Lies and Lessons
You drove all night, terrified to pull over. It wasn't until you hit Colorado that your body was threatening to give out. You pulled off the side of the highway and just sat there shaking. You had used a bandana to slow the bleeding of your arm, but the throbbing persisted, just as painful as the initial stab. You tried several times to get some sleep, but every time you closed your eyes you saw the same image. The barrel of Gordon's gun and the animalistic look in his eye.
You sat there in a cold sweat, your entire body vibrating. You continuously checked your rearview and side mirrors for any vehicle or person who resembled Gordon. You stayed this way for about an hour until Thunderstruck startled you into alertness. You checked your phone to see that Ellen was calling, and that you had missed her five previous calls. You flipped the phone open and took a steadying breath.
"Hello?"
"Y/N?! What the hell, I have been calling you all night! Is everything okay are you okay?" You remembered the deal you made with Gordon. Your jaw shook, but you forced your breath to sound normal. "Ellen, hey, I'm so sorry I guess I'm just a bit rattled. I'm fine, I swear. Nothing happened, but my phone fell between my seats and I just now pulled over to find it. I'm in Colorado, should be to Harvell's by tomorrow." You heard her contemplate your explanation before accepting it. You said your goodbyes and hung up the phone. Finally exhaling with a shaky breath, you restarted your engine and continued your trip.
Six hours later you were pulling up to the Roadhouse, the sun just setting for the day. You turned the ignition off and looked down to your forearm. There was no way in hell that Ellen would believe that it was a coincidence that you hurt yourself right after meeting Gordon Walker. You saw the front door open and quickly cleaned the old blood from your arm. You had an idea, but it would suck. Ellen came racing out just as you opened your door. You spotted the object you needed about four steps away from you. You took three steps before pretending to trip and fall in the exact position for an old broken beer bottle to slice right through the fresh wound. You bit your lip to stifle the scream but it came anyway. The throbbing and stinging sensation that had just started to dull was once again ripped open, and you felt the familiar drip of blood run down your arm once more. It hurt like a bitch but at least Ellen's suspicions would be quieted. A necessary evil, even if you did catch Hepatitis.
"Y/N/N! You okay?" She ran to your side and helped you up, examining your severed flesh. "Dammit, I told Ash to clean up the mess out here! That's gonna need a few stitches. Come on in honey." Ellen wrapped her arm around you, and for the first time in the twenty hours since you left California, you felt safe.
You entered the Roadhouse breathing in its familiar scent. It was like you were sixteen all over again. After a few months living with Bobby, he decided you needed some strong female influences in your life, thus bringing you to meet Ellen. You cliqued immediately, though you couldn't say the same about Jo. Bobby and Ellen had high hopes for the two of you to become fast friends; she was only a few months younger than you. However, in order for friendship to occur, you needed to be able to take someone seriously. And you certainly did not take Jo seriously. Your initial impression told you everything you needed to know. She was impulsive. Immature. Your theory had only proved itself over the years. You had no issue with her wanting to be a hunter against her mother's wishes. A little rebellion was healthy. What annoyed you was her overestimation of herself. She was always quick on the trigger and finding cases that were way out of her league. Someone who constantly needed to be saved was not a hunter; she was a damsel in distress. Not to mention the person who did save her bacon was always called a chauvinist. It was just rude. There was no personal responsibility. Don't even get you started on her favorite cliché phrase, "I could of handled myself!" Bleh! All in all, you were cordial, but equated Jo with a toddler.
The overall disdain must've been mutual, for as you passed through the bar threshold, she smiled, hiding a bit of contempt. You could understand it. You were actually taught, even encouraged to hunt. Everything she wanted out of life.
You shook the thought from your head as Ellen rinsed a clean bar rag and began to clean your arm. You hissed at the sting. "I know, I know. But we gotta sanitize it. Jo, honey, go grab me a needle and thread from the first aid kit." Jo left the room and you finally looked up to see Ellen's face, worry painted all over it. She took a second before pulling you in for a tight hug and kissing the top of your head. She pushed you away to look you in the eye again. Looking around to make sure the two of you were alone, she spoke. "What happened?" Your deal with Gordon played on repeat in your mind. "Nothing. I knew his sister when we were kids and we just talked about her. I made the call to you and left. Drove straight here." She sighed and cupped your cheek. "You really dodged a bullet. I'm glad you're safe. But don't think you're off the hook for lying to Bobby and me about college. I didn't tell him, but after my fourth call I was close. You rest up and give me your explanation in the morning."
"Yes ma'am." She kissed your forehead once more just as Jo re-entered the room. "Jo, honey, stitch up Y/N/N here wouldja? I need to make a few calls." Jo nodded and occupied the stool in front of you. She made the first incision before she spoke. "Screwed up a hunt?" You sighed. "Nope, broken beer bottle out front."
"Oh, so you're just clumsy."
"Sure." You didn't have the patience or the energy to play into one of Jo's petty arguments at the moment, and probably sensed it too, as she shut right up.
She finished the last knot and cut the string, putting a final bandage on top. "Thanks." You start walking to the spare bedroom. "Y/N wait! So I found this town in North Dakota. All signs lead to demon possessions. I was thinking—"
"Look Jo, not now okay? I'm exhausted and don't have the energy to walk you through it."
"Walk me through it? Who says I need to be walked through it?" You rolled your eyes and sighed. Now really wasn't time for this fight. But you slipped up and it was gonna happen anyway.
"Your history."
"Excuse me? Last I checked I found this case and asked you to be my shotgun, not the other way around. Don't act all high and mighty. I'm just as good a hunter as you are!"
"The fact you feel the need to compare proves otherwise. You can put together a hell of a file; it's the execution that could use some improvement. I'm not trying to be a dick here; I'm just trying to get some sleep. Can we drop this?"
"Sure. Forget I told you, I'll go myself."
"Look, do what you want Jo, but if you want my advice, stay in your own lane. Hunting isn't for everyone. You're gonna get yourself hurt kid." She stood dumbfounded as you walked away to get some shuteye. It was harsh, but your tolerance level wasn't exactly up to par at the moment. You'd apologize in the morning. For now, a pillow and a sleepless night were calling you.