A/N: Spoilers, obviously. I am so upset about Charlie. I am so heartbroken. And this is my tribute to her, titled and interspersed with Tolkienian quotes, in honor of her glorious nerdery. RIP.

It hurts. It really, really hurts.

She's broken limbs, cracked her ribs, sustained gashes and bruises—but this. There's no getting better from this.

Oh, the journey doesn't end here…

There's a lot of never agains running through her mind. They're silly things, maybe, to consider in the span of this moment—all the quotes and movies and comic books, the codes and programs…the things that made her a nerd, more than a hero. (Does this make her a hero?)

Charlie cries. She cries like a kid again, hacking sobs out until that hurts too much too, and then she lies still—feeling herself going into shock, feeling the blood pulse and throb through her. Out of her.

He stabbed her until he knew it was enough. Now he waits, watching, and she wishes she could be alone for this—it's ugly, being watched—

She thinks of them. Closes her eyes, and tries to pray. But in the end, it's easier to remember Dean's laugh, Sam's smile—the three of them together, unbeatable. Unbreakable.

Death is only another path.

The shards of her laptop screen bite into her hands. She welcomes that pain. That pain means they're going to win. Sam and Dean. They're going to get her message, and they'll know what to do and—

This is dying. This is how her mom felt, how her dad felt, this is it. The pain blossoms upward and inward and she's scared.

She's scared for them. Scared of what they'll do, blaming themselves and each other.

She wants to tell them to peace out. It's going to be fine. They can make it without her. She isn't a hero. She's only their friend. They've lost lots of friends, ones greater than her.

In the end, she's a little glad that she didn't have to lose them.

Death is only another path.

She opens her eyes. Doesn't look at her killer. She looks up, at the stained ceiling, and forces a smile.

"I'm coming," she whispers, to no one in particular.

One that we all must take.