Hi guys! Hope you have all had a fab New Year and are ready for 2018! Just a little something before we get to the new chapter. I had a reviewer that was a bit surprised that Dean was hunting in the Walking Dead world and didn't understand why he would do that. To answer that, why wouldn't he? In the early seasons of Supernatural (which is where I'm pulling from) Dean was very dedicated to being a hunter as he didn't know any other life, so I don't think he would stop just because he was surrounded by zombies. In fact I believe it would make him even more paranoid, but that's only my interpretation. Also there was a comment about Dean channelling his Dad (John Winchester) a little too much, to answer that all I can say is it will be explained as the story goes on. Anyway, I just felt like I should respond to explain my reasoning, I still appreciated the review. Thanks as always to everyone who has read, faved, followed and reviewed and I hope you enjoy this chapter. Cheers! D.S x
Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural or The Walking Dean. Any OC's are mine though.
Crossroads
Part Six
Dean could only stare at the two stunned, though the stern look on Daryl's face and the open honest one of Aaron's didn't do much to knock him out of his shock.
"You've got to be shitting me," the three men could not stop wide eyed stares from turning from each other to Kid. The scrunched up face and wary eyes transfixed the young hunter and for a moment he could have sworn he was looking at a younger version of himself. The bark of laughter came unbidden from his throat, startling the others, Kid turning quizzical eyes to the hunter, who had slapped a hand on his shoulder.
"Well said, Kid."
"Erm ... well ..." Aaron was fumbling his words, unsure how to reply. But Daryl was smirking, though it was mostly hidden behind his mess of hair.
"'Fraid not brat," Daryl said. "This is for real."
"Bullshit," Dean finally expressed his own opinion, his amusement quickly turning into suspicion.
"Look I know this is shocking to hear, but this is legit," Aaron said, smile firmly back in place. He pulled his pack round and started rummaging inside. Finally pulling free a stack of papers which he handed to Dean. "Here." Dean snatched them, not wanting to be too close to the stranger yet. Dean was pretty sure he could take Aaron, but Daryl would cause him some trouble. He glanced down to see the stack were photos, showing a nice looking town, surrounded by a wall made of sheets of metal. A tug on his coat was enough for Dean to pass the top photo to Kid, who took it swiftly to stare in slight awe. Dean lingered on the few that showed people, some were smiling, but others just looked sombre and tired. "That's part of the new batch I took," Aaron said, sounding proud, though it just made the atmosphere all the more awkward.
"It's real, Dean," Kid mumbled, his own fingers tight around a photo that had some children running around what looked to be a makeshift park. "It's really real."
"Why us?" Dean asked, swiping the photos from Kid and shoving them back into Aaron's hands. "Why would you show us these?"
"We told you, we want you to join our community," Aaron replied patiently, but Dean only snorted at the sincerity.
"Yeah, you said. You didn't say why though."
"Does there have to be a reason?"
"Everyone's got an angle," Dean muttered. "You don't just ask strangers to join the kind of set up you have going here."
"We've been watching you for a while," Aaron answered, and that got Dean's hunter instincts to spike. Instantly he used the hand closest Kid to grab a hold of the boy's shoulder, pressuring the small weight to move so he was partly blocked from sight. While the other made it's way back to his belt where his gun rested.
"What?" Dean growled angrily, he eyed Daryl, who had shifted his bow so that it was back within easy drawing range. Aaron meanwhile had raised a hand to try and ward off the anger.
"We had to be sure about you," Aaron explained.
"You stalked us," Dean spat. The hunter didn't know who he was more mad at, the two for following them, or himself for not noticing them.
"Had to be sure about ya'," Daryl said, a serious look entering his eyes. He fixed gazes with Dean then deliberately moved them to Kid. "People are crazy out there, they do some bad shit," Daryl looked back at Dean whose eyes narrowed. It annoyed him to admit but he could understand the meaning behind what they were saying. Hadn't he and Kid met all sorts of crazies and the hunter had been in this reality around a week? Plus he'd want to be sure who he was bringing back home if he was in their shoes. Shaking his head he huffed, allowing the hard pressure he had placed on Kid's shoulder to relax, squeezing it as a signal to the boy that all was well. Kid shrugged his shoulder gently, his own signal that he understood.
"Fine, I get it." Aaron smiled," how long you been following us anyway?"
"'Bout a day," Daryl answered with a shrug. "We spotted ya' a bit ago, but lost ya' when ya' car broke down. Nice ride," Dean smirked, a gesture which Daryl shared. "Picked up ya' trail when ya' made ya' way to town. Thought we'd let ya' do ya' business, but then we heard the shots." Dean nodded, though internally he breathed out a sigh of relief. He had worried they might have been following since Atlanta, how the hell would he explain that mess?
"Right."
"So, what do you say?" Aaron asked hesitantly, wary of riling Dean's anger once again. "You want to come with us or ...?" he trailed off and Dean was left with a choice. He glanced at Kid, who was eyeing the two with learned suspicion, brought on by his experience and being out in the wilds for too long. Dean didn't know if that was healthy for such a small boy, but he guessed it was a nesseccary skill in this new reality. He pondered the options, it looked good, if they were telling the truth. A place to stay, a roof over their heads, food. But what would be taken away to get those things? Would they be able to leave? Keep their guns, knives and ammo? What were the rest of the people like that hid behind the walls of this community? Dean sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He knew what he had to do.
"Sorry, but we're going to have to pass." Aaron let out a choked gasp while Daryl raised an eyebrow.
"You can't be serious?" Aaron asked, incredulously. "Do you not understand what we're offering here. Perhaps you should look at the photos again ..."
"I get what's on the table," Dean cut through the babble. "And the answers still no. We got our own places in mind."
"Even the boy?" Daryl questioned. "Ya' gonna take him with ya' when he's got a chance to be safe."
"I'm not going anywhere without Dean," the hunter turned shocked eyes down at Kid.
"Kid ..."
"I'm staying with you," Kid said, a statement to everyone. He shot the young hunter a look of his own. Dean didn't know what he had been expecting when he had decided to turn down the offer. Maybe a little resentment from the boy, protests that he wanted to go with Daryl and Aaron to a place of safety. But what the hunter got was a glimmer of steel, resolve and most shockingly, loyalty. With his own words Kid had stated that he wasn't going anywhere without him and would follow where he led. The actions sent Dean down trails of thought he would rather ignore for the moment.
"I really don't think that's a good idea," Aaron muttered, which got him a sneer from Kid.
"Well, good thing it's got nothing to do with you."
"Oi, Kid," Dean warned, though his lips twitched at the wide eyed innocent stare that came his way. Swatting the boy's head Dean turned his attention back to Aaron and Daryl, the latter watching their interaction with interest. "You heard him, he's coming with me. Thanks for the offer though." Aaron looked ready to open his mouth to argue, but Daryl laid a hand on his shoulder, halting any protests.
"If that's what ya' want," he rumbled. "We got supplies, if ya' wanna take some, spare car too." Dean shook his head.
"We're fine with what we've got," it was tempting to take the car. With the Impala stranded with no parts to fix her and with little offerings in the town, Dean could have used it. But he wasn't about to accept anything from the pair, he didn't trust them that much. Daryl frowned.
"Ya' got no car, nothing is gonna run here. Been left to long," Dean huffed which made Daryl smirk. "Ya' gonna need a car to get to this place ya' headed, I think."
"We don't ..."
"We'll take it."
"Kid," Dean said, the narrowing of his eyes the only show of his annoyance, he didn't know if it was because Kid was brave or he had just learnt to read the hunter well, but he didn't even flinch. Instead turning a sardonic look on him.
"We need a car, they've got a car. Just shut up and take what we can get," Dean gaped, unable to come up with a reply. The open laughter though of Daryl and the small snicker from Aaron had him snapping his jaw closed however. His hand shot out and clipped Kid upside the head.
"Don't get smart," Dean grumbled. "Well take the damn car." Kid smiled, while Daryl nodded his head, followed by the jerk of a thumb behind him.
"We're parked out o' town," he said, turning his back and walking off. Aaron was quick to follow, but as Kid stepped forward, Dean gripped his shoulder.
"Keep a sharp eye."
"Why?" Kid asked. "They're helping us."
"Yeah," Dean muttered. "Wonder why?" Kid sighed but inclined his head, walking ahead of Dean so the hunter could bring up the rear. They made quick progress through the town. Passing through what was probably once the centre and into the more domestic parts. A Walker stumbled out from one of the houses. Dean went for his knife, but stopped when an crossbow bolt was shot precisely into it's head. Dean's eyes tracked the flight, finding Daryl with his crossbow up close to his face. "Nice shot," Dean said reluctantly. Daryl swung the crossbow down, stalking across to the Walker, pulling free the bolt and stowing it into a bag on his back. He sent a smug smirk Dean's way, which irritated the hunter. They carried on, a couple of other Walkers coming into their path, Dean was impressed with how Aaron quickly dealt with the dead. He didn't think the man had it in him, to polite for Dean's tastes, but the guy stabbed the walking corpse expertly, using a great deal of brute strength to ram the blade all the way to the hilt into the brain. Finally they turned off the roads, cutting through the houses and towards some trees. Dean saw the car easily enough, it was hidden a little, but not enough that it wouldn't be spotted at close range.
"I'll just get our stuff out the trunk," Aaron said. Dean looked to Kid, who met his eyes. Jerking his head, Kid took the message and followed with a cheery.
"Let me see!"
"Cute kid," Daryl said. "He yours?" Dean snorted.
"Do I look old enough?" Daryl shrugged.
"Heard stranger things," Dean huffed, though it didn't stop his smirk.
"Nah, we met on the road, damn brat wouldn't leave me alone," the hunter was surprised at the fond note his tone had taken. It almost felt the same as when he was talking about Sam.
"Ya' were part of a group?"
"No," Dean said. "Kid was with some others, but they weren't exactly the nicest of folks." Yeah, one was a snake woman that would like to feed on your blood, was the amused thought that crossed the hunter's mind.
"Ya' deal with 'em?" Dean shook off his musings and eyed the rough man before him carefully. He couldn't tell if Daryl was being accusing or not, his tone was to neutral, and his face, what wasn't hidden by hair, skilfully blank.
"If I did?" Dean answered, watching the man like the hunter he was trained to be, ready for anything. But before Daryl could answer the trunk of the car was slammed shut.
"It's all cleared out for you now," Aaron said, a rucksack now on his back, and he threw another at Daryl, who caught it easily. "There's enough gas in the tank to get you at least a couple of miles." He tossed some keys at Dean, who snatched them from the air. He turned his attention to the car, it was a beat up thing, newer than what he would have liked to drive, Dean couldn't help but curl his lip in distaste. Why did his baby have to break down?
"Thanks."
"What about you two?" Kid asked, brow wrinkled. "How are you going to get back to your community?"
"Need to know," Daryl grunted, though Dean could see the small smile behind the hair as he looked at Kid. The boy pouted, which got him a hair ruffle from Dean, before he slung off his bag and pushed it into Kid's arms.
"Put them in the trunk and get in the car," Dean said, pushing the boy towards the vehicle. "Seriously though, how are you getting back?" Dean didn't want to take the car and leave the guys stranded, he may not trust them but he wasn't that cruel.
"Don't worry about it," Aaron said with his signature smile. "We know the area around here well, we can sort ourselves out." Daryl nodded, it didn't ease Dean, especially with the way they were avoiding answering his question, but he was itching to get out of there and back on the road.
"Fine, see you around, maybe. Good luck."
"Good luck ...?" Aaron trailed the sentence and Dean nodded his head.
"Dean. Dean Winchester, the boy's Kid." Aaron frowned, but said nothing, only inclined his head as Dean walked away, moving to the drivers side, Kid already having got into the back. Jerking open the door he was quick to slam it shut, placing the key in the ignition and starting the engine. Dean didn't waste time with a wave, gunning the engine and taking off at speed. As they drove away Kid turned to watch Aaron and Daryl disappear through the rear window.
"You think they'll be ok?"
"Who knows," Dean said with a shrug, following the road back to the freeway. He wanted to get some distance between them, plus they had burnt plenty of daylight, he wanted to make up some time.
"They seemed nice."
"Yeah," Dean muttered.
"Do you think they were mad?"
"About what?"
"Us not going with them," Kid said and Dean shook his head.
"It doesn't matter whether they were mad or not. We didn't take them up on it so we have nothing to do with them now."
"You think they'll survive?" Dean didn't answer right away, focusing on navigating the car back onto the open freeway and putting his foot down.
"We'll probably never know," Dean mumbled, not even caring if Kid heard him.
They drove until the sun went down and even then Dean merely pulled to the side of the freeway. Luckily the doors locked so himself and Kid had made the best of it, the boy in the back seats and Dean in the front, catching as much sleep as he could. When the first rays of sun peaked over the horizon Dean was up and driving once more. He was getting to familiar territory, places and sights recalling memories of times when he was in his precious Impala, with his Dad behind the wheel, himself and Sammy in the back, his brother happy and himself annoyed that they were once again being dumped at Bobby's house.
"What's this guy like, anyway?" Kid suddenly asked as they finally left the freeway, though they were far from any major city. Woods surrounded them, with farm land stretching out in all directions and very little housing to fill in the gaps.
"Bobby? Oh he's a legend," Dean said with a smile. "Tough as old boots and smells twice as bad, but he's a good man."
"And he's a hunter too?"
"Yeah, been doing it longer than I've been alive," Dean laughed.
"And he's good at it?"
"He was," Dean said. "Spends more time in his house now, but what that man doesn't know about monsters and the shit that comes out of the dark, it isn't worth knowing."
"And you think he'll have answers? What if he's dead?" Dean paused, it had been something he had been avoiding thinking about. Darla's words about the hunters of this reality had unnerved Dean and Bobby would have gone to fight. He couldn't have just left things alone, it wasn't in his nature. Dean snorted to cover his unease.
"Like hell Bobby would be eaten by some shuffling dead men, trust me, he'll be there," the hunter sent Kid a shit eating grin, reaching for the CD player, for once having to fill the silence with something other than his precious rock music, his tapes to old to be used in such a modern car. Kid seemed to feel Dean's unease and went back to staring out of the window. They drove to the irritating sounds of some country singer Dean had never heard of, neither willing to speak. Dean's grip on the steering wheel tightened as the farm land around them changed and the sight of the familiar junk yard came into view. He slowed the car down, pulling into the yard which didn't look any different than from his own reality. Cars piled high on top of one another, metal, wood and an assortment of furniture filled in the gaps, seeming to surround the small house nestled in the middle. Dean pulled up by the house, eyeing the building warily. It looked quiet, to quiet, but the doors and windows were all still in place, so it didn't look as though it had been gone through.
"We going in?" Kid asked, crawling from the back into the front.
"Yeah," Dean muttered, checking the gun on his belt, pulling it free to glance at the clip. Half full, it would have to do. "We're going in with guns."
"Isn't that a bit risky?" Kid said. "What about the noise?"
"I doubt that anything would be heard this far out. Besides it's a chance we're going to have to take. Bobby's is notorious for setting traps and with the way the world is at the minuet I don't doubt he's got a few good ones in place." Kid frowned, but just nodded his head, not asking any questions, either too confused or not willing to cross Dean with the fierce look that was on his face. Pushing open the car door the pair got out, Dean did a quick check around the yard, no traps as far as he could see. Keeping his gun in his hand, Dean made sure Kid had his own, along with the silver knife. Dean pulled his bludgeon free then stalked to the door of Bobby's house. With none of the hesitation he was feeling inside Dean banged on the door. He held in the urge to call for Bobby, so used to just being able to step into this house with little care. They waited in silence for well over a minuet, Dean lifted his fist again and banged, only to be met with yet more silence.
"Dean?" Kid questioned and the hunter set his jaw and adjusted the grip on his gun.
"Watch yourself," was Dean's only warning, he reached for the doorknob, giving it a twist. He wasn't surprised to find that it opened, Bobby was known for being sneaky, allowing monsters to think they had the upper hand when really he had them in his sights. The air that hit nose smelt stale, setting his senses on alert and the worry ratchet up a notch. Easing forward carefully, Dean leaned into the house. "Bobby!" There was no answer to the call, Dean's voice echoing hollowly through out the house. The light that filtered through the door and blocked up windows hardly lit up the familiar room. Dean could see the out line of the many books, balanced on tables, chairs and bookcases, some even scattered across the floor. Not out of place for Bobby's house, which was usually a mess most of the time. "Bobby!" Dean yelled again, foot easing over the threshold.
"Dean," small hands gripped the hunters coat, pulling him back. Dean shot Kid an annoyed look, but the boy just nodded at the floor. Dean followed the movement, finally catching a glimpse of the white chalk and glimmer of wire.
"Shit," Dean murmured, bending slightly to get a better look at the traps. The devils trap was a tricky one, not one that Dean new off the top of his head. But from the symbols he did recognise, he knew it was designed to destroy anything that stepped completely into it. As for the wire, it went right across the floor, then snaked up the wall where it was connected to a shot gun. Dean winced, if he had snagged that wire, his head would have been blown clean off. "Damn, Bobby, you pulled out the big guns." Squatting, Dean used the butt if his gun to rub out part of the lines. "Give me your knife."
"What is it?" Kid asked, as he handed over the weapon. Dean carefully gripped the wire, being sure not to pull it to hard, then swiftly cut it. Holding his breath Dean waited for something to happen, eyeing the mounted shot gun, but nothing did.
"It's a devils trap," Dean said, satisfied that all was well, for now. He tossed the knife back to Kid and stepped into the house. The trap didn't flare, as Dean knew it wouldn't, devils traps weren't for humans after all. Coming further into the main room Dean noticed that the place looked undisturbed, nothing was trashed, or looked gone through, sure it was a mess, but it was typical Bobby's mess. "Bobby!"
"Dean, I don't think anyone's here," Kid said.
"He's got to be," Dean argued, but it didn't come out as confident as he would have liked. Dean crossed through the main room and into the kitchen. It was just as empty, dishes had been left in the sink, along with a mug of cold coffee on the table. Dean went to the fridge, some food was there, but it was mouldy, having been left for so long. "Shit," Dean mumbled and he spun in a circle. He saw Kid, who was eyeing the mounds of books with interest, his gun held in both of his hands as he peered closer. Dean shot a look at the stairs, that were on the other side of the main room. Bobby wouldn't be up there, and if he was, he would have come down, especially when Dean opened the door. Slowly the hunters eyes moved to a hall that went further back into the house, to which Dean knew led to a door that hid a staircase that led down to the basement. Running a hand over his face Dean sighed. "Course he'd been in there."
"What Dean?"
"Nothing, Kid," Dean said, stepping back passed the boy to walk down the hall. Kid moved to follow but Dean snapped. "Stay here."
"But ..."
"Kid," the hunter turned and gave the boy a harsh look, his green eyes narrowed. Kid's mouth that had been open in rebuttal closed, though the unhappy look on his face showed clearly how much he wanted to argue with Dean. Instead he jerked his head and shifted his position so that he was stood facing the door leading outside, but could still see the kitchen. Satisfied, Dean walked away, down the hall and to the innocuous basement entrance. Dean hesitated before pushing it open, checking the floor for traps, both to take out humans and demons. Finding nothing Dean gripped the door handle and pushed it open. The staircase was dark, only getting more so as the stairs descended, the gloom making it impossible to see the bottom. Dean didn't give himself time to think as he swiftly continued on, down the stairs until his feet hit the bottom and a metal door appeared before him. The bunker was one of the greatest pieces of work Bobby had ever created. A place made of iron and salt and covered with devil traps, it was the perfect supernatural panic room. Nothing evil could get in, nor could it get out. Dean should have known that Bobby would hold up here, he could stash food for days and not have to worry. Dean moved closer to the door, it was sealed shut, like he expected. Keeping his gun in one hand Dean used the other to move the locks out of place. It was only as he got to the last one that he realised, the locks were placed from the outside, why would Bobby have locked himself in from the outside? But it was to late to rethink, the door was already undone, it swung open, revealing the bunker in all it's glory. The permanent devil traps on the walls, the weapons, books and all other things Bobby had stashed over the years. It looked just like the one Dean had seen in his own reality.
"Oh, finally come to talk to me. I thought you'd died. Pity that." Dean stiffened at the voice. It wasn't Bobby, too young and the wrong sex for one thing. The hunter peered into the room, it was lit with low lights, ones Dean new run off a separate generator that Bobby had in stalled years ago. He spotted the chair placed in the middle of a complicated devils trap. Limbs tightly bound with iron and salt manacles keeping them further in place. The woman turned her face to Dean, wild hair covered most of her head, but it was the eyes that had Dean gripping his gun and wishing that he had the demon killing knife in his other hand rather than the bludgeon. For the gaze that met his was pure black, sure signs of demonic possession. "Oh, you're not the old man." The lunging movement she made had Dean reacting on instinct, his hand came up and his gun went off. The bullet went right through the woman's chest, exploding out of the other side. The possessed human though just threw her head back and laughed, voice high pitched and irritating to Dean's ears. "Oh dear, look what you've done?" Dean held in his curses, he couldn't believe he had shot the host. It was a rookie mistake and one Dean knew he shouldn't have made. That poor woman was dead now, and it would be partly Dean's fault.
"Dean!" the hunter heard the quick patter of feet moving swiftly towards him, it was only a moment later that Kid appeared next to the hunter, eyes wide and fearful, though they turned to awe when they saw the bunker and the demon trapped within. "What?"
"And there's a little one to," the demon smirked, seeming pleased with herself, morphing her features into a more motherly façade as she leaned closer. "Please help me, please just help me."
"Dean?" Kid question, causing the young hunter to bring himself out of his twisted thoughts, refocusing back on the demon. His eyes slid to Kid, who flinched under the hard glare.
"I thought I told you to stay put?"
"But I heard a gun," Dean grunted, knowing he would have to have a word with Kid again later. Instead he had other things to think about. The demon was watching them, silent now that her act wasn't working, the smirk back on her face as she reclined into the chair. Dean stepped into the bunker, making sure to not step into the devils trap, he'd be fair game to the demon if he did. "Keep out of the trap," Dean muttered to Kid, who had followed him. He knew he should send the boy back upstairs, he shouldn't expose him to this. Demons were not like monsters or creatures. They looked human, acted human and when Dean performed the inevitable deed, the host would be dead. No one would be saved this day. But Dean couldn't afford to do that, not in harsh reality, this was a lesson Kid needed, it was only the same for him when he'd seen his first possession as a boy. Though that didn't mean he had to be involved, so the young hunter pushed the boy towards a lumpy cot, making sure that Kid was sat with his back to the wall.
"But ..."
"You step in it, she'll rip you apart," Dean said, eyeing the demon even as he spoke to Kid.
"But, she's ..."
"A demon," Dean clarified, the statement making Kid gasp.
"So, you know?" the demon asked, Dean finally turning his full attention on her, content that Kid would stay in place, out of the way.
"That you're a demon bitch that should be chilling out in Hell. Oh yeah, I know what you are," Dean growled, he stashed his bludgeon and gun, both would be useless here. "Where's Bobby?"
"Bobby?" the demon raised an eyebrow, Dean stepped closer, so he was on the edges of the trap. He could see more of the host now, even through the long shadows. She was painfully thin, with bruises that the demon hadn't healed, cuts and scraps covered her face. Dean didn't know if they were from before the woman had been possessed or not, perhaps it would be better that he didn't ever know. "Who's that?"
"Don't act stupid," Dean said.
"You mean the lovely gentleman that trapped me here?" the demon snarled, eyes flashing dangerously. "Isn't he still here?"
"Would I be asking if he was?"
"No," the demon mused, though she did smirk. "He's dead then."
"No," Dean shook his head.
"What was the point of asking me if you don't listen to my answer?" the demon asked which made Dean bark a laugh.
"Demons lie," Dean said, a smirk of his own making it's way onto his face. He moved around the trap, stopping by one of the tables, squeezed into the space. He easily identified the holy water, snatching it up he unscrewed the lip of the small bottle, tossing the liquid onto the demon, who let out a wail.
"Dean!" Kid called to the hunter.
"It's alright Kid," Dean said, not looking at the boy, not wanting to see those accusing eyes. Ones that had no idea that this had to be done, that couldn't comprehend that Dean was dealing with a demon and not an innocent woman. "Holy water won't kill her, but it will hurt like a bitch."
"Indeed," the demon said through gritted teeth, as she sent a hateful glare Dean's way. "You know your demon lore, hunter." Dean inclined his head.
"So where's Bobby?"
"I thought that old man was the last one alive," the demon mused. "You're ... comrades were practically all wiped out in the early stages."
"Is that what you all think?" Dean questioned. He would have to move carefully now, he couldn't afford for the demon to realise that Dean didn't know what she was talking about. But he needed the information she more than likely knew.
"Well, when you don't run across a hunter for quiet a while, or be summoned, you tend to think that something might have happened." Dean couldn't help but agree. Hunters wouldn't just let monsters and especially not demons run around doing whatever the hell they liked. It also stood to reason that the hunters would be the first to move when the dead started coming up out of the ground. Trying to find an answer and stop it as fast as they could, before it could spread. So why had it got to this point? How?
"To bad for you then," Dean said with a smirk. "You got caught." The demon snorted.
"Caught?" the devil spawn snapped. "You think I was wandering around here? No way, there's nothing left, no humans, no lives, no one left to bargain with. It might as well be Hell." Dean frowned.
"Then how?"
"I was summoned." Dean stilled.
"What?"
"That old man, Bobby? He summoned me, right into this pathetic host," the demon rolled her eyes in disgust as she looked down on herself.
"Why?"
"He wanted information," the demon said.
"What information?" Dean asked, but the demon only smirked. Without missing a beat Dean threw some more holy water. It steamed as the demon screamed her agony for all to hear. Dean shot a look at Kid, he was still watching, though his hands were placed over his ears, trying with little success to block out the noise.
"Oh, you really are a hunter," the demon snarled, her face twisted in anger. "You know torture well."
"What did he want to know?"
"How the dead started walking," the demon growled. "He wanted to know what demon did it, if they did a deal or if they used magic."
"And?"
"And what?"
"And what did you tell him?" Dean asked. The demon rolled her eyes and let out a laugh.
"You think I knew anything about how all this went down?" she said. "I'm just a run of the mill demon, nothing all that special."
"How did he summon you then?" Dean knew that powerful demons usually had a summoning ritual, normal grunts could get out of Hell more easily on their own.
"I don't think he cared what demon he summoned," she said. "He used a basic ritual, enough to open a small way from Hell, not big enough for anything powerful, but enough for me."
"A basic ritual," Dean muttered, brow furrowed in thought. "Why only basic, he could have summoned something higher up the chain with his skill."
"Maybe because all high level demons are ignoring their summons," Dean's eyes shot to the demon, who was smirking at him triumphantly.
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh you don't know? To bad," Dean gritted his teeth and raised the holy water once more. It was enough of a threat. "The higher ups have retreated, gone so far deep into Hell that they can ignore their summons."
"Why would they do that?"
"Isn't it obvious, earth's done for," the demon spat. "There's nothing here to tempt them out, no humans to play with, no lives to ruin. The humans that remain are merely scraps, not even worth the time to toy with, better just to wait until they die and play with their souls. Much sweeter." Dean watched the demon, listen to her speak, then he lifted his holy water and threw what remained in the bottle on her.
"Shit!" she cried, screaming until she could get herself under control. Dean dropped the bottle and reached for another one on the table.
"Bullshit," Dean growled, as he came in front of the demon, who was only just manage to gather herself. Dean didn't give her the chance though, tossing more holy water onto her face, so she erupted into another set of screams. "Demons wouldn't just retreat for that. I know you, this is a party for you lot, you should be enjoying it but instead your running scared." As he spoke he threw more holy water, drenching the demon so that her skin started to smoke. "What are you hiding? What do you know? Tell me?!"
"Dean!" arms wrapped around the frustrated hunter's waist, startling him enough to still his furious movements. "Dean stop it. Please stop it."
"Kid," Dean mumbled, his mind had gone a little fuzzy, almost like it was filled with fog, angry fog that made it difficult to stop pouring more holy water on the demon.
"That's enough, Dean," Kid said, his arms tightening as the hunter shifted a little.
"She's a demon."
"I know, but I don't like this. I don't like it, please stop." Dean felt his insides freeze. The words sounded familiar, how many times had he heard Sammy, calling to their Dad, telling him to stop hurting a monster or demon. To just get on with it and end things. He remembered the arguments, the fights that would have come to blows if Dean hadn't got between them. All because Dad would take it to far, take his anger out on what was in front of him and not just do the job. Releasing a shaky breath Dean allowed the holy water bottle to slip form his fingers, it broke against the floor, but Dean didn't care. Kid was pulling him way from the demon, away from his anger and frustration, to a place that he could think. The hunter's hands came up and slowly unwrapped Kid's arms from around himself, turning he held the boy's hands in his own, looking into his face, which had the faint lines of tear tracks down his cheeks. Dean squeezed the small hands.
"Hey, it's alright. I'm alright."
"But Dean ..." before Kid could finish his sentence though the hunter had pulled the boy into a tight hug.
"I'm sorry," Dean muttered into dirty blonde hair. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"I wasn't scared," Dean hummed at the denial. He knew it was a lie, he'd been scared when he's seen his Dad in a rage, when he and Sammy had fought over every little thing and he was the only one trying to keep his crazy family together. He'd been so frightened and just wished that his Dad would hold him and tell him he was sorry. Dean pushed the boy back, letting Kid wipe his eyes and pull out a stern expression. "You were being an ass." Dean laughed and messed the boy's hair.
"Yep, I'm good at it," Kid swatted at the hand, but stilled when they heard laughter from the chair.
"How sweet," the demon sneered. "It's enough to make me want to cry." Dean sighed, turning to face the demon, but before he could go closer, Kid grabbed his arm.
"It's fine, I'm going to finish this." Kid didn't look satisfied but he allowed the hunter to pull himself free and cross back to the demon.
"Finish this?" the demon asked.
"You don't know anything. Not about the dead or Bobby," the last upset Dean. If Bobby wasn't in the house then Dean had no clue where he could be. He refused to believe he was dead, he just couldn't accept that. Hand moving to his belt, Dean pulled free the demon killing knife. "I think it's about time you went back to Hell."
"You can't do it with that pathetic knife," the demon snarled.
"Shows what you know," Dean smirked.
"It won't do anything," the demon denied, though she was looking more nervous the closer Dean got. The hunter paused outside the devils trap, checking to make sure the demon was secured to the chair before stepping over. The effect was immediate, the demon started thrashing, pulling at the chains that held her as Dean moved behind her. "You can't do this, you'll kill the host."
"She's already dead," Dean said, voice tinged with regret. "This is the best I can do for her." The demon spit and snarled like an angry cat, Dean ignored her, stopping behind the demon and gripping the knife tightly. He glanced at Kid, who was watching, he jerked his head, a signal to turn away, but Kid set his expression and crossed his arms. Dean scowled, but it did nothing to turn Kid away. Sighing, Dean prepared to do the inevitable deed. Fingers gripped the demons hair and the knife moved, only for him to pause as the sound of feet moving above them filtered through the floorboards. It was followed by voices and shouts, then a feeling Dean had long since become familiar with. Cold dreed that coiled in his stomach, the instinctive reaction that Dean had always had to when demons were close.
"Finally," the demon in the chair huffed. "I thought they were gong to be late."
"What have you done?" Dean asked and the demon laughed.
"You think I would just sit here and let you do what you wanted?" the demon sneered. "I've been meaning to get out of here for some time, that bastard summoned me just to trap me. I will make him pay," she turned and shot Dean a smug smile. "Thank you for leaving to door open." Dean jerked and looked to the wide open door of the bunker, that led the way to the stairs and to Bobby's house. The demon jerked her head back and let loose a high pitched wailing scream. Kid lifted his hands to cover his ears, Dean wanted to do the same but instead forced himself forward, slamming the demon killing knife into the hosts head. The demon choked and suddenly black ash was spilling from her mouth, shooting up into the air where it dispersed into nothing. As Dean pulled free the knife, he heard the sound of pounding feet coming their way.
"Shut the door!" Dean yelled, as he scrambled round the now dead host to help Kid. The boy reacted to the order, hands gripping the heavy iron and salt door, desperately trying to pull it closed. Dean came up next to the boy and together they just managed to close it before a dark shadow came down the stairs, slamming into the metal with a resounding crash.
"Oi, hunter, get out here!" a muffled voice called.
"We just want to talk!"
"Yeah, just talk."
"Come out, come out, hunter."
"Shit!" Dean cursed, kicking the door furiously, but it only made dull pain swell in his foot.
"What are we going to do Dean?" Kid asked. "Are those ...?"
"Demons? Probably," Dean said as he paced around the bunker, mind trying to come up with something. "I should have known she'd call for help, why the heck did I leave the door open."
"You couldn't have known," Kid tried to calm the hunter but Dean was beyond that now.
"I'm making too many mistakes," Dean muttered, then let out a small laugh that sounded more hysterical than anything else. "My old man would kill me if he knew. I'm such an idiot, this is all my fault. Bobby isn't even here, bet he's dead since everyone else seems to ..." Dean was cut off by a punch to his stomach. He gasped, from surprise more than the actual punch. He took a step back to glare at Kid. "Oi."
"Stop feeling sorry for yourself," Kid snapped, eyes hard. "So what you made mistakes, everyone does. I let Finn and Darla use me to kill people," Kid flinched a little, but kept going. "You messed up with the demon, it sucks, but we have to deal. Now how are we going to get out of here?" Dean could only gape at the child, the hunter had not been expecting a lecture from the boy, hell he didn't think the boy had it in him. It caused a smile to twitch his lips, it reminded him a little of Sammy, when he'd call him out on his bullshit, pulling him out of dark thoughts that threatened to swallow him. A chuckle bubbled from his lips and Kid frowned more as Dean reached out and patted his head.
"Yeah, this sucks," Dean said, painting a grin on his face. Another bang brought the hunter back to reality. He glared at the iron door, then spun to start looking around the bunker. "There's no other way out of here," Dean stated.
"Then we're trapped?"
"Pretty much," Dean muttered, he was looking along the tables and shelves, some covered in books, though a couple of guns were scattered here and there. Dean's eyes lit up when he spotted a rock salt shot gun, useful for spirits, demons not so much. Dean quickly gathered as much of the holy water as he could, luckily Bobby was well stocked and soon Dean had quiet the stash. Swiping two large bottles Dean sat on the floor and started to pour as much of the holy water into them so they were a third full. "Look for a lighter and some gas, there should be some in here."
"What are you doing?" Kid asked as he did as directed, his small frame slipping between the tables and standing on tip toes to see on the higher shelves. "We need to get out of here."
"I know Kid, but there's no escape route from this room. Bobby built it like a panic room, one way in and one way out."
"So how ...?"
"We're going blast our way out of here," Dean said with a smirk. "Bring those blankets from the cot too."
"What are you making?" Kid asked as he finally flopped down beside Dean, dropping the lighter, small bottle of gas and blankets down on the ground beside the miscellaneous collection of bottles.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Dean teased, snatching up the gas and pouring a little into the two large bottles of holy water. He swirled the mixture, making sure it was well mixed, then he reached for the blankets and started to rip them up into long pieces.
"Dean," Kid whined and the hunter laughed.
"You'll see Kid. Pour what's left in those into the larger bottles," he gestured to the left over holy water. "We'll need it."
"Holy water works against demons?"
"Oh yeah, like I said it won't kill them. But it will slow them down, and hurt like hell." Dean gestured with the demon killing knife, which he stowed back into his belt. "This knife is the only thing that kills them, other than that it's exorcism."
"Exorcism?"
"Chanting in Latin and shit. Works to get the demon out, but the host can more than likely die."
"But why does holy water hurt them?" Dean shrugged.
"Something to do with God maybe?" Dean said as he stuffed the ripped blanket into the top of the large bottles, making sure that it was in the holy water and gas mixture. "Demons are from Hell, their greatest weakness is anything to do with heaven."
"Heavens real?"
"I guess."
"You don't know?"
"I don't care," Dean said which only made Kid pout.
"What about angels? Are they real?"
"I've never seen one," Dean mumbled. "I've seen a lot but never an angel. Kind of think they might be a step to far."
"But demons ..."
"Most demons were once human, Kid," Dean explained. "They were just like you and me. Angels are supposed to be these benign creatures that love us and want to help us. Can you really say with how the world turned out that if they existed they would let this happen?" Kid opened his mouth, then shut it, his eyes flickered but settled into sadness. Dean sighed. "Angels aren't real, Kid. Better to think that than they just don't give a shit." Silence fell after that, the two finished their jobs quickly. As they gathered their materials, a thought came to Dean. "Shit."
"What?" Kid asked.
"I forgot about possession," Dean muttered, eyes tracking to the dead host still chained to the chair. "We were lucky it was distracted."
"What do you mean? Dean what are you ...?"
"We're not protected against possession," Dean explained. "When a demon leaves its host or is forced out, they look for another one. Everyone is vulnerable, but you can get protection." Dean moved, hunkering down on the floor, dropping his load and pulling free the demon knife. With the blade he quickly scratched out the design, a five pointed star in a circle, with something that looked like flames going around it. On his old body, back in his reality Dean had had a tattoo done, he and Sammy had both had them after their first run in with demons. The hunter wanted to curse, he had forgotten that the body he was in wasn't his, it probably didn't have the same scares or markings. And he wasn't about to go stripping to find out.
"What's that?"
"Anti demon possession rune. It's stops you from getting possessed," Dean explained as he examined it carefully. It looked pretty accurate from what he could remember.
"Why do we need one?" Kid asked with a furrowed brow. "We didn't when ..."
"She was probably distracted," Dean said. "Didn't think about it or something. But if I use the knife on those out there, they might seek refuge in one of our bodies."
"Then what can we do?" Kid's eyes were wide with panic, but was unsure. Dean sighed, pushing himself up onto his feet and started rolling up his sleeve. "What are you doing?"
"I've have to put one on somehow, Bobby probably took his talismans with him, they're hard to find. And I can't just draw one on, it's to risky as it would smudge. It's needs to be permanent." Kid eyed the hunter, who was now positioning the knife above the skin of his forearm.
"You mean ...?"
"I'll have to carve it in, make it a scar." Dean hated that he was saying this out loud, that he was even considering it. But what other choice did they have. Kid stood, stock still, mouth wide open in shock. Dean took advantage and swiftly sliced into his own arm. The hunter hissed as blood welled up and started to spill from the lines he was cutting into his own flesh, but he grit his teeth and ignored it. Instead he focused on getting the design right, he couldn't afford for it to be wrong, he would be risking both his and Kid's lives if he did.
"Dean," he heard Kid whimper, but the boy kept his distance, not interfering as the hunter concentrated. Dean didn't know how long it took, allowing his hand to got through the familiar motions until, almost unconsciously, he stopped. His skin burned, which was followed by a sharp stinging pain. Gripping the demon killing knife tighter, Dean glanced down at his work. The blood obscured most of it, but from what he could tell it was deep enough, all the lines connected, though he had forgone the flame like design, opting to keep it simple. Dean almost jumped when a hand came into his vision, he stilled himself enough to allowed Kid, who had a piece of some of the ripped cloth in his hand, to wrap the bleeding wound.
"Thanks," Dean muttered, as the boy tightened the ends.
"You're nuts," Kid mumbled which only made Dean laugh.
"Someone's got to be," he said, though the light atmosphere didn't last as Dean turned his green gaze on the boy, who was staring at the make shift bandage, his lip bit between his teeth in worry. It was only then that Dean realised that maybe he should have waited, let Kid go first in order to not frightened him. What if he didn't want to do it? Dean couldn't make him, but it placed them in danger, he couldn't take the boy out there if he wasn't protected.
"Well, are you going to get on with it." Dean jerked out of his thoughts to look at the boy. The horrified fear had changed, morphed into one of resolve that shocked Dean with it's intensity. The boy's arm was out stretched, as Kid glared at the surprised hunter. Dean gaped, but quickly collected himself, not allowing the grin that wanted to cross his mouth to show, he moved forward, pulling up the boy's sleeve to get to his forearm.
"Try and keep still," Kid nodded, biting his lip as Dean moved the knife closer. Once the boy had shut his eyes Dean pressed the knife into the child's flesh and started to carve the symbol. Blood came quickly out of the deep cuts, but Dean worked quickly, keeping it to the basic design with the tool he was using. After a painful five minuets the jobs was done. Dean hunted for some more spare cloth to wrap the wound. Kid waited until Dean was done until he looked at it. It looked identical to the one on Dean's forearm, though the hunters had more flecks of red from where the blood seeped through. "You ok?" Dean asked.
"Yeah," Kid shifted his arm and winced. "Stings a little, how did you do that to yourself?"
"Mind over matter, Kid," Dean smirked, which got him a pout. "It'll heal up quick, but there'll be a scare."
"Wasn't that the point?" Kid said with a raised eyebrow, pulling down his sleeve and picking up the holy water. Dean smiled at the boy's bravado, getting to work himself. His forearm ached but it was easy to ignore and soon the two were back by the iron door. Kid with the large bottles and Dean with the demon killing knife, wiped clean of their blood.
"We'll not have long," Dean said, pulling the lighter out of the pocket he had stashed it. "When I tell you, throw those through the door."
"You're going to open it?" Kid asked, a slight tremor of fear in his tone.
"At the last second."
"Last second for what?" Dean smirked and flicked the lighter so that a flame emerged. Swiftly he lit the ripped blankets that extended from the bottles, which quickly caught flame. "Dean!"
"Hold them steady," Dean said, hands already on the door, tensing his shoulders to pull it open. He waited, Kid fretting beside him, when the flames licked the bottle tops and disappeared inside Dean reacted. "Now!" Dean pulled the door, startling the demons behind. Kid threw the bottles as hard as he could out of the bunker and right at the demons. The liquid inside them sloshed and the gas caught fire. Dean had just enough time to grab Kid and cover him as the bottles exploded, spraying holy water and flame onto the demons who began to shriek in pain. "Come on!" Dean yelled, gripping Kid's hand and diving out of the bunker and into the chaos that waited for them. Demon killing knife out and ready.
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