Well, we've reached that point - if I wrote it right, things are going to get a bit intense. Maybe it'll make you creep a little towards the edge of your seat... well, probably not, but I tried!
This one goes out to all the loyal readers that keep coming back!! Enjoy :)
Pulling up to where Manda had directed him to, Dean parked the Impala and gazed out the windshield at an industrial building that appeared to be empty. "So this is where it happened?"
"Yeah," she quietly answered. Her hand on was the handle of the door, but she was reluctant to open it. The memories were too strong now and her emotions weren't far behind.
Dean could see her discomfort and was reminded of the time he'd gone home when he'd swore he never would again. Being here was probably similar for her. "You gonna be okay to do this?"
She shrugged. "I'll get back to you on that one."
"If you've changed your mind just say so, Manda." He knew it hurt to be here. She'd gotten so tense that he was sure if he were to touch her unexpectedly she would strike automatically in response.
"We're here, pointless to back out now." Backing out seemed even more absurd to her now than believing she'd been ready to face this.
He opened his door, and had one foot out when her hand gripped tightly on his arm. Dean turned his head to look at her. "What?"
Manda wanted to tell him to turn the car around and go, but couldn't. She had dragged him out here insistent to do this, and wanting to or not, it still had to be done. "Nothing," she said, letting go of his arm and getting out of the car quickly. It was a false sense of bravery rippling through her that kept her here, because all she wanted to do was run the other way now.
Dean looked at her oddly, and then got out. She'd been so set on doing this and now that she was here, it was clear she regretted the decision. He walked to the front of the Impala and stood beside her.
"I've never been back here since that night," she said in a hollow tone. Manda had never wanted to come back. Returning here was probably wrong for so many reasons, but now it was part of the job. A job she'd become.
"Not an easy thing to do. I've done this once or twice myself, you know." He looked at her realizing just how faraway her gaze was and her voice sounded. It was like she wasn't even here with him.
The noticeable shiver ran through her, her shoulders bowed with an invisible, heavy weight, one of guilt and pain that Dean knew his own held most days.
Manda barely heard him as she remembered how she'd come here ready to die years ago. The guilt that had been eating away at her from losing her boyfriend had sent her here that way – stuck on ending the pain. But her parents had paid the price with their lives instead, and the casualty count had been three instead of two. She'd lost herself with them. Who she'd been then wasn't who had walked away from what had happened here, or who stood here now.
Dean put his arm around her when her head leaned against his shoulder softly. If it was up to him they'd be driving away from here, but he knew it wasn't. "You don't have to do this. Say the word and we'll go." His eyes scanned around, his hunter instincts on high alert. If something was coming, he was ready for it.
How did I let it come to this? Manda took a deep breath as the thought ran through her head. The demon had been right, her parents had died for her to end up this way, and that cost had been a waste. It should have been her instead of them.
"Manda?" Dean shook her gently to snap her out of the daze she was in.
Raising her head and pulling away, Manda smiled uncomfortably. "No… I do. We're going in."
"Haven't had enough today have you?" He headed to the trunk to pull out some flashlights and a couple more items.
Manda followed him. "Nothing different here just because I'm in the middle of it, this is still what we do. But if I lose it in there, just get me back to the hotel."
Dean handed her a flashlight before he grabbed a few more things out of the trunk. "It is… and I will. But remember, there's no need to prove to me how tough you are."
"You just remember I'm a hell of a lot more stubborn than tough… and keep a watchful eye on my doomed ass, Dean." Her eyes were furiously gazing into the night, watching for anything. The hair on the back of her neck was already standing, but that was more from her discomfort at being here than anything else.
Chuckling as they headed for the building, Dean looked around cautiously again. "Not a problem, Chambers. Just keep it near me and you'll be fine." He smirked as he met her eyes. The doubt was there, but he hid it down deep.
Entering the abandoned building after picking an uncomplicated lock, Dean followed her lead. He wasn't even sure what this building had held, but it was empty and he could it tell it hadn't been abandoned too long ago. The "for lease" sign was outside of it when they had pulled up.
Manda was visibly edgy, and Dean noticed how rigid her movements were the further they got inside.
"This was a stupid idea wasn't it?" Manda asked, coming to a halt.
"You've had better ones, and I've regretted agreeing to better ones too." Dean looked around, wondering if the electricity still worked. He found a switch on the wall and headed to it.
Manda followed a few steps behind, knowing she had to stick close to him. He'd protect her if something happened or if she froze on the spot.
Flicking the switch, the lights overhead came on. "At least something's going right," he muttered.
Spinning around on her heels and looking at the room, Manda went as stiff as a statue. This is where it had happened, where she'd lost so much.
"It'll be tough, but you need to talk me through what you remember about that night. It's what you'd ask someone in your position to do too." Dean reached out to click off the flashlight in her hand, and then rested his hand over hers briefly. "Maybe I'll figure something out that way, but if you can't handle being here, we'll leave."
She nodded, and looked at him. He was right, she'd ask the same of someone else if this wasn't her. "Okay… and I'll try not to lose it on you, but this hurts." She drew in a sharp breath and closed her eyes. It was then that the heat soared through her and the voice echoed in her head.
Returning to the scene of your greatest mistake is a bit predictable Manda… but I knew you'd come running here after dreaming of your memories. You came to here to die once, and this time we'll get it right.
This couldn't happen – not here, not now, not again. Manda reached for Dean as her knees tried to give.
Dean was just starting to lay a large circle of salt when he felt her grab the back of his jacket. "Manda?" He dropped the salt in order to steady her, and felt the heat radiating from her. "Son of a bitch," he growled. His eyes searched for what might be near as he braced her against him. This was a mistake, but she'd insisted on coming here, they should have waited for Sam to come with them.
She felt dizzy, but her head cleared enough for a moment. "You-you were right… it-it's a trap… I'm sorry," she stammered in terror. It was a mistake to come here – she'd made the same mistake again. The fear settled in quick knowing this was it, she would die tonight.
His grip on her remained tight. "Can you walk, run?" he asked, ignoring her apology. He needed to get her out of here, or at least as close to that as he could.
"I'll try." Manda felt weak, but there was no time for that. She shoved the fear aside and put all her effort into finding her legs.
Dean let go of her when she stood straight up. "Let's go." His voice was short and hard.
The heat coursed through her again, and she fell to her knees. "Dean," she cried out.
Dean, Dean, Dean… he's of no use to you now.
Footsteps approached with menacing laughter.
"Damn it!" Dean wanted to reach for her, but he couldn't. He went for the salt only to find it slid out of range fast. And seeing Manda brought to her knees so quickly had him enraged. His fiercely protective side was in overdrive now as he reached for the knife.
Fighting through it, Manda clambered to her feet. She'd made the mistake of coming here again. As long as she could get up, there was no way she was staying down, not when she'd dragged Dean here out of sheer carelessness. "Go, Dean. Get out of here." It didn't matter now if it took her down, but she wouldn't take him with her.
"Hell no," he gritted as a man came into sight. There was no way he was leaving her here alone, not a goddamn chance of it.
"If it isn't Romeo and Juliet of the hunters." The demon had a demented grin as it flashed its black eyes. "And I thought her parents were a combo meal, but a Chambers and a Winchester… that's epic for so many Shakespearean reasons."
This was the demon, there was no mistaking otherwise. The evil pull in her was strong, as if it were calling her to him. "You've never heard the hunter's version of the tale I take it. Where they gank a demon, continue to hunt and take out more of them, and have some hot sex in between. That sound about right, Dean?" She had to resort to her usual tactic for dealing with a demon in order to maintain her cool even if inside she was seething with fear mixed with rage. The will to fight was rising in her fast though.
Dean smirked, appreciating her ability to bounce back despite what was happening. It was giving her hell, and as long as she was able to, he knew she'd give it right back. "Only thing wrong was that it's a lot of hot sex in between ganking evil sons of bitches, but I'll refresh your memory after we take this one out." This was one evil bastard though, and as much as he was ready to jump forward to take it out, he knew what would happen. It'd fling him into the wall and start on her right away, so he remained where he was for now.
"She was never that good with details or else she never would have come here." Grinning, the demon tapped a finger on his temple.
Manda's face twisted at being hit with a vision. She was forced to watch the demon beating the crap out of her the first time she'd come here.
Dean's nostrils flared as the anger in him increased. There was no way in hell she'd get far in a fight if it kept this up. This was down to him now. It had to end soon, and he was searching for the best way to make that happen as quickly as possible.
"I'd stay right where you are, Dean. You know what I can do to her. By the way, how many stitches was that? Or did you just lose count after awhile?"
He wanted to just ram the knife in, watch the demon die, but it was right. It'd rip open her back again, and proceed to do more damage while fighting him. "You're the one that's not so good with details. You know what I'm capable of… your little mind-freak trick of show and tell should have reminded you. And maybe her father sent you back, but I'm not nice enough to let you rot down there again."
Shaking her head as the vision cleared, Manda smirked. "That barely hurt this time," she lied, her head was spinning but it was bearable. "Not on the top of your game are you? A little worried from knowing you don't get to go home this time around?"
"You two are kind of cute with all that backtalk. But tell me, Manda… do you really believe he can save you?" The laugher was shrill, wicked, and with the flick of a hand Dean went sailing through the air.
Her head snapped around to see Dean smack the wall forcefully and hit the ground. She froze for a split second, worrying about him and feeling awful for bringing him here to this. "Now that just pisses both of us off," she muttered, turning her attention back to the demon.
"Son of a bitch," Dean groaned. He was a good distance away from her now, and that didn't sit well with him. She needed him and the knife. He rose to his feet fast.
Grinning in a darkly twisted way, the man possessed by the demon looked from one hunter to the other. "This is going to be fun," he snickered, flicking a hand again.
Manda hit an opposite wall hard, barely seeing Dean run towards the demon as she lay on the ground dazed.
Dean charged, ready to waste the damn thing. He couldn't pay attention to where Manda had ended up and just focused on the demon. He was a step away when he was flung back again, and found himself pinned against the wall. There was no way to protect her now, and his blood was boiling at the thought of it.
I'm at the top of my game, and this is one you won't win. Haven't you figured that out, Manda? This is a win-win for me and a double loss for you.
The heat was scorching, the pain increasing, and the urge to pass out was strong once the voice was done, but she fought through it. Her hand went for the holy water flask, clutching it tight, flicking the lid as she staggered to her feet and the demon approached. "That's the top of your game… the best you've got? Pinning Dean to the wall, trying to weaken me so I won't put up a fight? Maybe last time I let you beat the crap out of me, but this time you don't get that advantage." Her eyes darted frantically to Dean. She had to make her move, get him freed just long enough to finish this with the knife.
"Just getting started… and I won't be as pleasurable as Dean was the last time you heard that line."
The damn thing had been raiding her mind, picking things out of it. "And I won't put out as easily for you as I do for him." Manda tossed the holy water at the demon as it got close enough, and started to speak the Latin.
Dean smirked, that was his girl – fighting with what she had. The hold on him broke, and he dropped to his feet, running as fast as he could to help her now.
Smoke sizzled from the man, he sneered in disgust, and his eyes went black and hard.
Manda watched as the hand flicked, and Dean flew through the air again. He'd been right there, the knife an inch away, and now he was on the opposite side of the room again. Oh shit... how to do this alone? Her lips failed to get out more Latin as she froze with the thought and fear.
Dean had hit the wall harder this time. His head was foggy, and he was pinned again. He'd almost had the bastard this time, but almost wasn't good enough. Almost wouldn't save her.
"Now that he's out of our way, how about we attend to this unfinished business?" The demon's look was twisted, dark.
There was no wit or sarcasm in her grasp, just panic. Glancing at Dean, she knew she had to find it. "It was finished, but your sorry ass came back for more."
"It was never finished, but daddy dearest didn't get to tell you that." It lunged forward.
But Manda was ready to fight with all the rage within her. She kicked the hardest she could without hesitation just as the demon came within mere inches.
Dean could only watch, completely livid that this was happening. He was stuck far away from her, and at least for the moment she was kicking ass, but how long would that last before it took her down for the count? Was he really going to be forced to watch her die this way? The mistake of coming here had been made, and both of them would pay for it unless he could get unpinned. That's my girl… fight like hell, get him over here and down long enough to free me. I won't miss the son of a bitch this time.
-
Sam and Chuch had gone out to grab a bite to eat, and to take a bit of break. They had brought the journals with them though, and over coffee they had started reading again. They had no idea how much time was left before the demon showed up for Manda, and if there was something to be found, it had to be done quickly.
Chuch had been reading when she froze for a moment, and then she shoved the journal across to Sam. "Theory on breaking the link, not a nice once either, but it's more than we've got."
Sam took the journal and began to read. The theory, however it had been deduced seemed to make some sense to him. And from what he could tell, Manda's dad knew his stuff, so this would probably work. But there was a major catch – the person the demon was linked to would have to be possessed by it at the time of exorcism. That was the only way he'd figured the person had a fighting chance of surviving, and at breaking the link for good.
Nobody involved now was going to enjoy finding out how this untested theory went, or if there was even a way to get Manda possessed by the demon again. "I'll call Dean."
Chuch nodded. This theory had her nervous, it was too tricky, way too tricky for her liking. But if it gave her friend a chance to live, they had to try it.
Sam called his brother. Dean wasn't going to like this, but it was the best lead they had to go on besides their own theory of killing the demon. Either way would be a risk, one his brother wouldn't want to take because her life hung in the balance, but it already was hanging if they were all honest about it.
The phone just kept ringing though, and Sam knew something was off. Dean always answered his calls. The voicemail kicked in, so he left a quick message.
"I'll try Manda," Chuch said seeing Sam's worried gaze. She pulled out her phone and called her friend, looking at Sam gravely as it went straight to voicemail. "It's off."
"I don't like this… but we'll give Dean a few minutes to call back," Sam said, packing up what was in front of him.
"Maybe they're back at the hotel already? She could be sleeping, he could be in the shower… it happens." Chuch felt the wave of worry wash over her. The demon had a habit of ambushing its linked victims. "We'll check there first…" She tossed some money on the table.
"If the car's not there…" Sam said, following her out the door.
"I know, we'll drive by, see if it is, and if it's not we'll find them." Chuch was in the driver's seat and firing up her car.
Both of them felt the unease though. They knew something was off, but hoped it was nothing as they drove away from the small diner they'd ended up in.
-
Dean's phone had been going off in his pocket, but he couldn't move to answer it. Sam! Oh, Sammy… you'll know something's wrong, get over here and use your mojo to keep this bastard down so I can kill it. His eyes were glued, wondering if Manda would hold out that long. She had to, just had to.
Manda was fighting hard, but was wearing down fast. The demon was relentless in the attack. She'd only ever fought this hard before when trying to get out pain and guilt, and just like then, it wasn't enough.
She took a few solid blows to the face, and then the demon flung her hard against a wall. Her vision blurred as she staggered to her feet. Down meant out, left you vulnerable, so she got up.
Dean hated to watch this. It wasn't fair. His jaw clenched tightly. All he wanted was to get loose. She had worked the fight closer to him, but now that was useless. It had flung her away again, and he was still stuck against the wall longing to protect her, filled with anger he couldn't release.
The demon whistled walking towards her. "Nice to see you finally started taking after your old man."
"You know what they say about apples and trees… hate to see the rotten excuse of one you fell from," Manda spit out the words along with some blood. She could taste it in her mouth, feel more of it streaking down her face. "Had to be a real S.O.B. for how warped you are. Did he carve you up like a jack-o-lantern instead of reading you bedtime stories? Roast you like a hog over fire and brimstone for kicks?" It was getting hard to remain standing, and her vision wasn't clearing as fast as she wanted it to either.
Laughing, the demon turned towards Dean. "Like that vile tongue of hers, Dean? All that spite and sarcasm she hides behind… that remind you of yourself?"
"I like a girl to use her tongue wickedly." Dean smirked. "Besides, she's right, you've got daddy issues written all over you." His eyes looked her over, somehow she was on her feet, but she wasn't having an easy go of staying that way. But just like before he knew what was keeping her up, that instinct to stay on her feet until she couldn't.
Look at him, wanting to drag me to hell with his bare hands. Do you see that rage? How sweet it is, but so useless for here… it was put to better use downstairs.
The heat alone took her down, but the pain was almost intolerable. Gritting her teeth, Manda pushed herself to get up on her knees at least. "Free him then… we'll see how useless it really is."
The demon got before her, smiled devilishly and backhanded her hard, sending her back down. "We'll get to him soon enough."
"Goddamn bastard," Dean snarled. He knew what it was going to do now. It would tag-team beat her, attack both physically and mentally just because it could. There was no way she'd survive it either. "How about trying that with someone who's mind you can't screw with by popping in and out of it? You want a dirty fight, I'll give you one."
Manda spit out more blood, and then was forcing herself up. Her knees wobbled, her body ached, and her vision was blurring too much, the one eye that was swelling shut didn't help either. She wanted to stay down, but damned if she'd let that happen just now.
Turning his head towards Dean, the demon snickered. "She's not as strong as she wishes, but you've got to admire your girlfriend's fight, Dean. The way she keeps getting up is commendable."
"Now you're just going to piss her off with using that word." Dean smirked, seeing what she was up to. She was so incredibly stubborn, and for once he was thankful for that. The girl was a definitely a fighter, and stronger than she realized.
"Ask Dean, it takes a certain kind of man to keep me down… and you're not my type," Chuckling weakly, Manda kicked out one of his knees. The effort was exhausting, but she had to do it.
The demon sneered as he stumbled forward, then his hand shot up. "You'll be staying down for good soon enough."
Hitting the ground, Manda whimpered at the pain as the vision hit. Watching her mother fall to this exact spot was something she hadn't seen. She'd only seen the way she had been left in it.
Dean was fuming. His girl was taking one hell of a beating. His face twitched with rage from having to watch. This was torture. Not being able to stop it, protect her, watching her fall down and get back up to take more abuse while trying to fight back. How the hell was she still getting up? He could see how busted up she was, but damned if his girl wasn't pushing herself to her feet once again.
Raising herself slowly on her knees and the palms of her hands, Manda was fighting her hardest to do this, but she got up knowing that the next time she went down, she was staying there. But even then she'd move, as long as she could move she would. That had been drilled into her from a young age.
Mommy went down right where you are… And where was daddy? Somewhere near where Dean is now?
She fell down again. The heat and pain were overwhelming now. She gazed towards Dean, barely making him out. She saw the image of her father instead, where he'd ended up a few feet away from where Dean was stuck, and then everything went black.
Staring at her, Dean's face went grave. The rage boiled to a point he couldn't take. She was out, or worse, dead. "You son of a bitch…" His voice was a mixture of cold hardness and seething rage as he growled out the words. "Killing you is going to be satisfying… so damn satisfying."
"Surprisingly, she's hanging on… not quite dead yet, but your concern for her is touching." The demon chuckled, turning around to look at Dean, and then letting the hold on him go.
Dean's feet hit the floor, and while he knew it was wrong, he couldn't stop himself from running. And then he was hitting the wall again, the knife falling from his hand. "I'm all for getting banged against a wall by a chick, but not a demon. That move is getting a little old if you ask me, and it isn't enjoyable either."
Manda came too, but she knew she couldn't get up. She started to crawl, that was all she could do. Dean. Her eyes looked towards him. He was still stuck against the wall, and that just wouldn't do. She reached for a dagger strapped to her ankle, and slowly dragged herself forward.
"Where do you think you're going? Crawling your way to Dean just like you did to daddy?" The demon mimicked a horror movie monster worthy slash, and his laughter pierced the air with a cold, hard wickedness.
Screaming at the pain that seared down her back, Manda fell flat against the ground. Her scars had just been ripped open again. She could feel the wetness of blood collecting through her shirt. Then the vision hit, and she had to watch what had happened to her father. "No…" she murmured weakly, curling defensively at the pain.
The anger was bursting in Dean. She'd gotten the shit kicked out of her and now it was going to start with this? He knew what it had done, the way she went down screaming left him with no doubt, it had just slashed open her back again. She wouldn't last for long now, he was going to watch her die. If only it'd let him free now, there was no way he'd be able to control himself. He'd attack with a ferocious rage and not think twice about it.
Manda groaned as the vision left her. Everything hurt, and there was no reason to question it, she knew was slowly dying. "You want to kill me…" she shouted in a shaky voice. "Then just get it over with."
"Didn't pay attention again… didn't you hear what I told your old man? How I'd come back and turn his sweet little girl into the very thing she hunts by wearing her meat suit for awhile."
"No," Dean yelled. "No matter what, don't you dare give in to that, Manda." He struggled under the hold even though it was useless. No way in hell it was doing that to her, no frigging way. Where in the hell are you, Sam? She needs your mojo, and so do I. Goddamn it… this can't happen.
Everything was getting fuzzy, but she was hanging on. There were only two reasons for her to now. One of them was Dean. As long as he was here, she had to keep fighting. The other was that one way or another, this had to end to tonight. This demon was going down even if it took her down first. "Screw yourself… you've already had one free ride too many."
"Fighting it every step of the way… how much more do you think she can take? What'll make her give into me, Dean?"
"She'll hang on long enough to watch you die." Dean hoped that she would. She had to hang on, Sam would be here soon. He knew it, but he also knew what would make her give in – him. The demon had said his name with that taunting tone, knowing it too.
It mimicked another slash that would have made Freddy Krueger proud for how hard, fast and just plain evil it looked with the crooked fingers and the twisted grin on his face.
Dean's eyes stayed on her. The sadness and regret was there, along with the pain and the guilt. Everything he'd said had been wrong; he couldn't get her out of this. His girl was dying before him, and he was helpless to stop it.
The agony filled scream tore through her. Manda knew it had just torn open the marks even more, she'd felt her flesh tearing open further, deeper too. The pain she was in now was past her breaking point, and she just wanted it to end. Things were getting unclear as she lay there on the ground trying her hardest to stay conscious.
It can all end. The pain will be gone if you'd just take off those rings around your neck. But if you haven't had enough, I can get started on Dean now. Would you like to watch him die here just like your parents did?
She was just slumped there on the floor, and Dean wasn't even sure she was still conscious at this point. How did it come to this? This was torment, knowing Manda was almost dead and having to be witness to her end this way. Her scream echoed in his ears, he'd never forget it. Come on, babe, get up. Just let me know you're still hanging on…
The demon smirked smugly at Dean. His dark laugh pierced the air. "Looks like I hit the jackpot by going after the weak spot."
Manda had become completely rigid at the demon's threat of killing Dean. She wouldn't let that happen, couldn't let it happen. If it was her or him, Manda was choosing herself. Even knowing he could endure whatever the demon did to him for awhile, she wouldn't stand for it. She was already too weak, and there was only one thing left to do now. She would give up her life to save him in this spot where her parents had done it for her. History always repeated itself eventually.
"She's fading fast… slipping away a little more with each second while you hang around doing nothing, Dean. Some boyfriend you turned out to be… I guess she picked the wrong brother," the demon chuckled, mocking him.
"No, she didn't… and I'll show you just how wrong you are about that soon." His voice was full of spite, fury, and was completely cold, matching his mood. Damn it, move, Manda… just move. I need to know you're not gone yet.
Finally finding the strength to move, and reaching for the rings around her neck, Manda whimpered at the pain. She didn't want to do this, but this was what the demon wanted, the only choice she had left, and it would give Dean the moment he needed to just act. She hoped he'd remember what she had said about dying before letting something happen to anyone else this way. He would understand the choice then. "You want me you son of a bitch… then come get me… but it's the last thing you'll ever do."
"No, Manda! No!" Dean yelled. He saw her fingers on the rings and knew what she was up to. She was giving up herself for a reason he wasn't sure of. Maybe it was him, maybe it was the pain, or maybe it was just to give him the second to act. Whatever it was for, it was wrong. He just needed her to hang on for a few more minutes. "Don't do it…"
The darkness was looming, closing in now, and she was completely drained. "I'm sorry, Dean… so sorry, baby," her voice broke. The tears fell from her battered eyes and stung the cuts where the punches had split her skin open on her face. He'd have to end this for her. She had asked him for that, and if it meant him having to stab her like in the vision she'd had, so be it. But her heart was breaking at realizing how much this was going to hurt Dean, how much pain she'd leave him with. "So damn sorry it's ending this way."
Everything stopped for a split second as Dean heard her voice. The love she had for him was leaking through her pain. Then he watched as she used what strength she had left to yank off the chain with the rings and let them fall from her hand. "NO!" he shouted in a tone that was so hard and demanding she would have to listen to him.
How cute, sacrificing yourself out of love just like your parents did for you.
Manda groaned as the heat took over like it never had before, and the pain gave way to a kind of numbness as she rolled onto her back.
The demon smiled at Dean. "Got to love the punch line, Dean…. Manda giving in that quickly faced with the option of watching you die here. That's some love… kind of reminds me of what happened here before. Old habits, people giving themselves up for those they love. But you know a thing or two about that don't you?" The demon laughed, and then started to flee the body it was in.
He'd known deep down that the reason was him, but the words still hit Dean with a heavy weight. She was only giving in because the demon had threatened to kill him first. Manda would rather die than to let that happen, she'd said so herself. She was doing this for him, out of her love for him.
The invisible hold on him dropped, but his feet refused to move. The shock, the realization, all of it kept him completely still, unable to move.
"It's the only way, Dean. You have to kill it… I…" She screamed just before the demon entered her.
Dean watched the black smoke enter her, and he went for the knife, but his hand shook as he picked it up. He was going to have to kill her. Kill this girl he loved but had never worked up the nerve to tell. I should have told you… goddamn coward, just like now… how the hell can I kill it knowing you're in there too? Just thinking about what he had to do now hurt only like a few other things did deep inside him. Oh god, Manda… I can't do this… I love you.
-
Checking the hotel's lot near Manda's room revealed that only her Chevelle was parked there. The Impala wasn't back, and another phone call to Dean had gone unanswered.
Chuch peered at Sam in the same curious gaze he was wearing. "They went to where her parents were killed?"
"She made him take her there in order to try and remember something." Sam knew it, something had gone seriously wrong. Dean would do what he could, but Sam knew it wouldn't be enough. They should have waited for him, or should have told him what the address was at least, but no, both his brother and the female hunter were too stubborn that way sometimes. Both of them were just too damn headstrong for their own good sometimes, like right now.
Pulling back out of the lot, Chuch asked, "Where is that?"
"He didn't say…and you don't know where it happened either, do you?" Sam was dialling another number, one where he could get that information easily.
"No… but we can sure as hell find out." Chuch kept one hand on the wheel, and was dialling into her own cell phone with the other. "Damn Manda and her secrets…" she muttered.
There was no doubt in either of them now. Both knew that the other two hunters been ambushed, and both of them were hoping they wouldn't get there too late.
So... uh... that was quite a chapter, was it not? A long one too... sorry guys - hope it kept you entertained though!
Manda takes a beating. (Did you love or hate the way she kept going until she couldn't?) Dean had to watch it happen. (Evil to do to him, but it had to be done, poor guy - not being able to do a damn thing to stop it, ah, torture!!) And let's just say it - that's one bastard of a demon. (Hope he was just the right amount of evil now that he's arrived! Yes, he's only a black-eyed demon, but I made him so he's on the same sort of level as Meg, Tammi - a little more powerful than the normal ones.)
Now, we're a little closer to her fate... but not quite there. We'll see if Dean really does stab her. We all know that demon is going to make this worse for him... mwhahaha. Or if the whole theory (I feel like it's a little weak for a theory, but hopefully it makes sense) pans out if Sam and Chuch should make it there in time...
I know some of you don't want to see her die... but... ahhhh I can't give it away! Sorry guys!!
I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as I can.
Well, hope you enjoyed it, and that it didn't disappoint. Thanks for reading :) And as usual - if you wish to comment, please do so!
