Hello! Here's chapter 9! Please review!
Chapter 9
The door slammed shut. The Winchesters slid into the front seat after sticking the demon in the trunk of their car. Cassidy didn't register any of this. Her head was buried in her drawn knees, back heaving with held back sobs.
She could feel Dean's gaze on her before he started the car. He probably thought she was a freak. A monster. An animal. She had lost control. She was out of control. The waterworks started. She let out a horrible sob and her tears slipped down her cheek, leaving trails in the black paint and collecting beneath the mask.
She was suffocating. The mask was suffocating her. Wool itched against her cheek, her nose, smothering her. She needed the damn thing off. The world was growing tighter. Hotter. She yanked off the mask, gasping out large breaths as her throat swelled. Red hair cascaded. Her Braid had come loose during the fight. An ugly sob slipped from her mouth. Cassidy rubbed her eyes and cheeks. Disgusting tears slid down her face, catching on her lips. She could taste the salt. She could taste the stale metallic blood from the times she had been punched. Thrown against the wall by telekinetic force. Neck breaking. So much rage. Her body vibrated with rage. How dare they come into her city and kill her people? How dare they?
Crying. Choking on sobs. She was a mess. She pressed palms against her eyes. Drool probably slipped down her chin slavishly. She was a freak. Disgusting. She banged the back of her head against the seat. Rage. Sorrow. Self-hatred. She drew her knees up once more to her chest.
She could hear Sam and Dean's heartbeat. They were alive. They wouldn't look at her. Their faces stoic. They thought she was monster. They wanted nothing to do with her. That's why they wouldn't look. How could they? She killed. She danced a dance, leaving strewn bodies in her wake. How could they accept her. Another ugly sobbed left her mouth.
Quiet, hushed noises. Rhythmic circles rubbed in her back. Emery understood. Emery would always understand. She lifted a watery gaze, lips trembling. Emery wouldn't look at her. She was a freak. Animal.
"Emery,"her voice trembled. It didn't sound like her. Rough. Disused. Like a beast. She wanted to apologize to Emery. Apologize for dragging him into her messed up world. For coming to him, all those months ago, and spilling her secret. He could have been at Stanford. He could have started graduate school. Been a big shot scientist and helped people around the world. Instead he was here, taking care of her. The mutant. She had ruined his chance and what he got instead was a demon battle with a couple of drifter hunters and a close encounter with death. She had ruined him. Ruined his family. She was poison and, now, she would ruin the Winchesters too.
The hunters would feel responsible for her. The stupid teenage girl who knocked over a beaker because of a rickety stool. They'd need to protect her from demons and other monstrous creatures who would find her a curiosity. She ruined them and they probably hated her. Cassidy sobbed louder, squeezing out a blubbery apology. She endangered her family. She murdered.
Dean grunted out a "What for?" Eyes focused on the road ahead. Tension in his shoulders expressed his own wallowing guilt. He felt guilty. Why would Dean feel guilty? His knuckle's were tight as he gripped the steering wheel. Sam watched him, worry etched in his forehead. Dean radiated frustration, fear. He was frustrated and afraid of her, Cassidy just knew it. That thought brought more tears forward and she buried her head into her arms. The sleeve of his shirt rode up his arm, revealing the strange mark that the young mutant had noticed before. The mark that the hunter rubbed, subconsciously, at.
Emery kept his comforting motion, speaking in hushed whispers. "Just let it out,"he muttered. "Everything's okay. None of it's your fault-"The quiet reassurance continued in a steady stream. She knew it was stupid to cry about. She knew none of it was her fault. But coming down from an adrenaline spike with all the animal emotions wound up tight made her irrational. Her traumatized brain blamed it on her and she accepted the accusations.
"Is she alright,"Sam asked, his voice a whisper. His brows were knitted into worry and he fidgeted in his seat unsure what to do or say to the sobbing teen. He already had enough on his plate with his brother shutting down. Dean had closed up and Sam knew he was beating himself up for giving into the mark. Near the end of the battle, he had started showing superhuman strength that the mark provided. Dean was horrified by his lack of control and his craving for bloodshed, but he wouldn't talk to Sam. Sam wanted him to talk. Needed him to talk, but Dean had thrown up his shields.
Emery nodded. "This is normal,"he replied. Cassidy leaned into his side, allowing her best friend to offer her comfort. "Don't worry about it." Sam grunted, turning away and gave the teen privacy. Emery brushed his fingers through her red hair, before offering her a tissue from the bag. Emery was prepared for everything.
She blew her nose as her emotional outburst came down. She rubbed at her eyes, snuffling. Her head no longer felt stuffed with cotton.
She coughed once. The impala came to an smooth halt. She exited the car with Emery, his hand on her back guiding her. Her head hung, exhaustion aching her body. Sam and Dean exited last. Passing her, they both gave Cassidy a hardy pat on the back. Dean lingered for a moment, adding a comforting squeeze to her shoulder and a reassuring grunt. It's okay the action said before the hunter brushed forward, following his younger brother. Cassidy felt her lips curl in a relieved smile. They didn't hate her. Didn't think she was a freak. She was still Cassidy Jones.
It was a house about an hour outside of Seattle that Gavin Phillips had chosen. Worn down from years of use. The shutters were cracked, hanging from the windows and the white paint pealed from the wooden frame. When the group stepped on the stairs, it groaned and creaked in protest to their combined weight. The wooden patio suffered from water damage and a musty draft exited from the open-door entrance, a screen creaking when Gavin pushed it open to let them through.
The agent had text the Winchesters the location minutes after the battle. Apparently, it used to be a safe house for potential eye witnesses who had firsthand knowledge of worldwide crime-lords. Many were criminals themselves, who had agreed to turn their bosses in for protection in return. Here, Gavin could keep an eye on the individuals before moving them along to a more secure area. Now, her father and Mr. Phillips had changed the safe house into an interrogation room. She could sense four heartbeats, Her parents, Serena,and Gavin. Serena had joined them obviously for research.
Sam and Dean dragged the lethargic demon through the front door, a bag over her head. They led her down into the basement, following Gavin down the flight of stairs. Demon warding symbols and Devil's traps littered the exterior and interior of the house. She knew carefully placed booby traps filled with Holy Water were hidden along the ceiling and would be activated if a threat made appearance. She couldn't even imagine what the basement probably looked like.
Cassidy ran into her mother's open arms, holding her close and fingers knotting her shirt. Serena, though normally not affectionate publicly, pulled Emery into a bone-crushing hug. Her petite, willowy frame was incredibly tiny against her son's broad one. She squeezed her eyes shut as Emery wrapped his own arms around her.
Sam and Dean had explained the drawback. They told their parents about the ambush. She had heard her parents' horror filled gasps as her father drilled the Winchesters with questions. She could see in her father's gaze, blame directed at the two brothers, when they had entered the house. So much blame, even though her father knew it wasn't completely their fault.
Dean muttered a rough apology when passing Drake Jones. She knew her father mostly blamed himself. Drake brushed a hand through his daughter's hair before heading out to make sure all tracks were covered and nothing followed the impala. Serena hadn't fared much better, listening to the account of their night. Cassidy knew that Serena would be forcing a check-up on everyone involved.
"It was horrible,"Cassidy muttered into her mother. Elizabeth hushed, rocking her back and forth.
"It's alright, love,"Elizabeth murmured.
"They just kept coming."Cassidy shivered. "They were so cold. Filled with so much hate and violence." Cassidy glanced up at her mother. "I wouldn't wish those things on anyone." Elizabeth nodded, tightening her hug.
"I need to tell Sam and Dean,"Emery whispered to Serena. Serena shook her head, no. "They have to know, Mom."
"Telling them would expose you,"Serena answered. Emery lowered his head, forehead pressing against his mother's.
"They're good people,"he murmured. "They won't betray Cassidy. They won't betray me." Serena pursed her lips.
"Knowing will benefit them,"Serena, slowly, agreed. Emery bobbed his head. "Help them understand their enemies better and they can figure out a way to slow the demon's down with this new information."
"It's the right choice,"Emery pushed.
"I know,"Serena answered. She pushed away from her son, straightening out her ruffled shirt. She picked up a pen and notepad. "I'm heading downstairs now. Long ago, your father's organization installed a one-way mirror into the basement room." She turned towards the stairs. "We need information on this new enemy if we want success in defeating it." Emery nodded.
"Should I-" Serena shook her head.
"No, stay here and relax,"the geneticist responded. She glanced at the notepad before eyes caught her son's own coal orbs. "I love you." She quickly made her way down the stairs. Serena had been given a real scare. She hadn't realized how close she was to losing her son to supernatural monsters.
He plopped down next to Cassidy, watching as Elizabeth called Nate. Cassidy could hear her brother's reassurance. Everything was fine. Joe had joined Nate after the Phillips explained the situation. Joe's response was 'I always knew demons walked among us.' The three kept an eye on the neighborhood, Nate keeping the weapons close.
Sam yanked on the chain that tied the demon down to the bolt-in chair within the devil's trap. The demon's head lulled back as Dean grabbed pliers, removing the bullet. The demon gasped back into life, coughing up holy water that had leaked into her mouth. Whatever Emery had created, Dean wanted it. He had a lot more respect for the boy after the battle.
Sam stood to one side and Dean was opposite of him. Faces stoic, the brother's circled the monster.
"Winchesters,"She purred, testing out the restraints. "I didn't expect backup." She leaned forward, mouth curling in a nasty grin. "Thought it was just a duo. Nice surprise. I'm always one for surprises."
Dean's eyes narrowed and his hand tightened around his knife, as he, intimidatingly, stepped forward. He pointed the knife. "You're gonna talk,"he informed the demon. The temperature seemed to drop twenty degrees with each word spoken.
"Am I?"The demon feigned innocence, fluttering her hazel eyes. A smile stretched across her face, eyes swallowed by blackness. She lurched forward and Dean punched her hard in the face, the knife grazing steadily against her neck.
"Yeah,"he hissed. "You are." The demon gulped, feeling the burn of the angel blade. "Because if you don't-" His hot breath tickled her nose as he crouched down. "I spent forty years in hell, learning how to make you bitches scream." The demon's eyes hardened, straightening in the metal seat. Dean backed away slowly. The mark pulsed and the demon's eyes narrowed on the design.
"Tell me Dean,"She purred. Her blonde curls bounced as she cocked her head to the side. A cat toying with a mouse attitude. "Did you enjoy it?"
"Enjoy what?"
"You know what,"the monster stated, her tongue grazed her lips as if tasting the metallic blood of her victims. "The agony caused as you drove Cain's blade into your prey. Did you enjoy it Dean?" Dean trembled with rage. "Watching the light leave their eyes. The pleading. Oh, the pathetic pleading. I think you did."
"No,"Dean, firmly, stated. The demon bit the bottom of her red lip in a sultry fashion. She leaned closer to the hunter.
"You're lying,"she singsonged. "You loved it. You loved being one of us." Dean snapped. He drove his fist into her face over and over again. Blood spilled. Hands red. He had no control. He barely registered his brother's shouts. He barely registered Sam's large hands wrapping around his arms and trying to yank him away. He barely registered shoving his brother, Sam hitting the floor with an 'Oomph'. All he saw was her cackling face as she laughed at each violent strike. Singing 'I knew it' over and over again. He didn't register when Gavin came in, helping Sam manhandle him out of the room. All he could hear was her laughter as the door slammed shut behind him.
He registered the shove against the wall. His brother in his face, yelling 'Snap out of it.'
"I'm fine, Sam!"Dean shouted back, pushing his brother away. His head pounded. He was getting worse. He was losing it and he was afraid to look in the mirror. He was afraid to see those eyes. He was supposed to take it easy. Step away from the violence and the alcohol and the junk food, get control of his life. But he couldn't. He didn't have control. He saw the fear in his brother's eyes. Sam. He was supposed to protect Sam. His little brother.
Gavin's hand sat steadily on his glock. Little did he know, Dean couldn't die either. Instead he'd come back a monster. A beast darker than any nightmare imagined. He hated himself. Hated what he was becoming. His breaths were heavy and he could hear rustling upstairs as the teens' attempted to join the chaos. Elizabeth kept them upstairs.
"You're not fine!"Sam yelled right back, shoving once more. He ran a trembling hand through his coarse hair. Dean was breaking him. Dean was breaking Sam.
"I'm handling it,"Dean stated, voice calmer. He had to calm himself. Had to calm the rage. Sam scoffed, backing away. His blue eyes accusatory.
"You call that 'handling it',"Sam retorted. He was tense. They were all tense. "That's not 'handling it.' that's the complete opposite of 'handling it'." Sam leaned against the wall, his lips thin. He was exhausted. They were all exhausted. "She got to you-"
Dean bowed his head. "I'm doing the best I can,"Dean whispered. His body ached. He felt like he had been hit by a thousand freight trains.
"I know,"Sam whispered. "We just need to find a-"
"There is no way,"Dean ended. His gaze shifted away from his brother. He was ashamed. Sam rubbed his bruised elbow. Dean's brow quirked and guilt clogged his throat. He was choking on guilt.
"Did I hurt you?"His voice trembled. He was a monster. A freak. Sam huffed. His brother trailed a tired hand down his face.
"I'm okay,"he assured. Dean didn't believe him.
"What was it talking about?"Serena. The petite woman stepped forward, pushing her glasses up her nose as her lips pursed in scientific curiosity and concern.
"Long story,"Dean muttered. He couldn't meet the Phillips' eyes.
Gavin's eyes narrowed. "I'd like to know what the hell happened in there,"Gavin stated, his broad frame blocking the exit. His hand still resting on the holster. They wouldn't let it slide. Dean's lips lifted in a snarl of disgust. He yanked down the sleeve of his shirt, revealing the mark.
"I've been marked,"he explained. "By Cain. Father of murder." Gavin took a deep breath before nodding his head to continue. "It gives me a ridiculous amount of strength and an insatiable need to kill."
"Dean,"Sam warned.
"Can it Sam,"Dean barked. "They need to know what they're dealing with. It's only fair." Sam sighed and leaned back against the wall.
"Why?"Serena asked. "Why were you marked?"
"Because I needed to kill Abaddon and the mark was the only way,"Dean explained.
"Alright,"Gavin responded. The agent was taking this rather well. "What else should we be worried about. Besides murder and strength."
"If the first blade is in my possession, it will make me more powerful,"Dean explained.
"Where is the first blade?"
"Hidden,"Dean answered. "And I can't die."
Serena's brows quirked. "Like Cassidy?"
Dean shrugged. "But, unlike Cassidy, I come back a monster."
"A demon,"Gavin confirmed. He couldn't fully face the Agent. Even though the agent wasn't staring at him with hate or disgust. He could see the Agent's mind ticking as he tried to figure out a solution to the new issue."Alright,"Gavin sounded out. "Is there a way-"
"No,"Dean answered with a shake of his head. "I'm stuck with it forever."
"We've tried to slow the process down by keeping him calm,"Sam piped up. "No hunts for a while, but-"
"It's hard in your line of work,"Gavin confirmed. Sam nodded. "I see." He took his hand off the holster. "Sam, you're going to help me with interrogation,"Gavin stated, taking charge. "Dean." He narrowed his eyes. "You're going upstairs." Gavin turned, heading back towards the door.
"What?"Dean snapped.
"I'd rather not have a repeat."
"Sam,"Dean tried. Sam shrugged and shook his head. He followed the Agent back into the room, leaving Dean as Serena retreated back into the other room to observe.
Gavin dragged a stool, scraping it against the cement flooring. He spun it around, gracefully sitting, and faced the demon. Sam stood behind him, arms crossed.
"Well,well, well,"The demon cooed. "A new face. What's your name, hotstuff?"
"Who made the deal?"Gavin clipped. The demon giggled.
"Straight to the point, I see,"she answered back.
"Sam,"Gavin spoke. "Hand me the holy water." Sam gave him the holy water. Gavin tossed it. The demon howled, steam coming off her skin in tendrils.
"Who made the deal?"Gavin repeated. She snarled, snapping her teeth. Gavin nodded at Sam and the hunter dumped more holy water on the demon. The interrogation tactic repeated over and over again.
Dean paced. The floorboards squeaking under each step he made. He knew the Joneses and Emery were watching him. Most likely, Cassidy had heard his conversation with Gavin and Serena and now knew what sort of monster he was. That's what he was after all. A monster.
He continued his worried pace, knowing his brother and Gavin could be making leeway or hitting a brick wall depending on how loyal the demon was. Cassidy sat between her parents, both hugging her close. Emery sat at the edge of the sheet covered couch. His face unreadable, but Dean knew he was worried about his parents.
Shit. He should be down there. He shouldn't have lost his calm. But after the fight and the drive, followed by a demon taunting, he lost it. Just like he'll lose it in the future, becoming the new father of murder. Dean gulped. Sawdust. His throat felt like sawdust. He needed water. Beer. Something to wash it down. But he knew this feeling would never be quenched.
"Dean." Cassidy. He turned towards the redhead. Shame. Too much shame. "Every thing will be okay." She seemed sure. And he knew those words weren't just about his brother. They were more for him. About him. Cassidy understood caged monsters. He had seen it in her eyes. The feral, uncontrollable rage. The same rage he had. She could snap too. She also couldn't die. Their eyes linked in a mutual understanding. A tired boy, stuck in a hunter's body, and a teenage girl, afraid of the animal within.
He continued his nervous pace. A caged animal.
A loud rap at the door drew Dean from his nervous pacing. The rap gave him a purpose. Everyone's heads turned. Cassidy growled, hackles rose. Whatever was at the door made Cassidy's skin crawl just like the demon. The demon. Dean understood her warning, unsheathing his knife. He approached the door with cautious steps. Elizabeth and Drake stood. Emery rounded the corner, retrieving the modified gun he brought in.
The door flew open, sending Dean back. A squat man stood in the opening. His hair was thinning on top his head and he sported a nicely trimmed beard. He wore a suit which spoke greatly of status. Brown eyes lit up when he spotted the hunter.
"Squirrel,"He greeted, entering the house. "I was trying to be polite, but honestly you were taking far too long to answer. So, I thought I'd just let myself in." He glanced around the room, ignoring the four other people. He side-stepped a devil's trap and avoided a trip wire."Where's Moose?"
"What are you doing here, Crowley?"Dean deadpanned. So, this was Crowley. King of Hell. Little short in Cassidy's opinion. But the danger he radiated told the young mutant that he would twist a neck without any remorse.
"Here to see the traitor of course,"Crowley answered, pocketing his hands. "Which you failed to call. Shame on you, Winchester." His tone painted an image of a parent reprimanding a child.
"You had us followed?"Dean wasn't amused. In fact, he looked downright furious.
"Had to make sure you kept your word,"Crowley hummed as he glided a finger over a dusty shelf. He grimaced at the muck before pulling out a handkerchief and wiped his hands. "Which you didn't. But that's fine, I'm here now. Where's the traitor?" He quirked his head to the side and Emery flinched, bringing a hand to his temple. "Downstairs? Excellent."
Faster than even Cassidy could register, Dean had Crowley up against the wall. His arm pressing into the demon's throat. His other hand on the blade. "No,"Dean hissed. Cassidy crouched, ready to fight, if the situation called for it.
"Dean,"Crowley attempted to reason. "Is this really the way to treat a friend." Dean sneered.
"You're not a friend until you start talking,"Dean grunted. There was fear in Crowley's eyes, Cassidy could see it. The king was afraid of Dean. Of what he was and what he will become. Honestly, the young mutant couldn't blame him. The conversation had scared her.
"What would you like to know?"Crowley asked, relenting. "And will you get off me, people will start to talk." Dean loosened his grip, backing away from his questionable ally.
"Why send us, when you know where the traitors are?"
"Because they have an agreement with a bio-weapon,"Crowley explained. "One that could kill a demon with just a finger to the heart." He brushed off his suit, straightening his tie. "And between you and me, I like my heart. Maybe it's a few sizes too small, but at least it keeps me kicking."
Dean rolled his eyes. "What is it?"
"I don't know,"Crowley responded. Honest. The demon was telling the truth. "When I sent some of my men out to deal with the traitors, they returned to me dead with a warning note in their dry-cleaned suits."
"And you thought sending me and Sam out there to finish your dirty work was a good idea,"Dean snapped.
"Well,"the demon stated, spreading out his hands. "You both have defeated the odds before. Tell me Dean, How many times have you died and come back?" Dean didn't answer. Crowley hummed. "Exactly." Cassidy could only guess multiple times.
He side-stepped the hunter, heading towards the stairway. Dean followed closely, hands balled in fists. The door opened to threats and screaming. Crowley took his time heading to the basement level. The others followed the hunter and demon closely. The screams grew louder and Cassidy winced.
And through the shouts and threats an answer was born. "Lily White!" the demon snarled. "Her name is Lily White!"
Cassidy froze, eyes widened in shock. "No,"the redhead whispered.
Sorry Castiel didn't show up in this chapter. Either next or following. Answers will be continued next chapter and we'll find out what Emery needs to tell Dean and Sam. I hope you enjoyed it. Until next time.