Dark Soul

Xander attempted to move himself from the bed but was unable. There was simply not enough blood in his system. What he needed was to feed. But he didn't know whether he'd be able to do that, to feed from a human. It was something that he had yet to work out. How would him and Puppy feed without harming anybody?

His thoughts drifted aimlessly on all the possibilities. But he settled on the most disturbing.

Sometimes when him and Willow got bored they took a dog or some random animal off the street and brought it to Puppy. When they got to the cell Puppy would flinch and move to the corner, anything to get away for his inevitable beatings. However, the redheaded vampiress would beat Puppy more if he didn't provide her with an adequate show. This was a game. Games had rules – and Puppy had to play by them.

The game was for Puppy to rip the head off the animal and drink without the use of his demon guise. If he failed his task Willow would simply beat him for not providing the right entertainment. Puppy would always hesitate at first, but would eventually feed from the animals. There was no telling how long it would be until Puppy's next meal, so he always drank what he was brought.

Xander and Willow would laugh as Puppy attempted to drain the beasts they brought in. It usually took him an hour because his strength was depleted and he had to try and drink the animal while still bound by his chains. The reason why it was amusing to the two vampires was because the animal was always presented to Puppy with broken limbs, it was defenseless.

They would set it down a few feet away from Puppy and watch as he attempted to reach for it. Because the shackles were so tight his skin would break and his wrists would bleed. Every time he winced in pain the two vampires laughed at him. Poor Puppy was so weak he could barely manage to kill an actual puppy. It was the theme of the game – Puppy's helplessness .

When he got to the animal he could barely pick it up without hissing in pain. Then Puppy would snap it's neck and try to rip the head off.

That was the best part of the show - watching Puppy become frustrated as he attempted to rip the head off. Willow would taunt him and tell him if he didn't get it done soon she would beat him for the next several hours, describing all her favorite toys and all the ways they would be used on the vampire. As soon as the words reached Puppy's ears he struggled and tried his hardest to get the head off. More threats were given and Puppy would try harder. He would try so hard that sometimes he broke bones in his wrists. Then he would be on the verge of tears because it took so much out of him to do the task.

That's why it was the best part, because Puppy actually cried. All the frustration would build up and Puppy would always get the head off in time, but he would cry when he was done. Not for the animal, they were beasts after all, but for himself. For what he was forced to do just to make Willow laugh.

Xander wondered if he could do that himself. Feed from animal's like Puppy did. It was degrading for a vampire, especially a master, to drink from anything but humans. He told himself he couldn't do it, it was beneath him. But if he had to to keep Puppy and himself alive he would. Though, that was no good to him now. He hardly thought a dog or cat would stroll into the room and throw itself in his lap. Something had to come along soon, or he would lose his chance to find Puppy.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when a man came rushing into the room. " Is everything alright in here? I heard screaming and... Oh dear lord," the man said and covered his eyes at the site of the nude body laying on the bed. " What happened in here," the man asked still covering his eyes.

Xander stared at the man. He was slim, had short brown hair, blue eyes, and wore glasses. It didn't really matter but Xander couldn't help it. He always remembered his victims, he just loved to remember the looks on their faces while they screamed.

Immense guilt began to build up inside him. But for now he'd have to push it aside.

"I was attacked. Can you help me out," Xander said trying to get the man to come closer to him. He hated himself for what he was about to do, but he had to get out of this place and look for Puppy. If anything happened to the elder vampire Xander didn't know what he would do. Puppy was his purpose now, and if anything happened to him then Xander had no purpose.

The man took the hand off his face and looked at him. " What attacked you? Do you know who it was," he asked. The man seemed to have good intentions, he was trying to help. But that didn't matter. All Xander needed was the man's blood, then he could go out and look for his Puppy.

"I don't know. Can you please come and help me out. I can't move," Xander said in desperation.

The man stood there for a moment before proceeding. Grabbing a blanket, the man placed it over Xander's lower body before inspecting him. " What did this person do? I see a few bruises but I can't see anything serious. Are you sure you can't move?"

"Yes I'm sure." All he needed was for him to come just a bit closer. A little closer and he could grab him and pierce his neck before the man knew what was going on. "He bit me."

"Oh dear," the man gasped and looked the place over, searching the darkness for any lurking figures. Fear was coming off him in waves and Xander had to wonder what was up with him. Something was off about him, something that Xander didn't like. But that wouldn't matter in a few minutes because all he needed was for the man to come a bit closer. "You have to tell me, was he... Was his face misshapen? Did he have ridges on his brow?"

"What," Xander said in shock. Did he know about vampires? Could he know about demons? He pushed those thoughts aside. That didn't matter at the moment. What mattered was Puppy." Um. Yes he did. He bit me on the side of the neck. I feel weak. Can you just look at it for me? I don't know what he did."

The man looked at him intently before responding. " I don't think you have any clue what's just happened. I need to get you some help immediately," he said as he made his way to leave.

"No!" Xander yelled. This wasn't going as planned. This man was going to ruin everything. Xander needed to get out of here and now. " Just please look at it for me. I'm scared. I don't want to be left alone. He could come back."

The man turned around and hurried to his side. " You're right, I'm sorry. We have to get out of here quick if what did this to you is still lurking about." He reached down to grab Xander and flinched. " You're cold," he said in surprise. The man tried to take his hand away but his wrist was caught by the vampires hand. He tried to pull away but it was too late, Xander had him exactly where he wanted him. " Let go," he yelled.

The man managed to turn his back to Xander, but the vampire already had his arm locked around his waist and the man's right arm behind his back. The man struggled to get free but Xander was much stronger. Shifting into demon guise he moved his head into position. " I'm so sorry," he said and pierced the man's jugular with his fangs.

The blood flooded his mouth and he felt himself becoming stronger. It wouldn't be enough for him to recover full strength, but it would be enough to run out and find Puppy. This was something he shouldn't be doing. He shouldn't be feeding from humans. Not if he ever wanted to stop the cravings for their blood.

He felt the slim man's heartbeat slow down and his body go limp. It was enough, he couldn't take anymore without killing him.

He dislodged his fangs and the man fell on the bed unconscious . Moving as quickly as possible Xander grabbed his belongings and got dressed. He grabbed his bag and went to the man, scooping him up into his arms before running out of the room.

He went a few rooms down and started banging on the door. A slim woman with long brown hair answered and looked at him in disbelief. She looked terrified and made an attempt to shut the door. Xander put his foot in the way making sure she could not shut it.

"You have to call 911. He's hurt badly, he's lost a lot of blood."

The woman looked at him and Xander could smell the fear on her. "What? I don't.. Oh god what happened," she said in panic.

Xander had no time to waste with her, he needed to find Puppy before dawn. There was a good amount of time before then but he still needed to hurry. Anything could happen and he would never forgive himself if something happened to Puppy.

He opened the door and placed the body on the bed. " I can't stay. Listen, I have to go. Just call 911 and make sure he's OK." He didn't stay to answer any questions and ran full speed into the night.

With his vampire senses he was able to pick up on the scent of pure anguish that had exuded off of Puppy. The scent was still so fresh in the air. But he couldn't quite figure out where Puppy would go. As far as he knew Puppy had never been to L.A.. Even if he had, Puppy still had no place to go and he didn't know anybody.

Running for what seemed like forever he stopped at the place Puppy's scent ended. Looking around he didn't see any signs of the elder vampire. Taking a deep whiff he was overcome with the scent of other demons. His body went stiff as he realized where he was. This was a bad part of the city, filled with dark alleys, and it smelled of many demons. Some vampires, others were not. This was bad. He had stopped directly in front of a demon bar.

He prayed Puppy hadn't gone inside. There was no telling what a bunch of crazed demon's would do to a broken vampire with a soul. Not to mention the fact that Puppy was running around in the nude.

He took a deep breath – something he did only when extremely nervous – and walked into the bar. He scanned the place and looked for any signs that Puppy had been here recently. But he didn't see anything that resembled the elder vampire.

The whole bar was full of demons that he had never seen before. Ones with protruding horns, slimy skin, and foul odors. There were very few vampires, but that was most likely because there were no humans to drink from.

He remembered vividly of all the entertainment and fun a vampire could have at the Bronze. Humans hung from the ceiling, tied to walls, pool tables even. There was nothing that wouldn't be done to a human while at the Bronze. It was a place for a vampire to let loose and vent all their creative energy's out on a human canvas. Because humans were for sport and not food, many were subjected to thing's that would make the evilest of soul's cringe . Of course, vampires didn't have souls, so it was fare game to them. Figuring this place didn't have any human toys, nor did it have a torture room, Xander could see why there were very few vampires.

Someone had to have seen Puppy though. They just had to. His scent did end here after all. But it could have been all the other demons that prevented him from sensing Puppy. He didn't know but he had to ask. He only hoped no one picked up on the fact that he had a soul. No telling who might want to challenge him.

He walked up to the bar and took a seat. He eyed the bartender, motioning for him to come over. The bartender was an old looking demon with droopy, wrinkled blue skin, and pure white hair. It's eyes were solid white and it had three jagged horns that protruded from it's forehead. It wasn't that big either, probably a little shorter than Xander himself. A bit chunky too. Xander wondered if the demon was a male or female, he could never tell with most demons. "What can I's get for youz," it asked with a deep foghorn voice. Definitely a male demon.

"I'm not here for a drink. I'm here looking for someone." Hopefully the demon wouldn't give him a hard time. All he wanted to do was find his Puppy and he would be out of this place.

"Oh. A persons. I reallies don't know if I's can help youz. Ain't seen no bodies. Specially not no humans," the demon said as it grabbed a glass and began cleaning it.

"What makes you think I'm looking for a human?"

The demon gave a questioning looking before staring at the glass and continuing it's task. " Wells, most the vampires I's see around heres wants'em the humans. I's ain't seen no humans lately, so I's tell them the same thing. No humans. Youz no want the humans?"

"No I don't want any humans. I'm looking for another vampire. He is.... Like me."

The demon looked at him and laughed. "Oh, youz mean the soul. I sees the soul all over youz. It is a good soul. Youz be fortunate to haves such a gift."

Xander's mouth dropped and he looked around the room, hoping none of the other demons heard what was just said. He turned around and glared at the bartender. " You should keep your damn mouth shut. Are you trying to get me killed?"

The demon stared at him for a second and it's mouth curved into a smile. " Youz shouldn't be so jumpy. I's no tell anyone who'd hurts you. I's not really a fighter, so I's don't really likes making trouble. I was justs asking if's these vampire friends of yourz has a souls too."

Xander was floored. What was this weird demon. " What the hell are you? How do you know I have a soul?"

The demon turned around, back facing Xander, and began to fill the glass with something. " I's knows many things. These place is not a bad place. It's safe for... The peaceful ones. Humans also comes to me. I's can sees soul's. Tell if a persons, or demons is good. Vampires are blank. I's figures it's because they was humans and now they've no soul's. Demons I can sense, it's an aura thing. But vampires are strange to me. Youz, your black. Yours soul is black, destructive. But it means well." It turned around and gave Xander the glass he was previously filling. " Heres. On the house little vampires."

"What do you mean destructive," Xander asked. He really didn't know what the hell the old demon was going on about.

It merely laughed and tried to hand him the glass. " Take it."

The glass was filled with blood. Xander looked at it for a second before taking it from the demon. " Thank you. But I really need to find him. I have to find him. Please will you tell me where he is?"

"Drink first. We's talk later."

The demon turned around but was grabbed by it's shoulder. "Please," Xander pleaded. " Tell me. He is..."

"Specials to youz. I knowz little vampires. Buts you need to learn, nothings ever comes out hows you likes it. That vampires youz looking for. I's seen him. He ran in here not to long agos. He's was confused, saddened. His soul cried, it wept. That poor, poor, creature. I hopes he finds what hes looking for."

"Were did he go? Please tell me. * Please *." Xander was so desperate to know he would have done anything.

"Oi. This is not good. I's tell you. Youz are going to needs more help than I's can gives little vampires."

"I don't need your help," he growled.

"Oi. Yes youz do," the demon insisted. " Drinks up and I's tell you were he go."

"OK fine. I asked for your help, but it doesn't mean need it," he scowled. It was such an obvious lie but this demon was really pissing him off. He wanted to go find Puppy and quick. This talking was only holding him up.

Drinking down the blood quickly he listened to what the demon had to say. "OK. OK. I's tell youz. But I's must tell you I'm no good with these things." He leaned in and whispered to Xander. " Listen. I's like youz little vampires. So I'm going to give you all my advices. Youz never come back though, youz are destructive. That vampires you seek. The one like youz. He is in trouble. He is lost little vampires. His soul, he's broken. He wants to not be living. Youz sees. I's can't see the future, I's can only read feelings. That's vampire, he almost make me break. He's is so lost and alone. When youz find himz. You need to prove to himz somethings. I don't knowz what he wants. But if youz don't do something hes soul, will die."

Xander thought about that. Could this demon being telling him the truth? Could he really read souls? He thought about it and all that it could mean for him and Puppy. He didn't want Puppy to hurt anymore, he didn't want the vampire to die. Why was this happening? Why was Puppy so broken and alone? He knew it was the torture. The beatings. But he just couldn't take back the past. When he found Puppy, he was going to do something. That something he wasn't too sure of but it had to be something that proved his devotion and loyalty to the vampire.

He remembered the hurt and pain in Puppy when he uttered the words ' you lied '. When he thought about it his heart wrenched. He would never lie to Puppy, not ever. Not if he truly wanted the vampire to trust him.

Tears began to come to the surface of his eyes at the thought that this demon could be right. What if Puppy wanted to die? What if he ran away just to walk out into the sun? Then Xander would be alone. He didn't want to be alone. If Puppy died he knew that he would want to follow. He just couldn't be alone.

The demons deep voice broke his thoughts and he listened intently. " Listens little vampires. I's don't want no tears. Youz saves those, shows them to the other one. I's no good with emotions you sees. I's see too many feelings and I's don't like it. That's why I's loves this place. Demons no feel nothing.

I tell you this because your soul means wellz for the broken one. There is trouble. You must leave now. Youz look around these bar, not so many demons. Yes there's a good amounts, but demons, they are dying. Something is killings demons around here, lots o' vampires too. I's don't know what it is. But it's something. Somethings is killing lots of demons. So you must hurry and find the other one. He left nots to long ago and was followed. He was crazy. I did nots have the heart to throw him out. But he caused trouble and was followed out by three other vampires. You should go... Bye little vampires."

The demon nodded and went back to work. Xander made his way to leave. But before he even made it out of the seat the demon turned to him and spoke again. " Waits! I forgots. Here take this, " the demon reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. " It's an address. Go to that place when you findz the other ones. These place is called Caritas. There is a demon there who can read things. Far better than I's. When you find the other ones take him there. That demons can guide youz into the right direction. Good luck little vampires."

"Thank you," Xander said and ran out the door.

He ran up and down the alleys, sticking to the shadows. He had to find Puppy before the three vampires the demon had mentioned hurt Puppy. * His * Puppy.

***

Puppy ran down the alleyway completely oblivious to the shadowy figures that followed. He ran as far as his legs would take him. He didn't want to go back, he wouldn't go back. All he had to do was keep running until the sun came up, then he could finally be free.

His head was feeling light and he became dizzy. In the center of the empty alley he tripped and fell on his face. He tried to get up only to be kicked in the ribs by a figure that appeared from the shadows.

Puppy hissed in pain and turned on to his back. His eyes watered as he noticed three vampires step from the shadows and come closer to him. " No! Stay back. * Please *. I don't want to go back. Go away," he screamed.

One of the figures kicked him in the ribs and put a hand in his hair. " Look at this. Pretty little thing isn't he," the vampires said as he lifted Puppy's head and showed him to the other two. " He looks a bit crazy though. But look at that ass. Such a pretty little tight ass he has."

The vampire began to stroke Puppy's thigh up and down. " No! Leave me alone. Just let me die," Puppy pleaded.

They laughed at him. " Hear that? The little bitch wants to die," one of them said.

The vampire stroking his thigh punched him in the face. Then he began swinging his fists into Puppy's ribcage. Puppy began to bleed and he wanted it to stop. Why wouldn't they let him die? He just wanted the pain to go away.

"When I'm done with you, you can die. But not until I'm done with you little bitch." The vampire stopped punching Puppy and grabbed his ankles. Positioning himself in between Puppy's legs the vampires unzipped his pants an put his erection at Puppy's entrance. " I'm going to enjoy fucking you little bitch. Try not to scream to much. It ruins the mood."

Puppy looked at the vampire as he positioned his hard erection at his entrance. He began to sob and he tried to punch the other vampire. But the two other figures grabbed his hands and held him still.

"Please don't. * Please *. Please. Please," he cried.

He tried to shut down but he knew what was going to happen. He only prayed that the sun would come up in a few hours so the hurting would stop.

Closing his eyes Puppy prepared himself for the inevitable.

But nothing happened.

He opened his eyes and stared at the vampire positioned between his legs, right before the figure turned to dust. The two vampires that held him down jumped into action and attacked the unknown figure who had dusted their partner.

Puppy couldn't make out a thing. His eyes were filled with too many tears and he couldn't see. All he heard were screams and then he could hear only one person. Whatever it was it had just killed all three of his attackers.

The figure came towards him and he tried to back away. He didn't want to get hurt again, this thing would most likely hurt him. He just wanted to die and yet everyone wanted to hurt him.

"Go! Please leave me alone," he said as tears fell down his face. But the figure came closer. "Don't.... Please.."

"I'm just checking if your OK. Are you OK? They were going to rape you. Thought I was helping. But whatever. I can see you just want to stay here. I really don't give a damn," the figure said coldly.

That voice. It sounded familiar to Puppy. " Wait don't go," he begged.

The figure came back and Puppy wiped the tears from his eyes trying to get a better view of the person who had just saved him. When he saw who it was he shook his head in disbelief.

"No! It's not you. It's not you," he looked down and shook his head, chanting the words over and over to himself.

"Who's not me? I don't think I get it," the person said with a confused look.

Puppy looked at the figure with his tear-filled eyes. "I waited for you!"

TBC