Chapter four

With a wheezing cough, Dean eased himself up off of the dusty floor, looking over his shoulder at the room that smouldered away, small fires dotted around, burning away quietly,

"Lucky escape…" He whispered to himself, shakily getting to his feet, staggering back towards the exit and the Impala. As he reached the doorway, his phone rang. Cringing in pain, he reached into his pocket to retrieve it, sliding it open, assuming it was Sam,

"Yeah…?"

"Dean…"

"Lola!" Dean gasped, "Where are you?"

"I'm…" She sniffled, "I'm not sure…I…we're at some old prison…Dean, I'm really scared…"

Dean frowned slightly,

"A prison?"

"Yeah…it's dark…I…I think he's gone for now. It was that demon again."

"I know…" Dean reassured as he reached his car, "Listen to me, stay where you are. Keep low…just, be careful, alright? I'm going to come and find you. Is Maggie with you?"

"I don't know…she was, but I woke up and she was gone…" Lola sobbed into the phone, "Oh God…" She suddenly murmured,

"What?" Dean asked but received no answer, "WHAT?! Lola!" He called into the phone, his free hand tightening on the door handle of the Impala. Suddenly Lola let out a terrified scream before what sounded like a loud slap echoed through the phone; a soft whimper followed,

"Now that I've got your attention…"

"You son of a bitch!" Dean growled,

"Y'know…you're going to have to come up with some new insults…these are all getting a little bit tired!"

"What did you do…?"

"I quietened her down a bit…she was getting a tad bit hysterical for her own good…and no one wants to see a hysterical woman…especially one that's usually so strong."

"I swear to God…" Dean breathed,

"I expect we'll be seeing you soon, Dean…"

The phone went dead as Dean threw it onto the seat of the Impala, quickly jumping in and pulling away from the old water plant at top speed, gravel flying out from beneath the tyres of the classic car. Desperately he tried to reach Sam but to no avail. A sickening feeling of realisation slowly crept up on him as he realised that we was essentially working not only alone, but blind also. He had no idea where to go or what to do, panic gripping him at the thought of what the other three could very likely be going through at that second. He shook his head, trying desperately to concentrate on the task at hand: First thing's first…find the prison…

- - -

It hadn't taken him long to find the building in question on Sam's laptop back at the motel. The prison had once been a maximum security facility, but had been abandoned once the death penalty had been abolished in that state. It had sat alone on the outskirts of the town, falling into dilapidation and misuse over the years.

He walked through the main door, gun held in both hands as he eased quickly through the corridor towards the main west wing. He was about to turn and double back when suddenly a piercing scream cut through the stagnant air, chilling him to the bone,

"Lola!" He exclaimed, hearing her cries of agony as he raced up the stairs and into the nearest room where the sound as coming from, gripping his pistol tightly. As he entered, everything fell eerily silent savour for the sickening click of a gun's barrel being loaded, the tip being placed against the back of his head,

"Your gun won't be any use to you." She whispered close to his ear,

"Lola…"

"Dean, you're an idiot." She stated calmly, grabbing his wrist tightly, spinning him around to look at her, "You've really let Sam down…he had so much faith in you…he was sure you wouldn't fall for my little trick…come on…let's go join the party…" She smiled sweetly, snatching his gun from his hand, "I think I'll take that for good measure…" She added, pushing him in the centre of his back so that he stumbled forwards, placing his hands on the back of his head as he walked forwards in the direction that she'd pushed him,

"So where's Lola then?"

"I'm right here, Dean…" Lola breathed, "How many times am I going to have this conversation with you Winchesters? Honestly…it's amazing you manage to dress yourselves in the mornings."

"No you're not." Dean laughed, "You're a demon…just because you're in her body, doesn't make you Lola. She wouldn't do this."

"As I've told your brother and sister already…you don't know me…you just befriended me, taking me at face value…you don't really know who I am."

"But Bobby and Ellen, they both accounted for you…"

"Bobby and Ellen have known me a long time…"

Dean shrugged,

"So? What's changed?"

"I got my partner killed. The love of my life and he was murdered right before my very eyes…that sort of thing changes a girl."

"I knew Lola after Trey's death and this isn't her."
"Oh Dean…" Lola sighed, "It's such a shame you don't know when you've been beat. I used you…it was so easy to do it too…you're really quite pathetic…so easy to please and desperate for some kind of love and approval, you didn't really care where you got it from…it's all part of the game, Dean."

"Where're Sam and Maggie?"

"You'll see them soon, don't worry." She reassured, "And we're gonna play a fun little game too…"

"Oh yeah? What game's that then?"

"I don't want to ruin the surprise."
"Oh…but I've had so many surprises already…I feel spoilt…"

Dean walked blindly into a room, the gun still pointed at the back of his head. The light flickered on with a low hum and Dean was taken aback to see the sight before him. Strapped to one chair sat Sam, bound and gagged so tightly that Dean could see the sore red flesh beneath the rope around his brother's neck. He turned and glowered at Lola who simply smiled back,

"So is this what you wanted me to see?" He asked,

"Yeup."

"Sorry bitch…I'm not really in the party mood!" He snapped, suddenly pulling his flask of holy water out of his pocket, flinging it into her face. She covered her eyes, letting out a little cry of surprise as steam flew off of her. Dean dashed forwards, snatching the gun out of her hand. With a click, he aimed it at her, waiting for her to steady herself. As she did, she looked up at him through her scruffy bangs, a sneer gracing her lips,

"That was a cheap shot…"

"All's fair in love and war, toots." Dean remarked,

"Go on…shoot…" She breathed heavily, "I dare you. Shoot me right in the head." She continued cockily, "You won't do it." She challenged, "You wouldn't dare hurt precious princess Lola, would you? Could you really live with yourself knowing that it was you that pulled that trigger? That's why I'm going to give you a choice, Dean…I'll let you walk out of here free…but on one condition."

"And what would that be?"

Lola smirked, looking from Sam to Maggie who were sat either side of her. She reached behind her, drawing a strait razor,

"You get to pick which one dies…if you choose I'll let you and your living sibling walk free from here…there's plenty of life left in you Dean Winchester…I'll finish the job another day…if you don't make the decision…I'll kill all three of you."

"I don't really think you're in a position to be forcing me to do anything…after all, I'm the one holding the gun."
"You're the one holding the gun to your girlfriend. There's no way to win this, Dean…either way, someone's going to die tonight."

"…" Dean stared back at her as her words settled, his stomach turning at the very thought of losing any of the three before him,

"Your silence speaks volumes." She beamed, "So…which one'll it be? Little Maggie May…" She drawled, pressing the blade to Maggie's neck before moving slowly and deliberately to Sam's neck, "Or golden child Sammy…?

"…" Dean licked at his lips, tears brimming in his eyes. He looked from one sibling to the others, shaking his head, "I'm sorry…" He whispered.

The next few seconds were a blur as a shot rang out, echoing around the old decaying walls of the abandoned prison. Maggie had squeezed her eyes shut as things had come to her climax and cautiously she opened one eye as Dean began untying the ropes around her body. He swiftly ripped the tape from her mouth, crouching before her,

"You okay?" He asked gently. She nodded, stretching her mouth open and closed to get used to the feeling, "Good…untie Sam." He said sternly, disappearing behind her as she shook the ropes off. As Maggie stood, her knees wobbled at the sight on the floor. Her best friend lay sprawled on her back, crimson spreading across her white t-shirt quickly, her face blank and angelic, hair splayed around her in an almost calculated fashion. Dean was crouched beside her, pressing his hand against her chest to stem the bleeding.

---

"Here's to us," Maggie said as she raised her beer bottle up to the centre of the table, "and to winning the first battle of the war." She added proudly. Three identical brown beer bottles joined hers, clinking in agreement,

"Like you said," Began Bobby, "This was only a battle…there'll be many more before this war's over."

The three Winchester's nodded in agreement, all taking celebratory sips of their beers, though it felt a fairly empty victory. Sam suddenly broke out into a grin,

"Well look who made it…" He smirked, spotting Ellen moving through the small crowd of people by the bar,

"Ellen!" Maggie beamed, jumping up. Although she was excited to see Ellen, she was far more excited to see the older woman's companion who moved tentatively. Maggie ran up to the red head, throwing her arms around the slightly taller girl, burying her face within her ringlets,

"It's good to see you!" She smiled,

"Ah…Maggie…" Lola winced, "Mind my chest…"

"Sorry!" Maggie gushed, "How'd you manage to get out of hospital, anyway?"

Lola grinned,

"I…may have split whilst no one was looking?"

Maggie laughed, shaking her head, taking her friend's hand, leading her towards the table,

"Hey Lola!" Sam greeted, sliding a beer across the table to his friend, "Good to see you back."

"Yeah…it is…" Dean agreed, standing so that she could have his seat. As she sat down, he leant on the back of the seat, his lips close to her ear, "I'm glad you're back." She nodded, taking a swig of her beer. Bobby and Ellen exchanged satisfied glances, causing the twenty-something to stop, bottle neck poised on her bottom lip,

"You put holy water in my beer, huh?"

"We had to." Bobby said seriously, "To make sure."

Lola took another triumphant gulp of her beverage, look back at them proudly,

"Let's get this party started!" She exclaimed, "Where're the chips?"

"I'll get some." Sam said as he stood,

"I'll join you." Bobby excused himself,

"Uh…bathroom break?" Ellen asked Maggie who nodded in knowing agreement. As soon as Maggie left her seat, Dean plonked himself in her place,

"Wow…I know how to clear a room…" Lola mumbled, bewildered, "Was the holy water test not enough…? I knew things would be awkward after everything but I…"

"Calm…" Dean soothed, "I wanted to talk to you."

"…about?"

He reached into his jacket pocket,

"I got you something."

"…why?"

Dean rolled his eyes,

"Call it an anniversary present…for putting up with me for two years or so?" He suggested, opening the little box to reveal a silver cross pendant, "It's only fair…after all…I've been wearing yours for a year now…" He said, motioning to the white gold angel wings around his neck. Lola was about to say something when Sam and Bobby returned, dumping three bags of chips onto the table. Lola took the pendant with a smile, nodding at Dean,

"Thank you." She mouthed before greedily tucking into a bag of nacho cheese flavoured chips.