What am I doing here? Where am I? What happened? My head was pounding. There was an incessant thump against my skull that put me in much pain, as if someone had smashed my head against the pavement. Things like this, pain like this, just don't happen. I'll bet it's related to whatever happened this morning. Thing is, I can't remember what. I tried to pick myself up off the sidewalk, but my legs are weak and I fell. Pain shot through my arms and my legs are burning. I tried again to get up and managed to prop myself up with the help of a streetlight. At least, I think it is a streetlight. My head is spinning. I can't make out anything except for colors and shapeless blobs. There was nothing I could do. I wanted to find a store or find someone who could get me something, anything, to help with this pain, but my body ignored me. After what felt like 20 minutes, I could finally make out solid shapes. Up ahead was a smallish building. I think the sign says something about a diner. Maybe someone there can help. I let go of the streetlight and started to make my way towards the diner. One foot at a time. I'll get there soon enough. It was excruciating. Each step shot a new wave of pain through my legs. I stumbled a bit, but managed to pick myself up. I embraced the pain and somehow managed to push open the front doors. A tiny bell rang letting anyone who cared know I had entered. There aren't a lot of people in the diner. Close to about 10 people were occupying booths. There was only one person sitting in the stools section on the bar end of the diner. I walked over to whoever was sitting there, and braced for the pain of sitting down. "Hey, you ok?" the person who I sat next to asked. His voice was deep and rugged like someone who just came back from hunting deer. I turned to look at him. He looked at me with some concern, but he seemed more relaxed and at ease than anything. It was as if, as if he'd had a hard day or lost his best friend. "I'm, uh, no, I'm not ok." I managed to mumble. "Some beer might help with that. Hey, bartender! Can we get two over here?" the man yelled. "I doubt that beer is going to help with my head and muscle pain." I told him. "Well, it can't hurt you more." He responded, with a sly little smile. "Actually, it-" I started, but was interrupted by the bartender handing us the two glass bottles. I looked at this man who sat next to me. Who is he? Why does he think alcohol will help solve my problems? He took a sip of his beer and glanced my way. "Name's Dean." He said. Dean took another swig of his beer. "That's some good stuff." He sighed with relief and put the bottle down. I stared at him quizzically, and looked down at the glass bottle. Beer? This was strange to me. I'd never seen someone look so happy to be poisoning his body. I picked up the bottle and held it in my hands. It was cold, ice cold. I brought the bottle up to my lips and tilted it back. The liquid ran down my throat and sent a chill through me. It was extremely bitter. Do people actually drink this stuff? I looked up at Dean who had already finished his drink and was spinning the empty bottle around for amusement. "My name's Castiel." I told Dean. He stopped spinning the bottle and glanced at me. "Castiel. That's a name you don't hear everyday." Dean chuckled. I looked at him questioningly. I don't understand this man at all. "I, uh, hope you feel better," Dean smiled, "I'll cover your drink." He pointed to my beer and reached for his back pocket to pull out his wallet. Dean searched for a $5 and placed in on the bar. "No change, please." Dean smiled at the bartender. He slid the $5 to him, put his wallet back in his pocket, and walked out. Get better? The whole time I talked with him I hadn't felt any pain. It was almost as if I'd forgotten about it. Maybe I did. The bell above the door jingled a bit as someone entered. I looked down and stared at my drink. I can't finish this tonight. Tonight. Where am I going to stay the night? The bartender threw the towel he was using to try some dishes over his shoulder and walked over to me. "Where you in from pal?" He asked. "I, I don't know." I responded weakly. "Must have been some day for you." He responded. The bartender was cleaning the shelves, rustling the bottles under the bar. Maybe he can help me find someplace to stay. "Do you, uh, know anywhere I can sleep for the night?" I asked the bartender. "Up the road's the Diamond Motel. Cheap nights." The bartender responded without looking up. Diamond Motel? What's a motel? "Thank you." I said and got up to leave. My trench coat was hanging on off the chair next to the one I was sitting on. I looked at it. Something about how the light hit it just radiated warmth, security, and angelic. I picked it up, put it on, and went for the front door. Outside a nice, cold breeze hit me. The chill penetrated my coat. I started walking up towards the motel, and I felt like couldn't control my body again, but this time I just couldn't stop my body from shaking a lot. There were a bunch of white lights some 100 feet away, and I started to speed up. Once I quickened my pace, I could control my body again. Helpful. The white lights I had saw where on a sign that said "Diamond Motel: Vacancy." I walked into the first building and asked for a room. The man at the desk had purple around his eyes from lack of sleep, an unmanaged beard, and a newspaper. He looked over the top of his newspaper and rolled his eyes a bit. "You got the $50 for a one night's stay?" he asked me. I looked at him. "Is this enough?" I asked reaching for the cash in my coat and piling it on the counter. "Well, let's find out." He sighed. The man counted out the $50 and handed me back the rest. He got out of his seat and walked over to the drawer opposite him. The man pulled out a key and handed it to me. "There's your key. Room 5. Be out of there by 11:30." He said. I took the key and spun it a bit in my hands. "Thank you." I said. The key was gold and had a patterned design on a card that read "Diamond Motel." I walked out the door and was greeted by another burst of cold air. It was cold enough that I could see my own breath. I looked up and found the rooms. I need room 5. The outdoor corridor was dimly lit and gave me an eerie feeling. I stopped at room 5 and put the key in the lock. The door opened with a squeak and was completely dark. I flipped on the light switch and it laminated the room with a single bed and TV. The bed was neatly made and the room was organized. I shuffled to the bed and sat down. The bed was lumpy, but it'd have to do. I slid my shoes off and threw my trench coat on the table in the corner. The coat missed the table, but I didn't get up to fix it. I was too tired to do anything. It felt like I'd never slept a wink before tonight, and I wrapped myself in the dark yellow, musty smelling blanket and slept.