Chronicles of Absolution: Absolution Rises
Chapter 1
The shrieks were high pitched. It blended with the sound of nails scratching on a chalkboard. The lights were flashing worse than those strobe lights in a night club. It only served to accentuate the shrieks of pain and agony.
The face of the tormentor was coming into focus. It wasn't the architect. It was one of them… his pupils; one of those who couldn't take it anymore. The emotions were thick. There was fear and perverse joy.
Suddenly there was a voice calling. Then there was a white light. The shrieks were higher. The light flashed faster. Then suddenly there was…
"Are we going to do this or not?"
There was a voice calling. It could be heard distinctly. It was one that hadn't been heard in ages. Well time is relative in this case. There it was loud and clear.
Life has returned…
"Hey, are we doing the job or not?"
Angela narrowed her eyes. She heard the voice in her mind. It had been a long time since someone was able to talk to her like that. There were only a few who could do that with relative ease and one she really hadn't spoken to in a month or so and that was because she was trying to evade someone who was intent on dogging her steps ever since she escaped.
The voice was loud and clear though. Something happened and her help was needed. The job at hand could wait. She looked at her companion who was looking at her like she was being a pain in the ass on purpose. Well screw him for that. She replied, "I gotta go."
Her companion looked at her through a pair of dark brown eyes as his dirt blonde hair flopped in his face in the short rock star mullet look. It reminded Angela too much about Sam and it wrenched her heart that she wasn't able to see him as much as she wanted. At least he understood why she couldn't see him and she did keep her promise. She watched out for him. Her companion said, "We busted our asses for two weeks to find out what the Old Man was up to and now right when the dance number comes up, you're punking out?"
Angela looked at her companion and replied, "For a French Creole nobleman you certainly sound like a ghetto ass gangsta." She deliberately twanged out the last word being a pain in the ass. She didn't blame him in the least. She was the one that convinced him to jail break with her in the first place. "You know Sach, as much as I want to beat the crap out of the Old Man, there are more important things in my life." She studied the warehouse they had staked out.
Sacha De Lauzon, 15th century French nobleman and vampire, scoffed at that. He had heard it all with her. "I hear ya and one of them is a freakishly tall human with puppy eyes that looks like he wants to kiss you and shout at you every time you meet."
Angela rolled her eyes at that. If anything she wanted to kiss Sam. She thought she was stuck forever in the Old Man's compound and none of her pleas was able to get a hold of Gabriel. The Old Man was good and she hated him for that. He cut her off completely and did things that he said was good for her. She replied, "He's still pissed at me… and he's hiding something from me."
"Is that any worse than what got you in this position?"
Angela narrowed her eyes and they flickered to show her power. She watched as Sacha's flickered in response. "You've got a lot of nerve considering what I know about you." She looked back at the compound.
The voice came again. She needed to go. She had to get to the place it was telling her to go to. She stood up and started walking away while saying, "This is important. Something has happened and I need to see what it is."
Sacha studied his companion as he followed her. They were the most unlikely pair ever. He had been under the Old Man's thumb for nearly a hundred or so years, doing his bidding and all in the name of the greater good. She arrived nearly four months ago and from day one she fought the Old Man tooth and pretty nail. She refused to accept anything the Old Man said and refused to perform on cue stating that she wasn't a performing monkey. He just couldn't get it since it was inevitable that anyone who passed through the Old Man's grounds became what they were.
She though refused to let it happen. Numerous escape attempts she committed and each time she was punished but she was determined. Sacha had to admit that he was intrigued by her. When he inquired in his usual manner, he learned who she was and something changed. He started fighting too but in his own way. He taught her the value of planning long term and how to appear not to be up to something. They ended up escaping together and he actually met one of her friends and could see what she was about and how wrong the Old Man was.
She was forever changed though. The abilities she possessed, she refused to perform on command but she used them freely now. If she had an opening, she used them and he had seen her use them on interrogation with the few demons they came across. In addition to evading the Old Man and tracking him down, they went on a few hunts and she taught him the bulk of her job: salt and burns, different monsters and he was surprised she had no qualms about killing her own kind.
In the four months he had known her, he came to trust her judgment. She had greater command of her powers but still preferred to use her fighting skills. Her healer abilities were astronomical and she was stronger and a little leaner than when they first met. He replied, "Is it related to that thing you were telling me about?"
Angela walked over to where the motorcycles they rode were parked. It was easier to take them than have Deanna. It was easier to evade the Old Man. She looked at Sacha and replied, "I think so. It's weird hearing them again."
Sacha knew better than to ask for details. Once was enough for his famous companion. "Fine Angelique. Lead the way and I'll be back up. Just remember you owe me."
"Keep your knickers on oh holy lord of a great manor. I remember I owe you 500mL of the stuff and I got it covered and don't call me that. I'd rather not think about France," Angela replied as she put on the black helmet. She glanced down at her person and noted the change in clothing and touched the strap across her chest that held Absolution firmly to her back. Her gauntlets were still a part of her garb but she looked more like a badass biker.
"Huh and here I thought you fantasized about you and Sammy enjoying the romance of Paris. Enchante," Sacha teased as he put on his helmet. At least it kept the glare of the sun out of his eyes.
"Bite me asshat," Angela replied though the sting of the words was muffled by the helmet. She started the engine of her motorcycle and revved it up.
Sacha laughed as he followed suit. He liked the old days of the horse and carriage and his family home still maintained an impressive collection of stables. Of course the house itself was historic and had a lot of stigma and wonder attached to it. Motorcycles were fine and some of the newer model cars but he could never understand Angela's obsession and a tendency to drool over steel monstrosities that roared.
Four months of hanging around the one who wielded the sword Absolution and had a chakram that was deadly in flight… he found it rather intoxicating. Sacha felt a sense of freedom that he hadn't felt since he was a child. She ate, lived and breathed for the moment in her quest to finish what she started four months ago. She didn't care where the wind took her as long as she came back around to check on her friends.
The first time he went with her to the site, he watched as she kicked at the ground furiously. It was then he learned that she was pissed that there was nothing there and that she could get a read on supernatural energies. She then paused by a grave and muttered something after slicing her hand and letting the drops fall. It was probably one of those tricks the Old Man taught her but that started her on a campaign to get various supplies.
Angela said nothing else as she pulled out onto the highway. She really didn't have to worry about the Old Man since the last time he seemed to have gotten the hint that if he didn't leave her or Sam alone, she would track him down and kill him. Actually he seemed pleased at that and now she was in a worse state of paranoia about the whole thing. She felt cowardly that she used her hunt as an excuse to stay away from Sam and Bobby.
Bobby she talked to when she got the chance after getting a brand new cell phone complete with the bells and whistles that would have made Sam drool over. Sam, she avoided unless it was one of her checkup visits and those occurred when she got that strange feeling that he was in trouble. The beginning was tough because she could sense it and she couldn't do anything about it. After she got out, she just followed the tick like a rope and went to see him.
That first time, Sam looked like he had no feeling; his face was perfectly blank except for the eyes. Angela thought he was going to do something like attack her and she wouldn't blame him. She had been gone and not by choice either but they hadn't exactly parted on great terms either… not after what she did to him. So it was much of a shock when he pulled her into a huge hug and he whispered that he was sorry.
It was awkward since Sacha was around and Angela got the distinct impression that Sam didn't really like him even though she explained that he helped her escape from the Old Man. At least Sacha left to give them some alone time and that was a bit awkward since she still was under the impression that he was angry. The hug said otherwise since he held her for a full three minutes.
She looked at Sam and then pulled out her knife wordlessly until he freaked visibly. She said, "Relax Sam. Just doing the usual to show I'm me."
It went smoothly as could be expected and she let Sam patch her up. She had almost forgotten how gentle he was. She then noticed that he was staring at a thin scar on her forearm. He asked softly, "What happened?"
"Escape attempt number 3," she replied. She tensed slightly at the memory but calmed down once Sam ran his thumb on it. "The Old Man didn't like that I snapped his wrist and killed his pet poodle. The mean bastard would have ratted me out."
"Three times?"
"Out of… I lost count. Persistence is my name," she replied looking down. "I was pissed that he took me against my will. He probably convinced you and Bobby that I ditched you both."
"I'm not angry, Angie," Sam replied quietly as he released her arm. "Not with you but with me. I tried to find you even using Bobby's locator but nothing worked. It was like you disappeared completely. I didn't want to give up but I figured you'd want me to keep trying to find a way to get back Dean…"
That led to more questions and filling in the blanks for Sam and her in regards to what happened. It was a bit of a shock to find that he had been looking for her for two whole months. And here she was being the one worrying about what happened to him because she got the feeling that he was in trouble. He was looking for her.
That comfortable feeling didn't last long. Sacha returned stating that the Old Man was back. Angela didn't want to leave Sam behind and she really couldn't stand the puppy eyes that had formed but they were tinged with the hint of understanding. He then told her to go and she protested like the idiot she was and saying that she didn't spend two months and more likely thirteen to twenty escape attempts to just walk out again. She couldn't remember but she was under the impression that she actually put a begging look on her face to tell him not to ask her to leave.
Then he had to turn the pleading and eyes on full force. Angela would never admit it to anyone that she was ready to cave the moment the mild version popped up. He could have easily reminded her that she was going to do it when she was doing that business with the hell's gate but he didn't. He gave her a hug and pushed her out the door and told her to kick the Old Man's ass. Her Sammy had grown up but instead of making her feel good, it felt strangely wrong and it hurt.
So for two months, they saw each other on and off. Sam was relieved every time she walked through the door and sad as a kicked puppy when she left. It was only about a week ago that she was sure that the Old Man was leaving her alone and she told Sam but he was vague about a few things. He was willing to let her come back and they could work on getting Dean out together but it didn't sound convincing and it occurred to her that maybe she had taught or encouraged him her behavior and habits of keeping secrets.
She didn't say anything about it and when she found a lead, he let her chase after it. Nothing else and she was discontent about the whole thing. That was the problem with motorcycle and car driving. You thought too much about your problems and suspicions… It drove you crazy if you were careful. Now she was hearing the voice again and obeying it like she did the last time. She sighed and gunned the engine faster.
"Gotta hand it to the Voice. Having you come out in the middle of nowhere." Sacha took a puff of the cigarette he took out. He wasn't worried about his health. He was a fricking vampire and the only thing that was deadly to him was dead man's blood or a machete to the neck.
Angela was playing with her necklace. She had long abandoned the amulet once she found out that it belonged to the Old Man. She actually threw it at him and called him foul names that would have made Dean proud. She had been playing with the necklace Sam had given her more often now.
She couldn't really tell Sacha that the vibes she had been feeling, the nightmares about the pit… she was seeing it through Dean's eyes. It's what drove her to finish what she started. It made her feel worse that she didn't tell Sam. Every night she saw the flashes and the agony, Dean's agony that made her wake up and gorge on whiskey like it was nothing. Now that she was hearing the voice again… Something was up and she had an inkling of what it was. She replied, "Shut up Sach. This is where I'm supposed to be."
"Right and you were the one telling me to go fuck destiny crap," Sacha replied as he drew another puff. To him, she was an enigma and he couldn't deny he found it intoxicating and attractive. He knew that he was in serious competition with her human friend Sam. He saw it in the eyes.
"I do believe in sticking it to the Old Man," Angela replied, "But this is different. This involves someone who did what I was going to do. I am sure of it."
"Huh, more of your gut feelings?"
"More like I just know," Angela replied softly.
"You know that is pretty unscientific even for you, love."
Angela turned to see the familiar silhouette of one of the demons she tangled with recently. She narrowed her eyes and held her arm out to indicate that Sacha was not to interfere. She replied, "Looks like you've been boring yourself Billy. Didn't you like the little surprise I left your partner with?"
Billy, the demon came out and his eyes were showing black. He looked pissed as he replied, "You cost us a good deal."
"And you know how I feel about those," Angela interrupted. She really didn't have time for this. It did occur to her though that Billy was here for a reason and it had to do with why she was there. It wasn't that big of a coincidence in her book.
"Right because you like to try and snag them and break them. You know that is considered welching," Billy retorted.
"It's all in the wording," Angela replied smoothly. She felt her powers stir as she maintained her composure. There was no need to get physical unless it became necessary. "You can remind your boss of that."
"He doesn't need reminding."
"So Billy the Kid still thinks he's the badass gunslinger?" Angela knew she was pushing it as she mocked the demon. She wasn't stupid and she wasn't blind and she was vaguely uncomfortable at the fact that Crowley also had been looking for her. She was done with him.
"As if you are any better."
"I was back in the day. You might remember my partner at the time," Angela retorted with a slight smile. It was the kind to infuriate since it seemed that she wasn't taking anything seriously. "So you think that by following me, you would get what I was after and just bring it to the boss man right?"
Sacha had heard stories about the Winchesters and later when Angela joined them and about the personalities. Looking at her, he was under the impression that she was almost imitating perfectly Dean Winchester even though he never met the man. She was ready for a fight but she had it well under control which gave him the idea she picked up something from Sam since he saw him as someone who controlled his emotions pretty well.
Billy looked at Angela and glared, "Something is happening and it is tied to you. It always is tied to you when the cosmic comes into play."
"You know you're talking bullshit," Angela replied coolly, "Cosmic interference is nothing to me."
"Then why are you here? Hearing the voices again?"
Angela didn't react… at least nothing that was visible to the naked eye. There was a reason she never mentioned hearing them or more specifically him in her head. It was crazy and a sure fire way to be labeled a paranoid schizophrenic, with voices in the head a sure sign, and even more crazy was if she told the truth. It was funny how people reacted when they heard the truth even though they claimed belief in certain things.
Billy though took it to mean confirmation and grinned like a little kid in a candy store, "So you are hearing them. Trying to get you to do their dirty work again. Don't look so surprised. Word does get around you know."
"And most of it is through the grapevine."
"Best source."
"If you researched through Wikipedia," Angela muttered in retort. "How much of the grapevine is true and how much are complete lies?" She stared at the demon.
"Psychobabble talk again? You can do better than that since you're the one that started some of those rumors to flush a few of us out," Billy replied. They didn't call him Billy the Kid for nothing. He was fast with his remarks and he was dead on when he wanted to be while hiding behind what they called the bad boy persona.
Angela had raised a brow at that but it was mostly to hide the fact that something wasn't right with her. It felt like one of those bitch ass visions and wondered if she really was flipping the switch or if it was too many sleepless nights. All she could discern was the dull throb that was increasing and it was then like her senses came alive.
She was hearing the shrieks but it was like she was there. She could see the racks and the pupils doing what they did best. She saw him and his new favorite. She didn't want it to be but… The pain in her head started increasing. What the frigging hell was going on?
Billy noticed that his quarry was getting the feeling of discomfort. Something was happening and he didn't care. It would give him an advantage but she did have the frog being her bodyguard and it looked like he had a set of nasty teeth on him. It didn't matter and he taunted, "Something wrong little pretty? Your poor head hurts?"
Angela heard the mocking tones and she was reminded of another time someone mocked her with that little nickname. She hated them both for that. The dull throb had begun increasing and it was making it harder for her to concentrate on the fact that she was in the presence of a demon and she was there because the voice in her mind told her too. It was a bitch. She couldn't help but put a hand up to her head and pressed a little; as if that would relieve the pressure.
Billy took advantage of it and used his mojo to get rid of her frog and left her alone with him. "So the great Absolution finally cracked and who would have thought that it would occur in the middle of nowhere?" He advanced and gave her a hard backhand that sent her staggering back.
Angela felt the throb intensify to excruciating levels the moment the bastard backhanded her. Now she was feeling pokes and prods while she was seeing things. She was seeing the pit and could hear the screeches but she was also hearing other sounds. There was the sound of yelling and shouting, one male and one female. Then there was the voice. It was in a language she hadn't heard in years and it sounded oddly melodious and comforting but that didn't ease the pain and Billy's poking wasn't helping matters at all.
"What's the matter little pretty? Can't take a few insults?" Billy poked at Angela with his hand. He just couldn't resist and was going to learn that it was a big mistake.
Angela opened her eyes and instead of Billy, she saw the architect. He was jeering at her and she saw several other familiar faces. The jeering face though was the most annoying and she had enough of the poking. She narrowed her eyes and stuck out her hand.
She saw the architect stagger back slightly. She then said, unaware that her voice was slightly warped in the process, "You are a poison and such must be drawn from the wound."
It was intense concentration but she had done it before. She focused on the essence of the demon and using that which was her healing ability, she began to pull the demon out. Her mind knew that it was Billy but her eyes were seeing the architect and she had a perverse pleasure in making him suffer for everything he had done. She pulled, drawing the demon out.
Her fist was clenched and akin to her sticking her hand in and grabbing the heart of the monster she was killing. She pulled it out and sent the demon down to the deepest levels of hell. She was looking around and saw the pit being bathed in light and it was like she felt something on her shoulder and she closed her eyes.
When she opened them she was on her knees on the ground and she was breathing hard in the middle of a burnt black circle. The next thing she heard was, "I see that you've been busy while I've been gone."
Angela looked up and slowly got to her feet. The pain had dulled to a throb as she looked at two people she thought she wouldn't see again. She hoarsely whispered, "Hale?"
A/N: Season three starts off with a bang. Looks like Angie is free and has a new friend in the mix and it looks like she has some new abilities. Stay tuned for the next chapter of Absolution Rises...