The Chaos Tree
Chapter 20
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Sam welcomed the pain radiating through his body as they drove away from the park. The hike back to the car had been made in silence, each person wondering whether they should really leave. But in truth, there hadn't been a true choice. Dean was gone, and Piruz was still intent on sending the country into chaos. They had a job to do. At the gate, Adam surprised them by jumping from the rear seat to pick the lock. Though Sam wanted to head straight for the airport, Caleb instead drove them to the Newark-Wayne Community Hospital's emergency room. After dragging the reluctant Scholar inside, Caleb thought they would need to explain the injuries, especially considering it was closing in on midnight. However, the bored night nurse merely handed over a clipboard filled with paperwork, told them to wait and that the doctor would be out shortly.
Seated in the waiting room, Sam watched Caleb check him in through a fog of pain and willful distance. For some reason it struck a cord that Caleb checked him in as Sam Winchester. That's what he'd said; Sam Winchester, and had then fished Sam's wallet from his back pocket to get to his insurance information. Echoes of Charlie Watts, David Gilmore, Bruce Dickenson floated through his mind. Smiling, he huffed out a short laugh, prompting a worried look from Caleb. Dean and all his rock band names. All the times he'd checked them into the hospital with Bill Ward or John P. Jones or James Hetfield. Occasionally the names earned a suspicious look, though often if the name rung a bell, the hotel, hospital or law enforcement personnel would merely frown and let it pass. When someone did get overly curious, Dean's gift of widening those green eyes of his and looking mischievously innocent usually bought them a pass. But those days were long past, and it had been many years since they'd needed to use a name other than their own - not since they'd been considered the renegades of the Brotherhood on a good day; outlaws, rascals or dregs on the bad.
"Sam Winchester…"
Caleb rose.
Sighing, Sam looked up and said again, "I'll just wait for Onida…"
Caleb merely gestured for Sam to get up, then practically frog-marched him in to get checked out by a weary-eyed doctor with a chin full of scruff that had outlived its name and was bordering into beard territory. The doctor encased Sam's forearm in a soft cast, bound his ribs and immobilized his shoulder before saying he should spend a night in the hospital. Sam had vehemently rejected that idea and walked out, car keys in hand.
While Caleb wanted to continue driving, he declined to get into a match of wills with Sam, who had insisted he was more than capable. The younger man had climbed stiffly and gingerly behind the wheel, waited with blank-faced impatience for Caleb to climb into the passenger's seat, and they headed for the airport. Now, the Knight of the Brotherhood merely stared out the passenger side window, though Sam could feel the misery pouring off him in waves. He knew Caleb would be sensing his own desolation as well. How would they get along without Dean? Sam welcomed the pain radiating through his body as he drove the Impala to Newark Liberty International Airport.
Sitting in the back seat, Adam felt the palpable weight of sorrow in the car and felt responsible. If Dean hadn't saved him, the Guardian of the Brotherhood would still be here, working to stop Piruz's maniacal plan.
"Don't go there."
The words were soft, and it took a moment for Adam to realize Caleb had spoken. "What?"
"That's who he is. We'll find him."
Adam merely nodded and looked out the window. He understood Caleb's admonishment, because what happened, happened. But all the fight and drive was gone from the older man's tone, and he hated that.
Caleb didn't want Adam to view Dean's being taken as his fault, but he was finding it hard to distance himself from that feeling as well. The running theme in his head was that if Adam hadn't been there, he would have been with Dean and would have saved him. If he'd been partnered with Dean, he would have at least been taken with him. But he was here, riding in Dean's Baby away from the place where Dean had been taken. He felt like his heart would never recover.
Sam veered the car into the approach to the airport.
"Take VIP parking," Caleb murmured. No way was he parking Dean's car in the general lot.
Sam nodded and followed the signs. He was trying to make himself feel something, but he just couldn't. It was like he was maneuvering through a dream. Dean couldn't be gone; he just couldn't. He didn't know what to do. The Impala slid into a parking slot near the elevators before he even realized it was exactly where Dean would have parked. With measured movements, he turned off the engine and pulled the key from the ignition.
Caleb remained sitting for a brief moment before he finally pushed open the car door and climbed out. Every movement seemed to take more effort than was necessary. But they had a job to do, people to save. As Adam emerged from the back seat, Caleb pulled his cell from his pocket. "Michael said he booked an open runway, so we should be able to takeoff within the hour." He sent back a reply, then his cell went blank. Frowning, he shut the cell off, and tried to turn it back on again, but it remained blank.
"Something?" Adam asked.
"Cell died. Don't know why; the battery was fully charged," Caleb murmured.
The driver's door finally opened and Sam grunted as he stepped out. Looking at Caleb across the hood of the car, he hated to say he recognized that looked of forced concentration on the older man's face, though he hadn't seen it in decades.
Caleb sighed and shoved his cell back into his pocket and walked around to the trunk. After Sam popped the lock, he leaned in and snagged some of the duffels, handing others to Adam while ignoring Sam's outstretched hand. When he closed the lid, he immediately turned and led the way to the elevators. No one spoke as the elevator car took them to the terminal, where Caleb headed immediately to the private departures wing. Walking up to the reception desk, he said, "Caleb Reaves."
The brunette haired woman smiled brightly. "Welcome to Newark Liberty International Airport. Have you flown through our airport before?"
Caleb nodded. "Yes."
Typing quickly, eyes on her screen, the desk clerk said, "It looks like you'll depart on runway fifteen in … thirty-five minutes." Looking up, she said, "Down the hall is a waiting room…"
"We'll wait on board."
The woman blinked slightly, then nodded. "Of course." She typed a bit more, then stepped to the side. "Follow me, and I'll take you to your exit."
"No need," Caleb said shortly. Making a minute grimace at his brusque tone, he amended, "Thank you for your courtesy. However, I've flown through this airport numerous times and wouldn't want to take you away from your duties."
"It's no problem, Sir," the girl stated earnestly. "It's my pleasure to show you…"
"Mr. Reaves," said a deep voice.
Caleb turned and sighed in relief. Frederick Jones was the Aviation Manager of the Private Terminal wing at Newark Liberty. Smiling, he moved away from the Stepford desk attendant, his hand out. "Good to see you, Frederick."
"Nice to see you flying through Newark Liberty again." Looking to Sam and Adam, they exchanged introductions before he turned to the desk attendant. "Thank you, Missy. I'll take it from here."
"But, I need to show him…"
"Not necessary," Frederick stated, "but you're hard work is noted."
Missy gave Frederick Jones a blinding smile and returned to her position behind the desk.
Frederick led the way toward a door behind the desk, saying, "I'm not sure what's been happening lately. I've had to fire four people for extreme insubordination and aggression. Then I have people like Missy who can't seem to help beaming all over everyone." He opened the door and ushered the three men inside. "When I talk to her, I feel as though I'm getting a cavity."
Adam gave a soft chuckle.
Caleb turned and said, "In the next few days, you might want to give those people you let go another chance."
Frederick's brows rose in surprise. "You don't say," he said slowly. He'd known Caleb Reaves for more than thirty years, had known Mackland Ames as well. He'd known them long enough to put some stock into what they said. "Can you tell me why?"
Caleb grimaced slightly. "Let's just say they weren't themselves and may deserve a second chance."
Frederick didn't immediately reply, though he studied Caleb thoughtfully. Finally, he said, "A couple days, huh?"
Caleb nodded.
"I suppose some time off was called for in most cases." Turning, he walked down the hall and stopped before a door near the end. "The stairs to the Hawker have already been lowered. Have a good flight, gentlemen."
"Good to see you again," Caleb said, shaking the other man's hand.
Frederick grasped it a fraction of a second longer than necessary, saying, "I'm sorry for your loss."
Caleb blinked, shocked.
"It's written all over your face," Frederick explained softly. Nodding once, he retreated back down the long hallway without another word.
Caleb didn't move. He felt like his body had frozen in place. It wasn't until Sam shuffled past him through the door that he felt himself breathe once more. Following, he was the last up the steps to his jetliner. Slowly he retracted the stairs and closed the door. He didn't bother to lock it as Michael Foster, his pilot, always did that as part of the pre-flight duties.
Inside he saw that Adam had taken his usual seat toward the back, and was staring out the window. Sam shifted the duffel Adam had dropped near his seat, determinedly not looking in his direction. Caleb was all right with that. He didn't think he could do what they needed if he took even one second to fully realize the sorrow and loss buried in his heart. Turing, he sat down in a chair near the front of the cabin and closed his eyes. A second later a small, warm light bloomed in his mind. Onida.
Caleb's chest tightened with pain as emotions stormed through his body with all the power of a tapped off geyser.
The light warmed and turned blue.
Caleb didn't want to speak because he knew he couldn't hold it together if he did. Instead of talking, he pictured a warm golden glow and sent it back through their connection.
The blue light darkened, the edges silvering slightly.
I'll see you very soon, Caleb finally thought. That was neutral enough, he hoped.
The blue light brightened, the edges turning to gold. Can't wait, floated down their connection. We'll talk, was the last thought before the light faded away.
Caleb heaved another emotional breath that was ruthlessly strangled as he wrestled his emotions back down into the pit of his body.
Michael Foster stepped out of the pilot's cabin and nodded, saying, "Good evening, Mr. Reaves," then began to check and lock the door.
Sam was keenly aware of Caleb and his struggles to keep his emotions at bay. He still felt almost too numb, and dreaded the moment when his own emotions stormed their way past his barricades. Dean. His brother's name whispered unbidden through his mind and he closed his eyes, shutting himself away from the name that meant everything. Suddenly he pulled out his phone. Hitting a speed dial number, he closed his eyes as a beloved voice answered.
"Dad? Are you all right?"
Sam's voice clogged for a second as he wondered how in the world Mary could possibly know that Dean was gone. Then he realized it was after midnight and berated himself for calling. Smiling, he forced some normality into his voice. "Sorry, I didn't realize the time when I called."
"It's all right. I wasn't asleep."
"Studying?" Mary was a chip off the ole block when it came to her studies.
"Yeah. Got an examine in comparative literature tomorrow. It's thematic on French literature. Not my best subject, but I'll do fine."
"I know you will," Sam fell back on the safe territory of reassuring his daughter. "You're going to do great."
"Thanks," Mary said. After a moment, she asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing!" Sam declared. "I just wasn't paying attention to the time. We're on a hunt and just boarded Caleb's Hawker to fly to Kansas."
Being on a hunt explained everything, and Mary laughed. "Bet Uncle Dean loved that. He was probably still demanding you drive even after you got to the airport."
Sam's heart clenched, but he fought through it and forced out a laugh. "Twenty one hours to drive, three hours to fly. Caleb made a good case."
There was silence again. "It's going to be all right, Daddy," Mary said softly.
Sam couldn't help it; his eyes teared up and he cleared his throat. "I know it will." Swallowing hard, he said, "I want to see you this weekend, okay?"
"I'll be home," Mary promised. "Good night, Daddy."
Sam's chest clenched again at the daddy. "Night, baby," and he closed his phone. The dam broke.
JT woke suddenly, fully awake in an instant. Staring into the darkness, he listened to the sounds of his home, trying to identify the reason he'd woken so abruptly. Wind lapped at the windows panes, the house creaked, and he could hear the comforting surge of the waves on the shore outside. Instead of turning over and going back to sleep, he rose and walked out into the living room.
It had been a busy couple of days, with staying in contact with Alison regarding Caleb's plan to monitor the country for violent supernatural outbreaks. Max was keeping a close eye on the West Coast while he surveyed the East. James was working with Alison on redistributing hunters into the areas with the highest concentration of unexplained violence. He'd also been working on a deadline for getting his Supai Arizona photo shoot cropped, organized and written. It was due in two days.
Standing in the middle of the room, he listened to the house. Slowly he crossed over to the sliding glass doors leading out onto his back deck and surveyed the beach. The ocean was a dark, writhing mass beyond the sand's edge, but the beach as well as his deck was deserted. Frowning, he made a circuit of his entire home, just feeling every room. When he finished, he ended up back in the living room. The clock showed it was a minute or two before midnight. Turning suddenly, he entered his studio and booted up his computer. Quickly he checked through his emails, but found nothing from Max, James or Ryker, and still nothing from his dad or uncles. Frustrated, he snapped the computer shut and returned to his bedroom. Climbing into bed, he spent a fruitless five minutes trying to recapture sleep before rising once more.
Another check of the time indicated only twenty minutes had passed since he'd first woken. Max was probably still up, since he was working on some new recipes for Sawyer's. James was most likely up studying. But he didn't want to call. Returning to the double doors, he closed his eyes and focused on the feeling that had pulled him from sleep. Dad told him he needed to pay attention to the feelings he had, to the things he just knew, and he knew something was wrong. Pacing slightly, he walked back and forth in front of the doors, dragging his fingers along the cool glass. Suddenly his eyes popped open. Dad.
Rushing back into his bedroom, he snatched up his phone and hit a speed dial number. The phone rang until his father's voice came on the voice mail. Hitting the disconnect button, he tried twice more before attempting to connect with Sam and Caleb. When their phones both went to voice mail, he dropped his cell slowly onto the bed. The clock face on his bedside table said it was twelve-twenty-five in the morning. If he left now, he could be in Louisville by eleven-thirty or noon. But was that the right choice? Dropping onto the bed, he focused on the feeling that had woken him, and suddenly he was going home. Rising, he shucked his sweats and pulled on his jeans. Within fifteen minutes he was dressed, had coffee in a to-go mug, and his backup duffel in hand. He flipped off the lights in the bedroom, but left on a couple of timed lamps in the living room. Setting his coffee down, he slowly pulled his cell from his pocket. Staring at the face, he made his decision. Pulling James, Max and Ryker's numbers into a joint message, he texted, Meet in Louisville ASAP. Pulling a deep breath in through his lips, he pocketed the cell and retrieved his coffee and duffel.
At the front door, he stopped and focused one more time. This time, he had the distinct impression of a voice saying, Go. Maybe it was Dad, maybe it was Pastor Jim. Either way, he shut and locked his door with finality and headed for the car. He was on his way home.
It was after midnight, and Joshua sat at the kitchen table, frowning at his open computer. The evening had been full of fun and laughter as Jocelyn insisted the puppies needed to eat dinner at the table in celebration of his return. Nicholas had been delighted with the idea, thus Carolyn's penchant for eating dinner in the dining room, especially for evening meals, was thwarted.
When dinner was served, the puppies climbed up on their little hind legs, tails wagging manically as they yipped and enthusiastically embraced this rare treat. Bouts of uncontrolled laughter followed as the puppies' little tongues lapped at their food. Maxie was so eager and excited, his little paws slipped right off the table, and it was only through Jocelyn's quick intervention that he was saved from falling directly off the chair and onto the floor. Finally, Carolyn had insisted the puppies be returned to the cushions inside their cage to sleep so the rest of them could stop laughing and enjoy their own meals.
It had taken a long time to get Nicholas into bed. Though the child's eyes were drooping and his yawns nearly non-stop, he didn't want to let go of Joshua. Joshua had thought to have an hour or so with Carolyn, but in the end had simply changed clothes and gotten into bed with his young son. It was only a short while later when he woke suddenly, mind instantly alert. At first he wondered if something had happened with Dean, Caleb and Sam, though when he picked up his phone, he saw there were no calls or texts. Then his mind went to the Tree. Waking abruptly when he was dealing with a puzzle was for him a common occurrence. After lying there for a few minutes, he'd finally gently disentangled himself from Nicholas's legs and rose.
Now he was sitting at the table, cup of hot tea in his hand, his notes spread out before him. The seeds were the sticking point for him. First, why make a circle? There could only be two reasons; to keep the power in, or for protection. Both reasons could work in tandem for this circle, but he was opting for keeping the power of the Tree contained so Piruz could establish control. Second, why use seeds from the Tree? He could understand using a substitute for blood, since the circle was as large as the entire country. However, Piruz was using seeds and cocobolo wood. Lifting his cup to his lips, he took a bracing sip of the hot brew. Eyes drifting across the pages of his notes, he suddenly thought, the Tree was too powerful to be controlled.
His cup hit the counter with a hard click. The Tree was too powerful. Piruz couldn't control it. He'd probably tried everything, but still couldn't. It was possible only the Tree could control the Tree. His eyes darted to the rubbing he'd made of the box lid. Piruz cleverly used the seeds from the Tree to control the Tree. But if using the seeds was intended to control the Tree, why put them into a box designed to contain their power?
Joshua stood abruptly and began pacing because he just couldn't sit anymore. Think magically, he told himself. Cocobolo wood contained or controlled something powerful. Why would Piruz need that? Because the seeds wouldn't stay away from the Tree. Any vestiges of weariness were chased away by the certain knowledge he'd just tripped over: the seeds were the only thing powerful enough to control the Tree, but they wouldn't control it willingly. That was the reason for the cocobolo wood. But to get them to act against the Tree, Piruz would need to infuse them with his own power. Since he doubted the seeds could have been fused with anyone's magic, Piruz would have had to infuse the cocobolo wood. Either way, it would have taken decades of work.
Joshua grabbed his mug and took another sip of his tea. His gaze rested on the rubbing of the box lid again. Why put the clues as to what was inside right on the lid, and in so many different languages, glyphs and sigils? Clues, riddles, puzzles, cryptic verse. Suddenly he snorted. Damn, the cheeky bastard. The lid was truth, though it was intended as a diversion. A puzzle that would take time to unravel, with an aha at the end. Look at me, you're too late! Piruz had factored the Brotherhood into his battle plans! He had probably come up against the Brotherhood after Merlin's death. How many years had it been since his last encounter with one of their group? The Brotherhood had come a long way since Merlin's time. Now, they had a wealth of knowledge and research capabilities at their disposal. Piruz was counting on them doing their due diligence in deciphering the box lid. While they were tied up researching the numerous languages - many of them dead languages - and deciphering the lid, he would be putting his plan into action. But they had interpreted the lid quickly. Did he suspect how much they'd already learned?
"Joshua?"
Joshua turned around and saw Carolyn watching him, sleep-eyed, from the doorway. "I'm sorry, did I wake you?"
"You're not being by my side woke me," Carolyn said with a smile, stepping more fully into the kitchen. Her eyes went to the papers and the open computer. "For the hunt?"
Joshua went and poured Carolyn a cup of tea and handed it to her. "Yes. It's complicated, and Dean tasked me with the job of moving a powerful object out of our reality."
Carolyn looked startled. "Excuse me?"
Joshua smiled. "When this is done, we will sit down, enjoy cups of tea and I'll tell you about the entire hunt."
Putting her full mug on the counter top, Carolyn stepped in and placed her arms around Joshua's waist. "I know without a shadow of a doubt that this hunt is in good hands. You'll create the spell, and it will succeed."
Joshua swallowed lightly, fervently hoping she was correct. He had solved much of how Piruz had created the spell using the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Now he needed to write a spell that would open the cocobolo wood boxes, allowing the seeds to return to the Tree, and then for the Tree to be removed for their reality. Sure, as Caleb would say; piece of cake.
"Daddy."
Joshua and Carolyn turned and hurried to Nicholas' side.
"We're here, baby. Do you need some water?" Carolyn asked.
Nicholas nodded. Joshua got him a cup of water, then lifted the sleepy boy into his arms. "Let's go back to bed, all right?"
Nicholas' head hit Joshua shoulder as he nodded.
Carolyn put their mugs in the sink and gently closed Joshua's laptop. She had no doubt her husband could do whatever he set his mind to. Smiling, she shut off the kitchen light and followed him to bed.
Alison Daughtery's fingers flew over the keys to her computer. A glance at the clock told her it was after midnight. Only five minutes had passed since she'd last checked. She should have left the office hours ago, but she hadn't heard from Caleb in over a day. Even when he was hip deep in a hunt, he was always very meticulous about touching base with her, hearing about other hunters in the field, giving her an update on the hunt he was working. She knew that the stakes were high on this particular job, especially since the entire Triad was working it together. She was worried.
She pulled up another email, this one from Riley. He was overseeing the rising violence in the South Eastern States, on Caleb's orders. There were already fourteen hunters in the Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South and North Carolina area. His email indicated that three hunters from the central states were coming down into the Southern area to be on hand should violence amongst the supernatural rise. His email gave those three names so Alison could update her records. Quickly she responded to his communiqué and sent the reply. She clicked on another email when the phone rang. Snatching it up, she said, "Daughtery."
"Alison, its Jody. Have you heard from Dean?"
"No."
Jody sighed. "Okay. I've been in touch with Jackson and Steve. Activity is escalating in the Pacific Northwest as it is here. Our teams are trying to keep on top of the skirmishes, but if another area has some hunters to spare, we'd appreciate a few more bodies on the ground. Once a team finishes a hunt, they get some rest and are on to the next. We could use a hand."
"Caleb said no one was to hunt in pairs," Alison declared. "He wants a minimum of three on a hunt, preferably four."
"I hear you," Jody stated. "But sometimes that's difficult. It's really heating up out here, and there are only so many hunters to go around."
Alison nodded, though Jody couldn't see her. "I realize that, but make sure Caleb's orders are followed. Violence is rising in the human world. Apply that rise to the monster world and unpredictable becomes erratic and extremely violent. Caleb's orders were to protect our people."
"I know that," Jody growled. Closing her eyes, she reigned in her temper. She was tired, and it had been a long week.
After returning from Stillwater Minnesota, she and Mark along with Jackson and Steve continued to work on monitoring violence throughout the country. When they noticed more news items of gruesome, unexplained acts of violence, they realized that whatever was affecting the human population was also affecting the supernatural world. They had extended their search for news on unexplained deaths when she'd gotten an email from Alison. Caleb had already anticipated the possibility that supernatural creatures would be affected by what was happening and devised a plan of action for the hunting community.
His plan divided the country into nine quadrants, with one hunter or hunting team coordinating each quadrant. All available hunters were asked to check in with the quadrant coordinator nearest their current location. If humans were behaving erratically, times that by a thousand, and you've got monsters with fangs and super strength behaving in extremely unpredictable ways. Hunters were to hunt in threes or fours. Even then, the order to call in additional backup should the need arise was not optional. Name of the game was expect stronger, fiercer, more aggressive monsters and be prepared. They were to keep in contact with the site coordinator and be ready to move should help be needed in other states.
Jody saw that she and Mark would oversee hunters in North and South Dakotas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. Caleb had designated Jackson and Steve to cover the Pacific Northwest. Jody had read through the entire email aloud for Jackson, Steve and Mark to hear. When she finished, she reread it again. The plan was well thought out and thorough. Caleb had been under no illusion that the violence wouldn't affect the supernatural world.
Alison heard the irritation in Jody's voice and sighed. She was tired and worried, and letting that affect her responses. "I know you do."
Jody held on to her temper. Alison was a forthright person and was extremely territorial when it came to her Triad. "Caleb's plan is excellent, and we're doing what we need to do to the best of our abilities and man power, with a mind to protecting not only our people, but innocents. But you know as well as I, that in the field, plans are fluid." Sighing a bit, she went on, "Please let JT or Max know that Mark is heading to Oregon to help out with an uprising of vampires there. If there's anyone else that's free to help us in our territory, let me know and send them in."
Alison nodded. "Done. And Jody? Thanks for getting in touch."
Jody took the apology and smiled. "No problem. Night."
Alison set down the receiver and sighed. She hadn't meant to be short-tempered with Jody. Worry was fraying at her nerves. Another look at the clock told her it was time to leave. Quickly she wrote second email to Caleb telling him to check in, then rose as the phone rang again. "Daughtery."
"Hey Alison," Ethan said. "Have you heard from Caleb?"
Gritting her teeth a moment, Alison steadied herself and said, "Not yet, no."
"I haven't either," Ethan stated. "I was wondering whether they'd gotten any further in heading off this Chaos Spell. When did he last check in?"
"Night before last."
"That makes him six hours late."
"Yes."
Ethan didn't speak for a moment, then said, "Yeah, okay. You have his last location?"
"Raleigh North Carolina. I believe they were heading up to New York after that."
"All right. Things are under control here for the moment. If you don't hear from him by morning, Eli and I will track them down. Agreed?"
Alison closed her eyes in relief, saying, "Agreed."
"Keep the faith," Ethan said, then hung up.
Alison snorted and rolled her eyes, but pulled on her coat and snagged her purse with a lighter heart. Her Triad would be just fine.
Juliet woke up and felt emptiness; not merely in the bed, but inside. Slowly she ran her hand over the place where Dean always slept, feeling the cool sheets, the soft pillow. The house creaked and moaned with age as she shoved aside the covers and rose.
Talking to Onida earlier had been a welcome relief to her solitary home. She wished Mary could have come and stayed. Yes, she'd been busy: the Benson's Retriever had her puppies, and all eight were doing well. The Hoffstadter's mare had fouled, and that had been a cause for celebration. Triumph was a race horse of incredible speed, but delicate constitution. She'd never brought a foul to full term before. But under Juliet's watchful care, she'd had a healthy, knobby-kneed colt the Hoffstadter's had named Victory. Juliet thought that was a little presumptuous, as the offspring of most successful race horses weren't, in turn, successful on the track. But she supposed Vic was a cute and acceptable nickname.
Slippered feet hit the first step as she walked downstairs. She didn't like it when Dean was gone for more than a night or two, especially now that the boys weren't home. Usually one night was the norm, occasionally two. He hadn't been gone longer since last year, when he had gone to Washington. That hunt had changed so many things, bringing Onida into their lives, a friend she treasured. Adam and his family had moved into the area, expanding their family, and of course, Nicholas, Dean's new Godson. They had talked a lot about bringing another child here to the farm. She was all for it, but Dean was worried about shortchanging a child who needed their love. Pouring herself a cup of water, she gave a small, audible snort. If anyone knew how to love a child, it was Dean; Caleb and Sam as well. Caleb excelled at being an uncle to his nieces and nephews, and Sam had done a wonderful job raising Mary. Family. Having been raised an only child, how she loved family; the good, the mess, the tears and the laughter.
Walking into the front room, she stared out through the front windows, as though be mere wishing she would hear the powerful engine of Dean's beloved car. How she wanted him home.
A scratching on the door had her opening it to see the small greyhound. His front paw had healed fairly well, but he still tended to run with a limp. She knew it would disappear over time. Leaning down, she pulled the slender, lithe dog to her and murmured, "Hey Bit. Where are your two buddies, huh?" Two-Bit leaned into her legs as she scanned the yard. P-Boy and Sodapop were either asleep in the barn or out chasing rabbits. Opening the door further, she stepped back to allow the small greyhound to limp lightly inside. "Just this once," she said softly, watching as the dog went to the stairs. Of course, all the dogs had spent plenty of time in the house, especially when Ben, JT and James lived at the farm. Waiting at the bottom of the stairs, Two-Bit watched her with soulful eyes.
"Yeah," she said, locking up the front door again. Once more her eyes surveyed the moonlit road leading to the farm. "Dean," she whispered into the night, a longing and a prayer. "Come home."
"Dean."
Dean heard his name, but for some reason couldn't open his eyes.
"Dean, come on, wake up." A hand touched his cheek and patted gently.
"Ugh," Dean grunted, and opened his eyes.
Above him was a brilliant blue sky, brighter than he'd ever seen in his life.
"Sit up slowly."
Someone placed a hand beneath his back and helped him into an upright position. He wanted to know who that was, but his breath had just been taken away by the most beautiful landscape he'd ever seen; ever imagined existed. "Wow," he murmured.
"I know, gorgeous, huh?"
Dean looked over, and his eyes widened in surprise. "Joel?"
Joel Neubridge nodded. "Yeah."
"You're alive."
"I know," Joel chuckled. "Welcome to the most beautiful alternate dimension ever. How are you feeling?"
"I'm … not sure." Dean held out his hand so Joel could help him stand. Still trying to see everything at once, he asked, "Where are we?"
"That's the question of the day," Joel said.
"Are we dead?"
"I don't think so," Joel stated. "I don't feel dead. Plus, shouldn't there be heaven and harps and angels?"
Dean smirked. "Maybe," eyes still on the large green meadow going on for eons.
"How's Daniel? Is he all right?"
"Upset about your death," Dean said, "or disappearance," he amended, giving the other man his full attention for the first time. "But he's fine, unhurt. He's been working with us to figure out how to stop Piruz from creating a Chaos Spell."
"Piruz?"
"The witch we're fighting, his name is Piruz something-something," Dean said, his eyes going back to the landscape. "He plans on creating a Chaos Spell to break down society so he can get rid of criminals and bad people and populate the country with only the good."
Joel snorted. "Like that's gonna work. People are people."
Dean took a limping step forward, still entranced by what he was seeing. A length of meadow spread out before him, rolled out like a carpet. The grass was greener than any green he'd ever seen. Every blade was waving gently in the breeze; a breeze that brushed his skin with the perfect balance of coolness and warmth. Just beyond the meadow were tall trees, some green, some peppered with fruits of various colors. "Eden," Dean answered, his voice faint with shock, unable to take his hungry eyes from the intensely beautiful surroundings. "We're in Eden."
Joel blinked. "As in the Garden of…?"
Dean nodded. "Sam figured out what the top of the boxes was warning us about. Apparently, the boxes contain the seeds to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil."
"That's here?"
"Guess so," Dean murmured. He limped forward again, his body aching.
"Here," Joel said, handing him a piece of purple fruit with a pale gold ring at the top near the stem.
Frowning, Dean lifted it, examining it closely. "What is it?"
"I have no idea, but it's delicious. And it helps with healing." Joel picked up a piece of the fruit that was sitting on the grass near them and took a bite. "When I first got here I had cracked ribs, a burn mark on my shoulder," he pointed to his tattered shirt and the healed flesh beneath, "and a sprained ankle." He jumped lightly in one spot. "All better."
Dean took a bite. "Oh, wow," he murmured, chewing in rapturous pleasure before swallowing. "That's amazing."
Joel grinned. "I know. Most of the fruit here is out of this world. Of course, I'd really love a plate of greasy fried chicken, but I'm not complaining."
Dean chuckled and finished the piece of fruit. Surprisingly, there were no seeds or core. "What happened? How did you … we, get here?"
"I'm not sure, but I've had a lot of time to think about it," Joel said. They started walking casually toward the tree line. "I think somehow the witch was able to open a portal here. It's the only thing I can think of. He opened a portal and I got pulled in, or pushed in somehow."
Dean nodded. "I wonder if there's anyone around here we can ask," he mused.
"I couldn't find a soul. But if this really is the Garden of Eden, we know that four angels are standing guard at each end of the garden; north, south, east and west. You think they'll help us get out?"
"I'm not sure I want to go there yet," Dean said. "They're supposed to keep people out of Eden. I'd hate to think of what they'd do if they found us wandering around in here."
Joel sighed. "There isn't anyone else. I don't know how long I've been here, but I haven't seen anyone except the animals."
"Animals?"
Joel pointed over to where a lion was taking a nap underneath one of the fruit trees.
Dean stared. "Okay, if a lamb comes over and sits down next to him, I'm freaking out."
Joel chuckled. "They're all friendly. I had two mountain cats keep me warm a couple nights ago."
Shaking his head, Dean said, "Let's see if we can get out of here before I have to bed down for the night."
"I don't have the magical knowledge to open a portal to get out of here," Joel stated. "So I'm thinking our best option is one of the angelic guards."
Though he hadn't seen the angel in years, Dean thought, Castiel.
And suddenly, a man with tousled hair and a rumpled trench coat was standing in front of him.
"Dean," Castiel said, his head tilted to the side in that same bird-like manner he'd always had. "It is good to see you. Age becomes you."
"Oh," Dean said, running a hand through his hair before grinning. Stepping forward, he gave the angel a huge hug, murmuring, "It's so good to see you, old friend."
Castiel hugged back with just as much fervor. "I have missed you very much as well, my friend."
When they parted, Castiel frowned and said, "What are you doing in the Garden? It is forbidden to enter. How did you get here?"
"Some sorcerer said a spell and pushed us in," Dean said. "Can you help us get out?"
Joel was watching the exchange, his mouth open in surprise. Everyone knew the stories of angels and how one angel had watched over and fought beside Dean years before. But seeing one looking so … human, was unsettling.
"I do not know how to break out of Eden," Castiel said.
"How did you get here?" Dean asked.
"Through heaven."
"Oh," Joel said, finally able to find his voice. "Let's avoid that route."
"As far as I knew, Eden has been locked for all time. I do not know how your sorcerer found a hole in the fabric of this place."
"Are we in an alternate dimension?" Joel asked, his voice filled with awe at talking with an angelic being, no matter how human and rumbled he looked.
"No," Castiel stated. "This Garden is in your dimension. It is a location, however, that has been hidden from mankind since God escorted Adam and his issue from the grounds."
"Issue?" Joel whispered.
"His descendants," Castiel clarified.
"Then how did Piruz gain access?" Dean asked.
Castiel frowned. "Piruz zadeh Vahid?"
Dean shrugged. "Probably. I can't remember his whole name."
"Heaven has tried to capture him," Castiel said. "He has flouted the laws of nature by elongating his life unnaturally."
Joel frowned. "Then why haven't you found him?"
"Because he's hidden in here," Dean said, looking around. "He's been here, in the Garden. At times he steps into the real world, then comes back here."
"And now we know," Castiel says. "Death has been looking for him for a very long time."
Dean nodded, and looked around. "So, how do we get out? I don't have Piruz's magic."
"You have your own magic," Castiel stated with a small smile.
Dean blinked. "What magic?"
"Guardian magic."
Confusion and disbelief were clearly written across Dean's face. Pulling Castiel aside, he said, "We don't talk about the silver in front of people."
Castiel frowned. "I was not."
"Silver?" Joel repeated, holding up his hand to showcase his ring.
Dean rolled his eyes. No point in keeping the silver secret. Any escape solution, silver related or not, would be used by them both. "Then what were you talking about?"
"Guardian magic."
"You said that already," Dean stated impatiently. "If you're not talking about the silver, then I don't know what you mean."
"Maybe I can explain."
Dean jerked at the sound of the voice. Whirling, he saw Pastor Jim walking towards him through the trees. "Pastor Jim?"
"Pastor…?" Joel stuttered, his eyes wide. "The Pastor Jim?" Pastor Jim was known as Dean's mentor, his predecessor, as someone the Guardian looked up to and whose words he cherished.
Walking up to his protégé with a huge smile on his face, Pastor Jim said, "The situations in which you find yourself, my boy. No Guardian before has seen the like."
"This was not my fault," Dean countered humorously.
Jim chuckled. "Your journal is going to make very interesting reading for future generations." Turning to Joel, he said, "Joel Neubridge. I am so sorry for your loss, but I have watched you and Daniel fight to save others. Your wife is very proud of you."
Joel choked as tears flooded his eyes. "She's all right?"
Jim nodded. "If it had been possible, she would have come with us. As it is, you're being here at all is a situation that needs to be dealt with quickly."
"You're not in trouble being here, are you?" Dean asked anxiously, looking from Pastor Jim to Castiel, who was standing nearby, observing the goings on.
"I can't stay long, and neither can Castiel," Jim said. "Eden is closed for business, at least for now. But we came to help you out of this predicament."
"I'm not seeing how Guardian powers can help here," Dean murmured, keeping his voice low.
Pastor Jim smiled. "Years ago, you went into an underground river."
Dean nodded. "Where Gideon died," he said solemnly.
Jim nodded. "When you swam under the waterfall and needed to reach your Triad, what did you do?"
Dean frowned. "I made a pathway across the water to Sam and Caleb. But that was across water," he hissed. "Not through dimensions."
"We're not in another dimension," Castiel repeated.
Dean shook his head and huffed out an impatient breath. "We are, for all intents and purposes."
"No, we're not," Jim said patiently. "Eden is hidden away at the crux of the Tigris, the Euphrates, the Ganges and the Nile Rivers."
At the mention of the Tigris, Dean began to smile. "When I get back, I'm going to read your Bible, Pastor Jim."
"Let's not descend into lunacy, my boy," Jim said with a broad smile. "But reading a few verses here and there wouldn't hurt."
"Done," Dean said with a smile. "So, how do I go about this?"
"How did you do it before?"
Dean frowned. "I just thought of being with Sam and Caleb, and there was the pathway."
"Then I suggest you do that again," Jim said.
Dean nodded. "Before we go, do you know where the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is?"
Castiel looked concerned. "It is in the very center of the Garden, and well protected."
"Well, maybe not as protected as you think," Dean said. "Piruz took it into our dimension, and it's creating havoc."
"That is not possible," Castiel said, shaking his head. "The Tree is here and only here. It cannot be moved."
"It's there," Dean insisted.
"It cannot be," Castiel stated firmly.
"Can we see for ourselves?" Pastor Jim asked, breaking the stalemate of it is/it isn'ts.
"The Tree is in the very center of the Garden," Castiel said again. "It is extremely well protected."
"Listen," Dean said. "This guy took the Tree or part of the Tree into our world. How could he have done that if the Tree is well protected?"
Castiel merely looked over his shoulder. Finally, he turned back and said, "I will take you there, but only you. I do not know whether we will be discovered or what the consequences will be. However, if someone has been there, we will find out."
Dean nodded. Turing to Pastor Jim, he said, "You'll wait?"
"As long as possible, my boy."
Castiel touched Dean's shoulder and they disappeared, only to reappear in a heavily shaded part of the Garden. It looked somewhat like pictures Dean had seen of the Amazon rain forest. Lavish trees clustered together, with sunlight sparkling through the enormous leaves and fronds. A soft breeze threaded its way through the branches, flowing over Dean's skin like a soft, warm wave. The greens were more intense than he'd ever seen, and each leaf was without blemish. Reaching out, he touched a waxy leaf nearby and smiled at the cool, smooth feel. The ground was thick with moss and leaves, and had a spongy, wet feel when he took a step. Echoes of screeching and caws indicated the presence of birds, though he didn't see any. Looking around, Dean murmured, "This is amazing."
Castiel smiled. "It is. It has been so long since I visited the Garden. It truly is a masterpiece of my Father's."
Dean closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Spices, greenery, and the sweet waft of flowers tickled his nose. It was perfect.
"We should hurry," Castiel said, smiling as he watched Dean's pleasure at experiencing another place in Eden.
Opening his eyes, Dean sighed. "Are there differences all over Eden? I mean," he shook his head, smiling; "back there with Pastor Jim and Joel, it looks like a meadow in the middle of Kansas. Here it's like the Amazon Rainforest."
"Eden is vast and varied, with every type of plant life, animal and garden you can imagine."
Dean whistled. "It's that big, huh?"
"Much bigger than you and I have time to see."
Turning back to Castiel, Dean nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Where are we heading?"
"It is just up ahead," Castiel replied in a low tone. "We must be careful. As I said, the Tree is protected. Follow exactly in my footsteps."
Dean looked down and tried to put his boots in the exact same spot as Castiel's well-worn shoes. It wasn't an easy task and took an enormous amount of focus, which was difficult, as he'd driven all day and fought with Piruz before being thrust into the Garden of Eden. Wobbling slightly once or twice, he used nearby tress to steady himself as he continued through the shaded garden.
When they'd walked for several minutes, Castiel stopped and said, "The Tree is here."
Dean kept a few feet back from where Castiel stood and looked up … and up. "Wow." About fifty-five feet in front of them was a massive tree. It stood tall and wide, the trunk straight and perfectly barked for least seven yards before branches began to split off. Mixed in with the leafy branches were splotches of color that hung from inch long stems. Fruit, Dean thought, shaking his head in amazement. The fruit wasn't round, but more elliptical in shape. From what he could see on a couple of the lower branches, the top of the fruit near the stem was a delicate pink, which rounded downward into a rose, then a ruby followed by a darker red band at the middle. The red then flowed into a plum color then a purple, finishing in a blackish color at the base. For a brief moment he wondered what it tasted like, the quickly banished the thought. It was that kind of thinking that got mankind into trouble in the first place. His gaze went to the leaves clustered around the fruit, and he instantly recognized their shape. He'd seen them when the seed from the cocobolo wood boxes had sprouted. But here, his mind wasn't on fire; anxiety, pain, anger and sorrow didn't press in on him as it had in the hotel.
"You are in the Garden of Eden," Castiel explained, as though he understood what had happened to Dean in the hotel room.
Dean couldn't look at his friend. "You saw?"
"I am always watching out for you," Castiel said earnestly. "I am proud you survived your time in hell, and of what you have achieved in your lifetime." Instead of waiting for Dean to reply, he looked up at the Tree. "The power of the Tree is meant for here, nowhere else."
"If the Tree is here, how do we have one in our space?"
Castiel started to reply, but instead suddenly took a step forward and stared.
"Cas?" Dean asked. "What?"
"Do not come closer," Castiel warned. "To do so would alert the guardians."
Dean smirked. "I'm a Guardian."
A small smiled tugged at Castiel's lips though he didn't reply. Walking another few steps, he stared up at one of the lower branches. "Not possible," he murmured.
"What?" Dean asked.
Castiel turned and followed his own footsteps back to Dean. He touched Dean's shoulder and they were back with Pastor Jim and Joel.
"What did you see?" Dean asked immediately upon reappearing. Swallowing hard, he put a hand to his stomach. He really did hate going anywhere Angel Air.
"A limb from the Tree was severed and grew back."
"Can you grow an entire tree from a limb?" Joel asked.
"Yes," Pastor Jim interjected. "I have replanted many saplings that have grown into strong trees."
"Then we have our answer," Dean said.
Castiel tilted his head to the side, his eyes focused elsewhere. "You need to leave, now."
Pastor Jim turned to Dean and said, "Focus on Sam and Caleb."
Dean didn't move for a moment; just stood there before Pastor Jim. "I miss you," he said suddenly.
"And I you, my dear boy."
Dean swallowed hard and looked away from Pastor Jim's tear-filled eyes to Castiel. "And I miss you. I wish…" he broke off with a shake of his head. "No, you're right where you need to be."
Castiel smiled. "I watch over you all the time; you, Sam, Caleb, Joshua, you're children; all of you. And some day, we will be here together." Stepping forward, he said, "I look forward to that day, my friend."
"As do I," Dean whispered, giving the angel a quick hug. Stepping back, he cleared his throat and said, "Now, you two better get back before you get into trouble for being in Eden."
Joel stepped forward and held out his hand. Taking Pastor Jim's, saying, "Thank you, for everything."
"You've done well, Joel," Pastor Jim said with a smile. "Very well indeed. Keep up the good work."
Joel nodded and stepped away.
Castiel said, "It is time." Turning to Dean, he said, "I will be waiting."
Dean nodded as both Pastor Jim and Castiel winked away.
Sighing, Dean walked forward a step, looking at the now empty space where Jim and Castiel had stood just a moment before. Jim visiting his dreams was one thing, but seeing him in person… It had been so long; so long since he'd seen Castiel as well. How he missed them both.
Joel ran a hand through his hair, saying, "So, you can get us out of here?"
"I suppose so," Dean said, straightening his shoulders. "Okay, pray this works." Closing his eyes, he focused on bridging the gap between him and Caleb and Sam. Bring me to Sam, he thought; bring me to Caleb. I need Sam and Caleb. He focused on the Tigris River, water pounding over rocks and the depth of sand beneath the water. He pictured the Euphrates, that ancient body of water that flowed from Eden, and he pictured Sam and Caleb and his desire to be with them.
Suddenly a window opened in front of him. On the other side a silver path cut through the darkness. It was night, and he couldn't see much through the portal opening. Dean wondered how much time had passed since he'd been drawn into the Garden. Were Sam and Caleb still in the park where they'd fought Piruz? The window grew larger, edged this time in silver. To Joel, he urged, "Go!"
Joel hesitated. The last time he'd gone through one of those portals, he'd ended up in the Garden of Eden.
"Go!" Dean ordered, focusing hard to keep the window open and viable.
Joel went into action and dove through the window.
Dean stepped forward, turned back for one last look at the incredible beauty that was Eden, and jumped.
.
TBC
Author's Notes:
summerb7l21: While I'm so glad this tale can offer you a distraction during this time, know that my heart has tears for you and your family. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Band Names - Charlie Watts: Drummer for Rolling Stones / Bruce Dickenson: Lead Singer Iron Maiden / David Gilmore: Lead Guitarist for Pink Floyd / Bill Ward: Drummer Black Sabbath / John Paul Jones: Bassist/Keyboardist Led Zeppelin / James Hetfield: Vocalist /Guitarist Metallica