Reality TV: Second thoughts
My body slumped against the pulpit. Pain seared into my brain as I tried to stay alert and awake. Ruby sat in the pew across from me eating candies and fruits from a tray that she had materialized for herself. "Hungry?" She offered me a chocolate covered strawberry. Feeling my stomach twist I grimaced and shook my head no. "Suit yourself!" She smile showing me her white blocky teeth before she popped the strawberry into her mouth.
I shifted my weight feeling the skin on my back stick to the hard wood behind me. The bandages that Ruby had given me were soaked through. I could feel my life force leaving me. I struggled to breath, "Ruby?"
She looked up at me, "Hold on just a few seconds longer sister dear. Then it will all be over."
I coughed hearing something rattle around in my chest, "Not to sound ungrateful here, but I'm not sure I have a few more minutes."
Ruby grimaced at me forcing the tray she had been holding to disappear. "What did Malachi do to you?" She wasn't asking me a question just talking to herself now. I coughed again grunting against the pain. "No, no, no this will not do." Her voice was prim and proper. She stood up from the pew and came closer to me. "Whew you smell like death sister."
"Hmmm I feel like death too." I managed to spit at her before my body convulsed.
Tapping her finger thoughtfully on her cheek she spoke again, "Hmmm what to do. Malachi was right when he said that the curse didn't specify what shape a body needs to be in but this really won't do. How can we have any fun if you're already numb everywhere?" Making an unseen decision she turned on her heels and walked towards the shadows of the sanctuary. "Don't go anywhere!" She laughed as she disappeared. I closed my eyes against the pain I was feeling praying for this to be done and over with.
"Martha." A gruff voice came from behind me.
Not sure whether I was hallucinating or not I tried to turn my head towards the sound, "Dean?"
Dean's bulky form came from around the back of the pulpit, "Shit!" He swore under his breath when he saw me slumped on the floor.
"Hey now." I smiled, "I bet you say that to" I couldn't finish my sentence as a cough raked my already pain stricken body.
"Let me go get Cas. He can heal you then we can get out of here." Dean touch my blood stained face gently.
I winced, "You're really here?" I blinked back the tears that had already started to form in my eyes.
His eyes twinkled a little as the light hit them from around the sanctuary. "You didn't think we'd let you die here did you?" He reached down to my bloodied shirt, "Shit." He swore under his breath again.
Panic hit me like a tidal wave, "Dean you have to leave. Dean leave now."
His eyes snapped back to mine, "No, we're getting out of here. You're going to need a hospital. Who the hell did this to you?" He finished his sentence through gritted teeth.
"No." I managed to grab his hand and pull it away from the nasty gash under my shirt. "You have to leave."
Confusion colored his eyes, "Ruby won't be back for a few minutes. Sam figured she would need to get together the stuff she needs to do whatever to you. If you let me pick you up we could be outta here and on the way to the hospital before she even thinks about coming back."
The rattle was back in my chest threatening to make me cough. "Dean I didn't ask for your help."
He laughed, "so let's go." He started to slide his arms under me.
"No." I whispered tears flowing freely now. "I have to stay."
He tensed, "You are NOT staying here."
I gulped the taste of blood in my mouth. Reaching up I cupped Dean's face in my hands, "You'd do anything to save Sam right?" He looked away. I grasped his face tighter forcing him to look at me again, "You would right?"
I could see that his eyes were wet. "Yes I would." He whisper was barely audible.
I smiled, "Well I would do anything for those girls. That's why I have to stay."
Dean's jaw tensed, "There has to be another way. Come with me, we'll figure it out. You can stay with us until we figure something out. Sam will figure something out he has too."
For a split second I was ready to say yes to him. His eyes were filled with fear, not for himself or Sam but for me. I leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek, "There is no other way Dean. This will get them back where they should be. And you and Sam will be safe. At least until you get into trouble again." I chuckled a cough escaping from my chest.
Defeat crossed Dean's face, "This is not right."
"Deanie!" Ruby's voice rang loud and clear. She walked towards us provocatively a small vile filled with black liquid in her hand. "Martha you said Dean wouldn't be joining us. You little liar."
Dean stood all of the muscles tensed in his body. "I don't know how he got in here." I rasped. "He's not going to cause trouble."
Ruby smiled, "Oh good. If you're ok with the audience, I might as well add a few more people." She snapped her fingers and Suzie and Sarah came into the room dragging an unconscious Amy and Erica behind them.
"Ruby." I struggled to get to my feet. Dean immediately was at my side helping me. "Let them go or the deal is off."
Ruby giggled, "Fine. You're absolutely no fun!" She nodded towards the women. I winced as both girls thumped against the ground.
"They better be ok Ruby or I swear." My voice was threatening.
"Or what?" Ruby asked
"Or we'll kill you." Castiel said from the back of the sanctuary.
