Chapter 1: Behold, a Pale Horseman
I lay in my motel room, its unsightly mustard colored walls dancing before my vision. The mildewed curtains whipped about from the force of the ancient heater, but there was a stale chill in the room, which refused to go away. No matter how many blankets I piled on top of my battered body I couldn't manage to drive out the unwavering cold. I was in a haze of exhaustion, one in which you felt you may be on the cusp of dying.
Blankly I stared at the object on the nightstand. It had been worth almost being torn apart by a nest of Vamps, but hopefully we could find a way to destroy it forever. Sam and Dean seemed confident in the talisman's history, so I had decided to take a chance on this hunt. They were busy dealing with their own special issue, the Leviathans, and I accepted the responsibility of going in solo. I figured I could easily handle the small nest, but the magic of the talisman had proven its strength.
Four vampires had felt like ten or more. They were stronger, more agile, and even hungrier than the average bloodsucker. Their own powers were enhanced by those of the talisman, proving them a more difficult task than I originally believed. The boys had told me to tread lightly, but of course I had ignored their suggestion. I went barreling in there like a piece of hot shit, and of course I almost took the final fall for it.
I groaned in frustration, noting the dull glow filtering through the window, and forced myself out of bed. Speaking of the devils, Sam and Dean would be at the local dinner any minute to meet me. I had made sure to call them as soon as I dragged my sorry ass back to the motel. The thought of any kind of food at the moment sounded extremely unappealing.
After a quick shower and a change of clothes, I gave myself a once over in the steamy bathroom mirror. There were prominent dark circles under my green eyes due to lack of sleep, and my long, curly black hair was pulled into a messy bun. You could see the purple and blue veins beneath my translucently pale skin, it practically glowed from lack of sunlight, and my collar bones protruded from my chest. I was covered from head to toe by scratches and bruises of every shape and size. One of my eyes was bloodshot from the impact of a fist.
God I look terrible.
Quickly I gathered my belongings, tucking the talisman into my coat pocket, and booked it out to the parking lot. My breath came out in puffs of vapor, encircling my head and dissipating into the frozen atmosphere. I pulled out my keys as I reached my sleek, black 1967 fastback Mustang, and tossed my bags into the backseat. Lowering myself behind the wheel and shutting the door, I took a moment to admire the brilliant sunrise that was developing on the horizon.
I leaned over to reach inside the glove box, grabbing a pack of smokes and a lighter from inside. Sighing mirthlessly, I brought one to my lips and took an exaggerated drag after lighting it. Dean has his alcohol, Sam has his issues, and I have my cigarettes. If I didn't have some sort of vice I would be concerned about whether I'm actually a hunter. We all have something that is destined to quicken our journey to the grave.
Pulling out of the parking lot, I stepped on the gas, peeling out in pure muscle car fashion. A few blocks down the road was my destination, a little hole in the wall diner called Erma Sue's Cafe, and I was there in no time. I loitered beside the front door, knowing the boys would be here any minute, but it also gave me time to finish my cigarette. The taste was even harsher out in the crisp morning air, and it assured me that I really was still alive after last nights catastrophe.
Soon the signature Winchester Impala was parked a few spaces away from were I stood, and the brothers lumbered out. They were dressed in plaid and dirty jeans, as usual, and they too looked worse for wear. I stomped out my cigarette and gave them an attempt of a smile as they reached me. Sam eyed me wearily, taking in my ragged appearance.
"Wow, Lora." Dean rose his brows. "You look like crap."
"You don't look so hot yourself." I quipped, crossing my arms. "Let's go inside."
We entered the dinner, the smell of coffee bringing my senses back online. A kind looking, middle age woman met us at the door, and escorted us to a private booth at the back of the restaurant. I sat next to Sam, who continued giving me the third degree with his skeptical looks. Dean immediately set to looking at the menu, ignoring his brother's obvious pushiness.
"So," Sam started. "Did you get it?"
"Of course I got it." I rolled my eyes, and sat the talisman down on the table in front of them. "I may have took a beating, but I didn't let those bastards get away from me."
"We'll lock it up until we know what to do with it." Sam inspected it thoroughly, then tucked it in his jacket. "How bad was it?"
"Pretty bad." I said, pausing as the waitress sat our drinks in front of us.
"Do you kids know what you'd like to order?" She pulled out a pad of paper.
"Yeah, I think I'll have, uh…" Dean trailed off, scanning the menu. "A slice of cherry pie and a couple eggs over easy."
"You got it sugar." She took his menu, then looked to me.
"I'll have some toast." I said, handing her my menu.
"Want any jam?" She asked, giving me a concerned look as she noticed my appearance.
"No, just butter." I assured.
"And you?" She prompted Sam.
"Nothing. I'm good." He shook his head.
"Alrighty, I'll have it out to you soon." She stated, placing a stack of napkins on the table.
"Thanks." We all spoke in unison.
"Both of you owe me a coke." Dean pointed to us, amused at his childish joke.
"But as I was saying earlier." I continued once the woman was finally out of earshot, lowering my voice. "There were some other leads I picked up on while on this hunt."
Dean and Sam leaned in closer to me.
"Like what?" Sam was confused.
"Like something big." My tone turned serious. "Something that could change everything for us."
"Well, come on now, spit it out!" Dean pushed.
"I got information on a powerful artifact." I began to whisper. "Pandora's Box."
"What?" Sam was shocked. "I didn't know there was an actual Pandora's Box. I just thought it was an old saying."
"So did I." I explained. "But I came across some really old parchments in the Vamps nest. It's in ancient greek, and I translated some of the text online. Basically it's a puzzle for the specific location."
"Did you manage to solve any of it?" Sam was getting excited.
"Only a small piece of it." I took a sip of my coffee. "It's really intricate."
"What does this box do exactly?" Dean inquired, not sure what to think.
"Supposedly, it was filled with all evil and destruction." I informed. "In the legend a girl named Pandora let all of the bad out, and when she tried to reverse what she had done she locked hope away instead."
"Okay." Dean motioned for me to continue. "So what does it do for us?"
"I believe that if we get the box we can use the spell I found in the parchments to lock everything we hunt away. For good." I finished, pressing my hand against the tabletop in motivation. "No more bad guys."
"So, what you're saying is no more Leviathans, Lucifer, demons, or monsters of any kind?" Dean was amazed.
"Exactly." I smiled triumphantly.
Suddenly the door up front jingled, announcing the entry of a new costumer. We all went silent as a ghostly looking man sauntered toward our table, his features gaunt, and boney hand clutching an intricately decorated cane handle. He wore all black, and his coat billowed behind him as he walked with an otherworldly regality. The vibe immediately shifted to ominous, a far cry from the friendly feeling we had only moments before. His presence was all it took to alter someones emotions.
He casually took a seat beside Dean, poised and collected. I had never seen this man before, but it was clear that the boys were all too familiar with the being. Was he a demon? Or maybe an angel?
"Are you not going to introduce me to your friend, Sam?" The man's voice was strong compared to his almost frail appearance. "Dean?"
"Lora." Sam cleared his throat, and I gave him a quizzical look. "This is Death. The horseman."
What the actual hell.
"The horseman?" I echoed, understanding now why they were so uneasy.
They're scared of him.
"Yes." Death matched my gaze, his dark eyes piercing.
I was speechless.
"So, what are you doing here, Death?" Dean ventured cautiously.
"I happened to catch wind of your little plan." He fiddled with the white ring on his finger. "Or should I say your plan, Miss Lora."
I choked on my coffee.
"How pleasant." He said dryly. "Trying to die when death is already at your table."
"It's not every day you get singled out by the Pale Horseman." I managed to say as I regained my composure.
He smirked at this.
"I suppose you can say it's my plan." I managed to keep my voice steady, though I could feel my limbs shaking.
The waitress returned with our food, sitting the plates down in front of us.
"Didn't see you come in, honey. You haven't been here in awhile." She turned to Death. "The usual?"
"Please." Death nodded.
She left us once more.
"Is that cherry, Dean?" Death gave Dean's plate a sideways glance.
"It is." Dean said, and then added reluctantly. "Do you want it?"
"As a matter of fact I do." Death accepted the plate as Dean nudged it over to him, and began eating a forkful.
We all watched him nervously.
"So, this plan." He muttered through a mouthful of pie. "I suggest you find another."
"Why?" I asked defensively. "Wouldn't it make your job easier?"
"It would make my job obsolete." Death glared down his distinguished nose. "And of course this idea sounds absolutely dandy when seen in the eyes of one who is bias due to their mortality. Yet, let me remind all of you about the natural order."
"There is nothing natural about monsters and demons." Dean spoke up heatedly.
"I thought the same of man when God created you." Death shot back in warning. "Clearly I didn't take it upon myself to rid the world of you all. Or you wouldn't even be here."
"Then what do we do?" Sam asked, frustrated. "Let the Leviathans destroy us?"
"I say, you find another way." Death said as the waitress came back with a B.L.T and soda, and then left.
Death sipped at his drink, staring us all down.
"That's not going to happen." I countered daringly, not caring if I pissed him off. "I want this all to be over."
"It will never be over." Death was cynical. "You humans have always managed to find a way to kill yourselves, and that won't change."
"How did you even know about the plan?" I glowered, ignoring my toast that was growing cold. "I just found the papers last night."
"I have my ways." Death shrugged. "Keeping a tab on you three is a part time job for many of my reapers. You're all dangerous."
"Don't count on me to stop searching for the box." I told him, leaning back.
"Shouldn't you know better than to mess with me, girl?" He chastised. "I do believe you almost met a most unfortunate end yesterday evening."
"To die like a hunter is not an unfortunate death." I quipped. "And if we decided not to go after the box we may as well be dead."
"Pandora's Box is said to have released all the things you humans couldn't possibly understand, what you define as evil, and sent it out into the world. " He scoffed. "You know nothing of this object. For one, it isn't even a box, it's a jar. An unfortunate mistranslation."
"A box, a jar. Either way it's a container, and I won't deter so easily from destroying the things that have ruined our lives." I was done with pleasantries. "Neither you nor any other being will be able to convince me otherwise."
"I admire your enthusiasm." He dusted off the sleeve of his coat. "However, you are way out of your league when it pertains to me."
"And I'm out of yours." I clenched my jaw.
Sam covered his mouth, stifling his laughter, and Dean somehow managed to hold himself together.
"I like this one, boys." Death addressed them, bringing their attention back to his forebodingness. "She has backbone. It's no fun when you humans walk on eggshells around me."
"Can you blame us, though?" Dean gave his unsure smile.
Death finished off his B.L.T, then delicately wiped off his fingers. "I would call it a natural response to danger."
"Is there some sort of understanding we can come to?" Sam gave Death an intent look. "There has to be something that could make this work for the both of us."
"I know you two will be preoccupied with our good friends the Leviathans." Death wiped his thin lips now, a thoughtful idiom on his face. "So I assume you will leave the task of decoding the map to the girl."
All of us nodded.
"If there is no way to get you to veer your course then I am to accompany you on this mission. The power of the object is enough to send the world into jeopardy if used improperly." He met my gaze once more with unwavering determination. "That is my one and only offer."
Dean and Sam were noticeably appalled, my expression probably didn't look much better. Death and I going on a mission together? To me it seemed like a disaster in the making. Not to mention the fact that there was no exact timeline.
Death arched his brows, waiting for my response.
"If that's the only way you won't stop us." I agreed. "No tricks."
"Then it's a deal." He stretched out the hand adorned with the ring.
I grasped his hand and a jolt of electricity shot up my arm. His grip was extremely powerful, preventing me from pulling away from the pain. Somehow I managed to keep a calm demeanor. Our eyes interlocked as the sensation grew stronger and I had to maintain deep concentration so I wouldn't cringe. At last he released me, and I brought my hand back to my side, noting a new strange mark that was forming on my wrist.
"What did you do to her?" Dean's voice rose protectively, eyes narrowed at the horseman.
"Oh, Dean." Death rolled his eyes. "Nothing that doesn't have it's purpose. As you can see, she's perfectly fine."
"I'm okay." I assured my friends. "We need him. In the end Death is an asset, not an inconvenience."
"Listen to the girl, boys." Death rose his chin. "I contain more wisdom and knowledge than you could ever hope to find in any book."
Sam seemed uncertain as he glanced back and forth between the two of us. Dean was on the verge of a conniption, I could see the wave of emotions surging within his eyes. Death appeared smug, probably because of the fact he was going to make the boys uncomfortable by accompanying me. I wasn't quite sure where I stood within this mess. Things had definitely taken an unexpected turn.
"I think it's time to hit the road." I stated, trying to avoid the enormous fight looming between Dean and Death. "We need to get started as soon as possible."
"Alright." Sam sighed, placing cash on the table for our meals.
Our odd group made its way out into the now bustling late morning, and we stopped beside the Impala.
"You." Dean pointed to me.
"Me what?" I crossed my arms.
"Call." He ordered. "Every single day. And I mean it."
"Okay boss." I teasingly saluted him, and he drew me into a hug.
When he let go, I was immediately grabbed by Sam.
"You be careful out there." He cautioned, his eyes flickering over to Death for a brief moment.
"I will." I promised. "Bye, Sammy."
"You be good to our Lora." Dean instructed. "You don't wanna know what happens if we find out you haven't."
"I love when you threaten me, Dean. You actually think you stand a chance." Death sneered. "But don't worry, I won't harm your companion."
"Good." Dean stated, and the two got into the car without another word, driving away into the distance.
"Shall we take our leave as well, Lora?" Death suggested.
I nodded, leading him over to the Mustang.
"Nice car. Not my taste, but still quite nice." He attempted a compliment.
"Thanks." I nodded, getting inside.
And then I let Death slide into my passenger seat.