Chapter Two
Darkness fell as the trio continued to drive, looking for a place to stop. It was still winter and the nights came on early and suddenly; it was not uncommon for the three siblings to be driving in complete darkness,
"There's a motel about three miles ahead." Sam said to Dean who simply grunted in response. Sam caught Maggie's glance in the rear-view mirror. She smiled sadly at him when suddenly the car swerved across the road violently, "Dean!" Sam snapped. Dean held his hands up from the steering wheel in defense,
"Nothing to do with me!" He exclaimed as the car continued to drive itself. Dean grabbed the steering wheel tightly in an attempt to regain control but it only began to swerve more violently. Dean lifted his hands off again for fear of the pressure hurting his arms as the car skidded, the breaks hitting themselves. It skidded sideways before stopping suddenly. The force pushed the three forwards and as they sat up, they were startled to see three figures before them in the Impala's strong headlights. All four doors of the car popped open as Dean and Sam looked at one another warily, "Take your gun." Dean told Sam gently as he grabbed the shotgun from the back and stepped out,
"Wait here." Sam said to Maggie over his shoulder,
"Screw that." She frowned, climbing out of the car also and moving beside Dean. Sam walked around the back of the car to join his siblings,
"Ahh...the Winchesters…" Smirked one of figures,
"Demons." Dean growled, his eyes narrowing, "What do you want?"
"Your help."
"Screw you!" Dean yelled, "Now I suggest you be on your way…"
"You haven't heard us out yet." Said another, a female voice that was misleadingly soft, "We'd be prepared to make you a very good offer."
"We don't make deals with demons." Sam said seriously,
"Dean does."
"One of our own has turned on us." Continued the first demon, "A Djinn. He's been claiming payment on other demon's deals, taking contract-ees before their time is fully up. We need your help to trap him. Like we said…we'd offer you a high price."
"The Djinn, he took someone very dear to you." Said the female demon, "She died so young and in so much pain…it seems a waste really…"
"Son of a bitch…" Maggie breathed as realization hit, shaking her head,
"No." Sam said flatly, "We don't help demons, right Dean?"
"…right."
"You don't sound convinced, Dean." The female said with a grin, "And besides…we're not asking the sidekick. Don't be so selfish, Sam…"
"Once people are dead. They should stay dead." Sam sneered through gritted teeth, "Go away."
"That's a good point, Sam." Spoke the first demon, "How is that stab wound? Healing up nicely?"
"We're done here." Sam said as he grabbed his brother's arm, "Let's go."
"No? Are you sure you can't be persuaded? She'd have a nice, full lifespan like she was supposed to."
"Try asking someone else." Maggie shot back as the three moved back into the car,
"Very well…"
Sam, Maggie and Dean reluctantly pile into the car, keeping their eyes on the three demons. Dean sat staring ahead, Sam watching him carefully. He tried clearing his throat before speaking to Dean in a serious tone,
"Dean! Move it! Let's get out of here!"
Without a word, Dean slammed his foot on the accelerator and reversed, speeding away from the three that stood in the road watching after the black Impala. The three feel back into the awkward silence they'd shared before the encounter until Maggie tentatively leant forwards, placing a gentle hand on Dean's shoulder,
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." He muttered, shrugging her grip off of him,
"Yeah right…" Sam muttered, "You weren't seriously considering doing what they were asking, were you?" Sam asked, but Dean's silence told him everything he needed, "Oh my God…that's just…you're just…don't! Don't even go there Dean! Don't even think about it! Lola is dead. There is nothing you can do for her now."
Dean pulled into the car park of a motel as Sam drew in another breath to continue his rant. Sam shook his head with a sigh,
"You're so stupid…" He muttered.
Dean leant across his brother, opening the door for him. Sam frowned,
"Out." Dean said seriously, his eyes on the blank space ahead of the car, "Both of you."
"Dean…don't do this…" Maggie pleaded,
"GET OUT!" Dean yelled, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. With a huff and a pout, Sam got out of the car, Maggie followed, a little unsure. As soon as they closed the doors, dust was kicked up into their faces as Dean and his car sped off into the darkness. Maggie and Sam exchanged nervous looks as they were left standing in the dark, thunder rippling ominously across the sky.
Dean walked through the rickety door of the musky, old bar, shaking off the rain from his brown leather jacket as he moved towards the bar between the tables of drinks and poker players,
"Gimme a whiskey." He said grimly to the barman,
"Single or double?" The barman asked dryly. Dean held up a note between his fingers, his eyes focused on the sticky bar top,
"Bottle." He replied simply as the barman placed an empty glass down before him, snatching the note up before slamming a heavy bottle of brown liquid down before him.
Half the bottle later…
Dean wobbled slightly towards the men's room, glancing quickly over his shoulder to check that his bottle of whiskey was still where he'd left it, albeit in his eyes there were two in it's place now. As he leant one hand on the wall, he became aware of the light flickering. Normally he'd think nothing of it until a shadow loomed over him from the side. He looked up, raising his eyebrows before breaking out into a scowl,
"You again."
"Hello Dean. I see you've lost your entourage." Beamed the first demon from before, "Was it little Sammy's bed time? You must be this high to enter the bar area."
"What do you want now?"
"We still want your help and we're still willing to return you the girl as payment."
"…if I did," He began seriously, "how long would you give her?"
"Well, normally it would be until her deal with the original demon ran it's course, but as a big thank you from all of us to you, we'd waiver that just this once and let her live for as long…or as short…as she would naturally, supposing she doesn't cut any other deals along the way…or step out in front of a bus, that is. We understand the Djinn has been after your friend for a long time. It wasn't her time Dean and she misses you so much…" The demon teased with a pout, "You should hear her Dead…screaming for you. Screaming in the dark and the flames. I mean…your father's burning for you and now your girlfriend's burning for you…all these people sacrificing themselves for Dean Winchester…that's got to be good for your ego."
"What do you want me to do?"
"So we have a deal?"
"No. I want to know what I'd have to do to get Lola back."
"All you'd have to do is summon him and trap him and then leave him for us. Simple really. Five minutes work for a whole life." The demon reached out, taking Lola's necklace from around Dean's neck between his fingers, toying with the wings as he mused thoughtfully, "A whole lifetime with Lola…"
Dean swiped the demon's arm away with a growl. The demon looked on at him expectantly, a smirk creeping across his lips as he watched Dean's face,
"Fine." He finally answered, "We have a deal."
"Wonderful. We'll be watching Dean…and remember…the faster you do it…the faster you'll get what you want."
Dean staggered from the bathroom and back into the bar where he grabbed his bottle of whiskey and headed for the car park. The Impala swerved a little as he drove, desperately searching for a crossroads, the rain pelting down upon the car's roof and bonnet so hard it sounded like hale. He screeched to a stop at the first crossroads he came across, compiling his box still filled with the necessary items of when he made the deal for Sam. He whispered a few words as he covered the box, ensuring that he'd summon the right demon. He swallowed hard in preparation. Djinn's were fire demons, known for being particularly strong and dangerous. Dean straitened as he heard footsteps crunching on the gravely road. Walking towards him was a pale-skinned woman with vibrant blue eyes and long red hair, her china-like skin marred with black symbols. With every step she took a small flame remained on the ground below before fizzling out slowly as a line of flame trailed behind her,
"And what can I do for you then, Dean?" She asked sweetly, stepping over the line of the trapment circle that Dean had drawn before hand. Dean took a step back and as he did, the three demons appeared behind the Djinn in a flourish,
"You can't help him…but you can certainly help us."
"You tricked me!" She growled, whirling around and facing Dean who smiled bitterly,
"Yeah well…I did it for a greater good. You'll get over it in time…" He said before turning to the other three, "Am I done here?"
"Yes. Nice job."
"Where is she?"
"Oh…she's around…"
"DAMN IT! Where is Lola?"
"Don't worry Dean…you're so touchy…poor girl, I honestly don't know how she puts up with you…" He breathed, rolling his eyes, "You'll see her soon. She'll come to you, don't worry. We ALWAYS keep to our word."
"Yes…I noticed…"