The Rapture
Chapter 10 - Logical discussion followed by a feel good hug!
27 Main Street
Opposite Municipal Library, Lancaster.
Wednesday April 9th 16:20pm
ooooooo
Two hours.
It took just two hours for Dean to be able to stand firm on his own two feet without toppling over…just two hours before he was able to form a coherent sentence…and just two hours before he started to piss Sam off.
"How many times Dean?" Sam threw up his hands in despair. "You can barely stand, and you want to walk right in there and get medieval on this priest?" Sam might have had fumes coming out of his ears for all he knew, it sure felt like it. And the sight of his brother holding up a shaky hand, trying to get him to calm down was making it a whole lot worse.
Dean stood a little straighter, trying to not let Sam see him using his other hand to brace himself against the wall. "W…what's your point, Smmy?"
"My point?…I think you just made my point. You can't even speak but you're gonna march into a fortress and take on an army…Great plan!"
Dean shrugged and looked at Mackenzie with a lopsided smile. "Don't mind him…he worries."
"Dean…"
Frowning deeply he raised his voice. "Quit whining, Sammy. Just cos you got girl's hair, don't mean you have to sound like one, I'm good…and I'm getting better all the time." He was clearly making a concerted effort to concentrate on every syllable, and even more of an effort to stand without swaying.
Mackenzie glanced from one brother to the other, his anger and frustration threatening to coil up through his gut, climb out of his mouth and throttle these two men who'd spent the best part of the last hour bitching at each other, while his niece was still in the hands of the enemy. "Gentlemen I hate to butt in, but Gustav has Nancy…and we're STILL NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT"
He threw himself down on the corner of the old mattress. The little field trip into that hunter's mind had certainly taken its toll, in fact it had taken the wind right out of his sails and he wasn't sure how much use he was going to be on this rescue mission, let alone Dean.
Both brothers slowly turned their attention to Mackenzie, watching as he slowly recovered from his hissy fit, and he felt his cheeks redden under their scrutiny. Dean spoke first. "Cool your jets 'Smoky'…were gonna go get your niece right now, in fact – were gonna go get both our girls." He looked back at his brother. "Sammy, how we doing for supplies?"
"All we need and then some…and you're not going anywhere…"
Dean stood resolute, arms crossed lightly over his chest… "Well, I think I am."…He watched his younger brother pout. This was the well rehearsed Winchester stalemate, the first one to turn and walk away was symbolically giving in, handing a win to the other and there was no way that was gonna be him. Older brothers just didn't do that.
Sam opened his mouth then closed it, opened it again and huffed. He couldn't remember the last time he'd won one of these standoffs so there was no point in wasting any more time. He spun on the spot and made a show of stomping over to the window.
The tiny sigh of relief that escaped Dean's lips went unnoticed, he wasn't about to tell his brother there was no way on earth he could have turned away, even if he'd wanted to, without falling hard on his butt. And besides, that probably wouldn't do his '…I promise I'm feeling a whole lot better…' argument much good, certainly not in Sam's eyes anyway.
Changing the subject seemed like a real smart move. "So Mac, tell me something in words I'm not gonna have to look up. What did you do in here?" He tapped his temple carefully avoiding the new butterfly strips holding the gash in his head together.
"I healed you – well, in a manner of speaking."
Dean glanced over and addressed Sam's back. "See, now that's what I'm talking about – positive attitude…so that's what you do is it? Heal?"
"It's part of what I can do, yes. You see, the Rapture, it opens up and withdraws all that is negative replacing it with a gift of sorts". His voice took on a lower tone. "But it has repercussions; it warps you every time you use it... I hardly have, but even I felt it when I just helped you." He was still looking at Dean, a slightly pained expression creasing his brow.
"And it takes negative emotion and thoughts, huh?" The older hunter squirmed a little at the thought of anything being sucked out of his head, let alone his anger and negativity…hell, he needed those. Without them, well…? He suddenly had a horrible vision of sitting down with the evil they hunted and teaching it the error of its ways through lengthy, logical discussion followed by a feel good hug. He shuddered as the professor pulled his knees up towards his chest and continued.
"I have the ability to enter and influence, that's all really. Some can do other things, but I can only influence. I can choose though, whether I watch; heal, strengthen – confuse…" he glanced up at Sam, a deep regret etched on his face. "…but to be honest I haven't used it anywhere near enough to have developed any kind of true power. Not like Gustav, he was the first. That thing must have had a feast on him if the size of the gift is anything to go by."
Sam spoke from over by the window, still looking at the library over the road. "Well at least it won't be today; no-one's getting back in there, probably not for a couple of days at least."
"You don't understand; the Rapture can be performed anywhere and at any time, wherever and whenever Gustav wants. I was gifted in the Bastion; we've only been using the library for the last couple of ceremonies…the first few were in Gustav's parlour room."
"So, he doesn't need any of the stuff that was in there?" Dean pointed to the window and the library beyond. "The statue, those hangings, the whole altar thing, that's all just for show?"
"Well, yes…It's all him. He summons the Rapture and acts as the main conduit for it. A few of us have assumed that's where his main power is coming from, he leaches a little more from each of us as we go through the process and becomes stronger all the time…"
Dean walked decisively over to the professor and lowered himself to the floor. "OK Mac, here's what's gonna happen. You're gonna sit there and tell us exactly what were likely to come up against in the 'Bastion' with as much detail as you can remember…and there I'm gonna tell you exactly what we're gonna do about it."
oOo
The residence of Father Karl Gustav
Outside the 'Bastion', Lancaster.
Wednesday April 9th 17:20pm
ooooooo
Sam swung his legs out from the driver's seat of the pale blue truck they'd borrowed from three blocks south of the Library, and closed the cab door quietly. He looked over at his brother who was already out and standing in front of a very nervous looking professor Mackenzie, one hand braced on his shoulder trying to encourage his resolve.
"All you got to do is what we told you, we'll do the rest, okay?" Dean smiled at the older man trying to look reassuring, but the emotion sweeping the professor's face was abject terror.
"O…Okay, yes…All I have to…yes. Right." He nodded and looked at the floor feeling more like a condemned man all the time.
"Just do your part, that's all anyone can ask…and we'll have your girl, and mine, back before you know it."
The professor nodded, words failing him as he looked over at Sam and smiled weakly before starting out towards the gate. If he'd thought Sam's plan of walking straight into the Library decked out like an urban guerrilla had been a bad idea, this one was pure unadulterated madness…but Dean had a way of making it sound so convincing, of making it sound like this was just a walk in the park, a normal Winchester day out, and knowing what he now knew about these brothers…it probably was.
Less than five minutes later and he reached the gate, then briefly hesitated and cast a nervous look back over his shoulder. The area where they'd parked the truck was much further down the road and in the shadow of a huge oak, but he could easily see the absence of the two boys. Logic dictated they were off fulfilling their part of this scheme but he was suddenly swamped by the fear that they'd left him high and dry. Taking a shaky breath he dismissed the thought, after all Dean would never clearly leave his car…at least he had that on his side.
Peering through the gate he could see the imposing house in the distance…now all he had to do was to get into the grounds. Forcing his mind back to the job at hand, he ran his hands along the gritty surface of the Bastion wall and felt his fingers bite into the rough masonry.
ooooooo
Sam scrambled around the back of the pale blue truck and ducked down low, watching the Professor stumble towards the 'Bastion'. He watched him slow almost to a standstill and throw a worried glance over his shoulder, and for a moment it looked like he might balk, but instead, he turned back and carried on reaching the wall and running his fingers along its rough surface. But all Sam could feel was guilt, twisting and gnawing through his insides for sending Mackenzie into the lions den without so much as a weapon for protection…but then if he was armed, there was a greater risk of him being involved in a proper fight, of getting hurt, and that wouldn't serve their purpose.
Crouching next to him, Dean sounded genuinely impressed. "Gotta give that guy credit, he's got guts."
"Yeah, hope he doesn't do anything stupid and get them smeared all over the ground."
"Dude, you worry too much, y'know that?" He slapped the younger man on the arm and gave him a one hundred kilowatt smile…even though he felt like he was severely lacking in the battery department. Sam saw through it instantly and pushed himself up from the ground, then hooked Dean's arm, helping him to stand.
"Wow, personal space, quit messing with me…" He looked reproachful at the genuine concern in Sam's eyes.
"Look, Dean, I didn't want to say anything while Mac was still around, but you're still not firing on all cylinders here, so when we get in there, do you think you could maybe let me take the lead for once in your life?"
"Dude, do I look like an invalid to you..?" He held up a hand halting Sam's answer before he could speak. "And enough already with the 'Big Bad Sam' attitude, man, it does NOT suit you…and while were on the subject I was saving your skinny ass, those giraffe legs and that scrawny body before you could even handle the recoil from your first sawn off, so give me a break here…"
Sam pouted sullenly, dropping his hand from Dean's jacket. "What? You're four years older than me, dude, that's all…where's this older generation crap coming from?"
"That…that's where it's coming from…" He circled a finger in front of Sam's nose. "…look at that face…kid who's just lost his puppy…that's what that is…Now come on, Sammy, we're on a deadline here." With that, he stalked off towards the wall leaving Sam to watch him go. Making a valiant effort to walk with long strides, he managed to proceed without swaying or tripping over his own feet, despite using up every last ounce of his strength and determination.
Sam ran to catch him and they arrived at the wall together. As he bent, offering linked fingers as a step, he breathed a sigh of relief when Dean placed one boot on his hands. He hoisted him up and over with ease and then looked up to see his brother reaching a hand down for him. But he looked exhausted. Hell, they hadn't even made it to the house yet and he looked dead on his feet. Sam ignored the hand and just smiled, pointing downwards. "Giraffe legs…or have you forgotten?"
ooooooo
Mackenzie did well, far better than he'd expected actually.
He made it all the way to the outer car park and past the row of garages before he was picked up. The two heavies sent for him were familiar, one at least he was sure used to call him 'Mr Mackenzie'. But now he was little more than cannon fodder to Gustav's men…how times had changed. Standing still he watched both hulks as they stalked him…they probably hadn't had orders to 'not damage the merchandise' as Dean would say, so there was nothing to be gained by pushing his luck.
"Professor Mackenzie? Father Gustav wants to see you, now." It wasn't a request, and as the two huge men flanked him, holding his arms tight in huge meaty fists, Mackenzie only then started to realise how many things could potentially go wrong with this plan.
They marched across the gravel of the car park and entered the huge house by the side kitchen door. Mac was manhandled into the living room and into a dining chair, secured by his wrists to the wooden arms and then left to his own devices.
He'd been in this living room before, and he remembered it well, furnished in late Victorian reproduction and surrounded in a formation of the tallest bookcases he'd ever seen. The shelves stretching on endlessly, heavy with tome after tome of large and impressive leather bound books. They gave the impression they'd been bought for their ability to match the décor rather than what was between the covers. Much like the bodyguards. Now he sat facing those same books, his back to the door, and his mind screaming about how big a mistake it had been to listen to one of Dean Winchester's plans.
ooooooo
Dean landed hard on the ground, crouching behind a cluster of low bushes and thin trees that provided instant camouflage along the grounds perimeter. As soon as Sam dropped next to him, they both stilled as they heard shouting voices and running feet heading towards the front of the house, signalling that Mackenzie had been discovered…they'd been hoping for a little more time but…
As soon as the voices were distant enough, both hunters started out at a run, Sam purposefully slowing his pace, heading steadily for the row of detached garages along the back of the house. With Dean concealed in the doorframe and Sam ducked down by the side panel of a dark blue Cadillac parked out front, they both stopped to catch a breath.
Then Dean glanced through the small piece of decorative glass mounted in the door and almost yelped.
Startled by the strange noise Sam swung round, looking to his brother and saw him pointing and gesturing madly, mouthed something unintelligible and almost jumping up and down on the spot like a kid who'd just discovered a full Christmas stocking at the end of his bed. He was desperately trying to get his brother's attention…and Sam could only assume that he'd found his girl.
Holding up a hand, Sam pointed index and middle finger towards his own eyes…and then to the big house. Dean nodded profusely, smiling like a clown as he chanced another look through the tiny sheet of glass. When he looked back his brother was still staring at him and pointing, this time right at Dean…and it was accompanied by a piercing frown that willed him to understand…as Sam made a fist and shook it.
Dean's smile faded somewhat and was replaced by cool appraisal as he understood exactly what the 'stay put or else' hand gesture coming from his brother had meant. He nodded stiffly, but just the once. Then he watched as Sam held close to the ground and loped off towards the house, all his attention focused on staying hidden.
Once he was round the corned Dean turned back to the door. He could just as easily 'stay put' inside, couldn't he?
A moment later and the door was hanging from one hinge, a casualty of the swift kick that possibly wasn't Dean's most stealthy move, but was effective none the less. And as far as he was concerned , it was energy well spent.
As he stepped over the threshold, he gasped…this was like no other garage he'd ever seen. The walls were a pale cream whitewash with not a cobweb in sight and the floor was so well swept he doubted there was a spot of dust on it. The array of tools was meticulously displayed along the back wall in a decorative exhibition of metalwork that made him salivate. This was no garage; it was a car showroom, a heaven where all good muscle cars go once they were scrapped…if they'd been good girls that is.
But what drew his attention…what beckoned him home, was the sight of his baby, sitting waiting to be rescued. She was resplendent and shining, which meant someone had given her a polish and that made him bilious.
He laid a protective hand on her bonnet. So they'd both been manhandled by these freakazoids…and payback was gonna be a bitch called Winchester. He ran gentle fingers along the black skin and halted as he reached the trunk, holding his breath and not daring to hope…but with a reassuring click it swung open. They hadn't even bothered to lock her…amateurs.
With a slight tinge of embarrassment at having been taken by these jerks in the first place, he let his fingers find the catch that unlocked the hidden weapons compartment, smiling broadly as it opened to reveal the full array of firearms, crossbows, blades, throwing knives and ammunition. They hadn't found the weapons either…Jeez!
He was feasting on the sight of their stash when a noise outside made him pause. He quickly palmed a blade and dropped low, closing the lid of the trunk as quietly as he could. Someone was taking an interest in the broken door and if it was anyone but Sam, he may be in trouble. Ducking down behind the big rear end of his girl, he caught a glimpse of his visitor, a huge bear in a black monkey suit and patent leather shoes that made his feet look too big for his body.
Definitely not his brother then.
ooooooo
Sam was an expert at not getting spotted, and for a man of his size that was quite a feat. John had drummed into both boys that to be invisible you didn't need to hide, you just needed to know exactly where the enemy was and stay out of their line of sight and both boys had taken that lesson to heart. Moving swiftly from one place of concealment to the next, he could sense almost every movement in the grounds. He watched as two burly men in black jackets exited through the majestic front door, climbed into a car and moved off slowly up the drive…good, that was two less to deal with later.
Leaving the front of the house behind him, he successfully made his way undetected along the East wing and then progressed with the same caution along the South. He checked the shape and layout of the building as he went against the mental map the professor had supplied, moving quickly and efficiently from window to window. And he found Nancy in the fourth room along the South wall, alone and lying on her back on a narrow bed. Her face was turned away and she was deathly still but Sam was relieved to make out the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed.
He couldn't help but smile as he noted the old style sash window, all he'd need was a knife…shouldn't take more than ten seconds to open with the right blade…covering the ground swiftly, he started on his way back to the garage and his brother.
oOo
TBC