Author's Note: Okay guys! Sorry it took so long to update this time! I have picked up extra work days and went to Oklahoma to visit my best friends all weekend! Lots going on in this chapter and I promise you the next chapter will be an original with some crazy stuff going on! I can't wait to write it, I've been waiting to do so for a while now so I hope you guys enjoy this one and are excited about what's to come. Love you! Thank you for your support and please leave a review! I am always so touched to hear what you have to say! I am always open to requests!
Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural or its characters.
My once still and soft bed, was suddenly under attack. Like an earthquake two giant brothers were jumping up and down on top of it to stir me awake as hastily and annoying as possible.
"Wake up birthday girl!" Dean said overwhelmingly loud in my ear as I attempted to understand what was happening. I groaned and threw the pillow over my head, but Sam quickly ripped it away.
"No way kiddo, get up!" Sam laughed. They then proceeded to rip the covers off and toss them to the ground, leaving me freezing in my shorts and tank.
"Guyyyys!" I groaned, huffing and sitting up. They stepped off the bed and yanked me up by my wrists, shoving me towards the table.
"Can I at least pee first?!" I whined.
"Nope. Foods getting cold." Dean mumbled as he plopped me down in the chair, I have to say, I was quite surprised, and extremely excited to see a large stack of pancakes on the plate in front of me with exactly 17 lit candles in them.
"You guys are morons… amazing, sweet morons." I half smiled.
"Shut up and blow these out before you have wax syrup." Sam said sitting down next to Dean and I.
I leaned forward and blew out the 17 candles, the boys smiled and helped me pull out the melting candles before they contaminated my delicious wealthy stack of pancakes. I lifted the syrup bottle and smothered them, taking the first savory sweet bite.
"Mmm…. Oh my god you guys are amazing." I said shoving more in my mouth.
"Yeah we know." Dean winked. Sam shook his head and pulled out a box the size of a shoe box.
"Sammy, we just had Christmas a few weeks ago… you didn't have to get me anything."
"I didn't. WE did… Dad uh, dad picked this out for you a long time ago, wanted to give it to you when you turned 18, but uh, we kinda felt like it was the right time."
All of a sudden I felt a little nervous to open the present. I knew why they wanted to do it now… Dean. But instead of showing my nerves I plastered on the all too familiar fake smile I've developed over the last several weeks, taking the box from Sam and shaking it slightly; they both grinned at me.
I pulled away the paper slowly, and when I opened the box it took my breath away.
Inside was a BEAUTIFUL steel and ivory 1911, a Kimber! The barrel of the gun has beautiful engravings, its weight balanced perfectly in my hands as I pulled it out and held it. It was… perfect. Everything about this gun in my hands felt natural. I love the gun I have now… its tried and true and Dean bought it for me when I turned 13. But it was small for my now growing hands and even though it always got the job done I was excited to get a little more fire power under my belt. I had asked the boys for a new gun in the past, and they always said to wait a little longer… now I know what they were waiting for. They already had the perfect gun stashed away.
Under the box of ammo that was also in the box was a note. I carefully pulled it out.
"Happy birthday babygirl, Love Dad." I read aloud.
"Happy birthday Em." Sam smiled, Dean leaned over and kissed the top of my head.
"Alright… target practice?" He said with bright excited eyes.
"YES!" I cheered. "… After I finish these pancakes. They're too good to leave."
"Fair enough. I'd hate for my excellent breakfast skills to go to waste."
"Shut up." I laughed, setting the gun beside me as I scarfed down the much too big stack of pancakes. When I finished I felt like I could explode. I hobbled to the bathroom like a pregnant lady to shower and get dressed. Once I was ready I went straight for my gun on the table and noticed it wasn't there, I scanned the room and found it in Dean's hands, he loaded the mag and chambered a round.
"Hey! Back off… that's mine." I said with an evil grin walking over and taking it away from him. I cleared the chamber and tossed the bullet at him, he caught it deftly and winked at me.
About a mile down from the motel was a large patch of woods, about a half a mile back in the woods was a clearing. It was flat ground with a solid tree line that stretched for miles on back, it was chilly outside and not deer season so there shouldn't be anyone in the path of stray bullets.
"Alright, do we want zombies or giant bugs?" Sam said going through the paper targets we had stashed somewhere in the trunk.
"Look behind them, I should have some neon splatter targets." I told him. He dug for a while before finally pulling them out.
"No way. Gimme the zombies. I'm not shooting at anything that turns hot pink." Dean whined, getting his own set. Sam rolled his eyes and handed me a stack of targets to pin to the planks we set up on the other end of the field.
"Okay miss 17 years old… lets see what you got." Dean nodded, giving me the first go.
I loaded the mag and chambered a round, picking up the gun and letting it settle just right in my hands. Deep breath in, and… release as you pull the trigger.
First shot NAILED dead center of the target. I grinned ear to ear, I looked back to my brothers and shot them a wink before emptying the mag in the remaining targets.
"This gun is fucking amazing!" I shouted as I cleared the chamber and bounced back to the boys.
"Yeah yeah yeah, you did okay… lets see who does better." A cocky Dean teased as he went and lined up his own targets along side mine. I sat back, not worried in the least, as he fired one after another.
"Alright Sammy… go be the judge."
"Wait? Don't I get to be in this?"
"No." Dean and I said simultaneously.
"…Why not?" Sam said a little taken back.
"Because we all know you may be able to beat Dean, but you can't beat me." I said casually. He scoffed at me and grabbed a stack of targets.
"Stand back, I'd hate for you to break a nail." He said with a smirk. I raised my eyebrows and Dean chuckled. We waited patiently as Sam took almost double the time Dean and I did to clear the line of targets, but I gotta admit…. He was dead on, hitting each one near the center.
"Okay boys, lets see who's taking home the trophy." I said leading us to the targets on the other side of the field.
"What trophy?" Dean asked.
"The right to sleep in their own bed tonight… which by the way, if I win. Someone's bunking on the couch."
"Fine. But if either of us win… you're bunking on the couch." Sam countered.
"Deal."
When we got to the first target I was the obvious winner… as was I with the second and third. But once we got to the fourth target and on down the line Dean and Sam both started to beat me out. I was getting a little ancy. By the last target Dean was behind by 1 and Sam and I were tied… this was gonna go one of three ways. We tie. I win, or Sam wins.
"Alright… line em up."
We held the targets together in a stack and up to the sun to see who hit closest… it was super close. So close I wasn't sure I wanted to be the first to speak incase I was wrong.
"Well… Dean." Sam sighed. "I'll flip you for the couch."
"HA!" I squealed
"Oh c'mon! You took three times longer than I did! And I was only off by 1, I should get the bed." Dean whined.
"De! Shut up." I laughed. Sam shot him bitchface before walking back towards our stuff.
"So how's it feel kiddo?" Dean asked as we lagged behind Sam.
"What?"
"To be 17… a whole year older."
"No different than 16 really. Its just another year down."
"Well you're a buzzkill." He mumbled.
"I'm sorry, I'm just… I'm excited about my gift. Just not… excited about this year."
"I know, I'm sorry kiddo. I wish life was easier on you, but you're a Winchester. And life hates the Winchesters."
"Ha, so I've noticed."
My phone buzzed in my back pocket and interrupted the conversation. I stopped and pulled it out.
Judson: Cashing in on that favor. Jordan Valley, Oregon. See you soon ;)
"Hey De… its Judson. Says he's cashing in on the favor."
"Did he say what it was?"
"What what was?" Sam asked as we walked up.
"Judson's calling in his favor… no details. Just a city."
"Well I guess it doesn't really matter what it is. We owe him the favor regardless." Sam admitted.
"Yeah, guess no one's bunking on the couch tonight, we can be there in about 9 hours if we haul ass now." Dean said.
"Fine, but I call shotgun!" I said jogging back to Baby. Even if I hadn't won, Sam would've willing given it up for my birthday. He's the sweet brother after all.
9 hours. 9 hours of being confined to a car with my brothers… leaves a lot of thinking time. A lot of talking time… a lot of sleeping time too, but I just wasn't tired enough to sleep. I had a lot on my mind since Christmas. I was still trying to figure out what the hell happened to me at the Carrigan's. How I killed them when I didn't even have control over my own body… the boys hadn't brought it up and neither had I. Until now…
"Hey." I said getting their attention, Dean reached forward and turned down the music, Sam who was slouching in the back leaned forward resting his arms on the back of the front seat. "So we never really discussed what happened Christmas eve… with my abilities and stuff. How I… how I killed them."
"Well Em, there wasn't much to talk about… you saved us."
"Yeah I know, but. Sam I wasn't in control of my own body… its like something else took it over. Doesn't that worry you just a little."
"No." Dean quickly answered… too quickly. Obviously lying a little. "Your life and our lives were in danger. You were minutes from probably being killed. Your abilities probably kicked in as a survival tactic. You may have felt like you had no control, but your subconscious knew what it was doing. It was fighting to live."
"…Did I. Did I look scary?"
"Your eyes were red again… and its kinda like you were spaced out, but. Not scary." Sam admitted. I nodded my head. Taking in his words.
"I heard you and Gordon talk about me… right before he died." I gulped. "He said I had shed blood. That I was a killer like he was. I think Judson heard it."
"Well, he didn't say anything about it." Dean said.
"I know, but… I don't know. I just don't really think we should totally trust the guy. I mean, he helped us out of a tight spot, and I appreciate that." I also appreciate the way his eyes calmed my nerves when I was stuck alone with him, and the way his strong arms caught me as I jumped, the way he led me without being pushy, the way he promise to protect me… the way his ass looked in those jeans.
DAMMIT EMILY STOP!
No… Judson = bad! Judson is an asshole! A cocky arrogant asshole. Get back to your point!
"I just... What if he's watching. Waiting for us to slip up so he has a reason to hunt us down too."
"Nah, I don't really see that happening. He's too level headed for that." Dean quickly defended.
"Since when are you and him besties?" I asked crossing my arms.
"Why? You jealous?" He challenged with a cocky grin.
"No! No… I'm not jealous! I can't stand him." I defended a little too fast for my own good.
"Uh huh." Dean said unconvincingly.
"I'm serious Dean! I don't like him!"
"Whatever you say kiddo."
"Wipe that smartass grin off your face before I do it for you." I growled.
"Em, chill out. He's just trying to get a rise outta you." Sam said putting a hand on my shoulder. "Look, I don't know the guy very well, but he's helped us out a few times now. He seems to have good intentions, and until he gives us reasonable doubt then I think we should take the help where we can get it. Especially with everything that's going on.
"Yeah… I guess." I sighed.
"What's really bothering you?" Sam asked softly, leaning in closer to me while Dean went back to his music. I stared at him for a second, debating on answering.
"…I don't want him to think I'm a freak. I don't want him to see it."
"He won't Em, you did great at the warehouse keeping it together. You're getting better. I doubt he really knows anything. The only thing he heard was the crap Gordon spewed and he didn't really seem to buy into anyways."
"Yeah."
"Get some rest kiddo, we're gonna be there in about 4 hours. I have a feeling we're gonna be busy when we hit town."
"Okay. Thanks Sammy."
"Anything for the birthday girl." He smiled as he sat back. I leaned over towards Dean, who raised his arm and welcomed me to snuggle against him, slowly drifting to sleep listening to Bob Seger.
"Em… Emily." Whispers in my ear caught my attention as I stretched. Realizing I was no longer leaning against Dean, but curled up in a ball on the front seat, his jacket as my pillow.
"Wake up Em, we're here." Dean called softly. I sat up and sighed as I took in the sight of yet another crappy motel with the sun setting behind it.
"Should I text Judson?"
"No, he called. He's got a room here, said he'd meet us in about 10 minutes. Let us get our stuff inside."
"Ugh… great." I groaned. Part of me was always a little nervous about seeing him, the other part however was annoyed. And somewhere… odd. I almost felt like part of me was excited to see him?
Yeah. I'm a fucking lunatic. I know…
I followed Dean in to the room with blue walls and white trim. It was plain. It was simple… and it was kinda not as ugly as a lot of the other rooms we've stayed in. The blankets on the bed were solid white.
At least I know they're heavily bleached, killing most living organisms that may pass from person to person. I mean, really its honestly amazing we haven't wound up with multiple diseases. There's no telling what kind of people stay in these places besides us.
I carried in our bags and went to the bathroom to freshen up. If he was going to be here I was at least not going to look like a hobo. Not that he hasn't already seen my bed head, but still. No reason to give him something to pick on me for.
I brushed out my curls and they fell into soft waves as I flipped my head and shook it slightly. I washed my face with cool water and dabbed on a little mascara and blush, giving my face a little color against its pale contrast. Being exhausted for these last few months or so took its toll on my body. I could tell that I was pale all the time. I looked fragile. Crows feet began to show in the corners of my eyes much like Dean's did. I sighed and gave up… there's only so much I can fix for now.
When I walked out the room was empty, but I heard muffled voices outside. When I opened the door three sets of eyes fell on me, but I only met one.
"Birthday girl. Long time no see." Judson smiled.
"Not long enough." I smiled back. I stepped outside and stood between my brothers.
"Absence does make the heart grow fonder." He swooned.
I pretended to gag, soliciting an eye roll from both my brothers.
"Alright man… whats the story." Dean said getting us back on track, something that was usually Sam's job. But hey, I'll take whatever will put an end to his crappy flirting that is just secretly him teasing me and being an ass.
Yeah. I'm on to you pal. I see your game.
…Stop talking to yourself Emily. Listen to the man.
"… caught wind of some strange deaths, and some strange series of good fortune. All seem to be centered around a few women in a local suburb. I think they're witches."
…Witches.
The word echoed in my ears. Drowning out whatever may have followed it. I suddenly felt hot, and dizzy, and like I might gag for real. I haven't seen a witch since…. Well… her.
Even though we were standing outside I felt suffocated, like I was locked in a box. Just the thought of coming face to face with another witch shook me to my core. I.. I can't. I don't know if I can do this.
"Emily." Dean whispered… Once I was pulled from my thoughts I heard Judson's voice continuing on with information on the case, but Dean was solely focused on me. Sam kept flashing his eyes between Judson and me. I didn't know what to say… I didn't know what to do.
I was freaking the fuck out.
"You know, uh… we'll be. Right back… Sam. Get the rest of the information." Dean said pulling me back inside, but I couldn't get my feet to move.
I vaguely heard Judson's voice again as Dean pulled me against him and led me back inside. My chest heaving for air.
"She alright?" The muffled voice asked as it got farther and farther away.
No. NO I'm not alright! I can't do this… why did it have to be WITCHES?!
"Em sweetheart, take a breath… calm down. Slow." Dean said sitting us on the edge of the bed. I heard the small trinkets in the room shuffle back and forth, the ground rumbling just enough for my feet to notice… I had to calm down. I had to… or he would see it.
He would know I was a freak.
"C'mon babygirl… slow… in and out."
I pushed and pushed and finally took in a deep breath, holding it for a second before releasing.
"Emily, we don't have to do this. We can leave."
I shook my head rapidly.
"N-no… we can't. He. He asked us. We can't bail."
"Yes. We can… I don't give a rats ass what he asked or what we owe him. I'm not gonna make you do this if you're not ready."
"No.. I. I.. I can." I said between breaths.
"Kiddo we've been here for less than an hour… I don't know if this is such a good idea for you, not with everything else."
"De.. I. I have to." I told him honestly. "I need you to be here… I have to do it."
"No, you don't."
I nodded my head. I knew I HAD to do this… If I was going to face a witch again I needed Dean to do it. And Dean had a limited number of days left. This might be my only chance… and even though I was scared shitless I knew I had to do it now… I just wish Judson wasn't here.
Trying not to freak out just makes me want to freak out even more. I was finally catching my breath when I heard the door start to open, I quickly stood. Wrapping my arms around myself. Carefully eyeing Sam as he walked in, Judson behind him. I forced myself not to look at him, but I knew he was looking at me.
"Look man." Dean started. "I don't know if we c-
"Can go one more minute without some food." I quickly cut in. Sending him a look. "We're starving." I said a little awkwardly, but it got the point across. Dean's shoulders drooped a little as he stared at me, knowing that I wasn't fixing to walk away from this… even if it did terrify me.
"Yeah. Lets uh, grab some grub." Dean nodded. Judson held out his arm for us all to walk out, I stared down at my feet as I did, still not ready to meet his eyes until I had fully calmed myself down. Once out the door I walked as close as possible to Sam without tripping either of us. He didn't ask. He didn't pull away. He just pulled me closer and understood… that's what I love about Sam. I never have to explain, he already knows.
"Wanna ride with us man?" Dean called over.
"Sure, the beast here is a killer on mileage." He said as he shut the door to his large truck and locked it, walking towards us.
"You can have shotgun." Sam offered.
"No, its cool man, your legs need the room." Judson insisted as he stepped back, allowing Sam to sit up front. This left me with 2 choices. Sit between them in the front, or sit by him in the back. I sucked it up and sat behind Sam, Dean looked back at me carefully and started the car, pulling out towards the town.
"So what'd the vic's husband say when you talked to him?" Sam asked.
"That they came home from a night out, was getting ready for a good roll in the sheets when he heard her call out, the door slammed itself shut and she choked to death on her teeth as they fell out one at a time. When she died the door magically unlocked."
A shiver ran through my body. Memories flashed through my head of the blood pouring down the walls. I fiddled with my hands relentlessly. Wishing all of a sudden I'd sat between the boys. At least one of them would have snatched my hands by now.
"What made you think witches?"
"The hex bag I pulled from under the sink."
"Well. That'll do pig." Dean sighed.
I leaned back against the seat and took a deep breath. An elbow lightly tapped against my shoulder. I looked over and met curious green eyes. His forehead wrinkled and his eyebrows came closer together. As if asking me 'whats wrong' without even using words. I just gave a half smile and went back to looking out the window. I'm not fixing to spill my guts to this guy.
"Hey Em, birthday cheesecake?" Dean asked as we walked across the parking lot and into the diner.
"Yeah, sure."
"Cheesecake? What's wrong with birthday cake?" Judson asked confused.
"It's tradition." I said pulling a real smile for the first time since we hit town. "We've done it every year since I was like 5. I never much cared for real cake."
"I guess it could be weirder."
"No, whats weird is her ability to eat an entire thing by herself in the course of a day." Dean added.
"Where the hell does it all go?" Judson asked with wide eyes looking me up and down.
"To the bottomless Winchester pit. Dean has one too. Sam might develop one if he quit shoving it full of rabbit food."
"Well when you die of heart disease and I'm still jogging the block at 80 we'll see who's got the upper hand." Sam teased.
"Sam. Hunters don't live to be 80." I told him with a hint of seriousness behind the joking tone.
"Well that wasn't morbid." Dean groaned as we sat down in the booth. I scooted in and Dean of course sat next to me, leaving Judson and Sam across from us.
"Hi guys, I'm Marissa and I'll be your waitress for the evening." The tall redhead said as she graciously appraised all 3 of the men sitting with me, then her eyes fell on me. They narrowed slightly, as if sizing me up. Wondering how plane jane me ended up sitting at this table.
"What can I get you to drink?" She asked me, looking down her nose slightly.
"Waters fine." I said narrowing my eyes back a little bit.
"Same here." Sam smiled, Judson and Dean both got a coke.
"Well she couldn't be any more obvious." I groaned as she strutted away from the table.
"Aw come on now Em, you know the ladies can't resist me." Dean teased. I rolled my eyes.
"So how old are you now, grandma?" Judson asked from across the table.
"Seventeen." I grinned.
"Almost old enough to do the fun stuff huh?"
"I have plenty of fun, thanks."
I went back to looking over the menu. I don't really know why… I always get the same thing. But tonight. I'm a year older. I'm going to order something different. I'm the birthday girl, and I can have whatever I want.
"Alright guys, we ready to order?" Marissa asked, making an obvious point to look all 3 men in the eyes and not me. If she's not going to pay me any attention, I'll demand it.
"Yeah, I'll have a double bacon burger. Fries. Thanks." I smiled handing her the menu. Dean and Sam both shot me and odd glance.
"The same." Dean said with a charming grin.
"I'll a take the chef salad." Sam nodded as he handed her the menu. Wonder what Mr. Badass over there eats. Is he a bottomless pit? Or a health food junkie like Sam?
"I'll uh, have the chili cheese fries." He said not even looking up as he talked, he briefly smiled at her, but only in the polite way like Sam did, when he handed the menu back. It was kind of interesting. I figured he'd be a flirt like Dean.
"What time you think this place closes down tonight?" Dean said watching Marissa's ass as she walked away.
"Dean. Really? We're supposed to be working right now."
"Fine. So what's the next move?"
"Motive. Figure why someone wanted the vic dead." I said looking out the window. "Did you see if the husband was having an affair?"
"You mean did I ask the grieving husband who's wife just brutally died if he was banging Margret from accounting? No. I didn't think it seemed appropriate." Judson shot back.
"Hey I'm just saying. He wouldn't be the first guilty man, and he won't be the last."
"Wow you are so optimistic. Are you always this cheery on your birthday?"
I shot him bitch face and a middle finger as Marissa arrived back at the table.
"Don't make promises you can't keep."
"Hey!" Dean hollered, I snickered. Okay. That one was a funny one.
"Here you go darling." Marissa said as she dipped down and laid Dean's plate in front of him, giving him a good look down her yellow uniform. Really bitch?
"Oh, I think you missed a button there. Darling." I whispered loudly to her, making a fake sympathetic smile. She scoffed and walked away. Dean glared at me as I took a bite of the huge burger in front of me, never breaking eye contact with him.
"Better check your food for spit." Judson recommended.
"Nah, this happens all the time. Its what happens when you ride around with this asshole." I said nodding towards Dean.
"Like I said. I can't help it that the ladies find me irresistible."
"Yeah well right about now we all find you a little annoying, so eat." Sam said pouring dressing on his salad.
"So do you guys have a lot of experience with witches?" Judson asked between bites. I had my burger mid air for a bite, but my stomach flopped a little and I set it back down, it didn't go unnoticed. I met eyes with Sam who was directly across from me. He bumped me under the table with his foot and Dean casually threw his arm over the back of the booth. I can't appreciate them more for trying not to be obvious, but I think we've failed. This is all new for us… we avoided witch cases. We didn't talk about witches. We all put this off, and now its unavoidable.
I have to face it.
"Yeah. We've had a run in or two." Dean finally answered. Judson seemed to pick up on the odd tension at the table.
"Am I missing something here? Cause if we're gonna be working together I kinda need to know what you know. That was the whole point of me asking for your help."
The three of us Winchesters shared a guilty look before diverting our eyes back to our plates. My appetite had disappeared at this point. I was just piddling around with my fries, Sam sighed and I knew it was coming.
"Emily was take-"
"The last time we were involved with a witch things got ugly." I quickly cut him off. "That's all. We don't know anything you don't. We just. Don't like witches. Can we finish our meal now please?"
Everyone was quiet and Judson stared at me for a concentrated moment. His eyes bored into mine, making me feel small and nervous, but somehow also excited.
"…Sure." He finally said, going back to his food. I pushed the plate in front of me away and leaned my head against Dean's arm. I have a bad feeling about this whole stupid case. Now things are all weird and I'm stuck sitting at this table with this guy, and I feel judged and ugh! I just wanna finish this case and go.
"So are we gonna watch the husband tonight?" I asked.
"Are you going to finish eating?" Judson shot back.
"I'm not that hungry."
"Em, really you should eat." Sam pushed.
"I eat. You might have forgotten about the giant breakfast you made me, but I didn't. I'm still digesting it. So. Like I said. I think we should watch the husband, see if anything raises a red flag."
"What happened to your bottomless pit?" Judson asked suspiciously.
"Looking at your face made me nauseous." I shot back. Judson chuckled and went back to his food.
"Alright, do you at least want dessert?" Dean asked.
"No, really De. I'm good. Those pancakes were better than any cheesecake this place could scrounge up." I said winking at him, he rolled his eyes but grinned a little in return.
An hour later we sat 4 deep in the impala. This time I asked to sit up front, Sam went in the back with Judson and Dean and I were taking turns with the binoculars. Something in me felt tense… on edge. Like my body was shivering from the cold, but it wasn't that cold out here.
"You cold kiddo?" Dean asked as he noticed me slide over a little closer to him for comfort.
"No, I'm fine."
"You kinda look like you're shaking like a leaf." Judson added, I turned to face him.
"I said I'm fine."
"Fine." He half smiled.
"Fine."
Gahhh he is annoying!
"Hey, hey… look." Sam said tapping me on the shoulder, I raised my binoculars as we watched the man in the car begin to choke on his food.
"De. Hex bag." I said realizing what was happening. We all jumped out and ran towards the vehicle.
"Stay sharp, they could be close by." Sam said as we reached the car and Dean began to pull the door open. I turned and surveyed the parking lot.
"Oh my god." I whispered. "Dean…"
"Check the car!" Dean yelled, ignoring me as he pulled the man from the vehicle, Judson and Sam both dove into the car and began to rip it apart looking for the bag.
My eyes only stayed on them for a split second before going back to the dark corner of the parking lot, near the backside of the building where the large dumpster sits… there she was.
It was her. She waved to me, she remembered me.
Everything in me froze. I couldn't move even if a truck was driving straight at me.
She waved her hand, beckoning me to come towards her.
"Got it!" I heard Sam yell, but I couldn't take my eyes off of her. I vaguely smelt something burning as the boys burned the hex bag and the husband, Paul, started to catch his breath.
"Dean." I whimpered. Feeling something wet trail the side of my face. "Dean.. she's here."
"You okay?" Dean asked the man, still unaware that she's here. She's here and she wants me.
"What the hell is happening to me?!" A strange voice yelled, I assumed it to be Paul's.
"Someone murdered your wife and now they're trying to kill you, that's what's happening to you." Judson explained.
"Dean!" I said a little louder, my voice cracking at the end. I couldn't look at him, too afraid if I took my eyes off of her she'd disappear and find me. As sick as I felt having her in front of me, I would have been more afraid to not know where she was.
"Em?" Sam asked. "Emily… what is it?"
"Sh-she, she's here." I whispered. She stood and laughed, winking at me. Knowing that she was terrorizing me by only being in my line of sight.
"What the hell is she talking about?" Judson's voice softly filled the silence. Heavy footsteps moved closer to me. Dean moved to stand in front of me.
"Emily, what's going on?"
"Dean she's here. She's here…" I panicked, whispering to him but never looking away from her.
He turned and stared in the same direction I was, but shook his head with confusion.
"Emily there's no one there. She's not here."
"She's over there!" I said a little louder, focusing on Dean for only the fraction of a second before going back to the horrid woman across the parking lot.
"No, no she's not. She's dead Emily. I promise you. She's dead!"
"No! No.. she's. She's here!" Just as I finished the words, she began to walk closer to us. I grabbed onto Dean's hands and started to pull.
"Dean she's coming! She's coming… we have to go!" I cried frantically.
"Emily there's no one there." Sam said moving closer to us. But all I could see was her getting closer to us by the second. Why can't they see her!
"No! NO!"
The light post above us shattered, and the one next to it, and then the one at the other end of the parking lot. My breath drew in rapid and shallow, I felt the panic bellow from somewhere deep.
"Emily! Emily stop! Look at me!" Dean yelled shaking me, but she was getting closer and closer… until she was gone. Everything stopped rumbling and fell silent.
"Wh.. wh.. where'd she go?! Dean… Where'd she go?"
"Emily look at me dammit!"
I finally laid my eyes directly on him. The busted light above us flickered and buzzed as it fought to stay lit with only part of the bulb intact.
"She's not here. I promise you. I killed her, she's dead. You're okay."
"But, she. She was right there."
"No, Emily… she wasn't." Sam said sympathetically. I looked around, past Dean, past Sam, turning in place, looking for any sign that I wasn't just crazy… but. What if I was?
As I spun my eyes landed on Judson and Paul, one stared at me like I was a freak, a lunatic. I instantly felt nauseous. Afraid to meet Judson's gaze.
He was… I don't know. Staring at me. But he didn't make me feel ashamed, like the way Paul's stare did. He just made me feel… safe. He looked at me in concern, not speaking, not pushing. Just silently asking what was wrong.
"Kiddo. She's dead." Dean said as he pulled me in and forced me to look away from hypnotizing green eyes. The moment his arms enveloped me I wanted to burst. To break, but I refused. I choked it down. I will NOT lose it. I will NOT let him see me cry.
"De." I whispered. "I swore she… I thought."
"Shhh, I know. Its okay."
"Who the hell are you people?" Paul asked, killing the moment.
"The people who just saved your life." Dean told him harshly, picking up on his skeptical and condescending tone as he stared at me.
"A bunch of whackjobs is more like it!"
"If we hadn't have been following you, you'd be a doornail right now. Now who wants you dead?" I said pushing away from Dean and finding my nerve again. I just want to act like none of this ever happened. Hoping that if I ignored it, Judson would too.
"I-uh..."
"Come on think." Sam pushed, knowing he was holding something back.
"There's a woman-uh."
"Oh. Imagine that." I said shooting a look at Judson, he rolled his eyes.
"Keep going." Judson said to him.
"An affair- a mistake, she was un-balanced, she was blackmailing me and I put an end to it a week ago."
"What's her name?" Sam asked.
"Wha–What could she have to do with-?"
"Paul! What is her name?" I said frustrated. I'm ready to get the fuck out of here and this guy is dragging this shit out.
"Amanda. She works for me at the office."
"Get out of town for a couple of days, you should be safe." Dean grumbled as he started walking back to Baby. We all followed. Sam walking closely to me. I looked back and caught Judson watching us, when he went to look at me I quickly turned back around. I've already got to find a way around discussing what just happened. I don't need things to get any more awkward.
"Told you he was a cheating bastard." I mumbled as I slid into the backseat next to Judson.
He scoffed. "Lucky guess."
"Its not luck. Its experience. I've done this my entire life, and that's always one of the first things we rule out, no not everyone is a cheating asshole, but some of them are, and I'll be damned if every time they happen to be cheating the other woman isn't somehow involved."
"Okay, are you done bragging?"
"I'm not bragging. I'm making a point. You asked for our help, I'm helping."
"God are you always this stubborn?"
"Or worse." Dean mumbled from the front seat.
"Look who's talking."
"Okay, lets just. Shut up. Emily, hand me my laptop so I can find out where this woman lives." Sam interrupted, attempting to parent us all into behaving.
It took Sam a total of 5 minutes to track the woman down, another 9 to make it to her house. All of which were spent in awkward silence in the backseat with Dean mumbling along to the radio and Sam spouting out random information he found on the woman through her social media account.
"It's the blue one, on the corner." Sam said, pointing Dean in the right direction. I pulled out my beautiful new gun and checked my mag, tapping it before sliding it in. A habit I picked up from Dean.
"Nice piece."
"It was a birthday gift." I said with a slightly sarcastic smile.
"Well whoever bought it has good taste. Kimber is the best out there."
"My daddy. He always had good taste."
"You miss him?"
Judson's question caught me off guard. I didn't know whether to feed him another smart ass line, or to be honest with him. I sat for a second debating as my fingers ran across the engraving patterns on the barrel.
"Every day… days like today more than others."
"I bet."
"Alright kids, lets go get us a witch." Dean said as he pulled to the curb and climbed out of the car. I took a shaky breath as I stood and nodded to him, letting him know I was ready. I WILL conquer this.
"Em, you and him take the front door, Sam go round back, I'm gonna flank these two." Dean said nodding us all off in our own directions.
We carefully climbed onto the porch, careful not to alert any neighborhood dogs or nosy neighbors. We were smack dab in the middle of a suburb, the perfect hiding place for a witch really. No one suspects Nancy from the bake sale.
Once at the door we found it was locked, Judson pulled out his pick and nudged me to the side. I watched as he carefully picked the lock, twisting the knob the moment it clicked. We entered the dark house and instantly something smelt… funny.
We cleared the entry way and the living room, entering the kitchen I stopped.
"De. Check this out."
Laying in the floor was a bloody and very much so dead Amanda.
"That's a curveball."
"Yeah."
"Three per wrist, vertical. She wasn't foolin' around." Dean announced as he held up her arm and inspected the freshly made cuts. Sam tapped on the back door and I moved to let him in, once in the kitchen he began to pick through the pile of rotting burnt food on the counter.
"Ew… don't touch that." I warned.
"Looks like she was working some heavyweight evil here."
"Yep." Dean agreed as he turned to go down the hallway.
"Oh god! Freakin' witches! Seriously man, come on!" Dean shouted. I turned to find him face to face with a dead rabbit hanging from the ceiling. I got the chills and wrapped my arms around myself. It was strung up the same way the bodies were in that room. Hanging upside down, blood pooling beneath it.
"Guess we know where she got the rabbit's teeth from." Judson said walking over and looking at the rabbit for himself.
"I hope you get rabies from touching that thing."
"If I did I'd be sure to share." He said with a wink. I rolled my eyes and went back towards Sam.
"Well, Paul sure knows how to pick 'em huh? It's like Fatal Attraction all over again." Dean mumbled.
"And why does the rabbit always get screwed in the deal?! The poor little guy." I added.
"You know what I don't get, Dean? If she was so bent on revenge, why do this?"
"Well, she got Janet Dutton, thought she finished off Paul, decided to cap herself and make it a spurned lover's hat-trick." Judson guessed.
"Maybe." I mumbled, looking around the house some more, unconvinced that she did this to herself.
I glanced through a stack of books and magazines on her coffee table, moving things around, when something underneath it caught my eye.
"You guys sure she wanted this?"
"Well I mean this doesn't exactly look like the house of a sane and stable person."
"Then why would she use a hex bag?" I asked turning and holding it up.
"Another hex bag? Come on!" Dean groaned.
"Looks like we got a hit, huh? A little witch-on-witch violence?" Judson asked.
"I guess. We need to call in the body and get the hell outta here." Sam suggested. Dean nodded and began to dial as we all walked back towards the car, making sure no one saw us.
"Why are witches ganking each other?" I asked as we started down the road again.
"I don't know, but I think maybe we got a coven on our hands." Sam sighed. The thought made me even more sick to my stomach. One witch was bad enough, but a whole coven? There's no telling what we could be up against right now.
We drove back to the motel and decided to bunker down for the night. Picking up tomorrow with interviewing Amanda's friends. Seeing if they're part of this coven of witches Judson thinks he's found.
I stared out the window, watching us pass street lamp after street lamp, illuminating only the small area around them. Not showing the bigger picture.
I feel mortified. I feel judged. I wish Judson saw the bigger picture and not just my moments of temporary insanity. I can't bring myself to look over my right shoulder and face him. He and the boys are discussing strategy, and I'm to embarrassed to even look in his direction.
I must've looked like a lunatic.
"So, are we gonna talk about what happened?" Judson suddenly asked. My heart stopped. I tensed and glued my eyes to the scenery outside. Dammit… why couldn't he just leave it alone.
"What do you mean?" Dean asked , his voice dropping and octave or two from the friendly conversation they were just having.
"You know what I mean, I'm not stupid and I'm surely not blind. So talk.
I could hear his voice being directed at me on the last two words, he wanted me to talk. But how could I? I was frozen. I sat silently praying Sam or Dean would cover for me.
"Its nothing, really." Sam quickly said.
"Really? I sure thought it was something. The way someone knocked out all the lights in the parking lot. Shook the ground. Whoever Emily was seeing… That wouldn't happen to have anything to do with what Gordon told me would it?"
Dean slammed on the breaks and turned.
"Look man, you said you knew we weren't guilty of all that shit Gordon said. If you're changing you're tune, I suggest you reconsider."
"Whoa! Hey man chill. I'm not accusing anyone of anything. If I wanted to be against you then why would I put myself in this position? Where any one of you could kill me at a moment's notice. Again. I'm not stupid. I just think its only fair that if we're gonna help each other out that I have the full story. You three have been keeping something from me since you got here."
"What did Gordon tell you?" Sam asked.
"A bunch of mumbo jumbo about how you and Emily have… powers? Psychic abilities or something. That you were going to use them to lead a demon army and end the world. Again- the guy sounded a little off his rocker, so I dismissed it all. But what I saw back there, I think someone owes me an explanation."
The car fell silent. I felt 3 sets of eyes sitting on the back of my head. They were all waiting for me to speak. I swallowed loudly, still staring at the tree line on the other side of the road.
"Emily?" Judson asked. Pushing for me to explain.
"That. That yellow eyed demon we took down… he did something to us. As Babies. Us and a lot of other children… we all have some sort of ability. Sam had visions. But. They went away when I started having abilities of my own. I don't really know what mine are. Or how to control them. They're just… there. Demons hate me, they don't want us to lead them. Well, not me anyways. Some of them wanted Sam. But we want nothing to do with demons or leading an army. All you need to know is that this was forced on us. We didn't want it. We can't help it." I turned and finally faced him. "Only a few people even know this. So if you open your mouth to anyone, I'll kill you in ways you can't even imagine. Got it?"
"Yeah. I got it." He said looking into my eyes like he was searching for my soul… I don't understand what it is about him that makes me feel so … small. Like he's. Untouchable.
"So what do witches have to do with any of that?" He asked after Dean started to pull back on the highway.
"It doesn't." Sam said. "Before any of this crap with the demons started, Emily was taken by a witch and she w-"
"And we're not discussing that. Sorry. Story times over for the night children." I quickly said, cutting him off. This guy already knows too much about us. There's no need to tell him anything else.
I felt a shiver run down my back at the thought of her. That. Room… the chains. The blood. It all made me want to hurl. It made me want to burst into the tears I'd been holding back since that parking lot. I fidgeted with my hands, picking at the skin around my nails, till they were almost bleeding.
A hand reached out and took one of mine away from the other. I jumped slightly and went to pull back, but the grip on my wrist tightened slightly. I looked up surprised, Judson looked down on me with a guilty look.
"I'm sorry." He mouthed. I stared at him for a moment before I stopped resisting. I let my hand fall slack, he kept them separated, so that I couldn't fidget anymore, couldn't pick at my nails.
He gently rubbed his thumb on the side of my hand. Tingles fell across my skin, but for a whole new reason this time. Not because I was anxious or afraid… something about how gentle he was. It relaxed me. I took a deep breath and enjoyed the silence as we rode back to the motel. By the time we pulled into the gravel parking lot I was almost asleep. The sound of Dean getting out of the car and shutting the door caused me to jump awake.
I Immediately noticed Judson's hand still hovered over mine. I looked up to him and smiled briefly, as much as I didn't want to do it. I pulled my hand away and climbed out of the car.
"Well. I guess we'll see you in the morning." Sam said as he nodded to Judson before he ran up the stairs. We walked back into our room and I went straight for the bed. I was truly exhausted. One of my overly huge brothers plopped down next to me. I turned and met Dean.
"You did good today kiddo."
"You're a bad liar. I freaked out… in front of everyone."
"He was bound to find out eventually Em, he took it pretty well. Honestly I don't know what you're worried about. The guy's pretty chill."
"Yeah. I guess."
"Hey Em. Be honest with me."
"Always."
"Do you have a thing for him?"
I felt nervous all of a sudden.
"No." I quickly said. Squinting my eyebrows. Dean chuckled.
"Speaking of bad liars…" He teased. I hit him in the face with a pillow.
"I don't like him De. He just… frustrates me. And now he knows all this stuff about us. I don't know. I just… I don't like it."
"I know. Me either. But we had to tell him something."
"I just wanna wake up. Finish this stupid case, and get far away from the guy. Before he realizes how fucked up we all really are."
"Night kiddo." Dean groaned as he kissed my forehead and leaned over me to turn off the lamp.
The next morning we met and decided to split. I'd ride with Judson and tail Sam and Dean as they pulled the fed routine to talk to Amanda's friends. 2 feds is normal… 4 is suspicious. So instead I sat in Judson's front seat with a pair of binoculars, watching as the boys interrogated the woman who was gardening herbs.
"Looks like wolfsbane." Judson commented, looking through binoculars of his own.
"Yeah, and mandrake. This lady definitely dabbles in something."
"Well. I guess we'll just wait and see what your brothers found out."
"Yeah." I sighed sitting back against the seat and lowering the binoculars.
"So how'd you sleep?"
Well. The nightmares were splendid.
"Fine."
"Are you lying to me?" He asked glaring at me with a raised eyebrow and a cocky smile.
"Would it matter?" I said matching his expression. He laughed and shook his head.
"Emily." Judson said with a curiosity that told me a question was soon to follow. I sighed and turned to look at him again. "Why won't you tell me what happened with the witch?"
His question caught me off guard. My face fell and it was obvious that he noticed.
"Why should I tell you?" I asked staring back out the windshield.
"Because I asked."
"So? If I asked you to tell me about the most horrible things that ever happened to you would you spill your guts without hesistation?"
He looked at me thoughtfully before looking away.
"My parents… I watched them die. Trying to save my sister. She died too."
I turned and looked at him in shock. I was NOT expecting that.
"I'm sorry." I whispered.
"Me too, but it happened. It was a long time ago, you just kinda learn to live after the fact."
"Yeah. I know what you mean." I said honestly. "This witch… she uh. She took me when I was younger. Tortured me for 9 days before Dean and Daddy found me. I guess I'm still learning how to live with it."
"This is your first time hunting a witch since then isn't it?"
"Yeah. It is."
"I'm sorry, I wouldn't have called if I had known."
"Its okay. It was bound to happen eventually. Its better I do it now while Dean's here."
Judson shot me a questioning look, and I knew what he was fixing to ask, but thankfully Dean and Sam began to walk back towards the car.
"Hey, look." I said pointing, the boys got in the car and drove away from what was now a group of 3 women standing in the garden, Judson pulled out on the road and drove slowly towards the same direction of the impala. As we passed the three women looked to be in deep and concerned conversation. This was a promising sign. We drove back to the motel for the boys to change and us all to swap into one car.
We all jumped in, Judson and I in the back again, Dean and Sam up front.
"Well, I'm already sold on that Elizabeth chick. Did you see that victory garden of hers? Belladonna, wolfsbane, mandrake, not to mention that little flinch she threw when we mentioned the occult."
"Well, she's definitely had a good run lately, gone up a few tax brackets; won almost too many raffles. Kinda thing a little black magic always helps with." Judson said looking back through his research as we drove.
"I don't think she's alone either. Looks like 'MRS. Renee Van Allen' has won almost every craft contest she has entered in the past three months." Sam said matching Judson as he also looked through our findings.
"Regular Martha Stewarts." I sighed. "I think that was the coven you guys met back there. Minus one member. They looked freaked after you guys left."
"Well. Amanda was clearly going off the reservation. What do you think, they killed her to keep up appearances?" I asked.
"Seems like an appearance kind of crowd." Dean agreed. "If they killed the nut-job, should we uh, thank them or what?"
"They're working black magic too, Dean. They need to be stopped." Sam said.
"'Stopped' like stopped?" Dean questioned. Sam shot him a 'duh' look. "They're human, Sam."
"They're murderers."
"Fine. Burn witch burn."
We drove for another few minutes before the car seemed to slow a little and make an odd noise. I looked up and Dean's face was full of confusion.
"What the hell?" Dean said as the engine sputtered until it came to a stop. The headlights flashed, and when they came back on a blonde bitch appeared on the road in front of us.
"Fuck me dude." I groaned. Sam quickly jumped out of the car, Dean followed.
"Who the hell is that?" Judson asked.
"A pain in my ass." I groaned getting out, Judson was right behind me.
"Ruby?" Sam said surprised.
"Sam, listen to me, there's no time."
"For what? What are you talking about?"
"You have to get out of town."
"So this is Ruby, huh?" Dean asked raising the gun and cocking it. "Never had the pleasure."
"Lucky you." I said sarcastically.
"Dean!" Sam yelled, warning him.
"I was hoping you'd show up again." Dean smiled at her.
"Point that thing somewhere else." She growled.
"Hahaha! Right."
"Sam please. Go. Get in the car and don't look back."
"Why? I don't understand."
"Hey skank we can take care of a few kitchen witches, thanks." I said crossing my arms and walking forward. For some reason every time I moved so did Judson, staying right along side me.
"I'm not talking about witches, you little bitch. Witches are whores. I'm talking about who they serve."
"Demons. They get their power from demons. We know." Sam said.
"Yeah. And there's one here, now."
"Oh, what, you mean besides you?" I asked.
"Sam, it knows you're in town and it's gonna come after you and Emily, and its way more than you can handle."
"Oh come on, what is this huh? Please tell me you're not listening to this crap!" Dean yelled to Sam, who looked conflicted.
"Besides, I think you underestimate what I can and can't handle, bitch." I said shooting her a knowing look. She has no idea what I'm capable of… course neither do I.
"Put a leash on your bitch, Sam, if you wanna keep her."
"Let me show you what the fuck a leash feels like!" I said moving towards her but Judson grabbed my arm and Sam jumped in front of me.
"Emily! Chill out, just. Let me figure this out."
"No! No! She's messing with us, God knows why, that's who they are!"
"I'm telling you the truth." Ruby said flatly.
"And I'm telling you to shut up bitch." Dean yelled back.
"I'm sorry, why are you even a part of this conversation?!"
"Oh, I don't know maybe because he's my brother, you black eyed skank! You talk to him then you talk to me too!"
"Oh, right, right. You care about your brother and sister so much. That's why you're checking out in a few months, leaving them all alone"
"SHUT UP!" I yelled, fighting against Judson's hold, feeling the anger build up.
"At least let me try and save him, since you won't be here to do it any more."
"I said shut up!" I yelled, the ground rumbled beneath us all, Ruby flinched slightly.
"C'mon you little whore, you think you're such a badass then bring it on!" Ruby teased. I felt fire flow through my veins. Baby's engine roared behind us. Judson's grip on my arm tightened and he swung another around my waist, pulling me backwards.
"Alright, time to go." Dean said aiming the gun for her head.
"I'm not going anywhere till Sam does."
"Fine." Dean smiled, firing the colt, but Sam jumped forward and knocked his arm up.
"DEAN DON'T!" He screamed. The gunfire shut us all up, Ruby disappeared.
"Get in the car." Dean growled, talking to all of us. Judson slowly dropped his arm from around me, but kept a hand on my back as we walked back to the car. Great… he got to see me look MORE like a freak. I don't know how I'm supposed to explain these abilities to someone when I can't even explain them to myself! I don't understand them…
The ride back was tense and silent. Once we pulled in Dean got out, slammed the door, and stormed off.
"Give us a minute." Sam said as he followed suit. I sighed. Slowly opening the car door and getting out.
"Well. Life with the Winchesters just gets more and more exciting doesn't it."
"Shut up." I sighed."
"So. They happen when you're angry or scared. Am I getting that right?"
"Can we not. Okay?" I said turning in frustration. "Just. Not right now."
I walked up to the door and leaned against it, listening. Their yelling could be clearly heard without any effort. Judson leaned against the post a few feet across from me. Staring at me as I stared at the ground. Listening.
"No one's stringing me along! Look, I know it's dangerous, that she is dangerous, but like it or not, she's useful." Sam yelled.
"No! We kill her before she kills us." Dean yelled back.
"Kill her with what? The gun she fixed for us?"
"Whatever works."
"Dean, if she wants us dead, all she has to do is stop saving our lives."
There was a moment of silence.
"Look, we have to start looking at the big picture Dean, start thinking in strategies and – and moves ahead… It's not so simple, we're not – we're not just hunting anymore. We're at war."
"Are you feeling okay?"
"Why are you always asking me that?"
"Because you're taking advice from a demon for starters. And by the way, you seem less and less worried about offing people. You know, it used to eat you up inside."
"Yeah, and what has that gotten me? Look at Emily. She worried herself sick over killing that guy at the charity ball… how am I supposed to tell her not to when I can't do the same thing. I had to grow some thicker skin. What else could I do?"
My nervous eyes shot up to Judson's. I knew he heard them… I knew he could hear everything. I instantly became uncomfortable. Wrapping my arms around myself and tapping my foot.
"Nothing, but it's just what you're supposed to do okay? We're supposed to drive in the freakin' car and freakin' argue about this stuff. You know, you go on about the sanctity of life and all that crap. And that guy at the ball was different. He had it coming! He would've raped her or worse!"
Hearing them talk about it made me want to hurl. Knowing Judson could hear it all made me want to bury my face in the sand. I prayed he would just walk away. Stop listening. But instead, he took three steps towards me.
"So what are you mad at me for Dean? Because I'm starting to agree with you? Because I finally see why we HAVE to finish the job even when we don't want to?"
"No, I'm not mad, I'm- I'm- I'm worried, Sam –I'm worried because you're not acting like yourself. I notice it, Em notices it. We both worry about you."
"Yeah, you're right, I'm not. I don't have a choice."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Look, Dean, you're leaving – right? And I gotta stay here in this craphole of a world. Take care of Em. So the way I see it, if I'm gonna get us through it, if I'm gonna lead us into the war without you… I gotta change."
His words made my lip quiver. I thought he was still set on Ruby having a way to save Dean… she's one of the only options we have left. As much as I hate it… she's the hail mary.
I bit down on my lip. Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath in. Holding it.
"Change into what?"
"Into you. I gotta be more like you."
I let out the breath, feeling it fall shaky at the end.
A hand grazed my chin, lifting it upward. I slowly opened my eyes, feeling like I could melt as bright green eyes were only inches away from mine. Its like he could see every bit of pain I felt just by looking at me. Like somehow he just… knew my pain. He pinned a stray hair behind my ear.
"Ah!" Dean screamed out in pain, causing me to jump, I quickly pulled away from Judson and burst into the room.
"Sam something's wrong- bunch of knives inside of me!"
"Dean!" I ran in calling for him, rushing to his side on the bed as he bent over and clutched his stomach. Sam was kneeling in front of him.
"Son of a bitch-" Dean groaned, in obvious pain.
"De, hey. Look at me!" I said getting on the floor in front of him and picking up his face in my hands.
"The coven, it's gotta be the coven. " He grumbled, barely able to speak the words.
"Sam! Hex bag!" I said as he met my eyes, it clicked and he and Judson began to tear the room apart as I dropped to my knees, holding Dean's head as he coughed and moaned in pain.
He opened his eyes for a split second and I could see the fear. It made everything in me tense.
"Its okay De… you're gonna be okay." I told him, rubbing his cheek with my thumb, he attempted to nod but instead dropped his head and began to cough up blood on my jeans.
"SAM!" I yelled panicking!
"I can't find it!" He yelled back. Dean began to spew more blood, choking on it.
"No! No no no no… De!" I cried.
"Sam threw Dean's bag out on the bed above us and found the colt, making sure it was loaded before he ran towards the door.
"Sam! What are you doing?" I asked. He ignored me. "Sam!"
"Judson go with him! Please!" I begged, he didn't hesitate, he ran out the door.
I looked back down at Dean, panic filling his eyes the same way it did mine. There was so much blood.
"We're okay, we're gonna be okay De!" I cried, hugging him closer to me, not caring as his blood stained my clothing.
"Em… I. I'm sorry."
"No, No… don't. You're not dying tonight! You're not dying in a few months! No one's dying!" I cried.
He doubled over again in pain and spewed more blood. I just clung to him tighter, as if my grip would stop him from dying.
Suddenly the door flew open and in ran Ruby, she threw me against the wall and charged towards Dean.
"You bitch! What are you doing!" I yelled running towards them.
"Saving his life!" She yelled back as she leaned him over on the bed and poured black liquid into his mouth. I froze, unsure what to do. I could kill her with my bare hands for even touching him right now, but what if she IS saving him.
Dean coughed and sputtered, spewing the black juice all over himself. She stood and looked over to me.
"Stop. Calling me bitch."
Dean slowly sat up and I grabbed him a towel to clean himself off. He began wiping his face.
"Next time you point that gun at me, I'm not gonna just disappear, understand? " Ruby said tossing Dean his sawed off.
"You ... saved my life." He said hesitantly.
"Don't mention it."
"What was that stuff? God, it was ass. It tasted like ass."
"…Dean. How do you know what ass taste like?" I said slightly grossed out. He just looked down at the floor uncomfortably.
"It's called witchcraft, short bus." Ruby said as she walked out the door.
"You're the short bus ... short bus." Dean mumbled slowly as she disappeared.
"Smooth De. Real smooth…"
"Shut up. Lets go get Sam."
We ran outside but realized that Sam had taken Baby. Judson's truck was parked just down the isle. I got a small grin.
"Sorry Judson." I smiled as I broke in and hotwired the thing.
"Okay, move over. I'm driving." Dean said.
"What?! No way. I hot wired it, I'm driving!"
Dean rolled his eyes. "Fine! Lets just go."
I smiled and adjusted the seat so that I could reach the pedals, I threw it in reverse and stomped on the gas, letting the engine rumble under me. It felt exciting. Like it did when I drove Luke's truck through the mud. I hauled ass all the way, normally Dean would complain, but with Sam possibly dying he didn't argue.
Once at the house we hopped the curb and jumped out, running inside, guns drawn. I could hear voices, struggles, Dean nodded before charging into the living room, he was quickly thrown against the wall, me following suit.
"Ah! Son of a bitch!" I said as my head bounced off the wall. I opened my eyes and looked around… all four of us were pinned. One of the witches, had black eyes…. Well. Obviously she's not a witch. Witches couldn't hold us against the wall like this.
"Demons? Really?" I sighed.
"Well well well… look what the cat dragged in. I was just telling big brother here about the new up and comer. Who wants Sam's head on a platter… and yours. Well. You're gonna be the new trophy. OH I can't wait to see what they do to you." The woman chuckled as she walked towards me.
"Fuck you!" I yelled spitting in her face. She slapped me, turning my face to the side.
"Hey!" Dean yelled. "Get your hands off of her you bitch!"
She stalked off in Dean's direction. I watched carefully.
"Wait!" A voice called. Ruby appeared in the room. Hands held up in surrender.
"Please. I just ... came to talk."
"You made it out of the gate. Impressive. That was a bitch of a fight, wasn't it?" The demon called.
"Doors out of Hell only open for so long."
"What do you want, Ruby?"
"I've been lost without you. Take me back. That's why I led the Winchesters here."
I shot an angry look at her, then at Sam. Dean was mouthing the words "TOLD YOU" to Sam who was confused, but watching Ruby carefully. I looked over to Judson, he was only watching me, only concerned with me… it was. Strange, but comforting.
"They're for you ... as a gift."
"Really."
"Let me serve you again. I've wanted it – I've wanted you – for so long."
"You were one of my best."
Ruby and the woman came closer and closer to each other, their chests almost touching, suddenly Ruby pulls her knife, but the woman catches her wrist mid air.
"But then again, you always were a lying whore." The woman said before throwing Ruby sideways. They fought for a few minutes, all of which I spent trying to break free of the grasp the witch had on us.
"You're really telling me you threw in your chips with the Winchesters here?" The Demon teased as she stood over Ruby. Who's knife had been knocked dangerously close to my feet. I fought with everything I had to break free, but she was so strong.
"Come on. Get up!" She said kicking Ruby. "I said, get up!"
"We've been here before, haven't we?" The woman said as she pulled Ruby up by her jacket. She then looks over towards Sam. "She didn't tell you?"
"Pretty mortifying I guess. She was one of mine. I turned her out a long, long time ago. Ruby here was a witch. Of course that was when you were human. Didn't want your friends to know that all those centuries back you sold yourself to me? Embarrassing, I guess. But don't worry love, no secrets where you're heading remember?"
Ruby's eyes flashed with panic. I pushed and pushed and pushed, feeling something finally stir in the pit of my stomach. It went from my stomach up to my throat… threw my arms and my legs and even though it hurt I pushed even harder. Finally, the grasp on me broke and I collapsed to the floor. I immediately reached for the knife and crawled towards the woman who was in the process of killing Ruby. I stood shakily behind her and swung with what little strength I had left, swinging the knife over and over again into her back, her body flashing with electricity with every strike. She dropped Ruby to the ground before collapsing herself. I dug the knife into her back one more time before falling to my knees. Feeling exhaustion over take me.
The last thing I remember was arms picking me up, and Ruby's voice telling us to leave.
"Emily…" Dean's voice sounded so far away. "Em wake up… Wake up babygirl."
Something was tapping the side of my face. I jerked away from the annoying contact. Swatting at whoever was causing it.
"Emily, open your eyes sweetheart."
I groaned and strained to lift my heavy eye lids. Dean's face hovered over me, he looked relieved.
"De…" I groaned.
"Hurt anywhere Em?" Sam's voice cut in.
I nodded my head up and down as Dean lifted me up, so that I was sitting up in the seat instead of laying down. I looked around and Sam was driving the impala, Dean was sitting in the back with me.
"Where's Judson?"
"Driving his truck, he was thrilled that you hotwired it by the way." Sam chuckled.
"What happened?"
"You saved us kiddo." Dean smiled. "Again. You're gonna start making me look bad if you don't stop."
I looked around confused as Sam pulled into the motel parking lot, I looked out the back glass and saw Judson's truck pulling in behind us. Dean climbed out and held out a hand, helping lift me out of the impala. I swayed on my feet slightly, still trying to fight my way through the fog that felt like it was floating around in my head.
"Hey grand theft auto." Judson called as he jumped out of his truck. "Next time you wanna borrow my ride just ask."
"Oh shut up."
"I mean I'm sure you looked good behind the wheel and all but I gotta rewire the whole thing."
"I'd say I'm sorry but I'm really not." I smiled as I walked into the motel room, Dean sat me down on the bed and I let my head fall into my hands, trying to force myself to wake up.
"Let me see your face kiddo." Sam said as he sat in front of me. He dabbed at it and pulled away a bloody rag. I didn't even realize I was bleeding. I guess the bitch slapped me real good.
"You okay?" Sam asked me.
"Yeah. A little dizzy, but… I'll make it." I sighed. "Sam…"
"Yeah?"
"Whats happening to me?" I whispered, tears slipping down my cheek.
"Whoa.. hey, hey. Don't cry sweetheart." He said as he sat up and wrapped his arms around me. I just felt… overwhelmed. The witch… Dean… my abilities… everything. Just. Hit me all at once. I felt so vulnerable all of a sudden.
"Shhh. Its okay." Sam cooed.
"I'm scared." I whispered. "I feel like I can't control myself."
"Em, you just wore your body out, that's all. You fought hard to break loose. Its okay, you're okay." Sam repeated as he ran his hands through my hair. Dean entered the room, taking sudden notice of my disastrous appearance.
"Hey what happened?!" Dean said kneeling down in front of Sam and I.
"She's just… shaken up." Sam said. Dean reached up and wiped tears off my face with his thumb.
"I'm proud of you kiddo. You kicked ass."
I nodded sniffling.
"C'mere." Dean said as he leaned forward to push my hair behind my ears. "Why don't you take a hot shower, relax a little. Jobs done. We'll head out as soon as you're done, let you sleep in the backseat, so you'll actually get some good sleep okay?"
"What about you? You've gotta sleep." I asked, sniffling between words.
"I'll be fine, just go get cleaned up."
I nodded and walked into the bathroom. Showering in the hottest water possible. It felt nice. It woke me up, clearing the fog in my head. I took my time getting out and getting dressed, drying my dark hair with the towel. It was finally getting a little length back to it. I dabbed on a little make up since I knew Judson was still hanging around, then I flipped my hair back and forth before giving it one more stroke with the towel and walking out. Sam was at the sink, cleaning something.
"Where's De?"
"He stepped outside."
I walked out, looking around. The impala was in front of our room, and a few parking spaces down Judson was on a step stool, leaned over into his truck, rewiring it I assume.
"So did I ruin it for good?"
"Nahhh. I'm about done."
"Hey you seen Dean?"
"Yeah, he walked around the corner." Judson said with a nod of his chin. I smiled at him before walking in the direction he last saw Dean. It was chilly outside with my wet hair so I pulled my jacket closer to my body as I rounded the corner of the building. When I did I stopped.
Dean… and Ruby.
I moved closer but stayed hidden, listening to their conversation.
"Wacky night. So let me get this straight, you were human once, you died, you went to hell, you became a..." Dean asked trailing off.
"Yeah." Ruby answered.
"How long ago?"
"Back when the plague was big."
"So all of 'em – every damn demon – they were all human once?"
What are you doing Dean…
"Every one I've ever met."
"Well, they sure don't act like it."
"Most of them have forgotten what it means, or even that they were. That's what happens when you go to Hell, Dean. That's what Hell is – forgetting what you are."
"Philosophy lesson from a demon. I'll pass, thanks."
"It's not philosophy. It's not a metaphor. There's a real fire in the pit. Agonies you can't even imagine."
My stomach began to twist.
"No, I saw "Hellraiser". I get the gist."
"Actually they got that pretty close. Except for all the custom leather…. The answer is yes, by the way."
"I'm sorry?"
"Yes, the same thing will happen to you. It might take centuries, but sooner or later Hell will burn away your humanity. Every Hell-bound soul, every one, turns into something else. Turns you into us. So yeah. Yeah, you can count on it."
My stomach flopped. Dean as a Demon… I can't. I can't even imagine. I can't let him go to hell. Maybe Sam's right. Maybe we need to start kissing Ruby's ass. She may be our only hope to save him.
"There's no way of saving me from the Pit is there?" Dean asked boldly. There was silence. But not the regular silence. The kind of silence that the world balances on. That same kind of silence I remembered hearing when Sam died… when Dead died. The silence that swallows you. The silence that you're begging someone to end, but at the same time you're too terrified to know if the answer goes in your favor or not.
Yeah. That kind of silence. The deadly kind.
"No." Ruby sighed.
Shattered.
That's how I felt at the moment. I felt shattered. All this time… we've been looking and looking. Sam, he's been banking on Ruby being the answer. All this time we fought… and there's nothing?
Nothing?
I quickly moved away from my hiding spot and made my way back around the building. Unable to listen to this any longer. I stopped as soon as I was out of Dean's sight and puked… again and again. I stood shakily.
I can't be here.
I can't be here anymore… I can't watch him die! I can't just sit here and look at him in the eyes. I can't watch Sam fight day and night to save him, knowing there's nothing.
I have to leave.
I quickly made my way back to the front of the building. I saw Judson climbing down from his truck, and the idea sprung so fast I didn't have time to think twice about it. I knew if I didn't act fast then my brother's would stop me.
"Hey." I said frantically. "Get that thing running?"
"Yeah. Are you okay?" Judson asked confused.
"I need you to take me somewhere. Now."
"Okay? Is everything-"
"Can you take me or not?!"
"…Yeah. Yeah. Get your bag."
I went over to the impala and quietly grabbed my bag out of the back, making sure I had my gun and a few boxes of ammo. I quietly shut the trunk and jogged back towards Judson. He took my bag and looked at me worried.
"What?!"
"Emily. What's going on?"
"Look! I have to go somewhere. Either you take me and keep me safe, or you let me run off on my own. Which one do you think will anger Sam and Dean less?"
He rolled his eyes before giving me a boost to climb into his truck, tossing me my bag and quickly making his way to the driver seat. He quickly backed out of the parking lot and began to drive away.
I stared into the rearview mirror as the motel became smaller and smaller. Wondering how long it will take before they realize we're gone.
That I'm gone.
"So, are you gonna tell me where we're going?" Judson asked.
"Halltown, Ohio."