The Book of Daniel
Supernatural: Season 7, post "Hello Cruel World." What happens to Castiel after being overpowered by the Leviathan, seen through the eyes of a young boy's afterlife.
Castiel & Dean. No slash, just an ardent admirer of the characters, their profound bond and the actors who portray them. A head's up, this is about 60% OC. I do miss our boys, but for whatever the reason, this is the story that came to me.
A/N: This fanfic is my first on many levels. First writing after a 6-year hiatus, first writing SPN, first OC, and my first developed story. I know you understand how we as FF authors pour our hearts into creating a story for the TV show & fandom we love, so thank you in advance if you R&R. Also big thanks to Jim J.—I can't finish a chapter with out his guidance.
All religious and afterlife assumptions are for story purposes.
Disclaimer: Supernatural and its characters belong to Eric Kripke. Title borrowed from the Bible.
Chapter One
Ever since he could remember, he was called Daniel. He doesn't remember much of his life, but he knew his name and that he loved sports and reading comic books. He used to dream of being a hero, to grow up and fight bad guys and save the day. To his mother, he was her little Superman because of his fearless and enthusiastic way of tackling a chore, as if it were some adventure to conquer, evil to be had.
They were in their car the last time they were together, driving home from the grocery store with food and supplies for a pending winter storm. It was nighttime and the roads were slippery. His mother drove slowly, but the driver of another car failed to heed the same caution. He turned too fast for him to control and swerved violently, t-boning Daniel and his mother off an overpass.
Daniel didn't know it was a reaper stretching her hand to him. He saw a beautiful woman with kind eyes and a gentle smile. "Don't be afraid," she whispered. "It'll be all right."
He took her hand, crawled out of the car and before they walked off into the night, looked back to see his mother in the mangled vehicle. He thought she might be asleep because of the peaceful look on her face even though blood dripped from her forehead. She'll follow when she wakes, he assumed.
Daniel's mind couldn't comprehend how they arrived to this magical land in which they now stood.
He had been on cold city pavement, underneath the amber glow of a streetlight as he watched the smoke raise from the over-turned car.
And in a few paces lasting mere seconds, there they were, high on a grassy hilltop that overlooked the world before them. He gazed at the horizon, astonished at how the emerald green hills rose and fell then melded with snow-capped mountains. At their base were fields of gold quilted together like a blanket, and the treetops dotting the distance gave the promise of more wonders to be seen.
The balmy air warmed his skin and the scent it carried reminded him of summer days at the beach. Because the sky was a fantastic swirl of pinks and orange and copper, he asked, "Is this heaven?"
"This, Daniel, is a peaceful place where you can run and play and laugh. And you won't have to worry about anything." Her voice was soothing, like his mother's.
"When will my mom get here?" He sounded so innocent.
She crouched down at eye level, cupped his face in her hands and replied, "I'm sorry Daniel."
He saw the look of regret on her face and wept.
She gathered him close, stroked his hair. "You don't have to worry about anything," she repeated in his ear. And when his sobs tempered, she vanished.
He took a breath, adjusting to his sudden solitude and stared out into the land.
This would be his home now.
He was 11 when he died.