Hi, darlings! How's been your week so far? I really hope it's been less stressful than mine :) Anyways, time for a new chapter. Happy reading :)

The initial shock is slowly washed away as I try to comprehend what Billie is explaining. We're back at Bobby's, in the library as he pours himself another drink.

"So, she's not dead?"

"No, she isn't."

"Then why's she here?" Bobby insists.

"I brought her here so she can aid your little mission, angel." Billie turns to Castiel, "Without her, you would've failed."

"The inconsistency I felt earlier was you." Cas states, understanding dawning on his face.

"Why would a reaper bother with me and Heaven?" I ask, rubbing my neck. "I'm of no importance."

"Make no mistake, I do not like this." she states, "But I'm on strict orders."

"Orders from Death." Cas nods.

"Why?" there's so much sass and confusion all over Bobby's face, I chuckle.

"Death has a library." the reaper says, "A vast library about every single person and his ways to die. And there are a lot of possibilities for her, but not one of them says she dies because of a curse, cast by a monstrous family like the Frankensteins."

"But I felt it..." I furrow, still trying to understand what is going on, " I did die."

"You've got more friends and allies than you think."

"What are you talking about?"

"You'll see when you get back." Billie shrugs, "Even as we speak, they're fighting to keep you alive."

"And you'll help me." I state as she nods, "But... why?"

She sighs, exasperation evident in her words.

"Maintaining The Natural Order is something I'm adamant about. But there are exceptions. Exceptions, that are necessary to the universe. Exceptions like you, Braeden Singer, and your beloved Winchesters."

"You say the universe needs me alive?" I scoff with skepticism.

"Whether you believe it or not, does not change the facts." Billie stands up from the couch, "Now, say your goodbyes. The longer you stay here, the harder it'll be for your soul to accommodate back into your body."

I look at Bobby as tears fill my eyes. His smile is gentle and understanding as he opens his arms. I throw myself at him, enveloped by his embrace.

"Dad..."

"Sh..." Bobby pushes me at an arm's length, "You gotta go, kiddo. I'm proud of you, you know. So stay safe, keep fighting, and kick it in the ass."

I choke on my laugh. His face, glowing with pride and happiness is the last thing I see before Billie puts her hand on my shoulder and darkness consumes me once again.

I feel heavy and groggy as I push my eyes open. The bright light makes me blink a couple of times before I realize I'm in a hospital room. The quiet buzzing and beeping of all the machines attached to me is filling the air. There's this familiar smell of medicines and antiseptics I hate so much. On a chair, next to my bed is Ben. He's playing on his phone, engulfed by the game.

"Looks like you won't get rid of me any time soon." my voice is hoarse and my throat hurts as I speak.

Ben jumps in his seat, shock, and relief all over his face.

"You're awake!" he throws himself at me, his hands suffocating me, "Thank god, you're awake!"

I'm surprised by his reaction but sneak my hands around him, giving a squeeze.

"Wanna fill me in?" I ask as he pulls away, "What happened?"

"How're you feeling?"

"Like I just died." seeing his stone face, I chuckle, "Sorry. Too soon?"

"Definitely." Ben sits back in his chair and crosses his arms.

I try to sit but his stern look makes me reconsider, so I just adjust my pillow. The door to the room opens.

"Cyrus?" I ask in shock, "What are you doing here?"

"God, you're awake!"

Next thing I know I'm crushed in his hug. I chuckle and pat him on the back.

"What are you doing here, kid? I thought by now you'd be in L.A, living the dream."

"Yeah, well... You saved me. I couldn't let you die because of my family." the boy shrugs and hands Ben a cup of coffee.

"Cyrus, what did you do?" I ask in concern.

"Something you should've let me done the moment this curse was cast." Ben chips in, "Help you!"

"Ben..." I start but Cyrus interrupts me.

"He's right. But so were you." he shrugs again.

"Explain." I look at them expectantly, "And where are Sam and Dean?"

"It was our turn to be here." Ben takes a sip of his coffee, "I texted them. They're on the way."

"How long..."

"You were in a coma for a week." Cyrus says, "The doctors weren't sure you're gonna make it."

"I didn't." I scoff, "I was dead."

"Yeah, you were." Ben eyes me, "Your heart stopped for about four minutes. If it wasn't for Cyrus, you'd be dead for good."

I chill slides down my spine, anxiety rising in my chest as I feel the urge to stand up and pace around the room. But I suppress it. I still feel exhausted and most of my body is in pain, my muscles hurt, my chest, too.

"When you left me," Cyrus begins, "I didn't know what to do. How to be on my own. I burnt the place, as you suggested." his voice is calm, in control, nothing like the sheer panic when we first met, "But not before I found my bro... Eldon's notes on the curse. I realized he was too cocky for his own good. Yes, it was complicated but there's always a way around it. A loophole, something. And he was the one who provided it for you."

"What do you mean?"

"He said the incantation simultaneously with you, remember? He was a part of the curse. And the moment you killed him, you weakened it. That was my chance to reverse engineer it. Your contacts in L.A. helped a lot, providing me with everything I needed. The potion wasn't easy to make but it was harder to track you down."

"How did you?"

"He hacked your phone, then found me." Ben explains, "It was during your trip with Dean after Kevin called you about Sam. Cyrus showed on the Bunker's door. At first, I didn't believe him but when he explained how you let him go..." Ben shrugs, "It's kinda your move not to show all your cards. So Kevin, him, and I rushed down to that stupid church, hoping we weren't late."

"We almost were." Cyrus adds, "When we got to you, you weren't breathing, no pulse, no anything. Which was somewhat good."

"Somewhat good?"

"You had to die for at least a couple of seconds so the potion I made could work." he scratches his neck, "But then we couldn't reanimate you. His dad," he nods towards Ben, "went all psycho on me. Thankfully, after a couple of minutes, we found a pulse. Sam and Dean brought you here, but you were still unconscious. The doctors said you may never wake up. At least you were breathing on your own."

"At least that," Ben mutters.

"Cyrus, I..." I'm lost for words, "I don't know how to thank you enough."

"Just don't make me do all this again." he chuckles.

"You've got a deal, trust me." I smile at him.

The next week was a blur of visitors, and hiding from the nurses while talking on the phone, a bit of recovering, and a lot of talking to almost everyone.

Cyrus was around for a couple of days, then went back to L.A. The kid was a miracle, I had no idea how to thank him enough for saving my sorry ass. Jody stopped by to see me, Garth also came by. Charlie had a lot to tell me over the phone about my "reckless behavior". Castiel and Meg showed up late one of the nights, scaring the shit out of me since I was asleep. Duncan and the whole BAU team sent a basket with gifts, and an enormous bouquet with a sweet get well card. Later, Duncan called and profiled the shit out of me, giving me a piece of his mind and forcing out a promise to never pull such a stupid stunt ever again. Kevin and his Mom also came by to see me and after a long conversation I managed to intrigue them with an idea that was at the back of my mind for a long time, yet I needed free time and help to accomplish it.

Sam came almost every day - we were talking, watching movies, reading. He never accused me, never judged my decision to protect them with my life. He understood. He knew me well enough to know exactly what I was thinking and why I hid it. Why I was ready to sacrifice myself.

"I just wish we could've been there for you, you know..." his eyes are full of regret, "You thought you were going to die, and you were all alone..."

"It's okay."

"No, it's not. You must've been scared and..."

"I was, Sam." I gently squeezed his arm, "I didn't want to die. But it was me or everyone else. There really was no choice to be made. It was crystal clear from the beginning who was the one doing the dying."

"Braeden..."

"No, don't." I forced the most genuine smile I can muster, "It's all behind now. I'm not dead, so we're good."

Sam shook his head and finally smiled at me.

"You're unbelievable, you know." he kissed my cheek, "You gotta stop trying to save the day all by yourself."

"Ah, but where's the fun in that." I jokingly rose my brows, making a face.

But the one person I needed the most to talk to never came. Never answered my calls and texts. Dean was avoiding me. I saw him for the briefest of seconds the first day when I woke up. He showed up on the threshold of the hospital room. His face was stern, his emerald eyes cold and sharp. He looked tired, dark circles around his eyes. He probably hadn't slept in days. I was so happy to see him it took me a few seconds to realize he wasn't coming to me. And then, before I could even say his name, Dean turned around on his heel and walked away. That was it. I never saw him after that, never had the chance to talk to him. He didn't let me to.

Now, as I am waiting for Sam and Ben to come and take me home, I can only hope I'll be able to finally talk to Dean. I check probably for the tenth time if I haven't forgotten something and clutch the handles of my duffel bag. I can't wait to be back to the Bunker. I'm sick of this hospital, of its awful food and its nasty medicine smell. I smile, happy to be out of here in only a couple of minutes. And when I get home, I'll talk to Dean, clear the air. I know he's pissed and disappointed in me, but he can't avoid me forever.

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