* * * * * * * * *

I just looked at Bonnie. How did she expect to take on these six guys? I thought.

But before I could say anything, she walked out from behind the building.

As she walked out no one noticed her. She walked up to about five feet from the circle of boys and stood there with her hands on her hips.

"Then she said, "Why the blindfold guys? Afraid your faces will make her sick?"

They all stopped laughing and turned to look at Bonnie. One of them holding onto the girl.

"Look guys. We have another guest come to join our little party." One of them said.

They began to move closer to surround her.

"The way I see it guys is you got two choices." Bonnie said counting on her fingers. "One. There’s the easy way, which means you let her go and hit the road right now. Or two, there’s the hard way, which involves lots of blood, broken limbs, and torn ligaments. All yours of course."

"I’m leaving it up to you. But, I’m hoping you choose the hard way."

I couldn’t believe she was talking like this to these guys. All she was going to do was make them real mad.

The tall blond guy standing right in front of Bonnie said. "Girlie I’m going to enjoy hurting you."

"Oh goodie. You’ve picked number two."

Suddenly one guy charged at Bonnie from her right trying to grab her. She ducked under the charge. Then as he went by she brought up her knee and struck the guy a hard blow in the stomach doubling him over.

Next another guy came from the other direction. Bonnie met his charge with a stiff arm to his chest straightening him up. Then she ducked down, spun around with her leg out, striking his legs from behind, and out from underneath him. He fell striking the ground hard.

Not pausing she stepped up to another man. A quick strike with one fist and this one was down for the count.

Then the blond guy who had threatened her wrapped his arms around her from behind in a bear hug and lifted her from the ground.

Without any sign of panic or concern Bonnie struck backwards with her foot and hit him hard in the leg. He staggered and her feet were back on the ground his arms still wrapped around her but not quite as tight. Instantly she swung back with her elbow. The blow caught him in the stomach driving the air out of him. Then reaching up she grabbed one of his arms and bending forward easily flipping the guy over her and onto his back.

With a yell the first man who tried to attack her charged again. Bonnie twisted and struck out with her foot catching him full in the stomach. He doubled over in pain and staggered forward. Bonnie quickly brought up a knee and hit him in the face. His head snapped back, then he toppled forward.

The last attacker stepped up and attempted to hit her with a roundhouse kick. Bonnie grabbed his swinging foot stopping it cold. Then she started to walk forward causing the man to hop backwards. She backed him up until he almost tripped over one of his fallen cohorts. Then she started to twist the leg while pushing back until he was twisted totally off balance and fell.

As he fell backwards, he put his hands out behind him in a natural attempt to catch himself. He screamed in pain as he fell hard on one hand possibly breaking the wrist or arm.

Bonnie resumed a combat stance as she looked around to make sure that none of her opponents had any fight left. The only response from any of them was moans of pain, or gasping attempts to recover their breath.

Then he turned to the last guy who was still holding the girl who was sobbing quietly.

Bonnie looked at him for a moment. He just stared back with his mouth hanging open with an amazed expression on his face that must have been a near copy of mine.

Then Bonnie made a palms up gesture and asked. "Are you going to fight or what?"

Her words brought him out of his trance. He immediately let the girl go and put up his hands.

The girl fell to her knees and started to cry louder.

"Look Miss." The lone standing man said. "I don’t want no trouble."

"Trouble you already got." Bonnie said.

By this time I managed to regain myself and started over to help the girl.

I knelt next to the sobbing girl and said. "It’s okay, you’re safe now."

Then I started to remove the blindfold. Once it was off she looked at me and started to get hysterical.

I tried to calm her down by saying. "I’m not going to hurt you. You’re going to be safe."

Bonnie noticed my trouble and come over and said, "Let me John. You go get their ID’s"

Then she sat down by the girl, untied her hands, and began to calm her down.

Once the girl’s hands were untied she grabbed Bonnie and began to cry on her shoulder.

I began to walk around the fallen and take any identification they had.

* * * * * * * * * * *

"Are we clear on the plan now?" John was asking.

Then he pointed at the only unhurt guy and said. "Tell me what you are going to do."

They were all too cowed or to hurt to offer any resistance.

"I’m going to drive to the next town. Once there I’ll find the police and we will turn ourselves in."

"That’s right," said John. "And just remember that we will be close behind you. And We have your ID’s so If you don’t turn yourselves in the police will come looking for you. And I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes when they find you."

They just stood there, staring at the ground.

John tossed the keys to the guy who could drive and said. "Now get out of here."

They walked, limped or were carried to the van. Got in and drove off.

John came over to the bench where I sat with Lila the girl we rescued. She had calmed down considerably and was drinking a soft drink I found in a cooler in her car.

"So, do you really think they will turn themselves in." I asked.

"If they’re are smart they will."

Lila smiled at John and said. "I’m real sorry I acted the way I did when you were trying to help me John."

"Don’t be." He replied. "For all you knew I was one of those jerks. I totally understand."

"Well thank you." She said. "Thank both of you."

I smiled and said. "Your welcome. For the fiftieth time."

Then making a decision, I said. "Lila. Could you wait here for a minute? I need to talk to John."

"Sure."

John followed me to his car. I stood there for a moment and said, "I can’t go with you."

"What do you mean." He said.

I looked away and said. "I can’t go with you to the police."

"Why not?"

"Because back home the police are looking for me. They think I did something bad but I swear to you that I didn’t."

"Well then just tell them." He said.

"It’s not that easy. As a matter of fact it’s very complicated."

"But." John started.

"John." I interrupted. "Please I just can’t. Not now."

"But how will I explain this?" He asked.

"Tell them that I was with you one minute. Then you turned around and I was gone."

* * * * * * * * *

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. What could she have done that was so bad? But I could tell that her mind was made up.

"Well, at least let me give you a ride into town."

"Sure." Bonnie said. "Let me see if Lila is ready. Then I’ll tell her that we will follow her into town."

Bonnie walked over to Lila and sat on the bench next her and they began to talk.

I tried to think about what I could do for Bonnie. I couldn’t think of anything. I knew that she wouldn’t take any money.

Then I got an idea. I got $200 dollars from my wallet. Then I reached into the backseat for Bonnie’s jacket. I put the money in one of the side pockets. Hopefully she wouldn’t discover it until it was too late.

When I got back out of the car Bonnie and Lila had stood up and walked to Lila’s car still talking. Then they hugged and Lila got into her car.

Bonnie walked over to me and got into the car. I did the same.

"After the doors closed Bonnie said. "She’ll meet you at the hospital in town."

"What did you tell her about you?" I asked.

"I said you had to drop me off before we got there."

I started the car and waited for Lila to pull out. Then I followed her.

We drove in silence for a while. Then Bonnie said. "A friend of mine was killed. I had just found her. Then the police got there and assumed I did it. But I didn’t I swear to you I didn’t."

"I believe you." I said.

"Thank you." She said quietly. "I just wanted you to know."

"Thanks." Was all I could think of to say.

In ten minutes, we were in town. I pulled into a parking lot and said to Bonnie. "How’s this?"

"This is fine." She said. "I can’t thank you enough."

"And I thank you." I said smiling as I got out of the car.

Bonnie got out then reached into the back seat and grabbed her bag and jacket. Then she walked around to my side of the car.

"Where will you go?" I asked.

"I don’t know," she said. "I’m not even sure where I am."

"Well." I said. "See that intersection there."

Bonnie looked back and said, "Yes."

"Well if you go left there you will head west back towards home. If you go right, you’ll be heading east. Away from home and all your problems."

Bonnie smiled. "Thanks again."

Then with her eyes getting a little moist she grabbed me in a tight hug. I hugged back and blinked back a tear of my own.

"You take care of yourself." I said.

Bonnie released me and said. "You to." Then she kissed me on the cheek.

Then I reached for my wallet and said. "Here you’ll need some money."

"No John. I won’t take it. You’ve done more than enough for me already."

"But." I said.

"John. You wouldn’t make me hurt you, would you?" She said smiling.

"Well since you put it that way." I said putting my wallet away. I should have been an actor I thought.

"I do." Bonnie replied.

"Now if you are ever in Nashville look me up."

Bonnie smiled and said. "I will. Thanks again."

Then she opened her bag and stuffed her jacket in side.

Good I thought. She won’t find the money for a while.

Then with a wave she picked up the bag. Turned around and headed towards the intersection.

In a moment, she reached it. She paused for a moment looking left and right. Then she looked left and right again obviously trying to decide which way to go.

I got into the car. Then looked back at Bonnie still standing there looking left and right.

I crossed my fingers and thought to myself. Go left little girl. Go home and face your problems. You’re too young to be out on your own like this. You should be worrying about where to shop, or who will ask you to the big dance. Not where you will sleep. Or where your next meal is coming from.

I started to drive off but I stopped. I had to watch to see which way she would go.

* * * * * * * * *

I stood at the intersection looking left and right. I couldn’t decide if I should go left, and back to Sunnydale? Or right away from Sunnydale and everything else?

Left or right, which would it be Buffy?

Left would take me to home where I have a mom who hates me. Where I am in constant danger and put my friends in danger. And where everything I see there will remind me of Angel. And every time I think of Angel, I will remember how I betrayed him.

Right will take me away from Sunnydale, all the pain, and all the danger. But could I run away forever?

The time with John had been good. I thought about things other than my problems for a change. I also managed to do some real thinking about my problems.

I also helped two people out of very bad situations. I guess no matter where I go I’ll always be the slayer. Killer of vampires and demons. Protector of the masses.

I looked left and right again. Which would it be Summers? Turn left and go west? Or turn right and go east.

Finally, I made up my mind. I picked up my bag with all my worldly possessions and walked straight ahead to the north. Not west and not east.

Why? I'm not totally sure. I guess that I’ve decided that I haven’t healed yet. There was still a lot of emotional damage to repair. Many things to sort out in my mind.

I may not have healed but I think that now I’m at least ready to start the healing process.

THE END