Chapter 28: The Quick Resolution
Cyrus Knight walked into the Sunnydale High School auditorium, where chaos was already brewing. The stage was bustling with students preparing for the talent show, and Cordelia was singing Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love of All" off-key. Giles, standing nearby, winced visibly.
"Okay, that's enough," Giles said, stopping Cordelia mid-note to save his ears.
Buffy, Xander, and Willow entered the auditorium, mocking Giles as he complained about Snyder, the new principal, who had put him in charge of the talent show.
"Snyder thinks this will make me bond with the students," Giles grumbled. "But all it's doing is giving me a headache."
As Snyder overheard the Scoobies making fun of Giles, he stepped in, his face stern. "Since you all find this so amusing, you're going to participate in the talent show. Consider it a lesson in respect."
Snyder's eyes glinted with satisfaction. He was nothing like Mr. Flutie; he thrived on making students miserable. Buffy, Xander, and Willow groaned but knew better than to argue.
The next act was Morgan and his dummy, Sid. As Morgan's performance began, Sid suddenly developed a personality, making sarcastic comments about the act. Buffy whispered to Willow, "I hate dummies. They creep me out."
Just then, Emily, a ballet dancer, noticed something sinister in the shadows and screamed.
---
Cyrus felt his instincts kick in. He slipped out of the auditorium and began patrolling the school.
The talent show rehearsals continued, with Marc, an unsuccessful magician, up next. Buffy, Willow, and Xander debated what to do for the talent show, eventually settling on a dramatic scene since it required no real talent. Sid watched them, making rude comments, while Morgan explained the voice was an imitation of his father.
Snyder approached Giles, boasting about how he would run a safer, more disciplined school. Their conversation was interrupted by the discovery of Emily's body, her heart cut out with a knife. Giles, Buffy, and the others quickly debated whether the killer was a demon or a human.
Cyrus, having overheard the commotion, joined the group. "I'll start interviewing people."
---
The Scoobies split up to interview the talent show participants. Cyrus took charge, his calm demeanor putting people at ease as he questioned them. All the interviews pointed toward Morgan and Sid. After school, they decided to check Morgan's locker.
Cyrus, with his lock-picking skills, opened the locker and found it empty. Just as they were about to leave, Snyder caught them.
"What are you doing here after hours?" Snyder barked.
"Uh, just... looking for something we lost," Buffy stammered.
Snyder scowled but let them go with a warning. Morgan and Sid, hiding nearby, watched the exchange.
"We need to keep an eye on them," Cyrus said. "Something doesn't add up."
---
That night, Sid sneaked into Buffy's room, but Cyrus, anticipating the move, was already there. He grabbed Sid before the dummy could escape.
"You're not getting away that easily," Cyrus said, holding Sid tightly.
The next morning, Cyrus brought Sid to the library. Buffy, Willow, and Xander were skeptical about the dummy's involvement until Giles suggested the demon might need a heart and brain to maintain a human guise.
A teacher confiscated Sid, but Xander managed to steal him back so Buffy could talk to Morgan alone. Cyrus accompanied Buffy backstage, where they found Morgan's body, his brain missing.
"Buffy, look out!" Cyrus shouted as a chandelier fell. Buffy dodged, but Sid attacked her. During the struggle, Cyrus intervened, and they realized Sid was working towards the same goal: stopping the demon.
Sid explained he was a demon hunter cursed to dummy form until he killed the last of the Brotherhood of Seven, demons who harvest organs. With six dead, there was only one left.
"We need to find out who's missing from the show," Cyrus said.
As they scanned the room, Sid went missing again. Buffy, Willow, and Xander discovered Morgan had brain cancer, explaining why the demon hadn't used his brain and was now after someone smart.
"Giles and Willow are in danger," Buffy realized.
---
At the talent show, Marc the magician tricked Giles into strapping himself into a guillotine. Just as Marc revealed his demonic form, Cyrus, Buffy, and the others rushed in.
"Get away from him!" Buffy yelled, charging at Marc.
As Buffy and Sid battled Marc, Cyrus helped Xander prevent Giles from getting his scalp cut off. Willow grabbed an axe and freed Giles.
With a swift move, Buffy decapitated Marc with the guillotine. Sid then explained that Marc needed to be stabbed in the heart to be truly killed. He rejected Buffy's offer to do it and plunged the knife into Marc's chest himself.
As Marc's body crumpled, Sid's curse broke, and he died just as the curtain opened, revealing the gruesome scene to the audience. The students assumed it was part of the show, clapping hesitantly.
---
The next day, Buffy, Xander, and Willow stood in the library, discussing the previous night's events. Cyrus joined them, his expression thoughtful.
"You handled yourself well, Cyrus," Giles said, his tone approving.
Willow smiled. "And no more creepy dummies, right?"
Buffy laughed. "I hope not."
As they left the library, Cyrus found himself looking forward to another night at The Bronze. He texted Cordelia, who replied almost instantly, confirming she would be there.
---
That evening, The Bronze was buzzing with energy. Cyrus spotted Cordelia by the bar and made his way over.
"Hey, Cordelia," Cyrus greeted.
"Hey, Cyrus," she replied, smiling. "Ready to dance?"
"Always," Cyrus said, taking her hand.
They moved to the dance floor, letting the music wash over them. For a while, Cyrus forgot about demons and curses, losing himself in the moment with Cordelia.
After a few songs, they took a break and sat in a quiet corner. "You know, you never told me what you and your friends were up to yesterday," Cordelia said, her eyes curious.
Cyrus hesitated but decided to be honest. "We were investigating something... dangerous. It's hard to explain, but we stopped a demon from hurting more people."
Cordelia's eyes widened. "Seriously? That's... kind of amazing."
Cyrus chuckled. "It's part of the job, I guess."
Cordelia leaned in closer. "Well, I think you're pretty brave."
They spent the rest of the evening talking and laughing, their connection growing stronger. As they walked home, Cordelia slipped her hand into Cyrus's, and he felt a warmth spread through him.
"I had a great time tonight," Cordelia said when they reached her house.
"Me too," Cyrus replied. "We should do this more often."
Cordelia smiled. "Definitely."
They shared a lingering kiss before Cordelia went inside. Cyrus walked home, feeling a sense of contentment. Despite the dangers and challenges, he knew he was where he belonged, with friends who had his back and a budding relationship with someone who made him feel alive.