CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE: Abandon All Hope

The blinding pain that was pulsing from Jo's forehead was almost enough to keep her under, but the ever increasing panic that started to settle in her gut made her pry her heavy eyelids open. She glanced around the room, tugging at the ropes that were digging at her wrists that were secured behind her back. She tried to call out, hoping Sam was near her but the piece of cloth that was gagging her made her calls come out as a mumbled mess.

Jo stood up, pausing as she let the dizziness that was washing over her calm down. She made her way over to the ridged door, noticing a keypad next to it.

Her eyes glanced around the storage unit as she tried to formulate a plan when she noticed a small grate on the upper half of one of the walls. She peaked through it, a small gasp escaping from her lips when she saw Sam tied to a chair and Ruby standing over him.

She sank to the floor as tears started to fall. We are so fucked...

...

"This can not be good." Castiel said remorsefully, shaking his head slightly.

Ellen was pacing the room, anxiety radiating from the upset mother. "Something's happened. I just know it." She crossed her arms, feeling extremely uneasy as different scenarios played out in her head about what happened to her only child.

"Let's just all calm down." John chastised, his tone authoritative as he spoke with conviction. "I'm sure they're fine. If anything happened, Sam would've been able to get them out of there with no problem. Just give them some time."

Cas seemed irritated and not very optimistic about their current situation; Dean was MIA and out of control, Sam and Jo were in the wind, and Crowley was most likely up to no good. "I will try to locate them. For now, see what you can pick up on Dean."

"Well that part will be easy." Meg chimed in from where she was standing in the doorway to the living room with a smug smile tugging at her lips.

The angel instantly glared at her, not finding the presence of the demon pleasing. "What do you want?" He asked, a hint of disgust evident in his voice as he stared her down and waited for any potential threat.

"Dean wanted me to give you guys a message."

...

"That's gonna be a bitch to get out." Meg quipped, noting the multitude of blood stains that were splattered sporadically on Dean's clothing. His black t-shirt was ripped along the side where he must've gotten cut and he was starting to grow a significant amount of scruff on his chin.

The middle Winchester shrugged, flicking an eyebrow up as he discarded yet another body to the asphalt while still grasping the wickedly sharp blade in his calloused hands. "Meg, just the demon I wanted to see." He said excitedly, wiping the still dripping scarlet on his torn jeans. Turning towards her, he flashed a mischievous smile. "I was wondering if you could do something for me." He began, leaning against the alley's brick wall. He shoved his stained hands into his front pockets and continued. "Can you convince Cas to go check on the Blade?"

Meg seemed confused as her brows furrowed, looking at Dean as if he had a third arm. "Most likely. Why?" She questioned, seeming skeptical of any plan he might come up with.

Dean stood up straight, seeming pleased with his idea as he elaborated for her. "See, Cas can't track me, but I sure as hell can track him. He goes to check on it..."

"And you swoop in and snatch it." The brunette finished, shaking her head in astonishment. "Dean Winchester, not just brawn." Meg said, her tone taking on a seductive edge as she took in Dean's current state. His jawline was sharper, his eyes harder with a hint of maliciousness mixed with that brilliant green. With a new objective in mind, Meg stepped forward and placed a gentle palm on the demon's chest before standing on her tiptoes to whisper in the six foot tall demon's ear. "I expect a reward when I get back."

The manipulative brunette disappeared and left a red-faced Dean behind in the desolate alleyway.

...

"How do we know this isn't some type of trap?" John piped in, distrust evident in his features as he stood with a threatening stance. He had his arms folded across his chest and scowl pulling at his lips.

Cas squinted his eyes, trying to read the demon's face. "How many people are you reporting your findings to?" He asked abruptly which caused Ellen and John to look at him with surprise.

Meg paused before deciding it was probably not in her best interest to lie to the angelic being who could smite her demonic ass in an instant. "You, Dean, and Crowley. I told Dean I'd get you to go check on the First Blade, I told Crowley that he was pursuing the damn thing, and now I'm giving you guys the inside scoop. You're welcome." She winked at the judgmental angel, her prying eyes looking him up and down with a suggestive gleam in the now black orbs.

Shifting uncomfortably, Castiel cleared his throat. "Bobby is in search of Jo and Sam. If he returns, update him on our circumstances." He addressed the two hunters in the room before nodding his head as if in agreement with himself. "I will play along with Dean's plan and will bring him back here." The angel ended, looking like he was about to zap out of Bobby's living room.

Although Ellen seemed all for it, something was nagging at the back of John's head before he figured he might as well say it. "Hold on Cas, I have a plan."

...

When Cas arrived at the location where he hid the First Blade, he looked around expectantly, wondering why Dean hadn't shown up yet. Instead of worrying about it for much longer, the angel made his way over to the box he had sealed the cursed weapon in, opening it slowly.

He felt immediate relief flood through him when he saw the Blade still waiting inside. He quickly shut the lid when he detected the smallest movement from behind him.

"Asstiel. Been awhile." Dean quipped, glaring with obsidian orbs at the angel's trench-coated back. The demon clenched his fists, able to feel the First Blade's power radiating from in front of Cas; calling for him.

The angel turned around slowly, a dangerous and determined expression on his face as he met the fierce gaze of the Mark of Cain bearer. "Dean, you look horrible." He noted, referencing to the dried blood around the middle Winchester's lips and his pale complexion.

Dean shrugged, seeming unperturbed as he took a menacing step forward, a cocky grin firmly placed on his lips. "Yeah, well. The Mark wants what the Mark wants." He said unpoetically as his eyes drifted to the metal box that was set on a dusty rickety table. "Nice location by the way. One of Lucifer's old crypts. I'll be sure to keep it between us that you borrowed the space." He took in the dilapidated tomb that hadn't been used in a century and the ancient artifacts that were spaced around the room.

"Meg, sold you out." Cas pointed out, moving toward the homicidal demon. His eyes found the mark that was pulsing with power and scarlet that was standing out like a nasty brand on the middle Winchester's forearm and couldn't help but feel a wave of panic surge through him.

Dean chuckled maliciously, one edge of his lips tilting up. "See, that's where your wrong. I told Meg to have you check on the Blade. It was all-"

Castiel interrupted, looking nothing less than smug as he finished his sentence. "So you could follow me so I would lead you to it. Yes, Dean. But, Meg happened to share another little fact with me." He paused, looking thoughtful. "Meg is one of the smarter demon's I've come across, she knows the best way to survive. She's playing you, us, and even Crowley. Yet somehow, she still managed to give us the most useful information." Cas opened his hand as his silver knife fell from his coat pocket into his awaiting palm. "Meg told me to check on the Blade, but then also told me you would follow. I've been waiting for you, Dean. And I'm going to return you to your family."

Dean doubled over with laughter, a cruel and twisted sound that ran chills down the angel's spine. His brows creased as puzzlement coursed through his veins, not sure what the hell could be so funny. Finally, the demon regained his composure. "See, this little plan would've worked out great for you. But, you're not as smart as I gave you credit for." He took a sidestep to where he the box containing the weapon was in his sight just to have Cas adjust his position to block it.

"What are you talking about?" The angel demanded, his voice rough as he waited for an answer. His gaze never wavered from Dean's, hoping that he would be able to calculate when the Mark of Cain bearer might strike.

"You still brought me to the First Blade." Dean clarified and watched with satisfaction as recognition caused Castiel's face to fall as he realized his grave mistake.

The middle Winchester moved in a flash, his body appearing inches from Castiel's and before he could respond, Dean's forceful hands gripped his trench coat and tossed him across the room as if he was nothing but a rag doll. The angel's back hit the wall with a painful thud but he still managed to keep a firm hold on his blade.

Rising to his knees, Cas almost missed a right hook coming from the demon but instinct took over and he grabbed Dean's right fist, trying to crush the bones. Dean's lip twitched with anger as the sound of his fingers snapping echoed throughout the cramped space. The demon felt the sharp pain of an angel blade cutting his abdomen but quickly kneed the angel in the stomach, causing Castiel's grasp to loosen enough to allow Dean freedom. With a fluid motion, he used his left hand to send a solid blow to the angel's nose while his broken hand pulled the angel blade from his hand.

Dean twirled the knife in his hands to where the tip was resting on Cas's jugular, prepared to do the final strike. The demon chuckled darkly, his lips curling. "Just for the hell of it, I'll let you live." He said matter-of fact before dropping the blade to the ground beside the angel without a care in the world.

Cas was panting as he watched Dean make his way over to the box, his excited fingers stroking the lid of it before he finally opened it, his eyes widening at the sight. With a bloodlust that even made Castiel cringe, the demon wrapped his meaty hand around the hilt and freed the First Blade from it's prison.

The middle Winchester turned pitch black eyes on the seething angel, the Mark of Cain pulsing as his hand shook uncontrollably. "Cas, don't ever change." With a sarcastic wink, Dean and the blade were gone.

...

Blinding light forced Jo to squeeze her eyes shut as the corrugated door slid open and a slim blonde sauntered into the room with a self-satisfied smirk plastered to her face.

Crouching down in front of the petite blonde, Ruby threaded her fingers through a chunk of Jo's hair, yanking it harshly. The hunter glared daggers at their capturer, rage seeping from her pours. "Someone seems in a bad mood." The demon noted, seeming irritated as she put on a fake pout. "We can't have that now can we?" She pulled out the demon-killing knife from her waistband and dragged it indelicately across Jo's cheek, a line of crimson dripping down her face and onto her collarbone causing her to groan. "What do you say, Jo? Let's try to get in touch with your boyfriend's humanity."

Jo barely had time to process what had been said to her before the blade was being cut across her chest.

...

TBC

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