Everyone had split up. Bromley, Hoskin, Mr. And Mrs. Volkov had gone to the south of the town, vowing to meet up with them on the other side. Jill, Melinda, Castiel and Seth were the left to take the North.
They walked in an awkward V formation. Melinda and Jill as the two focal points in the front, Castiel walking closely behind. Seth trailed off to the back, looking around at the ruins of the dusty city. The roads were cracked and buildings were destroyed. Windows were smashed in. Broken and stalled cars lay all around. There was no sign of life but their own, and that lack of life made even the slightest of paranoia they had grow.
"I shot my husband out of self-defense." Jill stated quietly. Her opening statement caught Melinda's attention, but it was the strength in her voice that kept her intrigued.
"He was rabid, but I knew it wasn't him. Josh once said he wouldn't dream of hurting me. In the end, when it came down to it, he was the one who was going to die, not me." Jill's voice trailed off. "I know that sounds bad, but he would have infected me, so which is worse?"
Killing her husband was the smart decision, Melinda thought.
"I just.. when it's my time to go, I just hope Josh can forgive when I reach the other side, you know?"
Melinda remained quiet, listening to Jill speak about her past events. Jill was 41, no children, no family, recently made widow and hunter. Life must have been lonely for Jill, and Melinda felt bad for her. Then she thought about how highly Jill spoke of Bromley and the rest. Her and Adam connected well, what with both of them coming from Oregon and whatnot. Jill seemed like a mother to their little clan, even to Melinda who hadn't even known her for a day. Jill volunteered to go with Castiel and Melinda, just beacuse Seth was that sketchy, and could not be trusted.
"Melinda," Jill turned her head, "It's okay if you don't want tot alk about this, but, you really knew Dean and Sam Winchester?"
Melinda wasn't quiet sure how to handle the question. She turned her head, glancing at Castiel a brief moment, then looked at Jill.
"Yes, I've known them for years."
"Gosh, it must have come as a terrible shock when you found out what happend. Were you close with them?"
Melinda shook her head. "Not really." She fibbed.
"Adam and the others... they just can't seem to pity them. They only feel hatred for them. Gosh, I feel bad. I couldn't imagine the pressure they had on their shoulders. Poor souls."
Jill looked tot he ground, shaking her head with sympathy. Melinda looked straight ahead. She remembered the past months when they were still alive. What the dealt with, the lengths they went through in order to rest their eyes and catch a few hours of sleep. How they were forced to waste their last moments of life running from the inevitable.
Melinda's mouth went dry. Images of them came back. Their smiles, the light in their eyes. Their mannerisms, their habits, the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of them. She could hear their laughter ringing in the back of her head. She shook her head violently, blinking a few times to erase the memories. She picked up her walking pace and pretended nothing was wrong.
Dean's glock rested warmly in her hand as she swayed her arms back and forth. They group of was silent again, until they reached the obvious outskirts of the town. There was nothing but fields and farmland acres from the city they found themselves alone in.
"This looks like the end. We've have to loop around and meet up with the others around 12," Jill checked the watch on her right hand, "but we have time to kill for now."
Melinda and Castiel stood beside each other facing Jill, meanwhile, Seth explored the streets not far away. They took their turns throwing him glares.
"You two go ahead. I'll watch him." Castiel volunteered, his voice low.
Melinda remembered Castiel had something gravely important to speak to her about, and he still hasn't said anything. It made Melinda nervous Castiel would be alone with him. She looked at Seth worriedly, then at Cas.
"John," Melinda called him by his alias, tugging at his arm, "Be careful." She whispered.
"Go." Castiel gestured his chin to go with Jill. Both girls looked at Castiel,t ehn each other, before making their own way along the borders of the city. Castiel waited until the disappeared, then before he turned around, he reach to his back, slowly pulling out the gun. He turned, and thankfully, Seth was facing the other way.
Castiel charged at him. Seth turned around, his face surprised. Castiel threw him against a wall of a building. Seth grunted as his back collided with the cement. Castiel stuck the barrel of the gun to Seth's chest, staring deep into the man's dark eyes, hoping to crush Seth's spirit and tell him everything Castiel wanted to know.
"You are not fooling anyone," Castiel drove the gun into his chest, his face only millimetres from Seth's. "I know who you are." His voice was low, but growling. Castiel breathed through his nose like a bull ready to charge.
"Brother, I'm glad you remembered." The man formley known as Seth smiled.
"Sabriel.," Castiel slurred out the angel's name. "I though you died like the others."
"I've been protected this whole time." Sabriel smirked.
"I don't believe you. Why are you here?" Castiel demanded he knew.
"I have every right to be here has much as you do, young Castiel." Sabriel shifted under the gun.
"Why are you here?" Castiel pushed the gun closer to Sabriel's heart.
Sabriel flinched at it, knowing Castiel could pull the trigger and kill him immediately.
"It's my turn to do the protecting."
Castiel waited a moment, not quiet sure where he was getting at. "These people do not need you." His words were cold and sharp and unwelcoming. Cas was debating on lowering the gun, but if he let his guard down, the hunter could easily become the hunted, and Sabriel could get a hold of Cas's gun and kill him.
Sabriel smirked widely. "No, they dont," he paused, "but you're girlfriend does."
Castiel shot Sabriel with his eyes. They narrowed in on Sabriel, warning him.
"You touch her, and I'll kill you. You stay away from her, you understand?" Castiel dug the gun directly into Sabriel's clothing, dirctly over his heart.
"The only reason Daddy hasn't pulled you away yet is because you've been doing a good job of keeping her safe." Sabriel spat, growing increasingly serious.
"What does God care? She worthless to him, just like everyone else."
Sabriel lifted his lips into a small smile. "Not since Lucifer won."
Partially intrigued, Castiel slowly loweed the gun, not entirely certain of the situation he found himself in. He said nothing.
"Melinda is God's back up plan. It's in her blood."
"She can't be a vessel. Not for anyone, she won't allow it!" Castiel snapped. After what her brother's went through, it's the last thing she'll ever do.
"Calm yourself," Sabriel found the strength to push Castiel and his gun off of him. Castiel staggered backwards a little, the gun still pointing straight at Sabriel. "Melinda is only half vital."
"What does that mean?" Castiel asked.
Sabriel smiled. Finally, he had reached the main attraction.
"Her child is what's going to save the world."