Disclaimer: All materials belong to their respectful owners. Any and all of the following written is completely, one-hundred percent, fan-written and I claim no profit for it what so ever.
Author's Note: Hello all! My apologies, I was hoping to have this chapter out a bit sooner (say, the beginning of the week) but I had an injury complication with my arm so that made a good use of slowing up my writing progress haha.
Anyhow though, I hope that this chapter is pleasing for you. I must warn you ahead of time though, the cursing as well as violence is a bit amped up this time around. Also, at one point Nathan does make some non-consensual moves on Castiel towards the mid-end of this chapter. But, please don't be offended—he doesn't actually do anything, I just wouldn't allow that to happen.
So yeah, nothing too terrible, but I just thought you should be aware. Anyhow, happy reading and enjoy!
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In The Shape Of Things To Come
Sam swallowed hard, taking a hesitant step back away from Serena. "These are angels you're keeping here, aren't they?" the young hunter said matter of factly.
"Well aren't you just a little know-it-all?" Serena glared Sam down as she continued to advance forward, "You know, if you and your brother would've just stopped digging into matters that have absolutely nothing to do with you, chances are you wouldn't even be in this mess."
Sam gaped at the woman who now stood but a mere few feet before him. "Nothing to do with us? Castiel is our friend! And we're not just gonna let you keep angels penned up here like cattle!" Sam shouted incredulously.
Serena looked as though she were about to speak, when suddenly the barn doors burst open from behind her. She whipped around fiercely, pulling two revolver pistols from within her jacket and promptly aiming them at the intruders.
Sam's jaw nearly dropped as he caught sight of a very rugged Castiel, who stood beside another angel the hunter was not familiar with. "Sam," Castiel said in surprise, urging forward.
Ecanus firmly placed a hand upon his brother's shoulder as Serena's grip tightened on the trigger of one of her guns. Castiel instantly paused in his footing, ready to listen quite intently to whatever it was this woman had to say. "Let's not do anything hasty now," Serena glanced around her, ready to shoot anyone who dare move, "These here bullets are quite capable of killing an angel, thanks very much. One swift move, and it's all over."
Sam looked completely awed, "A gun that kills angels? But how?"
Serena snickered somewhat, "What? You don't believe me?"
Before Sam even had a chance to answer though, Serena was already pulling the trigger aiming directly for Castiel. Thankfully she hadn't meant to kill him—shooting the angel square in the knee, however, everyone watched as Castiel came crashing down onto the floor below.
The young hunter lunged forward in which to aid his fellow comrade, not entirely surprised when Serena turned her guns on him. "Don't you doubt for a second these bullets won't kill a man just as well," she said coldly.
"We're not killing anyone," a voice echoed from the barn entrance unexpectedly.
All eyes turned to see Lucas standing in the archway, shotgun in hand. "I've got the other one tied up in the lodge," he nodded almost casually in Sam's direction.
For a moment no one spoke, an anxious sort of tension building thickly in the air around them. Finally, as though she'd been debating, Serena cleared her throat, "Alright, take him." With that, she grasped Sam's forearm and lead him to the front of the barn.
Sam glanced over his shoulder at Castiel who was being ushered by his brethren towards the stall the other angel woman had been standing in. "What about Cas?" the hunter asked suddenly.
Serena paused, looking at the group of angels all huddled together in near disgust. "They're angels," she frowned simply, "I'm sure they'll figure something out."
Lucas called from the aisle of the barn, "And Katelyn?"
Sam caught sight of the dead woman's body resting peacefully amidst the hay-littered floor, feeling his heart wrench in pity for the loss of life. "I suppose we could take her to the cemetery, prepare a grave for her," Serena murmured, her voice grim.
Lucas nodded at Ecanus who stood nearby. "You," he commanded, "Help me with the body." Ecanus did as he was told, silently moving forward in which to assist the man in moving the dead woman's body out of the barn.
Isda helped to support Castiel, the two watching as Serena then tightly secured the door before carting Sam off to where ever his brother was being held. Almost as soon as all had gone, Isda gently lowered Castiel onto the floor of the stall. The angel let out a light yelp of pain as his leg was bent, watching as a fresh stream of blood began to pour from the wound.
Isda set to work quickly, careful in her movements as she began to roll up his pant leg. Castiel just watched her for a moment, unsure if he had the heart to tell her of Cathetel's death. He thought for sure that Isda would've felt the loss immediately, but apparently not. Still, she seemed to sense something troubling him, and so she paused from her work in which to glance up at him.
"Sister," Castiel began hesitantly, finding his throat tight at the sudden swell of emotion rising within him.
Isda frowned, looking at him curiously as though to say, What's the matter?
Castiel swallowed hard, taking her hand in his own as he tried his hardest to speak once more. "It's Cathetel," he murmured so tenderly, feeling fear rise in his chest as Isda's eyes widened in horror, "Nathan has slain her." It seemed like such a casual term, slaying someone. But honestly Castiel just couldn't think of a better way to phrase such matters—as difficult as it was, over thinking the situation would surely just make it worse. Feeling Isda begin to convulse rapidly however, the angel was drawn back to a sudden reality. "Isda!"
His sister fell to the ground beside him, her body jolting and shaking uncontrollably. He could see her eyes rolling white back into her skulls, fresh tears streaming down her face at the sudden news—it must've been too much for her. Above the stall just across from them one of the lights blew with a loud bang. Castiel crawled over to Isda, unsure if there was anything he could truly do to help. Placing his hands firmly upon his shoulders, he tried his best to steady her but it was no use. Grunting somewhat from the effort, Castiel managed to sit her upright, pushing lightly into one of the corners of the stall in attempt to keep her from jerking too much.
Throwing her head up towards the sky, a massive scream erupted from Isda's lips. Castiel was taken off guard at first, for it was the first time he'd heard her vessel's voice instead of just Isda's true grace-lined speech. He could feel the muscles in her arms tightening beneath her grasp and then, suddenly, all was still.
Isda's head slumped down, her whole body feeling loose as she involuntarily fell forward onto him. Castiel steadied her with his hand, holding his palm in the middle of her chest to keep her propped upward. "Isda?" he murmured, his voice barely grazing a whisper as he leaned in close to her face.
He could rapid breaths coming from her, Isda's eyes closed even so. As desperate as she was to keep breathing though, Castiel could feel her heart rate slowing beneath his touch and within moments she'd gone cold. Castiel had to push away at that, the warmth of fresh tears overwhelming his eyes. Amazing how far he'd come—not that long ago he was unsure what it was like to feel such a human emotion, and now he couldn't stop it as his throat became tight with loss.
Shifting backwards somewhat from Isda's statue-like body, Castiel fidgeted idly with his hands desperate to just have his nerves respond to something. And suddenly, like a grenade had exploded right beside him, the angel was thrown to the other side of the stall. Daring to glance up from his new position, Castiel caught sight of a bright light emulating from Isda's body. Her head was still slumped downward, but glistening rays spilled out like an aura all around her. Much to his amazement, a golden beam of light then poured down upon the stall the sound of the Host singing like a delightful chorus. It had been so long since Castiel had heard their sweet melody, he was truly awed.
But, just as quickly as the light had come, it was gone with another vast and rushing explosion. This time Castiel shielded his eyes, weary of the brightness that seemed it might fry his retinas if he stared too long. Blinking, Cas attempted to readjust himself to the dimness which always seemed to loom over the barn drearily. Then, unexpectedly, he saw Isda standing before him a bright and charming smile spread across her lips. In fact, that was probably the happiest Castiel had ever seen her since arriving in this God-forsaken encampment. "Isda," he murmured breathlessly.
"Hello Castiel," she said, her voice warm as she extended a hand to her brother.
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Serena opened the door to the lodge, roughly escorting Sam inside before tightly bolting the entrance behind her. The young hunter looked around, trying to gain at least some kind of familiarity with his surroundings—the ceiling was at least two stories up, thick wooden rafters crossing lengthwise in the space above. Towards the heart of the room a great dining table was placed, bearing many seats all around with a wonderful fruit centerpiece. To the left were two large staircases against opposite walls of the room, leading to a shadowed place that Sam couldn't quite make out. But what really caught the hunter's eye was the fire blazing in the mighty fireplace in the center of the wall between the staircases—more importantly, his brother who was seated nearby.
"Dean!" Sam shouted, ignoring a frustrated sigh from Serena as he bolted towards his brother's location. Dean was restrained tightly to what appeared to be a leather chair, partially unconscious. He was coming awake though as Sam continued to shake him lightly. "Dean man, you okay?"
The older hunter blinked vigorously glancing all around. Testing the restraints ever so slightly, Dean realized that they were indeed handcuffs and let out a deep sigh. "Peachy," he muttered sarcastically.
Sam turned as he heard Serena's footsteps behind them. "Un-cuff him," Sam almost ordered, completely ignoring the hostile position they faced right now.
Serena just let out a deviant chuckle, "Right. What, so you two can just snoop around and find away to escape? No, I don't think so. Have a seat."
The younger hunter opened his mouth about to speak, when suddenly Nathan's voice echoed from the right staircase. "No, that won't be necessary," he declared, "The only way in or out is through that door, after all."
Dean clicked his tongue in retaliation, "Well then, why don't you let us go? Huh, get us outta your hair?"
"Ah yes, very funny Dean. But like I told you before, I know you're smart. And quite frankly, I'm not that dumb to just let you two go," Nathan said, his voice low as he leaned in close to wear Dean was sitting.
"Could've fooled me," Dean grumbled under his breath as Nathan turned his back.
"I can't let you go now anyway," the man continued, obviously unaware of Dean's lack of enthusiasm toward him.
Sam and Dean exchanged a hesitant glance, Sam stepping forward ever slowly. "What is it you want?" he asked curiously.
"Honestly, at this point, I couldn't say," Nathan sighed wearily running a hand through his hair, "Such a sticky situation you boys have gotten yourself into here."
Dean cleared his throat, "You know, this chat's been real great and all, but uh if we're gonna keep peeing around the bush could you at least un-cuff me?"
Serena looked towards Nathan who nodded his approval. Stepping forth she drove the small silver key into the slot on the cuffs and promptly removed them from Dean's wrists, ultimately freeing him from the chair. Dean wasted no time—jumping up from his position he wrapped Serena in a tight headlock, pulling a small dagger from the back of his pants with his free hand.
"Dean, what the Hell are you doing?" Sam shouted incredulously.
While his brother looked horrified, Nathan simply smiled tucking his hands into his pockets as though he were watching a television show nothing more. "Go ahead," he taunted, "But I warn you, it won't help to get your angel back."
Dean's face fell at that, his eyes glistening with a new fear for Castiel. "What?" he hissed sharply, his voice a low growl of fury.
"Dean, what's he talking about?" Sam urged, completely lost in what had just transpired.
Nathan's eyes widened almost with delight. "Oh my, you haven't told him yet?" the man played the words so cunningly, "Yes Dean, what could we possibly be talking about?"
"Nathan," Serena pleaded from a muffled grasp.
"You won't kill her. Not out of spite," Nathan said simply, knowing all along that Dean's plan was faulty from the start.
Dean's jaw tightened as he released Serena from his grasp and shoved her forward at Nathan. The man caught her gently, checking to make sure she was alright as she coughed. "I'm as lost as Sam apparently," she cleared her throat, "What the Hell's going on?"
Nathan and Dean exchanged astute glance, the hunter knowing full what he couldn't stop Nate from saying whatever he was about to. "Dean here's got himself a little boyfriend, one with wings," Nathan beamed wickedly.
For a moment no one spoke, but Dean didn't deny the claim either. He and Cas had never been exclusive, never laid out any boundaries, but Dean knew deep down that was the direction it was headed in—and to think, a gesture so simple as holding hands could begin it all.
Serena eyed Dean with near-disgust, Sam just slightly more confused than before. The younger hunter leaned in closer to his brother, keeping his voice low. "I thought you said you guys were close," he muttered. Dean just shot him a look.
"That's just," Serena mumbled hesitantly, "Oh I cannot even conceive of it!"
"Yeah well it's true," Lucas's voice suddenly rang out from the doorway. He was wiping fresh graveyard dirt from his hands with a small cloth.
"Can I get a moment with Sam?" Dean asked suddenly, ignoring all their judgments, "Alone."
"Like that's gonna happen," Serena huffed bitterly.
"Look you guys are calling all the shots here," Sam retorted, "Can't we just get a minute to talk?"
Nathan seemed to debate for a moment, lifting his hand in sudden recognition. "I'll give you five," he smiled sickly sweet. Motioning for Serena to follow him, he then made for the door where Lucas was waiting with it already open. "It'll give me a chance to take care of some other business anyway," Nathan muttered under his breath.
"What does that mean?" Dean called after him, his voice sounding a bit more desperate than he had originally intended. When all Nathan did was chuckle, Dean bolted for the door. But damn, if it wasn't shut in his face. "You dick bag, what does that mean?" he yelled again, still faced with no reply.
On that note, the hunter slammed his fist against the door running his other hand through his hair beginning to pace the floor. "Dean, you gotta tell me what's going on," Sam said, his voice still low.
Dean made a light grumble of a response, coming to stand near the burning embers of the fire. He watched as the flames danced, licking the already blackened edges of the logs piled neatly in its center. It vaguely reminded him of Hell, as if that weren't strange enough, without it reminding him of Castiel too—the way the white curled and twisted at the bottom of the fire itself. Like Castiel's blinding grace invading Dean's dark corner of the pit.
"Come on man," Sam urged coming closer to where his brother stood, "What's going on?"
Dean inhaled deeply. "I love him Sammy," the hunter replied simply. He honestly didn't know how else to say it. Though the look plastered on Sam's face when he turned around wasn't quite what he'd been expecting—Sam was smiling, a freaking grin stretching from ear to ear. "What?"
"I was waiting for you to figure it out," Sam chuckled somewhat.
"What are you talking about? Dean eyed his brother suspiciously.
"Dean," Sam licked his lips beginning hesitantly, "Cas pulled you out Hell. And I mean ever since I met him, since we actually found out he was an angel, there's been something between you two."
Dean simply stood there, frozen in time for an instance, and Sam honestly couldn't tell what his brother was feeling at this point. "Was it really that obvious?" Dean finally cleared his throat, his voice still hoarse even so.
Sam nodded, a delicate smile spread across his face, "I always knew it. Like I said, I was just waiting for you guys to figure it out."
"Yeah, well thanks for the hint there, Sherlock," Dean teased sarcastically.
Sam chuckled in reply, "Think it took you long enough?"
Dean smiled, his joy quickly fading, however, as he glanced towards the floor below. "We gotta help him, Sam," the older hunter muttered quietly, "We have to get out of here."
Serena, meanwhile, followed eagerly along behind Nathan as he trailed up the path towards the barn. "Nathan!" she called to him, "Nathan, what are you gonna do?"
"Wait and see," he commanded simply, continuing to ignore her and stride ahead.
Serena huffed in annoyance, "Ergh, Nathan wait a minute! Stop!" She sprinted in which to catch up with him, grasping his shoulders in attempts to halt his path.
Nathan shrugged her off harshly, turning to face her with anger set deep in his brow. "Stay out of this Serena!" he hollered, "You wanna get your brother back, you leave it to me!"
Serena urged him, "Nathan no, there are other ways. Just let me talk to him."
"Talk to him? Talk to him?" Nathan scoffed in sheer amazement, "Serena, you should know by now that talking won't get you anywhere with these damn angels!"
Still she persisted, "Nathan, I can—"
"No," Nathan murmured coldly, gripping Serena's arm tightly, "My camp, my way. You don't like it, then you better get the Hell out."
This time Serena did not dare to follow Nathan as he continued on his way to the barn, simply watching as he unlocked the doors and step inside. This isn't what she had wanted—she just wanted her brother back, not the mindless torture of others. She understood that angels were liars, not to be trusted, but if there was a more peaceful solution to gaining what she so desired, well then Serena would be willing to try it. Sighing, she turned away leaving Nathan to his work.
Ecanus was the first to arise, watching as Nathan dutifully unhinged the door before coming down the aisle towards them. Out of the corner of his eye, Ecanus could see Isda instinctively shudder at the man's presence, stepping further back into the corner by which she already lingered.
Nathan seemed to pay her little mind, however, clearing his throat as he glanced down at Castiel's position upon the floor. "I require Castiel," Nathan said simply, leaning up against the nearby half-wall almost casually.
Ecanus and Isda exchanged a hesitant glance, Ecanus stepping forth ever slight which gained Nathan's attention. "Castiel is injured, sir," Ecanus said in a low voice.
Nathan's expression remained seemingly indifferent despite Ecanus's statement. "Well, go on and help him up then," Nathan ordered as though that were some kind of solution.
Castiel waved his brother away as Ecanus knelt down to assist him. Grunting lightly, Castiel pulled himself up gripping the wall for support. Nathan promptly opened the gate for him, allowing Cas to exit before locking it once more. Then resting one arm upon Castiel's shoulder, the other gently on the small of the angel's back, Nathan escorted him out of the barn in silence.
"Why didn't you do something?" Ecanus hissed at Isda as soon as he was sure they were out of earshot.
"It was not the right time," Isda shook her head, "If Castiel's leg was to just be healed in an instance, they would surely know something isn't right."
"And leaving Castiel injured, alone, to deal with them on his own is going to help matters?" Ecanus challenged sharply.
"I have a plan," Isda murmured quietly, leaning in closer towards her brother.
Ecanus scoffed somewhat doubtfully, "Do you?" Without another word of explanation, Isda opened her palm to reveal not only the key Cathetel had left behind for her, but also Katelyn's entire key ring as well that the angel had somehow managed to snag off the corpse. Ecanus simply stared at her, eyes wide with awe.
Castiel, meanwhile, was in a deep state of confusion as he was led to Nathan's office and not to the lodge as he might've expected. Nathan slammed the door behind them as they entered, tossing his coat aside before cracking his knuckles sharply.
Castiel swallowed hard, glancing around the room curiously, "I don't understa—"
A quick blow to the stomach stopped Castiel's sentence short, the angel stumbling back in surprise. "Shut up," Nathan growled, quickly advancing onto Castiel's position in which to kick the angel onto the floor below, "Just shut up."
Castiel took a moment to catch his breath, before somehow mustering the strength to leap from the floor and drive his fist into the man's face.
And in that moment his bewilderment, anger, sadness—all the emotions which had been building within the angel—rapidly boiled to the surface, the purest of rage flooding over onto Nathan in the utmost powerful strikes. And Castiel felt no shame as he poured out fury relentlessly against this man. In retrospect, it was a just punishment—for all the misery Nathan had laid upon so many others, he certainly had it coming. The angel was not expecting, however, for Nathan to swing his legs around in such a manner that would trip Castiel.
Nathan wasted no time in regaining control, vigorously planting to rough punches to the side of Castiel's jaw watching in a sickening fascination as the angel bled. Not keeping him on the ground for long though, Nathan grasped Castiel firmly by the collar before dragging the angel to his feet and slamming him into a nearby wall. Castiel grunted ever slightly upon impact, feeling his stomach double over in nervous anticipation for what was to come.
Nathan leaned in dangerously close, his breath hot against Castiel's already sweat-slick cheek. "Got some tricks up your sleeve, huh?" Nathan's laughter rumbled deep in his throat dripping with seduction, "What else can you do?" On that note, Nathan slid his hand greedily across Castiel's inner thigh just prior to cupping the angel's crotch within his palm.
Castiel let out a ragged yelp, attempting to jerk away from the man in terrified surprise. Nathan had certainly never considered himself gay, per say, but freelance sex was always good in his opinion—even better when it helped to extract greatly needed information. And so, as Nathan continued to grind up against the helpless angel, he felt no shame as he witnessed the sheer panic alight in Castiel's eyes. Placing a hand firmly over Cas's mouth, the man helped to muffle the angels desperate gasping pleas as he came only mere inches from Castiel's face. "What else can you do?" he muttered, his voice barely grazing a whisper.
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Serena paced the ground just behind the lodge building, her hands wringing with sweat as she kept them firmly clenched behind her back as she walked. She kept her eyes focused solely onto the ground, watching the thin blades of grass bend and break with every footstep. She nearly jumped out of her skin as she heard a voice suddenly ring out in the otherwise tranquil stillness.
"Serena?" Lucas asked suddenly, "What the heck are you doing?"
Looking up to face him, it was clear by the look in her eyes that Serena seemed troubled. Clearing her throat, she prepared to give him some kind of half-assed excuse. "I uh," she hesitated, running a hand absent mindedly through her hair, "I need to speak with the Winchesters."
Lucas furrowed his brow in question, "Is Nathan finished with the angel yet?"
"No but—it's important," Serena insisted.
Lucas let out a sigh, "Okay, go on in. But not a word of this to Nathan, you hear?" Serena nodded her understanding, waiting for him to unlock the doors before stepping forth. "Two minutes," Lucas mumbled behind her.
Both Dean and Sam turned to look at her as she entered—seeing Dean's bloodshot eyes, Serena could imagine he felt about as bad as her at this point. "What the Hell do you want?" Dean sneered.
Sam shot his brother a look, "Dean—"
"No, it's okay," Serena interrupted somewhat awkwardly, "I know I'm about the last person you want to see right now."
"Yeah, no kidding," Dean scoffed.
"Look," Serena let out a deep sigh, "If you'll just hear me out—"
Dean took a bitter step forward, "And why should we even give you the time of day? Huh, I mean what in God's freaking name to you want from us?"
Serena dropped her eyes to the floor in guilt, now fidgeting with her fingernails simply for something to do with her hands. "I know what Nathan's planning to do," she began, voice trembling ever slightly, "To Castiel. And I, I wanna stop it. I have to."
Dean looked as though he were about to speak when Sam cut him off promptly. "Why?" the younger hunter asked.
Serena shot her head up at this, "Because it's not fair. There are thing I want but this—I never meant for it to come to this."
"What do you guys even want Cas for anyway?" Dean questioned, arching his eyebrow.
"He got you out of Hell," Serena hesitated, attempting her best to avoid giving a straight answer.
Dean licked his lips impatiently, "Yeah, we kinda established this already. Quit peeing around the bush and cut to the punch line."
Serena lightly collapsed into one of the nearby chairs, her eyes quickly become red-rimmed as salty tears threatened to spill over the edge. "My brother, Brent, was killed seven years ago. It was a car crash," she murmured, sniffling somewhat, "The past year had been pretty tough for him and he, uh, got into some stuff."
"What stuff?" Sam interjected.
"You know, stuff. Mostly just LSD but he did experiment with heroin, I know that," she clarified, embarrassment flushing her cheeks pink, "Anyway, he was trying to get clean. Went to these rehab confidential meetings, you know? But one night, his buddies called him away to the bar and, well, he was never one to put down a good time. He was killed that night though. Speeding. And he wasn't even the one driving!" She pounded her fist angrily onto the arm rest.
Sam swallowed hard, nodding, "That sounds awful."
"Try devastating," Serena wiped her eyes with her shirt, "His body was so bloodied and bruised—I barely even recognized him in the morgue. And he, he was all I had left."
Dean cleared his throat, "Sorry sweet heart but I don't exactly see how we can help. Sounds like his death's been a long time passing."
Serena glared at him ever slightly, but kept her voice as calm as she could. "Castiel could do it. He could bust him out," she declared.
Dean and Sam just looked at each other. "You mean—out of Hell?" Sam eyed her, perplexed.
She nodded silently. "What even makes you so sure he's there in the first place?" Dean challenged.
Serena chuckled grimly, "Believe me Dean, you spend every waking day of your life with a person you kinda get to know their beliefs and where they're headed. You of all people should know that. Brent may not have been a saint, but he doesn't deserve Hell."
"Cas is weaker now, you do know that? He's not all super-angel like he used to be," Sam tried to reason with her.
"He's the only angel who I know for sure could do it," Serena retorted sharply.
Dean chuckled incredulously, "Well this ten kinds of crazy, you know that right? Cas could never do this, not now. No freaking way."
Serena folded her arms persistently over her chest, "Well he could at least try."
"What would even be in this for us? Or him for that matter?" Sam negotiated.
"I can get you out," Serena said simply, "All of you. I helped to build this place up, and I sure as Hell can tear it apart."
Sam narrowed his eyes at her, "And you would do that?"
"If I get to have my brother back, yeah," Serena shrugged, "Besides, Nathan's turned this in to his own personal petting zoo. It was meant as a beacon of light, a safe haven for those who've been betrayed by Heaven's supposedly good graces. I never imagined the type of Hell it would become."
"How can we even trust you?" Dean muttered.
Serena breathed out deeply through her nostrils, "Do you want a way out of here, or not?"
Lucas lingered at the door, glancing down at his watch one last time before opening the door yet again. Upon first entering the archway he saw nothing—no Sam, no Dean, and definitely no Serena. "Serena?" he called out into the silence. And suddenly there came a crashing noise. Lucas caught sight of Serena now on the floor, arms tied behind her back. She cried out in her cloth gag. "Serena!" he shouted in surprise quickly running to her aid, "They did this to you?"
But as quickly as he had knelt down to help her, Sam came up from behind him bashing Lucas over the head with a lamp he had taken from one of the end tables. Its ceramic body shattered over the back of the man's head, and within an instant he was out cold on the wooden floor. Dean then came from the other side of Serena and helped to undo her bondages that they had hastily tied together for their plan.
"Go," Serena ordered as soon as her mouth was free, "Nathan's office—he's holding Castiel there." Sam handed Dean Ruby's knife just in case, nodding at his brother to get moving. "And hurry!" Serena shouted as Dean practically sprinted for the doorway.
For the surprisingly large amount of people who inhabited the encampment, Dean found it relatively easy to navigate through the winding gravel paths that led him through building after building. At last upon reaching Nathan's office, the hunter crouched down in which to peer inside one of the nearby windows. He couldn't make out much between the blinds lining the interior, but saw papers scattered all across the floor—a sign of a robbery or, more likely, a struggle between two people. Rounding the side of the building, Dean decided it would be best to go through the back door. Hopefully the element of surprise would prove as an advantage to him, as he had no other plan to be perfectly honest.
Without a moment's hesitation, Dean kicked in the cheap wooden door with his foot, bursting into the room with his blade ready. He was completely blown away though to find Nathan practically suffocating his angel, feeling Castiel up involuntarily all the while. "Hey, asshole!" Dean shouted, rage pulsing through his entire body.
Nathan turned quickly, completely caught off guard by Dean's sudden entrance. Dean charged forward, gripping Nathan by his shirt before throwing him to the ground. The hunter could honestly care less as the man toppled over the coffee table, its weak wooden frame crumbling beneath Nathan's weight. Dean then half straddled the man as he delivered several punches to Nathan's gut. Once he was satisfied that Nathan was gasping for breath, Dean then plucked one of the coffee table legs from the ground and bashed it into Nathan's face repeatedly. Nathan's head came crashing onto the ground with a thud his eyes closed and he became dim and unconscious. Dean couldn't help but snicker to himself as he saw a bleeding welt form just above the man's eyebrow.
And sudden slump from the other side of the room, however, quickly caught the hunter's attention. "Cas," Dean murmured in concern, crouching down beside his angel.
"Dean," Castiel swallowed hard, his eyes looking all around the room in a disorganized flurry, "I didn't think you'd come." Dean leaned in close, cupping Castiel's face tenderly in his hands. Without waiting another moment, the hunter pressed his lips firmly but gently to the angel's pleased as he felt Castiel kiss back with just as much affection. Slowly as ever, the hunter pulled away breathing a deep sigh of relief. "I don't understand, what was that for?"
Dean chuckled, wiping the light layer of sweat that had formed upon his brow. "Are you stupid? I didn't know if I was gonna see you again man," Dean shook his head in mock disappointment.
Castiel smiled faintly, "I missed you too."
Dean cleared his throat, glancing just over his shoulder at where Nathan's body lay limp. "C'mon, we gotta get you out of here. Plenty of time to catch up on the honeymoon," the hunter muttered as he gingerly helped to lift the angel up off the floor, careful to mind Cas's knee.
"We are not engaged to be married, Dean," Castiel frowned.
Dean rolled his eyes, "Cas it's an express—you know what, just never mind."
Neither Castiel nor Dean made any further remarks until they were safely back in front of the lodge where both Serena and Sam were waiting for them. Sam instantly stepped forward upon seeing Castiel's beaten state, helping to take some of the angel's weight off his brother.
"What happened to Nathan?" Serena asked hesitantly.
Dean and Cas exchange a glance, Dean cocking his head to the side somewhat awkwardly, "He'll be watching his eyelids for a little while."
"Same with Lucas," Serena nodded, her voice quiet.
"So where do we go from here?" Sam asked, glancing toward the sky as it was becoming both overcast and dusk.
Serena placed her hands on her hips in thought, "Well, first things first, we gotta get off this territory. The main gate will be guarded, so we'll have to go the back way."
Dean curved his eyebrows up in surprise, "There's a back way outta this Hell hole?"
Serena nodded, ignoring his comment as she continued to explain. "There's a trail, it cuts through the woods just east of here. If we can clear the border there's a safe house nearby that I know of."
"Thought you could just up and leave without us?" a voice suddenly echoed from behind the group.
Serena was about to reach for her gun, when Sam halted her with his free hand. Turning, Ecanus and Isda appeared behind the group. Castiel frowned upon looking at his siblings, "How did you manage to escape?" Isda said nothing, simply holding up Katelyn's key ring proudly. Castiel couldn't help but smile—Cathetel must've had something to do with it. It was good to know her death would not be entirely in vein.
Serena crossed her arms over her chest in irritation, still not completely comfortable with the idea of having so many angels leave the encampment with her. "Oh yeah? And just why do you think we should bring you?" she challenged.
"We want to help," Ecanus replied, stepping forward, "Not to mention that Castiel is my brother. And if he's going to be escorted anywhere by a less than trustworthy human, such as yourself, you'll be sure not to question my motives to assist." By this time, the angel was right up in Serena's face glaring her down with his piercing stare.
Sam quickly intervened, "So this trail you mentioned, how wide is it? Enough for hiking, or possibly a vehicle?"
Serena turned, thankful for an excuse to turn away from the angel. "Should be able to fit a car I think. Expect some scratches from bramble though," she replied.
Dean, Castiel, and Sam all glanced at each other. "Looks like my baby's gonna need some rescuing too," Dean said.
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A/N: I thought I should probably tell you guys about this by now, but in case you didn't realize the plot for this particular story will soon be coming to an end. Now I know, it seems a bit short but not to worry—I actually do have a sequel planned out so it's not like this will be the final ending or anything. I would estimate ten, maybe twelve, chapters in total for this story and then I'll be posting an entirely new story for the sequel. I'm not entirely sure what that will be named at this point, but I'll be sure to keep you posted that way you can look for it once all is said and done.
Anyhow, sorry for all my blabbing. Thanks kindly for reading! ^^
