Disclaimer: I don't own either series-this is entertainment for ya'll.
Warnings: Violence, in-universe slut shaming, and language.
Word Count: 9,756
AN: Thanks to all the people who put this on their bookmarks and watch lists, kudos, and reviews. You guys make my day. Hope ya'll enjoy this one too.
Chapter 24: Racing to gravity.
The impala turned down the gravel road to the Singer Salvage Yard. Simon peered out the window. A two story house looming closer as Dean pulled up to the lengthy porch a few yards from the numerous lots of cars. Simon paid no attention to them. Clary stood on the porch, hands by her sides as she stared into the impala. Dean barely put the car into park before Simon scrambled out of the backseat, door swinging open. Dean screeched to a halt as Simon sprang onto the porch and embraced Clary.
Her breath forced out of her in one great gust as she wrapped her arms around him. Clary nuzzled into Simon's neck as he rested his cheek on top of her head. Sam, Dean, Isabelle, Jo, and Ellen exited at a slower pace. Simon and Clary were still embracing by the time the five got there. Simon pulled back. He smiled.
"You cut your hair."
"Yeah surprise."
Isabelle squeezed Clary's shoulder as she went past and walked into the house. Ellen and Jo smiled, modding at Simon. Ellen even ruffled his hair. Sam and Dean gave brief, wan smiles. Clary returned it, smile just a bit wider. Clary pulled back from Simon, gaze searching Simon's. He didn't try to smile or school his features before her. Keeping his hands on her shoulder, he let his frame relax under her scrutiny. Simon stared back at her. Her skin the color of peaches and a hearty pink flush across her cheeks. She seemed to vibrate with tension, energy in every inhale and exhale. Her lips trembled as she tilted her head forward, so that she could look up from her thick eyelashes. Clary bowed her head. Simon didn't move, just waited. The noises from within the house faded from their ears as Simon and Clary finally looked back up at each other. Clary gave a little laugh.
"Come inside and meet Bobby."
Clary led Simon inside. The foyer was still cluttered boots, jackets, and hats. Off white walls that chipped in places, mostly in the corners. It led back to the connected living room and kitchen. Both rooms were crowded, with only one face that Simon didn't recognize but was quickly introduced to Gabriel. The room's conversation slowed but didn't quite stop when the two entered the room. Simon raised a hand.
"Hey guys."
Bobby nodded. "Good to know you." he said.
Bobby side-eyed him as Simon came closer but didn't comment. Simon felt all eyes on him and straightened his back.
"So what's the plan?"
SPNTMI
Alec and Magnus arrived about two days later on a rainy afternoon. Bobby welcomed them in after drinking a shot of holy water and holding iron and silver in each hand. When the two of them finally moved passed the foyer. Alec's eyes lit up and all the tiredness was gone from his face as he stared at his sister. Isabelle only looked into Alec's face for a minute before bursting into tears and embracing him. Magnus stood off to the side as everyone kept silent until the two pulled apart.
They all gathered in close in Bobby's study. Bobby scowled as people pulled chairs in from the kitchen. Bobby was parked behind his desk and poured himself a drink. He still raised an eyebrow when Magnus walked past him but offered him a glass of whiskey as Magnus told the rest of group what he and Alec endured. Likewise the two were brought up to speed.
"So what now?" Simon asked
"About that." Bobby said.
Bobby leaned over and turned the volume on his TV set. A newscaster stood in front of a building, the granite plaque behind him read 'Nevius Pharmaceuticals' etched deep into its surface. His gray suit was a little rumpled but his smile was one of relief.
"Today Nevius Pharmaceuticals announced that in collusion with the CDC that they have passed the trial stages of the new vaccine, Niveus 432. The vaccine will be distributed within the weekend and will hit the shelves on Monday. Not a moment too soon says the-"
Bobby muted the set.
"They been playin' that for the last two hours or so. Caught the rest of it then. Trucks headin' for CDC centers all over the country but there's only one Nevius Pharmaceuticals in the whole damn country." he said.
Magnus 'hmmm'd' in his throat as Alec suddenly slapped a hand to his thigh.
"Right. I knew that was familiar." when he noticed everyone's attention was focused on him, he continued. "We took a plane to get here and two men sitting next to us worked at that Nevius and just kept going on about it." Alec said.
"Well that's a nice little coincidence." Bobby said.
"Isn't it." Magnus replied.
"As I was saying," Alec cut in. "Apparently they worked at different divisions but kept each other informed. The first man was within the scientific or medical division." He waved a hand. "I can't remember what he said, the point is, he was with the doctors who did the trial studies and he explained how rushed the new vaccine is, just how difficult to synthesize it and such like. The second man was with the...transportation? Anyway, he kept droning about how difficult it was to schedule all the routes for the distribution on such short notice-"
"So?" Isabelle said. "What does this have to do with..."she trailed off.
"Pestilence." Dean said. "He said something about croatoan."
"Sam paled as Cas's expression darkened.
"You think that's what this is about?" Sam asked. "Get people sick enough to cause a panic and then promise a cure that's actually an even deadlier disease?" He clicked his tongue, voice icy. "Clever."
"You mean monstrous." Jocelyn said.
"So what do we do about it?" Clary asked. "Pestilence was tough enough; how are we supposed to stop nationwide distribution of a what, a croatoan virus?"
"Maybe..." Alec spoke up before tapering off. "Maybe we can..I got it. If I'm right, we can just go with attracting attention to ourselves but if we're right...then I've got a plan."
SPNTMI
He could hear them in the dark of his room. Hush voices coming through from the wall.
"I'm not saying he doesn't deserve help, but why us?"
"Molly, he has no one else."
"Think I don't know that? That I can't see it in his face every time I look at him? He screams in his sleep and knows how to hold a knife. We have no idea where he's been. I'm just saying, he's been here for a week and I still don't have an answer for the kids."
"Give it time. I promise it will get better."
"I hope so, now come on, gotta get started.."
Jace rolled over and closed his eyes. Someone shook Jace out of his nightmares. He rubbed his eyes but the figure didn't dissipate. Jace tensed but didn't move. The face that peered down at him with a soft frown on that grizzled face.
"Rise and shine." he said.
"Sal?" Jace cleared his throat. "Sal."
"Molly's got breakfast downstairs."
"Ok."
Sal nodded and left. The thick curtains kept out any burgeoning light. Jace rubbed his eyes and lay in the dark. The vague heaviness in his chest didn't dissipate as he got out of bed, got ready, and went downstairs. Sal Brookeridge and his family lived in a two story, three bedroom house in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. Jace plodded down the stairs, fingers hovering over the wooden banister.
They were what Jace assumed to be a typical mundane family. Hardworking, unassuming, and kind of dull. Not that they weren't kind. In fact that shocked him, almost as much as it shocked him that Sal had a few shotguns in his house. Sal assured him it him it was quite normal. Molly, the wife, baked brownies for her church group. Three children. One boy who played soccer and loved comics. His sister was growing out of dolls and into boys. The oldest was away at college.
Jace entered the kitchen to Molly ladling out bacon and eggs onto her family's plates. Molly turned to see him and gave a polite smile. The daughter, Sandra followed her mother's gaze to stare at Jace. Her smile was much wider and her cheeks turned red.
"Good morning Jace." she scrambled up out of her seat. "I'll get you a plate."
Her brother Billy sniggered and Sandra took a swipe at him with a free hand, ignoring the look her mother gave her. Sandra glanced up at Jace before darting her eyes away.
"Sit down." she said.
Jace obeyed, blinking down at the suddenly laden plate thrust before him. Billy stared at Jace with a rude fascination, ignoring his own plate in favor of watching Jace clear his.
"Billy." Molly said, frowning.
Billy made a face and concentrated on his food. Sandra scooted her chair closer to Jace. She pushed her eggs around her plate, taking delicate bites of breakfast in between glancing at Jace and her plate. Sal made himself a cup of coffee, taking a deep swallow. He leaned on the counter and nudged Molly's shoulder as she scuttled about. Molly held up a spatula, turned at an angle as she spoke.
"Where are you headed again?" she asked.
"New Orleans. It'll be a straight run through."
"Rig good to go?"
"Yes ma'am."
"What do you want for dinner?"
He laughed. "You know me. Just grateful you're feeding me."
"True enough. Kids, wash up when you're done."
Billy and Sandra groaned.
"I can do that." Jace said.
Billy rolled his eyes as Sandra perked up. Molly hesitated.
"Oh no, I couldn't let you do that. They need to learn responsibility." she said.
Jace dropped his gaze. "I understand."
"Mom-" Sandra glared at her mother.
"Get ready. Go one now."
Sandra shot her mother another glare as she put her dishes in the sink. Billy followed suit with a grumble. Molly too, spared another glance at Jace before leaving the kitchen to just Jace and Sal. Sal raised an eyebrow at Jace from over the rim of his coffee mug. After a moment he set it down with a small thunk.
"Well time to get crackin'."
Jace began his day too. He put his dishes in the sink, washing, drying, and putting them back in their proper place before he left the kitchen. He strode to the front door, crossing Sal and Molly embracing in the living room.
"Thank you for your hospitality." he said.
Both blinked back at him.
"Wait, I don't understand." Molly said. "You're leaving?"
Jace nodded. Sal walked over to him.
"Stay a bit longer son, we can work this out."
Jace shuffled his feet. "Look, I know I'm an imposition-" Jace began.
"Yes you are." Molly said. "But that don't mean we can't lighten the load. I know that you won't give us details but since my family hasn't come to harm, I know it'll be alright."
Sal beamed, putting a hand on Molly's and Jace's respective shoulders.
"See, I knew this could work out." he said.
Jace nodded. "Which brings me to my next point. After all you've done for me, I can't refuse to do nothing for you." He looked at Sal directly. "...Let me work for you. I can work off my debt for however long you deem necessary. I have many skills that would be invaluable to you-"
Sal held up a hand. "Woah woah, slow down. I have no doubt you are but there's a process these things." he paused, frowning for a moment. He raised a finger in the air. "Tell you what, you come with me. Have a, what do you call it, a test run and if it goes well we can talk to my supervisor."
Jace nodded his head. "That'll work. Thank you."
"Don't mention it." Sal grunted. "Now, ready to go?"
"Yes I think I am."
SPNTMI
"Does everyone have everything?" Clary asked.
Clary clutched her walkie-talkie, standing beside Bobby as Sam, Dean, Ellen, and Jocelyn loaded up Clary's replacement truck and Bobby's utility van. Magnus was enchanting whatever weapons Jo handed to him as Simon held up a medical bag. He pushed it into Cas's arms, who looked non-plussed at what he was now holding. Gabriel stood off to the sides and watched.
Bobby frowned. "Depends. Do you have the right frequency on that one?"
"Ummm I think so?"
"Give it here."
Clary handed it over to Bobby and he flipped the small radio over in his hands. His thick fingers twisted the nob on the top of the radio. He looked at the back of it and opened a small plate of it.
"Helps when you've got batteries." he grunted. "Hang on."
He wheeled himself back inside and returned a few minutes later, handing it back to Clary.
"Channel one in case you forgot. Here are some spares." He put more batteries in her hand. "That should be everything." He faced the group with a scowl.
"Not quite." Gabriel spoke up.
"Pardon?" Bobby turned to glower at Gabriel.
Gabriel cleared his throat and spoke in a louder than necessary voice. "I said, since some people here can't even use a your silly little radio right, we gotta pack one more thing."
Before anyone could reply, Gabriel snapped his fingers. Dean jumped back, glaring at Gabriel. Sam kept wary gaze moving as Isabelle rolled her eyes. Cas frowned.
"What did you do?" he asked.
Gabriel faced Cas. "Wow." he whistled. "Where's the trust, the love?"
Cas blinked, then looked heavenward for a few minutes before firing Gabriel with a stare. His brother returned the look with a bemused smirk.
"You're welcome." he said to Bobby, still not looking at him. "Now you can no longer feel useless."
The whole group stopped, sound and all as Sam and Dean who managed to glare at Gabriel and glance at Bobby, whose own glare turned thunderous. Gabriel was unmoved, except for a quirk of his eyebrow. Bobby said nothing, head bowed. Dean rounded on Gabriel.
"You-"
Whatever he was about to say was cut off with an abrupt yelp as Bobby lunged up from his chair and decked Gabriel in the face. The archangel staggered back, clutching his nose as he looked back at Bobby with wide, delighted eyes. His back thumped against the white utility van as Bobby stood facing him with his fist raised.
"Anything else you'd like to say?" Bobby asked in a tight voice.
Dean stared at Bobby, eyes wide with just a hint of a smile on his lips. "Bobby, your-"
Bobby frowned at him, then his confusion grew on his face as Sam, Clary, and Ellen grinned openly now. Simon glanced back and forth between Gabriel and Bobby. Bobby finally looked down. His eyes widened as Gabriel rubbed his unbroken nose, still blinking rapidly. Sam took one look at his face and burst into laughter. Isabelle rolled her eyes but grinned all the same. Even Cas cracked a smile. Bobby looked back up at Gabriel with an unguarded expression.
"Thanks." he breathed.
"Again, welcome."
Bobby cleared his throat. "Ya'll know what to do. Let's get the lead out."
Bobby strode up to the driver's side of his van and got in. Dean's gaze followed Bobby, staring as the older hunter buckled up. Dean didn't notice the thoughtful stare his brother was giving the archangel as he shouldered a bag.
"You heared the man, let's move." Dean said, delight clear in his voice.
Dean hurried to Clary's pick up truck, Cas hot on his heels.
SPNTMI
Jace watched from the passenger seat of the peterbilt truck as Sal was waved into a lane by a man with a bright green traffic vest. The docking station ahead was crowded full of trucks as they inched closer along to the manufacturing plant. Sal pulled into the loading dock, guided by another man in a vest. As Sal began to put the truck in park, he spoke into his CB radio, trucker jargon pricking Jace's ears. Sal put the radio down and spoke to Jace.
"Ok, you can start by helping load boxes into the truck while I talk to my supervisor. I'll see what I can do but in the meantime, if you need any direction-" he panted to a dark-skinned bearded man with a bright blue vest and a CB radio attached to his belt. "That's the foreman, he can tell what to do."
"Alright."
Sal reversed the truck and parked it. He unlocked his door and got out, Jace just a pace behind him. He watched Sal and the foreman shake hands.
"Hey Mack, how's it going?"
"Going strong, we're making good time." He jerked his head in Jace's direction. "Who's this?"
"Jace. Doing a favor for my sister. He's helping me out today and if all goes well he have a spot here, what say you?"
The foreman hummed thoughtfully. "We'll see." he said.
"That's all anyone could ask." Sal smiled. "Gotta punch in. Play nice ya'll."
The foreman laughed him off and regarded Jace.
"Jace was it?" At Jace's nod he continued. "Well Jace, you can start by loading up Sal's truck. Anyone asks for you to give them a hand, you do it. Everyone here is your boss, you got that?"
"Yes sir."
"Good. Let's get to work."
Then the foreman left Jace at a stack of already packaged boxes. Large white boxes tightly packaged with clear tape. Two block shaped stickers placed on top of each other, reading 'Fragile: handle with care' and 'Niveus 432 TM vaccine.' in thick black letters. When he hefted the first box, the glass rattled inside. It was surprisingly light in his arms. Jack took it to Sal's truck. The back was still closed. Jace set the box down, frowning. The handle of the silver metal door was high above his head, long black strap and yanked the sliding down. The sliding door shuddered open with protesting shrieks until it stopped at the top.
The inside of the door was wider, an eight by ten space. Eight feet wide and ten feet long. Jace pulled down the long, slim ramp out from the bottom of the truck. When it was finally touching the ground, Jace picked up the box and carried it into the truck. He went back and forth, taking teo to three boxes at a time. When he filled the truck up halfway, he took a break. Jace sat on a little spot by the toll booth, back against the metal of the booth, eyes glazing over as his gaze lost focus and lingered on a white utility van.
"Jace come on back, Jason could use a hand."
Jace startled and then sighed. "Coming?"
He trotted back inside.
SPNTMI
Clary parked her truck down the block across from Bobby and on the other side of the factory. She turned on her two-way radio.
"This is Clary. We're in position. Over."
She took her finger off the button and waited for the hiss of static to turn to a voice. She didn't have to wait long.
"Message received. Team two is in position. Prepare for operation. Keep position and maintain radio silence. Over."
"Radio silence?" Clary frowned despite Bobby not being there to see it. His reply was quick.
"Don't be chatty in the middle of an operation and only communicate when necessary. Over."
"Oh. Ok then." She released the button, then quickly pressed it again. "Er...over."
She twisted her head around to see Dean, Sam, Cas, Simon, and Jocelyn sitting in the truck bed, eyes alerted to her movements. She gave them a thumbs up and everyone moved. Weapons were handed to each other as Clary stepped out of the truck.
"Everyone rigged up?" Clary asked.
Isabelle was still attaching a walkie-talkie to her waist, but Sam and Simon were already set. Jocelyn eyed hers but began to put it on all the same. Dean put his on the proper channel and patted it. Clary cleared her throat.
"Errr...sound off."
Dean laughed. "We're all here."
"I mean state your jobs on this...job."
Jocelyn gave a brisk nod. "Very well. I, Simon, and Sam are to fight off any demons we may come across. Isabelle, Jo, and Alec are there to plant the explosives. Ellen and Dean distract the foreman and his managers by posing as CDC agents. They will also try to get the civilians out of the building. Cas is to defend the two bases and act as backup driver in case emergency. Magnus will use glamour as a way to ease along any suspicions civilians may have. Gabriel is there to use a barrier to help contain the explosions. Both of them stay closest to the vehicles, and of course Clary and Bobby are the drivers."
Clary blinked. "Sounds about right." she said. "So let's get to work."
Dean adjusted his tie and nodded to Sam. Sam returned it and went to Clary's truck on the passenger side. Dean made a brisk jog across the parking lot. Sam opened up his laptop, booting up a program as Clary spoke into her CB radio.
"This is group two. De-er...W-one is moving into position. W-two beginning procedure."
"Copy that. H-one is in position. G and M are in position. L-two is ready waiting. L-two has package. Repeat L-two has package. L-one's position? Over."
Clary turned to Sam. "How about you? You ready?"
He nodded. "We're in."
Clary smiled. She whipped her head to Isabelle. "You're up."
Isabelle nodded, a not quite smile on her face, too grim to really be called a smile. Sam addressed Simon.
"It's in the back, in the case."
"Got. Just one block, right?" Simon asked.
"Yeah."
Simon hefted the mid sized box onto his lap and opened it. A block of plastic-like substance in his hands. He set it on his lap in slow, deliberate movements. Next he pulled out a slim piece of plastic resembling a joystick. A small, round, and red button on top of it. He gathered them up, both items in each hand and gave them over to Isabelle.
"Here's the C4 you ordered." he gave a sharp laugh. "Comes free with its own detonator."
"It'll be fine." Isabelle said.
"Sure of course." Simon nodded his head too fast. "Why wouldn't it be?"
Isabelle gave a curt nod and turned on her heel, she strode off across the parking lot. Clary spoke into her CB radio.
"L-one is on route. W-two and S headed there. C and L on standby over."
"J's status?"
Clary glanced at Jocelyn, her mother was tucking a knife into her boot.
"Almost ready. Over." Jocelyn nodded to Clary, who spoke into the receiver again. "Ready. J on route now over."
Jocelyn gave Clary a long look and opened her mouth to speak-
"Roger that. Over and out."
Cas stood beside the truck bed. Only himself, Clary and Simon remained. He and Clary exchanged a silent stare until Simon cleared his throat.
"Guess that's my cue." he gave her another considering look, small frown on his features. "Be careful, ok?"
"You too."
Simon jogged to catch up with Sam and Jocelyn. Clary watched him get smaller and smaller until she went back into the truck's cab without another word.
The next chain of events happened in a rapid succession. Sam cut the visual feed on the security cameras just as Jace loaded the last box into Sal's truck. He didn't hear Sam, Simon, and Jocelyn sneak into the back. Nor did he notice Jo, Isabelle, and Alec enter from a different location. The glamour Magnus enacted helped conceal their presence. Gabriel threw up a barrier just as Dean and Ellen met with the foreman. In that moment, in a secluded corner of the factory, Sebastian and Meg perked up.
"That's us."
"Bout' time."
SPNTMI
Ellen and Dean walked down to meet the foreman. He raised a large hand and waved them over.
"You guys the CDC?"
Dean nodded. Ellen and Dean flashed fake badges in unison. "Yeah agents Nash and Stills. We called."
"Yes. Yes you did." he shook their hands. "Mack Anderson. Follow me into my office."
Anderson crooked a finger. Ellen rolled her eyes and Dean caught the look with a nod of assent. They followed Anderson, who held up his lanyard ID card to a guarded toll booth. The attendant pressed a button, opening the gate. Striding inside, Ellen eyes the interior, giving Dean a quick jab in the ribs. He winced and looked at what she had focused on.
The spacious interior was loaded with boxes being taken by hand or by cart and loaded into trucks. Ellen's eyes widened and Dean looked up at a battered security camera. Anderson took a left and led them into a manger's office. A small desk in the center of the room. File cabinets cluttered along the left and on the right monitors looped along on the security camera footage. The camera's film slipped, frizzing out to grainy gray before returning to normal. Dean smiled.
"That's what were here for." Ellen for. "What can you tell us about the shipping?"
Anderson hmmm'd. "Nationwide distribution starting with CDC for the free vaccine shots."
"Just so we're on the same page, this shipment goes out today?"
"As close as we can make it." Anderson said. "We'll try to meet your standards."
"Do that." Dean said.
"Is there anything else you can tell us?" Ellen said.
Anderson gave another little hum. "Well I guess-"
Loud buzzing pervaded the air. A shrill klaxon echoed through the building. Ellen and Dean started, both of them going for their weapons. Anderson's head whipped back and forth before pressing a button on his desk. The door behind them shut with an audible click as Anderson's eyes turned black.
SPNTMI
Isabelle pressed her pack of C4 onto the pipe, fingers steady as the alarms blared on. She stared at the tiny screen, numbers glaring red in front of her eyes.
"Alec? Jo?" she called. "We might have a problem."
SPNTMI
Sam's eyes darted back and forth as he ducked away from the workmen hefting boxes or loading them onto lifts. Simon and Jocelyn on either side of him fanning out the perimeter. Aside from the bustle of the workers. It was quiet, even with the admittedly fewer workers around. Echos of shout bounced around the walls. Simon caught Sam's eye and raised an eyebrow. Sam gave a little shrug in response as Jocelyn pressed on. She disappeared from sight.
A clang from above crashed with a resounding echo. Sam and Simon's heads shot up in time to see Meg and Sebastian standing in the rafters. Meg held a lead pipe in her hands. Workers shouted back and forth in response.
"Long time no see." Meg called, voice booming.
"Where's Jocelyn?" Simon shouted.
"No hello? Rude."
Sam spoke into his radio. "Groups one and two we're in the right place. Repeat right place."
Meg jumped down from her perch. Another crash and Jocelyn emerged from a stack of crates on the right. Sebastian right behind her. Another series of clangs as workers in bright mesh vests scrambled behind Sebastian. Three of them, their mouths in permanent snarls, eyes bloodshot to a vicious, irritated red. Feral growls emerged from their throats. Sam paled and Sebastian laughed.
"How do you like them croats!?" he shouted.
Sam spoke into the receiver again. "Everybody out. Croatoan. Repeat croatoan."
Meg and Sebastian lunged for him. Simon shot forward just as Jocelyn threw her radio at Sebastian. It bounced off his shoulder and it clattered on the floor.
"Jonathan!" Jocelyn's voice boomed. "Your fight is with me."
His shark smile slowly spread itself over his face. "Yes it is. With you and my sister."
The infected workers screamed in response, racing out on either side. Simon chased after them as Meg weaved her way to Sam, striking both him and Simon in one blow. Jocelyn's bellows of rage didn't drown out the sudden shrieks of terror now echoing through the warehouse.
SPNTMI
Clary gaped at Sam's laptop screen. A small group of workers were racing past, attacking whoever came in their path. Then Sam's voice sparked on the CB radio.
"Everybody out. Croatoan. Repeat croa-"
Clary gasped, snatching up the laptop, she managed to catch a snatch of Sam, Simon, and Jocelyn fighting against Meg and Sebastian before the camera feed fizzled out and went out.
"No."
Clary grabbed her CB radio.
"Mayday mayday. Repeat last transmission-over."
Cas rapped her door. Clary shrieked and dropped the radio. Just as the response came through, Bobby's voice sharp.
"Croatoan." he said. "Get out of there."
Cas yanked Clary's door open. He pointed to the truck's loading docks. A single truck revved to life.
"That truck is leaving."
Clary fumbled with the radio, groaning at a sudden bout of nausea.
"A truck is leaving. Repeat a truck is leaving. What do we do? Over."
A moment's silence and Clary shuddered. Cas gripped his angel blade hard enough for the knuckles to turn white.
"Group two will pursue."
SPNTMI
Anderson's eyes went black. Dean pulled his gun and fired. Ellen rattled off on exorcism punctuated by gunshots. Anderson screamed, racing to a power box and punched his fists into the metal and wires. He gave another scream as Latin verse rippled through the air. Twisting hard on the wires, the room suddenly went black. A red emergency light in the corner of the room. A whir of machinery and the sound filled the room.
"No escape." Anderson rasped.
Anderson stumbled back and threw his head back, expelling black smoke. He fell over, head banging into his desk. Ellen unlocked the door.
"Go go go go."
SPNTMI
The first gunshot went off and Jace jumped, dropping the box he was holding. It slammed to the ground, glass breaking with a faint clinking. Dark red stains seeped into the white box. It pooled at his feet. Sal raced over to him.
"I dropped it." Jace said.
"No time for that now. We've got to go."
Sal hauled him by the arm and Jacked picked up his pace, helping the older man shove the walkway back up and the sliding door down. Jack dashed to the passenger seat, following Sal's manic pace. He tugged the seat belt into place just as Sal peeled out of the factory. Jace fell back into his seat.
"What's happening?" he asked.
"Terrorists-a mob-I don't know, people pissed about vaccines? Don't know, don't care. All I know is we gotta get outta here. Finish the job."
"Yeah."
The truck's tires squealed, scent of rubber overflowing as they swerved out of the building.
SPNTMI
"Here, switch with me." Jo said.
Jo crouched beside Isabelle as the two stared at the block of C4 wedged in between two bars in the wall. Orange numbers glowed, the image fritzing in and out. The numbers, already barely forming, now moved far quicker than normal.
"I don't know how, but the timer's broke." Jo said. "Cover me while I try to fix it."
Isabelle moved aside, switching places with Jo. Isabelle went to Alec, who already had out his bow and nocked an arrow.
"And if it doesn't work?" he asked.
A sudden snarl rent through the darkness. Alec shot in an arrow in its genera; direction. The noise stopped as suddenly as it came. Jo nodded to him in thanks, the red emergency light cast her face into bizarre shadows.
"Then we'll haul ass out of here. The bomb still has to go out off, even though the timer's broken. Hopefully the detonation still works."
Isabelle flung her whip into a graceful arc.
"So why don't we just leave now?"
"Without the others?" Jo asked.
"They may have gotten out already." Isabelle said.
"Either way, hurry up." Alec said.
Jo looked back at the C4. She frowned. "You guys got set up no problem?"
"No."
"Nope."
The Lightwoods' answered in unison. Jo stood up.
"Ok, let's go."
SPNTMI
Simon pushed another worker out the building, watching them sprint away. More workers clustered around Sam, praying and shouting as he shot of couple of infected.
"Sam, get them outta her! We gotta go." Simon shouted.
"Not yet. There's still more people inside." Sam said.
"Sam!"
Jocelyn held Sebastian and Meg at bay. The three of them were a whirlwind of fists, blades, and screams. Simon kept his hands splayed.
"Jocelyn run!" he screamed.
Jocelyn dodged a punch and countered with a kick.
"You run. Take Sam and those workers and run."
"Not without you. Clary'll kill me."
"She wants nothing to do with me!" Jocelyn shouted.
Sebastian roared with laughter. "You don't know the half of it."
Jocelyn gritted her teeth as Meg laughed. Jocelyn gave another wordless cry and rushed Sebastian. Simon tried to intercept but was pushed back by Jocelyn. Simon swung around to see Sam barely dodge three infected and charge past them.
"Sam!"
"Why am I always stuck with stubborn people?" Simon cried out.
Sam returned with new workers. Meg made for them but Simon darted froward, throwing his shoulder back and punching her face. The demon reeled back and Sam ushered the survivors out. Jocelyn pivoted on her heels and raced beside Sam.
SPNTMI
Alarms continued to blare as Isabelle led Jo and Alec through a narrow walk about. A rumbling came up from behind them.
"Is that what I think it is?" Jo cried.
"Better hope not." Alec said.
SPNTMI
Clary dry heaved onto the pavement. Police sirens wailed in distance, getting louder.
"Do you want me to drive?" Cas asked, voice tight.
Before Clary could answer, Isabelle came sprinting out, followed by Sam and Simon. Clary straightened, wiping her her mouth with the back of her hand. Her dizziness didn't abate as the three of them clambered into the truck bed. Clary swayed and Cas steadied her.
"Go go go." Isabelle said. "There's another truck-"
Simon yelled as Isabelle pressed her detonator's button. Clary groaned, pulling herself into the driver's seat.
"Here, let me." Cas said.
Clary nodded and slipped into the backseat. Cas buckled himself in and pressed down on the CB radio.
"There is a second truck. There is a second truck. Er...mayday."
The radio crackled to life. Bobby's voice carried through.
"Two? Where the hell are the-"
Cas pressed the gas pedal just as a white and red peterbilt raced out minutes before a fireball erupted where Isabelle, Jo, and Alec had planted them. The blast broke the windows, glass blowing outwards as plumes of smoke rose up from any opening available. Fire licked at the structure as the ground shook. The truck rocketed forward, shock wave pushing their momentum. Stench of rubber all around them and sweat ran down Clary's neck as she screamed. The second explosion went off.
SPNTMI
"Holy shit!" Sal screamed.
Jace gripped his hands to his seat tighter. In the rear view mirror, he could see the third and final explosion went off. It shook the whole block. Sal banked hard to the left. Sal's knuckles turned white as the steering wheel vibrated. The blue and red peterbilt protested, tilting along the curve of the road. They wobbled along for half a mile as Sal twisted the wheel . The road straightened and the truck balanced out, tires hitting the pavement with a mighty thump. Sal accelerated. Someone behind them lay on their horn. Jace twisted around in his seat to see another truck behind them. A red and white peterbilt with the Nevius Pharmaceuticals logo on the side. Its brights flashed on and off in rapid succession. Sal nodded to himself and took a sharp turn to the left, flicking his brights on and off as he did so.
"What did you do?" Jace asked.
"Told em to follow me." Sal said. "Got a bit of a short cut."
SPNTMI
"Pass him." Clary said.
Cas fumbled with the wheel as Clary grabbed for the CB radio. "We're in pursuit of the second truck-" Isabelle was shouting. "Is everyone ok?"
"Aside from being chased by police? Fine. Where's the first truck? Over."
Clary pressed the button.
"Its ahead of us." Sam shouted.
"Is Dean with you?" Cas asked.
Clary waved her hands for silence, dropping the receiver in her lap. Bobby's voice crackled.
"Repeat transmission over."
Clary fumbled with his receiver, catching it with both hands. "First truck ahead of us-" Isabelle and Cas pointed in unison. "Its ahead of the second truck. Heading to an overpass, they-" Clary leaned forward. "They're trying to get on the highway. Can you pursue the first one? Over."
Isabelle poked her head inside the truck via the little window from the back of the cab.
"Get closer to the second truck. We can stop it." she said.
Cas nodded and sped up until they were tailgating. Isabelle leaned out on the far side of the truck bed. She flicked her wrist and her whip swung forward in a high arc. It sailed though the air, dangling past the the hook that kept the peterbilt's sliding door closed. Isabelle recalled the whip with a curse.
"Hold on."
Isabelle wobbled up to the truck cab again, this time putting her palms flat up on the roof of the truck and hoisting herself up. Once up there, she ducked down and repeated the gesture with her whip. This time it held, making a thin connection between the truck and the peterbilt. The peterbilt sped up and Isabelle tumbled back into the truck bed. She landed on her feet in a crouch. The peterbilt sped up again, tugging Isabelle like a fish on a hook.
"Izzy." Simon cried.
Isabelle hit the rear window, hair fanning out as she tried to keep her balance. Simon and Sam darted to her side, arms wrapping around her frame.
"I'm fine. Drive faster." Isabelle said.
Cas nodded from inside the truck, engine revving in effort as they sped up the hill leading to an overpass. The truck shot forward just as the peterbilt began to turn. Traffic exploded onto the roads. A Prius behind them when Cas swerved, cutting it off. The Prius lay on the horn as the first truck got farther and farther in between the other cars.
Screams of metal sang through the air. The peterbilt's back door was creaking open by an inch. Isabelle's eyes widened.
"Pull." she said.
Simon and Sam braced themselves and pulled Isabelle herself. Her whip strained, twanging in the wind. Simon's lips pulled back and he snarled as he backed up. Sam, who was behind him, grunted, backing up until they were on the other side of the truck bed. Isabelle dangling in front of them, feet skimming the surface. The peterbilt and truck shuddered as one, vibrations coursing through Isabelle's whip as they turned onto the overpass. The three wrenched the whip to them as the pterbilt took the turn too sharply to the left.
Isabelle screamed, voice drowning out the messy 'pop' only she heard. She swayed, dazed. Simon gripped her hands and her grip tightened on her whip, blood slicking her palms. The tops of her shoes smacked on the truck bed as the peterbilt hit the concrete guard rail at full speed. The sliding door wrenched open just as the front and chassis of the peterbilt crumpled into the concrete, front wheels still spinning as glass blew out of the windows, metal twisting out of shape, and cables flying away from their connections. The back end tipped upwards.
Isabelle, Simon, and Sam zoomed to the opposite end of the truck, Isabelle leaning halfway out of the truck bed. The sliding door yielded, ripped off a third of the way. Isabelle tugged he whip back as the contents inside the peterbilt tumbled, broke, and spilled onto the pavement. Cars swereved out of the way, fender bending and rear ending each other.
The three of them gripped the sides of the truck bed just as the weight of the peterbilt became too much for the blockade, buckling with an impressive shatter. Simon took his hands away from the truck bed and slapped them over his his ears. The peterbilt fell off the side of the overpass. It hit the highway below it like a collapsing giant. Screams rose up from the earth shattering impact as cars, motorcycles, vans, and trucks sped up in an effort to get off the roads. Some motorists abandoned their vehicles in an effort to get away. The whirl of helicopter blades overhead beat in tandem with the flashing lights of police and ambulances.
The momentum carried Clary's truck through traffic, Cas laying on the horn. Isabelle thumped down, knees shaking as she landed on her rear. She swayed, breathing through her nose. Sam scooted over and she flinched as one of his hands hovered above her shoulder. He pressed into it just once and she hissed in pain. Sam winced.
"Yeah, your shoulder is dislocated."
Isabelle grunted, whip limp around her wrists.
"We'll patch you up when we get to someplace safer, ok?"
Isabelle nodded. Clary rapped on the rear window, twisting in her seat. She poked her head out.
"Bobby says he can't catch the first truck, the polic are chasing them too close. Says we gotta split up to shake em."
Sam nodded. "Then turn here."
SPNTMI
"Jesus Christ!" Sal shouted. "Did you see that?"
Jace sighed. "What now?"
"We keep going."
They drove for six hours, stopping for gas only twice. The moon was on the rise when they finally got to their destination. The CDC center adjacent to the hospital loomed. Sal finally slowed, taking a turn on the left and entered the semi zone. Flood lights drowned out the darkness, casting deep shadows hundreds of feet away as they illuminated the ambulance bay and the emergency red cross tents. Men and women in pastel colored scrubs and sneakers. They began waving Sal to the red cross tent where he parked. At once, they were swamped, with Sal getting out and being met with a flurry of nursing staff.
"We saw the news-"
"-You alright?"
Sal nodded and waved his hands. A trio wearing white coats, two men and a woman jogged over. The woman wore slim glasses that glinted in the floodlights but she still shook Sal's hand.
"Dr. Rachel Mendez. We heard about what happened. You're very lucky to be alive. Thank you for bringing the vaccine to us, you'll have saved many lives. I'll make sure you two get your shots for you trouble."
Sal shrugged. "Just trying to get the job done."
"It's a good thing you two did." Dr. Mendez cleared her throat. "The nurses and the red cross people will help you unload your truck."
"Much obliged." Sal said.
Red cross workers and nurses carted boxes into the CDC. A few boxes were taken to the red cross tent, unpackaged, and then prepared. Sal and Jace made their way to the red cross tent across from the peterbilt. Sal smiled down at the young man sitting in a folding chair behind at table covered in plastic. The young man's skin gave off a healthy glow, even under the floodlights. Even his eyes sparkled.
"Come for your shot?"
"Yes sir." Sal smiled.
The young man smiled back. "We'll get started right away." He turned to Jace. "And you, sir?"
Jace shook his head. "I don't like needles."
The young man shrugged, smile slipping. "I feel ya." he turned back to Sal. "Just sit down. It'll only take a minute."
"Alright."
Sal sat down onto a metal folding chair and looked around. Another red cross worker tied off his arm and rubbed a damp cotton swab in the crook of his arm. The needle of the syringe was long, the fluid its vial a dark red. The needle expelling air bubbles and then the push of the plunger injecting venom inside Sal. Sal's eyes widening under the florescent lights. He went pale and his hands clenched. After a few minutes his body relaxed. Sal smiled up at the red cross worker. She beamed back at him. She kept her expression as she rounded on Jace.
"Are you sure you don't want one?"
"I'm fine."
"Suit yourself."
Sal stood up and wobbled. He was steadied by two red cross workers but soon moved unassisted. He gave them another quick grin and waved.
"Thanks for that, guys but if you don't mind, I have to get back to my family."
They laughed, waving him off. Jace slunked to to the peterbilt and buckled himself in. Sal came in a few minutes later, buckling up, chuckling to himself.
"Sweet people."
Jace hmm'd and stayed quiet for the rest of the drive. Jace stared at snatches of scenery seen from under the streetlamps they past. Hey eventually turned onto a hushed little street and parked in a wide gravel driveway. As soon as Sal got out of the truck and stepped onto the walkway, the porch light went on. Molly slammed open the door, shout at Sal as she ran to him. Billy and Sandra poked out from the doorway.
"Are you alright? We saw the news! Who were those crazy people?" she wrapped her arms around him, thumping his back with her fists. "Damn you! Damn it, damn it, damn it."
Sal rubbed her back. "Sorry bout that but it's all over now."
They stayed that way a moment longer. Molly pulled back and looked Sal in the eyes.
"Yes it is." She noticed Jace standing off by himself and cleared her throat. "Jace, come in now. I've just made dinner."
Jace quirked his lip. "Yum."
Molly led them back inside and Sal ruffled his children's hair as he passed them. Billy made a face and Sandra blushed when Jace passed by. The dinner table was already laid out, set for five. Jace was the last to sit at the table, in the middle of the right hand side, in between Sandra and Billy. Billy made a move to serve himself and Molly slapped his hand away.
"Shall we say grace?" Sal said.
Jace joined hands with the Brookeridges. Sandra gripped his hand tight as Billy did the opposite. Sal's voice didn't waver as he prayed.
"We thank you Lord for this bounty we have received. Bless this food oh Lord and keep us safe in Your loving care as we remain your loyal servants. Amen."
They all unclasped hands and loaded their plates up with food. Everyone began speaking at once, and when they finally finished, Jace helped with the washing up. This time, he went up to bed when everyone else did.
SPNTMI
"So you didn't run into trouble on your way here?"
"Surprisingly not. Bobby's freaky good at dodging cops."
Clary laughed but quickly sobered. Simon put his hands on her shoulders. Even from the half light of a street lamp partially obscured by an overpass, Simon still saw Clary's face.
"Clary, I'm ok. Really. We've been in rougher messes before, right?"
Clary gave another mirthless laugh and Simon shivered. He tilted his head as Clary glanced off in the direction of the others. The two groups reunited halfway back to South Dakota as the night fell. Dean and Bobby were talking in low voices as Sam held up a beat up duffle bag. Cas repacked the truck while Jo and Isabelle exchanged knives. Ellen watched them with a smile on her face as Jocelyn kept her distance. Magnus was holding Alec's arm, soft blue sparks crackling over Alec's limb. The two were staring only at each other as Gabriel rolled his eyes in their direction.
Clary looked back at Simon, suddenly pale and frowning. She seemed about to collapse. Simon put a hand on her forehead. Tears pricked at Clary's eyes.
"What-"
Clary took Simon's hand away from her forehead and placed it on top of her belly. Simon frowned, brows knitted for a few minutes until his eyes widened to comical proportions and Clary laughed. Simon didn't take his hand away as he continued to gape at her.
"A-are you-" he cut himself off. "H-how?"
"Oh, you know, the usual way." Clary said with a smile.
Simon put on a fake grimace. "On second thought..." the fake-ness of his grimace morphed into a more genuine expression. "What do you need me to do? I mean, are you happy about this, is this what you want?" he babbled.
Clary looked away, eyes downcast as she pursed her lips in thought. Her eyes glazed over and she bit her lip. Simon watched every expression flit over her face and when her eyes hardened, he felt a ripple go over him. She finally looked back up at him.
"I want you to be godfather."
"What?" Simon choked. "I mean, I'm honored. That's like, so amazing, but are you sure you want me?"
Clary blinked. "Why wouldn't I?"
"B-because." Simon stammered. "Well, it's cuz', I'm just...just Simon." he finished.
"Oh." Clary breathed. "You're perfect. I can't imagine anyone else."
Simon cleared his throat. "B-but what about your mom?"
Clary sucked in a breath. "No. I mean," Clary shook her head and continued. "She barely remembers who I am and she keeps talking about it and I just-just can't anymore." she shot him a pleading look. "Do you understand?"
"Yeah."
"Ok." Clary's gaze bored into him. "Then there is something you gotta do for me. I've given this a lot of thought and you should too because it's gonna be hard-"
"I'll do it. Anything for you two."
Clary held up a hand. "Hear it all first. You need to know it all." she took a breath. "I can make new runes. Ya, I know right? So I've been trying to do some...and I did." she paused, eyes flicking up and down, finally meeting his gaze. "One for you and you will not want it."
"Why not?"
"Because it will mean that you'll be alone."
Simon's lips twitched, shivering. "One day, I already will be." shudders racked his frame until he hugged his body to keep it still. "So tell me how this works."
"Fine. It will keep you safe. Any who tries to physically harm you will get it rebounded onto them seven fold."
"Why won't I like that?" Simon asked.
Clary put a hand to her stomach. "It'll be lonely."
"You don't know that." Simon cleared his throat. "So let's do it."
"...Ok."
Clary took out her stele. Simon stilled as Clary brushed his bangs back, exposing his forehead. His whole body relaxed at first contact of the tip of Clary's stele. Clary's hand was steady, pressing into Simon's flesh. He closed his eyes. He pictured the ocean, walking along the shore, alone and yet not. Simon burned, senses tracing the edges of the stele's movements, trying to pick out a word. He shivered.
"Ok."
Simon opened his eyes. He looked up to Clary's face. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. She was still holding his bangs back.
"I call it the wanderer."
SPNTMI
The floorboards creaked and Jace's eyes shot open. He peered into the darkness, squinting at the shape that stared up at him. His heart began to pound, a holdover from his nightmare as calm began to settle. Propping himself up, he cleared his throat.
"Sandra?"
Sandra said nothing, keeping still and Jace swallowed, spit sour in his mouth. He licked his lips as his nostrils flared, scent of lightening in the air. He tried to speak, but croaked instead.
"What are you doing?" tried to smirk. "I don't know what you're doing, but-"
Sandra slunk forward, limbs jerking as she climbed onto Jace's bed on all fours. Finally close enough for Jace to see her gaping mouth, the line of drool coming from in between her teeth. He didn't move, staring at her. He curled his lips and blew out a puff of air and Sandra flinched. She darted, too fast even for Jace, hands curled into claws and swiping at him. Sandra screamed. A guttural, phlegm filled cry of agony. Jace flinched, scrambling out of her way. Sandra flung herself at him, nails scraping against the hardwood floor. Jace pressed his back into the wall as Sandra snarled at him. Her bent frame and outstretched arms fixing Jace in one place. He lowered his hand and felt for something in his pocket.
Nothing. Jace threw out his arm, elbow hitting the dresser. Fumbling, he found a picture frame and he threw it at her head. Jace didn't wait to see if it connected, he just ran for the door. Sandra screeched and Jace slammed the door behind him. The door shuddered as Sandra slammed herself against it.
Jace raced down the hall, an abrupt scream stopping him. Molly. Jace whirled around, taking the stairs down two at a time and burst into the kitchen. Molly was halfway collapsed, blood spilling down the front of her nightgown as Billy knelt above her, teeth ripping her throat. Jace froze. Billy's head shot up at the sound of the kitchen tiles creaking. His eyes were bloated and bloodshot. Jace took a step back and Billy rose up from his crouch. Molly gave a wet little gasp, blood bubbles bursting at the corners of her mouth.
Molly's eyes rolled up in her head, choking. Jace stared at her until Billy's snarl turned his attention back to the boy. His lips were curled high up on his cheeks, red cuts stretching the skin. His teeth had yellowed, bits of gore peeking from in between the cracks in his canines. Billy lunged and Jace feinted his right, slipping on the linoleum. Billy yowled, twisting after him and crashing into the kitchen counter.
Billy's head smacked into the counter top, blood spurting on his brow. Billy yanked himself up onto the counter top just as Jace pulled a bread carver out of a knife box. Billy screamed, flecks of blood and spit spewing from his mouth as he did so. Jace jumped backwards throwing the knife. Aim true, it sunk into Billy's forehead. Blood gushed and Billy crumpled, body splaying halfway across the counter top so that the upper half of his body leaned over the counter. Molly groaned, eyelids fluttering to reveal bloodshot eyes.
Jace stumbled back to see Molly spasm, gurgling and flailing in her own blood. Her head twisted around, eyes bulging as she stared at him. His heart hammered, bile choked him. At Sal's familiar bellow, he bolted. The trucker's footsteps stomped through the hall. Jace could see him out of the corner of his eye. Sal bellowed again and Jace barely dodged the tackle as Sal leapt at him. Jace ducked and the other man's hands brushed his back. Jace stared as Sal tumbled to his feet and whirled on him.
Another rasping call and Molly emerged from the kitchen. Sal and Molly rounded on him. Jace trembled, staring at both of their staggering forms. His hands were empty of weapons, clothes sheathing nothing but his skin. Jace trembled, keeping his hands free. Molly and Sal blocked the kitchen entryway, but the foyer was behind Jace. Screams from upstairs made Jace jump and the couple ran at him. Jace spun around, sprinting for the door. Jace yanked open the door, their hands tugging at his jacket. He shrugged out of it, chilly air clung to his skin.
They were hot on his heels and the only could twist his head. Glass shattered from above him. He looked up in time to see Sandra jump out her bedroom window. Limbs flailing, her scream spiraled through the night. She landed in a clump of bushes and disappeared. Jace weaved through the backyard and Molly screamed. An answering cry that didn't come from Sal. Arms pumping, Jace ran in the middle of the street. More than two pairs of feet gave chase and Jace followed the turn in the road until a copse of trees. Peering through the treeline, he could see a huddle of people. A few were wearing scrubs, but there were quite a bit who weren't.
They fanned out, surrounding him as they continued to run right toward him. Jace swallowed, sweat pouring down his face. Their screams carried on the wind and Jace flinched. Crouching into the bushes, he yelled when a hand descended on his shoulder. Quiet surrounded him, faint lapping noises and the scent of rain. Jace wheeled around. The hand yanked itself back as Jace held up his fists and turned to face the owner of said hand. Tessa. She stared back at him. Jace straightened out, standing up to stare at the peaceful surroundings.
They stood beside a river bank, the bare trees dark, even under the moonlight. Tessa frowned, eyes gleaming, bright under no outside influence, shining from some inner place. Jace's lips trembled. In the serene night with no monsters, Jace's eyes blurred.
"You-"
He cut himself off, pulling back his fist and punched a tree. He couldn't see his blood, its color blended in with the dark bark of the trees but he could hear its splatter. The sound awakened Jace and he began punching trees. He opened his mouth and screamed. Guttural noises wrenching out of him as bile slid out of his mouth. Jace's fists slammed into the bark over and over, chips of bark cutting his face as they flew past him. His skin ripped in such a satisfying way. Tessa placed a hand on Jace's shoulder. He flinched but she didn't remove her hand. He curled in on her, head crooked in between her neck and shoulders. His tears came unbidden and he sobbed uncontrollably. Tessa rubbed his back, cheek on the top of his head. Jace didn't bother counting out how long they stayed like that until they untangled from each other. Tessa kept her gaze fixed on Jace.
"Time to go." she said.
Her voice soft and Jace's chest stilled. He found himself nodding and couldn't muster up a further reply. With just a blink of a reaper's eyes, they vanished from the small clearing as if they never were.
SPNTMI
TBC...