A/N: Here's the next chapter. Not sure I'm 100% happy with it, but let me know what you think!
Sam's POV
It's not looking good.
We've been searching for Cas for days now with no luck. Kevin has somehow figured out how to work the huge angel-tracking contraption that sits in one of our many rooms, and although pinpointing the locations of angels is helpful, it won't lead us directly to Cas. Instead, we look for patterns. There are several large groups of angels that have joined together, and we search out the closest ones, wondering if maybe they're hunting down Castiel together.
Right now, we're tracking down a cluster moving through Ozark, Missouri. We figure it's close enough to the bunker to be in Cas's range...if he's still alive. I try not to let myself linger on that possibility. Despite being human, I'm still confident that Cas is a fighter. He always has been. I have to believe he's alive, and I have to believe we'll find him soon. That's just the way it has to work out. Because if it doesn't...
"They're just fucking standing there." Dean's complaint slices through my train of thought, pulling me back to our current position; huddled in the nearby bushes like twelve year olds spying on the neighbors.
Dean's right of course. There's seven of them, all gathered in a loose circle in the middle of some random clearing in some random forest. A slow-moving stream runs just to the left of the angels, spilling out into a pint-sized waterfall and then gathering into a small pool that's barely ankle deep. I shift deeper into my crouched position, freezing when the movement rustles the leaves of the bush we've chosen as our hiding spot. Dean tenses beside me, reaching for the angel blade tucked beneath his jacket. The angels, however, don't even spare a glance at the disturbance.
"What are we waiting for?" A tall blonde angel snaps. He stands, arms folded, on the outskirts of the group, scanning the trees that surround them. "We know he's close. Now let's find him. I can't wait to tear his traitorous heart from his chest."
"Patience, Remiel," another angel interjects, sweeping tendrils of auburn hair away from her pointed face. "Castiel will be dealt his punishment soon enough. But we cannot afford to be reckless. Demons still walk this earth, and I have no doubt that the hunters are most likely tracking us down as well. Without our wings, we are vulnerable. We must protect each other."
Dean and I glance at one another, trying to process what we've heard. The angels seem much more adjusted to life on Earth than I would've expected, especially when it comes to knowing that hunters like us are looking for them. But the part I'm most focused on is Cas. He's obviously close, and they're obviously on his tail.
Beside me, Dean is growing restless. Ever since he heard Cas's name, he hasn't been able to stop shifting on his feet.
"Dean, chill," I warn, giving him a look. He rolls his eyes but stops moving, and I glance back at the group of six angels. Wait, six? Weren't there seven before?
"Hey Dean, where's..."
But I never get to finish my sentence.
I'm sailing through the air before I can even process the sturdy hand grasping the collar of my jacket, and I smash awkwardly into a nearby tree, my head slamming unceremoniously into the trunk. I try to get to my feet, but my eyes are swimming and my head is pounding and I end up falling back against the tree again, blinking hard.
My vision clears a moment later and I almost wish it hadn't.
Remiel is looking down at me, a cruel smile splayed across his surprisingly delicate face. He holds a nearly unconscious Dean in a loose choke hold, laughing at his weak attempts to get free.
"Knew we were being watched. You're the Winchesters right? Can't say I'm surprised you showed up," he grins, tightening his hold on Dean's neck.
"Hey," he calls over his shoulder, "Look who's here."
My heart sinks as the other six angels come into view, each carrying an angel blade and looking absolutely lethal.
"Let him go," I growl, watching helplessly as Dean's breath starts to comes out in shallow gasps.
"I don't believe you're in a position to be making demands," Remiel smirks, but to my relief, he does as I ask. Dean sucks in the much needed air greedily, falling to his knees when the angel releases him completely from his hold.
You okay? I mouth, and Dean nods, grimacing. His expression speaks as clearly as if he were saying the actual words.
Shit. This is bad Sammy.
I frown back at him. Yeah, no shit. Plan?
Our silent communication is cut short by the auburn haired angel who has pushed her way past the others, crouching beside me where I still lean against the tree.
"Sam Winchester? In the flesh? What an honor it is," she mocks, trailing a hand through my hair. I'm only slightly surprised to realize that her fingers are stained red when she pulls them back. "Where's your angel friend, huh? Where's Castiel?"
"No idea what you're talking about," I smirk, only slightly caught off guard by the strength behind the abrupt slap that follows. "Gonna have to do better than that," I say, still smiling up at her.
And suddenly I wonder when I became my brother.
That's usually Dean's line. But Dean's in no position to be saying much of anything at the moment. After my last comment, Remiel has hauled Dean to his feet once more, pressing his angel blade firmly against his throat.
"Alright, we'll make this easy then," Remiel says, stepping forward. "You tell us where Castiel is, or we kill your brother." He digs the blade in deeper to make his point, just enough to open up a thin line of blood across Dean's neck.
PlanPlanPlan. Come on. Come on. Think! I chant to myself, searching desperately for a way out of this. My only strategy at this point is to stall.
"Look, I don't know where he is, okay? But we can get in contact with him. We can find out. Please just...please," I beg, widening my eyes, "Don't hurt him."
Apparently my plea sounds convincing enough, because Remiel has that condescending smirk on his face again.
"Yeah alright, make the call," he says. I nod and begin to reach slowly for the phone in my pocket, keeping my other hand up in a show of surrender. I can feel Dean's eyes on me, and I know he's trying to figure out what I'm doing. I meet his gaze with an almost imperceptible shrug and my own "We're still screwed" expression. His aggravated sigh in response to my admission becomes a deep groan when Remiel shifts the blade once more, drawing even more blood.
"Chill out you dickwad, my brother said he'd call Cas," Dean grumbles weakly before I can. I nod instead, bringing the phone to my ear, my eyes still scanning every possible outlet, every possible scenario. I know Dean is doing the same.
Right now the odds aren't good. The five remaining angels who have yet to speak or step forward have all formed a loose circle around the rest of us, effectively taking away our chances at making a run for it.
"Uh, hey Cas," I say when the phone is finally picked up after the fourth ring.
"Huh?" the voice is thick with sleep. "Sam?"
"Yeah Cas, it's Sam. Hey, can you come meet us? We're in Ozark. It's a pretty funky town," I say, "Why don't you come out to our hotel, I can get you the address."
"Sam I'm not Cas, I don't...oh shit," Kevin finally catches on, and I suck in a relieved breath, grateful that Dean thought to teach him our stupid code word.
"Yeah sure, you got a pen?" I ask, trying to keep the conversation flowing while Kevin processes.
"Yeah, yeah I'm ready Sam," Kevin replies, his voice shaking slightly. I hear the rustle of papers through the phone.
"Okay it's 4268 Pontiac Ave. And Cas? Come as quick as you can," I say, hanging up the phone and turning back to the angels.
"He'll meet us at our hotel," I lie. Remiel nods, that smug smile still in place.
"Let's not keep him waiting," he says.
I barely have time to register the butt of the angel blade heading towards my face before everything goes black.
Kind of a late update on this one, so I apologize- Life got busy! I try to update at least once a week, but sometimes it just won't happen. GET EXCITED FOR TONIGHT'S EPISODE! And leave a review if you have time of course =)