Chapter 15
Dean's eyes burned, his vision blurred by tears as he looked down at Lyra lying in his arms. Lifeless.
"Katie." He heard Lyra's voice but her lips hadn't moved. Looking up he saw Lyra staggering towards him. A single rivulet of blood ran down the side of her face. Grasping his shoulder, Lyra collapsed to her knees next to Dean.
"Lyra?"
"This is my sister, Katie. My twin sister."
Comprehension and relief swept over Dean like a tidal wave. Twin sisters. Identical twins. Gently he handed Katie's body over to Lyra who held her quietly whispering to her. Placing his hand softly on Lyra's back trying to comfort her he was overwhelmed by his emotions.
Clutching Katie to her, Lyra turned her head to look at Dean.
Tears streaming down her face mixing with the blood. "Thank you," she said simply.
Placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "You're welcome," Dean whispered.
"Katie, love." Jim stood behind them. The claymore dropped from his hand onto the grass with a heavy thud. Dean rose to allow Jim to kneel beside his daughter. Daughters. The live one and the dead one.
Feeling bereft Dean looked for Sam. He was walking across the charred lawn, his arm around Sophia supporting her. Collapsing to her knees beside Lyra, Sophia placed a gentle kiss on Katie's pale brow. Sophia said something quietly in Latin. A prayer? A goodbye?
Huddling together the three family members looked upon Katie as she slowly opened her eyes. Blue, like Lyra's, there was something unnatural about them Dean noted. Katie's eyes had a milky-white film, although they were open they still looked dead.
Katie's lips parted slightly, "Thank you." She whispered her voice like dried leaves blowing across a wintery sidewalk.
"You're welcome," Jim replied clasping Katie's hand in his. "Go in peace, my love." Jim kissed her hand softly and placed it gently across her body. As he let go of her hand, his shoulders shook. He wept quietly.
Tears welled in Dean's eyes. It was hard to watch the big Scot break down like this.
Katie looked at her mother and sister. "Goodbye. I love you," she said simply.
"I love you, my darling. Blessed be." Sophia said caressing Katie's long dark hair.
Katie's skin was so pale it was translucent. Dean could see the lawn beneath her through her skin. Wiping the tears from his eyes, he looked again. She was fading.
"No," Lyra said weakly through her sobs. "Don't go."
"Be strong, Lyra." Katie said. "You've always been the strong one."
"Please Katie." Lyra begged. "Don't go."
With a soft sigh Katie closed her eyes. A breeze blew across the lawn and she was gone. Lyra's arms were empty as she lay across the ground where her sister had been just a moment ago. Crying hard, Lyra's voice broke.
"No. Don't go." Lyra collapsed crying onto the grass.