When the Sun Falls (BTVS)

Chapter 7: Evil Pangs

Season 3: Episode 7

I stumble backwards as my breaths shorten. My heart pounds against my chest as fear takes over. Angel was here, alive. The person who had ruined my life, who took everything from me, was standing right in front of me.

I fall onto the grass, fumbling for a stake. Angel comes up, " Aurora, what are you-"

" Get away from me," I say, voice trembling.

Angel stops in his tracks and puts his hands up, where I would be able to see them. " Aurora, it's me, Angel. I have a soul."

With everything pounding against my head, I barely hear this, " You're not evil?"

Angel smiles, " No."

I nod and stand up, brushing off the dirt. " What's that?" I ask, pointing to a large bundle in his jacket pocket. It looked in the shape of a human arm.

Angel looks down, " Glove of Menagon. I plan to destroy it."

I nod, unable to do much more. The memories continue to come flooding back. Everything he did to me, everything that I had tried to forget was just coming back up. The pains, the burning, the screaming, the fear.

" Are you okay?" Angel cuts in, " You look tense."

I couldn't even look him in the eyes, " Yeah."

I sit down on the bench, in hopes for him to leave. After a moment of silence, Angel crouches down beside me. I jump, letting out a squeak of fear. Shit.

Angel reaches for my hand. This time, I keep it there, not wanting him to see, " So, you're back. You died though. How did-"

Angel cuts me off, " Oh god. Aurora, I am so sorry."

I look down to his face. The evil in his eyes was no longer there, just the kind chocolate brown ones that had been there when I had first met him. This isn't the killer, I remind myself. Still, I choose to play it dumb. "For what?"

" Don't act like you don't know. Aurora, I know what I did to you. I remember your screams, and your face. I still remember the taste of your blood on my lips. And that's after thousands of years in hell. You'd have no trouble remembering in a few months."

" Well what if I don't want to." I whisper, " What if I want to forget the past, and start focusing on how I can kick demon ass in the future. But no, I can't, cause things like you keep popping up and making me remember. I'm fine Angel, just go away."

I go to stand up, but Angel catches my wrist, " No. I can't forget about something like that. I raped you, I spilled your blood, all for what? Pleasure?"

I swallow the thickness in my throat, pushing down the tears, " It seems that way. It wasn't you though, so there is nothing you need to apologize for."

" Really?", Angel says, grabbing my arms and pulling me in front of him, " Look at me then. Look me in the eye and tell me that you enjoyed what I did! Tell me that it wasn't my fault!"

I keep my head lowered. There was no stopping the salty tears from running silently down my cheeks, plastering my hair to my face.

Angel lets go of my arms, " Were you a virgin?" he asks softly.

I let out a small nod, " I'm so sorry Aurora."

I swallow, mustering enough courage to speak, " Just... just leave m-me alone."

With this, I ran from the cemetery, all the way to Giles's house, not looking back until I was safely at his porch. Swinging the door open, looking over to Faith's new watcher, and Giles, who were having some tea. I had meant to wipe off my face, but I had forgotten, and it was probably still red, and stained with tears. I let out a sharp breath, " Can I talk to you, please?"