A/N: Sorry it has taken me so long to update! Things have been so hectic! I absolutely can't wait Supernatural's season finale! I wonder what's going to happen…so excited! But, as we all will, I am going to be terribly sad to wait 2-3 months for the show to come back. At least we have Fanfiction.
Note: Has nothing to do with Supernatural, V FOR VENDETTA is the best movie ever! I've seen it three times already – it is AMAZING. GO SEE IT!
Oh, enjoy the story – this chapter isn't as exciting, but still, needed to update.
Another Note: This could possibly be my last update for a while…Spring Break is next week and I am taking a trip to FLORIDA – oh-so-excited. I'll try to update as much as I can!
O.O.O.O.O.O.O.
Chapter Three – The Winchester Way
"I'm driving – next thing I know the steering wheel is stuck and there is absolutely no way of gaining control of the car. I know I fainted before I crashed. There was no pain. I wake up on the street and next thing I know – I'm looking directly at my body in the car. My car was totaled…"
Dean and Sam sat beside one another on the couch while Amy sat on the arm, her hand resting on Dean's shoulder. The brothers sat at the edge of the seat, listening to Isabella's story. The young woman didn't realize that her leg was partially going through the black center table. She continued.
"No one could hear me or feel me. I could touch nothing. I felt nothing. I feel nothing. And it's weird…I can…well…I travel by thought. I watched as my body was being hauled into the ambulance. I wanted to go along, of course, but I was worried if I could even sit in the ambulance. Suddenly, I was at the hospital. I waited and my body was sent to the emergency room. They operated on me and apparently saved my life. A couple of ribs were broken and they were afraid my chest had been smashed in the accident. So, I just watched and waited as they put my comatose body into a single room…
"My parents came an hour later. My mother was hysterical – she was crying so much…my step-dad was pretty upset too…he wanted to know what happened…my step-brother eventually showed up too. Next thing you know I have two sets of uncles and aunts and my tiny little cousins…" Isabella paused and sighed sadly. "They couldn't hear me either…for about half the week I screamed in their ears and finally I had to accept that I couldn't get through to them…I started visiting my old friends…I just showed up randomly in their rooms…no luck either…I was so scared…and then, a couple of days ago, I appeared in my friend's dorm room – Alex Myrna – and he was working at the computer. I thought there was no hope left in me…and then I realized Alex was checking up on Professor Cromwell's – Amy's – school website. And I noticed this little note she left permanently on the site…it said something about how she would always be there for her students and so on…and if anything weird or something ever happened…we could confide with her…Alex I guess was used to that and moved on…I found it weird…and then I thought 'Why not?' and so I went on my way to try and find her. I did. And she was the first person to react to my voice…then she could see me…"
Sam, putting his hands together as if he were praying, pressed his lips against his fingertips and thought for a moment. "How is it that we can see you?"
Isabella turned to Amy.
"Well," Amy explained, "at first I could only hear her…then she appeared before me…my guess…maybe people involved with the paranormal can see her, understand? Maybe after everything we've faced…we can see her…Izzy's not a ghost…she's just experiencing an out-of-body type thing…she's not purposely blocking people out…she's not sure of what she's doing exactly…"
"It makes sense," Dean noted. "These things happen. People who are so used to the norm can subconsciously refuse what's right there. Isabella's stuck in this strip – between the spirit plane and our plane."
"How could this have happened?" Sam asked.
Isabella whispered sadly, "I hope you could answer that."
Amy stood up and explained to the guys, "I've done my own research and the only thing I could come up with was astral projection. Maybe Isabella got so scared that she subconsciously leaped out of her body before the car crashed."
"There have been cases," Sam thought aloud. "Isabella, have you ever had any other similar experiences?"
The young woman shook her head oddly.
Dean asked, "Have you ever had dreams of different places and you could have sworn you've been there before…do you ever wake up in the morning and feel as if you never slept that night at all…déjà vu in any certain areas?"
Isabella shook her head. "No, nothing like that. Amy already asked me these sorts of questions."
He sighed and Dean shook his head. "Well…I definitely don't have any guesses, you?"
"No," Sam admitted weakly. He stared at Isabella with a hopeful look and smiled. "It's okay…we'll figure this out…as long as we're not dealing with any monsters or demons, I'm sure we'll figure this out ASAP."
"Thanks," Isabella sighed. Then her eyes grew wide. "Wait, demons?"
"Let's focus on one thing at a time," Amy quickly intervened. "I say the best thing to do first is to go to the hospital and see Isabella's body…and maybe we can find a way of inspecting the car – the steering wheel was stuck, right?"
"Well," Dean laughed. "Look who took on the Winchester Way. A psychic-slash-huntress. Very nice." He smiled slyly.
Amy cocked her head to the side and shook her head with a laugh.
"When can we get started on the investigation?" Isabella asked eagerly.
"Oh," Amy thought, "Izzy, lets give the guys a break. I promise, we'll go the hospital tomorrow and see what we can find. I'll make a call to a friend of mine – a psychic – she's a palm reader; she may be able to help." Amy turned to the guys and sighed, "You guys must be hungry. I'll call some food in."
O.O.O.O.O.O.
Amy took out several plates from the cupboard as she prepared for their dinner – which should have arrived ten minutes ago.
Dean appeared in the kitchen, wearing his torn jeans and a navy blue T-shirt.
"Sam's trying to reassure Isabella that everything's okay," he explained. "They're on the balcony."
"Good," Amy sighed. "They can get air, well, at least Sam can…"
Dean nodded slowly. "How do you know Isabella?"
She placed the plates carefully on the counter and responded, "In her freshman year, she took my Art History class – it was my first year teaching – we had lunch together on several occasions. She asked for guidance. Izzy's an actress. I think it was at the end of her first year at Northwestern that she dropped out and headed to Los Angeles. We haven't talked since she left. Until now."
"You call her Izzy?"
Amy grinned. "Isabella hates her name. Her family's Italian descent – but they look like the most American family. People usually call her Izzy, Isabel, Bella…"
Dean moved closer to Amy and placed a hand on her waist.
Amy turned to him sadly and whispered, "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"I know you and Sam have been through a lot," Amy murmured. "I just wanted you guys to relax. To actually have a vacation…"
"Hey," Dean comforted, bringing his face closer to hers, "it's okay…besides…it's good she came to you. We'll help your friend and as soon as that's done – we'll have our normal visit."
"Good," Amy sighed. "Four normal months without you guys has been hell."
"Trust me," Dean raised his eyebrows wryly. Their faces were leaning closer together. "Four supernatural months without you has been hell too."
O.O.O.O.O.O.
Sam wasn't sure he could relax. Isabella looked solid, but he knew that she could pass through any physical object. The young hunter placed his hands on the balcony banister and felt a cool spring breeze pass by. He could feel his hair brush by his face.
Isabella had no reaction to the wind. Her hair stayed perfectly in place.
"I hate this…" Isabella muttered sadly. "I can see the leaves in the trees move against the wind. I see it. I can't feel it. This is awful."
"I'm sorry," Sam admitted weakly. "My brother and I have handled dozens of cases like this before. More complicated and a lot more dangerous – trust me – just be patient."
She sighed and nodded. "Amy said you were the less-complicated brother."
Sam smiled and noted, "Well, she's involved with my brother now, so it's kinda obvious."
Isabella smiled. "I still can't believe any of this is happening…" She shook her head. "I came to Amy and I was so surprised…I had no idea that she – above all people – would know about stuff like this. She was always cool. Even as a professor. But I could never imagine that things like this actually happen."
"Amy had to learn too," Sam comforted. "It was gradual with her, but she was still shocked. She's had her own fainting spells. But she's used to it now."
"And psychic…" Isabella questioned. "Psychics? Real? I mean, Miss Cleo and all that?"
"Not sure about Miss Cleo," Sam laughed, "but yeah, they're the real thing."
"And you're one too?" she questioned. The surprised look on Sam's face allowed Isabella to explain herself. "Amy told me. She told me your family is into the whole hunting-monsters-thing…she told me about your family…" She made an apologetic look when Sam realized what she was talking about. "Sorry."
"It's okay," Sam offered gently.
"And your girlfriend…that's terrible," Isabella added.
"I've dealt with it," Sam explained softly. "And we're going to hunt that thing down – eventually – but right now, you're our concern."
"You have no idea how grateful I am," Isabella whispered. "I was so sure no one would ever hear me or see me. And I hate that my family is going through this, especially my mom."
"You're parents are divorced?" Sam asked, remembering she mentioned a step-father-and-brother.
Isabella nodded. "I was ten. They didn't fight or anything. There was just nothing there. They both admitted they stuck with the marriage as long as they could because of me. So, they split. Oddly enough, I was okay with the whole thing…"
She sighed and rolled her eyes. "But then Mom met a guy at work – she's into the whole corporate thing – a receptionist – and she met Greg. He was divorced too. His son – my step-brother – didn't like the pairing – same with me…" Isabella shrugged and continued, "But once they were married, we were okay with the whole thing. Vic and I became closer as we were growing up – he's seven years older than me – but he really turned out to be the big brother I always wanted."
"That's great," Sam mentioned. "What about your dad?"
"He didn't stick around in Illinois," she explained, "He went to Massachusetts. He's supposed to be here too – so we could have our little reunion – but he hasn't shown up yet. And I dunno…I don't feel like going to see him…like this."
"I'm sure he's heard about the accident," Sam suggested. "He'll come."
"I know he will," Isabella sighed. "These two weeks have felt a lot longer…I just want to see all of my family…even though they can't see me."
"So is that why you were heading back to Evanston, to see family?"
Isabella nodded. "Part of the deal. Mom didn't like my dropping out of Northwestern. I was lucky to get in. I didn't do that great in high school. I thought cheerleading and ice skating were more important than Physics and Algebra. But anyway, to make them all happy, I agree to visit when they ask – and when I have the time…"
"Do you like Los Angeles?"
"It's okay. Generally warm. I'm trying to get into T.V…possibly movies…but so far I've done two breast cancer commercials, a couple of Cover Girl shots, and other random photos for magazines. My agent says this is like a prep course. First: get me noticed, and then I can actually call myself an 'actress'…" She laughed a sweet, tired laugh.
"Are you alright?" Sam asked.
Isabella nodded slowly. "I get tired. I don't really sleep. Just tired. But yeah, enough about me."
"I like California," Sam reminisced. "I miss it."
"This road trip must be fun though, right?"
Sam tilted his head to the side. "Besides death-defying situations and trying to save innocent lives – and our own – it's generally been okay…" He added jokingly, "But at least I can spend quality time with Dean."
Isabella smiled. "Vic and I can get into it sometimes. But it's good most of the time." She smiled and said, "Dean and Amy are cute together."
Sam couldn't help but chuckle. "Dean…cute…two words I never thought could be in the same sentence."
O.O.O.O.O.O.
Dean brought the cartons of Chinese food onto the black center table. He remembered how they had done the exact same thing when they had first reunited and dealt with the Natiskawa situation. He set the table up while Amy brought in the plates and balanced three bottles of Samuel Adams on the dishes. He quickly helped her and took the dishes out of her hand as Amy placed the beers on the table.
Sam and Isabella came back inside. The twenty-two-year-old closed the balcony door and stared down at their early dinner.
"I think I'll let you guys have some time together," Isabella sighed as she stared at the three of them. "I'm going to go and check on my family."
Amy nodded slowly and smiled sweetly. "Come by tomorrow. We'll try and work things out."
The young woman smiled graciously and turned to Sam and Dean. "Thanks again, you guys…"
"We haven't done anything yet," Dean offered.
"But we will," Sam added.
Isabella smiled and whispered, "Bye…" Her tone was quieter. Dean and Sam suddenly realized her body was fading. The illusion of her solidness was disappearing. She appeared slightly transparent now; they were able to see right through her. In a brief moment, Isabella waved her disappearing hand and was gone.
Amy, apparently used to the disappearing act, sat down slowly on the couch and rested her hands on her knees.
Dean and Sam tried to relax after what happened but instead each of them slumped back into the couches and sighed.
"Sorry…" Amy pouted her lips again. "I promise…once this is all over…you guys are going to get the vacation you've been wanting…now eat up…welcome back to Evanston."
Dean smiled as he sat up and reached for his opened beer. Sam and Amy did the same. The three stared at one another with a small grin and each leaned over to gently clash the tops of the bottles together.
They all said, "Cheers" and drank.
O.O.O.O.O.O.
The room was dark. Candles and incense were lit and the small burning flames supplied the only light. A robed figure passed a small table with several tiny candles lit around the edges. The table was covered in white and yellow rose pedals – both fresh and dead. Small drops of blood tainted the table and rose pedals.
A large portrait was set up on the table. Surrounded by a flamboyant gold frame was a photograph of Isabella Jamison. Her black hair was tossed to the side – the picture obviously taken in the wind. She looked so lively and her smile took hold of the viewer.
A heart, drawn in blood, circled Isabella's face.
The robed figure approached the table and its gloved hands scattered small pebbles along the table. Half of the tiny rocks had been drenched in blood.
The masked person stared down at the rose pedals and bloody objects. Its hidden face then slowly looked up and stared at the picture of Isabella.
O.O.O.O.O.O.
A/N: I'll update ASAP! Hope you're all enjoying! Reviews/Feedback really REALLY appreciated!
P.S.: I am SERIOUS – go see V for Vendetta…BEST MOVIE EVER – that's it.