Author's Note
Hello all!
I wanted say thanks for checking out my new story. It's been a minute she's I've written a fanfic but I really think this one will be my best. I also want to give a huge shout out to my co-author, Megera. Though this is my story, I wouldn't be able to get my thoughts across if it wasn't for you. You are an awesome friend. With that said, I hope you all enjoy!
There was so much blood.
The flow of it was about as rapid and destructive as fire. It covered everything so quickly .
Everything happened so fast.
But Anya just knelt there; her mind, the urgency seemed to slow down. The rapid beating of her heart was deafening
She looked down at her father; he was sprawled out, his eyes covered with a glaze that she was all too familiar with. It was too late.
Even if it wasn't, how would she explain this to the cops?
He was attacked by a grizzly bear, in the middle of a town... that wasn't known for bears. But seeing how ripped up he was, she knew that that would be how they would explain it.
A small tear fell from her face. She took the back of her blood soaked hand and wiped it away.
This was the life of a hunter her father repeated every chance he got. One day you're here, the next you're not. So kill as many of those bastards as you can along the way.
Ever since her mother was murdered by a shapeshifter, she had known about the life. Together, they quenched their thirst for revenge. Or at least tried. As she found out long ago, nothing really satisfied her hunger. No matter how many werewolves or shapeshifters she put silver through- No matter how many vampire's beheaded or corpses she burned, she was never satisfied. And that was what made her and her father some of the best hunters around.
And now... now he was gone. His throat ripped out like an animal and all Anya could do was sit there.
She bolted upright and turned around her, as if coming back to life. She pulled her pistol from her back pocket and pointed into the darkness.
She knew they were gone. She knew that had her father called her sooner, and had she driven just a little faster, it would be that filthy vamp dead on the floor. Not her father. Not the only person she had left.
"I will find you!" Anya growled into nothingness.
She lowered her gun, her ears began to reactivate as her heartbeat slowed and her breathing became more easy.
It was done. He was gone.
She looked back at her father, a low cough erupted from her chest. Her feelings were resurfacing, like someone had taken jumper cables to her limbic system. The cough reached her throat and transformed into sobs. She dropped her pistol with a quick thud and fell to her knees. She crawled through the blood and picked up her father's head and placed it tenderly on her lap. It was almost eerie how young he looked with his features softened. It was almost as if the wrinkles of a hunter's life had disappeared. She had been told that she had her mother's features; big brown eyes, the natural Dominican tan, full lips. And she knew self consciously that she had her father's personality; sarcastic humor, heavy temper, and stubbornness... the same stubbornness that led him to his death.
"Phil... Dad..." she rasped as she rocked back and forth. She gave herself the moment she needed. She sobbed and cursed and sobbed more. She knew that once this moment was over, she would have to continue on. She would have to be strong, to keep moving. So she grasped onto the moment. A hush of determination and understanding fell over her..
Taking in a couple of deep breaths, she kissed him on his forehead, caressed his cheek and placed him delicately back on the floor.
Her clothes drenched in blood, she stood, and reached into her other back pocket for her phone. She began to dial the number to the one person that her father trusted more than anyone- the one person she knew she could count on.
The phone rang for a couple of moments.
"Dean? How many more phones you got, boy?" his voice was gruff and annoyed. He didn't realize who she was. She had gotten a new phone after the ghoul incident, after all.
Anya took in a deep breath.
"Uncle Bobby?"
The sunlight seeped through the unfamiliar curtains and cast a soft, pale halo about the bed as Anya finally stirred.
The small, bed was somewhat of a comfort to her. At least it wasn't a cheap motel like she was used to.
For a split second, she wondered where her father was and fixed her mouth to call out for him, but as she slipped from the realm between sleeping and waking, reality claimed her..
Anya had half the mind to roll over and sink back into the safe numbness of sleep, but she knew that Bobby would be there soon.
When they had spoken last night, he assured her that he was only 10 hours away from where she was, Drayton, North Dakota. Bobby knew exactly where she was; one of many of her father's hideouts.
Her father had once been a prominent banker who had turned from the family hunting business. He'd had the perfect at home wife, and a young daughter whom was destined for Ivy League. But his family's past caught up with him, and no amount of money in the world could change what had happened to the love of his life.
So he spent his money on guns, on defense and training classes for Anya, rare artifacts, and hideouts.
This small cabin was his favorite. Ironically, it was also the place of his final case.
The familiar hunger for the hunt raged within Anya It was strong now than ever. She had lost both parents to monsters.
She ripped the cover from her body and stood. Bobby would be here soon.
She stepped on the hardwood floor and went to the kitchen to start some coffee. She knew Bobby well enough to know that he had driven all night and he would need warm caffine to keep him awake for what was to come.
She then went to the bathroom and showered.
She had showered the night before after cleaning up the blood and miraculously getting her father's body on the bed in the other bedroom, but this shower was more to cleanse her mind.
After allowing the warm water and fully awaken her, she stepped out and dressed in a white t-shirt, jeans, and her favorite gray converses.
Just as she tied the shoelace, a rapid knock came from the door. Anya automatically grabbed her pistol from the nightstand. As she walked towards the door, she placed the gun in her back pocket but kept a grip on it.
She unlocked the door and opened it slightly, peeking through the crack.
Bobby stood before her, looking exactly the same: plaid button down shirt, jeans, and a khakis vest.
Anya felt a wave for gratitude for this familiarity..
"Bobby." she breathed, opening the door the rest of the way.
He didn't speak, he grabbed her shoulders and pulled her into him.
She closed her eyes and took in his fragrance of whiskey and peppermint.
"Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
Anya smiled.
"I-I'm fine." she finally opened her eyes, noticing the two men standing behind Bobby.
Her eyes widened in shock, but Bobby pulled her away from him before she could react. He kept his hands firm on her shoulders.
"Are you sure?" he asked, genuinely concerned.
"Y-Yes." she confirmed but her curious eyes wandered behind Bobby.
He followed her eyes and realized that he forgot to mention his guests. He stepped inside and out of the way.
"Anya, this is Dean and Sam Winchester. Family. They've come to... help"
Anaya finally realized who they were. They were somewhat infamous in the hunting community. Actually, Anya's father couldn't stand them. Though Anya had yet to make her final judgement on them. Even with their questionable past, one couldn't deny how incredibly handsome they both were.
"The Winchester Brothers. I've heard of you." She nodded in their directions.
"I'm sure it's been nothing but good things." Dean said with sarcastic humor. Anya glanced at him and they caught eyes. He had the most enticing green eyes that she'd ever seen, much like two small ponds that had seen their fair share of ripples. What personal horrors had caused those ripples? His hair was short and lightly spiked and he had just enough stubble. He was dangerous, Anya could tell that right away.
"We're so sorry for your loss, Anya." Sam said to quickly repair his brother's ill-conceived humor. Sam was much taller with a wider frame, chiseled face structure and longer brown hair. He had a genuine smile of sympathy. .
Anya nodded.
"Please come in. I've made coffee."
The men came fully into the cabin and went straight for the coffee.
Anya hoisted herself up on one of the counters and dangled her legs aimlessly.
There was a moment of silence as everyone made themselves comfortable; Sam sitting at the table and Dean and Bobby standing not to far from it. Anya kept her head down, focusing on the cracks in between the wood on the floor.
"So," Bobby started, "Where is he, Anya?"
Anaya finally looked up and did her best to seem fine when answering Bobby's question.
"The guest room to the right. I-I cleaned everything up. I didn't know who to call. He'd want... a hunter's funeral."
Bobby looked at Sam and Dean.
"I'll go... pay my respects." Bobby took another sip of his coffee, placed it on the table and left the room uttering something between a grunt and a sigh.
There was another bout of silence.
"Anya, I hope you don't mind me asking, but do you know who-or what did this?" Sam asked finally.
"Vamps. There was a nest of 'em not to far from here. Phil got cocky, careless. He went to the nest without me... took 'em all out."
"Wow, a nest usually has like 8 or 9." Dean seemed impressed, or as impressed as he cared to let on.
"Yeah. I was so frustrated with him though. This was a family case. He had asked me to join him and then he just went out there and risked-" she stopped, noticing the slight rise and touch of panic in her voice.
Silence.
She cleared her throat and continued.
"He forgot one. And while I went to put more gas in my car before my drive, it came and ripped his throat out."
"Do you know what this bastard looks like?" Dean asked.
Anya looked up at him.
He was handsome with a natural tan, and a muscular build. But his face was hardened. He had been in this position before. She could see the hunger in his eyes. She knew what that looked like. She felt her hunger drawing to his.
"Medium build, brown eyes, black lengthy hair, and a tattoo on his neck that says Monster."
"That's...ironic." Dean pointed out.
"Wait-how do you know all that?" Sam asked.
It took a moment for Anya to look away from Dean. She turned to his brother.
"I saw him, at the bar in town. He was the link between the women that went missing and the vamps. And when I got home, I caught sight of him before he ran off. I had to check on my dad after I saw him. I didn't have time to go after him-"
"You did the right thing, Anya." Sam reassured.
Anya allowed a small smile to appear.
Bobby finally stepped back into the room.
Anya looked up at him.
"We better go ahead... before..."
He didn't finish. Anya knew what he meant. Before her father's corpse begins to smell.
Anya hopped off of the counter and ran her fingers through her wet hair.
"I'll go grab the wood." Anya stated.
"Dean will go with. Sam and I will... get things ready over here." Bobby offered.
Anya nodded and walked out of the house with Dean not too far behind.
The cabin was surrounded by acres of plains and woods. It was secluded, just the way Phil liked it; perfect for a hunter's funeral.
Anya walked to the shed where her father had kept wood for the fireplace and began to build the pyre.
Dean followed suite.
They both didn't speak for moment. Anya felt that the tension was her fault. She had been so closed off.
"I'm usually a lot more fun than this." Anya blurted and then quickly wished she hadn't spoken.
"You have a reason not to be." Dean reasoned, keeping his back to her.
Anya stopped building and stepped back to watch him. He moved swiftly and with purpose. He was dressed simply, black t-shirt, an opened navy blue button down jacket, and jeans- a hunter's uniform. But, Dean wasn't like other hunters. She knew that from stories. Which is probably why she was so intrigued with the hunger that she read in his eyes. What has Dean Winchester seen? What has he had to do?
Dean stopped and looked up at her questioningly.
"My father didn't care for you two." she blurted again. She didn't understand why she felt the need to say that, but she had to come up with a reason to justify her staring at him.
Dean shrugged and continued his work.
"We get that a lot. I hope he doesn't mind that we're helping with his funeral."
Anya was silent for a moment. She decided to ignore his last statement.
"It wasn't like he hated you two. He just thought you make pig-headed decisions." She reasoned. She watched as he struggled to pick up a larger piece of wood and carefully placed it in position.
"Sounds reasonable."
"Yeah. Well you're a guy, it's what you do." she joked bitterly.
Dean chuckled and looked over at her.
"You are funny."
Anya rolled her eyes but smiled. Dean continued.
"Well I can speak for most guys when I say, the decision always sounds good at first."
Anya smiled a little harder. A tinge of guilt pierced her heart. Her father wasn't even cold yet and she was finding herself being taken by a Winchester.
"Well... I wish you guys would think of hindsight." she muttered, thinking of her father.
Dean, realizing what she really meant, put the final piece of wood in place and stepped back. He looked at her, catching her eyes once again.
"What do you think?" He asked.
"I think it looks great. Who knew the wood he chopped so long ago would come in handy."
Dean smiled and shook his head.
"Thanks, but I meant what do you think about us?"
"I... actually haven't made my decision yet."
They stood and looked at each other for a moment; the log coffin between them.
Sam's voice broke the tension.
"We're ready guys." Sam announced.
Dean looked over at his brother and nodded.
Sam smiled sadly and turned to go back into the house.
Dean walked over to Anya.
"You ready?"
Anya shook her head.
"Do I have a choice?"
Dean patted her shoulder softly and gave her a sad smile.
"We never do."
Anya watched numbly as Sam and Bobby hoisted her father's covered body onto the pyre. They placed him there gently and stepped back to either side of Anya and Dean.
The sounds of birds chirping and the wind whistling set her on edge. Today was such a beautiful day for a terrible nightmare. The contrast was unsettling.
She felt Dean's eyes glance in her direction but she still didn't speak.
"I guess... I guess I'll start us off," Bobby finally spoke, "Phil... I was there when... when this all started. When Diana died... when you were left alone to care for your little girl... when you chose to become a hunter. I remember I thought what an igit you were want to be a part of this... fiasco. But I also knew what it felt like to want revenge. God, I wish I would've listened to my first mind..." he stopped for a moment, swallowed and then continued, "You were one of the best hunters I've had the pleasure of knowing. You were fierce in the work and fierce in loving Anya. You single handedly raised the toughest, smartest, woman to ever be a hunter. You did that, Phil... Y-You will be missed." Bobby stopped while he was ahead and took his baseball cap off respectfully.
Anya knew that it was her turn to speak, Dean and Sam were just there to support Bobby.
She took a deep breath.
"6789 Gritton Road," Anya began. Her words hitched and burned uncomfortably in her throat. She closed her eyes, took a steadying breath and then continued. "That was the last place I called home. I remember when you and mom had me recite our address over and over and over again in case I ever got lost. 6789 Gritton Road . The place I lost my mom... and I lost you in a way. Nothing was the same. I still find myself reciting the old address whenever I'm hunting. 6789 Gritton Road ...," she felt her voice crack. The wind whistled and lightly pushed her jet black hair on her face, "You were a good man, Dad . And you made me the best I could be. Though we weren't normal, we functioned. And I'm grateful. Thank you."
She stopped while she was ahead. Her father knew how much he meant to her. He knew everything she couldn't say.
"Phil-"
Anya was taken back to hear Dean's rugged voice.
"-My brother and I didn't know you... at all. But any friend of Bobby's... has to be one hell of a guy in my book. It's never easy seeing a hunter go. Rest Easy."
Anya stared at her father's body. The numbness of it all was still kind to her, though her limbs felt abnormally cold.
Bobby lit the final piece of wood in his hand and placed it on the altar.
Anya watched as the entrancing flames engulfed her father. Flashes of his body laying around his own blood, stopped her breathing for a moment. The memories were like a flood: the bloodsoaked rags and sheets she had had to burn the night before, the layers of bandage she had to wrap around his neck so that it was actually stable, the heaviness of his body as she dragged him. For a moment she felt lightheaded. In desperation she reached out and gripped the nearest stability she had, Dean's hand.
Her sudden touch surprised him, but he squeezed her hand; willing to be her support.
There was silence that was only interrupted by the whipping cracking of the flames against the altar.
Anya absentmindedly grasped Dean's hand a little tighter as a chill ran up her spine
It was finished.
She inhaled deeply.
They stood there together for about 15 minutes, allowing the growing dimness of the sky to envelop them. After the flames began settle, Anya found no other reason to hold onto Dean. So she regrettably let him go. Her hand falling limply to the side. Dean glancing in her direction, coughed awkwardly and step away from her.
"I think we could all use some grub. Sam and I will go get some." He gestured to his younger brother. Sam nodded and started to walk towards the car.
Dean looked back at Anya. He gave her a wistful smile and she returned it.
When they left to grab lunch. Anya found a comfortable spot on the ground and sat. Something tethered her to her father's remains. Since she hadn't been able save him she knew she couldn't leave him. Not yet.
"He was proud of you, ya know." Bobby said.
Anya looked up at her old friend and smiled at the cold beer he was handing to her.
"Yeah, I know." she grabbed the drink, put the top under her shirt and opened it with a small pop.
Bobby slowly made his way to the ground beside her.
"He had his faults... prideful, stubborn, and crazy vengeful. But you... you were his one accomplishment."
Anya watched as a small amber from the fire fell in front of her.
"I just wish he would've waited on me." She took a long sip of her beer.
"Yeah well... he was a stubborn hunter. Kinda like the two igits I brought with me."
Anya smirked over at him.
"What's their deal anyway? Why did they come?"
Bobby shrugged his shoulders and took a swig of his beer before speaking.
"They were with me when you called."
"You spend a lot of time with the Winchesters?"
"More than I should, I reckon."
"Then why do you?" Anya asked pointedly. She turned a little so that she was face to face with him.
Bobby was silent for a moment. He took another swig and shook his head.
"Those are my boys. For better or for worse. I love 'em like they were my own... a lot like how I love you." He held his beer out and Anya tapped the top his with hers.
"Well, from what I've heard, they get into some serious situations."
"Well, those boys have saved the world more times than I can count. And those serious situations couldn't be handled by any other hunter."
Anya raised her free hand in submission.
"I understand. I actually have nothing against them. They came and paid respect to a man they didn't even know. They are amazing in my book."
Bobby let out a sigh.
"I worry about them all the time. I worried about you to but your dad had you. Now... I get to worry about you too."
"Don't worry about me Bobby. I'm gonna be just fine. I'm gonna get the bastard that did this to my dad. And all will be fine."
"You know as well as I do that it's never that easy."
No it wasn't. Anya knew that. But she was feeling recklessly brave. Without another word, Anya rose to her feet and dusted off her bottom with one hand while chugging what was left of the beer with her other.
A low rumble grew as Sam and Dean arrived with the late lunch.
It wasn't until then that Anya realized just how hungry she was. She smiled gratefully as she walked up to the approaching Impala.
The car slowed to a stop and the guys climbed out with their hands full of bags.
"Hey guys." Anya stood in front of the both, one of her fingers gripping onto the inside of her empty bottle as it dangled by her side.
"You seem a little more... cheerful." Dean pointed out as he placed the bag in his hand on the hood of the car. He didn't hesitate to rummage through it.
Anya smirked.
"I'll be whatever you want. You brought me food."
Dean looked up at her with a raised eyebrow. He stopped rummaging through the bag and pulled out something wrapped in plastic.
"Well then you're gonna love me." he challenged. He threw the item to her and she caught it with ease with her free hand.
She looked at the label and her smirked turned into a half smile.
"Best fried pies in North Dakota. That one's apple." Dean said.
"Dean..." Anya looked up at him.
Bobby finally approached behind her.
Dean looked at Anya, then Bobby, then Sam. Sam shrugged his shoulders.
"What, you don't like pie?" He asked shocked.
Anya shook her hand.
"I love pie. The only thing that would make it even better is if you had a cheeseburger in that bag too." She chuckled as she turned to go back into the cabin; leaving Dean with a look of awe and admiration.
