Chapter 7 - Close Call/More bad news

I just shook my head. "I have to go. A demon," I looked up at Sam, "A demon's after my family!"


Sam flinched at the words, "my family" but I couldn't bring myself to care, seeing as the closest thing I have to a mother is in danger along with my brother! "Come on, we have to hurry! She said her partner was laying and waiting for her command. Oh, god! What will her do when he realizes that she's not going to give a command? Will he kill them anyway? Oh no, no, no! Not Lindsey! Not Austin, he's innocent, even though we was a total big brother jerk; but he doesn't deserve to DIE!"

"Peyton! Calm down. You can't think clearly about this is you aren't calm. Now just go to the car and breathe for me. Okay?" I nodded mutely. "Good. Now go." I left the closet and the house. I felt but didn't really react to the few tears falling from my eyes. I leaned against the sleek black paint and covered my face from the not-so-scary dark of the night. It only occurred to me later that I'd felt a presence.

Two pairs of tear-blurred shoes appeared before my down-cast eyes. "Peyton, what's wrong?" I glanced up at my twin, only to collapse onto my butt and into more tears at the sight of him and thoughts of Austin flooded me once more. Sean rushed to sit beside me and wrapped an arm around me, followed by Robin on the opposite side of me. They both hushed and murmured sweet things to me and all I did was sob, and maybe laugh a little hysterically. "What- How did you guys find me?"

Robin answered, "Well, when you didn't come back in after a while, Sean freaked. I told him to sit down and take a chill while I called the company you got the rental car from; you left their number on the desk in the spare room by the way. They said they had a track on the car and pointed us in the right direction. When we got to the motel we asked about you. The clerk said they'd seen you sneaking around a room. He almost called the cops on you, ya know? Then he saw the guys staying there come out to meet you. We told him what was going on and it took a little persuading, but we got him to tell us who was staying the room-" (wow, that's a long story...)

"What were you thinking following that Winchester guy? He obviously isn't who he said he was. He could've hurt you!" Sean cut in.

"He'd never hurt me," I interjected lamely.

"YEAH? Somehow I can't believe that, seeing as you're crying over here by his car! Did he hurt you, Peyton? So help me god, if he-" Sean cut himself off with a low sort of growl. I looked up to see Sam and Bobby coming out the door; the door to Sean's home. "What the FUCK?" He lurched forward. Before I could decyfer what was wrong, he had punched Sam in the face and was screaming at him without saying a tangible word. Bobby dropped his bags and tried to pull Sean off of Sam. Robin was suddenly over there too and I was alone, just starring in shock and confusion. Why were they fighting? What had I missed? Why were we not on our way to Kentucky?

"Stop it. STOP IT ALL OF YOU!" the hurricane returned and blew wisps of my hair into my eyes, but it didn't even bother me. I just wanted the men's attention; now! Power coursed through me as I manipulated air to throw Sean away from the older man. He looked over at me from where he landed in the grass, fear in his eyes. I pointed to the Impala, "Get in the car, all of you," they hesitated, "NOW!" They stumbled to their feet and fought to get to the car before the others (yeah, even Bobby was kinda scared). When they all were filed into their seats, I climbed in beside Sean. He opened his mouth but before he could say anything I pinched him, hard. "Shut up. Now, Sam. Drive."

He turned on the car and we were off. "Um," Sam started. "What?" I asked shortly. "To Kentucky, right?" I gave him a look through the rear-view mirror that said, 'no shit.' He just nodded and the car was silent again. When the power-high wore off me and I was able to relax again, I leaned against the window and closed my eyes. The down side? I was also able to think again. I fell asleep with tears in my eyes.


When I woke up, I knew my eyes were red from unshed tears and I felt like I'd hardly slept at all. In truth, I'd been asleep nearly the whole ride. We were almost to Cincinnati. Home.

The next thing I noticed was that the car was filled with tension. I looked around at the faces of those around me. Sean's leg was jumping and he still looked like he wanted to jump on Sam, who was sitting in front of him looking very uncomfortable, and choke him to death. Robin sat beside him, between Sean and I, had a hand on my brother's knee trying to still and reassure him. Robin looked tired, physically and mentally. I wondered what had happened as I'd slept. I looked up front and saw Bobby was no longer in the car, which confused the crap out of me, but realized he had his own truck back in Kansas City, he was probably following us. "How do you feel?" Robin asked me, finally noticing I was awake.

I forced a small, apologetic smile, "I'm okay," I addressed the everyone in the car, "I'm sorry for my outburst before."

Sam spoke first, "It's alright, Peyton. You have a right to be angry. We were being crazy and you're worried about- your family, right Sean?"

I looked at my brother but he didn't say anything. His face got tighter, he glared harder at the back of Sam's seat and I could tell his teeth were clenched tight. Robin rubbed his thumb across Sean's kneecap and leaned in to whisper in his ear. I looked away from they're moment and things got very quiet again. I must've zoned out cause the next thing I knew we were on my street. I gasped when I saw a cop car parked in my drive way. "We're too late," I whispered to myself and felt the tears welling up in my eyes.

"Don't jump to conclusions," we parked on the street a few houses down, "Just stay down and I'll see what's going on," he said, rifling through the dashboard. When he found what he was looking for he turned around and said to me, "Everything will be alright, Peyton. Just breath." With that he got out of the car and walked to my door with purpose in his steps.

The three of us sat in the car for long minutes. I tried so hard to fight the tears but eventually they had to fall and when they did it was just in time for Sam to rejoin us. He got in the front seat and turned around, setting his big hand on my knee, forcing me to look at him. He was smiling. "It's okay, Pey. Your mom and brothers are fine. The police are actually here because your mother is searching for you. I'm directing them toward Kansas." I didn't know what to do. I was so happy! I wanted to jump out of the car and run into the house and give Lindsey the biggest hug I've ever given her, but I knew I couldn't do that cause she'd never let me go again and then I'd never get to learn about myself and where I come from; and I had to know, I just smile. Sam turns around and pulls away from the curb, cell phone in hand. "They aren't out of the woods yet though. It's still possible that the demon is watching, waiting for an opening. I'm gonna call Bobby and have him watch the house for us. You can't stay near here in case anyone sees you." With that quick update, he started filling in Bobby and I tuned him out.

My family was safe and sound, at least for now. All I wanted to do was see my girl. "Sam," I interupted, "Can you take me somewhere?"

Before the car was even parked, I was out of the car and running to Madi's door. I knew the house would be empty seeing as it was 3 o'clock in the afternoon and her parents worked till late in the evening. I knocked on the door and rang the doorbell, wanting to surprise her instead of just using the spare key she'd given me. If my excitement was any indication, I knew she was going to be so happy to see me. Although I'd only been gone what... 2, 3 days(?), we spent every waking minute with one another. Being away for any stretch of time was a foreign thing to us. I sat outside for a good 5 minutes before my patience wore thin. "Maybe she isn't home yet?" Sean said, the first thing he'd said since we left Kansas, he sounded worried somehow.

"Possible, but we get out of school at 2:30 and she's a crazy driver. She's home before I am and she lives farther away," I pulled out my key and opened the door. I was getting anxious, I just wanted to see my Madi. "Mad!" I yelled for her to no reply. Everything was silent and totally uncomfortable. Madi's house was always a loud, fun place. Her parents were rarely home and we'd had some pretty interesting party's here in the past. Only once had I been here and it was quiet and that was when my girl was sick and I came to take care of her after school till her parents got home. I missed the noise. "Madaline!"

I sprinted up the stairs to her bedroom, it was empty. I could feel the boys following me throughout the house as I searched. They did the best they could to help but they were at a loss since they'd never been here before and I was starting to panic. And that's when I saw it. There, on the window of her kitchen was a note written in sharpie.

You killed my mate, and now I have your's. You can have her back if you meet me in the back parking lot of your school.
Tonight at midnight. Madaline is waiting.
- Damon

(A/N: yeah, I know, so original. O well *shrug*)

That's all it took for my panic attack to officailly hit. Robin caught me as my knees buckled, I didn't pass out but I wanted to. Anything to escape this nightmare that was quickly becoming my life. I was frozen in Robins arms as Sam walked up to the window to inspect the message. He swiped his fingers over the glass and the windowsill (sp?). He rubbed his fingers together over whatever he found and shook his head sadly. "Sulfer."

I'd had enough Chemistry to know what sulfer was was. "What does sulfer have anything to do with any of this?" I asked, going a little hesterical.

He looked at me, determination in his eyes. "It just proves that this is definitely a demon we're dealing with. Don't worry, Peyton. We'll save Madi."

I looked up at him and couldn't help to see some doubt along with that determination. He was thinking the same thing as me. We only had one chance to get her back from this demon and get back to normal life, and we may fail... but I just nodded, trying to think positively and focus on the task at hand. I'd meet this Damon and save my girlfriend. I had to.


So there's chapter 7! Sorry this is taking crazy freaking long. I'm extremely prone to a horrible disease called writer's block and unfortunetly its not as easy as going to the doctor for it... but i'm trying my best so thanks to your faithful readers. LOVE YOU!

ja ne