PLEASE READ THE END AUTHOR'S NOTE. IMPORTANT DETAILS BELOW!
The lights flickered in the dim basement. Steady hands went through the motions of mixing ingredients in a large brass bowl and a determined set graced the woman's face. She threw in a clump of black powder and grabbed the matchbox.
She hesitated only a moment before striking the thin wood strip against the box. Then she let the flame drop into the bowl. A cascade of sparks flew upward for a few moments before dying down and leaving the room just as empty as before. She set the matchbox down and sighed.
Another dead end. She'd hit seven already and each one was harder than the last to find.
"I don't think crushed parsley and oregano are really all that effective for what you're trying to do."
The woman jolted at the sound of another's voice. She'd been in her cabin alone for so long her social skills were at the very least negligible. She glanced about but there was no visible source to the intruder.
"No, you wouldn't be able to see me." The markedly female voice continued. "We'll have to just talk."
"Who are you?"
"A reaper."
The woman swallowed thickly. "And Death?"
"A bit busy." The voice replied. "It can't be helped unfortunately. He has a busy schedule. No time to just jump around every time someone has a question. You'll have to go to him if you want a word."
"Where can I find him?"
There was a long pause before a small paper popped into being directly in front of the woman. "Go to the address there as quickly as you can. He'll be in the city for the next few days. You have until he leaves to catch up."
"Thank you… but if my summonings weren't working how did you know to find me?"
"We have our ways." Another pause. "I hope you find him."
"So do I." Ellen muttered.
Ellen made the drive from South Carolina to San Francisco in record time.
She refused to stop for anything in fear that it would make her even a minute too late to catch Death. She only slowed from her breakneck pace when she was nearing the city limits. Just outside of San Francisco she stopped and asked directions.
The address led her to a small café on the outskirts of the city proper. She picked nervously at her shirt as she approached the establishment's door.
The inside was surprisingly empty. There was a couple near the end of the long restaurant but they were slumped forward as if they were taking a nap. Ellen felt her stomach drop as she realized they were probably dead considering who she was dealing with.
"Good afternoon Mrs. Harvelle." A soothing man's voice caught her attention and she turned in the opposite direction of the couple. A tall, slender man sat at a two seat table alone with his back toward her. He gestured for her to join him.
She nervously picked her way across the room and took the seat opposite him. She took a deep breath, steeling herself. She wouldn't let her nerves back her out of this.
"I assume you have some sort of request to make of me." He said finally taking his attention from the plate of food sat before him to look at her.
She realized he looked rather predatory with almost bird like features set in a sallow face. She swallowed. "I do."
"Well, at least you have the gall to admit to it."
He didn't sound upset or amused. In fact his statement seemed rather neutral overall. He folded his hands in front of himself and leaned forward.
"You're not a usual guest. So I have to ask, what is it that you want?"
She took a deep breath and met his eyes. "Harry… can you bring him back?"
Death looked caught somewhere between surprised and almost smug, like he'd figured out her request before she'd even asked. He drew back a bit. "I wouldn't say that it is beyond my capabilities."
"Then you'll do it?" she asked, relief and wary optimism seeping into her.
"I didn't say that."
She felt the air leave her lungs in a whoosh and she stared at him helplessly. Was he just leading her on? Did he want something more? "Do I have to make a deal?" she asked in a rush.
"I don't generally take payment for things I do." Death shook his head just slightly. "I don't generally grant favors either."
Dread was rising in the back of her throat. "You knew him… didn't you?"
"Quite well."
"And he broke the spell for you, didn't he?"
"He did."
"Then you owe him one, don't you?" she fueled the question with all the anger she'd felt when she'd heard of what happened to the man after she'd taken her leave a year ago.
Death's eyes narrowed marginally. "I don't need reminding of any debts I may owe."
Ellen sat back a bit in a vain attempt to put a bit more space between herself and Death's annoyance. She hadn't meant to sound condescending, but she supposed he might have taken it that way anyway.
"And in this case I do not believe I personally owe him such a debt."
She opened her mouth to argue.
"That does not mean I won't do it, Mrs. Harvelle."
Ellen's mouth snapped shut in confusion.
"He and I have a deal already." Death surveyed his food and took a bite. "And it is an unfortunate truth that I cannot hold up my end without bringing him back."
Ellen wanted to snap and tell him to speak normally instead of the endless riddles. He was going back and forth so much she felt like she was watching a tennis match play behind those dark eyes of his.
"Your world always seems to be standing on a knife's edge. I do not believe it would last long without his interference. He's a necessary contradiction to the natural flow of events."
"What are you saying?"
"You need his help." Death summarized. "but he's not the one you should be concerned about right now."
"What should I be concerned with then?"
"The souls."
Ellen's eyebrows scrunched together and she gave Death a confused glance. "What souls?"
Death remained quiet as he stared at her, appreciating her value. "Tell me, why do you think he's worth saving?"
"What?" she sat back as if slapped. She hadn't been expecting the sudden change in topic. Though perhaps she should have by then. He rather seemed the type to change subject suddenly. "What sort of question is that?"
"A fair one." Death said levelly. "The Winchesters petitioning for each other's lives is understandable, at least from a human perspective. They place faith in family. There is nothing more important to them. So tell me, why are you here asking about him, instead of your daughter?"
Ellen's face grew pale. "You can… you can bring Jo back?"
"I could." He agreed.
She studied the blank expression of the being in front of her. "But you won't."
"Indeed not."
Ellen took a shallow breath and steeled herself. She hadn't come here for Jo. She couldn't blow her chances to bring back Harry because she pissed off Death. Even if it was quite reasonable to slap someone that dangled your daughter's death in front of you like he had. No, no matter what he did she had to remain calm and reason with him.
"There are many reasons why that cannot happen now. None of which I'm sure you'd like to hear." Death said resolutely.
She swallowed back an insult. "But you will help Harry?"
A pregnant pause lingered in the room before Death finally relented with a straight answer. "I will."
PLEASE READ!
A final farewell to this chapter of the story. I belted this out last night after deciding the story did indeed need a tying point for the sequel.
Speaking of sequels, when the first chapter of that is posted I will come back here and post a new chapter with a link for everyone interested. It will be the final update this story will ever receive.
I don't know how long it will be before the sequel is up. In the mean time there will also be side stories that will contain bits of a prequel as well as some jumbled stories from here and there throughout. I'm not sure how I'll be uploading those but they'll definitely be under the name 'Sidetracked Grandeur' unless someone steals the title between now and when I get the first one finished.
Lastly, anyone wishing to submit a short story based on this work is welcome. You can submit it to yourself(in which case send me a link so I can read please!) or you can send it to me in a pm and I will post for you under Sidetracked Grandeur.
Thank you all for being there with me til the end. I hope to see you on my other works.
-Til next time!
~Kanathia