew first hand how wonderful a teacher he was. She often wished that Mr. Giles was her father too. But that would mean Rupert would be her brother, and she didn’t like that idea. Not at all. Oh, she loved Rupert…but it most definitely was not a brotherly kind of love. Of course, he was too brooding all of the time to even notice. To him, she was a little sister. She hoped that in Oxford, that would change. She’d give up her dream of being a slayer, if it meant a new dream would come true, that of Rupert loving her as much as she loved him. She would just have to convince him of it, and given time, she would. But that was for later. Right now, she wanted to continue Watcher and Slayer research, and try and figure out how she could be called to the fight! It was all so romantic!

She pulled another book off the shelf in the library and put it down on the table amongst the rest of them. She had about twenty of them in front of her chair, and had read all of them many times before. She adored books, because she could forget about her life for awhile, and lose herself in other lives, other places, and other struggles. She knew these books had no answers for her questions regarding how to be called as a slayer, but she had nothing else to do, and no other means at the moment. Her foster parents were at the Council in some kind of important meeting, and so was Mr. Giles. Rupert wasn’t home right now either, so the rules were that she could not leave the house. She never could go anywhere, except next door, and only then when Mr. Giles was there. So just like many days before, she spent her time in the family library.

In many ways, she wasn’t that bad off, and she knew she shouldn’t complain, so she didn’t. Not out loud anyway. But inside, she was always wishing it was different. The Sestons didn’t physically abuse her, or starve her, or anything like that. It was just like she didn’t exist at all to them. They never showed her that they cared at all about anything, except that she follow the rules. And when she didn’t follow the rules, they took her books away. She wasn’t allowed in the library, or even permitted to look at a magazine. So she didn’t break the rules.

The rules weren’t that bad anyway. She didn’t wander out of the house or have any friends, besides Rupert. He was allowed because of Mr. Giles and the Council, and his own destiny of being a Watcher. When she was accepted at Oxford, she would be free. The Sestons didn’t know her dreams, nor care. So she decided long ago it was best not to rock the boat where they were concerned, and to just focus on her “calling”.

Her stomach growled, interrupting her thoughts. It was time for a sandwich and a cup of tea, so she got up and headed towards the kitchen. On the way there, she had to pass Mr. Seston’s study, and she heard voices at the door. She noticed it was open a crack, not big enough to see anything, but open enough to let words filter through. She couldn't make out all the words, but when she heard her name spoken by Mr. Seston, she pricked up her ears. They were all suppose to be at the Council, she thought. So what were they doing there? And how long had they been there? It wasn’t unusual for her to be so into her books that she didn’t hear anything, but usually they would come to find her, letting her know they were home at least. Not because they cared to, but so she would know to put the books down and start on her chores.

Deidra recognized Mr. Seston’s voice, as well as Mrs. Seston’s. And then she was even more surprised to hear Mr. Giles’ voice. She did not recognize the other man’s voice, however. She was about to knock and walk in, just to say hello to Mr. Giles, but then she noticed that they all seemed to be arguing. It wasn’t the volume of their voices that made her think that, because they were not yelling or screaming. On the contrary, their voices were stilted and cold. The unknown man’s voice seemed to be the one in charge, by the tone of the conversation. She knew she should walk on to the kitchen, but she sensed that they were discussing her, and she just couldn’t seem to move her feet to walk away from the door.

“You don’t care about her Seston. You never have. You only care about the monthly stipend you get from me.” Deidra heard the ‘man’ say through the door. “Now, you know the arrangement. You both knew I would come for her when I was ready. You both played your parts admirably. Giles, you trained her, and Seston, you gave her shelter. But she is mine, and now I will claim her!”

Deidra’s heart froze. She had a sinking feeling in her chest. She didn’t know who that man was, but she knew beyond doubt that he was not a nice man. He was not a good man. He was not anyone she wanted to know. Ever. The man was distinctly British, cultured, and arrogant. That was obvious. It was the underlying current she felt from him that truly made her pale. Rooted to the spot, too scared now to even breathe, she continued her eaves dropping.

“Mr. Travers,” said Mrs. Seston, “Of course we understand the arrangement. Please forgive my husband for being impertinent. We just were not aware that it would happen this soon. We assumed it would be after her schooling in the next two years were completed.”

Mr. Travers? Deidra was sure she’d heard that name before…Yes, that was it. She had read of him. He was a new up and comer in the Council. If she remembered correctly, he was a new director of some sort. If this was the type that ran the Council, she was glad to not be a part of it. Perhaps Rupert was right after all? She had to tell him. She had to warn him. Maybe he could find something out about this Mr. Travers?

Her thoughts were interrupted by Mr. Giles stern voice. “You three turn my stomach. Deidra is not a tool, or a thing. She’s a fifteen year old girl.”

“Yes, Giles, she’s my fifteen year old girl. My daughter! And I will do with her what I see fit. Her time has come. I need to put her in a more secure location.”

“You talk as if it’s her safety that you are concerned about, but we all know it’s only your power and control that you think about! I wish I knew what your plan is!” Mr. Giles whispered harshly.

“And you, Mr. Giles, speak as if you are an innocent. Your hands are as bloodied as everyone else, so I recommend you keep your mouth shut. Unless you’d like to end up like your Slayer did?”

Deidra couldn’t contain herself anymore. This evil man was her father? What was going on? And Mr. Giles was keeping things from her? Did Rupert know too? No, he couldn’t of. He would have told her, and been as angry about it as she was. She pushed open the door and stared up at the three of them. They all turned and looked at her in surprise and anger. “What are you talking about!? What is going on?!”

Mr. Seston glowered at her. “What were you doing? Listening in at the door? This was a private conversation in my private office! What did you hear?”

“I heard enough. I know this Mr. Travers is my supposed father, and he wants to take me away. Well, I don’t want to go with him. And Mr. Giles, how could you do this to me? I thought you were different?” She looked at him, with the tears starting to stream down her face. Mr. Giles said nothing. He just looked at her blankly. He wasn’t going to help her. “I don’t understand..” she cried, then ran back to the library.

The Council members followed her. Mr. Travers secretly pulled a black box out of the inside pocket in his jacket, and removed a syringe full of an amber liquid.

Deidra was fast, but not that fast. She got to the library and tried to slam the door in their faces, but Mr. Giles was quickly behind her, and stronger. He held open the door as the others streamed into the room. Deidra ran around the table, sweeping the books towards them, but they dodged them neatly as they fell to the floor. It was then she saw that Travers held a syringe. He smirked at her, “Deidra, it’s no use fighting. I’m going to get you, so you might as well save it.” Deidra heaved the table over on to him. “Hold her!” he said, as he grunted from the weight of the table. Deidra picked up the chair closest to her, and threw it at them, but they deflected them easily, and the chairs fell to pieces as they landed on the ground.

Mr. Giles backed up against the bookshelves, and crossed his arms. He had already done enough damage. He couldn’t bring himself to do any more. The Sestons, however, followed orders. Each one grabbed her arms, and held her kicking and screaming. Her training had made her strong, but they were seasoned Watchers. She never knew how strong they were, but they held her in their vice like fists, and Travers advanced with the syringe.

“Now Deidra, the more you struggle, the more effective this potion will be. The faster your heart pumps, the more damage it will do. Paralysis will set in, and over time, if you don’t receive the antidote, your organs will shut down. Stop fighting me, and I’ll give you the antidote when we get to our destination.” He came up from behind her and plunged the syringe into her neck. She gasped, and her legs gave out as she sunk to the floor. And then there was only blackness.

TBC