CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN: When The Shoe Drops
"So what's the plan?" Dean asked as he plopped down heavily in one of the rickety wooden chairs, almost immediately regretting it when the seat squeaked in annoyance.
Castiel took a moment to study the demon. He could tell that he was scared for another confrontation with Raphael, but by his careless attitude and smugness, he didn't show it.
After a moment, the angel could tell he was making Dean uncomfortable with his intense gaze so he spoke. "I am almost certain that if you and I just wait here without any warding, he will come to us." He stated confidently, clearly not remembering a tiny detail.
"Sounds great and all, but I think you forgot that I'm warded. Remember you branded Sam and I's ribs?" The middle Winchester pointed out, giving the angel a 'duh' look.
Castiel seemed to consider something for a brief moment before walking over to Dean and quickly placing a hand on his chest before the demon could protest.
Dean grunted in response as he felt power surge through him. It dissipated just as fast as it had come, leaving the demon feeling violated with a trace of a tingling feeling in his gut. "What the hell was that?"
"In simple terms, I sanded down your ribs to get rid of the engravings." The angel explained as if it should've been obvious.
Dean rubbed his forehead and shook his head, not even wanting to go over how stupid this plan was.
…
"Sir, I have news."
Crowley waited at the far end of an alley as one of his still loyal follows stood before him with their hands clasped, giving his minion an impatient look before they spoke.
"Lucifer is sending out demons to gather the Winchester." The lackey explained excitedly, a self-satisfied smirk creeping across his lips for bringing what he thought as such vital information.
The former King of Hell appeared bored as he stuffed his hands in his slacks pockets. "Is that all?" He questioned with slight irritation, causing the demon to flounder.
He racked his brain for a moment before recalling another bit of information. "Oh, it seems more and more angels have been seen searching the Earth."
Crowley raised a brow, his interest peaked. "Is that so? Any reason why?" He asked, intrigued.
The lesser demon cleared his throat. "I've only heard rumors, no way of telling if they're true and-"
The King of the Crossroads cleared his throat, expressing his irritation. "What did you hear?"
The demon seemed almost reluctant to give up what he knew but after a moment he took a deep breath and proceeded. "I heard that the angel's are tracking down the other Winchester."
With a cruel smirk, Crowley snickered to himself. "This is about to get interesting." He paused and thought to himself before bringing a mischief-filled gaze to his follower. "Maybe it's time for me to play ball."
…..
"I don't understand this job, I don't understand this symbol, and I don't understand why Mordechai went after both of us when he's only supposed to go after females." Jo rattled off while she sat on the bed and doodle the same symbol that was giving her trouble, getting frustrated with herself for not being able to figure anything out.
"By any chance did you see his wrists?" Sam questioned, glancing over at the blonde before turning back to the laptop he had set up on the kitchen table.
Jo gave him an annoyed look and added a huff. "Didn't really get the chance to take in every detail while he was trying to kill us and all." She quipped, earning a deserved glare from the youngest Winchester.
"They were all slit up." He explained, his eyes never leaving the computer screen. "Also, why did he use an axe? I thought ghosts were usually pretty strict with their patterns."
"But for some reason, this ghost keeps changing." Jo added, trying to think of possible reasons but coming up with nothing.
"Exactly. Especially with the way the story goes…" The demon trailed off for a second, his eyebrows knitted together. "Hold on, someone added a new post to the Hell Hound site."
Her interest drawn, the blonde hunter got up off the bed and walked over towards Sam, glancing over his shoulder to see what he was looking at.
"Listen to this. They say Mordechai Murdock was really a Satanist who chopped up his victims with an axe before slitting his own wrists. Now he's imprisoned in the house for eternity." Sam read off the screen, growing more confused as the case got more and more complicated.
Jo looked back over to the bed where her drawing still was and tried again to think of where she had seen it.
"Where the hell is this going?" Sam asked with exasperation, turning his gaze to Jo who was now holding the piece of paper she had been doodling on and holding it up for him to see.
Jo beamed proudly, relieved it finally hit her. "I'm not entirely sure, but I think I just figured out where it all started."
…
A small bell above the door chimed when Sam and Jo walked in, signaling their arrival and causing Craig to look up from the counter with a guilt-stricken look.
"Hey Craig? Remember us?" Jo said a little too sweetly as they approached him, the worker's face becoming exhausted.
"Look guys, I'm not really in the mood to deal with any more questions, alright?" He stated, hoping they'd just leave.
"Oh, don't worry. We're just here to buy an album for a friend of ours." Jo promised as she made her way towards a box full of albums. She flicked through them while she talked, hoping to find it. "Sam, I couldn't figure out where I saw that symbol from. You know, the one from the Hell House." She paused briefly and glanced at Greg, barely catching the panicked look on his face. "But then, I remembered a couple months ago when Dean had been playing some music and I asked who the band was and he showed me," She paused, pulling out an album labeled Blue Oyster Cult. "This. And would you look at that?" She questioned, pointing at something on the cover.
"If I'm not mistaken that looks like the symbol we've been killing ourselves trying to figure out." Sam added, sarcasm lacing his tone. Normally, he's not so rude to complete strangers, but he had to follow Jo's lead just because it was too damn funny.
The blonde went back to the counter and set the record down on it. "Tell me Craig, are you into BOC? Or just scaring the hell out of people?" She said accusingly, watching as Craig stared at her dumbfounded. "I want you to tell us what really went on in that house, and please, don't lie through your ass this time."
Sam and Jo listened carefully as Craig recounted what had happened, from his cousin and him going over and spray-painting the house, to spreading rumors and how the Hell Hound boys put it up on their website.
"It was all a joke! I mean, none of it was real! But, now that girl's dead." He said, his gaze dropping to the floor with shame.
Sam couldn't help but feel sorry for the guy, so he sighed deeply and shook his head, speaking softly. "All right, try not to start any more rumors okay?"
As the pair left the store, Sam felt even more lost as they made their way to the Impala to go back to the motel room. "If the kid was lying about everything, how the hell do you explain Mordechai?"
"I have a theory." Jo stated confidently, giving him a sideways glance as they got to the car, the blonde sliding in the passenger seat.
"A theory?" Sam reiterated once he was in the black chevy, the rumble of the engine being heard as he started it, the soothing sound of classic rock flowing through the speakers.
The blonde reached over the seat to retrieve her duffle which was sitting on the bench back there, quickly grabbing a worn, leather bound journal. "If I'm right, and I would bet good money that I am, it's a Tipetan thought form or more commonly known as a Tulpa."
"Alright, tell me more." The youngest Winchester insisted, wanting to know as much information he could. He had to admit, he was fascinated by all this hunting stuff. Sure, he knew of the general existence of some monsters, but he didn't necessarily know all the tricks to catching or killing them. He sure as hell didn't know about some of the more obscure monsters like Tulpa's, but he was ready to learn.
Jo skimmed the page, refreshing herself on the history. "Legend goes, that in 1915, the city of Tibet had a Golem on their hands. A group of monks visualized one in their heads, meditated so hard, that they brought the thing to life. Outta thin air." She explained, stressing the last sentence. "Now, if 20 monks can do that, I can only imagine what 10,000 web surfers could do. I mean, Craig started the story about Mordechai, it spread to online, and now there are countless people all believing in the bastard."
"So you're telling me, that a bunch of people believing in Mordechai brought him to life?" Sam questioned skeptically, raising a brow. "People believe in Santa Claus, how come he's not real and we aren't getting presents every year?"
Jo snorted, the idea of the youngest Winchester opening presents on Christmas morning absolutely unimaginable. "Well, for one, I doubt Demons are necessarily on Santa's Nice list. And, because of this." She pointed a slim finger to a symbol drawn in her father's journal, the demon glancing over when they were at a stop sign. "That's a Tibetan spirit sigil. I happened to see one on the wall of the house. Now, people are on the Hell Hounds website, staring at this symbol and thinking of Mordechai and…"
"We've got a ghost that keeps changing because of different theories that pop up." Sam said, finishing her thought as it clicked in his head. "That explains why the rock salt didn't work." He reasoned, pursing his lips in thought. "I'm guessing it's not gonna be as easy as getting that symbol off the wall and their website, is it?"
The young hunter gave him an amused look, shaking her head at how naïve he was. "Word of the wise, nothin' is ever that easy when it comes to hunting."
…
"Sir, we've found the Winchester."
Lucifer smirked excitedly as he acknowledged the demon before him, clearly pleased. "Perfect. Why don't you round up a half dozen of Hell's best and go fetch him, will you?" The devil's lips twisted, cruel anticipation dripping from his words as he took a seat on his throne.
The demon went to leave but hesitated, causing Lucifer to stifle a groan. "Why are you still here?" He demanded malevolently, eyes flashing crimson.
"He's with a blonde hunter, Jo Harvelle if I recall correctly." The demon stated, trying to remain professional as Lucifer stood up and made his way over to his lackey. "Should we leave her?"
"Tell me, how willing do you think our buddy Sammy will be to just hand himself over to me?" The devil asked, his tone condescending as he towered over the demon.
He swallowed thickly, worried about giving the wrong answer. "I thought he had agreed-"
"It doesn't matter what he agreed to!" Satan roared, nostrils flaring as he resisted the urge to kill the black-eyed henchman in front of him just for his incompetence. "He still has to say 'yes' when I ask him. Now," He took on a teaching tone, as if he was educating the creature cowering in front of him. "This is a Winchester we are talking about. They don't go down without a fight. But, they all have one weakness." He paused, waiting for the demon to come up with an answer. After a moment, when it was obvious that he wasn't going to come up with anything, Lucifer continued. "Their family, you insolent-" The sandy-haired being took a moment to calm himself, closing his eyes as he tried not to think of how he was surrounded by idiots. "So, grab the girl, she will be useful in getting Sam to hold up his end of the deal."
With a curt nod and an awkward bow, the demon scurried out of the room, leaving Lucifer to roll his eyes and run an aggravated hand down his face.
…
"Hey Ellen, good to hear from you." Sam greeted as he pulled into the motel parking lot, coming to halt right outside his and Jo's room. He had just made a quick run to go get her some food while she got a shower before they headed over to meet with the Hell Hound boys.
"How's everything going? I called Jo but got no answer." The older Harvelle asked, worry etched into her voice as he glanced at Bobby who was driving them behind John and Mary.
"She must still be in the shower." The demon said as he turned off the Impala and grabbed the bag of takeout that was resting on the seat next to him before getting out of the car. "But, everything's good here. We're hoping to wrap this case up soon, we think it's a Tulpa."
Ellen's brows went up in surprise and interest. "A Tulpa? I haven't heard of those in years. You two be careful."
The youngest Winchester smiled at the mother's concern that she no doubt had for her daughter and even him. He realized a few months ago that both the Harvelle's had accepted Dean and him into their family, and he couldn't help but feel happiness wash through him in waves, giving him a sense of belonging. "Thanks, Ellen. We will." He reassured before remembering what her and Bobby were doing. "Hey, did you end up meeting my parents?" He added as he opened the door after inserting the key, the bag in his hand falling to the floor when he saw Jo, her face freshly bruised, stuck in a headlock.
The black-eyed stranger that was currently cutting the blonde's air supply off, who's hair was still wet from her shower, grinned at him smugly before speaking. "Say another word into that phone and she dies. Hang up." He ordered, Jo's face growing red as his grip tightened.
Sam's lips twitched with anger but he held out both his hands, quickly shutting the flip phone to silence Ellen's voice. "What do you want?" He spat, his own eyes becoming enveloped with black.
"It's time." The newcomer purred, eyeing him hungrily right before four new demons appeared and promptly grabbed a hold of Sam and restrained him.
Jo clawed at her attacker's arms for as long as she could but she knew she was running out of time as her vision started to blacken at the edges. Her last thought before losing consciousness was that she hoped Sam would be okay.
…
Dean was walking around the empty cabin with his eyes focused on his father's journal that was resting in his hands. He had already made it through half of the book and was learning just about everything he would need to learn about most supernatural beings.
When he heard the flutter of wings, he quickly shut the book and turned around, relieved to see it was just Castiel. "Where've you been?" He asked, setting the journal on the table.
"Jerusalem." The angel stated obviously, as if that was all he had to say for the sentence to make sense.
Dean raised both his eyebrows and with an amused tone, couldn't help but ask, "Oh? How was it?"
Cas glanced over at the demon and seemed as if he was calculating whether or not he was being sarcastic. "Arid." He finally answered, setting a rustic looking jar down on the table.
The middle Winchester walked over and glanced inside, scrunching up his nose as the strange liquid inside. "What's that?"
Castiel picked up the jug from off the wooden table and began pouring the liquid from it in the shape of a large circle in the center of the room. "It's holy oil. Very rare and very special." The angel explained, finishing his task and setting the almost empty container on the fireplace mantle.
"That's it? We're gonna trap a hurricane with a friggin' butterfly net?" The demon asked with exasperation, scoffing when Castiel just nodded his head. "So, what are the chances we survive this?" Dean asked bluntly with a relaxed attitude. Although the demon would never admit it to his brother, he had to be honest with himself. He felt like he deserved to die, and if he were to do that tonight, at the hands of an Archangel, he'd be okay with that.
"Probably zero." The dark-haired being answered just as blunt as the question was. He failed to mention that only he had zero chance of surviving. The demon before him on the other hand, would be kept alive for a purpose.
"Awesome." Dean acknowledged, leaning against the doorframe and crossing his arms. "Our last night on Earth." He stated with an almost appreciative tone. "What are we gonna do?"
Castiel squinted and tilted his head, thrown off by the question. "I figured we would just sit here quietly."
The demon's jaw practically dropped to the floor as his eyes bugged, absolute disbelief on his face. "Dude, you can't be serious. We have to do something!" He stressed, the thought of just standing there watching dust particles float through the air causing his chest to tighten. "We should have a kegger! Or go to a strip club! I don't know about you, but I feel like I haven't had sex in ages." The middle Winchester revealed distastefully.
Cas seemed uncomfortable by the comment but let out a nervous, shuddering breath as he picked at some loose paint on the fireplace mantle. "Yes, a very long time for me as well." He said, the statement coming out awkward and unsure.
Dean seemed to catch on because he straightened, pointing an accusing finger at the angel before him. "You're shitting me. Please tell me that you are not still a virgin." He pleaded, the mere idea unfathomable to the demon.
The comment figuratively ruffled Castiel's feathers as he seemed offended. "I am a warrior of Heaven, Dean. The job requirements left little time for… fraternizing." He explained with a defensive tone as he shoved his hands in his trench coat pockets.
"You poor, unfulfilled son of a bitch." The taller being breathed with a pitying voice. "Alright, that settles it. We're getting laid tonight."
Before Castiel could argue, the fluttering of wings caused both men to turn towards the center of the room.
"A good plan boys, really. You'll just be too dead to execute it."
…
TBC
Guys, I promise I'm trying to update more regularly. But I started college three weeks ago and I have a job and am in the process of moving and just A LOT. But, I've at least managed to give you the past three or four updates within a month from each other so that counts as something right? Please, please, please, leave reviews. They make me feel like I'm actually doing something on here. To everyone new and old, thanks for sticking with me and for reading, it means a bunch to me. Special thanks to CalledForMishap (Oh my goodness I wanted to PM you but it wouldn't let me but you honestly are too sweet and I'm humbled. You are going to need to have patience with me because sometimes it takes a while for me to update… BUT, there totally will be more Dean whump. I'm with you on that haha.), ncsupnatfan (You'll have to wait till the next chapter for their meeting but you're right, there will definitely be blood.), and 1983Sarah (I'm trying to update more often! And you will continue to see updates for this story as long as you guys want more!) for reviewing! Ya'll rock.