Chapter 25: Vermillion

Sarah yanked back the head of her victim and leaned into young boy's ear. 'I have a few questions to ask of you.'

The young boy only laughed in reply as his eyes turned black and then shook his head to convey his intended silence. She continued to hold the boy who was dressed as an alter boy of the Church. He couldn't have been more than 15 years old but this didn't matter to Sarah.

'For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve' She whispered softly in his ear.

'2 Corinthians 11:13-15' was all the boy stammered as cold realization crept over him.

'The servants of Hell are more predictable than I remember.' She shoved the boy to the ground and watched as he cowered from her.

'Sari…'

'Never let my true name pass your lips.' The boy could only nod in return. 'I am here to question you.'

'I won't say a word.' Sarah bent down and let her eyes glow yellow as her gaze bore into his.

'If you know who I am then you would also be aware of the pain I will inflict on you if you should choose not to cooperate. I want to know everything about Dean Winchester's deal.'

'There is nothing to tell. He made a deal. His soul in exchange for Sam Winchester's life. It can't be broken.' Sarah narrowed her eyes at the boy and watched as he stirred uncomfortably.

'You lie. Deals can always be broken. There are loop holes in all contracts of Hell.'

'Not this one. It is iron clad. Nothing can save Dean Winchester's soul from eternal damnation.'

'Who holds his contract?' To this the boy backed away whilst shaking his head vigorously.

'If you continue to withhold information I'll be forced to torture you and it will get messy.'

'I don't know who holds his contract, I swear. I just make some deals on occasion but I'm low level. Nothing like a demon running the crossroads.' Sarah tilted her head as she regarded the boy with interest.

'All demons who make deals know who the contracts belong to. I'll give you one more chance to confess.' The demon seemed to mull it over for a few minutes unsure of which path to take.

'I can't. She'll do worse things to me if I tell.'

'Then go back to your master.' Sarah began a slow chant but as the words sunk in to the young boy he started to scream. Soon his body shuddered and shook as his demon soul was slowly torn from its host. Thick black mist spat from his mouth and sunk to the ground, turning to ash as it made contact with the marble floor.

'I never figured I'd find you in a Church.' Came a voice behind her. Sarah knew the voice instantly and grinned as he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

'I must go where the hordes of Hell reside.'

'The boy didn't survive.' She glanced down at the body and noted how young he was.

'Unfortunate but a reality in times like these.'

'A harsh attitude.'

'Perhaps it is. I find it necessary to become detached but it's hard with Eve's thoughts and memories clouding my mind.' To this the man laughed and she turned to him suddenly furrowing her brow.

'Why do you mock me?'

'History is doomed to repeat itself. Your love for Dean will destroy you.' Sarah swallowed hard at the reminder of her past. A reminder of her weakness. A reminder that she is no longer her former self. That Eve was her and she was Eve. That every feeling Eve felt Sarah felt also. That the love Eve felt for Dean Winchester was still there.

'I have to save him. If not for me, for John.'

'Ah yes, how could I forget the other Winchester you love.'

'Why are you here?' His features turned serious as he looked up at the stained glass panes to the rear of the Church.

'I've come to warn you.'

'Warn me about what?'

'Stop interfering. It'll be your end if you continue.'

'Then it'll be my end.' Sarah replied with a slight smile.

Dean sat quietly on a park bench in a place he couldn't remember the name of. But that didn't matter. It provided so much comfort and details like that were unnecessary.

The sun beat down on him and slowly warmed his clothes. There was a slight breeze but nothing that would take away the glorious heat the sun provided.

He closed his eyes and let his mind go blank. It was the only time he could truly forget all the trouble he was in and let his mind wonder into weird and wonderful places.

'It's very beautiful here.' He abruptly opened his eyes to see Eve sitting casually beside him. She was exactly as he remembered. Her chin length cherry red hair shone brilliantly in the sun and her smile was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

'I've missed you.' Dean reached out and entwined his fingers in hers.

'I know.' He studied her, making sure he memorised every detail. She wore dark jeans and a simple white tank. Eve turned to look at him and there was pity in her eyes.

'Why do you do this to yourself?'

'What?' he asked.

'You have to let me go Dean.' He furrowed his brow in confusion as he tried to comprehend what she was saying.

'This is a dream. Nothing more.'

'What?' Was all he could say.

'You're still holding onto me and it's killing you.'

'But I let him exorcise you…' Dean looked away unable to meet her powerful gaze.

'I forgave you a long time ago.'

'A long time ago? What do you mean?' Eve cast her eyes down to their hands as he began to hold her tighter, waiting for her to respond.

'Time moves differently in Hell. I was there for decades before the Devil's Gate opened. I've had more than enough time.'

'Decades?' She reached out with her free hand and pressed her palm to the side of his face. Dean shut his eyes and let the feel of her skin wash over him.

'Sometimes I forget how young you are. There are so many things you don't know about this world and the next. There are so many things you will learn in the months to come.'

They sat together in a comfortable silence until the sun disappeared behind the trees in the distance. Dean hadn't realised he was sleeping until he was jolted awake by a gentle tap on the shoulder. He turned to check that Eve was still there but she was no longer Eve.

'Hello again.' Sarah said with a grin. There was no mistaking the dark brown hair that hung past her shoulders and the yellow of her eyes. He pulled away from her and couldn't hide the disgust in his eyes.

'Always so happy to see me Dean. Do I really disgust you that much? Or are you just disgusted with yourself that I don't?'

'You're a demon.' She nodded.

'When are you going to stop holding that against me? Everything I've done since escaping the Pit has been for you. There is a legion of demons who want me dead and it'll all because of what I've done for you.'

'And could they really do it?'

'What? Kill me?' Sarah laughed at this and shook her head. 'There are fates worse than death Dean. You'll find out what I mean when you see the Pit for yourself.' He contemplated this for a moment, trying to imagine what Hell would be like. But he doubted his imagination would be capable of coming up with anything close. It didn't seem real. Not yet. Everyday it got closer and still be didn't quite believe it would happen. Something would stop it. Sam would find a way. There would be some last minute effort that would save him from eternal damnation.

'Why would you help me?'

'Honestly?' Dean nodded waiting for a reply.

'Because John asked me to.' He was in shock at the mention of his father. It was the last thing he expected her to say.

'Dad asked you to help me? Bullshit.'

'Why do you always think I'm lying? I don't lie.'

'If that were true, why would you care what he wanted?' Sarah smiled and it was as if she were recalling some fond memory. There didn't seem to be any lies in her expression.

'I hold a lot of respect for John. He accepted me for what I was a long time ago. I owe him everything.' Again there was no lie in her voice. There was only respect mixed with sadness.

'You saw him in Hell?' Dean was afraid of what she might say. He didn't want to hear how his father was being tortured.

'Yes. And I was the one that pulled him out of the Gate.'

'What?'

'Sorry Dean. It's time to wake up.' She grabbed his by the shoulder and her touch sent a joint through his body. And when he blinked again he was lying in his bed in the motel he couldn't remember the name of.