Key Insight

"This is the key to the book that's causing all the fuss." Buffy put the old silver key upon the coffee table. The Summers sisters sat in the living room reviewing the events of another day in Sunnydale. Today was particularly difficult as Dawn had been attacked by the cat woman who appeared in town demanding the grimoire be given to her.

"Oh, you have it? You should like hide it," said Dawn.

"Yes ... younger Buffy gave it to slightly older Buffy who gave it to me." Buffy continued. "Redy said it felt warm. Buffy said it felt cool."

"The key?" asked Dawn.

"What do you feel?"

Dawn picked the key up from the table.

"It's ....Whoa" Dawn tossed it in the air. "It's way hot - like fire"

Dawn looked at her hand. "Look, it burned me!"

"Put your hand under water," Buffy said quickly.

Buffy pocketed the key as Dawn headed for the kitchen sink and put her hand under the running water.

"What is that?" asked Dawn. "It hurts."

"Redy wondered if something was living inside the key," replied Buffy.

Dawn took her hand out of the water. Buffy looked at it closely.

"How does it feel?"

"It hurts like hell"

"Do you want a cold compress on that?"

"Nah. Thanks though. I'm gonna go to bed I think."

"That's a good idea. It's been a long day." Buffy smiled.

"Night Buffy."

"Night Dawn."