Chapter 21- Oh Brother
Healing from healing Dean was a pain in the ass. Elliott was still unable to hunt when Sam and Dean had found a case that needed working. So the brothers left her at Bobby's to rest up while they worked a couple cases. It was extra frustrating because the last one involved a comic book store that the missing person visited. Elliott hadn't been to a comic book store since she was a teenager. knowing how bummed out she was missing the case Sam was sweet enough to promise to bring her back some x-men comics.
When the case was finished and she got a call with an update. It sounded like a crazy one. Apparently, a man named Chuck was protected by an archangel because he was a modern day prophet. Of course, her clever Sam and Dean had used that to their advantage when they had a run in with a couple of demons. It wasn't until they had gotten back to Bobby's did, she find out that it wasn't just a couple of demons. It was Ramiel and Lilith. Elliott wasn't sure if she should yell at them or hug them. Ramiel and Lilith were dangerous on their own. It was amazing in her eyes that they both came back unscathed. Sam had been on edge and a little clingy when he got back, like he was afraid she would disappear. It wasn't surprising she thought. With Lilith being the demon that sent Dean to Hell and Ramiel still after her, she couldn't blame him at all. No matter how much she begged for more details both Sam and Dean had nothing else to give. They were keeping something out but she couldn't figure out why.
The Winchesters finally agreed she could work a simple salt and burn with them. The case was too easy and they were done in no time. Before they could even look for another case Dean got one of the strangest phone calls of his life.
"Wow another Winchester." Elliott sighed lost in thought as they stepped into the little diner.
"No." Dean barked. "He's not a Winchester." Dean looked around the tiny diner before leading the way to the very back of the restaurant. Elliott was about to sit down at the table when he stopped her. "Uhhn, Uhha." The older Winchester took the chair that she had been about to sit in and dragged it to the other end of the table. She fixed him with a bitch face that was almost too similar to his brothers. "Anders you're there." He gestured to the seat in the middle of the now row of three.
Dean ignored her sighing. He didn't care she was annoyed at the seating arrangement blocked in by both men. Then let Sam by to sit in the far seat against the wall with her following. Once both were seated, he plopped down in the chair he had dragged over. Doing little to hide his agitation.
"Dean I'm telling you, it checks out." Sam sighed adjusting in the seat Dean had annoyingly assigned him.
"Fine. He's an actual person on the planet earth. Sucks he's got a demon in him. This is a trap." Dean ranted on, anxious and angry.
The waitress came over then. She smiled and was about to give her spiel but Dean rudely interrupted her. Asking for waters and waved her off. Sam tried to give her an apologetic smile but she huffed, dropping their menus at their table before turning to quickly leave them.
"Dean." Elliott scolded, jabbing her elbow into his side.
"Hey!" He growled rubbing at his sore ribs.
"Come on Dean, this is exciting. You could have another brother-"
"Butt out!" Dean snapped. "It's my family this douche is messing with, okay?"
Elliott winced. It felt like she had just been punched in the gut, but she closed her parted lips and looked away. Now wishing she wasn't blocked in by two strong men so she could leave, or that she had stayed back at the motel. He was right she thought painfully. She should stay out of it. She didn't have a family any more. It was just her. No matter how much she felt like she belonged with them she wasn't one of them. She wasn't a Winchester. She needed to get use to that.
"Dean!" Sam barked his voice deep and low coming from his throat. Dean looked up and then over to Elliott with apologetic eyes.
"Ah, no- Ell, I didn't- I wouldn't-" He sputtered backtracking and realizing what he had just said and letting out a frustrated sigh. Then laid his arm on the back of her seat to get her to turn to met his eyes. "Elliott, really. I didn't mean that at all. I'm just- I just don't have a good feeling about this."
She plastered on a fake smile. Not really listening to the older Winchester. "I get it. It's alright, I know I am not family." Elliott deflected grabbing a glass of water and downing it. Dean gaped at her about to protest but she continued before he could come up with the right words. "So you think he's a demon? We can always test that." She deflected grabbing a canteen from her bag and poured the clear liquid into her empty glass. Then switched it with the only glass on the other side of the table.
"Ellie." Sam's hand fell to her thigh with a comforting squeeze.
"Holy water." Elliott announced ignoring Dean's guilt ridden eyes and Sam's warm comforting hand. She turned to Dean holding on to the fake smile and doing her best to move past this. "What else we got?"
"Elliott." Dean halted her gruffly. "Sweetheart, you're family. A sister- and not just because you are attached to sasquatch over here." He tried to joke. "Family don't end in blood. You hear me? You know I am an complete asshole when I'm angry, right?"
"Right," She huffed corner of her lips tugging up into a small but real smile. "You are an asshole." Elliott mumbled getting a snort from Sam and a playful eye roll from Dean.
The giant's hand was still on her thigh and gave her a gentle squeeze. Dean nodded his head in agreement. Then wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into him. Giving her a side hug and kissed the top of her head gently.
"Really, princess. I didn't mean it." Dean mumbled to her.
"I know Dee. We're all good." Elliott reassured him although part of her couldn't fully believe it. His declaration of family did make her feel better but the hurtful words hid in the back of her head. "Can we just move on now?"
"Yeah. Yeah, of course." Dean agreed glad to move on and promising himself that he would make it up to her somehow. The brothers gave each other a concerned look over her head. Fiddling with the hair tie around her wrist, she didn't catch it.
"Not that I agree on this but what else do you have planned Dean?" Sam questioned seeing Elliott's need to move on from the topic. Dean then traded out the diner's utensils for real silver, and just in time. A guy walked in clearing searching for someone. He was young, probably not even in his twenties yet. Wet sandy blonde hair topped his head that was somewhere in between Sam and Dean's length.
"Adam?" Sam questioned, sitting up a little straighter.
"Are you Sam?" The young man hesitated, taking a few steps to their table.
"Yeah. Uh, this is Dean and Elliott." Sam gestured to each of them with his free hand, because the other was still warming her thigh.
"Hi." Adam nodded to them before taking the only seat on the other side of the table. "So um, you said you worked with my dad?"
"Yeah, that's right." Sam supplied because both Dean and Elliott weren't talking. Dean was just sizing the kid up and Elliott didn't feel like it was her place to get involved anymore.
"How'd he die?" Adam asked a little bluntly.
"On the job." Sam started wanting to keep as much truth as possible.
"Dad's a mechanic…" He squinted at Sam in disbelief.
"A car fell on him." Dean sassed finally speaking up.
"Dean," Elliott couldn't help but hiss. Even thought she knew it wasn't her place, the older Winchester was being rude. The waitress came back then to get Elliott a new water and take their orders. A tense moment passed as the kid drank holy water from his glass. Followed by a less tense but more awkward moment when nothing happened.
Adam began to tell them that he didn't really know his dad but his mother had gone missing when Elliott saw Dean's hand slip under the table. She went still when his hand flexed around a gun in his lap. Turning stiffly to Dean she begged him with her eyes to stop. The older Winchester ignored her and jumped into the conversation. When the kid picked up the real silver fork to eat his meal Dean finally relaxed his hold on his gun and tucked it away. Her shoulders sagged in relief now able to focus on the conversation without fear of Dean shooting his new brother's head off.
"Oh, this is crap." Dean snapped looking at Sam and Elliott for back up. Then continued when he didn't get any. "He's lying."
"No, I'm not." Adam responded calm yet suspiciously. "Who are you to call me a liar?"
"John's family, that's who. His real sons." Dean nearly barked. Adam's jaw went slack, his eyes widened.
"I have brothers? You're my brothers?"
"Look, Adam we know this must be-" Sam began but Adam interrupted still wide eyes now on Elliott.
"Wait. Are you? Does that make you my sister?"
"Oh, I-" Elliott tried to explain.
"No." Dean answered loudly talking over her. There was an awkward silence as Adam gapped at the three of them. "She is my sister, not yours." Dean growled, and Elliott let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Because you're lying."
"I'm not." Adam said sharply. "I can prove it."
They were at Adam's childhood home. Adam had proven himself by showing them a few photographs of himself and John. Although the older Winchester now believed the kid, he appeared almost angrier. Sam didn't like talking about his childhood but the few times he had opened up to Elliott he hadn't painted John Winchester in the best light. So she could see how Dean hearing stories of John being a dad to someone other than them could be upsetting.
"Hey Adam." She interrupted a story he was telling them about going to a baseball game with John. "Why don't we give them a breather, yeah?" Elliott offered wanting to give Sam and Dean a minute.
"Uh, okay." They left the two in the living room to talk, as Adam gave her a tour of the rest of the house. Adam ending his very short tour in his mother's bedroom. He sat on the edge of the bed as Elliott leaned against the bed frame.
"So, Adam. How are you handling all of this? Can't be easy." Elliott gave him a soft smile. Then went over to sit on the bed next to him. It felt weird like she was comforting the wrong Winchester. Honestly, she'd rather be down in the living room checking on Sam and Dean. It was all very exhausting.
Adam snorted. "Understatement." She met his eyes apologetically.
"Yeah, I think we're all pretty shocked right now." Elliott soothed.
"You're telling me. Is Dean always so…?" He trailed on, not sure how to phrase it.
"Yes." Elliott smiled almost laughing. "Yes, he is."
"I can't believe this. Earlier today I thought I didn't have any family now that my mom has gone missing. But now?" Adam shook his head. "Now I have three siblings. Two brothers and a sister."
"Oh. No, Adam, I'm not-"
"Do you or your mom know a Joe Barton?" Dean gruffed, entering the bedroom, Sam on his heels.
"Uh, no. Not that I know of. Why?" The kid looked between his new brothers in the doorway.
"No reason. How are you two doing up here?" Sam deflected sending a small but meaningful glance to Elliott, letting her know he'd explain later.
"Hold on…" Dean tilted his head eyeing her feet. She stood up as he approached. "Help me with the bed."
Hunter instincts kicked in when she saw it. The otherwise beautiful hardwood floors had scrape marks dragging through it under the bed. Adam stood up and backed out of their way as Dean and Elliott flipped the mattress to see the marks better.
"Shit." Sam sighed. The clawed marks got worse the further back they went and led to a vent under the bed.
Sam and Dean did that annoying thing where they communicate with just looks. She watched as their eyes went from the vent to each other. Then they held their hands out fists on flat open palms, obviously about to play rock paper scissors.
"Just stop." Elliott rolled her eyes and placed her hands over their fists to stop the game. She was happily surprised she could read at least this nonverbal conversation of theirs. "You giants aren't going to fit in there."
"No." Sam denied shaking his head. Dean took a second longer to catch on but when he did, he looked on the fence. Knowing that the vent was going to be too small for them, but also not wanting to send her in.
"Why not?" She huffed smugly, finally feeling confident and useful today. "There is no way you two would fit in there. I'm your only option."
"That's what she said." Dean mumbled under his breath unable to help himself. Sam closed his eyes gritting his teeth in disapproval. "Sam. She's right." Dean sighed. Despite his efforts the giant's ticking jaw and pleading eyes did nothing to change the situation.
"Don't worry Jolly Green. I can handle myself." Elliott winked playfully at him to ease the tension.
"Just… be careful." Sam warned obviously worried.
"Hey, she's got this. Right princess?" Dean smiled handing her the flash light.
"What is that? What the fuck?" Adam seemed to have just come out of his shock.
"I'll let you know when I find out." Elliott gave him a reassuring smile as Sam and Dean pried the vent open.
Flashlight in hand she clambered through the small vent. The metal crinkled loudly under her as she crawled. The tight space was cramped and the corners were difficult to maneuver around. It wasn't long before she saw it. Small droplets of blood. Scuttling forward on her elbows and knees she followed it until it became a trail of blood. She turned a corner and froze. Blood, lots of blood. Chucks and blood were everywhere. Large puddles pooled at the bottom of the vent. The metal walls and ceiling were dripping thick and red.
"Fuck."
"Who the Hell are you?" Adam demanded storming into their motel room later that evening.
"Adam-" Elliott started.
"Don't." He snapped. "Who the Hell are you?"
"Hey, take it easy." Sam defended broad shoulders stiff.
"No. Don't tell me to take it easy!" Adam paced the small room. "There are cops all over my house. My mom is probably dead. You're not mechanics. Who are you?"
"We're hunters." Sam admitted unable to hide it from the poor kid.
"Sammy." Dean warrened still sitting by Elliott on the edge of the bed.
"Dean he has a right to know." Elliott whispered. "He is John's son." Dean glared at both of them but sat back and let them shatter Adam's life. They took turns explaining that monsters were real and that they were the ones that hunted them. Dean even jumped in here and there to better explain, or to just be a dick.
"Godzilla's not real." Dean jested speaking up again. Not wanting to encourage him Elliott tried to hide her snort with a cough.
"Okay." Adam nodded from his spot next to her on the edge of the bed.
"Okay?" Sam echoed.
Dean's brows rose in disbelief. "Okay? No one just says okay."
"You aren't going to call us crazy?" Elliott added slowly.
"You're my family, right? You're telling me the truth, right?" Adam questioned looking to each of them. "Then I believe you." Elliott blinked a few times at his ability to quickly trust. That was rare in a human being even rarer in the life. "My mom? What took her? Could she still be alive?" Adam questioned rapidly not leaving a breath for answers.
"Adam," Elliott's voice was tight, her round eyes full of sympathy. There was no way his mother was alive after all of the blood she saw in that vent. Thankfully she didn't have to explain further. A quick flash of pain crossed his face and he gave her an understanding nod. He really is a Winchester she thought as she watched him mask his pain like she had seen both Sam and Dean do loads of times.
"What can I do to help?" Adam turned to his half brothers with determination.
"You can't." Dean stated.
"This thing killed my mom-"
"Dee, maybe…" Elliott cut in trying to help the kid out a bit.
"What?" Dean nearly shouted at her.
Sam's jaw ticked and he glared at his older brother. "He lost his mother Dean. Maybe we can understand what that feels like." Sam explained with a raised brow but Dean wasn't having it. He stood up and rolled his shoulders back ready to really argue but Elliott was faster. Quickly stepping up to him. Then stopped him by raising her hand to rest on his chest.
"Alright. That's enough. Outside tough guy." Elliott ordered then turned to her giant with a small smile. "Sam I'm sorry. Could you just give us a minute?" She looked from him to Adam clearly asking him to keep an eye on the kid while she talked some sense into Dean. He reluctantly agreed and went back to Adam after she shut the door behind her.
Dean started on her the second she had stepped outside with him. "Why do you think we never knew about the kid Ellie?" He demanded holding his hand out expectantly.
The mannerism took her out of the moment. It was too much like Max. She stared openly at his out stretched hand waiting for a cigarette. It made her heart clench. Dean was so much like Max, that she sometimes found it was hard to be around him.
The older Winchester wasn't a smoker necessarily. The hunter only bummed cigarettes off her when Sam wasn't around and he was upset. Elliott knew Sam would be beyond pissed if he found out that once and awhile, she was supplying his brother with a cigarette or two. The young Winchester had never been pleased about her nasty habit. Always complaining and commenting under his breath. So, it was easy to say he would be very put out if he caught Dean bumming even a drag. At the same time though, Dean was his own person, and she couldn't say no to him. Especially when did things like this, that reminded her so much of her big brother Max. It was almost like having him back for a fraction of a second.
"What? You can spare one smoke. You just got a new pack." Dean raised a brow. Hand still out stretched, and palm up expectantly. Luckily Dean didn't seem to draw the connection to her momentary space out.
She blinked dragging herself from her thoughts. Clearing her throat and pretending to be annoyed by it she dug through her pockets. Tapping the carton on her wrist to pack them before she opened it and took one for herself. Then handing one to Dean. Cupping the air around the cig between his lips she lit it up. Then did the same to hers, stuffing the Elvis lighter into her pocket with the carton.
"It doesn't matter why John hid Adam from you Dee." Elliott began after taking a deeper inhale, enjoying the automatic way her whole body relaxed into the nicotine.
"Doesn't matter? Ell-" Dean stammered not even taking a drag yet.
"I get it." She exhaled slowly. "John was trying to protect Adam by keeping him out of the life, but Dean. You gotta see that in the long run that wasn't protecting him. Keeping the truth from him didn't protect him."
"He's fine." Dean waved off finally taking a drag. "He's got the whole apple pie, normal-"
"Dean, his mom is dead. Ripped to shreds, by who knows what. That is not fine." She explained in a much softer tone. "If he knew there was something to look out for this might not have happened."
"But..." He tried, not liking where she was going with this.
"Let me finish. If we know he is John's kid, how much longer before the things that go bump in the night find out? Hmm?" She sighed a cloud of smoke leaving her lips and looked up to the older Winchester. "John may have thought he was protecting the kid but he wasn't. Not like he protected you. By teaching you how to protect yourself John was able to give you a fighting chance. Are you really going to take away Adam's chance?"
Dean groaned rubbing the back of his neck. "Damnit Anders. Why do you have to make sense?"
"Because I'm awesome." She smiled softly taking a last drag. Then dropped the cigarette putting it out with the toe of her boot. "How about we get back inside, and figure this all out?"
He huffed and shook his head like that was the very last thing he wanted to do. "You and Sam go head and get started. I'm going to need a drink first." He gave her a small smirk putting out his own smoke. "You two have fun babysitting." It was clear Dean now understood that it was in Adam's best interest to be told about the life but that didn't mean he had to like it. She watched Dean get into his Baby and drive away. Waiting till she couldn't see the sleek black vehicle anymore before going back into their motel room to help Sam.
It wasn't a fun or exciting time explaining the details of hunting to Adam, but it was necessary. Elliott and Sam were very surprised by how well the kid had taken everything. She supposed that he was still in a little shock at the confirmation of his mother's death.
"…So, it's over for you? You got revenge?" Adam asked carefully sitting across from the hunters on the other bed.
"Adam, look." Sam sighed. "It's never over. There will always be something out there. This life, once you're in there is no getting out." Elliott placed her hand on Sam's knee to stop him. Knowing he was thinking about how he had tried to be normal and forget the hunting life, only for it to go up in literal flames.
"We're not saying you can't try and live a normal life, Adam. But you should know some of us have tried that and it doesn't always work." She flicked a quick sympathetic gaze up to her giant. "You can take the knowledge that we gave you and just use it to protect yourself while living your life, we won't stop you. This isn't about revenge. It's our lives now, this is what we do."
"So if you are truly in this? If you really want to go after whatever took your mother, you will be watching your back for the rest of your life. Don't make this decision lightly." Sam added, resting his hand on top of hers that was giving his knee a comforting squeeze.
Adam didn't respond right away. Clearly trying to process everything. His brows then knit together and eyes narrowed slightly at Elliott and Sam's hands. Then began eyeing how close they were sitting next to each other. The two turned to each other silently communicating and totally missing that Adam was watching them closely. His head tilted to the side and his brows shot to his hairline at the very loving looks they were sending each other.
"Wait, are you two like-" Adam began to speak bluntly when the power went out. "What the-" The motel room went dark. The only light peeking through the thin curtain from the motel parking lot. Then a clang of metal had both hunters whipping out their guns, tense and ready for action.
"Stay with him." Sam breathed. Elliott stepped in front of the kid, eyes searching their surroundings for danger. Sam walked slowly to the back to check out the bathroom.
"What is he-" Adam whispered.
"Shhh." She hushed him intently watching her giant. There was a rustling noise she couldn't place.
"It's in the vents. Go!" Sam shouted and herded them out of the motel.
"Where's your car?" Elliott barked as the three raced to the parking lot. "Keys."
Adam fumbled with his pocket before tossing the keys to her when they approached the pickup. Sam a step behind them gun aimed at the motel door, waiting for it to emerge behind them. Just as she was about to unlock the truck manually something wrapped around her ankle and yanked. Unprepared Elliott fell to her back landing hard on the pavement. A humph left her lips taking her breath away.
"Ellie!" Sam shouted. She yelped as the thing that had her ankle pulled. Beginning to drag the hunter under the old pickup. Sam's hands were under her upper arms stopping her from going under the truck completely. Then it was a tug of war match with the thing and Elliott was the rope.
"Sam," She groaned as the thing under the truck pulled at her ankle harder. When she kicked out with her free foot the thing grabbed that one too.
"Hold on!" Sam shouted. Grunting at his efforts, pulling her back using all his muscle putting his whole weight into it. Adam stood a few feet from them seemingly frozen to the spot by what Elliott could guess was fear and shock. The kid's paralysis broke when the Impala's roar met their ears.
"Ellie!" Dean joined the shouting. He and Adam now helping Sam pull her free. Finally, with all three Winchesters pulling the grip on her ankle released and she was pulled to safety. A gun shot went off and she looked up to see Dean sticking his head under the truck with his gun.
Sam's arms tightened around her holding her close. They both panted trying to catch their breath. He held her sitting on the cold concrete parking lot their legs spread out in front of them. Her back fitting perfectly into his muscular torso like a puzzle piece. Shutting her eyes, she let her head fall back to his chest.
"It's okay baby. We gotcha." Sam panted to her. Although it was very possible, he was trying to convince himself. He let out a shaky sigh and placed his lips softly on her forehead.
"Thanks, Jolly Green." Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled up at him. Then pushed up to give him a quick but passionate kiss on the lips. Adam didn't miss the interaction, and if they were paying attention to him they would have seen his eyes nearly pop out of his skull before he looked away.
"Everyone okay?" Dean's voice rumbled, when he turned away from the pickup to face them all. Both Sam and Adam gave him a nod.
"We're good. I'm good." Elliott answered reflexively. Sam loosened his hold around her and stoop up before reaching down to help her up as well. She hissed sucking air through her teeth when she put weight down on her ankle.
"Or not." Sam sighed and wrapped his long arm around her to help support her weight.
Dean then got in and backed Adams truck up to get a better look. Under where the truck had been parked was a gaping manhole to the sewer, the heavy lid pushed to the side.
"It was a trap." Elliott sighed. "It was after Adam. Just waiting for him under his truck."
"I walked right into it." Sam grumbled and shook his head.
"We. We walked into it." She corrected.
"There's a pattern. Barton was a cop. Pretty sure he helped out Dad." Dean stated as he got out of the truck. "So him, and Dad's girl, and his son."
"It wants revenge." Adam said dully. His cold eyes not leaving the spot of blood on the manhole.
"It's alright, Adam. We are going to keep you safe." She promised her hand went to his stiff shoulder and squeezed.
They went back to Adam's house to help show the kid the ropes. Dean was not happy about it and complained the whole time. He knew the kid was cursed with the Winchester name but didn't like pulling him out of his normal life.
"Okay, that's it. I can't stay here anymore." Dean sighed after watching Sam at the kitchen table explaining what each part of his gun was for Adam. "We should be checking out that grave robbery sight Sammy."
"Hey what about me?" Elliott demanded from the kitchen doorway. Both Sam and Dean turned around to see her leaning against the doorframe arms crossed.
"You get to tap in on schooling Adam." Dean smirked, proudly at his own sass. Sam stood up and pulled a chair at the kitchen table out for her. She ignored him staying in the doorway.
"Stop being so over dramatic, Sam. It's just a sprain." She huffed eyeing him. "You just don't want to stay behind, and play teacher."
"Someone's gotta show the kid how to research." Dean shrugged not even trying to hide his smirk.
"I'm not a kid." Adam rolled his eyes.
"Ellie, please? Even if it's just a sprain you won't be much help in the field on that ankle." Sam gave her his puppy dog eyes and she caved.
"You owe me giant." Elliott sighed. The corner of his lip curled up victorious. Then stepped up to her and leaned down. She pushed up on to her toes ignoring the small sting in her ankle and, gave him a quick peck on the lips.
He pulled back to whisper a thank you, before leaning down again to meet her lips. This time it wasn't as quick, both getting a little carried away. His lips moved with her puffy ones. Tongue sliding into her mouth leading the kiss. By the time them pulled apart her cheeks were hot and lips slightly swollen. Dean was making pretend gag noises and Adam silently looked away grossed out.
After a couple of goodbyes, they were out the door leaving Elliott to show Adam a bit more about gun safety. She sat at the kitchen table putting her glock back together slower than she normally would so Adam could see. He was standing behind her with his hands resting on the back of her chair as he leaned over her shoulder, watching her hands move.
"You're really good at this stuff hm?" Adam admired.
"My dad and brother taught me everything." She turned in her chair and gave him a proud smile. "But don't worry you'll get the hang of it eventually." She stood up to stretch her back.
"Eventually…" He echoed trailing off as she placed the glock in his hands.
"Your turn. Strip and reassemble her. I'll time you." She held up Dean's stop watch. "Weapons are a hunter's best friend. You should know them inside and out." She took a sip of her beer as Adam turned the glock over in his hand examining it closely. "You ever shot a gun?"
"Not exactly." Adam admitted. His eyes moved above her head and his body went ridged. Tipping her off right away something was wrong. She froze now weaponless after handing the kid her only available weapon.
"It's right behind me isn't it?" Elliott asked quietly.
"Actually, it's right in front of you."
Too surprised she didn't have time to react before the butt of her glock was slammed into her temple with a crack and a flash of white.
"Ughh" Elliott groaned at the pain throbbing through her head. A humming floated around her ears. Her breath became shallow when she found she couldn't move her hands or feet. "Not again." She whispered and began tugging at the restraints around her wrists and ankles.
Images of being strapped down to a metal table, and needles full of demon blood flashed across her mind. No, she thought this can't be happening again. It can't be. She nearly gasped for air. Then a blonde woman she did not recognize came into view reminding her that she my not be strapped to Ramiel's metal table. She was strapped to a different table. She blinked back the images and forced herself to focus on the present. Her hazel eyes looked down trying to understand. Duct tape strapped over her torso and knees, but her ankles and wrists were bound by rope to Adam's kitchen table. Adam!
Adam did this she thought wildly. "Adam… but the silver didn't work…" She mumbled trying to think through the ache in her skull.
"I think she's almost got it." The blonde woman she had forgotten about stopped humming to say.
"Give her a minute." Adam appeared behind her making Elliott twitch.
"Ghouls." Elliott snarled.
"Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner." He cooed at her like a child.
"-but you're nothing but filthy scavengers. You don't usually go after the living." Elliott pulled at the ropes as the female ghoul got closer. It leaned in and Elliott flinched jerking away as much as she could. The ghoul inhaled her sent deeply licking a line up her neck.
"Uhhg" Elliott whined.
"Fresh meat." Then woman hummed. "So much better."
"Ahg!" Elliott cried out as the thing that looked like Adam sliced a small horizontal cut along her exposed forearm. The woman ghoul was on her instantly. Lips lapping at her arm messily slurping at the blood. The bitch even nipped at the slice to urge the blood to flow more freely.
"Oh, Elliott. Big bad Winchester hunter." 'Adam' taunted and slammed his blade into the table next to her head. Cutting off strands of her copper blonde hair as he did.
"Winchester?" Elliott echoed. "You think I'm… No, no, I'm not-"
"Her blood. It tastes different." The woman interrupted smacking her lips, trying to figure out the different taste. Elliott's heart beat faster. It was one thing to be able to heal people, but when a monster could tell that she wasn't fully human, it hurt. 'Abomination', the angel Castiel's voice echoed in her memory, mocking her. 'The girl with the demon blood' the memory of Dean joined in.
The different taste didn't seem to deter the ghoul because she just went back to licking up the blood that was slowly dripping from her arm.
"Probably has to do with the disgusting incest." The ghoul Adam spit with a scowl.
"Incest? What the fuck are you talking about?!" Elliott stared up at him grossed out and completely confused. She was so off put by the comment she actually quit struggling.
"You're going to try and deny it now?" Ghoul Adam huffed. "You kissed your brother Sam right in front of me. How blind do you think I am Winchester?"
Elliott's brows shot to her hair line and her jaw went slack. That monster had it all wrong. She wasn't their sister, her mind supplied. Dean had just been defending her after what he had said in the diner when he told Adam she was family. The ghoul Adam thought her and Sam were siblings and together.
"No! No, no, no, no. We are not- I'm not a Win- hmmphahh." An old rag was shoved into her mouth, cutting off her attempt at explaining.
"I'd rather not hear you deny what I have seen with my own eyes." He pulled out a handkerchief wrapping it around her gaged mouth to keep it in. Lifting her head, he tied it at the base of her skull. She let out a muffled groan feeling him tangle her hair in the knot. Then set her head back down gently running a finger down her neck to feel her pulsing vein. "You know, Adam was really your brother. Well before we ate him." He admitted softly thinking she was a Winchester. She scowled at the monster and tried to protest but it came out as muffled garble.
"If it weren't for your monster of a father, none of this would be happening." The female ghoul stopped lapping at her arm to inform her. "You see our father never killed a soul. But the thing that killed him did." She traced shapes on to Elliott's collar bone with the dull side of her kitchen knife.
The ghoul that looked like Adam plucked up the blade he had stuck in the table. "A monster named John Winchester killed him." He growled and sliced a deep cut below her ribs. The gag muffled her whimper almost completely.
"Thanks to your daddy, my brother and I grew up on out own." His sister tutted.
"Graahhahh!" Elliott screamed into the gag as 'Adam' dug his finger into her freshly sliced skin under her ribs. The sister was speaking again but Elliott couldn't hear her as 'Adam's' fingers twisted around under her ribs.
He lifted his bloody fingers to his lips, sucking them clean. "Hmm, she does taste different." But his sister was back lapping at her forearm again.
Elliott groaned with disgust, and turned away from the sight. She huffed when she could feel 'Adam's' eyes leering at her. He was running the dull side of the blade along her upper chest. Licking his lips, eyes darkened watching her chest rise and fall as she breathed. She whimpered when the sharp end of his blade sliced above her right breast. Although she had been pulling at the restraints the whole time her struggling doubled when the ghoul leaned over her. His tongue licked up the blood that was dripping down between her breasts. She wished she hadn't worn a tank top today. Nauseated she shuddered and turned preferring to look at the ghoul lapping up blood from her forearm.
He stopped, looking up at her from his hovering position he chuckled. "What? You're into brothers, right? Or am I not enough brother for you?"
Her watery eyes were wide and pleading for him to stop. She felt him glide the sharp blade down to her stomach. Continuing down past her bellybutton and to the waist line of her jeans.
"Uhg!" The other ghoul complained. "Not in front of me you idiot! That's disgusting."
Elliott sighed when he reluctantly listened to his sister, removing the blade. "Revenge is never over is it Ellie."
"First it was the cop friend. That was too easy. Then John's slut," The female ghoul pointed to herself with the bloody knife. Blood dripping off her chin she then pointed it at her brother. "-and then his son,"
"But that son of a bitch was already dead." He sighed longingly. "-but luckily the bastard had not two more like we thought but, three other kids."
The female ghoul bit her bloody lip and leaned in. Elliott flinched and jerked in the restraints as the ghoul reached out and stroked her cheek gently. "You'll be first." She looked at Elliott with hunger.
"Your brothers aren't going to be back for a while," He promised and extended a finger and booped her on the nose playfully. "So we get to feed on you nice and slow. Just like we did with Adam."
Elliott was having a hard time breathing. What did they do to Sam and Dean? Why wouldn't they be back soon? They saved her when she was strapped to a table last time. She was ashamed that she wasn't thinking about poor Adam. The real Adam that was eaten alive by these freaks. Just like she was about to be.
"Gaaahhhhh!" Elliott screamed loudly even through the ratty gay as He sliced her arm vertically from wrist to elbow. She knew that was bad. She remembered reading in middle school how dangerous a vertical cut up a wrist could be. Before she could continue the thought her other wrist was slashed the same way. This time her muffle scream was accompanied by tears. They leaked out and slowly fell down her cheeks soaking up in the handkerchief around her face.
Panic started to consume her realizing the very big possibility that she was going to die here. Not like this, she thought desperately. She had defeated so much worse than this. How did some stupid ghouls get the best of her? She wanted to see Sam again and- Oh god, Sam. When he and Dean finally get back, they will be so heartbroken. No, this isn't right. She couldn't just lay here and bleed out. Not yet. Sam needed her. She couldn't let him down. Her stomach rolled, nauseated at the feeling of her own blood trickling down her arms, and into bowls below her.
"Ghnn, Uhgh." Elliott groaned muffled by the gag. She began to pull at her restraints again, but with her draining energy her struggling was weak.
"Elliott." 'Adam' scolded. "The more you struggle the faster you're going to bleed out." He smiled widely when he caught her muffled whimper. "You won't make it to see your brothers for last time if you keep that up." Then he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Maybe, if we're lucky they will make it just in time to see their sweet baby sister's last breath. I bet that would drive them wild."
Elliott wanted to sob behind the gag, but help back only a whimper escaping. That was so much worse than the thought of dying alone. She didn't want Sam to see her like that. The room was starting to spin and she struggled to get a full breath through the gag. Her stomach turned again but wouldn't settle now that the room was swirling. It was from the blood loss. Elliott knew how it worked, and she could do nothing but lay there as she mentally checked off symptoms of blood loss.
"You might as well lie back and relax, Ellie." He cooed and wiped tears from her cheek.
"Hey!" Dean's voice barked out from somewhere she wasn't able to see. The room was still spinning and too blurry to make out clearly, but she recognized their voices. Her men. Her family was here. A couple shots rang out but she didn't even jump. She tried to shout for them but was muffled by the gag and the loud scuffling of a fight.
"Ellie!" Sam's voice was suddenly clearer she blinked up blurrily to see his panicked beautiful face. He tugged the wet handkerchief down around her neck and she whimpered quietly as it ripped at her hair tangled in the knot. Then he went to untie her bloody wrists. "Oh, god… Ellie- ghhhn" Sam stumbled getting knocked over by one of the ghouls.
"They're ghouls!" Elliott moaned as loudly as she could manage.
"Head shots!" Dean barked hearing her moan. A gun went off. Glass shattered somewhere to her side, then another shot. Elliott rolled her head to the side to see what, but Dean was there stepping up to her and blocking her view.
"Dee." Elliott sighed. The room slowed it's revolving at the man came into view above her. "Sam?" Behind Dean she could hear the thumping smack of fists hitting flesh and she was worried.
"Sweetheart..." Dean breathed when he saw her bleeding wrists. "Sam!" The fear in his voice had her frowning up at him. Dean didn't really let others see or hear his fear. He was always hiding how he really felt.
Sam was suddenly there and her wrists were free. She moaned as she held heavy arms out in front of herself to get a better look. The rope burn stung around her raw wrists and were covered in red.
"Ellie," Sam's voice cracked. "Come on baby, sit up for me." He encouraged.
The guys both helped her into a sitting position. She groaned at the movement and held her arms out weakly in front of her.
"Hang on sweetheart." Dean hummed and disappeared from her sight. Sam's arm wrapped around her back and held her arms out while also keeping her up into a seated position. She leaned back into his hold, halting her swaying. She felt his lips on the crown of her head.
"Samm," Elliott slurred. "He, -they, they killed the real Adam. He- he wass-"
"I'm so sorry baby. I'm so sorry. Shhh." Sam shushed her. She sniffled not realizing she had tears spilling over her cheeks. A throb of pain zinged through her open slices as the blood continued to flow slowly dribbling down her arms. She was unable to hold it back and let out a groaned at the feeling. The large hands on her arms tightened. "Dean!" He shouted for his brother, and a not even a second later he was there.
"Hey, hey. It's alright I got ya." Dean soothed and covered each of her arms with a clean towel. "Here we go. Here we go."
"Ugnh." Elliot groaned at the pressure they wrapped the clean towels around each forearm.
"Hang on princess. We gotcha." Dean turned to Sam who was now holding her wrapped arms together to keep the pressure. "It's okay Sammy. She's gonna to be okay now."
At Dean's words she rolled her head back onto Sam's shoulder to look up to him. Sam was breathing heavily and looked as pale as she felt she must be. There were flicks of dark red dotting one side of his face. His watery hazel eyes were wide in shock and she thought she saw a tear fall before he quickly brushed it back. Round puppy eyes looked up from her to meet his big brother's, he swallowed hard and nodded wordlessly.
Her heart hurt. She wanted to say something funny to get him to smile. To get him to wipe that awful expression off his face, but she didn't know what to say. It was hard to focus on her thoughts. Because although the room had slowed in its spinning, it was still moving enough that her stomach was nauseous. Making it difficult to think straight let alone joke. So she settled for short sentences, with little brain power.
" 'ey Giant." She whispered and gave him a lazy smile. "S'okay. I'm alright. You saved me babe." Sam's whole face scrunched up in a sorrowful grimace but was able swallow it down and smooth himself out.
"You can't scare me like that Ellie." Sam shook his head. Elliott wanted to sooth the pain from his beautiful face, it made her heart ache to see him like that. She reached up to cup his face but gasped as the sharp pain that bolted through her sliced arms. Shutting her eyes tightly she hissed.
"I'm okay, I'm okay." Elliott insisted keeping her eyes closed not wanting to see Sam's reaction. "Honestly. I just moved wrong."
Sam exhaled loudly before speaking. "Let's get out of here. I need to patch you up." He slipped a hand under her knees and positioned himself to easily lift her.
"Keep pressure on that Princess." Dean ordered as Sam lifted her with ease. She tried to focus on pressing her arms together but the pain along with the motion from Sam's long strides had her stomach rolling. Groaning she tucked her head into Sam's broad chest, to hide from the spinning room.
"Dean." Sam called out loudly, and suddenly Dean's hand was gripping her towel wrapped arms. Holding them together to keep the pressure on them. Her shallow breathing grew worse as the nausea spread.
"No, no, no." Sam scolded her. "You don't get to pass out on us Ellie. You lost way too much blood." She just shook her head not lifting it from her giant's chest. "Talk to me baby girl. You gotta stay awake." Elliott groaned fighting off the nausea as best she could, while the room spun and Sam took long strides out the door. Dean walking with them to keep the pressure on her forearms.
"Dizzy." She breathed afraid that more than just words would come out if she tried to say more.
"Oh, no. You ain't puking in Baby." Dean warrened as they walked together.
She felt Sam's chest rumble like he was growling at his brother, and she giggled. The sound of her giggles had Sam's tense shoulders ease slightly. Somehow Dean fretting over his baby seemed to help her head clear. The queasiness died back enough she could open her eyes again. Though she didn't chance moving her head from Sam's chest afraid it may come back.
Dean's hand left her arms as they approached the Impala, opening the door for his brother. Sam slipped into the backseat without letting Elliott go. When Dean tossed a plastic bag back at them from the front seat 'just in case' Elliott was in a fit of laughter. Sam made her talk with him the whole ride back to the motel. He made her answer questions to things he already knew just to keep her thinking and talking.
After they patched her up, and she was feeling better, she still wasn't allowed to sleep. Not until Sam was sure she would wake up after she fell asleep did, he finally let her. Blood or no blood she was with family. It may have been the blood loss but Elliott knew this was her family. Even if one of them was a jerk when he was angry and the other worried too much about her.
Authors Note
Hope you all are still liking the story. Don't know what to say besides please leave a kudo and a comment. Please stay safe out there.