This is it - the final chapter of the first Wayward Girls story. Not to fear - the first chapter of part 2 will be on New Years Eve!
Thank you so much to all the people who supported the story and me as an author. I love you all dearly for it - Sara would not exist if not for you.
See you for part 2!
Rowena hugged Sara close to her, pulling away after several long moments and stroking the girls hair.
"We'll be seeing each other again," Rowena promised. "Very, very soon, dear."
"I'm looking forward to it," Sara smiled politely, waving as her grandmother turned, disappearing. Gavin watched her do so with crossed arms from where he leaned against his truck.
"Not sure about her," he frowned. "I definitely don't trust her."
"Smart boy," Crowley said as he joined them, hands tucked into his pockets.
Gavin shook his head. He stepped forward, giving Sara a quick hug, and then clasping hands with his father.
"Back on the road?" Crowley questioned him.
"I'm headed back to Sioux Falls," Gavin nodded. "Maybe try and get a normal job. I guess we'll see what happens." He looked at Sara. "Call me if you need me. I'll see you when you get back to Jody's."
She nodded, and Gavin got into his truck.
"Son," Crowley said, glancing at his son through the open truck window. "Remember what I told you."
Gavin scowled briefly, but gave a stiff nod. He started his truck, and disappeared down the road, wheels kicking up pebbles and dust behind him.
Crowley walked Sara to the Impala. "I've got some loose ends to tie up, minions to round up," he told her. "I'll stop by the bunker this evening, and we'll have a chat. I suppose there are a few things you deserve to know."
Sara smiled, pleased with the promise of new information about herself, her past, and her family. Her father kissed her forehead, squeezing her shoulder gently.
"I'm proud of you," he said after a moment's hesitation, and Sara beamed.
"Thanks, Dad," she smiled.
He nodded. "Keep an eye on her, Moose," he called to Sam. Sam gave a nod, and Crowley disappeared.
The car ride back to the bunker was quiet and tense. Sara stared out the window, wondering if they could truly have even a moment of peace – she doubted it. Even with the Darkness destroyed or gone or what have you, Dean was gone. Things would never be the same, for anyone.
As they arrived at the bunker, Sara made a mental list of things she could do to busy herself. She could start by making something to eat – it was late, and she knew Sam was probably in no mood for food, but he'd have to eat something, even if it was just some toast and tea. He needed to keep his strength up.
Then, she could clean up a bit. The bunker was a bit of a mess after having so many people in it at once, and Claire and Chuck were anything but tidy. There were dishes to do and rooms to straighten, she considered as Cas talked quietly to Sam as they entered the bunker.
After that, she could spend some time practicing with her powers. She was slowly getting a grasp on them, but the whole witchcraft thing threw a wrench in things. No problem, she thought. The bunker has dozens of books on witches and spells. She could practice a few simple spells, gather some ingredients . . .
She was pulled violently from her thoughts, though, as she entered the war room with Cas and Sam and was greeted by an unfamiliar voice. There was a bright flash of light, and Sara shielded her eyes, opening them a few moments later to find Castiel gone.
"Get behind me," Sam ordered Sara, pushing her to a position he could easily shield.
"S-Sam?" Sara exclaimed.
Sam was reaching for his gun, but the intruder advised him not too.
"Sam Winchester. Toni Bevall," she introduced herself. Sara couldn't see from around Sam, but she could feel something was very, very wrong. Sara's head swam at the sudden shock of Castiel being banished atop the other stresses of the day. She caught snippets of the conversation – Men of Letters. They were behind this? She looked around in panic for a weapon.
Think, Sara, she told herself as Sam busied the woman with conversation. Her heart raced. You bloody idiot, your blade, use your blade! Her head shouted, and she quietly reached for the angel blade in her inside coat pocket.
"I wouldn't, dear," the intruder said, and Sara froze.
Sam stepped forward.
"Stop," Toni ordered.
"Put the gun down," Sam reasoned.
"I said stop," she commanded.
"You and I both know you're not going to pull the trigger," Sam retorted.
There was a shot, and Sara jumped back, screaming as she watched Sam collapse, cursing and gasping in pain as blood spread across his jeans.
"Sam!" Sara cried, dropping to her knees beside him, desperately trying to figure out what to do.
"Now," Toni said, shifting her gun to aim directly at Sara's heart. "As for you . . ."
It was dark when Claire and Alex reached Jody's house. Claire felt a sense of comfort as she looked at the house she called home. The truth was, she had wanted to return to the bunker, to comfort Sam and continue the good fight. But . . .
She simply couldn't stand to be there now.
Jody must have heard the car doors slam; as the girls made their way towards the house, the door opened, and Jody excitedly exited.
"Girls!" she exclaimed as she hurried toward the,. "Oh, my God, when the sky went back to normal I didn't know if it was a good thing or not . . . I tried calling but no one answered, I was worried sick, I was about to come looking for you myself." She stopped on the porch, frowning. "Where's Sara?"
"She's with Sam," Alex said weakly. Jody was shocked when Claire dropped her bag, propelling herself against her foster mother and sobbing into her shoulder, letting loose all the stress and grief of the day. Jody held her, stroking her hair, her face a mask of concern and confusion.
"What's wrong? Baby, what happened? What is it?" she demanded, worried.
Alex swallowed, and Claire sobbed quietly, unable to speak.
"Dean is dead," Alex said hoarsely.
Jody's hand flew to her mouth, and tears began to form in her own eyes. Claire cried harder.
"C-come inside," Jody said, her voice uneven. "Come inside, girls, come on . . ."
"Sara stayed behind to keep an eye on Sam," Alex continued as she entered the house.
Jody nodded, sitting on the couch heavily, holding Claire on her lap as the girl cried.
"Is everyone else . . . was anyone else . . ."
"No," Alex shook her head. "Everyone else is . . . fine, for lack of a better word. Lucifer escaped but Castiel thinks he's too weak to do any damage for the time being."
Jody was in shock, that much was obvious. She gently stroked Claire's hair as she girl cried herself into an unsteady sleep. After a moment Jody removed herself, lifting Claire's head and sliding a pillow under her and covering her with a blanket. She headed into the kitchen.
Alex followed cautiously, watching as her foster mom poured some whiskey into a glass. She downed it quickly, placing the glass on the counter and holding her head.
"All day I've had this . . . feeling in my chest," she said, shaking her head and clutching her heart. "I was worried sick . . . and now that I know about Dean . . ." She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. "God, that feeling is still in my chest."
"What do we do?" Alex asked quietly.
"We do what everyone does, kiddo," Jody promised, stroking Alex's hair. "We grieve, and we try our best to be okay. After that . . ." she wiped the tears from her eyes. "I suppose we'll just have to wait and see what happens."