Word Count: 3,722
Content Warning: language and violence
DISCLAIMER: any words or phrases in bold in the story are not my own and are credited to the writers of Supernatural.
A duffle bag hung on Dean's shoulder as the three walked beside the river. Their only hope of finding John was if they could find any clue on where he might be. Meg's final words were little help and they knew they were running out of time
"Guys…" stopping in her tracks, Riley put out her arm to stop the boys. "Think maybe that's what Meg meant by 'sunrise'?" She turned to look at the building to their right and they followed her glance. An apartment building sat across the street with a sign out front that read: "Sunrise Apartments".
Sam, Riley, and Dean stayed hidden behind scattered trees to get a closer look. Families with children played on the front lawn of the building on a seemingly normal street.
"Son of a bitch. That's pretty smart." Dean turned to the others. "They can possess whoever they want. It could be anybody."
"Which means anyone could attack us," Sam agreed.
Riley imagined all the innocent lives inside the building. All the people that were just going about their everyday lives. "They know we can't kill them. They're using them as friggin' shields. And you know they probably know what we look like too."
Dean nodded. "Okay, so we pull the fire alarm and get the civilians out."
"That means we'll have seven minutes before the city responds."
"Seven minutes exactly," Sam confirmed.
—
Sam had gone in and out of the building without being detected after he pulled the fire alarm. The tenants made their way out as the loud bell echoed through the halls.
Just as they planned, the fire department and paramedics rolled up to the scene. Sirens wailed and firefighters went into the building to secure it. The three met behind one of the trucks as Sam picked a lock on one of the side storage doors. He grabbed two jackets, helmets and bags with equipment as he and Dean threw them on.
"Alright, you guys go look for John. I'm gonna find another way in. I'll find you." Riley looked at Dean and smirked. "You look good in that."
"Oh, really?" Dean chuckled. "Got a thing for a man in uniform?" he asked as he bit his lip.
Sam rolled his eyes. "Really? Now? What is it with you two and costumes?"
"Hey…" Dean started. "Don't get cranky just because we have an awesome sex life."
Letting out a little laugh, Riley went on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on her boyfriend's lips. "Be careful. I'll see you both soon." She squeezed Sam's hand with a final look and hurried out of sight.
—
Sam and Dean had made their way up several floors looking for signs of anything conspicuous. Holding out his EMF detector, Dean led the way. "I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up,"he said muffled through his helmet.
"You never told me that."
The device whirred out of control as they stepped in front of one of the apartments. They immediately banged on the door. "This is the fire department. We need you to evacuate," Dean ordered. When the door was unlocked, Sam and Dean forced their way in.
Without hesitation, they began to spray their pressurized water tanks at the possessed couple inside. They had filled them with holy water and the man and woman seemed to sizzle and burn as it hit them. The two yelled out as the Winchesters continued their assault on them and their eyes went black.
Sam grabbed the man and hit him in the face before shoving him into a closet and slamming it shut. The woman kicked and flailed about as Dean held onto her and drug her to the coat closet as well. Sam opened it again for a moment, as they threw her in and once again closed it. The demons banged on the door trying to get out and Dean held it shut as Sam poured a ring of salt in front of it. The struggle inside the closet ceased.
After quickly removing the firemen's gear, the brothers headed for the bedroom door. Sam stood ready as Dean opened it. When they looked inside, there was John. He was sprawled out on the bed and tied to all four corners. He didn't seem to be coherent as Dean rushed to his side. Sam stood still, terrified they were too late.
"He's still breathing."
The youngest Winchester let out a large sigh of relief as the oldest went to cut him free. "Wait!" Sam said. "He could be possessed for all we know. We gotta be sure." He pulled out a silver flask from the gear bag and twisted it open. Hesitantly, almost afraid to know the answer, Sam splashed the holy water over his father's body.
John began to come to as he weakly looked at his boys. He had been beaten and his face was bloody and bruised. Groggily, he asked, "Sam? Why are you splashing water on me?" A breathy laugh escaped Sam in response.
"Dad? Are you okay?" Dean was back to cutting his father free.
"Yeah…yeah. They've been drugging me." His voice was tired. "Boys, the Colt…where is it?"
"It's safe, dad. Don't worry."
"Good boys…good boys…" John's voice faded.
Sam and Dean pulled their dad off the bed and tucked themselves under both of his arms to carry him out. As they went to leave, the front door of the apartment was kicked open. A possessed fireman and paramedic came in ready to fight.
"Go back! Go back!" Sam shouted as they made their way back into the bedroom and closed the door behind them.
An ax came wailing through the wooden door as Sam tried to cover himself while he poured a salt line.
The bedroom window flew open. Riley stood on the fire escape with a smile. "Miss me?" she asked with a smile.
"Oh, hell yes," Dean answered.
The brothers worked to get John through the open window and onto the metal escape. When they were out, Sam made another line of salt on the windowsill before following the others down.
Riley and Dean stood at the bottom and helped John jump down from the ladder towards the sidewalk. As soon as Sam had reached the concrete, he ran ahead to get the car ready for their get-away. Before he could reach it, he was tackled by a possessed man. The demon wailed on the hunter's face with a closed fist.
"Sam!" Shouting, and leaving his father with Riley, Dean sprinted to his brother's aid. When the demon saw him, he waved his arm and a force took Dean through the air and into a car's windshield. He groaned out in pain as the sound of glass cracked with every movement.
As she left John leaning against the wall, Riley sprinted as fast as her legs could take her towards Sam. The demon stopped his attack on the young Winchester and shot a sinister smile her way. His black eyes somehow looked pleased with her attempt to help as she was sent sailing through the air.
The sound of a gunshot rang through the alleyway as a bullet went through the side of the demon's skull with ease. A small amount of black smoke seeped from the body as it crashed to the ground. A form of magical electrical current ran over him.
Dean stood at a distance with the Colt in hand as it smoked from the shot. He went to his brother's side and pulled him up off the ground. "Come on. Sammy, come on. We gotta go." Sam was completely disoriented and bloody after his beating. He wobbled on his feet as Dean tried to hold him steady. "Riley!" Dean yelled.
Coming out from behind a truck, Riley stumbled. "I'm okay." She had a slight limp and had a small cut on her jawline. Pushing through, she went back for John and held onto him as she guided him to the car.
John's oldest son looked down at the man he had shot. Moments before, he was a creature out to kill his family, and now he was only a man. A pool of blood poured from his head as Dean thought of the life he had just taken. The guilt was so strong that Riley had to almost gasp for air as she felt it coming from him. He looked back up at her with pain in his eyes as he dragged his baby brother along.
—
In a small hunting cabin, in a remote part of the woods, the team had found their way to safety. Most of the surrounding trees were bare and the night was dark and foggy. The black Chevy sat waiting out front.
Sam poured lines of salt in front of every door and window. Most of the lights were off as they hoped to stay hidden from the roads. Only a few here and there scattered a soft glow around them.
As Dean walked in the room, he observed his bruised and swollen brother. It was never easy for him to see him hurt even as grown men.
"Hey," Sam started as he turned from the window. "You don't think anything followed us, do you?"
"I don't know. I don't think so. I mean, we couldn't have found a more out-of-the-way place to hole up."
"Dean…you–you saved my life back there."
"Yeah, well, guess you're glad I brought the Colt, huh?"
Sam scoffed in response. "How's dad?"
"Resting. Riley is too. Been too long since the woman got a decent night's sleep." Dean worked up the courage to open up to his brother. "Sam…" he paused. "I killed a guy today. There was a person in there."
"You didn't have a choice."
"That's not what bothers me," Dean admitted. "Killing that guy, killing Meg…I didn't even hesitate. Not a flinch. For you, Riley or dad? The things I'm willing to do or kill, it just uh—it scares me sometimes, man."
Sam didn't know what to say. He knew nothing would change his brother's mind on what had happened.
"Well, it shouldn't." John walked into the room with an obviously beaten face. "You did good, son."
Dean looked back at him confused. "Wait, you're not mad? I used a bullet."
"Mad? I'm proud of you." Placing a hand on his son's shoulder, John looked Dean in the eyes. "You know, Sam and I, we can get pretty obsessed. But you–you watch out for this family. You always have."
The wind outside began to pick up and they could hear it blowing and whistling through the trees. What little lights were on began to flicker. Sam went in a hurry back to every possible entrance ensuring the lines of salt were ready.
"It found us. It's here. Dean, you got the gun?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, give it to me."
Dean took the gun out of his jacket pocket. "Dad, Sam tried to shoot the demon in Salvation. It disappeared."
"This is me, I won't miss. Now give me the gun, hurry."
He hesitated and took a step back, looking at his father. "No. He'd be fucking furious. He wouldn't be proud of me, he'd tear me a new one."
Riley came in the room as she ran a hand through her hair. She suddenly felt sick to her stomach and a feeling she had begun to know all too well, rushed through her. Riley turned to look at John and an evil surged from him. It was powerfully overwhelming.
"Dean! That's not John!"
Letting out a soft chuckle, John replied, "what? Riley what are you talking about?"
Dean's arm raised as he pointed the Colt at John. "She's right. You're not my dad."
As Sam made his way back, his jaw fell slightly agape at the scene he walked in on. "Dean, what the fuck is going on?"
"It's not him! I can feel it."
"Fine, you trust your gut and Riley so much, go ahead. Kill me." John said as his head fell, and he waited for the shot. Dean held the gun pointed at him but shook. What if he was wrong? He couldn't find it in him to pull the trigger. "I thought so," John said with an unfamiliar tone. As he looked up, his eyes were yellow, and he smirked at the young hunters.
Sam went to lunge in his direction but was thrown against the wall and pinned there. Riley and Dean were next as the evil force went for them as well. The Colt had fallen to the floor and the three struggled to get free from the invisible power that held them. John calmly walked over and picked up the gun.
"What a pain in my ass this thing's been."
"It's you, isn't it?" Sam finally was face to face with the creature that had ruined his life. "We've been looking for you for a long time."
A large and evil grin made John look like a completely different person as he turned to Sam. "Well, you found me."
"But the holy water."
The demon scoffed. "You think something like that works on something like me?"
"I'm gonna fucking kill you," Sam seethed.
"Oh, that'd be a neat trick. In fact…here." John placed the Colt on the table. "Make the gun float to you there, psychic boy." A chuckle of sadistic evil came from his mouth. Sam looked down at the gun, hoping and willing for it to be forced in his direction, but nothing happened. "Well, this is fun. I could've killed you a hundred times today, but this…" he sighed. "This is worth the wait." Looking over at Dean, it knew just how to get under his skin. "Your Dad – he's in here with me. Trapped inside his own meat suit. He says 'hi', by the way. He's gonna tear you apart. He's gonna taste the iron in your blood."
The wrath in Dean consumed the air. "Let him go or I swear to God–"
"What? What are you and God gonna do? You see, as far as I'm concerned, this is know that little exorcism of yours? That was my daughter. The one in the alley? That was my boy. You understand?"
"Oh, you've gotta be kidding me."
"What? You're the only one that can have a family? You destroyed my children. How would you feel if I killed your family?" John paused with a nasty smile. "Oh, that's right. I forgot. I did. Still, two wrongs don't make a right."
"You son of a bitch!" Riley screamed.
"I wanna know why," Sam started. "Why'd you do it?"
"Oh, you mean why I killed your mommy and pretty little Jess?"the demon asked. "You know, he never told you this," John said heading towards Dean. "…but Sam was going to ask her to marry him. Been shopping for rings and everything." He turned to look at Sam again. "And you want to know why? Because they got in the way." The creature snickered and pivoted to face Riley. "Oh, and you? That's why I had to get rid of your mommy and auntie."
Riley fought against the hold on her with all her might but still couldn't move. She gritted her teeth together and shook with rage.
"My plans…for you…for Sammy, for all the children like you."
"Listen," Dean snarked. "You mind just getting this over with, huh? Cause I really can't stand the monologuing."
As the demon turned in response, he got more aggressive. "Funny, but that's all part of your M.O., isn't it? Masks all that nasty pain, masks the truth."
Challenging the thing that stood not even a foot away, he asked, "Oh, yeah? What's that?"
"You know, you fight and you fight for this family, but the truth is they don't need you," the demon taunted. "Not like you need them. Sam–he's clearly John's favorite. Even when they fight, it's more concern than he's ever shown you." It grinned from ear to ear as it went on. "And your girlfriend over there? You know you're not good enough for her. That you'll never be good enough. One day? She'll leave you."
"Fucking liar!" Riley shouted as she tugged for freedom. With hate in her eyes and her brow furrowed, tears welled in her eyes. "I'm glad your children are dead. I'll kill every single one of them, I swear to God." A small laugh came through her words as she enjoyed hitting the demon where it hurt.
A smug look came over the demon's face followed by a maniacal grin. It turned towards Dean and in that instant, the hunter yelled out in pain. He began to bleed heavily from his chest and to choke.
Riley realized she had provoked it too far she screamed, "no!"
"Dean!" Sam yelled at the same moment.
The demon made its way to Dean and looked at him suffering.
"Dad! Dad, don't let it kill me," John's oldest son pleaded. As John continued to smile at him, Dean screamed out as his torture continued. Blood began to run from his mouth. "Dad, please…" he said with tears in his eyes.
Both the others struggled with all they had to get free and cried in anger as Dean finally passed out from the pain. Riley had been trying to get into the demon the entire time, but what she had forgotten to do was reach for John. She closed her eyes and tears fell as she focused on finding his soul. As if she had reached in and found his hand, she pulled him to the surface. "Fight, John! Fight it!"
The yellow eyes turned to John's chestnut browns as he breathed heavily. "Stop…" he whispered.
Whatever had been holding the three hunters to the wall, suddenly released them. Riley felt drained and dizzy as she hit the floor. She had used so much of herself to find John.
Sam scurried to the gun and pointed it at John. It turned around to face him, his eyes again a bright and frightening yellow. "You kill me, you kill daddy," the demon smirked.
"I know." Sam fired the gun, shooting John in the leg.
The demon hit the floor as the bullet worked its magic. Black smoke came from John's body and visible shocks skimmed over him. John seemed to be unconscious.
Gathering her strength, Riley ran to Dean's side as he gasped for air. Sam followed her. "Dean? Dean…" she cried.
"Oh, god, you've lost a lot of blood," Sam whimpered.
Dean's voice was weak and wet with blood. "Where's dad?"
"He's here. He's right here, Dean."
"Go check on him. Please…"
As Riley cradled Dean's head, she could feel the demon's presence once again. Her eyes grew and she turned to Sam as he went to his father. "Sam! No! It's still in there!" Yellow eyes shot open looking up at the youngest Winchester. Remembering what she had done before, Riley shut her eyes and reached out for John. "Come back. Come back, John. Fight that son of a bitch!"
John's eyes went soft again as he regained control of his body. "Sammy!" he screamed. "I feel it. Son, you gotta shoot me. Shoot me! Shoot me in the heart!"
Groaning in a fight for power, Riley held onto to John. "I don't know how much longer I can hold you!"
"Shoot me, son! Fucking do it, now! Please!" John wept as he begged his son to take the opportunity.
Dean was weak and barely hanging on as he cried for his brother not to do it. The moment seemed to drag on as Sam cried and couldn't find the strength to fire.
"Sammy, I'm begging you. End it. End it now." John cried and shouted. "Kill me! Please! Sam…"
Sam shook as he lowered the gun. He couldn't live with himself if he killed his father. He finally realized that nothing was worth losing the people he loved; and definitely not revenge.
A storm of black smoke shot from John's mouth as he screamed. The cloud that grew seemed to take all light from the room. After it had completely pulled from its vessel, the demon flew into the cracks of the wooden floor and was gone.
All four hunters were shaking in pain, fear, and sadness. John sobbed, realizing their moment had come and gone.
—
Baby sped down the dark foggy road. Sam drove as fast as he could trying to get his loved ones to the nearest hospital. John sat broken and fatigued in the front seat. Holding Dean as he was barely able to stay awake, Riley continued to talk to him. "Hold on, Dean. Please hold on. Stay with me, babe." Her hands were soaked in warm blood as she attempted to stop any more blood from pouring out.
"Hold on, guys. The hospital's only ten minutes away." Sam was trying to stay calm and collected to stay strong for his family.
John shook his head softly. "I'm surprised at you, Sammy. Why didn't you kill it? I thought we saw eye-to-eye on this. Killing this demon comes first—before me, before everything."
"No, sir," Sam replied. "Not before everything."
Riley's face was still wet and stained from tears. She sniffled. "We still have the Colt and still have one more bullet left. As soon as we get everyone fixed up, we'll start again. We'll find it."
"She's right," Sam agreed. "I mean we already found the demon once–"
Before he could finish his sentence, bright headlights came from the passenger's side. In the blink of an eye, everything crashed around them as an eighteen-wheeler rammed into them. Glass shattered and the tires squealed as it forced them off the road and into a ditch.
The Impala sat in the darkness, its headlights still shining into the distance. It had crumpled on impact and barely even resembled their beloved car. The Winchesters and Riley were all covered in their own blood and each other's as they lay motionless.
Leftover loose glass softly fell as the black and empty eyes from the truck driver sat on them. Darkness wrapped around the crash and engulfed them like a blanket. They had lost. They had lost it all.
—