"Eventually, everything goes away."
― Elizabeth Gilbert

Inferno

"Why are you leaving again?" Sam asked, trying to be quiet. Bobby didn't know that the two girls were leaving. It made him happy inside to know that Karleigh had trusted him with the information. The girl held a duffle bag, an easy smile on her face.

"I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you," she said in a dramatic whisper, wiggling her fingers.

"Seriously," Sam said with a roll of his eyes.

"Don't worry, Sammy. We'll be back in a couple days at most." Suddenly, the window of the bright green mustang rolled down, and Izzy glared at the two. "Hurry up, Karleigh Rose Warrington. We gotta roll."

"Yeah, yeah," Karleigh mumbled. She smiled up at Sam. "See you in a few days."

Then, she leaned forward, on her tip-toes and pressed her lips to his cheek. Giving him one last smile, she ran off towards the car, where Izzy was waiting with all of their things. She didn't look back as she climbed into the passenger seat. Izzy gunned the engine, and the car sped off into the night. They disappeared from his vision within seconds.

(**)

She had lied.

He hadn't seen them in over six years. And in those years, nobody had heard a thing about the Warrington girls. It was like they had vanished off the face of the earth. Sometimes Sam wondered if they did. Even though he had Jessica, he still thought about the Shakespeare girl, with her loose laugh and easy smile. He thought about her even more since Jessica had died. She would have been twenty-two now. The same age as him. Izzy was twenty-four.

He remembered how Bobby had taken the news, his face when he had seen the empty rooms. Heart-broken. There hadn't been a note. Just bare walls that reminded him of the two girls and all their memories. It was like they had never been there. But they had.

Bobby had searched for them for months, years even. But finally, like everyone else, he gave up. They were probably dead, in the bottom of the ditch or something. Probably died at the hands of some demon. The thing that haunted him was why they left. Karleigh had refused to tell him, but it obviously was something seriously important. Why else would they cut off everyone from their lives?

Sam felt a hand on his shoulders. He jumped, and saw Dean giving him a concerned look.

"Dude, you're pale as hell, and you look zoned out," Dean said, looking puzzled. "You alright?"

Sam nodded, clearing his throat. "Yeah, I'm fine, Dean."

His older brother gave him a patronizing look. "That's bullshit. Tell me what's up."

Sam sighed in frustration. "Since when have you been all caring and sharing? It's none of your business, anyways."

"Woah, calm down, Sam. I just want to know why you're freaked out, that's all," Dean said, looking amused. Sam sighed again. Dean wouldn't let this slide, he knew it.

"I was just thinking about Isabelle and Karleigh," Sam said. Something flashed across Dean's face, but Sam couldn't place what it was. There was a lingering silence, then Dean spoke.

"They're gone, Sam."

"I know that, thanks," Sam snapped, glaring at his brother. "Don't act like you haven't thought about them, haven't wondered why the hell they just picked up and left."

Dean shook his head sadly. "I have, Sam. But you know what? They're probably dead. We haven't heard from them in years, for God's sake. There's been no freaking sign of them at all. They wouldn't just pick up and leave for no good reason, so it must have been something big. Something bad. You need to get over it and get your mind on this case."

Sam snorted. "You're such a friggin' dick, Dean."

Dean sighed. "I don't care. Now, are you more concerned about them, or finding Dad? Because that's what we're doing now, Sammy. But by all means, if you want to go on some wild goose chase for some dead girls, go ahead. Just don't expect me to follow you."

"Whatever, Dean," Sam growled, looking back out the window. Dean rolled his eyes, and turned on the music.

(**)

The black smoke poured from the demon's mouth. The unconscious man fell to the ground, his body limp. Sam rushed forward, his fingers trying to find a pulse on the man's neck. He let out a sigh of relief when he felt the steady heartbeat.

"What are we gonna do with him?" he asked Dean, gesturing to the unconscious man.

Dean shrugged. "Just leave him here, and leave an anonymous tip for the police. I'm tired, Sam. That demon didn't tell us anything we didn't already know."

Sam nodded, too tired to do anything but agree. The grabbed the empty bottles of holy water, and walked outside. They got into the Impala, and headed out into the direction of the hotel they were staying in. The drive was a silent one. Both of the boys were disappointed that the whole thing had been a bust. The trail for John had been getting colder and colder with each passing day.

They arrived at the motel, Sam shutting his door with a slam. He reached into his pocket for the key. He pulled it out and jammed it into the door, which opened with a creak. He threw himself down onto the bed, wanting to go to sleep right there and then. He heard Dean flick on the TV, and by the sounds of it, he wouldn't want to open his eyes any time soon.

He was so tired of this. He just wanted to find dad, and then try to go back to a normal life. But deep down he knew that something like that was impossible. He was too into the hunter life now.

Suddenly, there was a loud banging on the door. Both of the boys jumped, and grabbed the shotguns by their bedside. It was almost midnight, who would be knocking on their door at this hour? Thousands of ideas swarmed before his eyes. Dean stood behind him, his gun loaded. Cautiously, Sam opened the door. His heart jumped in his throat, and he almost dropped the gun.

There they were. Remarkably unchanged, except maybe a little taller. Karleigh and Isabelle Singer. Both girls looked frantic, their hair and clothes soaking wet with rain. They held guns in their hands, but didn't look as if they intended to shoot. A pang hit Sam in the chest. It had been six years.

Dean grabbed Isabelle by the shoulders and slammed her against the wall, hard. Realizing that these were most definitely demons, Sam did the same to Karleigh. Both, however, did not struggle, just looked at the boys in amazement.

"Who are you?" Dean snarled, the gun pressed to Izzy's temple. The girl looked at him and bit her lip. She looked happy to see the boy, despite him being close to blowing her brains out.

"Calm down," she said quickly. "It's me, it's really me, Dean!"

Dean barked out a loud laugh. "That's bullshit," he said, pressing the knife harder into the girls throat. Karleigh cried out, but Sam forced her harder against the wall.

All of a sudden, Izzy kneed Dean hard in the crotch, sending him flying. She grabbed one of the knives, and slashed it across her arm. It was a silver knife. She stared at the boys defiantly, her eyes narrowed.

"It really is me, you idiots," she gasped, blood running down her arm. She grabbed a chain around her neck, and ripped it off, throwing it at their feet. A cross. So it really was her.

But Dean wasn't so sure. He grabbed a water bottle, and ripped it open, splashing it on both of the girls. They didn't look amused, but they weren't burning up either.

"You all done?" Izzy asked, trying not to smile. Seemingly not being able to take it any longer, she flew at both of the boys, wrapping them both in a tight hug. Looking down at her, Sam saw that tears were pouring down her face.

"Wow," Dean joked, trying not to look worried. "The first physical contact we've had that hasn't been a punch."

Izzy gave him a look. "This isn't a time to joke," she said, narrowing her eyes and looking exasperated. "This is serious."

"Got that right," Sam growled, glaring at the two girls. "Where the hell do I even start? You've been gone for six fucking years! And then you just show up at our hotel room? I want an explanation, right now!"

Karleigh looked at him. "A few weeks before we left, Izzy began getting these weird phone calls. They told us things. Awful things about our parents. Finally, we were given coordinates. This person, the guy who was phoning, said he had information on our parents. We left immediately. Stupid, I know. But wouldn't you do the same? This guy told us something awful. Something really bad."

"He told us that our parents were still alive," Izzy said, looking down at her feet. "And like idiots, we believed him. He gave us coordinates, and we went to this abandoned warehouse. And there was this thing there. He put us into this trance ... it felt like a couple days, at most. But it was much more than that. It was years. Afterwards, the thing just let us go, for God's sake. We've been out for a few days. We tried phoning Bobby, but he's changed his number. Then, we saw your Impala on the road. We followed you here."

"Why would it do that?" Sam asked. Karleigh shrugged.

"We know about as much as you do," the girl said. "It said something about us being too young. Then it put us into that trance. It was like being asleep."

"I'm gonna kill that son of a bitch," Izzy growled. "Nice and slow, too."

"Wow. That's not scary at all," Dean muttered. Everyone ignored him.

"We need to see Bobby," the girls said together. "Come with us, please? He'll probably try to kill us, like you did."

"That's the thing," Dean said. "We're sort of busy right now. A lot happened while you were away. Our dad went missing."

There was a lingering silence. "I'm so sorry," Karleigh said finally. "That's what you're doing now? Trying to find him?"

Dean nodded.

"Please come back with us," Izzy begged. "And then we can come with you, to help you find your dad." Karleigh gave the men a pleading look. The two men exchanged a quick glance. Dean sighed.

"Fine," Sam said. Izzy looked ready to hug him. Karleigh, however, actually did. Sam looked down at the girl, and felt a wave of mixed feelings. He had missed both of the girls, but Karleigh...

"We've got to get going," Izzy said, pulling up the hood on her leather jacket. Sam suddenly noticed how tired she looked. She sat down on the couch and stared at the two expectantly."Hurry up and pack."

"Yes, princess," Deam called as he shoved various guns into his bag. Izzy glared, silently daring him to say another word. As the two began bickering back and forth, Sam was left to stand alone with Karleigh.

The girls wrinkled her nose. "Well, this is awkward," she said. Sam laughed. She looked up at him. "You've gotten taller, Sammy."

Sam laughed, and was about to reply when Dean came to the doorway, two bags in hand. Izzy stood up, and opened the doorway. "Ladies first," she said to Dean, who gave her a look. Izzy just chuckled as he went outside into the rain. The four quickly got into the car, and left the parking lot.

After a few minutes, Sam turned around and saw that both girls had fallen asleep. Both of them looked exhausted. Had it not been for their light breathing, they would have looked dead, with their pale skin and bloody clothes. Dean nudged him. He turned back around and saw his brother winking at him.

"You've still got a crush on Karleigh, haven't you?" Dean asked, a grin on is face. Sam felt his face going red. He rolled his eyes.

"Shut up, Dean," he said, glaring at his brother. Dean just laughed.

"My little brother's in love," Dean said with a hoot. Sam shushed him, and punched him in the shoulder.

"You're one to talk. I see the way you look at Isabelle," Sam snarled. Dean grinned, totally at ease with the situation.

"She'd hit me if I tried," Dean said. "I'd rather have the girls at the bar. They don't try and knife me in the head all the time."

Sam snorted. "Like you don't deserve it."

(**)

As they arrived at Bobby's house, the girls jumped out of the Impala before the car was even parked. They ran to the door, their faces frantic. Isabelle pounded on the door, yelling out for Bobby. Suddenly, the door flew open, and Bobby stood in the doorway, his face as white as a ghost. Fearing for the girls safety, both boys ran to the door. Bobby grabbed both girls by the collar, and threw them against the wall. He pulled a vial out of his pocket and splashed it on them. Holy water.

"It's us, Bobby," Isabelle croaked, searching every detail of his face. "Dean and Sam can vouch for it."

Bobby spun around, his hold on both of the girls still tight. His mouth opened and closed as Sam and Dean nodded, confirming that this really was them. Bobby gasped, and released the two girls, only to trap them in a bone-crushing hug right after. Both of the girls clung to him, looking near tears.

"I thought you were dead," Bobby gasped, tears pooling in his eyes. Isabelle and Karleigh pulled away, wiping their own eyes with their sleeves. Bobby suddenly grabbed Isabelle by the shoulders and shook the girl roughly.

"How could you do that?" Bobby snarled. Izzy's eyes were wide. "How could you just pick up and leave? You were eighteen! Karleigh was barely sixteen! I thought you were dead! And suddenly you just show up on my doorstep? I want answers! Now!"

Isabelle looked at Bobby, and sighed, brushing the hair out of her face. "I was stupid. I got these phone calls from this guy. He told me ... he had information on my parents. I was so excited, I didn't even think. I grabbed Karleigh and we left, fast. We'd thought that we would be back in a few days. But when we arrived ... the guy jumped us. But he didn't kill us. All he said was that we were too young. That we couldn't interfere. He touched us on the forehead, and then I'm waking up, six years later."

Bobby eyed the two girls for a moment. "You girls go up to your room," he said. "I need time to think."

End of Chapter Two

*AN* wow, that was fun to write! Anyways, hope you guys enjoyed it! Please review, guys!