February 16th, 2010
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Alex followed Dean into the St. James Medical Center. She adjusted the collar of her blouse, looking around. They had driven up last night after catching wind of what the papers called a 'sexual suicide.' What that meant . . . well, they were about to find out. But Alex was pretty sure the word 'cannibal' had come up in Sam's briefing. She ran fingers through her blonde hair, letting out a soft breath.
"Yeah. Agents Marley and Ford," Dean was saying. Alex flashed her ID, not giving them enough time for them to properly inspect it. "We're here to see, you know?"
"Ah yes. My name is Dr. Corman. Come right in." The man ushered them farther into the building and down several white hallways. Alex faintly smiled. He looked like a nice man. A little overweight, but nice. She followed them into the morgue. "I'm not really sure what to make of it myself," the doctor admitted. "It's . . . unusual, to say the least." With that, he pulled open one of the cold chamber compartments, sliding it out. He pulled back the white sheets, and both Alex and Dean visibly recoiled. The man's body was mutilated. Chunks of flesh were missing from several parts of the body, and blood stained the mouth, chunks of flesh still caught in the lips.
Dr. Corman opened a second cold chamber, pulling back the sheet. It was a young woman with the same type of wounds, ranging down to the stomach. "Are those bite marks?" Alex looked over at the doctor, who shared their disgust.
"Uh, yeah."
"So let me get this straight. They ate each other. Seriously?" Dean seemed just as disturbed.
"Yes. That is what we believe." The doctor moved over to the first body. "The autopsy showed that their stomachs were completely filled with flesh. It's like they literally ate until they were stuffed."
"That's, that's . . . " Dean started,
"Yeah," Dr. Corman agreed.
"What were you thinking caused it?" Alex asked.
"Drugs, maybe."
"Like PCP? Kind of like Big Lurch."
The coroner just stared at Alex in confusion, so Dean broke in. "Okay. Well, thank you." Dean nodded in farewell. "Uh, if we have anymore questions, we'll call."
"Okay." The doctor began putting the bodies away, and Dean and Alex left.
"That was disgusting." Alex said when they finally left. "Why didn't I go with Sam again?"
Dean snorted in agreement. Then he looked down at Alex. "Big Lurch?"
The girl shrugged. "Felt like an apt comparison."
Dean didn't protest.
...
He drove them back to the motel they had checked into last night, and Alex immediately changed back into jeans and a t-shirt. She exited the bathroom, pulling on a large grey sweatshirt. "Dude," she told Dean. "Turn up the heat. We're back in Sioux Falls, if you haven't noticed. It's freezing up here."
"Turn it up yourself," Dean retorted, not looking up from his laptop. He had taken off his suit coat, and now only wore his blue-striped tie and oxford. "Catch." He tossed her a beer bottle.
Alex reached out, catching it a little less than gracefully. "Thanks." She walked over to the heater, placed the bottle on the heater, and turned it up. At that moment, the door opened, and Sam walked through. Without saying a word, he took the bottle off of the heater.
"Hey!" Alex protested. Sam ignored her. He dropped two fast food bags on the table.
"How'd it go?" Dean looked up.
"Umm, no EMF, no sulphur. Ghost possession and demonic possession are both probably out."
"Hm. That's were I was putting my money." Dean sighed.
Alex walked over, stealing her drink back. She opened one of the bags. "Is this for me?" she asked, pulling out a burger.
"One for you, one for Dean. Fries as well."
"Awesome. Thanks man." Alex unwrapped hers, then paused. "Not really sure if I feel like eating yet." she admitted. When Sam let out a snort, she added defensively. "Hey. You wouldn't be hungry if you had gone down to look at those bodies."
"That bad?"
"It was disgusting." Dean backed her up. "I mean, those two started eating, a-and they just . . . kept going. I mean, their stomachs were full. Like, like . . . Thanksgiving dinner full. Talk about codependent." He stood up, walking over to the counter. He leaned against it, shaking his head.
Sam grimaced. "Well . . . we got out feelers out. Not much more we can do tonight. All right, I'm just going to go through some files. You go ahead and get going."
Alex returned to the bed, still staring down at her burger. She forced herself to take a bite. Yum. Then she puked her her mouth a little. Stupid bodies.
"Sorry?" she heard Dean ask as she forced herself to keep eating.
"Go ahead," Sam repeated. "Unleash the kraken. See you tomorrow morning."
"Where am I going?" Dean looked completely confused.
"Dean, it's Valentine's Day. You're favorite holiday, remember? I mean, what do you call it - unattached drifter Christmas?" Alex chuckled at Sam's words.
"Oh yeah." Dean let of a faint smile. "Well, be that as it may, I don't know. Guess I'm not really feeling it this year."
"So you're not into bars full of lonely women?" Sam looked unconvinced. Alex gave up on the burger. She tossed it onto the table, and started on the fries. Much better.
"Nah, I guess not." Dean took a sip of his beer. Alex watched their interaction closely. Dean caught a look on Sam's face. "What?"
"That's when a dog doesn't eat. That's when you know something's really wrong."
"Remarkably patronizing concern duly noted. Now, are we going to work or what?" He sat down at the table next to Sam, who looked over at Alex, worried. She narrowed her eyes, sharing in his worry. Something definitely seemed wrong.
...
Alex finally managed to get approximately an hour of sleep the next morning, even after staying up the whole night. She found a bag on the table. Inside were two breakfast tacos and a note saying that Sam was at the library and Dean was getting more beer. Alex let out a huff of laughter and glanced at the clock. 11 am. She examined the food. "Do these tacos taste funny to you?" she quoted to herself, chuckling. Then she took a bite. Cold. Of course.
She took a shower, returning to the main room fifteen minutes later. Dean was there, laying on the bed. "Hey."
"Hey," Alex smiled back. She jumped onto the bed next to him. "Bored."
Dean rolled his eyes, pushing her off the side. "You're always bored," he told her.
Sam walked through the door. "So, uh, you guys read the paper yet?" He tossed it over to them.
Dean caught it, reading the front page before looking back up at them. "Another double suicide?"
"Looks like it." Sam nodded. "The bodies are down at St. James. Should we go take a look?" When Dean agreed, he grabbed his bag and disappeared into the bathroom.
"Can I come?" Alex asked.
Dean hesitated. "Do you want to?"
"Hells yeah," Alex nodded. She waited for Sam to come out before going back into change. When she came out, Dean already had changed. "Ready?" When Alex nodded, he added, "Okay. Let's roll."
...
They drove down to St. James Medical Center. The walked through the door, showed their badges, and headed down the hall. They passed a bald man in a suit and tie, carrying a brief case. Sam turned to stare at him, a strange expression on his face. "You okay?" Dean asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Sam shook the feeling off.
They walked through the doors into the autopsy room. Dr. Corman was standing there. "Agents Marley and Ford, you guys just couldn't stay away," he greeted them warmly. Alex smiled.
"Heard you tagged another double suicide." Dean looked around.
"Well, I just finished closing them up."
"Dr. Corman, this is my good friend, Agent Cliff." He motioned to Sam. "He was in the area, and I thought it would be a good idea to call him in."
"Agent Cliff," Dr. Corman acknowledged him. "Well, I've just finished up my prelims. I pulled the organ sets and sent off the tox samples."
"Great. You mind if we take a look at the bodies?"
"Not at all. But like I said, their good-and-plenties are already tupperwared."
"Super."
"Leave the keys up front with Marty when you leave. And please, gentlemen . . . refrigerate after opening." With that, he left. Alex laughed.
Dean walked over to the fridge, and pulled out a couple tupperware containers. He handed one to Alex, who put it down on the examination table before going to grab a pair of gloves. She pulled them on, then cracked open the container. "Stomach. Wonderful."
Both Dean and Sam had grabbed a heart. Dean slid his towards Sam. "Be my Valentine?"
Alex chuckled. Sam just rolled his eyes, turning back to his heart. "Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa," he stopped. "These hearts have identical marks." Alex dropped her stomach, standing up to stand by Sam. "Check it out. It looks like some kind of writing." Alex agreed. It looked familiar. "Oh no."
"What?"
"I think it's Enochian." Sam looked up at Dean.
"You mean like angel scratches? So you think it's like the tagging on our ribs?"
"Dean, I don't know."
Alex studied the marks. "Definitely looks like Enochian," she confirmed. "Shall we call in the expert?"
Dean agreed. "Hell," he muttered, pulling out his phone. "Cas? It's Dean. Room 31-C, basement level, St. James Medical Center."
As he said the last words, Castiel appeared right in front of him, phone next to his ear. "I'm there now," he told him. Alex smiled.
"Yeah, I see that."
"I'm going to hang up now." Castiel hung up the phone.
"Hey angel," Alex joked.
Castiel turned to look at her, slightly confused. "Human." He dipped his head in greeting and Alex grinned broadly. "What's going on?" he asked.
Alex motioned to the the hearts. "Enochian? Sammy seems to think so."
Castiel approached. He picked up one of the hearts, studying it closely. "You're right, Sam. These are angel marks. I imagine you'll find similar marks on the other hearts as well-"
"So what are they?" Sam interrupted. "What do they mean?"
"It's a mark of union. This man and woman were intended to mate." Castiel looked over at Alex as he spoke. Alex's eyes held his for a second before flickering away, blushing.
Dean and Sam exchanged glances. "Okay. But who put them there?"
"Well, your people would call them 'Cupid'."
"A what?"
"What human myth has mistaken 'Cupid' is actually a lower order of angel. Technically, it's a cherub, third-class."
"Cherub?" Dean repeated.
"Yes. They're all over the world. There are dozens of them."
"You mean the little flying kid in diapers?" Dean persisted. Sam rolled his eyes.
"They're not incontinent."
"Okay. Anyways." Sam changed the topic. "So what you're saying-"
"What I'm saying is that a Cupid has gone rogue and we have to stop him. Before he kills again."
Alex looked over at Sam, who caught her eye. "Naturally," Alex agreed, slightly sarcastic.
"Of course we do."
"So, are we done here?" Alex asked. "Cause I'm thinking lunch. Burger, maybe?" She started putting the stomach back into the container. Then she put it in the refrigeration unit. Sam and Dean followed suit.
"You coming, Cassie?" Alex asked. "Maybe track down that Cupid afterwards?"
Castiel nodded. "The Cupid is at the North Spring Bar and Grill."
"Oh." Alex paused. "Okay then. North Springs it is." She glanced over her shoulder. "That okay with you guys?"
"What?" Dean turned back to them. "North Springs? Sure."
"Okay. Meet you in the car?" She paused. "Can we swing by the motel first? Put on normal clothes?"
"Can't we just go straight there?" Dean countered.
"I can take you there right now if you wish," Castiel told her.
"Uh, sure, thanks." Alex took off the rubber gloves, tossing them in the trash. "We'll catch up with you guys when we're done."
"Okay."
Then they were back at the motel. Alex tensed, cursing under her breath. "Give me some warning next time," she snapped lightly at the angel.
"My apologizes."
Alex sighed. "Whatever. Let me change." She grabbed her bag, and disappeared into the bathroom. She quickly changed, pulling on jeans and a clean white t-shirt and a red plaid button-down. Castiel hadn't moved. Alex rolled her eyes, reaching on one of Dean's jackets. "How far away are they from the restaurant?"
Castiel narrowed his eyes. "Approximately five minutes."
"Awesome." Alex smiled, sitting down on side of the bed. "You know, honestly, I love how I can just ask you questions like that and you'll just give me an answer." She laughed at the thought. "That's why you're my best friend, I suppose. Well, that and other reasons."
Castiel looked over at her. "What are the other reasons?" he asked innocently.
The girl blinked. "Well, the fact that you'll ask questions like that. Most people don't. But you do. And I find that amusing. You're funny - not 'comedian' funny, but 'different' funny." She started listing things off on her fingers. "You don't understand human stuff. It's cool watching you learn about it. You wear a trench coat. Trench coats are cool. You don't really get pissed at me or ignore me. That's always a nice change from Sam and Dean." She ended, slightly embarrassed.
Castiel said nothing for a few seconds. "Thank you," he finally said.
"No problem-o." Alex paused. "What about me?" She let out a nervous chuckle. "I hope you don't think I'm just some weird girl who never shuts up."
"No." Castiel approached, sitting down on the bed across from her. He mimicked Alex, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "You're . . . interesting. I've never known a person quite like you. You're smart, and I assume you are funny-"
"Assume I'm funny?" Alex chuckled.
"I don't understand human humor," Castiel explained.
"So you like me 'cause you think I might be funny, but you're still not sure what 'funny' is."
Castiel thought for a moment. "Yes."
Alex smiled. "Okay. Awesome."
They sat there a few seconds in silence. "What don't you like about me?" Castiel suddenly asked.
Alex looked up, slightly surprised. "What don't I like about you?" she repeated. When Castiel nodded, she thought carefully. "Hm. I don't like when you suddenly appear out of nowhere and give me a heart attack. Not a literal heart attack," she quickly clarified.
"I know Dean finds it, frustrating, when I don't understand what he is trying to say," Castiel admitted.
"Yeah. I know. But I find it cute," Alex chuckled, grabbing her beer off of the nightstand between the bed. "Okay. You're turn." She leaned forward. "What don't you like about me?"
Castiel thought for a second, eyes narrowed in concentration. Then his blue eyes met hers. "I don't like how you are always so sad." Before Alex could protest, he continued. "I can see it in your eyes, even though you try and hide it. It's always there."
Alex avoided his gaze. "You know, most people would say it's because I ramble or don't tell people about the future or whatever."
"I find your rambling . . . amusing." Castiel promised. "And I understand that you are doing your best to help."
Alex let out a dry laugh. "I didn't do a lot of helping when Ellen and Jo died."
Castiel was silent for a moment. "I know you did your best. You're not responsible for us. We have our own lives."
Alex let out another laugh, her good mood slowly returning. "Well, someone needs to watch over you lot," she joked. "You guys keep dying, keep coming back. I've lost count."
Castiel didn't respond, and Alex knew he didn't get the joke. She sighed. "Okay. Let's go." She stood up, and Castiel did as well. Instead of touching her on the forehead or shoulder, however, he took her wrist. Then they were in the backseat of the Impala. Alex leaned forward. "Hello," she whispered in Sam's ear.
He jumped. "Dammit!" he exclaimed. "Don't do that."
Alex just laughed.
"What took you so long?" Dean glanced back at them. "But good timing. We're here."
Alex patted Cas on the shoulder. "Good job, Cassie."
"Thank you."
Dean parked the car, and all four got out. Dean led the way inside. "Table for four, please," he told the woman. She nodded, and led them farther into the darkened restaurant. Valentine decorations were everywhere, even though the holiday had passed. Sam sat down in one of the booths, and Alex sat across from him. Dean sat down next to her, leaving Castiel with the seat next to Sam. He took it.
Looking around, Alex had to admit she felt underdressed. It was warm in the restaurant, and she took off Dean's jacket, smoothing down her shirt. A woman came to order their drinks, and Dean and Sam both got beer. Alex opted for a Pepsi, and like usual, Castiel got nothing. The waitress, who looked to be in her late forty, with curly blonde hair, nodded, and walked away.
"So, what took you guys so long to catch up?" Dean asked Alex casually. "It usually doesn't take you that long to change."
Alex shrugged. "Dunno. Me and Cas just talked a bit."
"About what?"
Alex let out a faint smile. "Well, it ended up being about what we liked and disliked about each other. Apparently my rambling doesn't bother him."
"Then he'd be the only one," Sam chuckled.
"I bet Cas didn't have anything bad to say about you," Dean added, raising an eyebrow at the two of them.
Castiel's eyes fell to the table in front of him, and Alex blushed. "Shut up Winchester." Alex looked at Sam for several seconds. "What about you, eh?" she finally asked, changing the topic. "There's got to be something you like about me."
Sam thought for a second. "I like that you can sleep a lot. You stop talking when you sleep," he deadpanned.
Dean laughed, and Alex pulled an offended face. "Ooh, harsh," she joked.
The women returned with their drinks. "Are you ready to order?"
"Yeah. I'll have the deluxe cheeseburger." Dean read off the menu.
"I'll just have a salad." Sam said, handing in his menu.
"Sammy, you're never going to grow if you keep eating like that," Alex teased. "I'll have the deluxe cheeseburger too."
"Mm-Hm. And what about you?" the waitress asked Castiel.
"Nothing for me, thank you," Castiel said politely. The waitress nodded, took the menus, and left.
"You know what I like about you Sammy?" Alex continued their conversation from before.
"Hm?" Sam asked after several seconds of silence.
"Hang on, I'm thinking of something." Dean nudged Alex. She laughed. "I'm just kidding. You're cool and tall. If I ever need to reach something on a shelf, I can just climb on your shoulders."
"That's the best you can think of?" Sam rolled his eyes.
"Well, there's also the fact that you're really really smart with research and all. I just have this picture in my head of you researching at a library, and you're just like, running around and grabbing books yelling, 'for research!', and stuff, and then there's Dean who just gives up and starts looking at porn."
That made Sam laugh. "That does sound like Dean." Dean let out an offended sound, but Alex knew he wasn't truly mad.
"So, just to be clear, you two don't like, talk about me and Sammy behind our backs, right?" Dean asked Castiel.
Alex answered for him. "Not all the time. Probably as much as you two talk about me behind my back." She looked up to see Dean and Sam exchange glances. "Oh. Maybe less then." She took a sip of her Pepsi.
Dean turned back to Alex. "Okay. My turn. What do you like about me?" He let out a rakish grin.
Alex laughed. "Honestly?"
"Yeah, honestly."
"Okay." Alex thought for a second. "Probably the fact that you're there for me when I need you." She shot a glance at Sam. "Like when I'm having nightmares. Like, there's been a couple times when I like, woke up screaming or whatever and Sammy here told you to go take care of it." Sam shrugged, and Alex rolled her eyes. "But seriously. Thanks for that."
"Uh, yeah. No problem." Dean seemed slightly taken back by her honest, heart-felt answer. He turned back to Castiel. "So, uh, Cupid, eh?" he asked, changing the topic back to the case. "It's here?"
"Yes. This appears to be its main hunting grounds."
The waitress appeared with their food. She handed Sam his salad, and Alex and Dean their burgers. "Thanks," Alex said. Sam echoed her.
"So, what, you just happen to know he likes the cosmos of this place?" Dean asked. He began to put ketchup on his burger.
"This place is a nexus of human reproduction. It's exactly the kind of garden the Cupid will come to . . . to pollinate," Castiel explained, watching Dean's food. Alex let out a huff of laughter at his analogy.
Dean picked up his burger to take a bite, then decided against it, putting it back down.
"Wait a minute." Sam took notice. "You're not hungry?"
"No." Dean agreed. "What?" he asked after seeing Sam's face. "I'm not hungry, okay?"
"Then you're not going to finish that?" Castiel asked. He took Dean's hamburger. Alex narrowed her eyes in confusion, but took a bite of her burger. Castiel stopped, staring at something over her shoulder. "He's here."
Alex looked around.
"Where?" Sam asked. "I don't see anything."
"There." Castiel pointed.
"You see that same-side-of-the-booth couple over there?" Dean clarified.
"Meet me in the back." Then Castiel was gone. Dean and Sam exchanged looks, then stood up. They starting walking away. Alex stood up as well, grabbing a handful of fries before hurrying after them.
They walked into the back room. "Cas, where is he?" Sam asked, looking around. Alex shoved several fries into her mouth.
"I have him tethered," Castiel promised. Zo-da ka-ma mah-ra-na," he chanted, presumably in Enochian. "Manifest yourself."
"So where is he?" Dean asked. Suddenly he let out a cry.
"Here I am!"
Alex looked to see a large, utterly naked man hugging Dean from behind. She looked over at Castiel, eyes wide.
"Help!" Dean breathed out.
"Oh, help is on the way. Yes it is, yes it is," the cupid told him. He put Dean down and walked over to Castiel. He hugged the angel, who let out a shocked noise.
"This is Cupid?" Dean asked.
"Yes." Castiel answered after he had been released. The cupid turned to Alex, who took a step back. "Come 'ere, you." He picked Alex up and hugged her, and she stiffened, trying to think about something else. Anything else. Finally, it was over, and then the cupid turned to Sam. "And look at you, eh?" he told him.
"No." Sam turned around and walked away.
The cupid appeared in front of him, hugging him too. "Yes yes yes yes."
"Is this a fight?" Dean asked, confused. "Are we in a fight?"
"This is . . . their handshake," Castiel explained slowly.
"I don't like it."
"No one likes it."
Cupid turned back to Castiel. "What can I do for you?" he asked.
"Why are you doing this?" Castiel asked.
"Doing what?"
"Your targets - the one's you marked. They're slaughtering each other."
The cupid stopped, shocked. "What? They are?"
Dean spoke up. "Listen, birthday suit, we know, okay? We know you've been flitting around, popping people with your poison arrows, making them murder each other."
"What we don't know is why?" Castiel added.
"You think that I-well, uh - I don't know what to say!" the cupid started to cry, turning his back.
"Great." Alex snapped, her uncomfortableness leading to her shortness. "Now you hurt his feelings."
"Should, should somebody maybe . . . go talk to him?" Sam suggested.
"Yeah. That's a good idea." Dean slapped Cas on the shoulder. "Give 'em hell, Cas."
Castiel stumbled forward, glancing back. Dean nudged him on. "Uh," he approached the cupid, "look. We, uh, don't mean to, um, hurt your feelings."
The cupid turned around, hugging Castiel tight. Castiel let out a strangled noise. Alex let out a breath of laughter.
"Love is more than a word for me, you know," the cupid told the angel. "I love love. I love it. And if that's wrong, I don't want to be right."
"Yes, yes. Of course. I . . . I have no idea what you're saying." At that Alex chuckled again.
"I was just on my appointed route! Whatever my targets do after that has nothing to do with me! I was just following orders. Please, brother. Read my mind. Read my mind, you'll see!"
Castiel stared at the cupid for several long seconds. "He's telling the truth," he finally said.
"Jiminy Christmas, thank you!"
"Wait, wait. Y-you said you were just following orders?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Whose orders?"
"Whose?" The cupid laughed. Why, Heaven's, silly. Heaven's."
"Why does Heaven care if Harry meets Sally?" Dean persisted.
"Oh, mostly they don't. You know, certain bloodlines, certain destinies. Oh, like yours."
"What?" Sam stepped closer.
"Oh yeah. The union of John and Mary Winchester - very big deal upstairs. Top priority arrangement. Mm."
"Are you saying you fixed up our parents?"
"Well, not me, but, yeah. Well, it wasn't easy either. Ooh, they couldn't stand each other at first. But when we were done with them - perfect couple."
"Perfect?" Dean scoffed.
"Yeah."
"They're dead!"
The cupid's smile faltered. "I'm sorry . . .but the orders were very clear. You two needed to be born. You're parents were just, meant to be." The cupid smiled. "A match made in heaven," he sung. "Heaven."
Dean had had enough. He stepped forward, fists balled and punched the cupid square in the jaw. He turned away, pain on is face, clenching his fist. "Son of a bitch."
The cupid disappeared, and Alex rolled her eyes. "Great. Now look what you did. You scared him away."
"Where is he?" Dean turned back around. "Where'd he go?"
"I believe you upset him," Castiel explained slowly.
"Upset him?!" Dean exclaimed.
"Dean!" Sam snapped, "Enough."
"What?"
"You punched a cupid!"
"I punched a dick."
"Um, are we going to talk about what's been up with you lately or not?"
"Or not." Dean stomped out of the back room. Sam and Alex exchanged a glance, but followed. Castiel disappeared.
...
"Okay. So we know it's not cupid." Dean told she as they sat back down at their table. "Alex. Ideas?"
She shrugged, finding herself a little wary around the hunter. "Dunno. Not even sure if this is one of the cases. Sorry. But if I recognize anything, I'll tell you, 'cause I always do."
Dean let out a small sigh. "I know. Thanks."
...
They finished up their meals, then headed back to the hotel. Alex and Dean immediately sat down on the bed, flicking on the tv. After a few minutes of arguing, they decided on a show. Destination Truth. Alex decided she liked it.
Sam glanced at the tv. "What are you watching?"
"Destination Truth. They investigate weird stuff. Like us. Except they never catch anything and have way more fun," Alex explained. Dean huffed in agreement, and Alex added, "We should go to some caves sometimes. Explore, find aliens."
"Aliens don't exist," Sam reminded her.
"Yeah, well most people would say Zeus doesn't exist either. Yet he does. Probably."
Sam had to admit she had a point, and sat down on the bed next to her. Alex scooted over to give him room. As she did, a new episode started. "Ooh!" Alex exclaimed after a few minutes. "Let's go there!"
"Nope." Dean shook his head. "No way."
"Island of the Dolls?" Sam scoffed.
Alex rolled her eyes. "Don't care what you say. Still creepy."
Sam got up and walked over to the window. "Hello?" he asked, and Alex looked over to see that he was now talking on the phone. "Yeah, Dr. Corman. Uh, have there been any other, unusual, deaths. You know, weird? "There was a pause, and Sam's eyes widened a fraction on an inch "Oh. Okay, yeah." He hung up.
Alex looked over at him. "Anything?"
"Yeah." He met her gaze. "Come on."
"Wait. Seriously? Me?" Alex looked surprised. "Okay." She got up, and Dean did the same.
"Dean, you should stay here." Sam shook his head. "Alex and I have this one covered."
"Oh, well, if you say so." Dean sat back down, although it was obvious he was hurt. "Okay."
...
Alex changed, and then they drove into town, dressed in their nice clothes. Dr. Corman was waiting at the end of the hall near the morgue. "You said you wanted to hear about any other weird ones," he said as they entered the autopsy room.
"Uh, yeah." Alex nodded. She watched the doctor approach a gurney and pull back the sheets. She closed her eyes, letting out a long breath. Of course. Gross. The body was male, and the belly was grossly distended.
"Lester Finch. Pulled his records. Looks like the guy used to weigh four hundred pound or so - until he got a gastric bypass, which brought down his weight considerably. Then for some reason, last night, he decided to go on a Twinkie binge."
"So, he died from a Twinkie binge?" Sam asked, also slightly disgusted.
"Well, after he blew out the band around his stomach, he filled it up till it burst. When he could no longer swallow, he started jamming the cakes down his gullet with a . . . with a toilet brush, like he was ramrodding a cannon."
Alex felt her stomach twist at the mental image. Why would someone do that? Was he starving? Is this case related? The questions flew around in her mind.
"So what do you make of it?" Sam asked.
"I'd say it was a very peculiar thing to do," the doctor responded, taking a swig out of a flask.
Sam and Alex thanked him, then exited the building. Alex opened the passenger door of the Impala, but Sam didn't do the same. "I'm going to go do a bit of snooping," he told her. "Go on ahead." He tossed her the keys.
"O-okay." Alex took the keys, slightly surprised. She slid across the bench seat and into the driver's spot. "See you later, then. Should I pick you up, or do you want to walk? I can pick you up."
"I'll just walk. It's only five minutes." Sam closed the door, waving good-bye. Alex started the car, and drove away.
She adjusted her grip on the steering wheel, eyes narrowed. What was going on? She ran through the facts again. Two double suicides. One couple ate each other to death. The other two took their lives. Then this man ate himself to death. Who would do that? Who could do that? Alex didn't think that was even possible. He must have been hungry. Those two people must have been hungry. Or insane. Eating each other like that. Oh. She almost slammed on the brakes. Of course. A broad smile crossed her face. How had she forgotten? It was obvious. These people were starving. Starving for food, love, sex. Obvious, obvious. So obvious now.
Famine.
She picked up her phone and dialed Dean's number. The line was busy. Alex sighed and hung up. Of course. The horseman. That explained why Cas was hungry too. He never ate unless Alex forced him.
She pulled into the motel parking lot and got out of the car. She knocked on their door, and Dean answered. "Where's Sam?"
"He wanted to do something. He said he'd walk back." Alex entered, shrugging off her coat. Without waiting for a response, she changed back into her jeans. When she went back into the room, Dean was sitting at the kitchen table. "Hey, I know what's going on," she said casually.
At the same time, Sam came bursting through the door. "Demons," he breathed out.
"Wait, demons?" Dean stood up. "What the hell does demons have to do with this anyways?"
"I have no idea."
"Uh, I do." Alex said. "I know what's going on, peoples. Where's Cassie? Castiel?" She looked over at Sam. "What's in the briefcase?"
"Not sure." Sam looked down at it. "But what's going on?"
"Hm." Alex ignored his question. "What's in it? Cassie? Any day now, buddy. I know what we're hunting here." She heard Sam and Dean put the brief case on the bed. Sam reached to open it.
Dean stopped him. "You sure that's a good idea?" he asked.
Sam shrugged. "What's the worst that could happen?" He opened the briefcase, and a white light filled the room. It quickly dissipated.
"The hell was that?" Dean exclaimed, opening his eyes.
"A human soul." Castiel's voice sounded behind them. Alex turned to see the angel, holding a fast food bag and a burger.
"What's going on?" Dean asked Alex. "And why the hell is there a human soul in that case?"
"It's food," Alex said simply. "For a horseman."
"You know?" Castiel tilted his head.
"Yeah. You too?"
"I just figured it out." He looked down at the burger in his hand. "My hunger is a clue, actually."
"Wait? A horseman?"
"Famine." Castiel nodded. "This town is not suffering from love-gone-wrong effect. It's suffering from hunger. And not just food - sex, starvation, attention, love."
"Well, that explains the puppy-lovers that Cupid shot up."
"Right. The cherub made them crave love, and then Famine came and made them rabid for it." Castiel took another bite of his burger.
"Okay, but what about you?" Dean asked. "I mean, since when do angels secretly hunger for White Castle?"
Castiel seemed a little embarrassed. "It's my vessel: Jimmy. His, uh, appetite for red meat has been touched by Famine's effect."
"So Famine rolls into town and everybody goes crazy?"
"And everybody's just gonna eat drink, and screw themselves to death?" Sam added.
"Yes. We should stop it." Castiel took another bite of his burger.
"Great idea, Cas." Alex rolled her eyes.
"How did you stop the last horseman you met?" Castiel asked her.
"We cut off its ring," Alex explained. "We should do the same for Famine. For all four of them, actually."
"So Famine has a ring?" Dean glanced at her.
"Yes." Castiel nodded. "We should get going." He glanced down at the last bite of hamburger.
Alex, seeing him do it, took it away, shoving it into her own mouth. "You need to lay off the food, buddy," she mumbled through the food. "The last thing we need is a cubby angel."
Castiel just glared at her.
"What are you, the Hamburgler?" Dean joked dryly.
"I've developed a taste for ground beef," the angel admitted.
"Have you tried to stop?"
"I'm an angel. I can stop anytime I want," Castiel snapped back. Alex let out a disbelieving huff.
Dean didn't seem to believe him either. "Whatever. Sam, let's go."
"I, um . . . I can't. I can't go," Sam breathed. Alex looked over at him, shocked to see he was in the bathroom, sweating, and trying to cool himself off with a damp washcloth.
"Sammy?" she asked worriedly.
"What do you mean?" Dean took a step towards his brother.
"I think it got to me, Dean," Sam struggled to form words. "I think I'm hungry for it . . ."
"Hungry for what?"
"You know." Sam wiped the cloth across his forehead.
"Demon blood?" Dean guessed, concern darkening his countenance. Sam hung his head ashamedly. "You got to be kidding me," he muttered before turning back to Castiel. "You got to get him out of here. You got to beam him to, like, Montana. Anywhere but here."
Castiel shook his head. "It won't work. He's already infected. The hunger is just going to travel with him."
"Well, then what do we do?" Dean looked over at Alex, desperate.
"You go cut the bastard's finger off," Sam answered for her. "But, uh, before you go, you better lock me down - but good."
Dean looked torn, but finally nodded. He walked over to his bag, and pulled out a pair of handcuffs. Sam went back into the bathroom, and Alex watched as Dean handcuffed his brother's hands to the sink pipe. Then he stepped back. "Okay, well, hang in there," he told him. "We'll be back as soon as we can."
"Be careful. And . . . hurry." Sam was beginning to sweat again, and Alex narrowed her eyes.
Dean shut the door, and Castiel pushed the dresser in front of it.
"Let's go." Dean headed towards the door, Castiel following. Alex didn't. When Dean noticed, he glanced back. "You coming?"
Alex hesitated, not wanting to go, but not able to say no. "Okay," she finally nodded.
"She can't go in there, Dean." Castiel turned on the hunter. "It's a miracle that she hasn't been infected already. The last thing we need is for her to do something that could hurt her." He looked over at Dean's brother. "She can watch over Sam."
"But she's the only one who knows what's going on!" Dean insisted.
Alex looked between Dean and Castiel, not sure who to listen to. "I already told you everything I know," she said quietly.
Dean looked down at Alex. Seeing how she didn't protest, he sighed. "Fine. Fine. You stay here."
"O-Okay. I can do that." She let out a smile, and took a small step backwards.
Dean nodded. "Be careful."
"You too." Alex put the handcuff keys Dean had tossed her into her pocket.
Castiel was studying her. "How are you not infected?" he wondered aloud.
Alex blinked. "Uh, don't know. Now get going before I do. Adios."
"Adios." Dean and Castiel left. She walked back over to the dresser, pushing it out of the way. It wasn't as heavy as she had been expecting. She opened the door, walking in.
Sam looked up. "You shouldn't be here," he hissed through the obvious pain.
Alex didn't listen. She grabbed the washcloth off of the sink, wetted it, and knelt down beside the hunter. "Dean and Cas agreed that it was best I stayed." She gently wiped the sweat off of his forehead, trying to cool him down. Then she sat down, her back against the wall. "So do you want me here for moral support, or should I go watch tv in the next room?"
"Uh, here is fine, if you want," Sam said quietly. Alex didn't protest.
...
They sat in absolute silence for the next hour, each deeply lost in their own thoughts. Finally, sometime around 5:30, Alex shifted, getting up. "Hey man. Hungry? Thirsty? I'm going to go down the street, you know, maybe grab a bite to eat. Want anything?"
"No thanks." Sam shook his head, shifting as well. "Actually, water would be nice."
"Well, okay." Alex walked out of the bathroom.
"Can - can you close the door again?" Sam asked. "And the dresser too?"
"Uh, sure." Alex did as he said, sliding the furniture across the floor as well. "See you in a few minutes," she called. Grabbing a jacket and a wad of cash, she hurried down the street. The February air was biting cold, and the sun was beginning to set. Snow still lay on the ground, and Alex pulled the jacket up over her ears. He went down to the gas station at the end of the street, walking in. Warm air blew on her as she passed through the doors, and she closed her eyes in momentary comfort.
She walked down a few isles, casually browsing. She settled for a warm pretzel. She also grabbed a few bottles of water and a bag of chips before checking out. On the bitterly cold walk back, she nibbled on the soft pretzel. It warmed her stomach, which made her happy.
She walked into the motel room and stopped dead. Everything fell from her hands. "Dammit." Two bodies lay on the floor. Blood poured from one's neck, and, upon closer examination, Alex realized the wound had been caused by human teeth. The dresser had been flung aside, and the bathroom was empty. "Dammit," she repeated. She pulled out her phone. "Sam?"
"What?"
"You okay?"
"Leave me alone." Sam sounded distraught, and Alex closed her eyes.
"Where are you going?"
"Biggerson's. It's a restaurant a few miles north. It's where Famine is."
"And how do you know this?"
"Dean."
"Dean." Alex sighed. "Don't do anything stupid. I'll be there in a few minutes." She hurried out the door, locking it behind her.
...
She caught a cab up to Biggerson's; it was far to cold to walk. She arrived, and felt a painful tug at her gut. It was a need, growing desperately inside of her. She stubbornly pushed it away. Through the windows, she saw Dean and Sam. A man in a wheelchair was between them. Taking a deep breath to control that growing need inside of her, she pushed through the doors. She was quick to recognize Famine, sitting in a wheelchair, skin white and wrinkling. Sam had his back to her, one hand extended. The second she stepped through those doors, the faces of five men standing around Famine glowed golden, and they collapsed, black smoke pouring out of their mouths and pooling on the ground.
"If you don't want them . . . I'll have them." Famine motioned towards his mouth, and the black smoke poured into his mouth. He turned his attention to the young girl. "It's Alex, right? Mm-mmm. Lucifer wants to talk to you."
Alex took a step back. "Great," she forced out.
"Alex," Dean grunted. "Get out before-"
"Before what?" Famine cackled. "Before she's infected? She already is." A thin smile formed across his pale lips. "Acceptance. You just want to belong." He let out a weak chuckle. "You'll do anything they ask, won't you, sweetheart?"
Sam angrily extended his hand towards Famine, who looked back at him, letting out a half-starved laugh. "I'm a Horseman, Sam. You're power doesn't work on me."
"You're right," Sam hissed. "But it will work on them." His gaze shifted, and Famine's smile faded. Black smoke poured from his stomach, and the Horseman jerked several times, letting out agonizing cries. He went limp, collapsing in his wheelchair. Dean looked at Sam, shock across his face. Castiel stood up, and Alex finally noticed him. The angel's face and hands were covered with meat, and Alex's lips twitched downwards in a frown. "Well? What are you waiting for?" Sam snapped, trembling with strain. "Get the damn ring."
Dean did as he said. Sam stumbled, then sat down at the bar. Castiel quickly approached. "Are you okay?" he asked her.
"Of course." Alex promised shakily.
"Let's go." Dean's voice was tense. No one argued.
Sam and Dean hurried off to the Impala. Alex followed more closely, Castiel by her side. "I don't remember," Alex finally whispered. "Why wasn't Dean infected? He was right there."
There was a moment of silence before the angel responded. "Famine . . . he said Dean wasn't hungry because he was dead inside."
Alex sighed, pulling her cold hands up into her warm jacket. "I, uh . . . " she sighed again, "unfortunately, that's not hard to believe." When she looked over, Castiel was gone. Alex slid into the backseat.
They wordlessly drove back to the motel, got their stuff, and, after wiping down every surface, left without checking out. Then they drove to Bobby's.
...
The first thing Dean did when they got to the Singer Salvage Yard was put Sam into the panic room. Alex followed behind as Dean roughly locked the door behind him. Castiel appeared. Dean pressed his forehead against the door, finally letting his distress show.
"Let me out!' Sam yelled, pounding on the door. "Dean! Please, let me out of here!"
"That's not him in there," Castiel said quietly. "Not really."
"I know."
"Dean, Sam just needs to get it out of his system," the angel continued. "Then he'll be-"
"Listen. I just, uh, I just need to get some air." Dean stumbled away and up the stairs, leaving Castiel and Alex alone. Alex started after him, then stopped, letting her head fall.
"Are you okay?" Castiel asked quietly.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Alex raised her head. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Castiel turned to face her, his blue eyes locking with hers. "I heard what Famine said. Lucifer wants to talk with you."
Alex shrugged. "So? At least he doesn't want to kill me, hmm? That'd be worse."
Castiel didn't buy into her joke. "This isn't funny, Alex. He's dangerous, and he will hurt you unless you tell him what he wants to hear."
"Then I'll just tell him what he wants to hear." Alex let out a sigh. "Cas, don't worry about me. He can't hurt me, okay? Sam and Dean won't let him."
"Neither will I," the angel swore.
Warmth spread through Alex, and she smiled. "Thank you."
Castiel looked down. "Famine said your desire was acceptance."
Alex blushed deeply. "So?"
"You don't feel accepted here. Not really."
"I don't belong here, Castiel. You can't blame me."
Castiel's blue eyes flashed with some rarely seen emotion. "That's not true, Alex. You do belong. You belong here. With the Winchester. And . . . and with me."
Alex blushed, eyes dropping to the ground embarrassedly. Unable to think of a response, she stared at her shoes for several long seconds. "Thanks Cas," she finally got out. When she looked up, he was gone.