The Only Hope Is Leaving (Open)

[Mona Hale]

Mona sat off to the side as she watched the surviving fighters return from the battle. Even on a moonless night she could see their faces clearly, they were exhausted, and hope was fading from their eyes. Four long grueling months of fighting, and being surrounded by death had taken it's toll. Victory was no where in sight, they were greatly out numbered, and the demons were growing stronger.

Mona could see that they would all die if they stayed much longer, the Powers had shown her that. She had urged Angel to give up the city, and flee while they still had legs to run, he had yet to make up his mind. For weeks she had been using her visions to make decisions on which battles to take, after seeing which ones would have the least amount of causalities.

Now, she felt helpless, no longer were their options hard, either half of them would die or all of them would. She doubted that Angel trusted her completely, but that didn't stop her from trying to convince the vampire to take his army and leave. She had even began to plead to Spike, hoping that if Angel heard it from the other vampire he would be more likely to take the advice and leave L.A.

[Angel]

Angel had been out for most of the night they had lost a few good soldiers in today’s raid; Angel was starting to think that maybe they couldn’t win back LA but he still had to try he wasn’t going to let the lives of the humans to be sacrificed to evil when they fled this town he wanted to give the humans a fighting chance. With a bad over his shoulder Angel silently walked back home he could see the building up ahead he turned back to watch the remaining members as they walked past Angel in silence.

Angel lifted the bag of weapons so it would fit comfortably on his shoulders as he began walking back home it wasn’t long before he could spot Mona sitting waiting for their return. Angel walked over towards her and threw the bag down onto the ground he watched as a few soldiers entered the house before sitting down beside Mona. Angel sighed as he looked at the sky for a moment. “Another raid turn bad it was like they were waiting for us this time.” Angel explained to Mona. Angel had herd from Spike that Mona had pleaded to him so Angel would give up on the town.

Angel leaned back as he watched the last of the soldiers to enter the building he turned his head back to Mona. “I’m not ready to give up this town but I also don’t want to see more good people die from this war.” Angel explained further he looked out and watched the scene around him wondering what he should do. Should he leave and go to England where Buffy and her friends where or should he stay he didn’t know what to do yet.

[Mona Hale]

Mona perked up a bit when she saw how worn out the vampire was, she scolded herself, but prayed that it meant he was growing tired of the fighting. She was supposed to act all caring and stuff, she wasn't sure if Angel was aware that she was a demon yet. Her scent would have either been masked by the large quantity of surrounding demons, or stuck out like an extremely sore thumb. She hadn't volunteered the information, because she was counting on Angel to trust her. Even if she was the very last person in the world that he could.

She sucked in air as he spoke, she had known had bad the battle had been, and seeing less people return meant nothing to her. She had little emotion to use on feeling for others, most of her humanity had been sucked away, but around Angel she would put on the act of the worried vision girl.

"Not ready to give up? Give up what?" She looked around at the burned, half destroyed building that was the best safe house for miles. "There is nothing left Angel, just death!" she hushed herself, as the humans turned to look at her. She didn't need anymore attention. The humans hated her already, she was useless in battle, and a waste of food. "I've seen it, if we stay here past tomorrow we die. Make another decision," she said, forcing herself to tone her voice down, and keep her raw emotions in check.

Her visions were useful but limited, she could only see bits of the past, and that was if the person was willing to let her see. Beyond that she could only see what would happen according to what the person would do next, if they changed their mind, the future changed, as did her vision. She just had to play this out and hope that Angel would change his mind, because currently the future was grim.

[Angel]

Angel stood from the ground as Mona spoke he sighed and watched the humans looking at them. Angel was worn from the fighting but could tell that they were losing the battle and it looked like he would have to make a decision now though he didn’t think he could bring himself to leave. Angel slowly placed his hands inside his pockets before finally speaking to Mona. “We were fighting to protect human life were we not? If we leave then that means everyone here in LA would be either turned or killed.” Angel replied back raising his voice a little but he calmed himself down.

Angel looked back towards Mona he starred at her for a moment as the last words she spoke still ran through his ears. “Okay what would happen if we leave LA? Right now pack up and leave to England to give the others a chance. I mean would we make it through the night.” Angel asked hoping her visions would be good. Still with his hands inside his pockets Angel stared at Mona for a moment if her visions where good then he would have no choice than to leave this town and help Buffy and the gang though could he even bring himself to leave this place.

Angel looked at the half destroyed building he wondered how long it would even take to pack up everything and leave he hopped that everyone back in England were doing better then they were at this present time being. Angel wanted to know what they would face either way though deep down he knew that they would be better of to leave LA. "What do you see in your visions?" Angel asked Mona looking at her.

[Mona Hale]

Mona watched the humans become worried, and she pretended to be startled when he stood up abruptly, it had became habit to mimic them now. She had forgotten what it was like, slowly she was relearning. Human life, something she could care less about, it was the vision that were making her weak. However the visions had began to pull at her heart, so she would do what she could. "So, who cares," she swallowed, oops. She began backpedaling. "If they are dumb enough to stay, they they will die. At least save the ones who are willing to fight!"


She sat still for a moment, almost inhumanly still, and her vision of death and fire, and pain changed before her open eyes. As the leaders choices changed the montage rolled. She sighed heavily. "Half of us would make it out, Spike would die," She said. Not really caring if the other vamp lived or died, she found him amusing but mostly annoying. It was a chance she was willing to take, Angel was the only one she needed to survive.

She couldn't hide the happy expression on her face at the thought they might be leaving soon. Sure she could just teleport to Paris and have a bite of real food, but she had to stay here and pretend to be human. Stupid humans! Angel was the only one that she wanted to save, she needed him to stop the appocaplyse....oh right Spike to....damn. She stopped looking at her bag as the happy thought of leaving diminished. "So I guess we wait huh? Here," she said dishearteningly looking at her blanket on the uncomfortable floor, another night of non sleeping, yay!

[Angel]

Angel kicked a rock that laid on the ground as he listened to Mona’s reply; even though he and Spike had their differences he didn’t want to see him die he was fighting as one of us now everyone deserves a chance to fight even Spike. Angel looked around he had decided to leave but not if it means that Spike would die in the process of it all. “How will Spike and the others die? Is there anyway way we can go about this without resulting in half of us dying?” Angel asked Mona as he looked back if they were to leave now would be the best solution but he needed to know what routes to take so they would be safe he wasn’t about to send more good people to their deaths.

Angel looked out into the night sky he remembered the very first night he arrived here in LA so many years ago and now he was leaving he and everyone else did a good job in protecting the town but in the end evil will run the town. “We will only wait until you can gave us a route in your visions that doesn’t lead to death.” Angel replied he didn’t want to sound rude to Mona not at all but he didn’t want to tell everyone that they’re leaving then be killed at the next corner. Angel looked back at Mona as he waited for a response from her.

Angel turned towards one of the soldiers. “Get everyone to pack up we leave this town tonight though we’ll wait until we find a safe route to travel in. Once finished packing get everyone to meet in the entrance area to the safe house.” The solider nodded and ran towards the entrance he could hear his shouts letting everyone know to pack up the place and to leave no tracks on where they were heading. “What do your visions tell you now?” Angel asked as he waited for Mona to speak.

[Mona Hale]

"Some weird demon, big teeth, big claws.....big appetite!" she said summing it up. She shrugged, she didn't know when, she only knew when not. She could only see what he gave her to see, and the road that lead to Spike becoming a chew toy to an extra large demon was the wrong road.


"Spike's not a chew toy anymore," she said quickly, at least that was a good thing, without Spike there was no way to stop the first's apocalypse. She didn't know much just that it had whispered to her for the past thousand years that all five of them needed to die, so she had to do the opposite and keep them alive. She hated the first, and using her visions sent by the powers that be' was really like kicking him between the legs.

However his and Angel's souls hummed to her like a summer breeze, begging her to take them. It took everything she had to resist. Her lust for the soul, was only outweighed for her hatred for the first. Lucky for Angel. She stood up and walked to the part of the floor he had paced to, whispering to him.

"Some are still going to die Angel, theres nothing you can do about that. But if you stay any longer you will die, and right now the world needs you. I've told you that the first is gathering its strength, and I've seen it here," She looked down at the earth. "All walky talky, touching and killing unless you stop it. Your doing the right thing," she spoke softly keeping her words from going past his ears. She tried to keep her words from coming out cold and hollow. However she had not yet developed an honest sincere voice.

[Angel]

Angel nodded in reply to Mona he sighed as he looked around he turned back to the building soon the place would be destroyed even further. Angel turned back to Mona as she spoke to him; he sighed out of relief that Spike wasn’t a chew toy anymore though Angel fell silent as Mona told him that some were going to die he knew that but he didn’t want to admit it until now. Angel herd noises sounding like car engines he turned towards the broken and cracked road and watched as several vehicles pulled up some including buses and cars whatever they could find that wasn’t damaged beyond repair.

“I know that I can’t stop that some are going to die I was hoping to save them but now they won’t die in vain. Thank you for showing that we have to leave we’ll probably have enough to get through LA but we’ll have to stop somewhere to refuel and get some rest then try and make a run to England I only hope we can get a few boats or even planes would be good. Which form of transport would be safer?” Angel asked Mona as he watched several soldiers starting to pack everything up in the vehicles.

Angel picked up the bag of weapons he threw to the ground earlier on and placed it in the boot of the front car. The car wasn’t anything special though Angel wasn’t worried about it’ll get them as far away from LA in the little time they had. Turning towards Mona Angel starred at her for a moment before speaking. “Ready to go to the entrance?” Angel asked he would have to speak to everyone before they left the town.

[Mona Hale]

She nodded, carefully and awkwardly patting his shoulder "There there," she said, she had seen a girl do it the other day when a man lost his best friend, it seemed like the right time to do it. "Boats probably, I won't know till we actually find one and you make a decision on where to lead. Right now no one's really safe, not till we see the "Welcome to Hell, formerly known as L.A" sign no one is safe. I can't see everything Angel, I can only see so much, and right now all that matters is getting you to the slayers....you and Spike," She added a bit cryptically.

She had her goals, Angel had his, and right now they didn't mesh. In fact almost everyone would die, but this option showed the three of them surviving, not well but they were breathing. Or she was at least. Lying meant nothing to her, not when her back was against a wall.

'was she ready?' Well if that wasn't a tricky question. Ready to leave and face certain exposure, once she was away from here her distinct demon scent was bound to be picked up by the vampires. She didn't know if they already knew, but questions would arise, not to mention being surrounded by slayers...dangerous, dangerous slayers. "Yeah, not like I'll be missing much!" she said looking back at her bed aka the blanket on the floor.

[Angel]

Angel felt her hand on his shoulder as Mona patted it he thought Sunnydale was worst at first but now he knew that LA was defiantly Hell and he should know since he been to hell and back. Angel took his hands out of his pockets as he looked upon the night sky one last time he’d have to call Buffy in England to let her know that they were coming he didn’t want to just arrive out of the blue like he did when she was back in Sunnydale. “We’ll try boats first if that fails then we’ll try another route to get out of America.” Angel replied to her he knew that they had little time to waste every moment was like a ticking time bomb for everyone here.

Angel began walking towards the building he turned towards a window that was broken in, smashed with scorch marks around it this place had so many close calls but some happy memories for Angel. Angel opened the door and saw everyone gathered before him as he approached them everyone went silent you could feel their fear upon them but for Angel he saw hope and that was a good thing he hopped that they could last the night while they fled from LA. Angel turned and talked with the first solider and Angel found out that everything was ready for departure.

“When we leave we won’t stop not even when we’re out of LA if we’re attacked which is most likely we fight back and keep moving.” Angel explained to everyone he looked around the room again. “We have survived this far there’s have been some deaths along the way but we’ll push through to England and help the slayers out and hope to win this war. With that being said we’ll move out.” Angel explained he nodded to everyone as they began moving out. Angel waited till everyone had left before turning towards Mona. “It’s time.” Angel added in to her as he walked out of the building and opened the drivers side door he stood there as he waited for Mona to catch up.

[Mona Hale]

Mona followed him, she liked her alone time, but she didn't feel safe being left alone. Not here anyways, there were to many holes in her visions to make her feel safe. She looked out at all the faces, and knew instantly which ones would die, and how they would die. She had witnessed it in her vision just a few moments earlier, only a small number would survive, only the ones that mattered anyways. She felt a pull on her heart, but she pushed down the strange emotion. Deep deep down.

She gulped, it was time, up until recently time had no meaning, and now it meant everything. She missed the simplicity of hell, torture, be tortured, have the first tell dress up like your mum and tell you to drain a vampire of his soul so the would will end. It was easy. Living, feeling emotions, that was hard. She hopped in the back seat of the car, it wasn't fancy by any means but they could get where they needed to go.

"Are you worried," she asked, pausing duh, of course he was. "I mean about seeing her, the slayer, I can't see that far ahead, so I can't tell you what's going to happen." Angel had told her about Buffy after she first demonstrated her visions, he wanted to know if she was safe. She couldn't see Buffy, couldn't see any of the slayers. She assumed it was because Slayers didn't like demons, and they had some kind of loophole to escape her sight.

[Angel]

Angel climbed into the car as Mona got into the back he turned towards her and nodded of course he was worried he didn’t know what was truly behind the next door he didn’t know how the war will end and who will win good or evil? Angel sighed as he watched the other vehicles pull away he wondered when hell would send the next demon to attack them he knew that it won’t be easy leaving town but they had to try anyway. “I am worried, worried about everything I only hope that it will be easier once we reach England. I don’t know what Buffy will say or do leaving town is the best thing to do right about now.” Angel explained as he started the car his black sunglasses could easily be seen on the dashboard he would use them once the sun was up so he wouldn’t burst into flames now that would be ironic to escape town only to be toasted once the sun came up.

Angel drove the car down the road he picked up his mobile and dialed the first vehicle he explained to follow Angel and Mona Angel also wished her luck they all would need the luck. So far so good he wondered what a normal person would think if they saw a large number of vehicles driving down the street going the same way though he had more important things to think about than that. “I think the back roads will be better only until we get through we’ll head to the highway and make the run for it.” Angel explained though he thought of something that he forgot. Getting out of the car he ran towards the boot and opened it. Grabbing the bag of weapons he threw it into the backseat and climbed back into the car.

“Weapons would be good right about now.” Angel explained as he placed his foot on the accelerator. Angel turned into another street as the car drove down the street he looked everywhere but he couldn’t see anything that was about to jump out and attack the vehicles but you never know something most likely will happen now they’re out in the open. Angel stopped at the traffic lights as it turned red he knew that he could’ve just gone right ahead but they didn’t need the local police after them as well as the every evil creature in LA.

[Mona Hale]

She wanted to know what would lay ahead, she had survived the demons, but slayers were unforgiving, and unpredictable, or at least she had been warned when she was in the pit. She knew the other demon would be looking for Spike, she had been keeping an eye on that. She had luckily found Angel first and used her advantage to keep the vampires safe. The powers only knew what was waiting for her in England. She wanted nothing more then to curl up in a soft bed and sleep happily unaware of the world. "It will all work out," she lied, offering a smile. Lying was becoming easier and necessary. Angel had no reason to think she was lying, and that was a good thing at the moment.

Mona nodded in the rear view mirror that the back roads were their best option. "No Spike munchin' demons there," she whispered. Suddenly her visions changed, Angel must have been changing his mind, or either something else was. Luckily he grabbed the weapons, she assumed after watching her struggle to make sense of the rapid changing montages, but she couldn't be sure.

So far everything was good, but things kept changing, and she was becoming exhausted from stretching herself to see so much in such a short period of time. She was burned out. "I know now isn't the best time to tell you this but I'm outta juice, it hurts to much to try and see anything. I need sleep, food, possibly some strong Tylenol," she sighed helplessly.

She already couldn't fight, and now she was completely useless. And hungry, Angel's bright aura sang to her like pizza sang to humans. She only wanted to do what she was designed to do, her eyes darkened for a split second. She maintained control over herself. She didn't know if he was looking, the lack of reflection wasn't helping. "Angel, I know I just said I was out of visions, but I see you buying me a large juicy hamburger for saving your ass when we get out of the city....k?" she said seriously. It was for his own good, things were easier if she was full of people food.

[Angel]

As the light turned green Angel drove the car forward he was still worn out and tired from the fighting they did prior them leaving he wondered how long he could stay awake and drive for but he was going to keep going on. Angel nodded to Mona as she said that everything that would work out he hopped that they did. Angel gripped the steering wheel tightly as he continued to drive. It would take a little bit driving the back roads before they reached the highway but the back roads would be a lot safer than exposing everyone to an attack. Turning into another street Angel sighed he wondered where evil was he gathered that they were lurking somewhere.

“That’s good to hear but I’m worried we’ve spotted nothing no vampires no demons of any shape or size just plain nothingness.” Angel explained as he expressed his concern he tried to calm himself down Angel needed to be able to think with a clear head rather than to act rashly. Angel looked back he could see the Mona was getting tired and the strain from the visions was starting to take a toll he smiled and spoke. “I promise the moment we’re in the clear we’ll stop at the nearest truck stop and I’ll buy you a hamburger.” Angel replied to her he turned towards the road before him. Angel noticed that they were getting close to the highway he turned into the right street he could see the exit sign to LA.

Suddenly he saw something in the mirror the last vehicle rose to the air and flipped itself. Angel watched in horror as the bus exploded as it hit the ground. Angel’s phone rang it was one of the people from the vehicles they said some sort of flying demon attack them. “Mona we’ve got company I know you can’t fight but please hold on grab a weapon we’ve got flying beasts attacking us.” Angel explained he grabbed a crossbow from the bag he had more powerful weapons in the bag and the other vehicles had their own weapons inside he only hopped that they could see the flying beasts before they attacked.

[Mona Hale]

"And that's bad how? Nothingness is good, means...theres nothing," she said, excitedly, a bit worried that she was blind now. She thanked the hamburger gods, because if not then another human would have to pay the price, she needed her visions, but without energy she couldn't focus. So far she had only killed three of the humans, she had chosen the weak, the suffering, and ones that would die anyways. However she knew Angel would still not be giddy about her midnight snacks, even if it was for his own good.

"They fly now!" she shouted in disbelief, wasn't the strength and the teeth enough for these stupid demons. "Oh great, now they're gonna fly outta the city and kill us!" she said in a screechy voice, the fear slipping in. She grabbed a dagger, it was small and she could use it if she had to, she had watched the humans. It was simple aim and jab...jab jab, jab. She looked out the front window, safety couldn't be that much farther away, she might could gather the strength to teleport out. No, she needed to stay, against her better judgment she had to stay.

She turned to look out the back window, nothing, those were sneaky flying things. She waited patiently, at least she could keep an eye out for them and help Angel that way. Suddenly she saw them, but they weren't after the car yet, at least not the car she was in. The old truck that had been next to them was being overrun with the beast, she didn't tell Angel, she couldn't bring her self to say anything. She had to get him, not to mention herself out, alive. "Can't this thing go any faster?"