AnnaBeth sat up from the bed, placing her hand roughly on the mattress next to her. It wasn't a dream this time, either. The terror…and death of the apocalypse was real, and Sam was gone. She knew Sam was gone. She had known it for months, now, but she still couldn't let him go in her dreams. Hell, she couldn't let him go, outside of her dreams. At least today, she didn't wake up screaming…
Throwing her legs over the side of the bed, she slipped her feet into a tattered pair of combat boots, straightened her oversized tshirt 'gown', and trudged off to the bathroom. This was the day to day. Every morning, the same routine, get up, brush teeth, wet hair, dress, and go searching. She honestly had no clue what she was searching for. Part of her was still searching for a way to get Sam back, and part of her was just searching for a life. Dean had seen the right side of things. Dean had done exactly what Sam had asked. He was living an apple pie life, with some beautiful woman, and her kid. Part of AnnaBeth wanted to be happy for him. Part of her wanted to call him a deserter, or a traitor, for leaving the business. Though, there wasn't much she could say for herself that would justify calling Dean anything. The second the hole closed over Sam, Lucifer, and Michael, AnnaBeth ran. She ran…and ran…until her legs couldn't carry her anymore, and ended up being picked up and helped by an old man. However, in searching for AnnaBeth, the demons had murdered the poor old man in his sleep, leaving her alone, once again.
So, that's where the story begins for her. She loved. She lost. It's the same story for most people, only this story isn't as clean cut. Things don't end, because love ends. Sometimes, it's just the beginning.
She pressed the button on one of the homemade bombs across the window, and pulled the wire out, before doing the same to the hallway. After she had disarmed the part of the house she was using, he stepped into the bathroom and began her morning routine.
Staring at herself in the mirror, she sighed, and ran a wet hand down her face. Who knew what would be ahead of her, now. Lucifer was gone. The apocalypse was over, for now. What else was there? There were the rest of the sorry souls that didn't stand a chance up next to the monsters they faced, before the apocalypse. Those monsters were still just as present and just as dangerous as before, and humanity, for the most part, was still just as doomed. That's why she kept going. Sam didn't want any of them to give up. He told Dean what he thought Dean would want to hear from him. Dean gave up too soon. Dean was weak…and an idiot…
"Dean only followed the request…", came a familiar voice from behind AnnaBeth. The soft padding of dress shoes across the wooden floor made her close her eyes. Castiel had a way of dropping in on folks when they least expected it. He always had, "…there is no need to hold a grudge against someone who is happy. Everyone deserves…"
"Screw you…", AnnaBeth whispered softly. Two months later and the wounds were just as fresh, if not more sore as before. Castiel being here was like pouring a canister of salt into them, and rubbing it in slowly. He was just a reminder of the angels, and their power.
"I doubt that would make your soul feel less regret. You should rest, like Dean. The angels are taking care of everything…", Castiel said softly, stepping towards her and holding a hand out in front of him to touch her arm. He wanted to help her, to take care of her, for Sam.
AnnaBeth whipped around quick enough for her wet hair to sling water across Castiel's face, "The ANGELS? The angels, right…The ones who wanted this all to happen and let it happen. The ones that stood back like their hands were tied, while Sam gave everything to save…what?"
"HUMANITY! Sam did what he felt was his place to do. Why can't you understand? You of ALL people should understand. He saved the universe, rather than to watch it burn. Everyone…every single person on earth would have perished, if not for…", Castiel started, before sighing at his interrupter.
"I would rather have burned beside him, than be held back like a child, while he jumped into a hole to save…whatever is left of this fucking planet. I would still…give up everything…FIGHT EVERYTHING…to get a glimpse of his face. I just want to know that there is a chance for him…"
"There isn't…", Castiel said softly. He still felt that the bandaid effect was better than drawing things out. Either way, it's going to hurt. There is no point to making it hurt longer, "…Things don't work the same way in hell that they do here. You don't just…come out unscathed…"
"Dean did…", AnnaBeth said, biting her lip to fight back the tears. She was pretty good at holding back emotions, but this was killing her, "…You reached in there and you pulled him out without a scratch. You can't TELL me that it's not possible, now…"
"It took SEVERAL…angels to bring Dean Winchester from hell. He wasn't nearly as well guarded as Sam will be. Sam is with Lucifer…The keepers of that cage will do ANYTHING to keep Lucifer in. They will kill anyone…and everyone who tries to permeate it…", Castiel said, his face turning red from frustration.
"I'm willing to risk that…", AnnaBeth sneered to Cas. The look she received in return caused her heart to skip a beat. Castiel's facial expression, if coming from Dean, would have caused her to step away, in fear of being punched like a man. Suddenly, her hair was blown back by the fluttering of wings. Cas was gone, "Shit…SHIT!"