Chapter 16

Epilogue: The Road To Come

Dean slammed the trunk of the Impala, packed and ready, and then returned to a final meeting with Sam and Johnny.

"Not sure I like those scratches on Baby, Johnny. Not cool," he said.

"Hey, I killed, like, all the demons, okay? What did you do? You got kidnapped and mind probed to the point of becoming a snivelling mess on the floor by ANOTHER demon that I killed. I don't think you have any ground to stand on here, brother. Just saying," Johnny explained.

"Okay, okay. I owe you a beer sometime," Dean replied with a laugh.

"I'm gonna take you up on that one day. Be prepared. And Sam." He turned to look at Sam, who suddenly became attentive. "You gotta teach me how you out mind manipulated the mind manipulator. That's some crazy psychic shit there!"

Sam laughed half-heartedly.

"I think I'll be keeping that one to myself."

"Even after all we've been through together?"

Sam shrugged with a slight smile.

"Fair play, fair play. Alright then..."

He leaned in and gave them each a strong hand shake.

"Until the next big ass mother fucker."

"Sure thing, Blaze," said Dean.

"Take care of yourselves now," Johnny said as he straddled his motorcycle and brought her to life with a jolt.

"You too," Sam replied.

Then Johnny was off, speeding off into the sunset.

The brothers turned to the Impala and slowly made their way to their usual sides.

"He's okay," Dean declared.

Sam laughed.

"Yeah, he's a character alright."

Dean came to a stop as he got to the driver's side door.

"Sam, I- Thank you. You brought me back from a... very dark place."

"I did what I could."

"But how did you?"

Sam shrugged. "If only I knew."

Dean shook his head. "Your powers- abilities, whatever... how much more to them is there? 'Cause it's kinda freaking me out."

"Me too. I keep surprising myself. Not sure that's a good thing."

"I don't either."

"But, Dean, you can't keep worrying about that. About me. You know me. You know I'd do anything for you. I couldn't be whatever Malphas wanted you to think I'll be. Just like I know you could never be what he wanted you think you'll be. We're good people, Dean. We help people. We save people. How can that ever be bad?"

"When the wrong people are saved and the wrong people are killed," Dean said with some weight.

"Is this about dad?"

"Forget it," Dean interjected.

"Dean-"

"I said forget it."

Dean got into the car on the driver's side. Sam followed on the passenger's side. They sat there for a moment in silence, wrapped in their own thoughts. After a moment, Sam spoke.

"You know what I can't figure out? What was Malphas' end game? To torment you?"

Dean thought about it and replied without looking over at Sam.

"To break me. To make me a killer like him."

"You're not. You do know that, right?" Sam waited for a response.

"I'm a lot of things, Sam. Just like every man."

He turned the keys and ignited the engine.

"Maybe there's a bit of darkness possessing all of us. Maybe Johnny's not alone in his curse after all," Sam said wisely.

Dean nodded in agreement.

The Impala pulled out onto the road, a little beaten and worse for wear, but still looking like a fine beauty. And out onto the road she ran, the sun rising with a new day and a new hunt over the horizon.