Chapter 6:

The echo of water dripping from a kitchen sink broke the heavy silence as shadows huddled together on the floor. Windows nearby were bordered up. The front door was barricaded. One shadow, one man sat on a chair with a loaded gun in his lap.

"What time is it?"

"Morning, I reckon." He looked over at a young girl. "It feels like morning."

"What are you psychic now?"

"Maybe." The man looked over at a young man, who glared at him. "Be grateful that I took you in."

"Thanks." The young man watched an elderly woman hold her rosary beads against her chest and pray. "Will you knock that off? He doesn't care!"

"Jordan!"

"What, Beth! That I'm right that He doesn't care!"

"Let her pray."

"Why, Jeff? Obviously, the world went to hell fast, and it is still continuing out there. Where is He when we need him now? Why does He hide when He can end this?"

"We don't know that, Jordan. We don't know anything because we have been here from the first day."

"The world could be over out there, and we are going to have to find out soon."

"And why is that, Jordan?"

"Because Jeff, we are running out of food."

"Well, I wasn't counting on taking in four strays."

They then realized that one of them was missing. In the dark apartment, only the drip from the kitchen sink was heard. Nobody moved. Then, they jumped to their feet.

"Did she go out!"

"The dresser is still how we left it, Jordan." Beth shook her head as Jordan looked at the woman with the rosary beads.

"Jesus, Callie, give it a rest!" Jordan fell quiet for a moment. "I did see her go to the bathroom, but that was awhile ago."

"Well, did you see her come back," Jeff asked, still holding his gun.

"No. I didn't," Jordan replied. "Maybe, you should have been watching her. Maybe, you dozed off. Maybe, you should give me that gun."

"I don't think so, boy. This gun is mine."

"Well, maybe you should learn not to fall asleep on your watch!"

"Enough! Both of you!" Beth stormed past them toward the bathroom. "I'll check on her."

"Jordan." Callie stared up at him with green eyes. "He loves you."

"Don't make me smack you, Callie." He stormed away from her.

"Poor soul." Jeff saw the hurt look on her face and helped her stand up. "In this dark hour, a lot of people like him will be wandering around lost, and some of them may not come back in."

"Meaning?"

Beth and Jordan erupt from the bathroom, carrying over a young, pale woman toward the couch. Her eyes were closed. Her hands were clutched into fists. Her body was laid on the couch, and Beth pushed away a strand of blonde hair that fell into her face.

"She's worse."

"Really, Beth? I was wondering why Gail resembled Casper the friendly ghost."

"Jordan, please knock it off. This isn't the time."

"What? For us to fight again?"

"Jordan…"

"Jordan, if you don't simmer down, I will smack you, and believe me when I say that you do not want me to smack you," Jeff said, and Jordan moved away from the couch.

"She still have a fever?"

"Yes, Callie. It hasn't broken."

"I only have two Tylenols left, Beth. Once she takes it, I don't know what else we can do for her." Jeff walked away from them.

"Where are you going?"

"To get the Tylenol, Jordan if you don't mind."

"She needs a doctor." Callie took Gail by the hand. "Or we will lose her soon."

"You heard the news on the radio, Callie. Whatever we do, we can't go out there. Maybe we should just… Pray."

"You're such an ass, Jordan."

"But you love me, don't you, Beth?"

"Here's the medicine." Jeff returned with the pills and a glass of water.

"How much food do we have left?"

"A couple of days, at least, Callie. Then, we will have to go out there."

"And die."

"Then, Jordan, maybe you should go first."

"And leave you alone with everyone? I don't think so."

"Hey! How about we help Gail?" Beth glared at them. "Then, you guys can start spraying your testosterone everywhere." Jeff laughed, but Jordan only glared at him.

"Someone will have to go out there, and it won't be me," Jordan said.

The ride out of town seemed too long, and John Winchester glanced over at his son, Sam, who held Beth on his lap. His gaze shifted over to the rearview mirror to see Kyle sit in-between Dean and Ryan in the back seat. As Kyle's eyes met his, John looked back out onto the empty road ahead of them.

Suddenly, an explosion was heard, and the car swerved to the side of the road. It nearly crashed into the woods nearby, barely hitting a tree. Smoke poured out of the front of the car before it shuddered and died.

"What the hell," John exclaimed. "Everyone okay?"

"Yeah. I think," Dean replied.

Standing in front of the car a few minutes later, everyone looked at the engine. Smoke continued to seep out of it. The car was dead, and they were all left walking on foot.

"How about we call a cab?"

"Sure, Ryan. Demon Delivery coming right up."

"Very funny, John."

"Seriously, Ryan, do you think that a person would come out here and pick us up with everything going on right now?"

"No." Ryan replied.

"What if I can't walk that long," Beth asked.

"Then, I'll carry you," Sam said to her.

"We should have left her in town, Sam."

"We took her away from her family, Dad."

"I know what we did, Sam, but the safest place for her was back in town!"

"This is going to be a great day," Kyle nearly yelled at them before walking away and up the road ahead of them.

Static from the radio filled the dark apartment. Water continued to drip from the kitchen sink nearby. Shadows sat in a circle in the living room. A ghost of a woman continued to sleep on the couch nearby.

"Gail still hasn't waken?" Jeff reached over to the young woman, checking her pulse. "She's warm."

"She's going to die, Jeff." He looked over at Jordan, who held Beth against him as she slept. "We all are."

"With that attitude, you will, but not me, Jordan. Not me." His gaze moved over to Callie, who quietly prayed in a corner nearby. "We need to do something. Soon."

"Like what, Jeff? Go outside. People went nuts before, and there's no telling what is going on out there now."

"We don't have a choice, Jordan! She is going to die, if we don't do anything to help her."

"Gail was sick when we first ran into this building, and if you didn't let us in, we would have been swept up by that mob of insanity and probably killed. How many people do you think were killed when all hell broke lose out there?"

"You're heartless, Jordan. I wonder why she loves you." They looked over at Beth. "Do you love her?" Jordan slowly nodded. "If she were the one that was dying, would you just let her die?"

"Don't play that card with me, Jeff."

"So, you would let me die?" Jordan looked down at Beth. "Wouldn't you?" She moved away from him.

"You're cold, man."

"Hey, I didn't get to answer the damn question!"

"But you hesitated."

"Jesus, Beth, I didn't get to answer the question."

"But you didn't need to do," Jeff said. "If you let Gail die, then you'll sacrifice anyone else just to survive."

"You know what? If you want to be the hero, be my guest." Jordan stood up from the floor. "It is survival now, and I hardly know Gail." He looked over at Beth. "But I would save you." His gaze then shifted over to Callie. "Enough, Callie! It's pathetic to pray to an invisible man!" He stormed away.

"He isn't heartless," Beth whispered. "He's just angry."

"He's dangerous."

"He's more than that, Jeff." They looked at Callie. "And we are going to have do something. Soon."

The interstate stretched out for miles as the Winchesters, Kyle, Ryan, and Beth continued to walk on ahead. The sun rose high in the sky, and a cool breeze was felt. No cars passed by, and a stomach was heard growling from one of the companions.

"I hope someone passes by soon," Ryan finally said.

"Nobody's coming," Kyle replied as she walked alongside him.

"You have such a negative attitude, do you know that?"

"Hey, leave her alone, Ryan," Dean said.

"Well, she does."

"What should I be positive about? This is a nightmare that hasn't reached its end yet, and we are sitting ducks out here too."

"What were you like before this?"

"Does it matter, Ryan?"

"I was a rookie on the police force."

"Good for you," Dean said.

"I was in college," Sam said as he carried Beth.

"So, what happened?"

"Dean asked me to help him, Ryan. Since then, we've been chasing monsters and demons."

"It's hard to believe that monsters and demons are real," Ryan said. "I rather go up against criminals than monsters and demons, but that's me."

"Good luck with that," John said. "Let's take a break for a few minutes, and then we'll start walking again."

Pulling back a piece of cardboard from a window, Jordan looked outside. Cars were smashed into each other, but no people were seen. Newspapers blew across the street, and a fire hydrant spewed its last remaining water up into the sky. About to move away from the window, Jordan suddenly saw a man looking back at him, and his eyes were black.

"What are you looking at?"

Startled, Jordan looked at Beth. He looked back out the window at the man, who stared at him before walking away. "Does it matter," Jordan said. "Nobody's out there." He moved away from the window.

"So, why were you looking?" Beth looked out the window but didn't see anyone.

"Because I might have to go out there. Gail is dying, and Jeff is right. I can't just let her die."

"So, let me go with you."

"No! I'll go, and I'll take Gail with me."

"But what about the rest of us?"

"You'll be safe in here, Beth."

"Why don't you want us to go with you, Jordan? What are you not telling me?"

"Nothing. I just have to do this." He looked over at Gail.

"When are you going?"

"Now."

Callie dropped her rosary beads. She stared at the silver cross shining across the dark floor. She was about to pick it up when Jeff snatched it up from the floor.

"You should be more careful with this, Callie." Jeff looked at the cross. "He still needs to hear us." He gave her the cross.

"That he does." She didn't take the cross back right away. "Thank you." She then took it from him, but her eyes never left Jeff's.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine, Jeff." She smiled at him. "Just fine."

As the walk resumed, John Winchester saw a green Cadillac cruising down the interstate. He stopped walking along with everyone else. He waited until the car pulled up beside them before they approached it.

"Isn't it a bit hot for all you to be walking?" John grinned in response. "Hop in. I'll give you a ride."

"Actually, we are going in the opposite direction," John replied.

"Why's that? There's no town in that direction." John's grin vanished. "Come on. Hop in."

"I was told that there was a town thirty miles down this road," John said.

"You heard wrong, my friend."

Studying the driver, John saw a man in his early to mid-thirties wearing a dirty baseball cap, striped shirt, and jeans. He was chewing on something that could either be gum or tobacco. There was a bulge under his shirt.

"What's under your shirt, friend?" The guy's smile disappeared. "Where are you going?"

"Listen, John boy, do we have to do it this way?"

A dart shot into John's neck. He spun around wildly, grabbing for the dart in his neck. It was too late. A moment later, he hit the ground, unconscious.

Before the others could react too, darts were shot at them. They tried to pull the darts out of their necks, but it was also too late. They all fell onto the ground, out cold.

Men dressed in black emerged from the woods and approached them. A black van sped down the interstate toward them. The men carried everyone into the van.

The man in the Cadillac watched all this and waited for everyone to pile into the van behind him. He pulled out a cell phone and dialed a number. He listened to the ringing before she answered the call.

"Helena, we got them." He listened to the woman say something on the other end. "We'll take them back and find out which one is the mole. See you in ten minutes." He hung up the phone. "Let's go!" Honking the horn, he swerved the car around onto the interstate and drove up the road.

Moving the dresser away from the front door, Jordan was surprised to find Jeff helping him with it. They exchanged looks as they moved away from the door. Walking together back toward the couch, Jeff handed Jordan his gun.

"Take it."

"Don't you need it?"

"You need it more." Jeff watched Jordan take the gun. "You sure you want to do this?"

"Just take care of Beth and Callie. I'll come back when I can." Jordan scooped Gail up into his arms. "One of the cars out there has to still work, and I'll drive over to the hospital."

"I'm coming with you, Jordan."

"Beth, we are already talked about this, and the answer is still no."

"He's right, Beth. He has to do this." Callie approached them. "You're safer here with us."

"Why don't you butt out, Callie!"

"Beth!"

Callie dropped her rosary beads near Beth. "I'm so clumsy. Beth, can you pick that up for me, please?"

"Pick it up yourself. Come on, Jordan." She walked toward the door. "Let's go."

"Beth, you don't have to be rude." Jordan knelt down with Gail still in his arms and picked up the rosary beads. "Here, Callie. Take it." He saw the look on Callie's face. "What?"

Taking the rosary beads from Jordan, Callie looked at Beth. They studied each other for a minute. Beth walked toward her when she suddenly grabbed the gun away from Jordan and pointed it at Callie.

"Well played, Callie."

"You too, Beth."

"Beth, what are you doing?"

"What we are going to do, Jordan, is walk out the door with Gail in your arms."

"Beth, put the gun down." Jeff flinched as Beth aimed the gun at him. "What's the matter with you?"

Beth's eyes turned black. An evil grin spread across her face. She clicked the safety off and pointed the gun back at Callie. "How long did you know?"

"Long enough." Callie's eyes turned into a brilliant green. "And you know that. We both need Gail, and that's why we are both here."

"Will someone please tell me what the hell is going on!" Jordan looked from Beth to Gail. "Beth, when I saw that man outside, I knew. I just knew that he was waiting for you."

"Beth, drop the damn gun," Jeff yelled.

Beth spun around, shooting Jeff in the shoulder. She then swerved the gun toward Jordan, who still held Gail. Looking at Callie, Beth shook her head.

"I was here first."

"That's not going to work, and you know it."

"Beth…"

"That's not Beth, Jordan. I'm sorry."

"But it is Beth, Jordan."

Beth was about to pull the trigger when a small, silver knife was thrown into her chest. Shocked, she looked at Callie, who held three more. She was about to shoot her when she fell to the floor.

"I'm sorry, Jordan, but I can't save Beth." Callie walked over to her and watched her die.

"Was that even her?" Jordan's voice shook as tears ran down his face. "Was that even her? What the hell is going on, Callie!"

"War. War between angels, demons, and you, and the demons are pushing phase two now."

"What the hell is phase two?"

"Infiltration, Jeff. I thought you were the demon, Jordan. You had me fooled for awhile."

"I thought angels weren't allowed to fight."

"I am part of a group that can, Jeff, and we will fight." She touched his shoulder and healed his wound.

"Why are you after Gail?" Callie looked at Jordan. "Why is she so important?"

"She is a receiver." Callie approached Gail still in Jordan's arms. "She can feel everyone and everything on this plane."

"Plane," Jeff asked.

"Look, time is short here especially because other demons will be coming any minute now. I need you to come with me."

"Where to, Callie?"

"The frontlines, Jordan where most angels are gathering people to fight."

"And if we refuse?" Callie looked at Jeff.

"Then, I leave you here."

"To defend for ourselves."

"Yes, Jordan. I need you two to decide right now."

"Okay." Jeff looked at Jordan, who stared down at Beth. "Jordan, she's gone." Jordan looked at him. " Let her go."

Jordan looked at Callie. "Take me with you."

A white light emitted from Callie and spread out across the room. In a flash, they disappeared just as a group of people with their eyes dripping black barged into the room. They stared at each other and then looked down at Beth, knowing that they were too late.