Crossroad Blues
They sat in a diner to grab some lunch; planning the next hunt. Genna sat next Dean with Adonia and Sam on the other side. It has been six hunts, one burial, and one run in with the cops since the hospital. Everyone seemed to be fine despite all that has happened, even Adonia. She still refused to talk about why she was taken. She didn't fully understand herself. With Sam on the computer as always, Adonia over his shoulder to see Dean's mugshot.
"So much for our low profile. You've got a warrant in St. Louis, and now you're officially in the Fed's database," Dean laughed.
"Dude, I'm like Dillinger or something," he added as he shoved a french fry in his mouth.
"Dean, it's not funny. Makes the job harder, we've gotta be more careful now," Sam said with some authority in his voice.
"Well, what do they got on you?" Everyone looked at Sam who started typing away sheepishly.
"I'm sure they just haven't posted yet," he mumbled. Dean smiled.
"No accessory? Nothing?"
"Shut up," Sam said defensively. The girls laughed.
"You're jealous," Dean said behind his laugh.
"No, I'm not!"
"Uh-huh. All right. What do you got on the case there, you innocent, harmless young man, you?" The girls laughed under their breath, so it wouldn't look so obvious to Sam. Sam shut his laptop, annoyed, and pulled out several pages of research.
"Architect Sean Boyden plummeted to his death from the roof of his home, a condominium he designed," Sam read.
"Hmm. Build a high-rise and jump off the top of it. That's classy. When did he call animal control?"
"Two days earlier."
"Did he actually say black dog?" Genna asked, stealing a fry from Dean.
"Yeah. A vicious, wild, black dog. The authorities couldn't find it, no one else saw it; in fact, the authorities are a little confused as to how a wild dog could get past the doorman, take the elevator up and start roaming the halls of the cushiest joint in town. After that, no more calls, he doesn't show up for work, two days later he takes a swan dive."
"Do you think we're actually dealing with a black dog?" Adonia asked nervously.
"Well, maybe," Sam answered.
"What's the lore on it?" Dean asked. Sam passed the papers to him.
"It's all pretty vague. I mean, there are spectral black dogs all over the world, but... some say they're animal spirits, others say death omens. But anyways, whatever they are, they're big, nasty."
"Yeah, I bet they could hump the crap outta your leg, look at that one, huh," he held up a picture and smirked. Sam and Adonia glared; the smirk slipped, "What? They could."
In a modern, well-lit room, the hunters interviewed a man in his apartment, wearing suits to look professional.
"So, you and Sean Boyden were business partners for almost ten years, correct?" Genna asked with her small notebook in hand.
"That's right. Now one more time, this is for...?" The man asked. He wore black dress pants and a beige sweater.
"A tribute to Mr. Boyden. Architectural Digest," Genna said with a smile. The man laughed.
"This funny to you?" Dean asked near him.
"No, it... it's just, a tribute. Yeah. See, Sean always got the tributes. He kills himself, leaves me and his family behind... well, he gets another tribute," the man said with a smile.
"Right. Any idea why he'd do such a thing?" Genna asked moving things along.
"I, I have no clue, I mean he lived a charmed life."
"How so?" Genna asked curiously.
"He was a flat-out genius. I mean, I'm capable, but next to him, I... and it wasn't always that way, either."
"No?" Dean questioned.
"You wanna know the truth? There was a time where he couldn't even design a pup tent. Hell, ten years ago he's working as a bartender at this place called Lloyds. A complete dive."
"Right. So what changed?"
"You got me. But overnight, he gets this huge commission, and he starts designing... he starts designing the most ingenious buildings anyone has ever seen. It was like, the level of Van Gogh, and Mozart," he stopped abruptly.
"What?" Dean asked.
"It's funny. True geniuses, they seem to die young, don't they? To have that kind of talent? Why...why just throw it away?"
Next house, Dr. Pearlman. She became chief surgeon at the age of 33; overnight success. Pretty ironic that she went to Lloyd's bar as well.
The next day, the hunters took a drive to Lloyd's bar. It was surrounded by graveled rounds and dead weeds. They got out of the Impala and walked in the middle of the crossroad. Strangely, Adonia looked the sound of gravel under her boots.
"Hey," Dean called out.
"Yeah?" Sam responded. The girls looked in Dean's direction as he walked towards the grass area. There were yellow flowers along the edges.
"Think someone planted these?"
"In the middle of all these weeds?" Genna questioned.
"These are, uhm, what do you call 'em?"
"Yarrow flowers," Adonia stated, unsure of her answer.
"Yeah. Used for certain rituals, aren't they?" Dean asked as he moved some of the flowers with his boot.
"Yeah, actually. Summoning rituals," Sam bashed out like an encyclopedia.
"Heh. So, two people become sudden successes about ten years ago. Right around the time they were hanging out here at Lloyd's," Dean pointed out.
"Where there just happens to be a crossroads. You think?" Sam asked. Adonia felt sick to her stomach.
"Let's find out," Dean said without an issue. Adonia reluctantly followed them as they stepped a few feet to what seemed like the center. Dean looked around, measuring.
"This seem about dead center to you?" He asked aloud. Dean grabbed a shovel from the trunk and dug into the hard soil. Without having to dig far, he hit something hard.
"Yahtzee," he dropped the shovel and dug into the dirt with his hands, pulled out an old rusted box. He opened it. It contained, among other things, several small bones and a small stoppered jar that Sam took out.
"I'd be willing to bet that's graveyard dirt. And a black cat bone," Sam said with a scoff.
"That's serious spell work. I mean, that's Deep South Hoodoo stuff." Dean and Sam stood as Genna and Adonia stood near.
"Used to summon demons," Genna pointed out sadly.
"Not just summon one. Crossroads are where pacts are made. These people are actually making deals with the damn thing. You know, 'cause that always ends good," Dean said to her. Adonia heard him, but she turned to look at the road to avoid looking at him. Genna nudged her eyes towards Adonia to shut Dean up.
"They're seeing dogs, all right. But not Black Dogs, they're seeing Hellhounds. Demonic pit bulls," Sam said trying to further the conversation.
"Yeah, whoever this demon is, it's back and it's collecting. And that doctor lady? Wherever she's running? She ain't running fast enough," Dean said, digging a deeper hole for himself as always. Adonia turned to him, but her eyes were practically burning into his soul.
They walked over to the car to contemplate their next move. Sam, Dean, and Genna stood on the driver's side in a triangle while Adonia stood on the other side; her blood boiling.
"So it's just like the Robert Johnson legend, right? I mean, selling your soul at the crossroads, kind of deal?" Sam asked with his hands in his leather jacket pockets.
"Yeah, except that wasn't a legend. I mean, you know his music," Sam shrugged, "You don't know Robert Johnson's songs? Sam, there's, there's occult references all over his lyrics, I mean, Crossroad Blues? Me And The Devil Blues? Hellhound On My Trail?" Sam frowned, Genna shrugged, and Dean rolled his eyes. Adonia was out of the conversation.
"The story goes, he died choking on his own blood, he was hallucinating, and muttering about big evil dogs," Dean said with an ironic smirk.
"And now it's happening all over again," Genna noted.
It never stopped, Adonia thought.
"We've gotta figure out if anyone else struck any bargains around here," Sam said, eager to help anyone he could as always. Genna nodded in agreement.
"Great. So we've gotta clean up these peoples' mess for 'em? I mean, they're not exactly squeaky clean. Nobody put a gun to their head and forced 'em to play Let's Make A Deal," Dean snapped at him.
"So what, we should just let them die?" Adonia yelled from behind. No one knew why Dean was so careless about the topic. Dean turned back to her.
"Somebody goes over Niagara in a barrel, you gonna jump in and try to save 'em?" Dean asked rudely.
"Dean," Sam said to ward him off.
"Alright. Fine," he turned to Adonia again, "I'm sorry," he sighed,
"Rituals like this, you've got to put your own photo into the mix, right? So this guy probably summoned this thing, let's go and see if anyone inside knows him. If he's still alive," Dean then walked to the bar to ask some questions. As Adonia watched him, Genna and Sam looked at each other knowingly. Genna turned to Adonia.
"Are you okay?" She asked kindly. After letting out a silent, deep sigh, Adonia turned on her heels and got into the backseat.
"This isn't good," Genna noted. Sam looked at her confused.
"What do you mean?" She folded her fit, black leather jacketed arms.
"After everything that happened in Lincoln and now this whole crossroad demon situation, this is destroying her inside. Dean sure as hell isn't helping," Genna let out a sigh.
"I'm going to have to talk to Dean AND Addie. This is going to be fun," Sam looked down and then back at her.
"You know, I could talk to her," Genna laughed and went into the bar to get Dean.
The hunters walked up a set of wide, wooden stairs to the fourth floor of an apartment building.
"What's this guy's name again?" Sam asked along side of Dean.
"George Darrow. Apparently quite the regular at Lloyd's. Though this house probably ain't up next on MTV Cribs, is it?" Dean pointed out.
"Yeah, so whatever kind of deal he made," Genna began to say.
"Wasn't for cash. Oh, who knows. Maybe this place is full of babes in Princess Leia bikinis," Genna sighed, "No, I'm just saying, this guy's got one epic bill come due. Hope at least he asked for something fun." They reached the landing and stopped in front of apartment 4C. The floor was dusted with a fine black powder.
"Look at that," Sam said as he crouched down, fingering it.
"What is it, pepper?" Genna asked, leaning over his shoulder. The door opened to reveal George, a middle-aged black man with graying hair, who wore a grimy t-shirt and opened button-down.
"Who the hell are you?" George asked with slight fear.
"George Darrow?" Dean asked in his authoritarian voice.
"I'm not buying anything," George as he tried to shut the door.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, looks like you went for the wrong shaker there. Heh. Usually when you want to keep something evil out you go for the salt," Dean said with that "gotcha" look. George stopped and listened.
"I don't know what you're talkin' about," George said innocently.
"Talkin' about this," Dean said as he held up a small picture of George from the crossroad box, "Tell me. You seen that Hellhound yet?"
"Look. We want to help. Please. Just five minutes," Sam said showing his kinder side over Dean's ignorant persona. George showed them in and poured himself a glass of whiskey. The studio apartment was filled with paintings, completed and half-finished, and a table held painting supplies.
"So what is that stuff out front?" Sam asked.
"Goofer dust," everyone looked at him blankly, "What, you all think you know somethin' about somethin' but not Goofer dust?" He sucked his teeth in disbelief and tossed Dean a brown sack, tied close with twine.
"Well, we know a little about a lot of things. Just enough to make us dangerous," Dean said as he examined the bag.
"What is it?" Sam asked intrigued.
"Hoodoo. My grandma taught me. Keeps out demons."
"Demons we know," Genna added.
"Well, then. Maybe it'll do you some good," George walked over to a chair, "Four minutes left." Sam glanced at Adonia, who sighed and took the lead.
"Mr. Darrow. We know you're in trouble."
"Yeah. That you got yourself into," Dean mumbled as he looked around suspiciously. Adonia closed her eyes for a second and tried to ignore him.
"But it's not hopeless, all right? There's gotta be something we can do."
"Listen. I get that you all want to help. But sometimes a person makes their bed, they've just got to lie down in it. I'm the one called that demon in the first place," George said with a more sad tone.
"What'd you do it for?" Dean asked, cutting in.
"I was weak. I mean, who don't want to be great? Who don't want their life to mean something? I just... I just never thought about the price," He said looking down.
"Was it worth it?" Dean said in a slightly rude tone.
"Hell no. 'Course, I asked for talent. Should'a gone for fame. I'm still broke, and lonely. Just now I got this pile of paintings don't nobody want. But that wasn't the worst," George paused.
"Go on," Adonia insisted kindly.
"Demon didn't leave. I never counted on that. After our deal was done the damn thing stayed at Lloyd's for a week. Just chattin'. Makin' more deals. I tried to warn folks, but, I mean who's goin' to listen to an old drunk?"
"How many others are there?" Adonia asked eagerly.
"Uh, the architect, that doctor lady — I kept up with them, they've been in the papers. Least they got famous."
"Who else, George? Come on, think," Dean said rushing him.
"One more. Uh, nice guy too. Hudson. Evan, I think. I don't know what he asked for. Don't matter now. We done for."
"No, no. There's gotta be another way," Adonia said in denial.
"You don't get it! I don't want a way!" Adonia was taken aback at George's rage.
"Look, you don't -" She began to say.
"I called that thing! I brought it on myself. I brought it on them. I'm going to hell, one way or another. All I want is to finish my last painting. Day or two, I'm done. I'm just trying to hold them off 'till then. Buy a little time. Okay, time you went. Go help somebody that wants help."
"We can just -" Adonia wanted to help him with all of her.
"Get out! I got work to do," George demanded.
"You don't really want to die," Adonia said in a soft tone, knowingly. Knowing how he would die.
"I don't? I'm...I'm tired." Everyone left the room, Adonia was reluctant as she watched George continue his grungy, expressionist painting.
They show up at Evan's house, now nighttime. Sam knocked on the door and the middle-aged blonde man answered the door.
"Yes?" He asked, shorter than the brothers. Then again, everyone was.
"Evan Hudson?" Sam asked kindly.
"You ever been to a bar called Lloyd's? Would have been about ten years ago," terrified, Evan slammed the door and latched it.
"Come on! We're not demons!" Dean yelled through the door.
"Convincing. I'm sure he'll be back any second now. Any other bright ideas?" Adonia said in a smart tone. Dean looked at her with a slight glare, then kicked down the door. They run upstairs after Evan. Knowing which door he went into, Dean lifted his leg to kick it down, but Sam stopped him. Sam looked at Dean pointedly, turned the handle, and pushed the door open gently. The room was quiet as they entered.
"Evan?" Sam asked as he looked around the room.
"Please? Don't hurt me!" Evan exclaimed as he walked from behind a wall, startling everyone. Sam held out his hands, pacifying.
"We're not going to hurt you, alright? We're here to help you," Sam said kindly.
"We know all about the genius deal you made," Dean said, unable to contain himself.
"What? How?" Evan asked confused.
"Doesn't matter. All that matters is, we're trying to stop it."
"How do I know you're not lying?"
"Well, you don't. But you're kinda running low on options there, buddy boy," Dean said with a wink. Evan swallowed and started pacing.
"Can you stop it?" Evan asked hopefully.
"Don't know. We'll try," Adonia said sympathetically.
"I don't want to die," Evan pleaded.
"Of course you don't. Not now," Dean said rudely.
"Dean, stop," Genna said in a calm tone.
"What'd you ask for anyway, Evan? Huh? Never need Viagra? Bowl a perfect game? What?" Dean had this look on his face that Adonia wanted to knock off. Evan paused for a moment.
"My wife." Dean laughed.
"Right. Gettin' the girl. Well, that's worth a trip to hell for."
"Dean, stop," Sam said hoping two against one would shut him up.
"No. He's right, I made the deal. Nobody twisted my arm, that... woman, or whatever she was, at the bar? She said I could have anything I wanted. I thought she was nuts at first, but... I don't know how to— I was desperate."
"Desperate?" Adonia asked intrigued.
"Julie was dying," Evan said softly as he leaned on his desk away from them.
"You did it to save her?" Dean after feeling a bit guilty.
"She had cancer, they'd stopped treatment, they were moving her into hospice, they kept saying... a matter of days. So yeah, I made the deal. And I'd do it again. I'd have died for her on the spot," Evan was now facing them again.
"Did you think about her in all of this?" Dean asked deeply.
"I did this for her," Evan snapped back, tears in his eyes. Dean advanced to him.
"You sure about that? I think you did it for yourself. So you wouldn't have to live without her. But guess what? She's going to have to live without you now. But what if she knew how much it cost? What if she knew it cost your soul? How do you think she'd feel?" Adonia was taken aback and thought as he spoke. She put her hand on his chest, pulling him back.
"That's enough," she turned to Evan as she led Dean towards the door, "You just sit tight, alright? We're going to figure this out." Adonia and Dean walked next to the stairs.
"Are you alright?" She asked from a good distance behind him. He turned around, breathing somewhat heavily.
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be? Hey, I got an idea." He was then facing her and pulled out a bag of goofer dust.
"You throw George's hoodoo at that Hellhound, keep it away from Evan as long as you can. I'm gonna go to the crossroads and summon the demon."
"Summon- are you nuts?" She asked mildly harsh.
"Maybe a little. But I can trap it. I can exorcise it, and I can buy us time to figure out something more permanent."
"Yeah, but how much time?" She said practically during his last word.
"I don't know, a while. I mean, it's not easy for those suckers to claw their way back from hell and into the sunshine," Dean said with a slight laugh.
"No. No way."
"You're not allowed to say no, Addie, not unless you've got a better idea."
"Dean, you can forget it. Alright? I'm not letting you summon that demon," she stood firm in front of him without being intimidated by the height difference.
"Why not?" He asked with a smirk on his face, waiting for a good excuse.
"Because I don't like where your head is right now, that's why not."
"What are you talking about?" Dean was offended.
"You know, you've been on edge ever since we found that crossroads, Dean. It was really pissing me off at first, but now I think I know why." Dean already started walking away from her. One word made him stop.
"John," Dean stopped with his back towards her, "You think maybe John made one of these deals, huh? Hell. I've been thinking it. I'm sure you've been thinking it too," Adonia's tone was much sweeter. Dean turned to face her. She wasn't sure if he was going to cry or fight them away. A look of pain was certain on his face.
"It fits, doesn't it? I'm alive, Dad's dead. The yellow-eyed demon was involved. What if he did? What if he struck a deal? My life for his soul?"
"Dean, I would understand more than anyone. You can't be upset with him or Evan for choosing family over themselves," Dean looked at her confused.
"You can't tell me you weren't upset with your parents," Adonia looked down and smiled. When she looked back at him, a small tear tried to escape her eye.
"Of course I was, at first. I would have done the same for them. And you know what, I would do the same for either one of you. All of you, you're all I have and I'm not going to loose you just yet." Adonia smiled and Dean let out a small one. It was soon disrupted.
"I think I hear it! It's outside!" Evan yelled from the room.
"Just keep him alive, okay?" Dean said to her. He turned and walked away.
"Dean," she called with tears in her eyes.
"Go!"
Dean ripped one of his fake IDs so only his picture was showing and put it in the crossroad demon's summoning box. He reapplied the gravel and dirt over the hole and waited. After only a few seconds, an attractive woman in a black dress showed up.
"So. What brings a guy like you to a place like this," He looked at her appraisingly, "You called me?"
"I'm just glad it worked," he said to her as she stood near him.
"First time?" She said as if speaking to a baby.
"You could say that," he said cunningly.
"Oh, come on now. Don't sell yourself short. I know all about you, Dean Winchester," her eyes glowed red.
"So, you know who I am."
"I get the newsletter," she said seductively. Then again, everything she said was seductive. It's how the crossroad demon's are. Not to mention they appear attractive in your own taste.
"Well don't keep in suspense. What have you heard?" He asked trying to be flirtatious.
"Well, I heard you were handsome. But you're just edible. What can I do for you, Dean?" She half-circled around him, examining him.
"Maybe we should do this in my car. Nice and private."
"Sounds good to me." Demons can tend to be tricked sometimes.
They walked in silence for a minute as they walked to the Impala. The nocturnal hour made the silence even quieter.
"So I was hoping we could strike a deal," he said walking alongside of her.
"That's what I do."
"I want Evan Hudson released from his contract," the demon laughed.
"Hmm. So sorry, darling. That's not negotiable."
"I'll make it worth your while."
"Oh really? What are you offering?"
"Me."
"Well, well, well. You'd sacrifice your life for someone else's. Like father, like son." Dean eyed her warily.
"You did know about your dad's deal, right? His life for yours? Oh, I didn't make the deal myself, but... boy, I wish I had," Dean gritted his teeth and opened the passenger side door.
"After you," he said trying to beat her.
"Such a gentleman," as she started to get into the car, she looked down and saw the edge of a symbol extending from below the car.
"A Devil's Trap? You've got to be kidding me."
Back at Evan's office, Sam had made a goofer dust circle in the middle of the room and had Evan stay in the middle of it. Genna made sure all windows and doors were locked. Evan snapped around.
"You hear that?" He asked, panicked.
"No, where?" Genna asked looking around. He turned back around to the door.
"Right outside the door." The door began rattling violently. Sam motioned Genna and Adonia to step inside the circle; he did the same.
"Just don't move, alright? Stay where you are," Sam told Evan. He figured Evan was the only one that wasn't safe, but he wanted to be safe, then sorry.
"You stupid, stupid... I should rip you limb from limb," she slammed the car door shut and advanced towards Dean, who backed up towards a wooden structure.
More pleading than defiant, Dean said, "Take your best shot."
"No. I don't think so. I'm not going to put you out of your misery."
"Yeah, why not?" Dean laughed nervously. His breath visible in the night air.
"Because your misery's the whole point. It's too much fun to watch. Knowing how your daddy died for you, how he sold his soul. I mean, that's gotta hurt," Dean backed up against a wooden railing, "It's all you ever think about. You wake up and your first thought is, 'I can't do this anymore.' You're all lit up with pain. I mean, you loved him so much. And it's all your fault," Dean recoiled as she got closer to his face, "You blew it, Dean! I could have given you what you need."
"What do I need?" He said with a gulp, but stern.
"Your father. I could have brought him back. Your loss. See ya, Dean. I wish you a nice long life," she walked away.
"Hold on," he said after scrambling his head about what just happened. She stopped with a smile.
The rattling continued louder, the violence continued harsher, then it stopped abruptly.
"Do you still hear it?" Adonia asked from behind him.
"No. Is it over?" Evan asked nervously. A rumbling sound came from a vent on the wall. They whirled to stare at it; it busted outward, kicking dust into the room.
"It's here!"
The demon stopped and turned back; Dean stood beneath the wooden structure, head down.
"You're lucky I've got a soft spot for lost puppies and long faces. I just can't leave you like this. Besides. You didn't call me here to bargain for Evan. Not really."
"Can you bring him back? My dad?"
"Of course I can. Just as he was. Your dad would live a long and natural life, like he was meant to. That's a promise."
"What about me?" Dean's expression was saddening, but serious.
"I could give you ten years. Ten long good years with him. That's a lifetime. The family can be together again. John, Dean, Sammy. The Winchester boys all reunited," she advanced towards him, "Look. Your dad's supposed to be alive. You're supposed to be dead. So we'll just set things straight, put things in their natural order. And you get ten extra years on top. That's a bonus." She stood very close to him. He turned and walked farther back. He stood on the outside of the other side of the structure.
"You think you could, throw in a pair of steak knives?" She laughed.
"You know, this smart-ass self-defense mechanism of yours-" She stopped and looked up. Above her head, on the ceiling of the wooden structure, was a Devil's Trap. She glared at him.
"Dean..." She said as if a mother was about to punish her child.
"Now you're really trapped. That's gotta hurt."
"Let me out. Now," The demon demanded.
"Sure. We just gotta make a little deal here first. You call off your Hellhounds and let Evan go. Then I'll let you go."
"Hmm. And by "can't" you mean "don't want to"? Last chance. Evan and his wife get to live to a ripe old age. Going, going..."
"Let's talk about this," the demon pleaded.
"Okay, gone." Dean circled around the fixture and took out John's journal.
The barking grew louder and louder. Invisible Hellhounds surrounds the circle.
"Stay inside the circle!" Sam demanded as he stretched his arms in front of the group to protect them. Visible, deep scratches appeared closer and closer to the circle until the scratches formed on the edge. Adonia winced at the remembrance of finding the same markings on her parents floor.
"What are you doing?" The demon asked as she watched him.
"Oh, you're just gonna go on a little trip; way down south."
"Forget Evan. Think of your dad," the demon pleaded. Bargaining, one of the stages.
"Regna terrae, cantate Deo..." Dean continued the exorcism, circling the demon, who began to flinch and convulse; all the while, Sam and everyone began backing away slowly, wind started to eat away at their protective circle.
"Circle's broken! Come on!" Sam yelled over the wind. He pulled everyone out of the room and down the hall. They darted into a storeroom and slammed the door behind them. Sam braced himself against it and the Hellhounds started to pound it down.
"...in potentis Magnife!"
"Wait!" The violent pounding stopped; everything got quiet. Sam, Evan, Genna, and Adonia looked around, panting.
Dean and the demon are locked in a passionate kiss. Much more passionate than he's used to. She stepped back, leaving him confused.
"What the hell was that for?"
"Sealing the deal."
"I usually like to be warned before being violated with demon tongue."
"Evan Hudson is free. He and his wife will live long lives."
"How do I know you're not lying?"
"My word is my bond."
"Oh really?" Dean asked with a laugh.
"It is when I make a deal. It's the rules. You got what you wanted. Now let me go," she demanded. Dean stepped back and glanced up at the Devil's Trap. He fingered the rosary.
"You're going to double-cross me? Funny how I'm the trustworthy one," Dean shrugged, "You know, you renege? Send me to hell? Sooner or later I'm gonna climb out, and skinning Evan Hudson's gonna be the first thing that I do." Dean smiled, stashed the rosary away. He climbed up and broke the protective circle above her head. She stepped out.
"I gotta tell you. You would have never pulled that stunt if you knew."
"Knew what?" Dean looked disgusted.
"Where your dad is. You should have made that deal. See, people talk about hell, but it's just a word. It doesn't even come close to describing the real thing."
"Shut your mouth, bitch." His words barely crossed her mind.
"If you could see your poor daddy? Hear the sounds he makes 'cause he can't even scream?" Dean walked towards her.
"How about I send you back there?" She threw her head back; black ichor poured out of her mouth as she screamed. Dean backed up until he was against the wooden structure again. The demon was gone, and the girl who had hosted it slumped to the ground, confused.
"What...How...did I get here?" She said breathless.
The hunters were back on the road right after the incident. The girls sat in the back as usual. Dean had informed them about what the demon had said to him.
"Demons lie all the time, right? Maybe she's lying to get to your head," Genna said trying to help.
"Come on. Is that really what you think?" He said deeply looking into the rear view mirror. Genna looked down.
"How could he do it?" Dean said looking at the road.
"He did it for you," Adonia said softly.
"Exactly. How am I supposed to live with that? You know, the thought of him... wherever he is right now. I mean, he spent his whole life chasing that... yellow-eyed son of a bitch. He should have gone out fighting. That was supposed to be his legacy. You know? Not bargaining with the damn thing. Not this."
"You're supposed to live with it how I am, Dean. By moving on." Dean shook his head in disagreement.
"How many people do you think Dad saved? Total?" Sam asked chiming in.
"That's not the point, Sam."
"Evan Hudson is safe because of what Dad taught us. That's his legacy, Dean. But we're still here, man. So we gotta keep going, for him." Adonia smiled at Sam's words. He was right. Dean stayed silent, defeated.
"Hey Dean?" Sam asked after thinking for a moment.
"Yeah?" His tone showed he wasn't pleased.
"When you were trapping that demon, you weren't... I mean, it was all a trick, right? You never considered actually making that deal, right?" Sam asked nervously. Dean stared straight ahead, then glanced out the window. He reached forward and turned the radio on full blast and didn't say a word. Sam's eyes teared up, the girls looked at each other, worried.