A/N: Hi friends! Slight trigger warning. There's a part in this chapter where it gets pretty graphic. But I promise it's not for long. Hang in there. By the way, I'm going to run something by you at the end if it's cool with you. You'll see. Read this first. Then, we can talk, k?
The dirt roads around Sioux Falls were like a weird hug for me. One would think my idea of home was the bar in Hartford or the bunker or even my old apartment in Baltimore. But none of those places had my heart like the back roads that got me to sleep like nothing else. Just Uncle Bobby and me when I was younger with Charlie Daniels and Johnny Cash serenading me to sleep. After the night I've had, I could use a good dose of home. Just to help me fall asleep. And Crowley knew better than to question it.
The orphanage? Huh. My dreams have taken me to some weird places before, but this was a first. I never thought they'd ever take me here. It's weird seeing it in one piece and not a pile of ash. My bed was still the same. Uncomfortable as hell. Too small for my liking. Looks like I'm the only one here. If this is supposed to have some sort of weird ass deep meaning, it's lost on me. You'll have to try harder than that, Chuck. No, that's not a challenge.
Assorted voices chattered in the other room. Must be the nuns. I poked my head in, eavesdropping on the conversation. Sue me. I'm curious. When this place still stood, their usual topic of conversation was what to do about me. Either when I get too old to be here or whatever shenanigans I had gotten into that day to allegedly get their attention I so desperately craved. Why should that change?
"Sister Catherine," one of them began, "I'm worried about Lena. She's getting into more than she can handle. I'm worried she won't come out of this alive."
Typical. Just another person to write me off. They all underestimate me. Wait patiently, sister. You'll see what I can do. Then, they'll stop writing me off. They'll learn to respect me. Maybe even fear me. But I'm not a monster. Or maybe I am. I do hang around with monsters these days. I guess I'll see where this dream takes me.
"I understand your concerns," Sister Catherine empathized, "There's something dark on her soul. Darker than anything we've ever seen."
"We have to have a way to save her!" she freaked. Little did she know, I wasn't in need of saving. At this point, I could save my self with the power I had. I could've killed him for giving me the demon blood in the first place, but in hindsight, thanks, Crowley! This surge of power wasn't a curse like they say it is. It's a blessing.
"You needn't worry, my children," Mother Superior walked in, her commanding presence unable to miss, "I've called some of the best exorcists to ever walk this Earth. They'll be able to help us."
Exorcists? I mean, I knew Mother Superior had some hookups, but I didn't know she had those kinds of hookups. I wonder how much these guys were the real deal. Because I seem to remember a certain little demon playing pretend as a priest once. It wouldn't shock me if that's exactly who Mother Superior's exorcist was. A sudden knock at the door made me jump. Looks like that exorcist is here. Fun. Time to show off.
"Afternoon, Mother Superior," a familiar voice rumbled. Uh-oh.
"Thanks for calling." Oh crap.
"Forgive me, Mother," Sister Catherine stopped her, "But are these boys really the exorcists you spoke with? They don't look like priests."
"Trust me, Sister Catherine," she assured, "These boys come from a long line of exorcists. Their father saved us all once upon a time. I trust them with my life. Now, I'm trusting them with Lena's everlasting soul. Gentlemen, she's in here."
Nope. No, she wasn't. I slipped out the back the same way I did when I'd sneak off to the bar. Those exorcists were much more than just exorcists. They're hunters. And not just run of the mill hunters. From what I understand, the last name Winchester is not only recognized in the hunting community, but synonymous with the word badass.
Alright. Now, what, Lena? You're hiding in this hepatitis laden alley. The Impala's parked outside, the boys are in town, and you're up a creek. What to do, what to do. When I turned around, I managed to get back inside the orphanage with the boys standing in the doorway. Dammit…I started pouring sweat out of every pore on my body. I didn't need this today.
"Hi there," Dean had a dirty grin on his face, "Shall we get started?"
"Look, boys," I backed up, "I'm not possessed."
"Which is what someone possessed would say," Sam pointed out, whipping me in the face with holy water.
"Owie!" I cringed, feeling the burn on my skin. That was new, "What the hell, Sam?"
"Not possessed, huh?" Dean glared, "I'll hold her down."
"Excuse me?" my radars went up as he grabbed my wrists and pulled me into his lap, "What are you idiots doing? I'm not possessed!"
"Exorcizamus te," Sam began, burning my insides.
"Ouch!" I squeaked, "Sam, stop!"
"Omnis immundus spiritus…"
"Sam!" I writhed under Dean's grasp, "Quit!"
He hesitated for a minute, debating whether to go on or not. I could see it in his eyes that this was breaking him, "Onmis satanica potestas…"
"I said, stop!" I screeched. Then, I didn't feel anything. The demon blood in my body kicked into overdrive and I let out a blast of pure energy. Kind of like what I used to wipe out the demons in the warehouse. Both Sam and Dean went flying into the walls, putting dents in the drywall, while I got up and brushed myself off, "It's cute you two thought that was going to work. I told you. I'm not possessed."
"Lena," Dean's voice broke, "What's wrong with you?"
"Absolutely nothing," I grinned, "I can kick more ass than you guys and I think that scares the hell out of you."
"How are you doing it?" Sam asked, just as broken up about it as his brother.
"Come on, Sammy," I held him against the wall with one hand while keeping Dean at bay with the other, "You, of all people, should know how I'm doing this. You've been on demon blood before. Only you were dumb enough to give it up. Why would you do something so silly?"
"This isn't you," Dean growled through strained breathing, "You're above this, Lena. You know what this is doing to you."
"Yeah," I squeezed a little tighter, "It's making me powerful. Heaven forbid I have this."
"You know why I gave it up?" Sam choked out, "Why I stopped drinking demon blood?"
"Why's that?" I sat down and kicked my feet up, "I'm sure it's a riveting tale."
"Because," he explained, "I didn't need it. I didn't need the demon blood to be powerful. Because I already was."
"Please," I rolled my eyes, "Spare me the Disney telling of a Brothers Grimm tale. I already know all the gory details. You liked it, Sam. I know you did. Something tells me us getting blood drunk together would be fun. You miss it, too, don't you?"
"Sam, no," Dean begged, "Don't do it!"
"Come on, Sammy," I pulled a pouch out of my jacket pocket, "Fresh from a crossroads demon. You want a hit, don't you?"
"No," Sam turned me down, "And neither do you."
"You're funny," I popped the top on the IV bag, "Cheers."
After a good, long slurp from the tube, I tore the boys limb from limb. I felt their bones crush in my hands and their skin rip apart under my fingertips and my nails digging into their flesh. I watched as the life drained out of their eyes. This power felt like too much, but I only wanted more. I was past the point of no return and I didn't care. I didn't want to go back.
But then, I woke up in an absolute cold sweat. What the hell was that all about, Lena? You don't hate the boys that badly, do you? Sure, they've done some things that you once found questionable, but in the end, you realized they only did them because they love you and care about you. You don't want them dead…Right? Of course not. And they were only trying to help.
Not only was this a cold sweat, though, but I could feel withdrawal setting in again. Bring yourself down, Lena. You'll be fine. All I need is a little more and I'll be ok. Where the hell was Crowley? I got out of bed and searched the hotel room for the shifty, flighty son of a bitch. Dammit. Of course. When I need him most, he takes off. Where would he be in Sioux Falls? He didn't have any contacts here. Unless big mouth did something stupid again and call the boys. Which would suck something awful. That dream felt way too premonition-y. Water maybe? Maybe that'll make me feel better.
I got up and went to the fridge, hoping to God there was a bottle or two of water waiting for me. I could trust Crowley to do my grocery shopping (without me even knowing about it. He bought kale…Kale is a lie.). Fingers crossed…When I opened the fridge, I didn't just find the water. I found something even better. An IV bag with a note on it.
Just in case it gets bad while I'm gone.
xoxo
-C
Bless you, Crowley. I pulled the tab out of the bottom and took long, steady sips from the bag. Fantastic. I started to even out again. Just what I needed. Once I was good again, one question flashed in my mind. Where in the hell did Crowley go? Apparently, he was far enough away to give me a little blood supply. I grabbed my phone and dialed a series of sixes.
Ring…
Ring…
Ring…
"Hello, darling," Crowley answered, "What can I do for you?"
"Where are you?" I wondered, taking a look out the window. Morning already?
"I had a few dealings to see to," he said, "Did you find my present?"
"Drinking your present as we speak," I told him, "How long are you going to be?"
"A little while," Crowley winced, "I'm sorry. I'll try to make it quick. Anxious to get out of town already?"
"What can I say?" I shrugged, "I'm stir crazy."
"I shouldn't be much longer," he assured, "Are you alright, sweetheart? You sound off."
"Bad dream," I shook it off, "I'll be fine."
"Alright," Crowley let me go, "Soon. An hour. Maybe two, tops. Can you hang in there that long?"
"I guess," I fake pouted.
"Come now," he saw through me, "Smile, my dear. It's not forever."
I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Despite the dream, Crowley actually made me feel better. And that son of a bitch managed to coax a smile out of me, "Alright. I'll be waiting. Don't take your sweet time, ok?"
"I won't."
Click.
It's amazing how impeccable his timing can be…
A/N: Sorry to cut this one short, but it's getting late and I have children to put to bed soon. Also, if you caught the reference at the end, you're cool and we're not best friends. Now, getting back to that thing I told you about in the beginning…If I were to do something silly like start a YouTube channel with my spastic brand of fangirling, would any of you come hang out and watch it? Because I've had people suggest that to me and I'm not quite sure if I want to do it yet. I don't know. We'll see. It's just something to think about. See you next chapter! xx