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Title: Type of Curse 88/100 TtH Prompt: #66 Were-Animal Summary: Finding the cause of Buffy’s unease. Type of Curse Buffy held back the urge to shudder as they walked through the village. Whatever had been registering on her senses since they had arrived seemed to be stronger here. Yet, she couldn’t really pin down the cause. The people seemed to be friendly enough. The strangers among them didn’t frighten them, nor did they view them with any sort of hostility. They were just curious about them, which was only natural. As Daniel talked with the village leader who was giving them the tour, Cameron moved so he was walking next to Buffy. “What’s wrong? Still gettin’ that ‘funny’ feeling?” “Yeah, and it’s starting to creep me out,” she admitted. “We’ve been invited to stay the night here in the village. Do you think it’s safe?” Her brow furrowed as she thought it over. “I think so,” she said finally. “It’s not really a ‘danger is coming’ feeling.” “Okay, but I’ll keep my eyes peeled just in case,” he said, before lengthening his stride to catch back up with Daniel. XXXXXXXXXX “It is time to retire for the day,” Vaughn, the village leader, said later that day. “Now?” Daniel asked in surprise. “The sun hasn’t completely set yet. I was hoping to explore your library more this evening.” “I’m afraid that is not possible. It will be too dangerous,” Vaughn replied, leading them to a large building in the center of the village. “Dangerous? How?” Cameron asked with a frown. “There are some large animals that live nearby. They tend to attack at night.” “They didn’t bother us up on the hill last night,” Cameron pointed out. “They do not… always attack,” Vaughn said with a tight smile. “This is for your protection.” The team suddenly found themselves surrounded by several large men from the village. While they did not have their weapons removed, they were herded into a large room, with a heavy door and no windows. The door was shut and locked behind them, leaving the room illuminated by a small lamp. “What was that all about?” Vala asked no one in particular. “Daniel, did you get a good look at the moon last night?” Buffy asked. “Yes, why?” He replied, adjusting his glasses. “Would you say that it’s a good chance that tomorrow night will be a full moon?” “Probably.” Buffy sat down on the floor and stretched her legs out in front of her. “Then we’re probably safe here. They’ll let us out in the morning.” “How can you be so calm about this? What do you know?” Cameron asked, as he squatted down next to her. “I just put some things together. They’re werewolves, I think. At least, they’re some sort of shape-shifting type people. And I mean all of them, down to every last kid. They shift the night before, of, and after a full moon.” “Which explains why they didn’t attack last night,” Cameron said, shifting so he could sit as well. “It’s been so long since I’ve been around one, that I’d forgotten what they ‘felt’ like. Plus, I’ve never been around so many before,” she said, absently rubbing her arms. “Which is why you couldn’t pinpoint it,” Cameron said as the pieces fit together in his head. “How did the whole village get infected?” Daniel asked, as he and Vala sat against the opposite wall. “Who knows? Maybe they’ve always been this way,” Buffy said with a shrug. “Why didn’t they just tell us?” Vala asked. “They probably view it as some sort of curse that shouldn’t be spoken of,” Daniel explained. “Or not discussed with outsiders.” “So we just wait until morning and then head back to the gate?” Vala asked. “We should probably wait until after the whole full moon cycle,” Buffy said. “That way we don’t run into a stray and be forced to shoot it.” Previous Chapter Buffygate Menu Next Chapter |
