No One's POV
The next morning Sam, Dean, and Castiel prepare leave, bidding good bye to Erin and Gabriel with a promise to Erin to keep in touch.
But now, after hours back on the road, leaving Erin and Gabriel back in Tennessee, a distant mark in the rear view mirror, Castiel had once more disappeared, where he had flown off to, Sam and Dean didn't know.
Frankly, both Castiel and Gabriel had been very cryptic about things regarding Erin and the past they clearly shared with her. The only information they had managed to pry from the two was the fact Erin held the angelic soul of Cassiel, Castiel's lost twin and Gabriel's best friend. On the rest of her history, the two refused to share, either because it was painful memories or out of pure defensiveness the Winchesters couldn't tell.
Gabriel guarded her fiercely, in fact the Winchesters had never seen Gabriel so defensive and well, Archangel-ish, and Castiel, it was obvious he was unsettled after coming to terms with the fact his twin was not dead, even if she didn't remember him.
"Drive faster, Dean." Sam urges, the Impala flying down the empty highway.
"I can't! Are you okay?" Dean says, glancing at his brother.
"Yeah, I'm amazing." Sam snorts sarcastically.
"You ever seen that many?" Dean asks.
"No. No way, not in one place." Sam shakes his head.
"What the hell?" Dean asks, the Impala wheels screeching to a stop in front of a person in the middle of the road and the blockade. "Damn it!"
"Well that's something you don't see every day." Dean comments, as the demons chasing them are exorcised.
"You two alright?" The man asks.
"Peachy." Dean snarks.
"Be careful. It's… Dangerous around here." The man warns.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait." Dean says, getting out of the car.
"No need to thank us." The man says.
"No, hold up a sec! Who are you?" Dean questions, gesturing to the town beyond the blockade.
"We're the Sacrament Lutheran Militia."
"I'm sorry- the what?" Dean says, looking shocked.
"I hate to tell you this, but those were demons and this is the Apocalypse. So… Buckle up."
"Looks like we're in the same line of business." Sam speaks up.
"And among colleagues. That's a police-issued shotgun. That truck is, uh… Inspired. Where'd you guys pick up all this crap?"
"You know you pick things up along the way." Another man speaks.
"Guys, come on. This whole corner of the state is nuts with demon omens. We just want to help. That's all." Dean tries to placate.
"We're on the same team here. Just talk to us." Sam tries.
"Follow us."
Giving each other a look, Sam and Dean hop back into Baby, following the men past the blockade into town. By early morning they pull into the parking lot of the local church to talk to the pastor.
"Who would have thought the Apocalypse could be so romantic? Marriage, family- it's a blessing. Especially in times like this. So hold on to that." Pastor Gideon, leader of the town talks.
"Yeah. We've had eight so far this week." A man named Paul comments, who has lead Sam and Dean to the Pastor.
"So, Rob tells me you boys hunt demons." Pastor Gideon says, as Sam and Dean follow the pastor out of the church with the crowd celebrating the wedding.
"Uh… Yes sir." Sam says.
"You missed a few." Pastor Gideon says.
"Yeah. Tell us about it. Any idea why they're here?" Sam questions.
"They sure seem to like us, though. Follow me, gentlemen." Pastor Gideon beckons back into the church basement.
"So, you're a preacher?" Dean says eyeing Pastor Gideon and the gun he has on his hip.
"Not what you expected, huh?" Pastor Gideon says.
"Well, dude, you're packing." Dean shrugs.
"Strange times."
"Is that a twelve-year-old packing salt rounds?" Dean questions.
"Everybody pitches in." Pastor Gideon says mildly.
"So, the whole church?" Sam asks.
"The whole town."
"A whole town full of hunters. I don't know whether to run screaming or buy a condo." Dean jokes.
"Well the demons were killing us. We had to do something." Pastor Gideon explains.
"So why not call the National Guard?" Sam questions.
"We were told not to." Pastor Gideon says quietly.
"By who?"
"Come on, Padre. You're as locked and loaded as we've ever seen. And that exorcism was Enochian. Someone's telling you something." Dean says.
"Look, I'm sorry, I, uh, I can't discuss it." Pastor Gideon apologizes after a moment of silence.
"Dad, it's okay."
"Leah-" Pastor Gideon starts.
"It's Sam and Dean Winchester. They're safe. I know all about them." Leah says.
"You do?" Dean asks.
"Sure. From the angels." Leah answers.
"The angels. Awesome." Dean snorts.
"Don't worry. They can't see you here. The… Marks on your ribs, right?" Leah answers.
"So, you know all about us because angels told you?" Sam asks.
"Yes. Among other things." Leah answers rather vaguely.
"Like the snappy little exorcism spell." Dean says.
"And they show me where the demons are going to be, before it happens. How to fight back." Leah explains.
"Never been wrong. Not once. She's very special." Pastor Gideon says proudly.
"Dad…" Leah says embarrassed.
"And let me guess. Before you see something, you get a really bad migraine, you see flashing lights?" Dean questions.
"How'd you know?" Leah asks.
"Cause you're not the first prophet we've met. But you are the cutest." Dean says. "I mean that with total respect, of course."
Later that day, after settling into a motel, Sam and Dean walk to Paul's Tavern to have a drink and call Castiel, both hoping their angelic friend was safe and for back up. Both Sam and Dean were worried for their angelic friend's emotional state and how he was handling things after the two crushing blows within the last several days.
"You have reached the voicemail box of…" Castiel's voicemail rings. "I don't understand why, why do you want me to say my name?"
Several buttons are pressed before the beep rings.
"Cas, hey, uh, it's me. So we are in Blue Earth, Minnesota, and um, we could use a little help. I… Hope you get this." Sam talks, finally hanging up before walking over to Paul.
"Busy night?" Sam asks.
"I'm telling you, since The End started, it's been like one long last call. That round's on me." Paul answers as Sam picks up two drinks.
"Thanks." Sam says.
"So, did you get a hold of Cas?" Dean asks as Sam walks back over.
"Yeah, I left him a message. I think. So uh, what's your theory? Why all of the demon hits?" Sam responds.
"I don't know. Gank the girl? The prophet, maybe?" Dean questions.
"What?" Dean questions as Sam shakes his head.
"Just these angels are sending these people to do their dirty work." Sam says.
"Yeah. And?" Dean shrugs.
"And they could get ripped to shreds." Sam points out.
"We're all gonna die, Sam. In like a month- maybe two. I mean it. This is the end of the world, but these people aren't freaking out. In fact they're running to the exit in an orderly fashion. I don't know that that's such a bad thing." Dean says.
"Who says they're all gonna die? What ever happened to us saving them?" Sam questions.
Suddenly the church bells begin to toll and people begin to mass exit.
"Something I said?" Dean jokes.
"Paul. What's going on?" Sam asks.
"Leah's had another vision." Paul answers.
"Wanna go to church?" Sam suggests.
"You know me- downright pious." Dean snarks, both Dean and Sam following the crowd towards the church.
"Three miles off Talmadge Road." Pastor Gideon speaks to the crowd as Dean and Sam enter the church.
Leah continues to whisper to her father.
"Five miles. There are demons gathered. I… Don't know how many, but a lot. Thank you, Leah. So, who's going to join me?"
"Wouldn't miss it." Rob immediately volunteers.
"Someone's got to cover Rob's ass." Paul comments.
"We're in, Padre." Dean volunteers.
"Thank you. I'd like to offer a prayer. 'Our Father in Heaven…'" Pastor Gideon starts.
"Yeah, not so much." Dean mutters.
"Help us to fight in your name. We ask that you protect us from all servants of evil. Guide our hands in defeating them, and deliver us home, safely. Thank you, Amen." Pastor Gideon finishes.
In the woods, Pastor Gideon directs the team into battle as the demons approach, both Pastor Gideon and Dylan speaking an Enochian exorcism.
"I guess that's what it's like, huh?" Sam sighs a little wistfully.
"What?" Dean asks.
"Having backup." Sam answers.
"Dean. Sam." Dylan motions.
"Yo." Dean says.
"Hey. So, um, is- is that- is that cool that I get a ride back with you guys?" Dylan asks.
"Hey, you've saved my ass twice already. One more time, you can drive. Get a beer?" Dean says, smiling. "Hey, you earned it. Don't tell your mom."
"Oh, believe me- I will not." Dylan grins.
"Dylan!" Dean screams, watching as Dylan is attacked by a demon and killed.
"No!" Dean screams, horrified.
Returning to the town and the church basement to reload and debrief, Dean and Sam walk up to Dylan's mother to tell her the news.
"Ma'am, we're just, um, very sorry." Dean apologizes.
"You know… This is your fault." Jane, Dylan's mother accuses.
"Jane. Come on." Rob says.
"I wish I knew what to say. But I don't. I'm so sorry, Jane, Rob. There are no words. Dylan… I don't know why this happened. I don't know why any of this is happening. I got no easy answers. But what I do know is- Leah, honey?" Pastor Gideon pauses, having been talking to the congregation as Leah falls and has a seizure. "Leah, honey? Honey? It's okay sweetie. It's okay."
"Dad, its Dylan." Leah says.
"Just rest a minute, huh?" Pastor Gideon hushes.
"No, listen. Dylan's coming back." Leah says.
"Jeez." Rob says.
"Jane, Rob… It's going to be okay. You'll see Dylan again. When the final day comes, Judgement Day, he'll be resurrected and you'll be together again. We'll all be together. With all our loved ones. We've been chosen. The angels have chosen us. And we will be given paradise on earth. All we have to do is follow the angels' commandments." Leah announces.
"No drinking, no gambling, no premarital sex. Dean, they basically just outlawed ninety percent of your personality." Sam jokes, now in their hotel after the announcement earlier that day in the church.
"Yeah, well, whatever. When in Rome." Dean snorts.
"So, uh… You're cool with it?" Sam asks.
"I'm not cool. I'm not, not cool. I'm just, look man, I'm not a prophet. We're not locals. It's not my call. I'll catch up with you." Dean says, heading back to the church office to talk to Leah.
"This a bad time?" Dean knocks on the church office doorway.
"In general. Now's okay."
"Angel stuff really takes it out of you, huh?" Dean questions.
"Can't complain. I know you have it worse. So… What's on your mind, Dean?" Leah acquiesces.
"Don't take this the wrong way but… Are you on the level?" Dean sighs.
"About what?"
"About paradise." Dean replies.
"What about it?" Leah asks.
"I want to know what the angels are telling you. Everything." Dean questions.
"Well, uh…"
"You can skip the rainbows." Dean says.
"There's gonna be a prize-fight. And… It's gonna get bad. But after we win- and we will- the planet gets handed over to the chosen. And… It's finally peaceful. No monsters, no disease, no death. You're just… With the people you love." Leah explains.
"Of course, that's if you can get past the velvet rope. Must be nice- being chosen." Dean says.
"Well, Dean… You're chosen." Leah says.
"Yeah, more like cursed." Dean says bitterly.
"Must be hard. Being the Vessel of Heaven and having no hope." Leah says with sympathy.
With Dean having left the motel, Sam decided to head back to Paul's Tavern.
"Hey. So what happened to, uh, 'the Apocalypse is good for business'?"
"Oh yeah, right up until Leah's angel pals banned the good stuff. Wanna help me kill some inventory?" Paul asks.
"Sure." Sam shrugs.
"Don't get me wrong. I grew up here. I love this town, but uh, well, these holy rollers?" Paul comments.
"Yeah, yeah, I uh, I noticed you're not the praying type." Sam comments.
"Yeah, well, between you and me, neither are half those guys. A couple of months back, they're all in here, getting wasted, banging the nanny. Now they're all Warriors of God. Cheers." Paul says.
"Cheers."
"Look, there's sure as hell demons. And maybe there is a God. I don't know. Fine. But I'm not a hypocrite. I never prayed before and I ain't starting now. If I go to hell, I'm going honest. How 'bout you?" Paul asks.
"What about me?" Sam asks.
"Not a true believer, I take it." Paul says.
"I believe, yeah. I do. I'm just. Pretty sure God stopped caring a long time ago." Sam admits.
Later that night, both Sam and Dean return to the motel they were staying at for the time being.
"Where you been?" Dean questions.
"Drinkin'." Sam shrugs, sitting on his bed.
"You rebel." Dean snorts.
"I'd have had more, um, but it was curfew." Sam says.
"Right."
"You hear they shut down the cell towers?" Sam comments.
"No. That's, uh, news to me." Dean shakes his head.
"Yeah. No cable, internet. Total cut off from the 'corruption of the outside world'." Sam snorts.
"Huh." Dean snorts.
"Don't you get it? They're turning this place into some kind of fundamentalist compound." Sam looks a little weirded out.
"No, I get it." Dean replies.
"And all you've got's a 'hmm?' What's wrong with you?" Sam questions.
"I get it. I just don't care." Dean shrugs.
"What?" Sam says, looking shocked.
"What difference does it make?" Dean questions.
"It makes a hell of a-" Sam sputters out. "At what point does this become too far for you? Stoning? Poisoned Kool-Aid? The angels are toying with these people!"
"Angel world, angel rules, man." Dean says.
"And since when is that okay with you?" Sam rages.
"Since the angels' got the only lifeboats on the Titanic. I mean, who exactly is supposed to come along and save these people? It was supposed to be us, but we can't do it." Dean explodes back.
"So what? You wanna, you wanna just want to stop fighting, roll over?" Sam fights back.
"I don't know, maybe." Dean shrugs.
"Don't say that." Sam denies.
"Why not?" Dean asks.
"Cause you can't do this." Sam shakes his head.
"Actually, I can." Dean says.
"No you can't. You can't do this to me." Sam denies. "I got one thing, one thing, keeping me going. You think you're the only one white-knuckling it here, Dean? I can't count on anyone else. I can't do this alone."
"Dean." Sam tries again when Dean makes no comment.
"I got to clear my head." Dean says, getting up and moving towards the door.
"It's past curfew. It's past curfew." Sam points out.
Edited 2/12/19