(Okay I have to apologize for making this chapter so long. I got a little too carried away with it and it ended up a lot bigger than it should have been. But I felt I had to cover it so here it is.)
Sea Pines, Massachusetts
Bela was furious as she stormed out of Gert's mansion. The old bat was even dumber than the dozens of cats she had in her home but Bela had always enjoyed her visits before all of this. Gert was an easy score and always willing to pay for some charms or a séance or two. Only this time the Winchesters paid her a visit and ruined everything. Bela told Gert on the phone that her niece Sheila was at peace after a strange drowning. Then Bela charmed the old nut into purchasing an alchemy formula that was supposed to be a great aphrodisiac. It was actually just fruit punch but what the old bat didn't know wouldn't hurt her. But when Bela got there, Gert started talking about how two of Bela's associates had talked to her earlier and told her the case wasn't solved. Bela managed to lie her way through whatever questions were thrown her way but Gert didn't want to pay for the formula until whatever killed Sheila was stopped.
Strolling back to her car near the docks, Bela was contemplating how to get back at Sam and Dean for screwing up what should have been some easy money. Almost on cue, she noticed a familiar looking car parked next to a parking meter. A black 67 Chevy Impala. A million ideas ran through Bela's mind like smashing the windows, slashing the tires, dumping the car at the bottom of the harbor. But then realized that might be going a bit too far and besides the boys might be able to help fix this mess. If anyone can find and stop whatever's causing these deaths, it was the Winchesters. Of course that doesn't mean Bela couldn't have a little fun with them.
"Wow crap," sighed Dean once Sam finished explaining the number of sunken ships off the coast. 150 ships matching the ghost ship the drowning victim saw before her death. That meant hitting the library for historical documents which meant hours upon hours of research. And Dean was hoping for a quick and easy case this time. His pocket started ringing with the tune of Smoke on the Water. "Hello," he answered.
"Hello Dean," said a familiar feminine voice on the other end.
Dean couldn't help but sighed, "Bela. How'd you get this number?" That caught Sam's attention who leaned closer to listen in until Dean shoved him away.
"From Gert. You left her a card remember?" replied Bela.
"You're Alex," realized Dean.
"So you do have a brain," chuckled Bela.
"What do you want Bela? Calling to apologize for stealing my tickets?" Dean fumed.
"I don't apologize for anything darling. Actually I'll calling to cash in my favor," stated Bela.
"Favor?" frowned Dean.
"For saving you two from those gun wielding thugs back at the cemetery. You know there's a history of strange drownings every 37 years around here?" asked Bela.
"Yeah we know. We've been doing this for a living sweetheart," said Dean.
"Good then you're up to speed. I want you to solve the case," said Bela.
"Why would you even care about that and what's your angle with the old lady?" demanded Dean.
"There's no angle. There are a lot of lovely old women like Gert up and down the Eastern Seaboard. I sell them charms, perform séances so they can commune with their dead cats," explained Bela.
"And let me guess. It's all a con, none of it is real," scoffed Dean.
"The comfort I provide them is very real. If people are really that stupid to believe the snake oil I sell them is real, it's their own fault," Bela replied.
"How do you even sleep at night?" scorned Dean.
"On silk sheets rolling naked in money," retorted Bela. Dean was about to say something except the image of Bela rolled naked in a pile of Benjamin Franklins put his brain on hold. "Thanks for telling Gert the case wasn't solved by the way."
"It isn't," said Dean.
"She didn't know that. Now the old bag's stopped payment and demanding some real answers. So solve the case and get rid of this ghost so I can get my money," replied Bela.
"Oh sure sweetheart. Protecting your modest living is my highest priority," mocked Dean.
The two brothers reached the parking spot where they left the Impala except there was a big problem. Dean's baby was gone. "Where's my car?" Dean asked out loud.
"Did you feed the meter?" asked Sam.
"Yes I fed the meter. Did someone…" Dean snapped and then realized everything. "Where's my car you bitch!" he shouted into the phone.
"Calm down Dean. I just thought I should get to know the other woman in your life. We'll have a nice chat while the two of you check the local library for any info I might have missed on possible candidates for our ghost ship. It's only half an hour's walk from here and you need to burn off the carbs after eating that bacon cheeseburger earlier," chuckled Bela. Son of a bitch how long was she following them? Dean was about to reply when he saw the Impala coming up the road. Bela mockingly waved at them while passing by. "Ciao," she called out before hanging up.
The two brothers stood there in shock and pissed off. "I'm gonna kill her," Dean grumbled.
"Just not in public," sighed Sam.
A day passed and another suspicious death happened in town. Bela heard on her police scanner that a man named Mike Warren drowned in his own bathtub, which sounded exactly like this dried drowning spirit's MO. So Bela drove to the crime scene where the police were transporting away the body with minimal attention from any news outlets. Then again a drowning isn't exactly considered a breaking story. Wearing a fake press ID, Bela managed to charm one of the officers into giving her some information on the victim and his surviving older brother Peter Warren. Peter was stunned and outraged that the police said it was an accidental drowning in a bathtub but what else where they supposed to think? That an undead mass murderer was responsible?
Bela managed to get a personal interview with Peter. It was easy enough, bat an eye lash here and there with a smile and he practically came running over to her despite whatever trauma he was feeling. She mostly let him rant on about how the police were wrong but it wasn't until he mentioned seeing a ghost ship earlier in the day that she finally was getting some useful information. He described it as an old Yankee Clipper smuggling vessel. Rakish topsail, barkentine rigging, and angel figurehead on the bow. Apparently he saw the ship too which meant he was probably next on the spirit's hit list. Tough break but Bela didn't really give a damn.
"I'm so sorry for your loss Mr. Warren," Bela said her false sympathy without her normal accent. "Now is there anything else you can tell me about the ship your brother saw?"
"Ma'am," said a familiar voice behind. Bela turned to Dean and Sam holding up fake State Trooper badges. They certainly took their time getting here. Yesterday Bela enjoyed taking Dean's Impala for a little joyride and then for kicks left it in the parking lot of the local police station. She texted the boys a picture of it and let them figure out its location. Clearly they did and they were still quite angry.
"I think this man's been through quite enough. You should go," said Dean.
"But I just have a few more questions," Bela protested but civilly.
"No you don't," glared Sam. No matter, Bela had enough to ID the ship but she made a mental note to get back at the boys for this.
"Thank you for your time," Bela smiled at Peter then gave a death glare at the Winchesters. She turned and walked off.
"Sorry you had to deal with that. They're like roaches," Dean spoke to Peter but made sure he was loud enough to be heard by Bela. She swore she should have just dumped the Impala into the Harbor instead of letting him have it back. Still she couldn't just let Dean's comment slide so Bela made her way over to two patrol officers who were maintaining security for the crime scene.
"Excuse me officers," she greeted the two uniforms and immediately pointed out Sam and Dean. "I'm not sure those men over there are detectives. I saw them a couple nights ago at a bar where they told me how they take mementos from crime scenes and sell them to a bunch of slasher psycho fans online. Pretty sure they were drunk at the time." The officers glanced at the brothers who quickly made themselves scare.
Bela later caught up to the Winchesters a few blocks over from the crime scene, loading salt rounds into shotguns. Why on Earth they were still here she didn't know but Bela was curious enough to find out. "I see you got your car back," she commented as she walked up to them. Neither brother even looked at her. They just kept loading shells into their weapons.
"You really wanna come near me when I've got a loaded gun in my hands?" Dean growled.
"Now now mind your blood pressure. You have quite the arsenal in your trunk Dean. Are you compensating for something?" Bela laughed as she noticed the dozens of guns, knives, wooden stakes, and various other weapons utilized by a hunter. Dean shot a death look at her. And Bela thought he had a sense of humor. Guess it evaporates when it comes to his manhood. "Why are you even still here? You have enough to ID the ship."
"That guy back there saw the ship," explained Sam. The boys closed the trunk and turned to face her.
"Yeah and?" shrugged Bela. She knew what that meant but she was curious to see if the boys knew it.
"And he's going to die so we have to save him," Sam replied. How adorable. He reminded Bela of the dog you'd see on the news that would race over to the neighbor's house to get his owners some help. It was pointless to save the man at this point but it was still cute nonetheless.
"How sweet," chuckled an amused Bela. The boys didn't share her sense of humor.
Dean glared daggers at her, "You think this is funny?"
"He's cannon fodder sweetheart. He can't be saved in time and you know it," Bela answered. And she thought the Winchesters couldn't be more pissed at her but she was wrong judging from their faces.
"Yeah well we have souls so we're gonna try," stated Dean as he headed around the left side of the Impala.
The two of them were about to leave but Bela just couldn't let that either of them have the last word. "Well I'm actually going to find the ship and put an end to this. But you have fun," she said. Dean was halfway into his car when he stopped and got back out. Something she said must have hit a nerve.
"How'd you get like this Bela? Did Daddy not give you give you enough hugs?" Dean asked as he walked up to her.
Bela tried her best not to flinch. Now Dean was the one hitting a nerve, even though he didn't know it. Bela could have told him the truth right there about her Father. The scorn on Dean's face would have disappeared completely. God knows how quickly he would apologize and perhaps even see Bela in a new light. But of course she didn't say any of that. What would be the point? Making an emotional connection with someone when you only had a few more months to live? You'd only end up hurting them. Not that Bela cared one way or another about anyone but she didn't want to risk starting to care. That would be more painful than having no one care about her at all.
"I don't know. Your daddy hug you at all?" shot back Bela. "Don't you dare look down your nose at me. You're no better than I am."
"We help people," replied Dean.
"Only if they're being hunted by some monster or spirit. If someone doesn't have something for you kill, you don't care about them. You do this for your own obsessive need for vengeance," scoffed Bela. Another lesson she learned a long time ago.
"Don't you dare presume to know me," growled Dean.
"Tell me Dean. After you put a silver bullet into a werewolf's heart and it reverts back to being human before it dies. Do you feel more like a hunter or a serial killer?" challenged Bela. The two of them stared at each for only a few seconds but it felt like longer than that. Bela felt somewhat bad taking out her frustrations from dealing with other hunters onto Dean but that ship had sailed.
"Bela why don't you just leave? We've got work to do," Sam finally broke the silence.
"Yeah you're 0 for 2. Bang up job so far," Bela gave one last taunt before leaving.
Bela spent the rest of the day going over every research material she could find in the library and online. It took almost the entire day and a large migraine but she finally managed to ID the ship and figured who the ghost was. As soon as she found out about the Hand of Glory, Bela immediately called up Luke and told him she had something to make up for the rabbit's foot. It took some convincing but once he managed to verify it existed, he offered her 300 grand. Bela accepted as the man was already pissed off and she wanted to smooth things over before he sends men with guns after her.
Unfortunately the Hand was safely locked away in the Sea Pines Maritime Museum and what little she could find out, it had quite an effective alarm system when it was closed. Which meant she needed to get in there during the day but that would mean traffic and the last thing Bela wanted was to get busted by some pedestrian walking by. As luck would have it, there was a ball tonight for the local millionaires. Bela could get herself invited with a little help from Gert but there was bound to be heavy security there so that meant she might need additional help. And the only possible help she could find on such short notice drive in an Impala. But as she thought more about it, a plan began to form into her mind. Bela went to bed with a large smile on her face.
"Abby," voices called out to her in the darkness. "Abby," echoed all around her but she couldn't see a thing. Fear began to tighten in her throat as the voices grew louder, shouting her name. "Abby. You'll like it down here with us. See you soon," they taunted. Dogs howled in the distance, chilling Bela's blood. She could hear them getting closer, growling and barking. She ran but where? She couldn't see a thing. Then Bela was stopped dead when she ran into something or rather someone. Instantly a hand grasped around her throat, lifting Bela off her feet and nearly choking the life out of her.
"I'll be seeing you real soon sweetheart," said a voice Bela wished she never heard again. She couldn't see his face but she knew her father's voice when she heard it. A pair of golden eyes shined onto her face. "Real soon," he laughed. And at that moment, the dogs leaped onto her and sank their teeth into her back.
Bela shot up on her hotel bed, screaming. It took her a minute to catch her breath and realize it was all a dream. Her hands were shaking, her face was covered in sweat. She collapsed back down in tears. Eight months to the day. That's all the time Bela had left before the hellhounds would come howling. It didn't matter what you did or even if you manage to corner yourself somewhere the hounds couldn't get you, you were still screwed. No matter how long you lasted, eventually you would die and there's only one direction for your soul to go to after that.
Bela spent years trying to find a way out of her deal. She was young, desperate, and didn't understand the consequences when she made it. And by the time she did, it was far too late. She was free from her father but now she a new kind of hell was waiting for her. A literal one. Bela purchased any material she could find when it came to crossroad demons but they all produced nothing useful. Then she tried finding actual ways to become immortal. Hell couldn't get her soul is she couldn't die but nothing worked. She was starting to believe there was no such thing as immortality unless you turn into a monster of some kind and that wouldn't do her much good. The hellhounds would still be able to kill her and even if she did manage to evade or fight them off, she'd have to deal with hunters as well. It was all hopeless. Bela was going to die and spend the rest of eternity in pain and torment. She curled up and cried herself back to sleep.
The next morning, Bela scouted out the local motels but couldn't find the Winchesters in any of them. She was starting to think that maybe they actually solved the case and had moved on. That was until she noticed a familiar looking Impala parked in front of a house she was passing by. Did they get a friend to loan them a house to use until they solve the case? Of course if they were still here that probably meant it wasn't solved yet. Bela parked her car next to the Impala and got out.
She didn't really need to smooth things over with the boys first as there's no doubt in Bela's mind that Sam and Dean wouldn't hesitate to help once they hear about the Hand of Glory. They'll think its remains they can burn and they'll suffer whatever Bela puts them through to get it. She knocked on the door and didn't have to wait long before a peephole opened. Someone heavily sighed inside and unlocked the door. It opened to reveal Dean who was about as happy to see her as he was yesterday.
Bela stepped inside and realized the inside was a complete dump. Now it was Sam's turn to heavily sigh when he saw her. All the furniture, tables, and chairs were old and torn, junk was scattered all over the floor, and the walls and ceilings looked like they needed a paint job ten years ago. "Dear god are you actually squatting? Charming," she muttered. Neither brother said a word to her so Bela decided to break the ice.
"So. How'd things go last night with Peter?" she asked. Once again neither brother answered her but judging from Sam's face it didn't go so well. "That well huh?"
"If you say I told you so, I swear to God I'll start swinging," grumbled Dean.
"Look I think the three of us should have a heart-to-heart," Bela decided to get to business.
"That's assuming you have a heart," replied Dean. Witty as usual.
"Dean please. I'm sorry about what I said before, okay? I come bearings gifts," stated Bela.
"Such as?" frowned Sam.
"I've ID'd the ship," smiled Bela. That caught their interest. She gave them every information she had on the ship and the identity of the ghost. Turns out the spirit they fought last night was missing a right hand which matched historical documents that his hand was cut off to make a Hand of Glory.
"A Hand of Glory? I think I got one of those at the end of my Thai massage last week," joked Dean. Bela rolled her eyes in annoyance. The eldest Winchester was about as mature a horny twelve year old.
"The right hand of a hanged man is a serious occult object," explained Sam.
"So they say," shrugged Bela. Of course that also made it worth a lot of money to the right people but she left that little detail out.
"And officially counts as remains," realized Dean.
"But still none of this explains why the ghost is choosing these victims," said Sam. These boys were thinking too much into all of this. They identified the remains which means they don't need to figure the spirit's motives.
"I'll tell you why. Who cares? Find the hand, burn it, and stop the bloody thing," replied Bela.
"I don't get it. Why are you telling us all this?" demanded Dean.
"Because I know exactly where the hand is. At the Sea Pines Museum as a macabre bit of maritime history. But I need help," answered Bela.
"What kind of help?" asked Sam. Bela smiled, he was going to regret asking that question.
"What is taking so long? Sam's already halfway there," Bela called up to Dean who getting changed upstairs. She couldn't help but smile at the thought of Sam walking hand in hand with Gert. "With his date," she added.
"So not okay with this," Dean called down to her. She wasn't sure whether he was angrier about being Bela's date or wearing a tuxedo.
"What are you a woman? Come down already," demanded Bela, losing her patience. Dean slowly came down the stairs and at first Bela was half tempted to bust up laughing. That was until she actually saw Dean in the tuxedo and her jaw dropped. He looked good…correction he looked really good. Bela breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe this wasn't going to be so bad after all.
Dean was completely oblivious to her reaction. "Alright get it out. I look ridiculous," he grumbled.
Did he even look in a mirror after he changed because ridiculous was the last thing that came to Bela's mind. "Not exactly the word I'd use," she replied.
"What?" frowned Dean.
"You know when this is over, we should really have angry sex," smirked Bela. Dean stood there with a look on his face that could only be described as a deer in the headlights. He was completely speechless and Bela thought he was starting to blush. He folded his arms uncomfortably.
"Don't objectivity me," Dean finally blurted out. Bela smiled, it was a little too late for that. "Come on let's go," he grumbled. He headed towards the front door and Bela could have sworn she saw a slight smirk on his face when he thought she wasn't looking.
Dean could tell the party was catered to the high and mighty just by seeing the cars the other guests brought. Bela had insisted that they come via her Mercedes as no one rich in this town would be caught dead driving an Impala. That irked Dean but he agreed with her. He managed to retort by saying he should be the one driving her car. An irked Bela warned him one scratch on it and that drowning spirit would be the least of his problems.
They were greeted by a valet once they pulled up to the museum. Dean played the gentleman part well enough opening the passenger door for Bela and helping out. "And I thought chivalry was dead," she commented. Dean wanted to tell her where she could stick her chivalry but kept his mouth shut as the two entered the museum. Inside virtually all the guests were wearing tuxedos and dresses that would take Dean working a normal job at least a year to afford. Sometimes the high life does have its perks.
"Are you chewing gum?" asked Bela. Dean hadn't even realized he still had it in his mouth. "Try to behave like you lived this life before yeah?" The way Bela lectured him was like talking to a spoiled child. Well if she wants to talk to him like a child then he'll act like a child. Dean looked around to make sure no was looking before pulling out his gum and sticking it to the side of a drink fountain. He was quite pleased by the resulting eye roll from Bela and gave her a thumbs up. She took his arm and the two walked side by side into the reception hall. Security was tight. Everywhere you looked someone in a uniform was standing guard somewhere.
Sam and Gert were nowhere to be found so the two of them headed over the bar and got themselves a drink to blend in. "Ah isn't that cute," laughed Dean as they watched Sasquatch and his cougar girlfriend walking into the reception hall side by side. Gert looked like she was in love while Sam looked like he wanted to spontaneously combust into flames. He finally managed to pull himself free from his "date" and made his way over to Dean and Bela.
"Just how long do you expect me to entertain my date?" Sam grumbled. Honestly this had to be the funniest thing Dean had ever seen Sam do to finishing a case. He wondered if Dad was still around how he'd feel about all of this. This might even make the old man laugh.
"As long as it takes," smirked Bela. Sam glared at her but that only seemed to widen her smile.
"Look security's all over this place. This is an uncrashable party without Gert's invitation," Dean explained while trying to keep a straight face.
"We can crash anything," pointed out Sam.
Dean couldn't suppress a smile any longer. "Yeah I know but this is easier and a lot more entertaining," he laughed.
"You know there are limits to what I'll right?" sighed Sam.
"Ah he's playing hard to get. That's cute," Dean told Bela. The two of them seemed to have forgotten their earlier bickering by enjoying Sam's misery. "I want all the details in the morning," he whispered to Sam.
"Remember to wear protection," Bela quipped as Dean handed her a drink and the two walked off. They strolled through the area, checking on the security detail for the party and the best way to get to the second floor where the prize was. They quickly assessed that the guards were pros and sneaking by them wasn't really an option. "What do you suggest?" Bela asked.
"I'm thinking," admitted Dean.
"As adorable as you are in that tuxedo, I don't want to be here all night so why don't you leave the thinking to me," Bela spoke.
Dean glared at her. "If you've got any bright ideas I'm all ears." Bela didn't say a word. She just smiled and collapsed into Dean, as if she fainted. He was barely able to react in time to catch her and slowly lower her to the floor. "Honey," Dean said feigning concern. He noticed a guard watching them nearby. "Excuse me sir. My wife is a lightweight when it comes to the champagne. Is there someplace I can lay her down still she can get her sea legs back?"
Bela was practically dumped onto a sofa by Dean. She was sure to give him hell for that later but right now she just played dead. "You think she's a pain in the ass now? Trying living with her," Dean laughed to the guard who escorted them here. Living with Dean Winchester? That was a frightening thought. She opened her eyes once she heard the door closed and found Dean managed to talk the guard away. Bela sat up with a victorious smirk on her face as Dean turned to face her. "Maybe next time give me a little heads up with your plan," he growled.
Dean tossed Bela her purse which she caught. "I didn't want you thinking. You're not very good at it," she chuckled. Dean seemed like he was trying to think of a comeback but didn't say a word. That only made Bela laugh louder. "Oh look at you. Searching for a witty rejoinder?"
"Screw you," uttered Dean.
"Very Oscar Wilde," laughed Bela. Dean rolled his eyes and headed towards the door. "Remember Room 235. It's in a glass case wired for alarm. I trust that won't be a problem?" smiled Bela. Dean mockingly mumbled the same words she did and left. It amazed Bela to think that he was considered to a stud by most people. Get him close to some dumb college girl and sure he'll talk his way into their pants. But get him close to a woman with half a brain cell and Dean flounders like a fish out of water. Still what he lacks in brains he makes up for in stubbornness, loyalty, and he looks really good in a tuxedo. Maybe Bela shouldn't have made that angry sex line a joke.
After getting rid of a guard who came to check up on her, Dean returned shortly with the Hand of Glory. "May I?" Bela asked, wanting to get her hands on it. That was three hundred grand just inches away.
"No," Dean said firmly.
"It might be more inconspicuous in my purse," added Bela.
Dean scoffed, "Nice try but I don't need your kind of help sweetheart."
If it wasn't for me you wouldn't even know about the Hand in the first place or even get inside the museum thought Bela. Well it didn't matter anyways, Dean had the hand and that was her plan all along. He wrapped the rotting severed limb into a napkin and tucked it away in his tuxedo. Bela made a note of that as the two of them head into the hallway and back down to the first floor. The guests were dancing in the reception hall and was becoming a little crowded which presented the perfect opportunity for Bela. After feigning that someone bumped into her from behind, she bumped into Dean quickly switching out the hand in his tuxedo pocket for a small glass bottle with a plastic ship inside.
"Watch it," grumbled Dean.
"Figured you'd want to get closer to me," chuckled Bela.
"Only in your dreams," he retorted.
They found a very drunk and barely able to stand Gert dancing with Sam who looked like he wished lightning would strike him dead. "Well having a nice time?" Bela asked.
"He's delightful. He wants me," giggled Gert.
Sensing an opportunity to get away from the Winchesters, Bela took Gert's arm and whispered at the boys, "I'm going to get Gert into a cold shower."
"Great idea," said Sam, all too happy to get rid of the old woman.
"See you at the cemetery," Bela called out to Dean and Sam before departing with Gert. Finally she could let loose a smile she had been holding back ever since she snagged the Hand from Dean. He was going to be pissed when he looked in his pocket.
Bela just returned to her Mercedes after her meeting with Luke three hundred thousand dollars richer. She neglected to mention to him that a killer spirit was attached to it but that wasn't really her problem. If anything happens to the old bastard, there were plenty of other rich men willing to pay for occult objects. Bela dropped the bag full of green into her passenger seat and was about to drive off when her phone rang. She couldn't help but smile when she saw the Caller ID.
"Hi Dean," Bela answered cheerfully.
"Where is it Bela?!" shouted the eldest Winchester.
"Do you really need to ask?" replied Bela.
Clearly he knew the answer. "You realize that ghost is going to keep on killing people wherever that hand goes? Did you mention that little fact to your buyer?" he snapped.
"Explaining fine print to someone was never one of my strengths," shrugged Bela.
"I'm sure you get this all the time but you are a nothing but an immoral conniving bitch," growled Dean before he hung up.
Bela laughed as she dropped her cell phone back into her purse. She was about to pull out a large wad of cash but before she could, Bela noticed something out in the nearby harbor. It was transparent and difficult to make out as first but slowly it became more visible. Bela instantly recognized it, the ghost ship. "Oh no," she whispered.
Dean looked at the little glass ship jar Bela left in place of the hand and just kept repeating the same word over and over again in his mind. Bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch. Why the hell was he so surprised? She was a con artist thief and yet he didn't see it coming. Did he expect her to try something? Of course but not something like this. Just maybe he was hoping for her to step up and do the right thing like back at the graveyard when she accidentally shot Sam. She could have killed him but didn't. Hell she saved both their lives when Gordon's trained monkeys showed up.
"You know you're right. I'm not gonna kill her. I think slow torture's the way to go," grumbled Dean.
Sam was taking all of this remarkably well. "Dean you gotta relax," he said.
"Relax?! I can't believe she got another one over on us," snapped Dean.
"On you," pointed out Sam. Dean gave him a death glare. "Hey I'm not the one who was flirting with her after she shot me back in Buffalo remember?"
"Oh come on Sam it was an accident…oh my god I'm actually defending her. What the hell is wrong with me?" sighed Dean.
Sam didn't get a chance to respond before there was a knock on the front door. "Hello? Could you open up?" shouted the last person Dean expected. Why the hell was Bela coming back here and why did she sound frantic? God only knows why but they let her in and she quickly explained that she sold the hand and basically used them for cover to snatch it from the museum.
While Dean was making various obscene gestures behind Bela's back, Sam asked, "You sold it to a buyer. Why not go buy it back?"
"It's halfway across the ocean. I can't get it back in time," Bela shook her head.
"In time for what?" demanded Dean.
Bela took a breath, bracing herself. "I saw the ship," she said.
"You what?" Dean tried to mask his shock but then realized who he was dealing with. Of course she saw the ship. "I knew you were an immoral conniving bitch but just when my opinion of you couldn't get any lower."
Bela turned and glared at him. "What are you talking about?" she demanded. Sam gave her the quick explanation how the ghost was hanged by his own brother and every one of his victims all spilled the blood of someone in their own family.
Bela's face turned pale. "Oh my god," she whispered.
Dean just couldn't help but twist the knife. "So who was it Bela? Was it Daddy? Your little sis maybe?"
Bela turned to him and whispered, "It's none of your business."
Fine if it wasn't any of his business then maybe it was time to leave. "Well have a nice life. Whatever's left of it," Dean told her patting her on the back. Sam even seemed surprised by that as Dean headed over to grab his coat. "Sam let's go."
"You can't just leave me here," protested Bela.
"Watch us," Dean quipped.
"Please," begged Bela. "I need your help."
"Help?! Have you even asked yourself why we should risk our lives to save someone who doesn't care about anyone else? The hand is gone and wherever it's going, it's going to kill more people. Their blood will be on your hands and you don't give a damn. And better yet you'll gladly do something like this again so why should I care?" shouted Dean. He kicked himself for saying why he specifically should care rather than why both Sam and he should care.
"Because I saved your lives before all of this. I could have intentionally shot Sam back in that cemetery to force you to hand over the rabbit's foot but I didn't," pleaded Bela.
"What did you do Bela? Why's the ghost after you?" asked Sam.
"You wouldn't understand. No one did," snapped Bela. She took a deep breath obviously realizing shouting wasn't going to get anyone to help her. "It doesn't matter right now. Just please help me," she whispered
A few minutes later, Bela was sitting on a chair in the middle of a salt circle. "Really? This is the best you can come up with?" she grumbled. It was a temporary solution but at least the ghost couldn't get to her for the moment.
"Just shut up until we figure out what to do. You didn't exactly leave us a lot of options considering you sold the only thing that can save your life," grumbled Dean. How does she do it? After everything this bitch has done, somehow Dean is now risking his life to save her's.
"Actually Dean there might be another way," said Sam.
"This is a bad plan," commented Bela as Sam finished setting up for séance ritual. They were all standing in the middle of a graveyard, specifically the one were the ghost's brother was buried. Dean held a shotgun filled with rock salt. It wasn't going to stop the spirit but it could at least slow him down once he showed up.
"If you've got any bright idea I'm all ears. But I don't think pretending to faint is going to work this time," quipped Dean. She threw him a look as thunder boomed overhead.
"Are you sure this is going to work?" Bela trembled.
"Almost definitely not," sighed Dean. It was a long shot at best but it was the only one they've got. Bela had to be out in the open and exposed to draw the ghost out and Sam needed to perform the ritual right to draw the brother's spirit. There had to be some bad blood between them and there have been instances of ghosts destroying each other. Rain started down pouring, drenching all three of them instantly. The spirit never caused a thunderstorm before killing his other victims but Dean had a funny feeling it was close.
"Sammy. Better start reading," called out Dean. Sam started chanting in Latin, reading from Dad's journal. Bela looked absolutely mortified, right on the verge of panic. "Stay close!" Dean shouted over the rain. Bela gasped. "Behind you!" she screamed. Dean spun around, raising his shotgun but the ghost was on him before he could do anything. Before he knew what had happened he was flying through the air and crashed into a headstone, setting off his shotgun. Groaning, Dean held his side as he rolled over to see the ghost touching Bela's face.
Bela gasped and hacked up water out of her mouth. Dean's instincts told him to grab the shotgun he dropped and reload but panicked upon seeing Bela drop to her knees gasping for air. He quickly rushed over to help her, wrapping his arms around her chest and attempting the Heimlich maneuver. But Bela continued to vomit more water, unable to breathe. "Sammy read faster!" Dean shouted to his brother. He wanted to do something to help but it was pointless. He was completely helpless to do anything. Dean tried again desperately to pull on Bela's chest but it accomplished nothing.
Then it stopped raining. Bela hacked water onto the ground and gasped, finally taking air back into her lungs. The ghost, sensing something and losing interest in Bela, turned around and saw the spirit of his older brother. "You hanged me. Your own brother," the ghost growled. The older brother begged for forgiveness but it fell on deaf ears as the younger brother lunged at him. Their forms collided and were extinguished.
Bela trembled as she wrapped her arms around Dean and started to cry as she rested her head against his chest. Dean never thought Bela was capable of being like this. She was always so confident and one step ahead that seeing her vulnerable like this was almost unnerving. "It's over," he whispered to her.
The next morning, Dean and Sam were packing up the last of their things and getting ready to move on. Bela ditched them almost immediately after they saved her life. Dean suspected she was more embarrassed for looking so vulnerable then she was grateful. At least this case wasn't a complete bust. The ghost was gone for good and they actually manage to save someone, even if it was Bela. Still she could have at least given them a simple thank you.
The front door to their temporary residence suddenly opened and low and behold, Bela Talbot stepped inside. Dean wasn't happy to see her and neither apparently was Sam. "You boys should learn to lock your doors. Anyone could just barge right in," she commented.
"Anybody just did," sighed Sam.
"Oh Sam. Don't tell me you're still holding a grudge over shooting you," smirked Bela in that sweet 'I don't care what you think about me' tone. Sam glared at her then went back to packing his things. Bela turned her attention to Dean. "You're brother's quite the drama queen."
"Did you come to say thank you? If so just say it and leave," grumbled Dean.
"I've come to settle affairs," stated Bela. She pulled a large stack from her purse and set on a table. "That's fifty grand. All the money you would have gotten from those lottery tickets plus interest." Dean and Sam stared at her in disbelief. "I don't like being in other people's debt," Bela shrugged.
Dean grabbed a stack of the money and flipped his way through it to confirm the money was genuine. "Let me get this straight. Ponying up fifty grand is easier than saying a simple thank you?" he asked then shook his head. "You are so damaged," he chuckled.
Bela smiled, "Takes one to know one." Dean smiled back at her, not denying it. "Goodbye lads." And with that said, Bela headed towards the front door and left. Dean wasn't sure what he found more shocking. That Bela gave them fifty grand or the fact that she gave them any money at all. She didn't even have to show up. She simply could have called them to say thanks. Instead she drops a wad of cash and then just leaves. Bela is certainly different that was for sure.
"She's got style. You've gotta give her that," commented Sam as he started flipping through the money.
"Yeah she does," agreed Dean.
(The next chapter Bad Blood will actually be different from the episode of the same name. Bela will actually be involved instead of what the Supernatural writer's did which they clearly didn't know what to do with her and just put her in for no reason. Hope you enjoyed and please review.)
