Chapter Seven

The silence in the living room was palpable. The only thing that was making any sound was the grandfather clock in the corner. Dean eyed it suspiciously, wondering if the ticking was somehow getting louder and more annoying, just to spite him. He sighed loudly hoping it would make at least some difference.

Dean glanced towards the hallway as he mentally yelled at Castiel for him to return. Dean sighed again in annoyance as his thoughts drifted once again to the previous night. When it finally came to an end Castiel brought him and Sam back to Bobby's place before leaving again. He then promptly returned with Bobby. He said he was going back for Ruby but he had not yet returned.

Dean and Bobby had taken Sam down into the panic room and they locked him in there just like they had done once before but Dean knew this time would be different. Castiel said to put Sam somewhere safe until he returned to deal with it. Dean slowly turned to the window, sighing again. The morning light was slowly beginning to creep through the window.

Dean sighed again and he blinked very slowly as though trying to make something else happen. A loud rustling sound came from the other side of the room. It was Bobby scrunching up his newspaper before tossing it aside. He stared at Dean, an annoyed expression clearly visible on his face.

'Isn't there something better you could be doing?' Bobby asked loudly.

'What would you like me to do Bobby?' Dean asked instantly.

'Why don't you go and get some sleep or something?' Bobby suggested. 'You look like hell.'

'Yeah,' Dean muttered. 'I feel like it.'

It went silent again and Dean shut his eyes tightly. He didn't really feel like talking but he did want the ticking sound to end. His first thought was to shoot it but he was sure Bobby wouldn't appreciate that too much. He also didn't want to sleep in case Castiel came back. He wanted to be here, awake for his return.

'Do you think the silence in there now is a bad thing?' Dean asked as he looked to the hallway again.

Bobby shrugged as he looked at Dean. 'Don't even think about it, son,' he said softly.

Dean avoided Bobby's gaze. He shook his head as he clicked his tongue. Dean decided to remain silent. He was right the first time. He wasn't interested in any conversation right now. The way he felt now reminded him of how he felt after his father's death. He wanted to leave this life. He wanted to go somewhere else, be someone else. He was tired of this life.

The events of late almost seemed like it was too much. When Dean thought back on it, he was surprised to find himself standing on the other side. He knew it wasn't over but they were close. They had to be. He wanted his brother back to his usual self. It was the second last piece he needed to fit into place.

Suddenly, a flapping sound rustled through the room, startling both Dean and Bobby. Both hunters got to their feet quickly and faced Castiel.

'What took you so long?'

'I'm sorry for my absence,' Castiel said in his normal gruff tone. 'I had things to take care of.'

'Did you find Ruby?' Dean asked expectantly.

Castiel sighed and glanced down at his feet before exhaling deeply. He slowly looked up again, meeting Dean's eyes. 'No, I'm sorry,' he said quietly. 'I went back to the house but she was gone. I managed to find her twice but...'

'You just let her escape?' Dean said, his voice rising.

'I would have kept looking but...'

'Damn it, Cas!' Dean exclaimed.

'But there are more important things here,' Castiel finished.

'She's the whole reason all of this has happened,' Dean continued angrily.

'Calm down, Dean...' Bobby said, trying to interject.

'No,' Dean said unable to accept Castiel's explanation. 'You're an angel for fuck sake! Go out there and find her!'

'Do you not want your brother back?' Castiel asked curiously, in a quiet and unassuming tone.

For the first time in a while Dean didn't care that the figure in front of him was an angel. He took an almost threatening step towards Castiel, his eyes narrowed.

'Are you implying that I want revenge more than I want Sam back?' Dean questioned.

Bobby stealthily moved forwards a couple steps, wondering if he was going to need to break them apart but he was sure the angel could defend himself against Dean if it was absolutely necessary and he doubted Dean would want to try and harm Castiel much.

'At this moment, yes, it seems you want only revenge.'

Dean's fists clenched into tight balls a few times and Castiel could feel the hunter's anger building higher still. He didn't want to do anything that wasn't required.

'Step away,' Castiel whispered warningly, his eyes blazing a fiery blue.

For a moment, nothing changed but eventually Dean conceded and took a few steps back.

'So, what happens now?' Bobby asked, exhaling heavily in relief, glad that Dean stood down.

'Where is Sam?' Castiel asked looking at the older hunter.

'In the panic room,' Dean replied before Bobby could.

'Good,' Castiel said quickly. 'Leave him there. There are other things that need attending to.'

'Such as?' Dean asked, gesturing widely with his arms.

'Lilith,' clarified Castiel. 'We believe we know where she is and we intend on capturing her.'

Dean and Bobby exchanged glances of confusion. 'The angels want to capture Lilith?" asked Bobby, wondering if he heard correctly.

'Yes.'

'Why?' asked Dean after a moment of silence.

Castiel swallowed, seeming to hesitate but eventually, his mouth opened and he spoke. 'Dean... do you remember the time when I was going to tell you something but was taken back to Heaven for it?'

'Yeah,' Dean said slowly. 'What about it?'

Licking his lips slowly, Castiel hesitated again, glancing around the room as though fearful of someone swooping in and taking him. 'Lilith is the final seal,' he whispered inaudibly.

Not sure he heard the angel correctly; Dean stepped closer to him once again, straining his neck forwards, as though struggling to hear. 'Say what?' the young hunter questioned quietly. 'The final seal? You're kidding?'

Castiel shook his head slowly. 'The angels were going to allow the apocalypse to happen but everything's changed.'

'What's changed?' Bobby asked quickly.

'Michael is on earth, now, and he's ordered for things to be rectified,' Castiel answered with a lot more confidence. 'A few angels have been taken care of and won't be bothering you again and Michael sent me here to tell you to stay here and keep Sam locked up. Lilith's location is almost known and we are heading there soon. I will be in touch when more is known.'

The sound of flapping wings echoed through the room as Castiel left. Dean and Bobby looked at one another again but this time they knew there was nothing they could do. Rubbing his face roughly, Dean exhaled tiredly. With an outstretched hand, he gestured towards the stairs.

'I think I'll get some sleep,' he said slowly, feeling a little unsure of himself. 'Let me know if Cas returns.'

'Will do,' said Bobby as Dean walked from the room.

As Dean settled himself in a spare room upstairs he lay down and looked up at the ceiling. The only thing he could think of was Sam. After everything they had been through together it was all falling apart, their relationship, their plans, everything. For a moment, Dean started to wonder how everything had gone wrong, so quickly. Was it his fault? If he had left Sam alone and looked for their father alone would none of this have happened?

But even as the thoughts invaded Dean's mind, he knew the yellow-eyed demon wouldn't have left Sam alone, not matter what. He then wondered if there were signs of Sam going down this path to begin with. Was it always going to end up like this? Was this always how it was going to end?


Several loud banging sounds erupted through the house, pulling Dean from his sleep and disturbing his first light dream in a while. The walls shook violently and a yell from below made Dean spring into action. Without waiting a second longer, he ran downstairs. The entire house was in more disarray that usual with things seemingly thrown across the room by an invisible force.

'Bobby!' Dean yelled, not seeing his friend anywhere in sight. There was no answer and Dean felt panic well up in his chest. 'Bobby!?'

There was still no answer and Dean dropped to the ground as the shaking walls started coming apart, ripping down the middle. The windows shattered around him and he threw his hands over his head, protecting himself from the shards of glass that flew over him. Suddenly, a bright white light spilled in from outside, filling every inch of space within the house. Dean flung himself on the couch and shielded his eyes from the blinding light that engulfed everything. The shaking continued and within a minute the house had split.

A startled cry flew from Dean's mouth has someone grabbed him by his jacket and pulled him from the house and into the muddle of cars that filled the yard. Once in the middle of the pile, Dean stopped, resisting the pulling that was still present. The person stopped and turned him so they faced each other.

'Bobby?'

'Dean, we have to get out of here!'

'Sam's in there!'

'There's nothing we can do!'

Dean pushed Bobby off him and raced back towards the house, ignoring the blinding white light but abruptly, he came to a stop as an explosion rang through his ears and echoed through his head several times over. The blast came from the roof, setting it alight. The flames rose high into the sky, mixing with the bright but fading light of the afternoon sun.

Standing frozen to the ground, Dean's eyes widened and tears filled them rapidly as he watched the flames overwhelm the house within mere seconds. The tears rolled down Dean's cheeks as he thought of Sam trapped in the panic room, imagining it getting hotter and hotter by the second. Feeling his legs give way, Dean fell to the ground in a heap but Bobby was on him in seconds, pulling him to his feet and dragging him back away from the heat and flames.

'S-Sam... he's...'

'There's a fire brigade on the way,' said Bobby, feeling helpless as knowing that those words were of no comfort to Dean.

The young hunter's head fell forwards limply. The words were empty. More than anything he wanted to believe that things would work out, that he and Sam would work things out and everything would go back to how it was supposed to be but it seemed as though that chance was gone.

As sirens reached their ears and blue and red lights came into view, the weakness he felt running through Dean increased. A few officers approached and one grabbed Dean's arm tightly to gain his attention.

'Sir, you need to come with us.'

Dean looked towards the house, hardly taking in the young man's words. They made no sense. Only when Bobby pushed against him did he move. 'Go to the hospital and I'll take your car there,' said Bobby quietly.

As Dean was helped into the ambulance and sat down did he notice the blood that instantly stained the white sheets beneath him and how injured he actually was. He felt no pain and without any resistance, he let a couple officers clean and stitch him up. After taking off for the hospital, Dean looked out the back window and watched as his car followed them.


Just before midnight, the door to Dean's hospital room opened and Bobby entered without knocking. The white room was clean and pristine and right now, Dean sat on the bed, facing the window, staring outside in the darkness. He had just been outside and it felt eerily strange. There was no wind, the sky was clear but no stars twinkled and most other sounds sounded as though they had been muted or he had heard them from a distance. Whatever was happening out there, he didn't want to know about it.

'Dean... how are you feeling?'

'Where's Sam?' he asked, ignoring the question.

Bobby sighed but he didn't press the issue. 'I spoke to a couple firemen before, they're saying that no body's been found.'

The words made Dean finally think of something else and slowly, he turned to face his old friend, unsure he heard properly. 'Sam's alive?' Dean asked quietly, his voice barely heard, as though he didn't want to utter those words for fear of them not being true.

Bobby only shrugged. It seemed he was lost for answers too. 'I don't know, Dean,' he said softly. 'He might be... but we still might have to be-'

Abruptly, Bobby stopped talking as a flapping noise was heard and someone joined them. Seeing Castiel, Dean hopped off the bed and was inches from the angel within seconds. 'Where's Sam?"

'He's gone after Lilith.'

'He's alive?' Dean asked, holding his breath. Slowly, Castiel nodded. Dean released the breath he had been holding for what felt like forever. 'How?'

'The white light you saw was an archangel,' said Castiel slowly.

'Come again,' Dean hissed sharply.

'Not all angels have agreed with Michael's decision and although he is in charge, one archangel has decided not to listen. Raphael. He wants Lucifer released and killed and it will only happen with Lilith's death.'

'What's this got to do with Sam!' asked Dean, getting agitated.

'Raphael took him,' replied Castiel. 'He wants Sam to kill Lilith and allow Lucifer to rise.'

'Then what are you doing here?' asked Bobby quickly. 'Shouldn't you and all the other angels be out there looking for him?'

'We're trying but Michael's preoccupied with something else and he thought you would be able to find him before we did.'

'What are you going to do?'

A guilty look swept over Castiel's features as he looked to the white marble floor briefly before looking at Dean once again. 'He needs to be stopped.'

As Dean looked over the angel's features which for a long time he had loved, it made him feel angry. 'Cas... he won't even listen to me. Before it was different. He was younger, naive, he used to at least hear me out but he isn't the same anymore.'

'It's the demon blood,' said Castiel matter of factly.

'I know, I know,' Dean breathed. 'But there's no getting rid of it.'

'But if we get to him before he finds Lilith, he can be restore to how he once was which is better than nothing.'

'And if we don't?'

'He will kill Lilith and free Lucifer, which brings on the apocalypse which will be bad for all,' explained Castiel. 'If freed, Lucifer will need a vessel and Sam will become just that, he's true vessel.'

'How can you possibly know that?' asked Dean, stepping a little closer to Castiel.

The angel sighed in what appeared to be annoyance. 'We know a lot more than we've said,' he replied. 'I'm sorry,' he added quietly.

Dean scoffed and turned away from the angel. Dean still remembered the night Castiel told him he's brother had raped and tortured him. At the time that didn't seem real and still didn't but things had gone from bad to worse and it was about to go off the scale. Even Dean wasn't so naive enough to think that Sam could change. He knew Sam better than anyone but Sam wasn't Sam anymore and hasn't been since his first taste of demon blood. Just the thought of it alone was enough to make anger and rage surge through his veins rapidly.

When it came to Sam, Dean just didn't know what he needed to do anymore. He felt like he had tried everything so far and was getting nowhere. It all seemed to drive Sam further away in the slippery darkness that was swallowing him whole. Dean just wished Sam could see the other side of his actions.

'What are we supposed to do?' asked Bobby, breaking the silence.

'Sam needs to be stopped,' Castiel started slowly. He looked to Dean. 'And I want you there.'

Dean turned, locking eyes with Castiel. The look he received from those deep, blue depths almost broke his heart. That puppy look Castiel possessed was still around and he still used it to his advantage. Dean sighed and shook his head in despair as he once again considered his options. There weren't many of them to choose from. Another sigh escaped his lips as he nodded slowly.

'Fine,' he said sharply. 'When you find out where Sam is or going to be, then come and get me. I'll go with you.'

Castiel instantly understood and with one nod, he vanished. Dean shared a brief look with Bobby before sitting back on the bed, hanging his head. It felt too heavy for his shoulders to carry anymore. All he wanted was for this to be over.


The ivory blanket in the sky sat still above him and the stars were covered thickly by long grey clouds. The feelings surrounding the area lingered with heavy despair as though knowing what was about to occur. The tall dark church before him stood in silence. It was calm and no one was around to be seen. As he crossed the ground, he could hear his shoes slipping against the green grass which was wet with due.

Half way there, Sam stopped and looked at the building in which could change everything. If his information was correct then Lilith was going to be in there. Sam looked up to the dark sky, taking in a shaky breath as he thought this through again. Lilith was right there, within reach. He knew he just had to reach out and take it. Then this would be over.

As the clock struck midnight, Sam jumped as a bell chimed out in the silent darkness surrounding it. Taking a deep breath, he continued towards the front door of the church but after just a few steps, the doors flew open and a white light burst through the doors and soared up into the sky before disappearing. Frowning heavily, Sam looked around, wondering what just did that and within seconds his answer came.

'Hello, Sam.'

Turning sharply, an instant smile lit up Sam's darkened features. Castiel, in his usual attire, stood before him, seemingly alone but after a moment he was joined by another. Dean. Sam's head tilted to the side and scoffed in what appeared to be incredulity. A sneer graced his lips as he watched Dean come to a stop beside the angel, who's eyes never wavered from him.

'Who would have guessed that you'd be on his side in the end.'

'I didn't choose the sides, Sam,' said Dean evenly. 'You did. You started everything, remember? You dishonoured Castiel and forced all of this to happen and-'

'No, Dean, you started all of this,' interrupted Sam, his voice loud and confident. 'You broke the first seal and now, I'm about to end it.'

'No, you're about to start it,' said Dean quickly. 'Lilith is the last seal.'

Sam laughed. 'I doubt that, Dean.'

'And it is written, that the first demon shall be the last seal,' said Castiel, his voice echoing.

Another laugh erupted from Sam, his body shaking along with it, clearly amused. In the dull light, his hazel eyes shined and for a moment, Dean thought he saw something that was less that human. Shaking his head, he pushed it aside and looked to Castiel before stepping forwards, towards Sam.

'Come on, Sam, you don't really want to do this.'

'No, I think I really do want to,' retorted Sam. 'I thought you wanted this too.'

'I did until I learnt the truth.'

Sam turned back towards the church doors but stopped as Castiel's voice reached him. 'We already have Lilith,' he said loudly. 'The alter has been destroyed and we have her. It's over, Sam.'

'Then where is she?'

'Locked away,' Castiel replied vaguely. 'No demon can escape from it.'

Blood boiled through Sam's body, causing it to quiver. The anticipation of this being over was gone, replaced with rage at the opportunity to end it himself has been taken away. Turning quickly, Sam lifted a hand towards Castiel.

'Drop!' the angel shouted.

Without thinking, Dean dropped to his stomach and watched as Sam used his powers to attack Castiel but the angel kept them at bay. Breathing heavily, his eyes remained on Sam, unblinking. Moving out of harm's way, Dean got back to his feet and moved behind Castiel and to the side, wanting to be out of the way.

A cry and gasp mixed together as Castiel was thrown off his feet, landing a hundred feet away. Dean looked towards him but then at Sam who was already staring at him. Dean shook his head as tears filled his eyes, stingy them greatly.

'No, Sam,' he whispered desperately. 'Come on, man, it doesn't have to end like this.'

'How else does it end, Dean?' asked Sam, a cruel laugh following. 'With a happy ending? It's foolish, Dean, nothing but silly dreams.'

A sigh of anguish sounded from Dean and gradually, white lights surrounded them and they were joined by a large group of people. Castiel was back on his feet and just at Dean's side as the figures materialised into something solid that could clearly be seen. The heavenly beings surrounded Sam and instantly, Dean knew what was about to happen but before anything occurred, Sam attacked Castiel again, who was ready in a split second.

Suddenly, as the attack on Castiel continued, the entire area turned silent. Dean watched as one angel walked towards Sam from behind, holding what appeared to be a long silver blade. Dean ran into the circle that surrounded his little brother but stopped abruptly as he watched Sam's eyes turned pure black just like most demons he had encountered before. Shock etched in all lines of Dean's face as he stared at his brother as though he were a complete stranger.

Without warning, a cry of agony filled the air as a long silver blade ran through the middle of Sam's chest. A strangled choking filled the ears of all that surrounded him. His eyes turned wide and back to normal, focusing upon Dean as he fell to the ground, the blade easily slipping from his body. Dean locked eyes with the angel as the other whispered his name.

'Michael...'

The archangel quickly stepped back and without saying a word, he left as did the other angels, except for Castiel who lingered behind him, watching as Dean ran towards Sam and rolled him over. The gurgling within his throat continued and Sam coughed as he looked up at the sky before focusing upon his older brother.

Tears rolled freely down Dean's face as he scooped Sam into his arms. As Sam's eyes glazed over, Dean's emotions freed themselves from deep within. Cradling Sam, he rocked back and forth, whispering in Sam's ear how he meant to him. Castiel stepped forwards and looked down at both hunters, guilt running through him. Perhaps he should have prepared Dean for this possible end.

As they remained where they were, the sky rumbled threateningly above them and without being able to hold off any longer, rain poured down from the sky, drenching the three of them in seconds. As Dean continued to hold Sam he was more than aware of the angelic presence behind him.

'Aren't you leaving to?'

'Shortly,' Castiel replied almost inaudibly. 'I am sorry, Dean.' The hunter said nothing. 'Jimmy will be left behind once I am gone. Will you look out for him?'

Silently, Dean nodded his promise to Castiel that he would do just that. With one nod of his own, Castiel stood back and watched Dean mourn his loss.