Coma
Chapter Fourteen
Disclaimer: Nuh-uh, don't own a single thing from Supernatural, and I'm pretty sure no one would buy this even if I attempted to sell it. So, I'm not making any money from this fic. You probably know by now which characters belong to me, so I'm not going to list them
Warning(s): The usual – violence; spoilers (up till episode ten at least); some swearing; probably some really 'dark' moments.
Once again – general thank you to people who have reviewed this fic so far – if you've left a signed review for the later chapters, I've responded to them, since it does mean an awful lot to get each and every review. Thanks also to the people who have this story on Favourites and Story Alert, as well as anyone who's read this fic but hasn't reviewed or anything. The support really is incredible
Brief recap of previous chapter: On the way back from picking up Missouri and Amber, Sam ended up having a spirit make a comment to him – at least, that's what it looks like. They got back to Jody's apartment, and started sorting out drinks and pizza before doing anything else.
Meanwhile, the vampire bite seemed to have caused Amber in the parallel world to become possessed, at least temporarily. Dean also managed to arrange going up to Kansas for the following day.
Jody and Sam walked into the living room with the food and drinks. Since Missouri and Amber were both sitting down on armchairs, Sam sat down on the couch, and Jody sat next to him after setting the pizza down on the coffee table. "Um… Help yourselves," she offered, looking like she felt quite uncomfortable.
Sam looked at the three women, and tried very hard not to think about the fact that, if Dean were there, he'd have a field day. Maybe not with Missouri – but Jody and Amber are attractive… even though Amber seems to have the ghost of her sister hovering continually around.
Missouri glanced at Sam, and raised her eyebrows, but made no comment on whatever she had picked up from him.
Must remember to keep my thoughts in rein around Missouri… It's going to get really embarrassing otherwise. Sam glanced at Jody, wondering again if he should let her know about Missouri's psychic abilities. It would probably be fair to do so – but I have no idea if she would believe me, or even how she would react to that knowledge.
Missouri watched Sam a moment longer, and then turned her attention to Jody, giving a gentle smile. "How much has Sam told you about me?" she asked – even though she had to already have some idea of what Jody knew about her. The woman glanced meaningfully towards Amber, who still looked out of it, and then returned her gaze to Jody, still giving a reassuring smile.
"Not much, really," Jody admitted, looking towards Sam as if for help. "I just know that you're a… friend of his."
I'm probably safe leaving Missouri to handle Jody, Sam decided. He turned his attention to Amber, still unsure about the young woman. "So… What made you decide to catch the plane?" he asked. More to the point, how had she even known that Sam would be going to the airport at that time? Er… Maybe I should be addressing this question to her ghost. Sam turned his attention to the area where the air was shimmering just above Amber's shoulder. How do I talk to a ghost?
Amber blinked at Sam, and then tilted her head slightly, as though she was listening to something. Sam felt a chill, and quickly amended his first thoughts about Dean having a field day. She really gives me the creeps…
"I don't think Melissa really wants to talk," Amber said, her tone soft and almost childlike.
Jody wasn't so deep into the conversation with Missouri that she didn't jerk slightly at the mention of her dead friend. Sam noticed this out of the corner of his eye, and, without actually looking at her, reached to place a hand gently on her shoulder, squeezing lightly. He didn't say anything – just attempted to silently offer his support and sympathy. I have a pretty good idea of what she might be going through… "Why not?" Sam asked Amber, keeping his tone as low and non-threatening as possible – exactly how one might talk to a very small child. Or someone who's mentally insane…
Amber watched him a moment, winding a lock of hair around one of her fingers. "Because… you'll make her leave."
Sam frowned at that. He hadn't personally come across a case like this before, but he'd read about them. Sometimes, a relative or friend was so attached to a dead person that the very intensity of their emotions bound the ghost to them.
If that's the case here, then it's not good for either Amber or her sister. Sam smiled at Amber. "I promise I won't do anything that she doesn't want," he attempted to reassure the woman. He was pretty sure he was safe in saying that – after all, he could probably talk Melissa's spirit – if that was really who it was – into seeing that it would be better for both her and Amber if she were to move on.
Amber tipped her head back slightly, as if she were looking up at someone. For a moment, she looked distant, as if she was talking to someone.
Sam stifled a sigh, and waited – a little impatiently, it has to be said – for whatever the spirit and/or her sister was going to decide. Of course, it was possible that Amber was simply mad, and the spirit didn't exist outside of her imagination – but, somehow, Sam didn't think that was the case. His psychic abilities weren't nearly as developed as, say, Missouri's – but they were there, and he could sense something near Amber.
I just hope that it isn't a demon or something preying on the memories of her sister.
Amber closed her eyes for a moment, and then looked at Sam. "She'll tell you what she knows – but it has to be in private," she continued, her eyes moving towards both Jody and Missouri. While making an obvious effort to have a conversation with Missouri, Jody didn't seem to be able to stop glancing towards Amber.
I thought that Melissa and Jody were friends… Why does Melissa seem so reluctant to 'speak' in front of her?
"That's fine," Sam replied, earning himself a rather hurt look from Jody. He squeezed her shoulder lightly again, and then moved his hand away. I know I promised Jody I'd let her know what's up with Amber, but… Something about this whole thing strikes me as odd. I'd better leave off telling her exactly what this means, at least for now. Unable to help himself, Sam yawned widely. The confrontation with the Vereor demon had worn him out more than he'd like.
But whoever had spoken in the car – be it Melissa or someone completely different – had been right. Until Sam could deal with whatever was going on with him, he wasn't going to be able to be of much use to his brother.
As well as that, Sam couldn't ignore the possibility that the Vereor demon was somehow tied to the events at Rockford Hospital. Maybe dealing with one problem would provide the solution for the other.
Besides, I'd better get the Vereor demon problem sorted out fast. I can only stay awake for so long.
Apparently satisfied by Sam's answer, Amber started digging into the pizza, and was soon followed by the others. Jody glanced sideways at Sam, and her lips quirked into a smile.
"What?" Sam couldn't help giving an answering smile, glad that Jody seemed to be feeling a bit better. I should make sure that she doesn't end up completely losing it again, though – that definitely wasn't pleasant to deal with.
Jody shrugged. "Oh, nothing really. Just wondering if you ever eat healthily, since both of the meals you've had here have consisted of pizza."
"This is nothing compared to some of the things those boys eat," Missouri commented to Jody before Sam could say anything. "Sam and Dean live on junk food. Sooner or later, they're going to blow up like two balloons – in fact, I'm surprised they haven't already." The fact that Missouri was tucking into pizza herself belied her words.
"Nah, we work out more than enough to make up for what we eat," Sam said lightly. "With what we do, it's gonna be a long time – and probably not ever – before all the fried food catches up with us." Well, Dean isn't here to do his smartass bit – so I guess it falls to me.
Jody smiled. "Yeah; I can see that all of the food hasn't had any affect on your appearance or weight." Then, as if embarrassed about what just came out of her mouth, she blushed a bit, and changed the subject. "So, Amber… What are you doing at the moment?"
"I'm training to be a teacher," Amber answered.
Sam blinked, taken by surprise by the woman's answer. She wants to be a teacher…? It wasn't like it was any of his business – but the goal of being a teacher was quite strange for someone in Amber's position.
I hope she realises that she'll have to go through a disclosure and various tests before she can work at being a teacher.
Missouri leaned forward slightly, looking interested. "What age are you planning on teaching?"
Amber shrank back slightly, looking almost a bit cornered. "Um… I'm not really sure at the moment," she admitted. "I've still got a little way to go with that. It's just as well I had a holiday coming up, otherwise I would never have been able to come here." Her eyes darted quickly up to the shimmering air, and then down again.
Jody had fallen silent, and was staring at the glass of wine she had poured. Abruptly, she stood up, and walked out of the living room without a word. Sam listened carefully, and was relieved when he heard her footsteps just going upstairs rather than heading out of the front door. "What's up with her?" he asked, looking between Missouri and Amber. Well, aside from the obvious, of course.
Missouri looked rather grim. "I think it has something to do with what Melissa is going to tell you…" Abruptly, she broke off, her attention going to the shimmering air. "Ah… I see. Yes, you're welcome to, sweetie."
"What?" Amber's confusion seemed to mirror Sam's.
Missouri met Sam's gaze, but seemed to be talking to both of them as she explained, "Melissa's spirit is a little worried that her sister might be so distraught that she'd misinterpret what the spirit says. Melissa was able to communicate very briefly with me – she wants to talk through me."
"Can you do that?" Sam frowned. I've certainly heard of some psychics being able to do that, but I didn't think Missouri was one…
Missouri nodded, but made no comment to the thought she must have heard. For a moment, she looked at the shimmering air, and then held a hand out, almost like one would try and call a small animal to them. Although Sam couldn't see Melissa, he could see when something seemed to enter Missouri's body. The woman immediately sat up straight, her hands folded in her lap, looking very prim and proper. Missouri's eyes instantly changed to green – which looked quite strange on her.
"Um… Melissa?" Sam said hesitantly. He glanced towards Amber a moment, wondering if it would be a good idea to get her out of the room – it would probably be best not to upset her. "Why don't you go up and talk to Jody a bit?" he suggested. "I'm sure you two have a lot to catch up on."
Amber looked blankly at Sam a moment, and then shrugged. "Ok." She stood up, and headed out of the door as well.
"Good job on getting Jody and my sister out of the way, Sammy-boy," Missouri – or, rather, Melissa – commented.
Sam raised his eyebrows. "Sammy-boy?" Really glad that Dean's not around to hear that – it's just another thing he'd get a kick out of.
Melissa crossed one leg over the other and laced her hands together over her knee. She leaned forward slightly with a smile. "Sorry – I have a habit of giving people nicknames. So, what did you want to know? You weren't exactly clear on the phone."
"What did you manage to find out?" Sam asked, a little eagerly, and decided to ignore the 'Sammy-boy' – at least for now. It's probably not a good idea to piss this spirit off when she's about to give me information.
Melissa immediately lost her expression of good humour as she released a heavy sigh. "I admit it – despite all evidence to the contrary, I couldn't quite believe in the existence of demons. So… I started looking into the situation at the hospital." She paused a moment, and then continued, "I didn't like what I found out at all. It seemed to me that there was someone working in the hospital who was involved with this."
Sam frowned, opened his mouth, and then closed it again. It makes sense, and I would probably have come to that conclusion eventually anyway, he thought. "Did you come at all close to finding out who it might be?"
"I have… had a few suspicions." Melissa looked a little distant a moment. "Unfortunately… The car accident happened before I had a chance to prove anything."
Sam shifted slightly uneasily in his seat. Does she know what happened with the car, and whether it was really an accident…? "What happened?" he asked.
Melissa gave a slight shrug. "I believe that the brake lines were cut – probably, someone felt that I was getting too close to the truth." She sounded way too calm about the situation.
I guess that she's got used to being dead – but I'm sure it must be difficult. I wonder if Jess is still around as a spirit – I did see her that time, after all. At least, I think I did… "Who were you suspicious of in the hospital?"
Melissa said nothing, but her eyes moved towards the living room door.
"So… Salt?"
Dean, startled out of his thoughts, glanced up as Amber broke the silence. "Yeah…" he replied, wondering what she was getting at. "What about it?"
"Does it repel or trap demons or something?" Amber shuddered a little, and hung her head, biting her lip slightly. Despite her obvious attempts to remain calm, she was clearly shaking a little. She fidgeted with her hands, and kept touching her neck, where the vampire bit her.
It could be a trick, Dean reminded himself. He hadn't survived this long against the supernatural without learning something of how the creatures acted. The fact that she hadn't yet tried to move off the bed suggested that the demon was still inside her, even if not currently in control. "Only the low-level demons," he answered cautiously.
"So they didn't even consider me worthy enough to implant a high-level demon?" Amber attempted to smile, but her lips were trembling. "Why is this happening to me?" she demanded. "I just can't… I never wanted any of this!"
"Yeah; I can understand that." Dean sighed. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you, though," he attempted to reassure her. He was pretty sure that that wasn't going to make Amber feel much better, though. Who can blame her? It would be different – and maybe easier, in a way – if she had been completely possessed… Why hasn't she been? I need to find out more about this…
Amber hung her head a little. "I can feel it, inside me, you know," she whispered. "It's kinda like that feeling when you get butterflies in your stomach, but also when you feel really hungry, and your tummy starts rumbling… Sorry, I'm not explaining it too well, and I'm probably talking too much," she added when Dean glanced up at her.
Dean gave a slight shrug. "You can talk if you want – just make sure you stay over there." I'd get hold of some kind of weapon, but what good would that do, if any? I can't very well shoot Amber – I want to get her unpossessed, not dead.
Amber flinched at his words, but didn't comment on them. "I wasn't planning on trying to move," she admitted. "You don't have to stay with me. There's a lock on the door – you can lock me in, if you think that I'm going to be a danger to you or anyone else here." She was still trembling, though. Still looked pathetic and not dangerous at all.
But there's nothing to stop her from losing it again, and I'm not putting myself in that position. "If you can get off that bed with the salt around you, then you'd have no problems with breaking the lock on the door. I think I'll stay in here; I'm a light sleeper, so if you try anything, I'll wake up. Got it?" His comment was addressed to the demon inside as much as to Amber.
A demon can probably dig deep into her memories and act like it's her when it really isn't – I'm not taking that chance. If it comes to a choice between killing Amber or letting her kill my brother, it'll be her going down every time.
"Ok," Amber whispered, still with her head down, looking pretty miserable.
"Can I get you anything?" Dean asked after a moment. I'll worry about how to actually get it to her when I come to it.
Amber started to shake her head. Then, she hesitated. "Actually… Could I have a beer? There are some in the fridge in the kitchen."
"Sure. Wait here; I'll be back soon." Dean left the room, and closed the door behind him. Then, he bolted it shut. Can't be too careful these days. And, no, he was not going to wonder what a bolt was doing on a bedroom door.
Dean started down the stairs, and then paused as he got about halfway down, feeling the hairs on the back of his neck prickle as he faced a familiar blonde figure. Should have remembered to bring that salt with me.
As if reading his mind, Meg smirked. "I'm afraid that won't work on me, Dean. I'm one of those high-level demons." She laughed, but Dean seemed to hear the echoing of screams behind her voice. "I'm just getting started here. Why should I rush in my plans? I'm having a lot of fun."
"What did you do to Amber!"
Meg pretended to look hurt. "Why, Dean, I'm shocked. What makes you think I did anything to Amber? Wasn't it that vampire who attacked her?"
Dean took a step forward. "Push me, and you'll see just how much damage I can do even while unarmed," he got out through gritted teeth. "I know that you were behind this somehow. Tell me how to get that demon out of her, or I swear I'll kill you!"
Meg gave a mock-sigh. "Unfortunately, there's no way of getting it out of her right now." Her bright eyes and the mocking smile playing around her lips indicated that she was enjoying herself – and that, no matter what she said, she didn't care whether things had gone as planned for her or not. "The demon might only be partly in, but it's hooked deep," she continued. "If you try to exorcise it or anything, you'll kill her – and her soul will go straight to hell."
Dean almost flinched at that, but quickly calmed himself down, and stared hard at Meg. "So why don't you tell me just what I do in order to get it out of her safely!" I'll be damned if I let her soul go to hell.
Meg started playing with a small vial that hung around her neck. "Well… First of all, you need to give her more of this dark elixir, so that the demon can take full control of her. Then, you can exorcise it – oh, but before you can do that, it demands a sacrifice."
"What kind of sacrifice?"
Meg smirked. "Well, now… That would be telling, wouldn't it?" With those words, she was simply gone.