Nocturnal Bravura

William Giles walked into his house on Revello Drive. His mind tried to process everything that had happened tonight. He knew he had to keep up appearances. His father had a sense about these things. What did William expect he was a third generation Watcher. Just like William’s grandfather and great grandmother before him. William was to inherit that role. That was before. Two years ago before the world spun out of control.

William heard Rupert emerge from the study.

“William, your back early.” Rupert observed.

William nodded.

“It was a quiet night.” William responded.

Rupert took off his glasses and pulled out his handkerchief, a tell tale sign that Rupert was about to broach a subject uncomfortable to him.

“I take it you know what tomorrow is?” Rupert asked.

William sighed nodding slowly.

“We have to be there for her William. It will be difficult for her to say the least.” Rupert said.

William smiled trying to reassure his father.

“I know. Is she sleeping yet?” William asked.

Rupert smirked.

“I assume she is in bed but you know as well as I do William she does not sleep until she sees you.” Rupert said smiling back at his son.

“Right then.” William replied.

William walked up the stairs and turned to the first door on the right. He rapped on the door.

“Will! Come in!” He heard a young girl yell.

William opened the door and walked in.

For a brief moment his previous worries melted away at the site of the young girl tucked into her covers laying in a small pick canopy bed. He walked over and sat on the edge.

“ ‘Lo Lil Bit” He said his British accent sounding a bit more thick.

“Hi Will. Kill any mean nasties tonight?” The young girl asked.

William frowned at her.

“Dawnie, you know you shouldn’t....”

“I know, I know don’t sound like Giles please. I don’t need to hear another guardian-like lecture about destiny and responsibility. How I should not even know my guardian’s son is The Slayer and that it’s a privilege to be included in the little Scooby circle.” Dawn said rolling her eyes.

William had to laugh at her.

“All right I won’t say a word.” William said.

His eyes drifted to a picture at Dawn’s bedside. It was such a beautiful photo. In the middle was Dawn’s mother Joyce, flanked on each side with her lovely daughters.liamliam absentmindedly reached out and touched the photo.

“I know you know what tomorrow is.” Dawn whispered.

William nodded.

“Sometimes I can’t believe it’s been two years.” Dawn said picking up the photo.

“I miss them both so much.” Dawn said fat tears rolling down her tiny face.

William reached out and hugged the girl.

“I know Bit me too.” William whispered.

“Is it bad Will that I think of her more than I think of Mom?” Dawn asked.

William shook his head.

“Makes sense. Your Mum was sick for a long time. Your sister it, was sudden.” William said trying not to let her emotions get the better of him.

“Giles says we don’t have to go to school tomorrow. Well your in college so I guess you can skip whenever you want to. Me, I need an excuse. Can you believe she would have been nineteen tomorrow?” Dawn said.

William nodded looking down.

Dawn frowned.

“I’m sorry William. I know how you felt about her.” Dawn said reaching out and holding his hand.

He smiled at the thirteen year old girl in front of him. Dawnid ald always been so intuitive. So smart for such a young thing. The rest of the world never saw through his facade but Dawn always did even at nine she knew William had been hopelessly in love with her sister. Now at thirteen her intuition was only stronger. Rupert suspected she may have sort of special gift, that marked by her forced maturity made Dawn different from other girls her age. Perhaps that’s why William felt so bonded to her. He knew what it felt like to see the world through eyes that were askew.

“Go to bed Lil’ Bit we’ll see you in the morning.” William said kissing the top of her head.

Dawn smiled and snuggled into the covers.

William began to walk out the door. He opened the door and begun to swing it shut when he heard Dawn whisper.

“Happy Birthday Lizzie, I miss you.”


Chapter Six: Twisted Tale Of Woe

William entered his room and shut his door he leaned against it for a moment shutting his eyes. After a long moment he walked over to his desk and sat down. He stared at the triple framed picture on his desk. One side was a re pic picture of him and The Scoobies. Xander, his girlfriend Anya, Willow and her boyfriend Oz. The best mates a Slayer could ask for. They stood by him in battle and in life. Xander was somewhat of a weapons expert while Willow was good at anythin do do with research that and she was a hell of a witch.

Anya, well that one was complicated. Hard to explain to the average human that you best friend’s girlfriend was once a demon that had been around for 2000 years. Even more strange to try to get them to wrap their heads around the fact that she wasn’t anymore because she got begrudgedly stuck here but somehow became a white hatter.

Oz was a great friend loyal and trusting. Adored Red who William loved like a sister. However they had to keep him caged up three nights a month being a werewolf and all.

In the center was a family picture. Spike and William’s 16th birthday their parents hugging each of them. Before their mother Jenny died. Before either of them knew anything about their destiny and fate. Before Spike.....

Spike had always been closer to his mother than he was to his father. William had deduced along time ago that it was because they shared the same carefree spirit. They were both artist. Jenny a painter; Spike a musician. They both wore their hearts on their sleeves and gave into their emotions. While William and his father were more reserved. They were both shy and sometimes a bit distant. Which was why their family unit worked so well. Gone were those days.

William looked at the final picture. It was the one that always choked him up. It was taken at Disneyland near The Haunted Mansion. The four of them looked so happy. It was Dawn’s 10th birthday. Elizabeth had begged her mother to trust her enough to take the long drive from Sunnydale to Disneyland. At first they adamantly refused Elizabeth was only 16 and had just gotten her driver’s license. William would never forget the disappointment of Elizabeth’s face. Unlike most older sisters. Elizabeth adored spending time with Dawn. She desperately wanted to give Dawn a special birthday seeing as their father said he would not attend. Hating to disappoint his two favorite girls William walked over to the artist studio behind the Summers home that Joyce and Jenny shared and volunteered his services.

Spike and William took them to Disneyland. Elizabeth absolutely spoiled her little sister showering her with everything from cotton candy to silly mouse ears. William and Spike had sat down on a bench waiting for an impossibly long line to move to let then into the “haunted” attraction. Elizabeth seizing the opportunity asked the people behind them to take a picture of the four of them. Dawn jumped onto Spike’s lap. Which seemed odd to William Dawn had always been partial to the younger of the twins. It hit him that The Bit was manipulating the situation so that Elizabeth’s only option would be to plant herself on William’s lap which she did. It was a happy genuine moment for the four of them. Gone were those days as well.

He looked at Elizabeth her eyes danced full of life and love. So different than what they looked like now. Confused, lost, weak. He put the picture down and begun his nightly ritual. He took a shower and got into bed. William closed his eyes wondering what memory would invade his dreams tonight.