Down Twisted
by drkdreamer
Chapter 22
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Chapter 22
The small silver car carrying Giles, Buffy and Willow came to a screeching halt directly outside the rundown apartment building that stood within the heart of Sunnydale's historic district. The blond Slayer had already vaulted from her seat, long before the Witch or Watcher could have the strength of mind to stop her. It took, perhaps, a scant second later for Willow Rosenberg to start following her swiftly moving lover. Buffy was just beginning to open the door that housed the hidden staircase when the out of breath Wiccan caught up with her. The two concerned girl's made their way up to the second story floor in record time but, slowed considerably just inside the gloomy hallway. The erie quietness gave both the Slayer and Witch wholly unnerving feelings, Buffy could already detect the faint smell of spilled blood within the air.
"Stay close to me Wills," said the somber blond as they started trekking towards the apartment Alex had mentioned in her letter. There was still a little hope that they could stop the dark woman, but within the Slayer's deepest heart rested the knowledge that once they entered into Skyton's home, everything would be over. She fully suspected it was already too late because she could detect no movement in the still air. The blond gave her lover one, long, searching glance before pushing open the closed apartment door. Once this was accomplished, the horrifically gruesome sight that greeted their eyes stole all hope from Buffy Summers and Willow Rosenberg.
A man's figure lay there, seemingly almost to float within the dark blood that pooled around the shattered remains of his head. The massive hole positioned exactly where Tom Skyton's forehead used to be, gave mute testimony to the serial killer's death. Both girl's where sickened by the combined scent of exposed brain tissue and drying blood and, in those first few seconds, neither Buffy nor Willow seemed to realize that Alex was nowhere to be found. The red head began calling out that woman's name as the Slayer panned her gaze around the silent livingroom. Some faint movement in the connecting bedroom caught her attention, Buffy linked hand's with Willow and, instantly, began walking in that direction.
They found the dark haired woman crouching down upon the floor, surrounded by a multitude of small objects. Both teens found it disheartening that she never once responded to their repeated calls of her name. Alexandra Robert's was clutching something against her chest, rocking to and fro, completely unaware of her surroundings. The heartsick Witch felt compelled to walk over to the still rocking figure and place one hand atop Alex's shoulder. Willow Rosenberg could clearly feel her heart break into about a million pieces as the Southerner's face turned up towards her own. Those normally sharp, always inquistive, dark gray eyes where now as dull and empty as a blank page, it hurt the Witch to see such a lost, hopeless expression splashed across Alex's familiar visage. Buffy took one look at the tears streaking down her lover's face and, instantly, realized what had happened. Alexandra Robert's mental capabilities had snapped with the death of Tom Skyton, she'd retreated once more into the dark confides of her own mind. It was truly frightening thing to admit to herself but the Slayer wasn't at all sure that Alex would possess the courage to find her way back out into reality without some outside help. Buffy spared one pitying glance toward's the older woman before reminding Will that they needed to get Alex back down to Giles car.
It took some time but, with more than a little begging on the Wiccan's part, they where eventually successful in this endeavor. The Southerner never even realized that she'd left the apartment and was now moving down the staircase because she was lost within an immense, dark void that offered her nothing but total and complete absolution. Alex was literally shuffling between the worried teenager's as they burst forth into the bright sunlight.
Giles caught sight of the slow moving trio and quickly hurried out to help the Slayer and Witch. The sheer and total grievousness of this situation was not lost upon the man but he chose to remain silent. It took a good 5 minutes before they could get the dark woman buckled into the backseat, all other parties then quickly followed suit. The ride back to Alex's house was utterly silent but also fraught with brimming tension and worry. Once the car pulled into the driveway, Rupert Giles helped the girl's get Alex to the couch before pinning his gaze upon the Slayer.
Buffy knew exactly what her Watcher was asking, she just had no way to answer him in that moment. He was wondering if, perhaps, Alex wouldn't be better off at the Hospital and shouldn't they be notifying the police about the body that lay inside the Claremont Hotel? They where perfectly valid questions but, after glancing Willow's way, Buffy knew her lover simply wasn't up to deal with those complications. The Hacker/Witch was concerned about only one thing, Alexandra Robert's state of mind.
"Wills, maybe Alex would be more comfortable laying down. Why dont'cha take her into the bedroom and make her comfortable, 'kay?"
Rupert was infinitely grateful for his charge's quick way of thinking, she really was quite resourceful, when need be. The Brit and Slayer waited only for the bedroom door to close before deviling into a quick conversation. In the end, it was decided that Alex would benefit more by being surrounded by her friends and own belongings and that the Sunnydale PD would be apprised of this situation at a more appropriate time. It was only after the concerned Watcher was repeatedly assured that they'd be allright for this evening that he was able to, reluctantly, to drive back to his own home.
Buffy shut and locked Alex's front door with a heavy heart and troubled mind. The single thought that was going on inside the Slayer's brain was that Alexandra Robert's would be able to snap herself back from her self imposed exile without needing help on her or Willow's part. Being a realist, she strongly suspected this would Not be the case. The dark woman's rather complicated formative years had graphically demonstrated that only certain things would be able to do That job. The blond slammed her eyes shut, utterly tormented to damn well know that she and Willow, most likely, held the keys to saving Alexandra Roberts from her own self. Buffy Anne Summers smiled in the most ironic of ways because she also knew that her tender hearted lover would do almost anything to save the dark woman. The blond Slayer was quite certain that casting themselves in what was once Mike and Amy's roles simply wouldn't fall into any categories that Wills would be comfortable exploring. To be sure, her lover had her outrageous moments, but at heart Willow Rosenberg was a very traditional girl. She would cast dollars to donuts that deliberately making out infront of another person was something that her brainy Witch simply would Not do. The perverse part of Buffy couldn't help but wonder how the other girl would handle the knowledge that they could help Alex, if they just did some tiny things. The blond shook her head, no way was That gonna happen! It was with a deep sigh, that Buffy sent up a prayer to the heavens themselves.
Dear God if there is one one, she silently thought, Please let Alex come back to us all on her own.
With a resolute set to her shoulders, the troubled blond began walking towards the bedroom.