"Wimberly, Texas," I read aloud on the slightly crumpled paper when I stop for gas a few miles south of the Texas border. I enter the dusty store to look for a road map. I see a familiar tousled head at the register and duck quickly behind a shelf.

"Haven't seen her," I hear the cashier drone in a bored tone.

"Well, this is the route she's taking. Could I give you this picture and have you keep an eye out for her?"

I don't dare peek around the corner. How did they get so much farther ahead of me? I see through the front windows another three familiar figures approach the store.

Castiel. Of course. Did Raph sell me out? Or Missouri? Damn.

I quickly make my way to the back of the store and enter the beer cooler. I sit cross-legged behind a stack of boxes and close my eyes.

I touch the veil, the cold floor helping me stay grounded. I see Cas' grace and my family's souls through the walls as they finish their conversation with the cashier and exit. I watch them stroll 'casually' behind a dumpster, and his flash of grace as they jump ahead to the next destination on their list.

I open my eyes and stand. Should I trust the cashier not to call them as soon as I get gas? I can't go much farther with the gas I have. I doubt there's another town for miles.

I take the chance and grab a bag of funions.

"And twenty dollars on tank two, please," I say, when I put the bag on the counter. I see a photo of my face crumpled in the garbage. The cashier squints at my face as he hands me my receipt and I quickly thank him and leave. I get out of there as fast as I can, and call Missouri as I drive.

"Hey honey," she says. I know she has trouble psychic reading over the phone, so maybe she doesn't know what happened.

"Missouri, they found me. Or, they didn't, but I just narrowly missed them."

"Where are you?"

"A ways from Wimberly."

"Are you sure they found you, or maybe they just know where you're going?"

"Isn't that the same thing? Did you tell them?" I make my voice sound scolding, the way I do when the angels get cocky.

"Don't you use that tone with me, young lady. I did no such thing."

"It was Raph, then," I mutter to myself.

"What's that, honey?"

"Just talking to myself, Missouri. I'm sorry to bother you," I sigh.

"You better keep on bothering me, Cassie."

I smile. "Thank you for everything."

"Not a problem."

I pull into Wimberly that night, tired enough to start swerving. I leave the car on the edge of town and walk slowly under the stars. I'm about ready to pass out in the parking lot when I reach the motel. I'm glad I didn't make it to the first one in the phone book. That's probably the one my family are staking out tonight. The Chase's house is likely next, if Raph told them that much.

I get my key and fall into bed, debating whether it was worth it or not to change into more comfortable clothes. I groan as I stand again, kicking off my jeans and opening my duffel for sweatpants.

I hear a knock at the door.

"Shoot," I mutter, ducking in case whoever it is can see through the peep-hole. I pull on my sweatpants on the floor and crawl to the door. I stand and peer through the hole and see my dad. And my mom. And behind them, Cas and Dean.

I sigh deeply. I didn't want it to come to this.

I open the door.

"Cassie!" they all say in unison, a strange cacophony of voices.

"Yes, hi," I say, "How the hell." They file in.

I close the door.

"Raphael-"

"Dammit," I mutter, "I'll kill that angel."

"He was only looking out for you," my mom says, coming closer to touch my hair. I back out of it and push her hair away. "Did Missouri tell you anything about the Chases?"

"No," I say, "But you're not going to stop me meeting them just because of some awful story or whatever."

"They killed Efram," Castiel says sadly.

"The angel, or..." Their looks tell me the answer.

"That doesn't mean they just kill seers!" I say, "Maybe Efram was a jackass!"

"Language, Cassie," says my dad.

"Not under your bunker roof, daddy," I smile sweetly, "I'll say what I want."

He shoots me a look, but doesn't say anything.

Castiel steps towards me, his grace bright and lasting on the carpet the way only his has ever been.

"You know we can't let you go, Cas-"

"No!" I shout, feeling the veil ripple. Cas jerks back.

"Cassie," Dean starts, "We-"

"I said no!" The veil shudders now. Castiel grabs Dean's arm, urging them with his eyes not to push me any farther.

My mother puts on her scolding face. "Now, Cassie-"

"Stop!" I shout. The motel physically shakes and they all freeze.

"I-" I say after a few seconds of silence, "Am going to meet the Chase family."

No one verbally objects.

"And then," I say, climbing into bed, "I'm going to become a hunter. Not one of you is allowed to stop me."

They stand quietly in the room until I shoo them away.

I want to cry.