Black.

It seemed as if that was all Tessa could see for miles and miles around. There was a sea of black clothed, mourning faces surrounding Tessa, offering pity-filled condolences and hugs. She knew that she should be happy that so many people showed up to give their final goodbyes to her father, but she couldn't muster up any feeling besides sorrow.

For a brief period of time, it hadn't seemed real, what happened to her father. This death was hitting her worst than Tyler's, almost, possibly because Tessa had been so close to preventing her father from dying. She hadn't been able to save Tyler, but her father, it could have been so easily prevented if just a few things had been done differently.

If only she hadn't taken off running up the stairs.

If only she'd let Dean take the lead.

If only she'd kept her head and tried to destroy the noose right off the back.

But it was all said and done, and nothing could bring back the dead, Tessa knew. She had broached the subject with Dean the previous day, and he had very quickly shot her down. There were ways to bring back the dead, he'd said, but they all came at a price of your own life. It was unnatural.

In her heart of hearts, Tessa knew it was foolish to even consider the possibility of doing something drastic to bring her father back. If something were to even work, Daniel would kill Tessa himself, being the self-sacrificing man that he was. He was a good man, and he didn't deserve to die. No one in her family did.

"Tess," she jumped slightly, having been completely immersed in her thoughts. Tessa looked up to see Sam standing in front of her, dressed in one of his stuffy FBI suits. Instead of posing as an agent, however, he and Dean were there to provide support for Tessa.

"Um," Tessa cleared her throat, wiping at her red and swollen eyes. "What is it?"

"Your aunt Lana's looking for you. They're about to start." Sam held out a hand, and Tessa gratefully took it. She dusted off her black dress as she stood, and after linking her arm through Sam's, she followed him to the rows of seats.

Tessa hadn't been very involved in the funeral planning, as she had been holed up in her room when most of it was going on. Her uncle had decided on an outdoor funeral, held at the same place where Tyler's funeral had been.

"Where's Dean?" Tessa whispered, scanning the rows of people for the missing Winchester, but he was nowhere to be seen. Tessa and Sam sat at the end of the second row, a seat saved on the other side of Tessa for Dean.

"He had to take a call. I'm sure he'll be back soon." Sam shot Tessa a half-smile.

Before Tessa could respond, the preacher took his place near the casket and began speaking. Tessa tried her best to listen, but she was becoming severely annoyed by the lack of personalization in his speech. It was all very vague, and sounded if it could be given to anyone else.

Eventually, it was Tessa's turn to speak. Dean still hadn't shown up, but she had more important things on her mind than that. At Tyler's funeral, her father had given the eulogy, so Tessa hadn't had to get up in front of everyone to speak.

"Hi," Tessa took a deep breath, glancing at Sam. He gave her an encouraging smile before she continued speaking. "I'm Tessa Lynn, Daniel's daughter. My dad was an incredible, loving man. He single-handedly raised two kids on his own, and survived more tragedy than any person could possibly handle."

Tears began rolling down Tessa's cheeks, and her breath caught in her throat. She had to get out. She couldn't do this. She couldn't do this.

She needed to go. "Excuse me," she managed to gasp out before turning on her heels and running towards the edge of the cemetary.

It was all too real, and Tessa couldn't handle it anymore. Her entire family had been killed, and now she was left on her own. She knew for a fact that by next week her other "family" members would be off living their lives, most likely not sparing a thought for her. She would have to return to school and face all of the questioning stares and pity.

But most of all, Tessa would be hiding a secret much bigger than herself. No one besides the Winchesters knew exactly what happened here, and no one could truly understand her pain. This secret was already eating her alive, and she had no idea how she would handle it after Dean and Sam left.

"What the hell happened back there?" Tessa had heard Dean coming before he reached her, so she wasn't surprised when he pulled her against his chest, pressing a kiss to her forehead quickly before letting go.

"I-" Tessa hiccuped. "I couldn't do it. Everyone was looking at me like... Like I was something to be scared of. I know people have been talking, Dean, I'm not an idiot. They think I'm somehow involved, and in a town like this, even the slightest bit of suspicion is enough to have everyone turn on you. I can't be here anymore. I can't be Tessa Lynn." she finished.

Dean sighed deeply before speaking. He seemed to be choosing his words very carefully. "Come with us, then."

The stunned look on Tessa's face spoke volumes. "I-"

"Tess, hear me out. I know you want to get back to your normal life, and I get that. But you don't have to. You could come with us." As he finished, Dean's face turned a bright red, marking the first time Tessa had ever seen him blush.

"I quit school," Tessa whispered shamefully, hanging her head low.

"What?" Dean stared at the girl in disbelief. This was starting to painfully remind him of Sam, when he left Stanford after Jess died to help Dean find their father.

"I sent an email to the Chancellor. Here," Tessa pulled out her phone, showing Dean the email.

Mr. Kellen,

Hi, this is Tessa Lynn. I'm a fourth year student here, and I have a very important matter to discuss with you. In the past week, I've lost my father and brother, my two closest family members. I'm withdrawing from school in light of these tragedies. I wanted to ask if there were any specific things I needed to do to finalize this? I've filled out the online form, but is there anything else necessary? Thank you for your time.

-Tessa Lynn

His response was just beneath Tessa's.

Miss. Lynn,

Thank you for taking the time to contact me. I am very sorry to hear about your losses, your brother was a valued student at our school.
There is no further paperwork needed, as long as you have submitted your withdrawal form you are free to go. You should be receiving a letter or email finalizing your departure within the next day or much as I hate to see a bright student like you leave without finishing your degree, I wish you well in your future and hope someday you might consider returning to our school. The door is always open, Miss. Lynn.

Sincerely,

Laron Kellen, Chancellor.

Dean read over both emails several times to make sure he understood correctly. Tessa had quit, only months away from finishing her degree, just like that. She was done. A small part of Dean realized this was his fault, for pushing her to "move on". When he said that, he meant get on with her normal life, not change it completely.

"Are you really sure you're wanting to do this, Tess? You're so close to finishing-"

Tessa cut him off. "I need to leave. Staying here isn't good for me. The only thing holding me to this town was my family, and they're all gone now. I'm the only one left." She smiled sadly.

"What're you going to do, then?" Dean, although he didn't want to admit it, was hoping Tessa would take him up on his offer to join him and Sam on their search for their father.

"I really don't know. I have a lot of money saved up, so I'm good on that for now. I might travel, do a little sightseeing throughout the country. I've never been out of the South."

Dean's heart sank fractionally. He didn't have a chance to respond, however, before one of Tessa's cousins rushed over. "Tessa? We're just about to do the burial. Would you like to join us?"

Tessa nodded, glancing at Dean as she rose to follow her cousin. "Don't leave without saying goodbye, okay?" Despite everything that the Winchesters had told Tessa, she still looked worried that this might happen.

"Wouldn't dream of it, sweetheart," Dean managed a half smile. As soon as Tessa turned away, he let it drop.

Dean knew he had to find a way to hold on to Tessa. He just didn't know how.