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Chapter name borrowed from….. I really don't know.
Again.
CHAPTER TWENTY- FOUR- TRICKSTERS AND HEROES
"So you really think it's the janitor?"
Dean scowled and nodded.
"Yeah, Sam, who else has been here from the get-go?"
Sam didn't look convinced, but entered the building nevertheless.
The janitor greeted us brightly.
"Come on, then," He led us up a staircase.
Dean signaled to Sam behind his back.
"We just need to check a couple offices up on three."
"No problem."
Sam paused.
"I, uh, forgot something in the truck. You know what? I'll catch up with you guys."
"Okay."
Sam hurried back, and I could faintly discern the shape of the lockpicks in his jeans.
~Supernatural~
"Just 'cause he reads the Weekly World News doesn't mean he's our guy," Sam argued.
"I'm telling you, it's him."
"Look, I just think we need some hard proof. That's all," Sam's tone was strained.
"Another thing Castiel said," Dean added.
"These suckers have a metabolism like an insect, real sweet tooth."
"I didn't find any candy bars or sugar," Sam pointed out.
"Not even Equal."
"Probably missed something," Dean shrugged.
Sam's nostrils flared.
"I don't miss things."
"Oh, right," Dean rolled his eyes. "'Cause you're Mr. Perfect."
"What?" Sam huffed.
"Are you really still pissed at me 'cause of what the trickster did?"
"You've been a tight ass long before the trickster showed up," Dean returned.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the janitor watching us from an upper storey window.
"Look," Sam breathed out heavily.
"Just stay here with Odette, keep an eye on the janitor. I'll go to his place to see if I can find any actual evidence before you go barging in and staking the man!"
"I'm not babysitting some kid, Sam!" Dean yelled.
"I've got better things to do!"
I winced at the underlying accusation.
Sam had already left.
"Damn it," Dean growled, pacing restlessly.
I stayed out of his way.
…
Night fell.
Dean was still waiting impatiently.
"Eh, screw this," Dean jerked open the door.
"But-"
"Shut up and get in," Dean dragged me inside.
We poked around cautiously, and Dean shone his flashlight at the room.
As we went up the last staircase, he put the flashlight away, pulling out a large wooden stake.
Dean froze as something snapped behind him.
He tucked the stake in his jacket, shuffling me behind him.
We entered the theater on the side.
On the stage was a round red bed with a tacky red canopy and a slowly rotating disco ball.
Two attractive women were curled up on it.
"We've been waiting for you, Dean," The brunette said with a wide smile.
"Y-Y-You guys aren't real," Dean stammered.
The brunette laughed.
"Trust me, sugar, it's gonna feel real."
Dean swallowed nervously.
"Come on," The blonde cooed. "Let us give you a massage."
"You know, I'm a—I'm a sucker for a happy ending," Dean blinked rapidly.
"Really, I am, but… I- I'm gonna have to pass."
"They're a peace offering," We spun around to look at the trickster sitting in the audience.
"I know what you and your brother do. I've been around a while. Run into your kind before."
"Well, then," Dean clutched the stake.
"You know I can't let you just keep hurting people."
"Come on!" The trickster urged.
"Those people got what was coming to them. Hoisted on their own petards. But you and Sam—I like you."
He turned to me.
"And there's no reason I'd harm a little girl, now would I?"
I bridled indignantly.
"So treat yourself, long as you want," The trickster smiled.
"Just let me move on to the next town."
"Yeah," Dean shook his head slowly.
"I don't think I can let you do that."
'"I don't want to hurt you. And you know that I can."
"Look, man," Dean grinned.
"I got to tell you, I dig your style, all right?"
"I mean," Dean chuckled. "The slow-dancing alien?"
"One of my personal favorites," He nodded. "Yeah."
"But, uh," Dean clutched the stake. "I can't let you go."
"Too bad," The trickster frowned.
"Like I said, I like you. Sam was right. You shouldn't have come alone."
"Well, I'll agree with you there," Dean nodded.
The door slammed shut.
We looked up to see Sam and Castiel, clutching a stake of their own.
"That fight you guys had," The trickster paused.
"That was a trick? Hmm. Not bad. But you want to see a real trick?"
A masked man with a chainsaw appeared near the other two.
The brunette attacked Dean.
The trickster watched, entertained, as Castiel and Sam grappled with the chainsaw man and Dean fought the women.
They threw him into the seats.
"Nice toss, ladies," The trickster whistled appreciatively.
The stake fell to the floor.
I whipped my head from side to side.
I had no choice.
I crept forward slowly.
The trickster did not look at me.
I picked up Dean's stake, and he shot me an incredulous look.
What the hell do you think you're doing? He mouthed.
I ignored him, moving forward.
Sam turned back to look at me, instantly seeing the stake.
He tried to move away, but narrowly escaped the chainsaw man's advance.
Castiel looked at me impassively, then blinked at me slowly.
I nodded once, understanding the signal.
I sidled behind the trickster, and stabbed the stake in his heart.
I dimly noticed the women and the chainsaw man disappear, but all I could see was the blood swirling in my hands.
I'd just killed someone.
Maybe it was a monster, but kill him I had.
What had I become?
The stake clattered to the floor.
~Supernatural~
"Hey, Castiel, do you mind-"
Before I could finish, he was already there.
"What do you require?"
I looked at him oddly.
"Nothing, really, Castiel."
He tilted his head.
"Then why ask for my assistance?"
I shook my head at him.
"Can't I call you just for your company, Castiel?"
I seemed to have finally caught him off guard.
"I suppose…. so."
I laughed at his confused expression.
"Honestly, Cas."
Both of us froze as the name escaped my lips.
I couldn't meet his eyes for more than a second.
Cas.
I knew what we were both thinking, for once.
"I guess it's a sign of affection, Castiel. It means you're important to the person who gave you the name. That you belong."
I forced myself to hold his gaze.
"It shows you care."