CHOICES

Disclaimer: I don't own them

The Pratchetts do

I have no money

Please do not sue.

Not sure how this fic is gonna turn out... It's just a random idea I had that turned into a sort-of story. Let's find out together, shall we? Rating WILL go up for later chapter(s); there will be a warning up so if you don't like then don't read. Here we go.

CHAPTER ONE: IT BEGINS

It was just a normal day. Mid-week at the end of autumn, nothing remarkable about it. Watchmen were patrolling in the rain, some happy about it and others definitely not. For those not on patrol it meant time to catch up on the paperwork, which was why Angua was currently in her lodgings in Elm Street lying on her bed and staring blankly at a half-finished report without enthusiasm, wishing she was just about anywhere else. Even patrolling in the rain would be preferable to trying to finish this; like most of the senior watchmen she disliked paperwork, although at least her desk wasn't covered with slowly-degrading mulch that had once been ignored stacks of paper.

She scrawled another sentence and then gave up. For some reason she couldn't concentrate. Tossing the sheet onto the floor, she rolled over and stared at the ceiling, knowing that if she didn't get it finished now she'd regret it and really not caring.

It only took a few seconds after ditching the report for her to realise something was wrong. This lack of concentration wasn't normal even for her. Sitting up, she closed her eyes and tried to concentrate, to work out why her wolfish instincts had just gone mad and were sending increasingly urgent signals.

"Okay, what the hell – "she began, and then the world exploded.

Her vision went dark and pain ripped through her, enough to startle a yell out of her that was half a growl as she reacted automatically, starting the change before she regained control of herself. Blinking, she started to get up and then realised what had just happened. Eyes wide, she barely bit back a whimper and wasn't even aware of moving, but suddenly she was running down the street as fast as she could go, still human because she wasn't about to waste time changing shape, heading for Pseudopolis Yard.

Oh gods... She could dimly feel what had happened, sort of. Ordinarily this might have disturbed her but right now she really didn't care how many supernatural instincts she had. Please, no... Gritting her teeth, she ran, ignoring the various shouts of surprise and anger behind her as she ignored the curses and yells. It didn't matter. Just stop thinking and run.

By the time she skidded through the door of the Watch House, grabbing at the frame to stop her feet sliding on the wet floor, even she was out of breath. It didn't matter. The main room was full of watchmen, mostly shouting at one another, and the air smelled thickly of anger and fear and confusion. That couldn't be good. Snatches of talk reached her ears out of the jumbled mess of noise and chaos.

"- Alchemist's Guild exploded –"

"-Half the street flattened –"

Shaking her head, she grabbed the nearest constable and growled, "What happened?"

He stared at her nervously and shook his head slowly, mumbling something. She let go with another growl and turned to find the room gradually falling silent as word filtered through that she was there; nobody met her eyes. Now getting nervous, she asked again. "What happened?"

"Angua? That you?" It was Vimes' voice, coming from the corridor leading down to the cells.

"Yes..." she answered hesitantly, now seriously worried. He didn't sound like himself. "Sir, what's going on? I... I know he's hurt. What happened?"

He came out, looking stressed, his scent a jumble of emotions that she couldn't make out. Briefly he filled her in; Carrot had been patrolling solo, and the Alchemist's Guild had exploded, as it frequently did. As a result he had naturally gone to try and help those caught in the wreckage, as had several other nearby watchmen; and then a building had collapsed on top of him. The others had brought him in and Igor was working on him now.

When he was done she looked at him. "What aren't you telling me?" she asked quietly. He looked away. "Sir?"

He swallowed, then sighed and said softly, "It's bad, Angua. Igor's doing the best he can, but it doesn't look good. He's unconscious and Igor doesn't know if he'll wake up."

She stared at him blankly, her brain refusing to accept what he was telling her. The room had gone silent now, everyone staring at the two of them; she didn't notice. He saw her face and said it slowly and clearly.

"I'm sorry, Angua, but Carrot's dying."

END OF CHAPTER ONE

So, what did you all think? As a chapter it's pretty bland except for the ending but it set the scene for the real action starting in chapter two. So, R&R if you please... All feedback appreciated and loved.

Frosteh.