Chapter 2

"Is it just me or does this place look like it sprung out in the middle of nowhere?"

"Technically it did." Hawkins grinned as he gestured at Adam for asking the question. "Course I've never seen anything like it before. What is that thing?"

"It's called a car."

"What?"

Angela left Adam to explain the concept of cars and other things modern to Hawkins as she strode forward to look around. The place wasn't empty since there were people there but it did seem a bit odd. It was like all of a sudden walking into a TV land version of the towns she and the Winchesters had crossed in their time together.

"Something the matter?"

Angela looked at Tsura who had stayed by her side. At least everyone was going with the rule that no one goes alone. Since there were only four beings and one dog, it alternated with who got Cerebus but Angela had the hellhound stay with Adam. It was mostly for his protection and she knew that the prized bitch of hell would be able to sense out any treachery as he put it. Tsura was the default when they went in pairs. Angela could never explain it but there was something about the girl that put her at ease even though this was a trek through Lucifer's playpen.

Angela didn't say anything at first as she went back to scoping out the town. She studied the landscape and finally said, "Just…" She looked down as her eyes widened.

His finger was cold to the touch as it ran up her, no…

Angela gasped slightly and her mouth opened slightly. It was like it was happening to her and it wasn't. It sent a cold flame up her spine and seemed to burn forcing her to blink. When she opened her eyes she was in a dungeon. At least that was what she thought it was and she was looking down. She looked up and saw Lucifer grinning at her.

"Still not getting it are you?"

Angela said nothing but glared at Lucifer. She wanted to scream out and fight but found that she couldn't. All she could do was watch as Lucifer came closer and she felt his skin touching the small of her back and went… lower. Her body jerked from the touch and she thought she heard Sam call out for the fallen angel to stop.

Angela closed her eyes and then opened them. She found herself once again in that town they had come to. She looked ahead with wide eyes. She could still feel the cold burn on her spine and the fallen angel crooning in her ear. Her body shivered in response to the feeling as she gritted her teeth to keep them from chattering.

"Angie?"

Angela felt Tsura's hand on her shoulder and she stilled her breathing. She shifted to see the Romani girl looking at her with concern in her eyes. She cleared her throat and then said, "Just feels different from other towns I've been in."

Tsura frowned at that answer. She didn't like that Angela was keeping something from her. This wasn't the first time she had seen that reaction. The first occurred after taking the day off to recuperate from the battle with Michael. It was needed since Angela had been stabbed and she had used a lot of her energy. Plus Hawkins had been hurt and she got a bump to the head…

She first noticed when Angela stared off into space while they had been discussing what to do. All of a sudden it seemed like she looked at something that should have been there but it wasn't. She also muttered something. No one could tell what she was saying but it was enough for concern since it was like she wasn't even there and when she snapped out of it, she would look at them like trying to decide if they were real or not; like she was having trouble discerning what was real and what wasn't.

Hawkins said to leave it alone but Tsura couldn't. She didn't want to. Something was up and it was affecting their fearless leader. The woman was trying to be strong but Tsura could see that it was hard on her. She didn't say anything but watched and was there to give a hand as needed. She asked, "How so?"

Angela glanced at Tsura, guessing at what she was trying to do. She hadn't mentioned it because it was something they really couldn't help with and she didn't understand it herself. She wasn't in Lucifer's clutches and yet… It baffled her and made her wish that she was topside so at least she knew things were real and she could fix things and with people who knew she wasn't crazy. As it were she couldn't but at least Hawkins and Tsura weren't trying to kill her just yet. In fact they seemed to be in league with her against Lucifer and willing to help her and Adam. She replied, "Just the fact that it is here in hell and the real one is topside." She sighed and looked around, observing the people. "And that it has other things that wouldn't belong."

Tsura couldn't argue with that. The strange machines called cars were there but there were also the carts and wagons that she was familiar with. The people were dressed in clothing she didn't recognize. It had her wondering if she was going crazy. "I can see that."

Angela couldn't help but grin at that and glanced at Tsura, "Well all of it is familiar to me so that's a good thing."

"Not if it's the devil."

"True but…" Angela gave a shrug and looked at the town. She spotted a place that looked familiar. It would be the best place to find information. "Looks like we might be able to find some information." She gestured at the bar.

Tsura looked and recognized what was a tavern. That was familiar. "Okay. So go in and grab a bite and ask questions."

"More or less."

Tsura said nothing as she followed Angela through the town towards the tavern. Actually it was a bar but it might as well be a tavern. As long as Angela knew what it was and could explain, that was fine. She was just going to do what she decided to do and that was to keep an eye on her friend. It was the least she could do.

Angela couldn't shake the cold flame of a touch to her body as she led the way through the town that was a hodgepodge of all the places she had visited around the world and back. Her main concern was Lucifer or Michael or both deciding to mess with her. She had noticed that ever since she banished Michael, they avoided showing up in person. On a sympathetic note she couldn't blame them since she did go a little extreme. On the other hand she was relieved since she wasn't sure if she could handle another physical fight with either one since she couldn't get rid of that chill nor the feeling that Lucifer was really touching her. It made her uncomfortable and she also sensed pain like her hair was being pulled but nothing was doing that. She just kept it to herself and pressed onward.

They walked down the main street and not too many people were paying attention. Instead they were going about their business. That was another good sign that Michael or Lucifer weren't exactly planning to do something. Angela wasn't going to discount the possibility that they were simply waiting until she had her guard down. She wasn't going to let that happen. She would kick their asses for that one. The whole thing made her feel exhausted.

They made it to the bar and Angela led the way to the bar, ignoring the other patrons that looked like they were from one of those French taverns during the time of the French Revolution or earlier. True there was some rowdiness to be expected but it was a lot more refined than the seedy bars she had seen with the Winchesters. Plus there were other ways of hustling funds in places like that and were much more entertaining.

Walking up to the bar, Angela leaned on the counter and asked for a beer. As much as she would like the hard stuff, she'd rather appear like most normal people. She ordered one for Tsura though she doubted the girl would drink it. She was surprised when the girl picked up her bottle and took a sip like a pro would and didn't even make a face even though Angela thought it was the worst stuff ever. It made it easier to just listen to the chatter while they made conversation.

"So are you going to tell him?"

Angela looked at Tsura and replied, "Tell who what?"

Tsura made a slight face and explained though she was certain that Angela was playing dumb with her on this one, "Tell Adam what really is going on?"

"He knows," Angela replied as she picked up her bottle. She turned to survey the rest of the tavern or bar.

There was a mixture of people. Some were the kind that were in biker bars and others were ordinary folks. She should be used to it since it was a product of her thoughts and memories and Lucifer playing with it. The atmosphere had a sense of normality to it and it did feel a little like the taverns she had been in when she was a young girl and not to mention the brothels that she hid in when the heat was on. She wondered how Dean would react if she were to tell him that part of the reason she knew dirty talk and the art of conversation was because she had hung around the working girls. It was her favorite game of seeking new ways to shock and awe the Winchesters.

Leaning on the table, Angela took a sip of the beer she had been given. And in a pint no less. It wasn't the greatest of things and she had told Sam the truth that she preferred wine over beer. The hard liquor was something she acquired after meeting John Winchester she claimed. She gave a slight smile of fond remembrance of the man as she took another sip of her beer. He was a good man despite what others said. She knew that he grieved but he was also determined to keep his sons safe; he loved them and saw it. It was just that damned stubbornness that saw them through more than their fair share despite the supernatural aid every now and then.

Tsura watched her friend and saw her go into thought and the slight smile. She figured something happy was being remembered and thought that was a good thing. She couldn't help but smile as she sipped her beer and dug into the stew that was being provided. Maybe today would be a good day and they would get a hint of where they needed to go.

Tsura had just gotten halfway through her bowl when a group of men came in. They were dressed in the strange clothes that she had seen on most of the people but they were that black leather and what Angela called jeans. They were loud and rowdy as they came in creating a swath through the people in there. She noticed that some were backing away in fear as they approached the bar.

"That was a great catch boss."

"Yeah, he didn't put up much of a fight for a feisty one."

"He is manly if it weren't for that sissy hair."

Tsura listened to the conversation as they made their way to the bar. She glanced over to find that Angela was listening to every word and noticed a look crossed her face. She stayed quiet as she listened to the men talk. It made her nervous though since they seemed like the kind of men that would do what they wanted.

"A round of beers. And give us all you got for food. We got a long way to go."

"Sounds like you're going on a road trip," Angela said as she fingered her beer, not looking at them.

The leader heard her after the almost silent collective gasp from the other patrons. He looked at Angela and grinned. He ignored Tsura as he advanced towards her and put his arm around her shoulders. Leaning in he asked, "You looking for some fun?"

"Already had it." Angela took a sip calmly of her beer. "Now I'm looking for something."

The leader looked at her a little confused and a little frustrated at her reply. He growled, "Then why don't you come with me? I found something and we can find more together."

"What did you find?"

Tsura held her breath and just sat there as she watched Angela turn a sultry smile to the leader of the group. She didn't like it because it wasn't the genuine smiles she gave her and the others. This was more… well it was like she was a predator that found her prey and was prepared to pounce.

"Just something that really defined what a bitch is. And he's not bad looking either."

"Really?"

Adam knew that he was not in a reenactment or anything like that. If he had any doubts, they were long gone with the fact that he was seeing people that were clearly from different time eras. It just seemed strange that most of the buildings were modern but the people and other things were various eras. It was enough to make someone go crazy or think they had gone crazy. There was no denying that he was probably where Angela said they were.

He looked around, looking for a store to get some things for them to carry along the road. As weird as it sounded, he knew he and Angela needed food but as for Hawkins and Tsura… He wasn't going to touch that since they acted and looked human for the most part, except for the fact that Hawkins seemed to sniff everything in the air as they wandered through town. He figured it was more to unnerve him since he always seemed to pick on him and tease him for something or other.

"Well this is a nice stink of it," Hawkins commented, "Nothing but people but something is peculiar."

Adam rolled his eyes slightly at that, "What of it?" He decided to humor the guy since fighting it would just make the heckling worse.

Hawkins looked at Adam and grinned, "You know, you are more fun than some of the mates I've come across on my journeys. Never met a bloke like you."

"I'm sure you have with Angie." Adam looked about and spotted a store. He gave a slight thump to Hawkins' arm and gestured to show him what he found.

"The Lady Scarlett is different," Hawkins asserted with a grin. He looked in the direction that Adam had pointed him in and gave a nod. He sobered as he added, "She is different from anyone that has walked this world."

Adam raised his brow at that. He had heard mostly fear from the raiding parties they had come across lately before this town. They were always screaming about the slayer of demons and she-devil and a bunch of other names that he learned quickly were associated with Angela. It was kind of cool and kind of not since he noticed how she always seemed to have a saddened look at that. "They're scared of her."

"And every right to be," Hawkins replied as he followed Adam's lead to the store. "Lady Scarlett has seen and done things that not even the toughest of my kind would dare to think of doing. She has fought with strength, skill and even magic. It is marvelous to watch if you get a chance but power is terrifying."

"Are you scared of her?"

It was a legitimate question in Adam's thinking. It would make sense for people to follow Angela if it was in fear because they had seen what she could do. Yet, that didn't seem to be the case with Hawkins and Tsura. They were surprised at a few things but then they went on like everything was normal. It was like how his half-brothers Sam and Dean reacted to her.

"No," Hawkins replied. He glanced at the human boy before looking back up. "Not scared of her. Scared for her."

That was a peculiar turn of phrase but Adam didn't question it. Rather it made sense to him. He wasn't scared of Angela at all even if some of the things she did while they were fighting on the road were not normal. He was worried though. She seemed exhausted half the time and he saw some faint shadows under her eyes. Other times she looked at something like she was seeing something that wasn't really there. And yet she plowed on because she had to find Sam and the way out. She wasn't leaving either of them behind she kept saying.

"Well I guess we should get some supplies there," Hawkins pointed out as he started heading towards the store. "We also might hear a thing or two."

That was pretty much the goal. Adam followed the man with Cerebus next to him. He looked at the overly huge Rottweiler and wondered how a dog that big ever existed. He didn't quite believe Angela when she said that he was a product of this place but she persisted with that smirk of hers that said he needed to wait and see. So far all he saw was a huge dog that made most guys back off if they saw him and that was fine by him.

The store looked like the inside of a normal grocery but again it was full of people that were dressed in clothing from different periods and a few things that looked like it belonged in other types of stores. Adam shook his head and ignored it as he and Hawkins looked for things that would be easy to carry though it was funny to see the other man look at packaged and processed food like it was the strangest thing in existence. It made Adam want to laugh at him but he resisted as much as he could letting out a few chuckles. At least it was something he could do and took the lead and showed Hawkins how to find things.

It became evident that they were going to have to separate. Hawkins went looking for some supplies that best belonged in a hardware store and left Adam to scour for dry good like crackers. He managed to find an aisle that had some interesting foodstuffs and spent time looking at them. He didn't go too much in how this was going to work since they were in hell and all. It wasn't worth the effort since it could give you a headache. He would just go with it and if and when they got out, he'd get an explanation from both his brothers and the girl that was so determined to get them all out.

"Hey, not that. The boss will kill you if you try to feed that crap to the guy."

"But it tastes better."

"And the guy will bitch and moan about it not being healthy or some other shit."

"Not to mention what she'll do if she finds out his condition."

Adam paused in his perusal and angled his head. It was on the other side of the shelf and they couldn't see them but he could hear them. He wouldn't have paid them much attention but he heard the reference to a female. It was probably something that had nothing to do with him but he got the feeling that this might be something that was relevant. He stilled his breath and listened to the conversation.

"I don't get it. The boss wants this guy to be fairly decent but he's already had his way with him."

"Yeah. Did you hear him beg him to stop?"

Adam swallowed silently as he listened to the two talk about what happened. He couldn't believe they were talking about it in detail. It was enough to make him sick. He never thought there were people capable of that. Well they were but he just couldn't conceive of it. It was almost too horrible to visualize and yet he was as he stood there listening to what had happened to the guy they were talking about. He wanted to throw up when they got to a particularly nasty part when he felt Cerebus nudge his hand. He looked down at the down and rubbed his head.

"So we just leave the word?"

"Yep."

"And leave as much about what is going on."

"And she'll follow it like bread crumbs."

Adam paused when he heard them start to move. He wanted to follow but he didn't want to risk drawing attention to himself. He waited until he was certain they were gone before looking down at Cerebus. He couldn't help but ask, "Does that sound like a bait to you?"

Cerebus was panting but he looked in the direction that the guys went in on the other side of the shelf. He paused and looked back at Adam before making a low moan. He then resumed panting and then looking back in the direction that he had been looking down.

Adam swallowed and sort of rolled his eyes. He knew the dog wouldn't be able to respond but he would just like someone to answer his suspicions. He suspected that the guy they were talking about was Sam. Some of those descriptions were deliberate and described what he remembered of Sam. It curdled his stomach thinking about what they said they were doing to him or did to him. It occurred to him that it was done to draw them out. He wanted nothing more to do than to just stay there and think about what he had heard and digest this but…

A low growl caught his attention along with, "Well look at what we have here."

Adam looked up and saw a guy that looked like he belonged in one of those movies that had people from like the 1700s given the way that he was dressed. Adam looked at the guy and put his hand on Cerebus' head even though he knew that he wasn't going to be able to stop the beast if he got going. He looked at the guy and blinked slowly while trying to keep calm.

The guy took it as a sign of weakness and taunted, "What's the matter? Too much trauma from the expulsion?" He shoved Adam hard in the shoulder. "Hey?"

Adam didn't say anything but Cerebus growled and snapped at the guy. He was surprised the guy was getting close to those snapping jaws every time he tried to shove at him. His hand was always snatched out of reach and it had Adam wondering why the dog wasn't just unleashing terror or whatever it was that he did when he went on the attack. He did take a step back and away from the guy since his brain did tell him that this was one guy he should avoid.

The guy smirked, "Nothing to say eh? I guess having an angel expelled really does a number on you. Turned you into a vegetable. Well… sort of."

Adam said nothing but took another step backwards. He kept moving since the guy was advancing towards him. He didn't pay attention to what was behind him until he hit something solid. He paused and shifted and turned to look to see another guy only he was the classic definition of biker bully with the leather. He turned to look at the pair of them, finding that he was caught in between. He was totally screwed.

Cerebus was growling at the first guy. Adam figured he should concentrate on the other guy though he felt that it was bit unfair that he had to. He swallowed at the fact that his odds might not be too good and actually wished they were back on the road.

"Well since we got one we might as well take the other."

Adam straightened and gave a defiant look. He wasn't going to go back. Now that he knew what the angels were about, well most of them, he wasn't going to give them another chance at him. He glared at the pair that was looking at him. "I'm not going back."

"Easy way or hard way. Makes no difference. You all are going to the same fate."

Adam tensed as he got ready to fight. Cerebus was right there with him and baring his teeth. He brought his fists up and was prepared to fight. The big guy was the first to charge and he reminded Adam of a bull charging. He braced himself for the inevitable impact.

A/N: A supply run seems to have turned into an ambush along with some name dropping. Stay tuned for more The Winding Road...