Author's note: This chapter has got a lot going on, as will the next one. I'm super excited to get them up to you guys. I'm shocked to be this far into my story and have so much love and support. You guys who keep reading, following, favoriting, and especially reviewing really make this all happen! Yall are awesome!
"Bam! Pay up mother fuckers!" I cheered as I made the winning shot against my two cocky ass brothers. This is quite possibly the first time I've ever beat Dean at a game of pool. The look in his eyes was worth more than the money itself.
"Dean. Money." I said walking up to him and reaching out my greedy little hand. He glared at me while he reached around for his wallet and pulled out the 50 bucks he bet me, then I went to Sam. He was much more willing to pay up, and laughed at me the whole time as I danced around the table.
"Next rounds on me boys!" I said walking up to the bar and grabbing 2 beers and a root beer. I walked back to the table and set down the drinks.
"Sam. Why do I feel like we just got hustled" Dean asked out loud as he took a drink.
"Because your ego is too big." Sam answered honestly, earning a bitch face from dean and a high five from me. Poor Dean. He looks so defeated.
"Hey De. Girl on your 10 o clock has been watching you all night. She's cute." I said with a smile. He grinned and perked up as he turned and caught her smile.
"Well. Then I guess its time to say goodnight children." Dean said as he stood and walked over to her table. I laughed as I watched her fall prey to some ridiculous cheesy pick up line.
"Well something tells me we shouldn't wait up." Sam said to me.
"Yeah. I usually never do."
"I don't get it Em… Why are you cool with him doing this all the time. Its gross. And annoying."
"Because it keeps him happy. As much as I hate to admit it, or think about since he's my brother and all… a man has needs."
"Yeah but I think his needs are a little more than most men." Sam said causing me to chuckle and almost choke on my drink. Sam and I watched as Dean flirted and the drunk girl giggled at every little thing he said.
"You ever wonder what he says to them? Or how in the hell they think he's telling them the truth?" I asked Sam.
"He's charming. Always has been. Plus most women hanging out in here are looking for it anyways."
"Hey!" I said punching him.
"Oh come on… I didn't mean you. You walked in with your brothers. Out of everyone in this bar you are the least likely to get picked up."
"Oh yeah?" I asked taking some offense to his comment. I could get picked up easily. "Wanna bet?"
"Emily… You're twisting everything I say." He said annoyed.
"And you doubt my abilities. I am after all that charming asshole's sister, I have the same genes." I said pointing at Dean.
"Em. Just don't." Sam said as I stood up front the table.
"Watch and learn Sammy boy." I said with a wink as I walked to the bar. Not worried about who might bug me, If any guy got too handsy I have both of my brothers here.
"I'll take a crown on the rocks please." I said sitting down where there was empty seats on either side of me. I ordered the whiskey but only pretended to sip on it. Letting it sting my lips and tongue. I looked around and carefully eavesdropped on the conversations around me. The bartender was hitting on some sleaze. Much like Dean. The girls sitting a few stools down were gossiping about their workplace. The guys across the bar were complaining about their wives. There were a few biker guys just drinking a beer and watching whatever sports game was on TV. But then when I glanced up I realized it wasn't sports. It was the news, and my two idiot brothers were plastered on the front of it. FUCK! I jumped up and ran over to Sam.
"We gotta leave now, you two are all over the TV." I said quickly as I ran over and said the same thing to Dean.
"Dammit man… I had that one in the bag!" Dean said as he sped down the road away from the bar.
"What the hell are you two even doing on the news 3 states away?" I asked.
Sam pulled out his laptop.
"So much for our low profile. You've got a warrant in St. Louis, and now you're officially in the Fed's database." Sam said to Dean. Grrreat. My two idiot brothers got themselves busted working a case last week. I stayed low profile on this one, so luckily no one knows I was even involved. But its obvious now that they know Dean didn't die back on that case with the shifter.
"Dude, I'm like Dillinger or something." Dean said with a smile. Idiot. I smacked the back of his head playfully, he reached back to hit me but I quickly leaned and ducked giggling.
"Dean, it's not funny. Makes the job harder, we've gotta be more careful now." Sam said frustrated.
"Well, what do they got on you?"
"I'm sure they just haven't posted it yet." Sam mumbled.
"No accessory? Nothing?" I asked amused.
"Shut up." Sam said.
"You're jealous." Dean laughed.
"No, I'm not!" Sam quickly defended himself.
"Uh-huh. All right. What do you got on the case there, you innocent, harmless young man, you?" Dean teased. Sam rolled his eyes but pulled out the case file we were looking at earlier today.
"Architect Sean Boyden plummeted to his death from the roof of his home, a condominium he designed." Sam explained trying to get us off the topic of his innocence.
"Hmm. Build a high-rise and jump off the top of it. That's classy. When did he call animal control?" Dean asked.
"Two days earlier."
"Did he actually say Black Dog?" I asked.
"Yeah. A vicious, wild, black dog. The authorities couldn't find it, no one else saw it; in fact, the authorities are a little confused as to how a wild dog could get past the doorman, take the elevator up and start roaming the halls of the cushiest joint in town. After that, no more calls, he doesn't show up for work, two days later he takes a swan dive." Damn.
"Do you think we're dealing with an actual Black Dog?" Dean asked. Its just so rare. We've never actually gotten to hunt one.
"Well, maybe." Sam admitted.
"What's the lore on it?" Dean asked. Sam handed Dean and I some papers.
"It's all pretty vague. I mean, there are spectral black dogs all over the world, but... some say they're animal spirits, others say death omens. But anyways, whatever they are, they're big, nasty.." Sam explained.
"Yeah, I bet they could hump the crap outta your leg, look at that one, huh?" Dean said holding up a picture smirking. Sam and I glared at him, his smirk slowly slipped away.
"What? They could." He said quietly looking back to the road.
Ahhh… Monkey suits and a skirt. I hate playing dress up sometimes. But a high class business like this isn't going to let in anyone who isn't dressed up, even if they do have a press badge, or intern in my case.
"So, you and Sean Boyden were business partners for almost ten years, right?" Sam asked the business man.
"That's right. Now one more time, this is for...?"
"A tribute to Mr. Boyden. Architectural Digest." Dean answered. The man laughed.
"This funny to you?" Dean asked him.
"No, it... it's just, a tribute. Yeah. See, Sean always got the tributes. He kills himself, leaves me and his family behind... well, he gets another tribute."
"Right. Any idea why he'd do such a thing?" I asked.
"I, I have no clue, I mean he lived a charmed life."
"How so?" I asked.
"He was a flat-out genius. I mean, I'm capable, but next to him, I... and it wasn't always that way, either."
"No?" Dean asked.
"You wanna know the truth? There was a time where he couldn't even design a pup tent. Hell, ten years ago he's working as a bartender at this place called Lloyds. A complete dive."
"Right. So what changed?" Sam asked
"You got me. But overnight, he gets this huge commission, and he starts designing... he starts designing the most ingenious buildings anyone has ever seen. It was like, the level of Van Gogh, and Mozart..."
"What?" I asked after he abruptly cut off.
"It's funny. True geniuses, they seem to die young, don't they? To have that kind of talent? Why... why just throw it away?"
After we left there we went to the Animal Protection Agency, or in other words. The city pound. Dean went in alone once we noticed it was a cute girl working the front. Sam and I sat and waited for him to get back in the car.
"So?" I asked when he got in.
"Secretary's name is Carly. She's twenty three, she, uh, kayaks, and they're real." Dean said grinning.
"You didn't happen to ask her if she's seen any black dogs lately, did you?" Sam asked.
"Every complaint called in this week about anything big, black, or dog-like. There's nineteen calls in all. And, uh, I don't know what this thing is…" Dean said handing him a paper with a sticky note on it. I peered over Sam's shoulder and read the sticky note, I started laughing. Dean was confused.
"You mean Carly's MySpace address?" I asked amused.
"Yeah, MySpace, what the hell is that?" He asked. Sam and I both laughed.
" Seriously, is that like some sort of porn site?" Dean asked excitedly.
"De… upstairs brain. For one damn day. Please." I said exasperated. He shrugged and started driving towards the first name on the list.
We were probably half way down the page by now, and it was becoming clearer and clearer that Dean was not a fan of dogs.
"I swear, if this is another freakin' Pomeranian barking in the neighbor's yard..." He grumbled as we knocked. A young woman, probably the maid, opened the door.
"Afternoon, ma'am.. Uh, Animal Control." Dean said showing his badge.
"Oh, someone already came yesterday."
"Oh, we're just following up. We're looking for Dr. Sylvia Pearlman?" Sam quickly explained, the woman opened the door and invited us in.
"The Doctor, well, she, I don't know exactly when she'll be back, she left two days ago." The woman explained.
"Okay. And you are...?" Dean asked.
"I'm Ms. Pearlman's maid." Ha! Nailed it.
"So where did the Doctor go?" I asked.
"I'm not sure. She just packed and went, she didn't say where. That stray dog, did you find it finally?"
"Oh, not yet. You know, you didn't ever happen to see the dog yourself, did you?" Sam said.
"Well, no. I never even heard it." She said.. Hm. That's odd.
"I was almost starting to think the Doctor was imagining things, but she's not like that, so..."
"Hey, you know I read she was, uh chief surgeon at the hospital. She's gotta be what, forty two, forty three? That's pretty young for that job." Dean said.
"Youngest in the history of the place. She got the position... ten years ago?"
"Huh." Dean said.
"Huh. An overnight success. Ten years ago." Sam said as well, we all swapped a look.
"Yeah, we know a guy like that. Oh, look at this…" Dean said holding up a photo. "Lloyd's bar."
We left and went to check in at a motel and get changed. I was so glad to be back in my regular Jeans and a tshirt. Gotta love ACDC. Dean does, I know because I stole his shirt again.
It didn't take us long to get to Lloyd's, it was just some tiny bar in the middle of nowhere. We got out and started looking around at the crossroads right next to the bar.
"Hey." I said getting the boys' attention.
"Yeah?" Sam asked. I pointed over to the grass area beside the road.
"That's weird." Dean said looking over to where the yellow flowers were growing.
"What?" Sam asked.
"Think someone planted these?" I asked
"Middle of all these weeds?" Sam said.
"These are, uh, what do you call 'em." Dean said snapping his fingers.
"Yarrow flowers?" Sam said.
"Yeah. Used for certain rituals, aren't they?"
"Yeah, actually. Summoning rituals."
"Heh. So, two people become sudden successes about ten years ago. Right around the time they were hanging out here at Lloyd's." Dean pondered outloud.
"Where there just happens to be a crossroads. You think?"
"Let's find out." Dean said. He measured out to find the exact center of the crossroads, then he started digging. He didn't dig long before he found a small metal box and pulled it out.
"Yahtzee." He mumbled.
"I'd be willing to bet that's graveyard dirt. And a black cat bone." Sam said as we all pulled out the contents, including a young man's picture.
"That's serious spellwork. I mean, that's Deep South Hoodoo stuff." Dean said.
"Used to summon a demon." I mumbled as I got the sinking feeling… It just now occurred to me… the list that dad gave us to give to Bobby after the car wreck. It had these some of these things on it… I knew he wanted to summon the damn thing, but now the real question is why? I couldn't stand to look at the box anymore. I just stood up and looked away.
"Not just summon one. Crossroads are where pacts are made. These people are actually making deals with the damn thing. You know, 'cause that always ends good." Dean said.
"They're seeing dogs, all right. But not Black Dogs, they're seeing Hellhounds. Demonic pit bulls." Sam explained.
"Yeah, whoever this demon is, it's back and it's collecting. And that doctor lady? Wherever she's running? She ain't running fast enough." Dean said putting the box back down and standing to dust off his pants.
"So it's just like the Robert Johnson legend, right? I mean, selling your soul at the crossroads, kind of deal?" Sam asked.
"Yeah, except that wasn't a legend. I mean, you know his music." Dean said. Sam shrugged in reply.
"You don't know Robert Johnson's songs? Sam, there's, there's occult references all over his lyrics, I mean, Crossroad Blues? Me and the Devil Blues? Hellhound on My Trail?" I asked. Come on Sammy… he just frowns and Dean rolls his eyes.
"The story goes, he died choking on his own blood, he was hallucinating, and muttering about big evil dogs." Dean said.
"And now it's happening all over again." Sam said.
"Yeah." I agreed.
"We've gotta figure out if anyone else struck any bargains around here." Sam said.
"Great. So we've gotta clean up these peoples' mess for 'em? I mean, they're not exactly squeaky clean. Nobody put a gun to their head and forced 'em to play Let's Make A Deal." Dean said bitterly. Taking Sam and I both off guard… if I had to guess he's thinking the same thing I am right now, but I didn't dare meet his eyes, cause then he'd know I knew it too. I don't want to believe it. Any of it. Just the thought makes it hard to swallow.
"So what, we should just leave them to die?" Sam asked.
"Somebody goes over Niagara in a barrel, you gonna jump in and try to save 'em?" Dean asked.
"Dean."
"All right fine. Rituals like this, you've got to put your own photo into the mix, right? So this guy probably summoned this thing, let's go and see if anyone inside knows him. If he's still alive." They turned to walk towards the car.
"Hey I'm gonna wait this one out in the car. I got a headache." I said.
"Yeah. Okay." Dean said without hesitation, Sam gave me an odd look, I quickly looked away and went to the car.
I know I don't have long… I dialed the one number I always knew I could dial. It rang twice.
"Hello?" The gruff voice answered.
"Uncle Bobby?"
"Emily, darling whats going on?" He asked noticing the nervousness in my voice.
"I um. I need to ask you something, and I don't want you to say anything to my brothers. Please."
"Okay…" he answered hesitantly.
"When daddy… when he. He gave us that list of things, you said they were to summon a demon. Why do you think he wanted to summon it?"
There was a long sigh and then a moment of silence.
"Emily darling I don't know anything for sure."
"Bobby… do you think he would have made a deal?" I whispered feeling nauseous just thinking about it.
Another long pause. Guess that's my answer.
"You know what, just. Nevermind… Um. Please. Don't tell Dean or Sam I called okay?" I said quickly. Not sure I could handle hearing the confirmation out of his mouth.
"Emily I-" He said sadly.
"Bye Bobby. Love you." I said before hanging up the phone. It feels like the ground beneath me is trembling. I feel angry. I feel devastated. I feel like someone put a knife in my gut. How could he? Did he… NO. No. Surely not… He wouldn't do that. He wouldn't leave me on purpose. Forever. Leave me with no way to fix this… nothing. No. He couldn't. How could he. I tried to convince myself that its not true. It was the only thing I felt like could hold me together at the moment.
I spent the next 10 minutes laying down in the backseat in pure silence. Convincing myself that daddy didn't leave me on purpose. That he didn't make a deal with the demon who killed my mother. That he isn't in hell…
The sound of the doors opening caused me to jump. But I didn't get up. I kept my face to the back of the seat so I didn't have to look at them. They'd know something was wrong. So instead I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep.
"Em?" Sam called. I stayed still with level breathing.
"She's sleeping dude. Let her be." Dean said before pulling away. I could hear Sam turn back around.
It wasn't long before the car stopped again. Sam reached back and shook me gently.
"Kiddo wake up."
"Hmm?" I groaned not turning around.
"We're at this guys place. I think you should come in."
I sat up and opened the door, the boys got out and I followed them.
"What's this guy's name again?" I asked.
"George Darrow. Apparently quite the regular at Lloyd's. Though this house probably ain't up next on MTV Cribs, is it?" Dean said as we walked up.
"Yeah. So whatever kind of deal he made.." Sam started.
"Wasn't for cash. Oh, who knows. Maybe this place is full of babes in Princess Leia bikinis." Dean finished. Sam sighed.
"No, I'm just saying, this guy's got one epic bill come due. Hope at least he asked for something fun." Dean said. I just rather not comment. We reached the landing in front of apartment 4C, there was some sort of black powder all around the front of the door.
"Look at that." I said pointing it out to the boys, they leaned down to get a better look.
"What is that, pepper?" Dean asked while rubbing his fingers in it.
Suddenly the door opens and a very average old man in a very dirty shirt appears.
"Who the hell are you?"
"George Darrow?" Dean asked him.
"I'm not buying anything." He said before trying to close the door.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, looks like you went for the wrong shaker there. Hey. Usually when you want to keep something evil out you go for the salt." Dean told him. He got an odd look on his face suddenly.
"I don't know what you talkin' about."
"Talkin' about this." I said holding up the small picture of him.
"Tell me. You seen that Hellhound yet?" Dean asked him. He got an angry look on his face.
"Look. We want to help. Please. Just five minutes." Sam said. George opened the door and let us in.
"So what is that stuff out front?" I asked.
"Goofer Dust." What the fuck?
"What, you think you know somethin' about somethin' but not Goofer dust?" He said surprised before tossing a bag of it to Dean.
"Well, we know a little about a lot of things. Just enough to make us dangerous." Dean answered.
"What is it?" Sam asked.
"Hoodoo. My grandma taught me. Keeps out demons."
"Demons we know." I said.
"Well, then. Maybe it'll do you some good." He said sitting down with some whiskey and a pocket watch. "Four minutes left." He mumbles. I look up to Sam and Dean. Sam steps forward towards him.
"Mr. Darrow. We know you're in trouble." Sam said.
"Yeah, that you got yourself into." Dean added earning him a glare from Sam.
"But it's not hopeless, all right? There's gotta be something we can do." Sam said half to George and half to Dean.
"Listen. I get that you want to help. But sometimes a person makes their bed, they've just got to lie down in it. I'm the one called that demon in the first place."
"What'd you do it for?" I asked.
"I was weak. I mean, who don't want to be great? Who don't want their life to mean something? I just... I just never thought about the price."
"Was it worth it?" I asked him.
"Hell no. 'Course, I asked for talent. Shoulda gone for fame. I'm still broke, and lonely. Just now I got this pile of paintings don't nobody want. But that wasn't the worst."
"Go on." Sam said.
"Demon didn't leave. I never counted on that. After our deal was done the damn thing stayed at Lloyd's for a week. Just chattin'. Makin' more deals. I tried to warn folks, but, I mean who's goin' to listen to an old drunk?"
"How many others are there?" Dean asked.
"Uh, the architect, that doctor lady — I kept up with them, they've been in the papers. Least they got famous."
"Who else, George? Come on, think."
"One more. Uh, nice guy too. Hudson. Evan, I think. I don't know what he asked for. Don't matter now. We done for."
"No. No, there's gotta be a way." Sam said.
"You don't get it! I don't want a way!" George suddenly said loudly.
"Look, you don't –"
"I called that thing! I brought it on myself. I brought it on them. I'm going to hell, one way or another. All I want is to finish my last painting. Day or two, I'm done. I'm just trying to hold them off 'till then. Buy a little time. Okay. Times up, go help somebody that wants help."
"We can't just —"
"Get out! I got work to do." George stood and yelled. Walking over to his paintings.
"You don't really want to die." I said to him softly.
"I don't? I'm... I'm tired." He said looking at me. His eyes. They were dull. Lifeless. As if he was already dead. I gave up and walked out, Dean and Sam not far behind me.
"Alright we gotta find this guy." Sam said as we got back in the car.
"Why? Its probably too late anyways." I mumbled from the backseat with my eyes focused out the window.
"Oh come on Em. Don't make me fight you on this too… I'm already fighting Dean. Just. Give me a chance to figure something out."
"Okay Sammy." I said softly. Not looking at him.
When I did glance up again it was Dean's eyes that I caught looking back in the rearview mirror. He stared at me. He knew exactly what I was thinking. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was thinking the exact same thing. Dammit dad. I start to feel my control slip so I quickly looked away and took a deep breath. Dean put the car in drive and started down the road.
It didn't take long to find the guy. Next thing I knew we were walking up to another door. Sam hopeful, me and Dean just going through the motions at this point.
"Yes?" The man who answered the door said. He looked average too. But he looked scared. He knows its coming.
"Evan Hudson?" Sam asked. The guy nodded.
"You ever been to a bar called Lloyd's? Would have been about ten years ago." Dean said. The man quickly slams the door and latched it.
"Come on, we're not demons!" Dean yelled banging on the door.
"Any other bright ideas?" I ask the boys after a moment with no response. Dean takes one step back and kicks the door in. We walked in and began to search for Evan. We come across another door, dean rears back to kick it in as well but Sam stops him and glares as the unlocked door easily swings open.
"Evan?" I asked stepping through the doorway. He quickly jumped out terrified.
"Please! Don't hurt me." He begged.
"We're not going to hurt you, all right? We're here to help you." Sam said comfortingly taking small steps towards him.
"We know all about the genius deal you made." Dean added flatly
"What? How?"
"Doesn't matter. All that matters is, we're trying to stop it." Sam told him.
"How do I know you're not lying?"
"Well, you don't, but you're kinda running low on options there, buddy-boy." Dean said.
"Can you stop it?" Evan asked as he swallowed and began pacing.
"Don't know. We'll try." I said honestly.
"I don't want to die." He said pleadingly.
"Of course you don't, not now." Dean said harshly.
"Dean. Stop." Sam said quietly.
"What'd you ask for anyway, Evan? Huh? Never need Viagra? Bowl a perfect game? What?" Dean asked.
"My wife." He said with no hesitation.
"Right. Gettin' the girl. Well, that's worth a trip to hell for." Dean laughed. What an ass, but honestly I'm not sure how I fell about all this either.
"Dean, stop." Sam said again.
"No. He's right, I made the deal. Nobody twisted my arm, that... woman, or whatever she was, at the bar? She said I could have anything I wanted. I thought she was nuts at first, but... I don't know how to— I was desperate." Evan said with power behind his voice. I was impressed with his perseverance against Dean's piss poor attitude. Dean gets to people easily.
"Desperate?" I asked.
"Julie was dying."
"You did it to save her?" Dean asked surprised. I caught his eyes.
"She had cancer, they'd stopped treatment, they were moving her into hospice, they kept saying... a matter of days. So yeah, I made the deal. And I'd do it again. I'd have died for her on the spot."
"Did you ever think about her in all this?" Dean asked.
"I did this for her."
"You sure about that? I think you did it for yourself. So you wouldn't have to live without her. But guess what? She's going to have to live without you now. But what if she knew how much it cost? What if she knew it cost your soul? How do you think she'd feel?" Dean said full of anger. I stepped in front of him. He never took his eyes off of Evan.
"Okay, that's enough. You just sit tight, all right? We're going to figure this out." Sam told him pulling Dean away. I followed Dean into the hallway, Sam right behind me.
"You all right?" Sam asked him.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be? Hey, I got an idea. You throw George's hoodoo at that Hellhound, keep it away from Evan as long as you can. I'm gonna go to the crossroads and summon the demon."
"Summon— are you nuts?" I asked loudly.
"Maybe a little. But I can trap it. I can exorcise it, and I can buy us time to figure out something more permanent."
"Yeah, but how much time?" Sam asked him.
"I don't know, a while. I mean, it's not easy for those suckers to claw their way back from hell and into the sunshine."
"No. No way." I said stepping forward.
"You're not allowed to say no, Em, not unless you've got a better idea."
"Dean, you can forget it, all right? I'm not letting you summon that demon."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't like where your head is at right now, that's why not." I said giving him a knowing look.
"What are you talking about?" He asked annoyed.
"You know what I'm talking about Dean! Its tearing you to pieces… just like it is me. Just the thought of it kills you on the inside. Okay. I get it. I know. I'm pissed. I'm hurt. But I will NOT lose you too. I won't. I'll wreck your fucking car before I let you drive it back to that crossroads."
"We don't have time for this!" He yelled at me trying to push past but I kept placing myself right in front of him.
"So this is all about Dad. You think maybe Dad made one of these deals, huh? Hell. I've been thinking it. I knew Em was as soon as we found the ingredients in the box… You're not stupid. I figured you were too. But this is beyond stupid." Sam said trying another tactic at stopping him from going.
"It fits, doesn't it? I'm alive, Dad's dead. The yellow-eyed demon was involved. What if he did? What if he struck a deal? My life for his soul?" Dean finally said softly. It broke my heart to watch his face when he said the words out loud. It broke my heart even more to know that Dean and Sam both believed it. It made it impossible for me to think otherwise.
"I think I hear it! It's outside!" Evan suddenly screamed. I turned towards him and Dean took his chance to slide past me and get to the door.
"Just keep him alive, okay?" He yelled.
"Dean! No! Get back here." I yelled chasing after him.
"Go!" He yelled back fiercely. I screamed in frustration before turning back and joining Evan and Sam.
"Why the fuck didn't you stop him?" I screamed at Sam when I got in the room. He didn't even chase after him. He just went back to save Evan. We have a brother to worry about.
"Emily he wasn't going to listen."
"So what Sam?! We hold him down, knock him out, let the damn dog eat this guy and Dean wouldn't have gone!"
"Emily that's enough." Sam said. For the first time he sounded like Dad. It stopped me dead in my tracks. "We have a job to do. This guy. He's the job. Dean gets that. I get that. Like it or not, you better learn to get a grip on it."
I glared back at him in silence.
"Look. I know you're off your game right now. I know what's in your head. I know its killing you. But you gotta shove all that aside. This guy is gonna die without us." He said softer than before.
"Fine. What do we do.."
"Take this, get all the doors and windows. Just like salt." He said handing me the goofer dust.
"What is that stuff?" Evan asked.
"Goofer dust." Sam answered.
"You serious?"
"Yeah. 'Fraid so. Look. Believe me, don't believe me, whatever you want. Just whatever you do, stay inside the circle, all right?" Sam said as he made a circle around where Evan stood.
Evan nodded. When I finished Sam pulled me to stand in the circle with them. It wasn't a second later before Evan suddenly spun around nervously.
"Did you hear it?" He asked in a whisper.
"No, where?" Sam asked. I listened closely but heard nothing.
"Its right outside the door." Evan said shakily pointing at the main doors to the room I looked down to double check that I had lined it with goofer dust.
The door began to rattle violently and I grabbed onto Sam. He pulled me close to him and kept Evan placed behind us.
"Sam. That doors not gonna hold." I whispered.
"I know. Dean's gotta work fast." He said back.
"Should we run?!" Evan asked.
"No! Just. Whatever you do stay inside this circle." Sam answered him.
The pounding on the door intensified, and then again, but as quickly as it all started everything went silent.
"That can't be a good sign…" I mumbled.
"Do you hear it?" Sam asked Evan.
"No. Is it over?"
Before Sam or I got the chance to reply we heard something kicking at a grate on the other side of the room, we all spun in time to see it fly off the hinges.
"Its here!" Evan cried loudly. He makes a move to run but Sam grabs him.
"No! Stay in the circle!"
We watched as dust was blown around the room, I can only assume this was the hellhound. What I didn't count on was it blowing away the dust that outlined our circle.
"Circle's broken! Come on go go go!" Sam said pulling Evan and I and running out the door and down the hall. I could hear the hound on our asses so I turned and pulled my gun.
"Emily no!" Sam yelled.
I got off 2 shots but it was wasted effort when something tackled me to the ground and I felt razors being torn into my flesh. I remember screaming, the pain, the blood. Then blackness.
(Dean's POV)
"... in potentis Magnife!" I yelled almost finishing the exorcism.
"Wait!" The demon cried out. I stopped. She motioned for me to step forward, I did. Before I knew what was happening she pulled me into a long kiss.
"What the hell was that for?" I asked as she broke away.
"Sealing the deal."
"I usually like to be warned before I'm violated with demon tongue."
"Evan Hudson is free. He and his wife will live long lives."
"How do I know you're not lying?" Like all the rest of you bastards do.
"My word is my bond."
"Oh, really?"
"It is when I make a deal. It's the rules. You got what you wanted. Now let me go." I took a step back, and picked up the rosary again. Her expression went from pissed to scared instantly, then back to pissed.
"You're gonna double-cross me? Funny how I'm the trustworthy one."
I shrugged. Debating on whether or not to let her go. She's a demon. She deserves to go back to hell.
"You know, you renege? Send me to hell? Sooner or later I'm gonna climb out, and skinning Evan Hudson will be the first thing that I do."
Well played. I smiled and put away my rosary. Then I stepped forward and climbed up the old wooden tower and broke loose a board, freeing her from the devil's trap. She confidently stepped away from it and turned to face me again.
"I gotta tell you. You would have never pulled that stunt if you knew."
"Knew what?"
"Where your dad is. You should have made that deal. See, people talk about hell, but it's just a word. It doesn't even come close to describing the real thing." I felt the blood inside my body run cold. I figured he gave his life for mine, but I hoped that maybe he spared his soul… guess I should have known better. My dad. He's rotting in hell. Miserable every second of every day for eternity. All to save me. Why? How could he do that…
"Shut your mouth, bitch." I sneered.
"If you could see your poor daddy? Hear the sounds he makes 'cause he can't even scream?"
"How about I send you back there?" I said stepping towards her, willing to do anything to shut her up. She suddenly threw her head back and vacated the body in the form of a large black cloud of smoke.
"What... how did I get here?" The girl asked coming back to consciousness. She looked at me terrified. No clue what had just happened. I got her inside the bar so she could call a ride, then I left.
If I never see this crossroads again it'll be too soon.
How could he do this. I mean what did he think I would never find out?! Did he think I'd understand?! Because I don't. I never will. How am I supposed to get up everyday and face the guilt that my father went to hell to save me because I couldn't keep my sorry ass alive. Did he really even think about how I'd feel after all this? How Emily and Sam would feel. Will they blame me? Will they leave me… Will Emily ever be able to look at me the same now that she knows the truth. I could see it in her eyes. She had it figured out probably before I did. Its been gnawing at her all day like it has me. Sam is the only one really handling it. I never understood how he could always be so levelheaded about things. How he could always work through this shit. Hes got to be the most well adjusted person in this family.
I pulled back into the drive way and honked, waiting for them to come out. They didn't. I honked again. Still nothing. Then I got the feeling something wasn't right. I got out and walked inside.
"Sam? Em?" I called.
"Dean! Back here!" I heard Sam's voice call out, somethings wrong. I rush to the sound of his voice. When I get there I see blood all over the floor.
"Oh god… What the hell happened?!" I yelled as I got down and applied pressure to one of the bleeding wounds down the side of Emily's body.
"The hell hound was on our ass, she turned and took the shot trying to buy us a minute to get away. He attacked. Then he just disappeared." Sam said frantically as he continued to tie ripped pieces of cloth around her thigh to control the bleeding.
"We gotta get her outta here, we gotta stitch these up if we wanna stop the bleeding." I said picking her up and carrying her to the impala. I let Sam get in the backseat then handed her off, we were only minutes from the motel and Sam rushed her in onto the bed while I grabbed the med kit.
"Okay, we're gonna have to cut these jeans." Sam said realizing there was no good way to get to the 3 deep slashes on her leg and side.
"She's gonna love that." I mumbled as I reached for the scissors. I reached up and cut all the way up the pants leg. At least they aren't the sparkly ones, then she'd really be pissed. Sam rolled up the bloody tshirt halfway so he could see to stitch her side up, it didn't go up very far thankfully.
"Damn this thing must have razor blades for claws." I said noticing how clean all the cuts were, there was no tearing in the tissue, all clean smooth cuts.
"Would have been nice to be able to see the damn thing so we'd know what we were actually up against." Sam said as he started the stitching on her side. I was trying to wipe some of the blood off of her so I could get a clear view at what I was stitching. As I got up towards her hip I noticed a dark patch, it looked like dirt and blood, I kept trying to scrub it off, but it wasn't going anywhere, then I realized it had a distinct shape.
"Son. Of. A. Bitch…" I muttered.
"What?" Sam asked looking over.
"I can't believe she fucking did it."
"Did what? Dean. Talk to me." Sam said not realizing what he was looking at from upside down.
"It's a fucking tattoo Sam! She got a tattoo!"
"What?! No. She wouldn't do that, its probably dried blood or dirt." Sam said.
"Oh yeah? In the shape of two revolvers?" I asked gesturing towards the tattoo strategically placed on her hip, smart little bitch. She knew how to hide it. Guess she didn't count on getting sliced. Dammit Em!
Sam moved to stand next to me and took a rag, trying to scrub it off.
"Oh trust me, I tried. Its not going anywhere." I sighed.
"Lets just finish the stitches and we'll deal with this later." I said grabbing the needle and going back to the slash down her outer thigh.
It took us an hour to stitch it all up, then I went and got a clean bucket of soapy water to clean all the blood off before disinfecting the wounds with some alcohol. Probably a good thing she's passed out for that part. Burns like hell.
"Alright, lets get a better look at this thing." I said as I handed Sam a rag and we started to wash all the blood off. It was a lot, but I think after a few days rest she'll be okay. Its not a fatal amount of blood loss, her body just needs a day or so to recover. Not that she'll listen. Just like with this tattoo… I told her no. I told her no over and over and over again. She did it anyways. Guess I shouldn't be surprised. She never listened that well in the first place.
We finally got all the blood off, if it was on anyone else's body then I'd have to appreciate the beauty in the details of the guns. Whoever did it was damn good. I started at the bottom, seeing roses, and the USMC emblem, as my eyes traveled down the barrel on the one with the roses I stopped.
"M.W…. Mary Winchester." I said outloud.
"And on the other side J.W." Sam said softly. "She got it for mom and dad. Dean look man, I know you're pissed. But. Can you really blame her? It is beautiful."
"Yeah. I can. I told her no Sam. Regardless what its for I told her not to do it… This is permanent! It'll never come off."
"No shit Dean that's kinda the point." Sam said, I shot him a bitchface.
"I get the fucking point of a tattoo Sammy. That's not what I meant. I mean what happens if she changes her mind about it 10 years from now?"
"Dean. Its mom and dad, she's not gonna change her mind. I'm not saying let it go, I'm just saying that we could have lost her tonight… When she wakes up I don't think our first move should be to jump down her throat- and when you do decide to bring it up keep in mind WHY she did it. She never knew mom like us… losing dad was so hard on her. This, this tattoo… it makes no sense to you, it makes no sense to me. But for her maybe its her way of always having them with her, together. I mean come on, could she have picked a better way to represent them?"
I stared back at him in silence before taking a deep breath.
"I'll wait till she's back on her feet to bring it up. In the meantime, we need to get these clothes off, and change the sheets out on the bed." I said as I poured alcohol over all the wounds to disinfect them before wrapping them in clean bandages.
"Okay. You can get her dressed." I said walking away.
"What?! No way. You do it." Sam shot back.
"Um. No. That's weird."
"Oh what and its not weird for me?"
"Come on Sammy you've always been half girl." I said with a wink. He shot a bitch face before holding out his hands.
"Seriously? Rock paper scissors?" I asked flatly.
"Look alright, its awkward for both of us, but someone's gotta do it."
"Dammit." I mumbled putting my hands out.
"Rock Paper Scissors Shoot!" We both said as I flipped out Rock. The toughest one.
"Dammit!" I said as I realized Sam laid out paper. No way in hell paper could ever beat rock. Its weak.
"Best two out of three." I offered. Sam rolled his eyes but we did it again.
"No! Fuck!"
"Ha. Always with the rock Dean. I'm gonna grab some food, I'll be back when you're done." Sam said walking out the door.
Well shit.
When she was little it was no big deal, I bathed her, changed her diapers, helped her get dressed. But the older she got the more she wanted her independence, and I was happy to give it to her. She would be mortified to know Sam or I had to dress her as if she was a little kid again. I finally got her dressed and laid into the clean bed, then I stripped and burned the old sheets before going down and asking for new ones in the office. Can't exactly send blood soaked sheets back with the maid. People tend to get a little worried and call the cops.
"Hey." Sam said as he walked through the room with food.
"Hey." I said sitting at the table with a beer. Staring off at nothing.
"She doing okay?"
"Yeah. Shes just gonna need to sleep this one off, her body needs the rest anyways."
"Dean. Do you wanna talk about this before she wakes up or what?"
"Talk about what Sam?"
"Dad."
"There's nothing to talk about." I said getting up to get another beer.
"Dean. I know you better than that. You were different when you showed back up. What did the demon say."
"I was different cause when I walked in our sister was unconscious pouring blood out of her body!"
"No! Dean. Its not just that. Come on. Be honest with me for once! What did the damn demon say about dad? I have a right to know."
"You don't wanna know!" I screamed at him inches from his face.
"…De." I heard a small voice say in the background.
Sam and I both were at the bedside in seconds.
"Hey kiddo… how you feeling." I asked brushing her hair out of her face.
"Dean. Is daddy in hell?" She asked weakly, barely able to open her red brimmed eyes. I looked up to Sam, who looked at me like he wanted an answer just as badly. But how can I tell them? How could I ever tell them? Their father, our father, is in hell because of me. They'll hate me. I could never live with myself if that ever happened. I can't lose them.
"Babygirl don't worry about that right now. You're in rough shape. Lets just get you feeling better okay?" I said forcing a small smile.
"De. Please…" She whispered. I stared at those big brown eyes. Just like dad's. I got green, Sam got hazel. But Em. Her eyes were as dark as dad's since the day she was born. How could I ever let my little girl down like that. How could I lay such a burden on her. But in the same breath, I know I can't lie to her. She'd know better. She'd figure it out. She always does.
"Emily. I'm so sorry… I wish I could fix it. I wish he never made the deal. I'm so sorry."
She closed her eyes and bit down on her lip. I looked up to Sam. To see his broken expression. He never once looked back at me. Just stared down at the ugly pattern on the blanket.
I went to get up and walk away but a hand grabbed at me. Emily pulled me down and wrapped her arms around my neck, she clung to me tightly. I didn't dare try and pull away, instead I used one hand to push her up closer to me.
"It's not your fault De." She whispered to me. "You lost daddy too, not just me."
She finally let go and pulled Sam to sit closer to her.
"We all did." She whispered hugging him. I watched as he leaned down and kissed the top of her head. I didn't disturb them for a moment. Letting them rely on each other again, it was good for them.
"Kiddo. You need to get some rest. You're gonna be down for the count for a while." I said as I could see her eyes slowly slipping closed again. She was so weak, so tired. For once in her life she didn't argue. She just moved to lay back down comfortably on her back. I went to leave but was again pulled back.
"De… don't blame yourself. He did it because he loves you. He loves us all. He knew we needed you." She barely whispered, not even opening her eyes.
"Get some sleep kiddo." I whispered back. She finally let me go.
(Emily's POV)
"Ow! Fuck!" I groaned swinging my legs over the edge of the bed.
"Take it easy Em. Don't push too much." Sam said standing in front of me incase I fell.
"Sam. I've been asleep for a day and a half. I need to get up." I said looking up at him annoyed. They've babied me all morning since I woke up. Forcing juice on me, trying to get my blood sugar back up.
"Okay. Okay… just. Go slow." He said with his hands raised, realizing I was irritated.
I took a deep breath and bit down on my lip as I pushed myself up off the bed. It hurt like hell. Fucking hellhound must have cut all the way down to the muscle on my leg.
I took one step, then another, then I stumbled and reached out for Sam as he reached out for me.
"Shit.." I mumbled.
"Its okay. Just. Try again." He said steadying me on my feet again. I was able to walk to the table and sit down next to Dean, Sam got me a water from the fridge, I happily welcomed it. I was sick and tired of juice. Ugh.
"So. Em. Now that you're up we need to talk." Dean said glaring at me.
"Well are you going to make me guess what its about or are you gonna start talking?" I asked with a sarcastic smile.
"Well, those cuts went pretty far up your leg, we had to cut your jeans off… wiped off all the blood and dirt. Except. Part of it wasn't coming off." He said with eyebrows raised. Evaluating my reaction. It wasn't until he said "it wasn't coming off" that I realized he'd seen it. Shit.
"Did it get messed up?" I asked staring at the table. I hadn't even thought about where I was cut.
"No. Its fine." Sam said quietly. He didn't sound angry. But I didn't dare look up to Dean. I know he's fuming.
"Emily Anne Winchester you have 30 seconds to start talking before I tear you a new one." Dean said much too calm for comfort.
I sat back and sighed with my eyes closed. I knew he'd find out eventually. I was just hoping to buy myself more time than this.
"Dean. I asked you. You said no. You couldn't understand why I needed to do this."
"Emily you just took the words out of my mouth, I SAID NO! You deliberately went behind my back and did it. Then you hid it from me! I mean come on kiddo did you think I'd never see it? Not that you didn't pick a damn good hiding place but something like this was bound to happen in our line of work. I mean come on kiddo. What the hell were you thinking getting a tattoo? You're only 16!"
"Dean you and I both know that I've seen and done a hell of a lot more at 16 then I should have. I'm not just a regular teenager. I'm mature enough to make that decision for myself. Its my body. Its not hurting anyone… I wanted it for me. I wanted it for dad, and mom… Dean. Please. Try to understand." I begged. "I wanted to believe they were finally together again." I added softly… all the anger in his face fell.
"Dean I'm sorry I lied." I said reaching out for his hand, he pulled it away from me before I could put my hand in his.
"Never again. No more lies." He said harshly before he got up and stormed out.
Grrrreat.
"Well kiddo. Could have been worse." Sam said sitting next to me.
"Could have been better." I countered.
"So what do you wanna do about it?" He asked me.
"If I give you a list of stuff will you run to the store for me while I shower?"
"Em are you sure you can? You could barely walk over here."
"Sam. I stink. I'm getting a shower." I said stubbornly.
"Alright… fine." He said handing me a pen and some scratch paper.
I wrote down all the things I'd need to make homemade apple pie. Dean's favorite. It's the best way to kiss ass. After Sam left I hobbled my way to the bathroom and turned on the water, I couldn't go as hot as I'd like but any kind of warm water and soap was enough to satisfy me at the moment. It felt so nice to be able to wash my hair. When I got out I lingered in front of the mirror, examining the cuts down my body, it would be a nice addition to my set of scars… geez. I'll never be able to wear a swimsuit again.
Between these and the one across my stomach, I'll probably never get naked again in front of another person ever again.
I hobbled my way back out and saw that Sam was back, he had all my stuff laid out on the counter and he sat on the bed on his laptop. Probably looking up a case.
I started on the pie, not sure how long Dean would be gone. I'm sure he's at a bar somewhere, picking up some chick. Even if it is barely noon.
It was dark out before I heard the rumble of the impala, I was already laying down in bed. The now cold pie sat out on the table, where its been waiting for him all day. Sam was asleep, I figured it was best to pretend I was too.
I heard Dean stumble in, drunk.
He made his way to the fridge, part of me hoped he was going to get a water, the other part knew it was a beer. I heard him sit down at the table. Then I could make out the sound as he lifted the fork and began to eat the pie.
"Mm." He said after a few bites. "You always could make a damn good pie. Too bad its only when you're trying to kiss ass." He said, knowing I wasn't asleep. I slowly got up and walked to sit across from him.
"How's the stitches." He asked not looking up at me, just taking another bite.
"Fine. Held up in the shower." I answered. He shook his head. Then there was just silence as he took another bite.
"Dean I-"
"Emily don't. Its done and over with… just. No more lies." He said holding out the other fork. I took it with a small smile and we continued eating pie at one in the morning.