Chronicles of Absolution: Virgin Eyes

Chapter 1

The Road so Far…

… "Oh really?"

She looked up and saw Lucifer taunting her. He was holding Sam by the neck and she could see what he intended to do. She couldn't let that happen. "Yes," she replied firmly. She could only hope that Sam understood what she meant by it. She pulled out her blade and held it ready. "Now let him go."

"And give up my favorite bunk buddy? I don't think so."

"Let him go."

Lucifer seemed to pause when she repeated her demand. He looked at her with a scrutinizing look like he was puzzled. He gave a slight hum but didn't relinquish his grip on Sam's neck. "You really have become much more powerful."

"I'm a walking book of surprises." Angela twirled her blade, ready to use it. This may be hell but she didn't forget the rules and even if it was Lucifer's playground… She was ready to fight.

… Sam grimaced from the pain that was going through his shoulders but didn't cry out. He knew either way more torture was going to come. It was just a matter of how severe it was and that depended upon whether or not he cried out or not. At the current rate, it was pretty much fifty-fifty and it depended on what was being used to strike a nerve.

Sam knew he was in hell. He was the one that made the conscious decision to jump in while wearing Lucifer. He thought he was prepared for what was going to happen while in the cage but even with all the preparation he did mentally, it was nothing compared to what he had been facing since he got here…

… "True, but unlike you brother," Lucifer paused from rubbing his chin in a satisfied manner, "I know what makes her tick."

"And you're implying that I don't?"

Lucifer looked around at nothing before replying in a mocking tone, "Yes."

Michael glared at Lucifer and retorted, "And what makes you so sure that you do know?"

Lucifer grinned before moving from his seat. He glanced over in the direction where he had been having his fun and grinned wide. She would have felt everything and was probably wondering why she was feeling it. It was her fault after all that she had done the things that she had done before joining him in the cage… Call it a sweet irony or whatever. He was looking forward to actually telling her when she made it down there…

… Adam watched as Michael charged at Angela and she just… she just stood there. He had no idea what she was doing but he considered it suicide. He stepped out of the cabin with the intention of pulling her out of the way. He could hear his voice screeching as Michael collided with the swirling vortex that was surrounding her and a bright light ensued, stopping him in his tracks.

Adam was nearly blinded by the light and held up his arm to protect his sight as he came to a full stop. He gritted his teeth because the light was so bright. It was like when he was forced to say yes to accepting Michael into his body. It died down and he peeked out from under his arm to see what had happened. He looked around to find a girl with raven dark hair knocked out on the ground, a man with a bleeding arm unconscious but stirring and then up ahead…

… Adam nodded and looked around. At least it confirmed a few things that he had noticed. Stuff he remembered from the short time he actually knew his brothers and what he had noticed now. He wasn't sure if it was being a cad coming out and saying it but… "You love him."

"Love them both."

… "You were this grumpy even before the Winchesters came into her life." Lucifer couldn't help but rub that in. Even though he had been in the cage during that time, he had ways of hearing and learning what was going on in the world. "Grumpy at the fact that she was never the perfect little soldier."

"She learned her place."

"I highly doubt that considering she forcibly kicked you out of the second best meat suit." Lucifer gave a mocking look at his brother.

"You know it's the bloodlines."

"Yes, blah, blah." Lucifer waved his hand at Michael. "It's why she said she would host either of us."

"And you had the gall to consider."

… Angela contemplated what Adam was saying. She knew that he was right. Lucifer changed the game and she did sense that she was going to go down that road if she was going to keep the attention off of Sam and Adam. She nodded, "Agreed."

"So… what do you want to do?"

Angela shifted to look at the flames. Hawkins' body was being consumed by the fire. She knew what she had to do and sighed. "He wants a war… he'll get one."

"Right with you."

… … She wanted revenge at one point but she had a severe wake up call to get her on the path she was on now. It was why she preferred to 'run' when confronted with anyone related to Alistair and his usual cohort. She wouldn't hesitate to fight but the tight reins were kept on the beast known as revenge.

Now she was faced with a chance to live that fantasy but that would mean she would have to become what Dean only got a taste of…

… Alistair noticed the look. He grinned, "No. You wouldn't."

"Wouldn't what?" Angela raised her brow.

"Fine be the animal you are," Alistair taunted.

"With pleasure," Angela replied. She had leaned close and with a fell swoop she closed her teeth between the shoulder and the neck. Her fangs pierced the skin and she felt the sanguine taste of blood hit her tongue…

… Angela looked at Morpheus like he was being a pervert for being so forward but indulged. She peered at her shoulder in the mirror. At first she didn't see anything because it was so faint but when she looked closer, she recognized the familiar lines of scarring. It looked like the cicatrization marks she had seen mostly from African tribes. The design though was not like that. Rather it was a bit similar to her tattoo but there was a blend of Enochian and Egyptian as well and she recognized the mark that was unmistakably what would have been Sam's cartouche. "What…?"

"Courtesy of Sam Winchester, my dear," Morpheus answered as he watched the understanding start to develop. "He bit you and more than likely exchanged blood with you thus created that mark. He made you his and I have no doubt you did the same."

Angela blinked as she stared at the marking. There was no way. That meant. "No. I would never do that. Not to him."

"It appears that you did," Morpheus pointed out. He didn't want to be too forceful with her but desperate times and he was prepared to give her a hard shake like he would a naughty pup. "You made him your own and he did the same to you. So in simpler terms… you are for all intents and purposes married."

… She turned her attention to the devil and growled, "Lucifer."

Lucifer grinned at her, "Now, now. You've had your fun." He looked at everyone. "You've have your protection in what you created. Now it's time to get to business." He chuckled as he looked at them. "This is going to be fun."

Angela grunted as she was suspended. She tried to struggle but she couldn't get free. She looked at Sam and Adam. She had long known that she was walking into a bigger game but she clung to the belief that she could do better. Now she was caught. Sam was caught. And now they were going to get into something that would prove to be the true test of withstanding hell. She glanced at Sam and stretched her hand towards him.

Remember. Always and forever…

… "We'll see."

Michael was ready to go to fight but was held back by Lucifer, "No, Michael. I've got something better. Follow me." He turned and left the room while plunging it into darkness.

He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.

… Haley knew that the past year had its ups and downs. It was why she and Dean stayed in the house they procured and tried to live their lives… On the few jobs she had been on with Sam and Dean, it left her with the impression that the soulless version of Sam was one of the scariest of things she had encountered. She had seen him when it came to fighting the monsters but that was nothing compared to what she had seen when Sam perceived something that… She swallowed as she remembered when she saw Sam look like he was going to kill someone because he thought they were….

The first time she saw that was when someone made a cat call after snatching a picture from Sam. She had caught him staring at a picture…

… "A part of me does." Sam glanced at the picture. "When I see her… I have memories of everything we've done." He gave a humorless chuckle, "And we actually did the old cliché of the last night on earth." He sobered and his expression became tense and blank and not faking a response to what should be an emotional moment. "I have these memories and for the most part I don't feel anything but when I look at her…"

… . She had to ask, "Can you describe it more? Feel free to be down and dirty."

"She is mine. My… I don't know… mate or something."

… "It's about the souls," Death offered as his only hint. "You'll understand when you need to. As will she."

… "I'm going to put up a barrier in your mind. It may feel itchy. Don't scratch the wall," Death warned Sam before plunging his soul back in.

At that moment, the ground rumbled underneath Dean's feet. He knew he wasn't imagining things when Bobby and Haley looked at him wide eyed and wondering what the hell was going on. He looked at Death who merely said, "Remind Sam of his promise to her."

"What promise?"

Death was gone before Dean got his answer. Now all he had was an unconscious brother and something that resembled an earthquake. What the hell had he done?

… Angela had no idea what was happening. All she knew was that she was getting a surge of power and that it would strike enough damage to keep them off their backs for the time being. She was going to take it. She dug her foot in to give her the ability to sprint forward. She darted forward and maneuvered her blade to give a downward strike as it glowed a white hot glow. She brought it down in a single swipe creating a blinding white light… Angela blinked and turned towards the voice. She recognized who it was and lowered her blade. She turned to see that it appeared that time stood still. She saw her blow striking Lucifer and Michael but they were suspended. She turned and saw Sam disappearing as a white light and her companion… "Hello, Death."

… "Now, you must go. Someone needs to keep an eye on those two. Find the other half."

Angela found herself bathed in white light and then darkness. It was the sound of birds calling that woke her up. She smelled the air and her eyes shot wide open as she took a gasping breath. Her eyes were wide open as she looked around.

"Welcome back, Absolution."

Now

"Welcome back Absolution."

The reaction was instant. Angela didn't stop to take a good look but relied on her survival instincts. She made a swiping motion and sent the owner of the voice skidding back a few feet. It allowed Angela to get to hers but she was in a crouched position and holding onto Absolution like it was a lifeline. She held out her other hand like it was going to defend her but it was a warning as well.

"Told me to expect that," the newcomer said as she dusted herself off. "And after what Dean did, this was a welcome break."

Angela blinked. The woman said his name. It made her suspicious and hopeful at the same time. She didn't say anything though as she stared at the woman that was there. She didn't even stand up. She was highly suspicious of everything.

The woman looked at Angela, not understanding why she wasn't relaxing. She ventured, "Angie, you do remember, don't you?"

Angela narrowed her eyes at the woman. She kept her guard up as she slowly stood up. Once she was fully upright, she lowered her blade slightly and took a step backwards and looked around. She recognized where she was. She looked around until her eyes lighted on an empty patch of ground. It was then that it hit and her eyes widened.

She watched as Sam fell in, pulling Michael in with him. They plummeted into the dark cavern that was the entrance to the cage. It was still open. She could feel the power as it swirled around, whipping her hair around.

I want you to do something for yourself, Angie.

It was what she wanted for herself. She walked towards the hole, focusing to keep it open a bit longer. It was then she heard her name. She turned to see Dean, face bloodied and broken. He was hurt but he was alive and he would be fine. That was what encouraged her to smile at him, her big brother, before spreading her arms and leaping in.

Angela gasped and blinked as she remembered staring at that patch of ground. She looked around. This was definitely the place. Stull Cemetery. But what was she doing here? She turned to look at the woman who was still there and gave a slight raising of her brow before moving quickly to get close and peered at the woman.

"You should remember. I am Tessa," Tessa said as she took in Angela staring at her.

Angela narrowed her eyes and leaned in closer. Her nose twitched slightly as she took in a couple of sniffs. She stepped back once she made up her mind. She sheathed her sword and held it in her hand. There was no threat here. But the question was where is here?

She knew where she was. She was in Kansas but what she meant was whether or not she was in hell or topside. She had no reason to trust everything. She had been made to think things were real. So she wasn't going to go with face value. She would need to test things to make sure but… Something caught her attention and she turned towards it. Something was calling to her but it was nothing that could be heard by the human ear, but it was there… calling to her. She could feel it on the left side of her neck.

Angela flared her nostrils like she was going to sniff it. She could feel it and it was familiar. That was true. She had to go. Taking a look at Tessa, she blinked and took a couple of steps backwards. She then started running towards the gates of the cemetery. She would follow that… whatever it was. Her neck throbbed but not in the bad way. It was good one and she put a hand to the left side of her neck and cupped it. Her lip twitched slightly in a smile as she continued to run in the direction she had chosen.

Tessa watched with a bland expression as Angela said nothing but studied her surroundings. It was nerve wracking when she came really close and sniffed her. Nothing happened even though initially Angela had used her abilities and lashed out to defend herself. Tessa should have expected it but she didn't and it pushed her back. It was impressive.

Honestly, Tessa didn't know what she expected when Death sent her here to watch for Absolution. She had been told that disorientation was to be expected but Tessa didn't take it seriously. She assumed that Angela would have the sense to realize where she was. True she knew that hell was not pleasant but she expected something else. This was almost instinctual and it concerned her that Angela didn't speak at all.

She watched as Angela seemed to be distracted by something that was unseen. Angela then left without a word. Tessa tried to stop her but it was clear that Angela wasn't listening. Sighing, the reaper thought about what to do next. It wasn't like she could stop Angela and if she did, she would end up with a few fists in her face or worse. Now she was faced with trying to figure out how to explain this to her boss. She shook her head.

In the meantime, Angela was running down the street. She had to follow it. It was calling to her and she had to listen. She ran, not caring that she looked a little weird in her outfit and covered in dirt and there were abrasions all over her body. She looked like she had been tramping through a forest for a year. That didn't matter. She had to get where she was being called to.

She couldn't explain it but it was something that she had always been aware of but it was more like a whisper that came and went. It had gotten stronger when she started working in closer proximity of the Winchesters but was still a whisper. It only spoke loudly when she really needed it. Now… it was like a blaring sign and it wouldn't leave her alone. It felt like she was compelled to obey it and it was exacerbated by the throbbing in her neck.

Pressing a hand to her neck, she felt a warmth rise and fill the palm of her hand. It was not blistering but gentle. Gentle and persistent. The thought had her smile because there was only one person that was associated with that feeling. Thinking about him only made the call stronger and it spurred her on to keep moving.

You claimed him as he claimed you. For all intents and purposes you are…

Angela made a soft sound and put an extra spurt into her legs. She had to keep going. She had to follow. She had to find him. She had to make sure that he was fine. When that was done, then she would figure out where she was at and if she needed to fight to get them free. As she had said before, enough was enough. She would not be made to suffer the whims of anyone who used people that mattered to her to motivate her.

I am sorry, Cerebus. I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you.

Angela kept on running. She was focused on her goal but she wasn't letting her guard down. There were plenty of things out there that could take advantage and until she knew for sure where she was at, she wasn't going to take things at face value. She swerved slightly to avoid running into a sign but she didn't deviate from her present course. She kept running, unheeding of the fact that she was in full view of people who happened to notice.

Dorothy Hammond was one such person. She was busy wiping tables at the diner she had worked at for over forty years. She worried over the earthquake that happened that morning. It was strange since in that part of the country you didn't get earthquakes. Tornados maybe but an earthquake? Wiping tables allowed her to mull over it thought she probably shouldn't worry. It was more likely a one-time thing.

"Hey Dorothy, where are the extra salt shakers?"

"In the back in the pantry," she replied, referring to the set of shelves that held the dried goods and the spices. "Try near the seasonings for the chili."

"Thanks!"

Dorothy smiled as she heard her cook and husband of thirty years shuffle in the back, following her instructions. They had owned and operated this diner since they first met. They were high school sweethearts when they met and they worked at the same diner, the current one that they owned. Their boss previously owned it and they bought and continued the business. It was like a major staple in town. Everybody came there at some point and some every day to eat. Tourists and people just passing through stopped there and always had something to say about the food. Just a little slice of ordinary.

Today though wasn't so ordinary. First the earthquake this morning when she unlocked the doors which had her looking around when she felt the rumble under her feet. Her husband Don wondered what the hell was going on in the verbal sense since he was thrown off balance and he was toting a tray of food that he had prepped for the special for the day. It had their neighbors and customers come out wondering what was going on as well. Afterwards, since no one figured it out, business when about as usual and she and Don went to work.

The day went on like it was nothing and she was wiping down to prepare for the lunch rush. It seemed like the day was going on as usual when she heard Don say, "What the hell?"

Dorothy shook her head since Don was prone to swearing. She straightened up to see her husband looking out the window. She frowned and turned to see what he was looking at. She blinked when she saw a woman running. It wasn't the fact that she was running, it was what she was wearing that held her attention.

She had seen joggers before and they all wore the same thing. If it was someone chasing after someone, they wore something different like the local police. This woman though was not either of those. She was wearing something that looked like it would be better suited for a formal party of sorts or one of those comic book things the kids like to go to. The woman just didn't seem to fit and she didn't seem to care that she had an audience like her neighbors and customers coming in for lunch. She rolled her eyes when some of the older men were ogling.

There was a sudden blaring of a horn and Dorothy looked up again. Her eyes got wide when she saw a car that was heading towards the woman who was now in the middle of the street. Dorothy thought the girl was crazy for that and she was running headlong into the car that was heading towards her. She reached for her phone to call for emergency services when the woman took a running leap and jumped onto the moving vehicle. With moment, she kept running up the front windshield and onto the roof of the car and onto the trunk where she leapt off and kept running down the street, ignoring the gasps and the comments.

Dorothy moved to one of the other windows to follow the woman as she ran down the street. He noticed other people running to catch a glimpse and follow. That was something that you didn't see every day and she had a feeling that was all anyone was going to be talking about all day. She knew that she wasn't going to forget it. It was one strange day indeed.

A/N: Death did what he said and Angela is out of hell but not in a very familiar setting. But she has a mission and she is going to complete it. Stay tuned for next time on Virgin Eyes...