An-Hi sorry for making you wait so long for this,It's chocka full of cheese Zombie violence Angst and a little fluff. Enjoy.
Chapter 8
Castiel's POV
They were systematic, the massive beasts knocked the walkers down and then the man would stab them through the skull, no ammunition required. I was impressed. But their overconfidence was their weakness, they were not wary enough.
Beside me Dean was jittery, fidgeting nervously with his gun. He wanted to be out there. I flash back to our time in purgatory, the relentless killing, and him; the relentless killer.
I could always tell when Dean needed to blow off some steam. May be it was a necessary mechanism? To stop him from hurting the ones he loved.
I looked out as the last few walkers stumbled towards a large shaggy black shifter. The creature was all teeth and taut muscle. It lunged its great paws knocking two walkers onto their backs. The shifter pinned each one with its mighty bulk. Jacob went over to help, but the large black one growled. As the men on foot ran over to finish them, one large black paw slipped off the squirming walker. Then there's chaos, frantic movements, but I saw it, I saw the walker bite the Shifter.
I took the knife out of its sheath, grimly preparing myself. I felt Bella and Sam walk up behind us, turning swiftly and fixing them with an urgent look, I grated out- "Get to the cars". There's a lump in my throat as I watch Balthazar guide them back casting a semi concerned look over his shoulder.
"Cas!" Dean yelled, "Something is going on out there."
"Yes, I know Dean", I take him by the shoulder my fingers biting deep into his tense bulk, "go, I will take care of it."
"To hell you will."
He won't be able to keep up anyway, by then it should all be finished. I give him a hard look before removing myself from his immediate presence. I reappear in the thick of it. The black wolf man is growling and salivating over the now mangled bodies of the Undead.
Jacob growled, "Get back Angel, We're all finished here."
"No you haven't", I pointed at the black one, "he's been bitten."
The black beast advanced on me, "What are you saying about me freak?"
I appreciate the irony of his words, a talking beast calling an Angel such. It almost would have made me smile had the situation been less desperate.
"No, I didn't see anything," Jacob continued. Arr the blind loyalty of brotherhood, similar to Deans, back before my betrayal changed everything.
"The longer you debate this the less time we have." The beast began to prowl back and forth, fixing me with a crazy yellow eyed gaze. I can see the toxic disease at work, it was advancing rapidly through the creatures monstrous form.
That's when Dean arrived and suddenly my position becomes untenable, now I had to protect him and kill the beast. Dean and his terrible habit of complicating already difficult situations. But I would rather have him standing beside me than anyone else right now. That's one thing Dean does very well, killing monsters. He survived purgatory when the odds were against him, how many mortals could boast that? That was the Winchester way though wasn't it, going into uncharted territory and beating the odds. I steeled myself, hoping against hope that once again we would have a lucky draw and get out of this in one piece.
Truth be told I'm not completely certain of what will happen should I get bitten.
The black beast twitched violently all over, the black fur rippling as its muscles contracted. It heart beat pounding in my ears. It was all I could hear. That huge muscle in its core pounded faster and faster- until with a sudden flutter... it stopped. But the creature did not fall, it stood and stared at us slack-jawed, drool dripping from the razor-sharp teeth.
"Fuck." Dean swore as he raised his gun.
Jacob leapt forward swatting the gun out of Dean's hand with a huge paw. Nudging him back with a rough butt of his head leaving me alone with the Undead beast. I calculate my moves even before it started toward me with an uncoordinated shambling lope, it's claws dragged in the dirt. It was slow at first, growling and snapping at me. I spun away trying to lead it away from the others. Stupidly the others tried to stand in front of it, they don't fully comprehend, well not until it grabbed one of the men by the leg and shook him so violently his bones snapped. The body was like a rag doll when the monster finally dropped it.
The remaining men transformed, bounding away, while I stormed toward the beast, knife in hand. There's a gunshot and the beast staggered sideways drunkenly, I saw where the bullet had glanced off the creature's skull, removing fur, but not penetrating its thick skull. I teleported behind and leapt onto its broad back, grabbing a handful of fur and thrusting the knife toward the nape of its neck. It swiftly snaps around at me, catching my long coat and yanking me off. I Landed heavily, the knife fell from my grasp spinning away into the darkness. A short distance away Jacob snarled and snapped at his former pack mate. The shifter growled, long streams of spittle stuck to my coat as its huge paws trapped my shoulders. My fingers sunk into its throat, tearing at the flesh, pulling fur and ripping skin. The lips peeled back off those sharp teeth and it snapped at me, displaced air rushed past my face. Too close.
Jacob swiped at the creature with a tentative claw, distracting it for a moment. Then I heard something moving through the burst into view, the knife in his hand. The Blade went through the top of the creatures head with dull scrape of metal against bone.
The beast sagged, the animation leaving its massive limbs immediately. Thick syrupy blood trickling over my hands and down the side of my cheek. In my desperation I must have torn the jugular veins, the deoxygenated blood simply obeying gravity as it seeped out. Jacob butted the body off me and stood there while Dean pulled me up. Jacob morphed back and looked at us. "I've never seen that happen before... he probably could have taken out the whole camp," He ceded reluctantly.
There's a moment of peace between us as we looked down upon the dark hairy carcass. I bend down and pull the knife out. The Artifact knew what it was doing- It knew we would need it. I wipe the blade reverently and a weak smile flirted with my lips, but I just can't quite let the emotion inside have its way.
I glanced up and caught Dean staring at the knife, I'm not sure what he's thinking but way he's looking at me is unsettling.
"We must check on the others." On Bella, I thought guiltily. There was movement in the distance, I know what it is, the shifter Jacob sensed it too. His brown eyes widened and I see fear in their depths, good , it's better than overconfidence. He may actually survive this.
"Back to the gates!" I commanded, the surrounding shifters obeyed without hesitation. I grabbed Dean by his shirt collar and snap back inside the gates. He staggered sideways murmuring, "Damn it,"under his breath. I know he wishes I would warn him before doing that, so gave him a wordless apology, he sighed. Bella ran up, gun in hand, her face ghostly pale in the dim compound lights. Her mouth fell open in shock and I realised she's seeing all the blood. Her grip around the rifle tightened instinctively. "Are you..?"
"He's fine..." Dean interrupted gruffly.
Balthazar slow clapped, "well done Dean, I'm so grateful you saved my brother from an unsightly mauling."
I frowned at him, he gave me a sly look in return. I'm no use to him if I'm dead, My obligation to him would end. This thought makes me uncomfortable, I can't read him like the others, I can only try to deduce what his intentions may be.
"You actually gonna lend a hand next time? " Dean sniped, his cheek twitching, he's all coiled up inside and ready to bite. I'm the reason for that.
"I'm a lover not a fighter Dean."
"Come on only thing you love is yourself. Figured you and that right hand of yours spend enough time together, next time try shooting something will ya."
"Don't tempt me," Balthazar replied dryly.
Sam smacked Dean on the shoulder giving his brother a weak grin, " Enough with the bitching, we better go."
The search lights are scanning across the hill-side illuminating walkers- lot's of them. "Yea I know, as usual we have out stayed our welcome."
When have we ever been welcome anywhere ?
Bella was watching Jacob, her forehead creased in distress, "what about the others?"
"We should help them", I said diplomatically," Although I believe this complex is a lost cause."
"Yea I reckon you are right about that, it's going to use up a lot of ammo." Sam glanced at Dean who shrugged, "But it's what we do eh Sammy."
"Gawd this is painfully predictable, are we going to break out in song next? I a vain attempt to hearten the troops," Balthazar said with a roll of his eyes.
Dean smirked across at Sam, and I know he's going do just that. Only in the service of annoying present company naturally.
"Company, always on the run, Destiny is the rising sun. Oh, I was born six-gun in my hand behind a gun I'll make my final stand."
Sam laughed with his gun in hand, he shook his head incredulously and then joined in, his tuneless monotone grating my auditory senses. I waited patiently for them to stop. "That's why they call us, Bad company. And I can't deny, Bad company, Till the day we die."
I could point out that I considered them anything but bad company, but they seemed to be enjoying their moment, and the song appeared to have meaning for them, despite the bleak sounding lyrics.
"Rousing Dean and somewhat appropriate from my point of view." If I didn't know any better Balthazar looked genuinely amused.
I shifted my attention back to the desperate situation. The shifters had mobilized while our mismatched little band had stood there singing. Vehicles started to line up at the back gates motors running, for a quick getaway.
The walkers had reached the fences. I noticed how efficiently the men and woman alike, moved up and down the barrier armed with sharp implements, jabbing the walkers in the head. The Blades sunk into the sightless jelly of a multitude of unseeing eyes. I flit over to assist. Bella did the same, aiming carefully between the wire linked partitions. The boom of gunfire seemed to arouse the Undead, rather than dissuade them.
It was sound that drew them, like moths to a flame.
The Walkers seemed to come in an endless parade of death. As the bodies piled up against the partitions, the fence began to wobble against the sheer numbers encroaching upon it. It became apparent that our time here was at an end. Reaching out I pulled Bella back, she looked up at me -wide eyed with the shock and frenzy of killing. Her hands were shaking, covered with specks of bone and the decaying internal juice of the walkers. The horror of these encounters would leave the mortals in my charge turning restlessly in their sleep for days. It was almost beyond my endurance to watch.
We withdraw; the shifters began to do the same. Jacob sent a last wild look Bella's way. I caught the longing on his face and rather than despising him for it, I sympathized.
For all he knows this will be the last time he will ever see her.
The fences began to fall as we climbed into the cars. Dean slapped Sam on the back to hurry him up. Our eyes met and I approach him taking out the Knife and handing it over, he took it wordlessly. I notice how he unconsciously shrunk away from it as he tucked it inside his jacket discretely. His eyes met mine, he wasn't happy about it, but he understands and I was thankful for it.
I joined Bella in the cab of her truck, glancing across at her, despite the Gore and the smell, she's still beautiful. I wanted to comfort her but instead I sat there stiffly, unsure how to go about such a thing.
The engine started with a splutter and a roar. We roll out the back gate while the world behind us fell apart.
We were silent in the cab, just the thrum of the motor to keep us company. There was a stream of vehicles behind us, a parade of dim lights and shattered lives. Every now and then I glimpsed the blurred outline of shadowy creatures running out upon the tundra. More than once I catch the distant mournful howl of a beast grieving.
We drove straight for several hours before we dared stop. The boys stayed in the car behind us, Bella's door creaked open and she climbed out. In the distance a stream glittered silver in the moonlight. I looked down at my hands and in a flash I am there.
It was almost ritualistic for me, the cleaning. Like the temple Priests of old. They would clean themselves before coming into the presence of their God. Now I did the same, the water flowed over my fingertips loosening the grime. Yet this action is tinged with sadness for there was no God here now. Anyway wash as I may, I will never ever be rid of the taint that now clung to me. Nor would I want to.
I knew she would come to me, she couldn't resist.
This was going to be difficult.
I sensed a hunger in her, I assume that hunger is not for me but the knife. She wouldn't sense its proximity unless she was right beside it, human senses being as dull as they were. I was grateful that Dean had taken it willingly this time. I would not want to try to take it from her again. I don't know if I even could, knowing the hurt that it had caused her. There's something disturbingly empty in her expression, she looked lost and forlorn.
"I'm sorry,"I whisper.
"For what?"
"For taking it away," I explained, not missing the way she chewed the side of her mouth when I elaborated.
"No need...I understand." She tried to say, but I can tell its only lip service, she's addicted to its energy, addicted to me. I wonder if her reaction to me the whole time has just been a bunch of chemical and metaphysical processes caused by it fusing with her unique mystical heritage.
On my part, I still want to kiss her, but that would be unwise.
I sense someone watching, a wounded and jealous heart lurking in the shadows. I resisted turning to spy out where the Jacob is hiding, it was no matter. I find myself wondering if she felt the same at one time. Her reactions to him demonstrated that she did not any more, unless she was hiding it deep down inside.
"He still loves you." I said simply.
She looked at me quizzically as if she doesn't know who I am talking about.
I suppress a heart wrenching sigh. "Jacob."
She ground her teeth and I can't resist wanting to touch her and replace all that tension with something else. I resisted. I will just make it worse, like always, "it just occurred to me that you would have preferred not to know that," I said contritely.
She laughed, not a free-spirited kind of sound, instead it was tinged with mirth and regret. She turned and held out her hands, look at me she said with her eyes, but there were no words. My gaze ran over her fingertips, thin and graceful up her pale arms spotted with gore. I could see the pulse point of her neck, the gentle throb of her life. Oh how I wanted to worship that life with my lips. Something stopped me, I'm afraid, afraid that it isn't real for her- that I would lose myself in her and then she would walk away.
My vessels lungs suddenly seem too full, the only solution is to leave before my longing became too apparent. However I wonder if that ship has already sailed, as Dean would say.
"I will leave you to wash." I said before departing a safe distance. I don't watch but I listen to make sure she remains safe. I think I am alone, so engaged am I. Eyes on the moon above, but my ears trained on the object of my affection.
I didn't notice him approach, not until he cleared his throat. I flinched and tried not to blush as if I have been caught doing something I shouldn't. How strange?
"Dean"
He avoided my eyes, letting out another strange throaty sound, "Castiel" My full name sounded forced, husky and reluctant. I looked at him expectantly. It seemed this was to be the night for uncomfortable conversations. I noticed how easily my whole attention gravitated in his direction, so conditioned am I to his presence. Yet another thing that now bothered me.
"Thank-you ...for your assistance back there." Even though the words came haltingly, I meant every word.
"You're welcome." again he grunted as if there's more, but he just can't quite get it out.
I examined his stubborn profile, at the way his hands were shoved deep in his pockets as if he doesn't know what to do with them. He jiggled one leg nervously then looked at me quickly, raising one eyebrow, "Hmmm good talk" then turned to leave. I smirk and reach out, my hand clamping onto his shoulder. He looked at my hand then his eyes met mine, he's wary and after my treatment of him, I don't blame him
"What is it you need to say?" I asked gently, but there is force behind my words, I'm willing him as a friend to answer me.
His mouth opened and closed wordlessly for a moment, then sighed heavily, "Be careful Cas...please." with a pleading look in his eyes. He looked away quickly as if he's about to leave. His hand rests on my arm in the pretense of removing my grip, but it stayed there for a moment, giving it a quick squeeze before pulling away.
Is this ...his blessing? He left but I am no better for it, the strange interplay of human relationships has left me floundering. I am a simple spectator like I always have been. There was movement in the darkness and Bella almost walks into me. Her clothes were still dirty but her pale flawless skin was clean, she smelled good.
We walked together in silence as we near the vehicle I catch her hand and draw her in, she looked up at me, brown eyes widened in surprise. Her lips part and I brushed my thumb across them, feeling the roughened ridge along her bottom lip. The callous she causes when she nibbles at it. Imperfect perfection, so like the humanity. Their beautiful souls trapped inside this fragile shell of carbon based matter. Their souls were what made them so enticing to Angel and Demon alike.
Close to being caught up in the moment completely I withdraw just in time and open the truck door for her. A ghost of a smile curved on her lips and it gladdens my heart. I turned and in the distance a storm growled, lightning arching across the heavens. The full moon already being shrouded in wispy cloud. My Vessels flesh prickled as if the scene is some sort of portent of doom. Alas I know things don't work that way. A storm is just a storm. Dean was leaning against the side of the Impala, arms crossed, eyes cast up into that same sky, His mouth flattened into a grim line as if he felt the coming of the storm keenly, right down deep in his soul.
Dean Winchester- wherever you and your brother go a storm seems to follow you, those thoughts are as loud as if he had spoken them. I closed my eyes and cut his internal musings off. He's right I had no business in his head after everything that had happened. It was time to leave. We must meet Daryl and quickly before trouble found us first.
An- so back to my perfuse apologies about my lack of updates. All I can say is that I have been working on my original works. Short stories and my beleaguered novel. I hope to have something to show for all my hard work in a few months. I will do my darndest to keep updating as regularly as I can. As you probably can tell this is not going to be a short tale. Stay with me, the end will be worth it, I promise you.
Again, I'm always reviewing and tweaking my work, so if something's not right let me know. I'm writing this for as much your pleasure as my own. I really want you to enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. Self editing being what it is- there will be mistakes, feel free to point them out. I am able to take constructive criticism (though I do wince a little)
