Title: Night Encounter
Fandom: BtVS
Author: badly_knitted
Characters: Buffy, OFC.
Rating: PG
Word Count: 647
Spoilers/Setting: Early Season Two.
Summary: One night, as she patrols, Buffy has an unexpected meeting.
Content Notes: None needed.
Written For: Challenge 417: Amnesty 69, using Challenge 277: Cross.
Disclaimer: I don’t own BtVS, or the characters.



Buffy was used to wandering Sunnydale at night; she couldn’t track down and kill vampires by staying at home. Well, most of the time she couldn’t. There’d been a few exceptions, but for the most part, if she wanted to stake some vamps, she had to go looking for them after dark.

She didn’t mind all that much. Oh, she bemoaned her lack of a social life, bitched every time she broke a nail or ruined another outfit, complained about having to go on patrol when everyone else was at the Bronze, or a party, but being the Slayer wasn’t so bad, and she liked how peaceful the early hours of the morning could be.

Sometimes she saw other people, regular humans, out having fun, but most of the time, if Angel wasn’t around, she was quite happy being by herself, enjoying the warm night air. She’d thought she was alone tonight until she’d turned the corner and almost collided with a little old lady walking a small dog.

“Oh my, you gave me quite a scare, dear! Whatever is a pretty young girl like you doing out so late on a school night? Are you lost?”

Since her Slayer senses weren’t tingling, alerting her to a threat, Buffy could tell the old woman was exactly what she appeared to be.

“No, I’m fine, I just needed some fresh air to wake me up so I can get back to studying.” It was a lie, but she figured it was a harmless one. She could hardly tell the truth; Giles would blow a gasket, whatever that was.

“Well, you just be careful. There are some nasty types out and about at this time of night.”

“I’m fine, I can take care of myself, but you should be careful. This isn’t the best neighbourhood.” The street ran alongside one of Sunnydale’s cemeteries, a breeding ground for vampires.

“Perhaps not, but it’s where I can afford to live. Don’t you worry about me, though, dear. I never leave the house unprepared. I didn’t get to my age by being careless.” With that, the woman opened her coat to reveal a large wooden crucifix suspended from a cord around her neck. With the hand not holding the dog’s leash, she dug a vial of Holy water out of her pocket. “See?”

Buffy smiled. “I’m impressed.”

“Perhaps I should walk with you a little way. Just until you’re past the cemetery. The dead there don’t always rest easy.” The old lady lowered her voice. “Sometimes they come back.”

“I know,” Buffy replied, her voice just as low. “But I know how to deal with them.” She let her stake slide down her sleeve and into her hand. “It might not look like much, but it’s very effective.”

The woman nodded. “That’s good. I’m Elsie, by the way, and this is Horatio, my dog.” Elsie smiled down at the miniature schnauzer.

“Pleased to meet you both. I’m Buffy. Are you and Horatio always out so late?”

“Not every night, but since my late husband passed, sometimes we simply can’t sleep. I was always a bit of a night owl though.”

“Nights can be pretty great,” Buffy agreed, strolling along beside Elsie. “Especially when it’s this quiet.”

They walked in companionable silence for a bit, until Elsie stopped just past the cemetery.

“Well, here we are then, I’ll let you get on with your wandering in peace; we have to turn off here.” Elsie smiled at Buffy. “Perhaps we’ll run into each other again some other night.”

“I hope so. Enjoy the rest of your walk, and please be careful.”

“I will.” Elsie crossed the road and with a cheery wave, set off along a side street.

Buffy watched until she was out of sight before continuing on her way; it seemed not everyone in Sunnydale was blind to the dangers after dark.


The End