12th May
2:15AM
The laughter stopped as suddenly as it started when the clatter of the last gun shells fell to the diner's floor. There was silence as Dean stepped forward, his boots squelching in the fresh blood belonging to the bodies that lay around him. He could hear the sirens approaching from the other side of the block, the tires of numerous police cars screeching. Dean's pace quickened as he approached the cash register. He emptied its contents and then leaped over the counter and ran out the back door, his get-away vehicle left running. This sleek black car was fine with its missing plates and top of the line engine for a fast get away but nothing would ever compare to Dean's true love; his 67 Chevy Impala. Sadly with his line of work he couldn't be seen driving around such a noticeable car. So for the time being she sat in a garage somewhere in Kansas, dusty but never forgotten.
Dean revved the engine and threw his heavy sack of money over the back, its contents half spilling out over the vinyl seats and onto the carpeted floor. He flicked the radio on and dropped the clutch, wheels spinning on the spot before gripping the gravel and pulling out onto the street. The engine roared but Dean still missed his beloved Impala. He streaked down the road and out of town; the police lost him on the narrow streets in the shadows, his black car's paint melding in with the night.
10:34AM
Dean sat on the damp hay that had been his resting place all week, his bags packed again and ready to leave. He was three towns over from the crime scene that had fallen around him just 7 hours previously, the screams still fresh in his mind. He grinned and carried his belongings to his car, contemplating where he could get the next one from. Another job like last night and he'll certainly need a new one. Dean took the car's plates and put them on before driving in the opposite direction in which he had come, dust hanging low in the air as he disappeared on the horizon.
9:42PM
Dean sat silent at the bar in a town that was unfamiliar to him. The road house was empty apart from the bartender who was idly cleaning glasses as he stared at an ancient tv hanging by a rusted rod of iron in the top far corner of the room. Dean swallowed his shot of whiskey and coughed loudly. The bartender looked at him as dean raised 3 fingers to signal for 3 more shots. As he poured the drinks, Dean ran a tired hand across his chin, the stubble beginning to grow into a beard after a week without shaving. Dean sat quietly, staring at the liquid in the three tiny glasses in front of him. He drank one and joined the barkeep in staring at the television screen.
"… an unnamed but notorious mass murderer took 8 people hostage this weekend at a local bank before killing all of them but one woman who is thought to still be his captive…" the news reporter spoke evenly, unemotionally as she continued talking about finer details of the robbery; $50,000 missing from the bank's vaults. Dean smirked up at the tv, its picture flickering for a couple seconds before coming to rest on some police footage at the bank of the murder's face. He stood with a 9mm semi-auto in his hand as several people cowered at his feet . His head turned slowly to face the camera and he grinned widely as if to say 'Hello, here I am. So what are you going to do about it?' The man had a sharp jawline, piercing eyes and short black/brown hair. The footage ended at the reporter was back on screen.
The bartender chuckled gruffly and spoke indirectly at Dean, "first those bank murders two days ago and now that diner killer as well last night? What's become of the world… Did you hear about those murders last night, boy?" The barkeep looked up from the glass right at Dean who shrugged and shook his head. "Haven't had a chance to watch much tv lately," Dean gestured through the front windows at his car and continued, "Been on a road trip."
The barkeep's eyes followed Dean's hand and came to rest on the lonely dark car outside. "Say, that cars an awful lot like the one they described on the tellie last night," the bartender mused before turning back to the television.
"… It has been confirmed that the recent murders, though they are in close proximity of each other, were committed by two separate offenders…"
Dean huffed and then drank the two remaining shots simultaneously and then left a 50 dollar bill on the bar before walking out, the night air nipping at his nose.
"Goodnight to ya," the bartender called before going to stare at the tv once more.
He climbed into his car and turned his wrist with the key in the ignition. The engine came to life and Dean pulled out and drove off down the road, headed for a place to spend the night.
10th May
5:06PM
Castiel Novak breathed heavily with the anticipation of the now imminent heist about to take place in the bank just outside his car. Raphael, Castiel's associate sat next to him, his face obscured by a maladjusted ski mask. Castiel pulled a gun from the glove box and stashed it into one of his coat's inside pockets.
"Now be ready to drive off any second, or I swear I'll kill you myself," Castiel hissed through a sinister grin before dashing across the street with a pair of sunglasses now over his eyes.
Raphael scoffed and shifted in his seat while fixing his balaclava so it fit more comfortably over his face. "That'll be the day when a whiney bitch like you gets the better of me." He chuckled darkly and started the car, his hands firmly on the steering wheel.
Inside the bank Castiel waited in line, his eyes staring ahead, unseen through his heavy shades. In this room he could see a total of 3 people standing in front and behind him while only one person was working at a booth. When it came to be Castiel's turn he smiled nicely at the banker when she asked him what she could help him with. His eyes darted to her name badge; 'Judith'. Discretely, Castiel moved his hand inside his coat pocket and took a firm hold on his gun, his voice smooth but low as he replied "Judith would you be a dear and let us go chat in the other room?"
Judith stared at him, nonplussed before stuttering "I-I'm sorry, but that's against company policy, sir."
"Okay, dear. Then how's this for 'against company policy'?" Castiel's smiled widened as he pulled his gun out into view. Judith drew back but Castiel grabbed her shirt and pulled her close, the people behind him still unaware as to the fiasco occurring up front.
Judith's breathing became laboured as she tried to pull away calmly, her nerves on edge as she stared down the barrel of Castiel's gun.
"Now, now, Judith we don't want any trouble, do we?" She shook her head, more of a convulsion than an agreement.
"Good, that's very good. Now do me a favour and take me to the other room, please." Judith nodded and turned carefully away, peeking to the left to watch Castiel's ever terrifying gun creep to the side along with her. Once in the other room they could hear the exasperated groans of the patrons out in the previous room.
"What do you want?" Judith asked, her voice deliberately collected as she continued to watch the gun in Castiel's perfectly still grasp.
"All the money in the safe," his voice had lost the sickly sweet tone and his smile had turned into a thin chapped line, his eyes aglow with determination. He then leant forward and whispered softly into her ear. "And I know you pressed the emergency button under the desk so don't even try to stall your way out of this one, girl."
Judith flinched when Castiel murmured 'girl' right into her ear, his voice unnaturally pleasant for a moment, making his threat even more unsettling.
"But we're only a small bank! We barely have over 50 grand on the premises! If you're expecting more than that you'll need to go commit your felonies elsewhere!" Judith stood up straight and moved her eyes from the gun to Castiel's eyes, her stance defiant but shaky around the edges.
Castiel grinned again, his eyes crinkling as he chuckled.
"If this were a big city bank the police would be here already," Judith faltered but kept her eyes locked on his.
"It's in the back room." Judith said when Castiel failed to elaborate on his point.
"Show me."
Judith walked stiffly while Castiel held the gun to her back, the metal barrel pressing painfully hard against her spine. As they rounded the corner two guards came into view, their guns on the belt wrapped around their hips. He leaned forward and whispered into Judith's ear again.
"Open it."
"Gary, Tom. Open it, please." The guards looked at each other before reaching for their guns. Castiel smiled and lifted his own gun into view, pressing it roughly against her neck as he pulled her close to him with his free arm. Judith gasped in mild protest, telling the guards to leave their guns alone.
Obediently, the two men opened the safe and then stood silent, looking at Castiel expectantly.
"How much do you want?"
"All of it," he sighed, his mind growing numb at these repetitive questions. He drew a large cloth bag from inside his coat and threw it at them, his face blank. "Fill it fast or I shoot her spinal cord. Simple." Castiel put his gun back out of view against Judith's spine.
Seconds later the bag was nearly full so Castiel checked his watch absently.; time to go. He looked back up at the guards who were filling the final wads of cash into the bag. "Well, it's been an absolute pleasure, I have to say. Too bad I can't stick around for tea or whatever it is you people are into," Judith breathed out in relief as she felt the gun get taken off her spine, Castiel's arm now releasing her waist. The guards stood up straight and threw the bag the Castiel who caught it with one arm. "Be seeing you," he chimed before pulling the most innocent face he could muster. And with that he lifted his gun and shot the two guards in as many seconds through the face. Castiel turned on Judith who fell over backwards as he advanced rapidly. He grabbed her roughly by the hair and dragged her back to the reception room. More people were here now but he could see a few people running away down the street; spooked by the gun shots no doubt. He lifted his gun and pulled Judith to her feet.
"On the floor, all of you!" They obeyed silently with the exception of a few muffled whimpers.
Castiel stood motionless above them, watching them in quiet amusement as he placed the bag of cash down next to him.
Judith began to shift her weight so as to see him better. "You're scum," she hissed, her voice like poison. Amused, Castiel smiled at her in astonishment. "Why Judith, that's a tad harsh don't you think?" He raised an eye brow before bringing his gun down sharply against the back of her head. The three women on the floor began to sob while the only male remained silent with his eyes on the carpet in front of his face. Judith fell unceremoniously to the ground, her face slamming against the wine coloured carpet. Blood seeped through her blonde hair and ran down her cheek; she was unconscious but still alive. With his now free hand Castiel removed his glasses, blinking repeatedly until his eyes adjusted to the light. In the far corner of the room he could see a dark globe on the ceiling, obviously a camera. He raised his eye brows and smiled broadly before lifting his arm and shooting the closest woman who cowered in front of him all while maintaining eye contact with the camera. Castiel pointed his gun back to the 3 remaining civilians, eenie-meenie-mo-ing in his head which one to shoot first. In the distance he could hear the shrill cries of a police siren. Deciding it would be more efficient to shoot them as he walked past, that's what he did, starting with the middle aged woman who crouched closest to him. And then the next woman, possibly that older woman's daughter, then the man and finally the last woman who he shot without hesitation, the back of her skull caving as the bullet ripped through and shattered her skull. He walked back towards the door and picked up his money before tucking the gun neatly away into his coat once more. Looking down at Judith he rashly decided to pick her up over his shoulder and head for the exit. With Judith and his overflowing bag in arm he made a run for the car parked across the street, Raphael gesturing for him to move faster. The police sirens grew closer and there were definitely more than 3 on the way.
"What the fuck have you got a hostage for? And just how many people did you shoot in there?"
"I don't know just fucking drive, Raphael, or do you want us both to be caught?"
Raphael grimaced and put his foot down, the wheels screeching on the road as they were propelled down the street and away from the sirens.
"Hey my hands are clean, Castiel. I've only ever been an unidentified get-away driver, so they can't prove I was involved at all" Raphael muttered as he side glanced at Castiel who was sprayed over in various people's blood. "You'll be needing some hydrogen peroxide on those clothes by the way."
"Yeah, yeah I know it's not the first time I've been covered in blood okay just shut up and get us out of here."
"Why'd you bring the girl?"
"I don't know."
"How much money'd you get?"
"I don't know."
"Did you kill the manager?"
"He wasn't there." Castiel sighed and looked out the window, Judith still bleeding out the back of her head on his lap.
"Must've gone home for the evening… So much can happen in 7 minutes, eh?" Raphael was silent for roughly 15 minutes before asking "How many people did you say you killed in there?"
"I didn't say."
"Okay, so how many?"
Castiel sighed and put a hand on the steering wheel as he simultaneously knocked the gear stick into neutral. He then pulled out his gun and shot Raphael through the side of his head in less than three seconds. His brain blew out the other side and splashed against the window, flooding the compartment crimson.
"Bloody fool," Castiel grunted. The car rolled to the side of the road, the sirens nowhere to be heard from this distance. Castiel awkwardly shoved Judith onto the back seat and then leant over to the driver's door and opened it before pushing Raphael's body out into the ditch by the currently empty highway. He then shifted over into the driver's seat and pulled back onto the highway, Raphael's limp body just a speck in his rear-view mirror.