Author's note: Violent description of death by hellhound-slightly more gruesome than what happened with Dean at the end of Season 3.
The hellhound's growl echoed loudly as it slowly crept toward the four, its claws gouging marks into the polished floor.
"Oh, I really wish I was back in my body right now," !Alicia replied.
"Yeah, me too," Dean added, gripping the blade tightly.
"What do we do?" Sam asked.
"We haul ass back to Allie's room," Dean replied.
"We can't outrun that thing," Sam retorted.
"Yeah, but if it gets Allie," Dean said, "there's not a damn thing we'll be able to do to stop it." He glanced down at the blade, getting an idea, and both Sam and !Alicia knew what he was thinking.
"Don't you dare," Sam warned.
"Dean, no," !Alicia insisted.
"Hey, if it can kill demons," Dean said, taking a step forward. "Sam, get her back to her room."
"I am not leaving without you," !Alicia replied.
"Neither am I," Sam added.
"Dammit, both of you get outta here," Dean ordered angrily. "I'll take care of this." He saw movement on his side and glanced over as Bernard stepped forward, his gun drawn and aimed. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Buying you some time," Bernard replied, staring forward. "All three of you go. I'll distract it."
"No," !Alicia protested. "It's not after you."
"Maybe not," Bernard replied, "but I can at least give you some time to get away."
"You can't even see it," Sam said.
"I'll manage," Bernard retorted. He glanced at Dean with an expression the young hunter understood.
"You know this is suicide, right?" Dean replied.
Bernard shrugged dismissively. "Consider it my penance," he said. "Look, I don't know what's going on, but whatever those demons are after…don't let them get it." He took another step forward. "Go!" The hunters took off, running down the hall as Bernard fired a round at the invisible creature. It growled and snarled, barking loudly as it suddenly charged him.
Bernard fired repeatedly, emptying his gun, but the bullets did nothing as the creature tackled him. The chaplain grunted loudly as he hit the floor hard, his gun knocked from his hand. He felt the hot breath of the invisible hellhound over him, the powerful claws gouging into the floor on both sides of his head.
Suddenly, Bernard screamed in pain, causing the trio to stop at the end of the corridor and turn around. They watched in horror as the hound's claws dug into Bernard, large slash marks appearing on his chest as blood spurted from the open wounds. He tried in vain to struggle against the demonic animal, but the hound continued slashing at his legs and arms, the chaplain screaming as blood sprayed everywhere. He managed to turn onto his stomach, trying to crawl away, but the hound simply dug its claws into Bernard's legs, easily pulling him back on the slick film of blood under him.
Powerful jaws and razor-sharp teeth tore into the man's back. The sounds of ripping flesh and bones cracking were barely audible over the man's screams. The horror continued for several seconds before the screaming stopped and the chaplain stopped moving. Bernard lay on the floor in his own blood, dead, his vacant eyes open wide in terror. The three hunters stared in shock and disbelief, too stunned to move. The hound looked up, blood dripping from its maw, and it growled before charging the hunters.
"Go, go, go!" Dean shouted, and the trio ran as fast as they could toward Alicia's room with the hellhound behind them. They reached her room door and tried the knob, but it was locked. Sam and Dean started pounding frantically on the door "Bobby! It's us!"
"Open the door!" Sam shouted.
"Guys," !Alicia said frantically as she looked down the hallway. The brothers looked over as the hellhound turned the corner, skittering a little, before running toward them. The door opened, and the brothers dove into the room, tackling the older man. The three lay there, stunned, while Castiel walked over from the window, looking worried.
"Guys!" Everyone looked over and saw !Alicia standing just outside the door, looking terrified.
"Allie, get in!" Dean shouted.
"I can't!" !Allie said, pointing at the ground. Dean looked down and saw the salt line in front of the open doorway, and he quickly scrambled over, brushing salt away, breaking the line. !Alicia dove into the room just as the hellhound jumped at her. It crashed to the floor, skittering and unable to get its footing as it slipped on its bloody paws. Dean quickly shut and locked the door, and a few moments later there was pounding on the door. Dean braced himself against it with all his strength while !Alicia scrambled to her feet and hurried behind Castiel.
"Salt!" Sam shouted. Castiel was nearest to the table and grabbed the salt container on it, tossing it to Dean, who poured a fresh salt line while both Sam and Bobby braced themselves against the door as it shook. When the line was complete, the door stopped moving. The hunters waited a few seconds before cautiously stepping away, panting softly as they slowly got to their feet.
"Was that a hellhound?" Bobby asked, shocked. The brothers nodded.
"Ramiel's getting closer," Castiel said grimly. "What about the spirit?"
"Dealt with," Dean replied curtly. "Let's just get the hell outta here." He walked over and handed the angel blade to Castiel. "Get that tattoo off her, now," he looked at !Alicia, "and you jump in as soon as he's done."
!Alicia nodded, and the hunters positioned themselves around her bed, while the young woman glanced uneasily at the door. She glanced up and saw the Devil's Trap spray painted on the ceiling. She furrowed her eyebrows. "I'm sure the doctors freaked out when they saw that," she said to her uncle.
Bobby glanced over as he helped Dean and Sam carefully position Alicia's body into a sitting position. "Can't freak out when you don't come in," he said.
Dean paused. "Wait a second. You mean to tell me that no one's been in here since we left—not even to check on Allie?" Bobby shook his head, his expression changing.
"We didn't really see anyone while we were out, either," Sam added grimly, "and we had a hellhound chasing us." Everyone looked between each other, then the realization hit them all.
Castiel quickly gripped the angel blade. "He's here," he said grimly
"Oh, Alicia!"
!Alicia felt a chill down her spine as everyone looked over at the window. Bobby walked over and pulled the cord, raising the blinds. Dean and Sam gently lay Alicia back down before moving to the window, along with Castiel and !Alicia, and they looked out. Streetlights illuminated the parking lot below, and everyone could see Ramiel, standing on the street in front of the building. He still looked the same since Reno, dressed in a designer suit, but this time he was surrounded by a multitude of people—doctors, nurses, hospital security—all with pitch black eyes. He gave a sadistic smile when he saw the young woman's spirit. "There she is." He looked at Bobby and grinned even more. "Hello, Bobby. I haven't seen you since…well, it's been a few years, hasn't it? How's your brother?" He mockingly put a hand over his mouth. "Oh, sorry, I forgot."
"Go back to hell, you son of a bitch," Bobby growled.
Ramiel scoffed, amused, before he glanced over at the angel. "And there's Castiel. Always butting in where you don't belong." The hunters glanced at the angel briefly before looking back at the demon.
"Leave this place," Castiel warned, "while you still can."
"What, I can't even wish Alicia a happy birthday?" Ramiel asked. "That's a bit rude. I take it then you'll be returning the gift I sent?" He glanced down as a few large pawprints approached him; he reached down and patted the hellhound's head.
"Not a big fan of hellhounds," !Alicia retorted.
"Aw, you hurt his feelings," Ramiel said, scratching the hound's head. "And here I thought every girl wanted a puppy for her birthday."
"Why don't you just get the hell out of here?" Sam said.
"I will," Ramiel replied, "once I have what I came for."
"Yeah, well, you're gonna be waiting a long time," Dean said, "'cause there is no way you're ever getting your hands on my wife, you son of a bitch."
Ramiel tilted his head, and there was a flicker in his eyes, even as he appeared intrigued. "Interesting," he replied, amused. "Certainly wasn't expecting to hear that." He tisked softly as he shook his head. "Oh, Alicia, I'm disappointed in you: slumming—and with a Winchester—but I guess loneliness makes you behave…irrationally. I mean, I was hoping to have the whole 'virgin' component—it makes for a good show, you know—but I can still accomplish what I need with someone else's hand-me-downs." He smirked as he saw Dean's features harden in rage.
"Whatever your goals," Castiel said, "you will not succeed as long as Alicia is under my protection."
"'For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways'" Ramiel said amused. "How'd that work out for Mary and Lily?" Castiel's eyes glowed blue with anger. "Oooh, still a sore spot, I see." He exhaled. "Well, look, this has been fun, but I do have things to do. The Apocalypse won't plan itself, so I'll make this simple: either send Alicia out to me," he indicated the possessed individuals around him, "or I send them in to get her."
"You don't think we can take on a few demons?" Dean asked.
"Oh, I'm sure you'll take out a few," Ramiel said, "but there's no way you'll be able to get them all before they tear you apart—even with your angel friend helping you." Ramiel glanced to his side and smiled. "Looks like I have a new recruit." The five watched as a figure approached from the shadows and stepped into the light, giving the hunters and angel a clear view.
Bernard's body, or what was left of it, looked completely mangled and mauled. Ripped clothes and missing chunks of flesh revealed broken and mangled bones and muscles. Gaping wounds still oozed, and blood covered almost every inch of the former chaplain's body. He stopped near Ramiel and looked up at the group, his eyes inky black, and fixed them with a sadistic sneer.
"Well, it looks like someone enjoyed my present," Ramiel said. "So, Alicia, that's now, what, three people who have died because of you?" He saw her expression falter, and he snorted. "Look, I know you hate that people keep sacrificing themselves so you stay alive, and I hate to see you so racked with guilt, so I'll be nice and make you this one-time offer. I'm willing to forget about what happened in Reno if you come with me right now. I'll even promise to let the others leave without being harmed."
"Maybe I should go," !Alicia said quietly. Everyone looked over at her, incredulous.
"Allie, don't even think like that," Dean said.
"Alicia," Sam replied, "you can't."
"Why not?" !Alicia asked.
"You know why," Bobby retorted. "Dammit, girl, if your parents were here, they'd—"
"Well, they're not," !Alicia interrupted, "and who's fault is that, Bobby?"
"Alicia, you are not responsible for your parents' deaths," Castiel said.
"Yeah, well, I'm certainly not going to be responsible for anyone else's," !Alicia retorted. She turned around, heading for the door, but Dean hurried in front of her. Even though she was a ghost, she reflexively stopped in her tracks.
"You listen to me," Dean said, his voice deadly serious, "I know you feel guilty about your parents and the chaplain, but you are not leaving this room."
"If it keeps you guys safe," !Alicia said, "why not?"
"First, there're salt blocking every way out of here," Dean replied, "but even if there wasn't, you really think Ramiel won't kill us the moment he has you?"
"He promised he—"
"He's a demon, Allie," Dean interrupted. "He can't be trusted, and you know that."
!Alicia looked on the verge of crying. "I don't want to see anyone else die, Dean," she said. "Not for me."
"They won't," Castiel spoke up as he came over, "but we have to leave now. If they get in the building, I won't be able to get us away before we're trapped."
"I'm not going to have my tattoo's protection," !Alicia said. "What if a demon gets in the room?"
"This," Bobby said as he pulled out a small charm from his pocket. He walked over to Alicia's bed and tucked it in her pants pocket. "Anti-possession charm until you get another tattoo."
"So, what's it going to be?" Ramiel shouted. "Are we doing this the easy way," he tilted his head, "or the hard way?"
"Let's do this," !Alicia said, and they hurried to Alicia's bed.
"I guess it's the hard way," Ramiel mused from outside. He stared at the window then blinked, his eyes turning yellow. "Bring her to me." All the demon-possessed people charged the building, rushing through the entrance doors.
Inside Alicia's room, Sam and Dean positioned the unconscious woman in a sitting position, supporting her as Dean lifted the back of shirt, exposing the tattoo on her lower back. !Alicia stood with Bobby at the foot of the bed, and both of them looked away as Castiel took his angel blade and used it to carve the skin around the tattoo. As the large piece of her back skin was removed, she began bleeding profusely, but Castiel quickly put his hand over the wound. Everyone watched in awe as a light appeared under his hand. When it faded a few moments later, the angel removed his hand, revealing the wound had been completely healed. They stared at him in shock.
"You should be able to get in now," the angel said to !Alicia. The spirit nodded and glanced at Bobby, who used his foot to break the salt line around her bed. The young woman stepped forward, as if she was fusing or melting into her body. The monitors attached to her increased in their beeping before Alicia's eyes suddenly opened as she gasped loudly. She started panicking and flailing as she gagged on the tube down her windpipe, but Sam and Dean supported her. Castiel touched the tube, and it disappeared. The young woman appeared dazed and confused as she breathed rapidly. Everyone jumped at the sudden sound of rapid pounding on the door as it shook violently; from the other side came shouts from what they all knew to be the possessed individuals.
"Get us out of here," Dean ordered the angel. "Now!"
"It's too late," Castiel replied. "The moment I do, they'll be able to take Alicia."
"Then kill them," Sam said without hesitating. "You can do that with the blade, right?"
"I would be overwhelmed," Castiel explained. "I could incinerate them on the spot—"
"Then do it," Dean interrupted.
"But it would also incinerate everyone in this room," Castiel finished.
"Can't we just exorcize them?" Alicia asked, fighting with all her strength to just keep her eyes open.
"We'd have to juice up the ritual," Sam answered. "Amplify its effects."
Dean paused as the realization hit him, and he hurried over to his bag, pulling out Alicia's stash. He quickly searched, locating the vial he was looking for and held it up. "There."
"Is that Calamus?" Bobby asked, eyeing the contents.
"Got it for Allie's birthday," Dean replied as he brought it over. "She can use it to give the exorcism a kickass boost." He stopped and looked at his wife. "You can do that, right?"
"I'm tired," Alicia whined softly.
"We know, Alicia," Sam said, "but we need you to push through that right now. Please."
Alicia looked like she was going to protest, but she knew Sam was right. She opened up her hand, and Dean poured the contents into her palm. Alicia quickly poured some into her other hand. "Hold my hands," she said to Sam and Dean, "then take each other's." They followed her instructions, first each taking one of her hands, then Sam and Dean reached across the bed and grabbed hands, the trio forming a circle. "After I say the spell, start the exorcism." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Sit mihi… vires confirma…hanc." The young woman's eyes glowed bright purple as she opened them, and purple energy glowed in her veins, flowing down her arms and hands before transferring to Sam and Dean's. The energy traveled up their arms to their chest, glowing lines connecting to each other, and the brothers could feel Alicia's magic flowing through them as the bright glow filled the room. "Do it."
"Exorcizamus te, omnis immundus spiritus," the brothers recited, their voices amplified as if coming over a loudspeaker, "omnis satanica potestas, omnis incursio infernalis adversarii, omnis legio, omnis congregatio et secta diabolica." A wave of purple energy pulsed out from Alicia in all directions, disappearing through the walls. Outside the room, muffled shouts were heard, and Dean and Sam glanced at each other but continued the ritual. "Ergo draco maledicte et omnis legio diabolica adjuramus te. Cessa decipere humanas creaturas, eisque aeternae. Perditionis venenum propinare. Vade, Satana, inventor et magister omnis fallaciae, hostis humanae salutis."
Castiel walked over to the window and looked out to see the purple energy surrounding the hospital, almost like a shield. Ramiel's expression contorted to a look of rage as he marched toward the building, but he suddenly hit the purple energy that Alicia had emitted, lighting crackling with every touch he made. He growled as he angrily pounded on the shield with all his might. It cracked under his fist, but it remained intact as he repeatedly hit it, fracture lines spider webbing from the impact.
"It's working," the angel said.
"Humiliare sub potenti manu dei," Dean and Sam continued, their voices muffling the screams and shouts in the corridor, "contremisce et effuge, invocato a nobis sancto et terribili nomine, quem inferi tremunt. Ab insidiis diaboli, libera nos, Domine. Exorcizamus te, omnis immundus spiritus omnis satanica potestas, omnis incursio infernalis adversarii,omnis legio, omnis congregatio et secta diabolica."
Castiel hurried back over and saw Alicia's body shaking as blood trickled from her nose, her eyes slowly closing. "Finish it," he ordered. "Hurry."
"Ergo draco maledicte," the brothers recited, holding tight to Alicia's hands, "et omnis legio diabolica adjuramus te. Cessa decipere humanas creaturas, eisque aeternae Perditionis venenum propinare. Ut Ecclesiam tuam secura tibi facias libertate servire te rogamus, audi nos!"
There was a loud roaring, almost like the sound of powerful wind right outside the door. It lasted for a few seconds, then there was the sound of an explosion before everything went silent. The purple energy faded from the hunters as Alicia's eyes rolled back into her head and she collapsed. Dean quickly picked her up, supporting her, before the four hunters hurried over to Castiel. The glass in the windows blew inward, sending shards flying. The hunters ducked, covering their heads, while Dean turned around to shield Alicia.
"Grab my arm!" Castiel shouted. Sam and Bobby grabbed Castiel's right arm, while the angel put his hand on Dean's left shoulder. "Hold her tight!" Dean followed Castiel's instruction, and a bright light quickly engulfed the room. It quickly faded just as the door flew off its hinges. Ramiel stood on the other side, his yellow eyes blazing with rage. He ignored the unconscious bodies in the corridor as he entered the room, unfazed by the Devil's Trap painted on the ceiling. He looked around, seeing the room completely empty, and he clenched his fists in anger.
"Dammit!" he shouted loudly.
(End of Chapter 10)