A/N: Okay, here's the new chapter and the legend and the hunt and all. I need you to tell me what you think when you're done, because this is the first time I've wrote something like this. So please inspire me. I need it…and I'd ask you guys' permission for some slow updates if I can't update weekly, because mid-term exams are approaching and most of them are 50% of my final mark, so I'll be very busy these next few weeks. But I'll update whenever I can though.
Chapter Five:
Sam's POV:
I wrapped the blanket around Mara's shivering body and rubbed her back and shoulders, frowning as I looked over her head at Dean. He shook his head and sighed…what the hell could she have seen? I led her to the couch and both of us sat down. She looked forward, distant, just like the first time I saw her. Dean nudged my shoulder, and I grimaced at him.
"What did you see, Mara?" I asked her, and she closed her eyes like she was waiting for the question. She frowned and looked at me, her expression reluctant.
"The children…. She...it took the children and…ate them, like ate them, alive" She covered her face and shook her head. I frowned, but she went on, her voice calmer now, "That creature, I'm sure another child will disappear tonight. We have to find it, quick."
I was amazed; she was so determined to find that thing, but the problem is, neither Dean nor I knew what we're dealing with here. I watched silently from the couch as she grabbed the books I had gotten yesterday and she sat beside me again. She started reading their names again, going through the index or something. She was talking as she read, "A little girl's spirit led me there."
"How'd you trust her?" Dean said, leaned against the couch behind both of us.
She looked back at him, "I…I just did." then she returned her gaze to the book.
"How could you be sure that wasn't a trap? What if you had gotten hurt, Mara?" I asked, frowning.
"If it were, would you expect me to be here in one piece? I'm okay, perfectly unharmed." She glared at me lightly and returned to the book. "Here…that's it." She murmured as she looked over a couple of pages.
"Mara, can you please explain what happened, in detail please?" I looked at her defiantly, because that weird attitude of hers was getting on my nerves. She could at least tell us what happened.
She sighed, "Yeah…I'm sorry." She set the book aside and looked up at me, biting her lip. "Well, when we were at the library yesterday-"
"Library?" Dean asked, looking at both of us curiously.
"Where'd you think I got the books from, Dean?" I asked him, lifting both brows. "And I'd told you that Mara and I went to the library, you know, to research? While you were asleep."
"Ah…yeah. Doing homework, well, glad I missed it." He smirked smugly.
I shook my head in disbelief. "Jerk."
"Bitch." He said, still smiling sweetly.
"Ahem."
Mara was practically glaring at us, her brow raised. I nodded; mouthing 'Sorry' and she rolled her eyes. "When we were at the library, I heard something, like children, calling for help. But there was this voice that stood out amongst them. When we were walking back to the motel, when I stopped, I'd seen a little girl; a spirit of a little girl." She blinked lightly and looked at me, "How come you didn't see it? I mean, I saw it, but you didn't."
"Maybe she only wants you to see her." Dean said, nodding thoughtfully. "But why you? Why not show anyone else?"
"I don't know, okay?" She said desperately, shaking her head. "Anyways…when I saw her, she was asking for help. Not for her, but for them, the other children I guess, or the other children's spirits. I don't know." She sighed and looked down. I stayed silent, waiting for her to go on. I glanced at Dean who was scratching the back of his head, looking around bored. I glared at him and he shrugged innocently.
"So when you left to your room, I saw her again. She was out, standing in the rain, just in the middle of the road. She said that I was the only one who could save them, the only one. I just didn't really think after that, I just followed her into the forest. There was a little boy lost in there, 5 or 6…I don't know…" She sighed and looked down, massaging her temple as she frowned.
"Whatever lives in that forest…it's definitely a spirit. It's feeding off children's life flesh; that's what I'm absolutely sure of, because that's what I saw." She said and looked at me. I looked down at the book on her lap and reached for it, looking at the page that she had settled on. I read the title and almost face-palmed myself; of course! That was it!
"Of course! How didn't I think about it?" I exclaimed as I got up quickly and got Dad's journal from the desk. I flipped through the pages quickly, looking for that legend. And I finally stopped, "Here it is, the Baba Raga; the name is Bulgarian, Dean, so no comments please." I walked over to Dean and showed him the page, reading aloud. "She's an old witch who used children as a source for her powers. The legend says that she lives in a house that stands on chicken legs, and that it's where her power is stored…." I read a few more lines and looked up at Mara "exactly like you said." But she was busy reading the book, and her expression was…
"It's my fault." She murmured and sighed, shaking her head. I left the journal in Dean's hand and knelt beside her,
"What do you mean 'It's your fault'? What did you even do? Live? Come one Mara, this doesn't make sense."
"Yes." She said and looked at me.
"See, even you agree with me. Th-"
"No, I mean 'Yes' what I did is live." She said and turned the book to me, showing me the page that she had been reading as she went on. "The lore says that there was a girl that with her birth, the killings started. She was called Valissite. She wasn't normal like the others, by the time she was 8 years old, her body and mind were of an 18 or a 19 year old. The town folks said that she was the witch, and that she could change forms; they blamed her for the disappearances of the children. But one day she went into the forest and neither she nor the other disappearing children came back."
"But what does that even have to do with you, Mara?" Dean asked. I looked up at her from the book, and her expression was about hesitant.
"Well…I didn't tell you this but…technically…I'm almost 8." She said and frowned, looking down immediately, "Valissite must be like me…and if so, then it's my fault this all started again." She murmured that last part.
"Wait, wait, wait….when's your birthday?" Dean asked quickly and I looked at him; he was as perplexed as I was.
"2nd of January…2001" She whispered, and I wouldn't have heard that last part if I wasn't kneeling beside her.
"Woah! 2001? Really?" Dean exclaimed and I turned, glaring at him and mouthing 'You're not helping' But he shrugged.
"Yeah…" She kept looking down but I looked at her, "Mara look at me."
She lifted her face slowly, and I could see her eyes pooling up already, "Look, it's not your fault you are what you are. And believe me, I am not mad that you hadn't told us; I mean, we all have our own secrets that we'd prefer not to share until we're ready. And neither is Dean, by the way, that's just him going into shock." I said, smiling lightly and whispered, "He'll need some food to get out of the shocked phase."
That got her to laugh and she smiled at me gratefully, "Thanks, Sam…" but then her expression darkened, "But right now, we have to figure out how to kill that spirit or something."
"Well, to do that…it's either salt the bones and burn 'em or find the item that ties it here." I said, frowning as well. Maybe this was going to be difficult.
"Wait, Sam…you said something about a hut on chicken legs…" Dean said as he walked over to the closet, where our duffels were.
"Yeah, her cottage and her power warehouse, why?"
"Because that's exactly what we have to burn." Dean said as he threw both duffels on the beds and looked at me seriously.
"But, how are we going to find that cottage, we have no idea where it might be located."
"No wait," Mara said as she stood up, moved towards the window slowly, "I think I do."
Mara's POV:
She was staring at me, out of the window. I blinked and stood up "No wait, I think I do." I lifted the window sill open and felt the cold breeze brush my face again, inward. I turned back and looked down, and she was staring at me again, "Are you going to help us?" The little spirit asked.
"Mara, what is it?" Sam asked as he moved towards me, but the girl stepped back. I looked at Sam, "No Sam, stay where you are, don't move." He stopped and tilted his head curiously. I looked down at the little girl, "Yes, I will…but I'm going to need your help."
"Who are you talking to?" Dean practically yelled, when he was just across the room. Instantly, the girl was behind me, shaking. I didn't get it…she was a spirit…but I glared at Dean anyways "Dean, shut up, will you?"
"Geez, okay. Chillax…" He said as he slumped down onto the bed. Sam was still eyeing me curiously. I shrugged and knelt down, so I was face to face with her. "It's okay, no one would hurt you."
She nodded slowly, "I will help you." She said.
"Well, I need you to lead me to the cottage." I said.
"The cottage?" She said, her eyes widening in fear. I took in her reaction and knew Dean was right. I nodded, "But don't worry," I murmured to her soothingly, "I won't let anything hurt you." She nodded again.
"I need another thing though….I need you to show yourself to Sam and Dean…"
She shrunk back a bit. "They will hurt me, just like the other men did."
I frowned and shook my head, "No, no they won't hurt you…Trust me on this."
I heard Sam gasp behind me and looked back, but he wasn't looking at me, he was looking at where the little girl stood…or maybe he was looking at the little girl. Even Dean was sitting up straight now, all curious. "What's your name?" Sam asked. And it was now that I realized that I never asked about her name.
"Valissite." She murmured.
"You're Valissite?" Dean asked and she nodded slowly, hiding her face behind my shoulder.
"Yes, they thought that I hurt those children. But I didn't, it was the old lady. They told me to stop it, to set them all free, but when I got lost in the forest, I found the little cottage. It looked funny; it was on base of chicken legs. The old lady couldn't hurt me, because I was stronger, physically. Her servant animals and I…we pushed her into her boiling pot…"
"Servant animals…the cat, the dog, the bird and the snake…"Sam said, recalling what he had read, "But how'd you die, if you had killed her?"
"Yes, these are my friends, and she haunted me…I didn't get the chance to leave the forest. But I was able to escape the cottage. She locks our spirits in it."
"But why did that thing do that anyways?" Dean asked, now standing beside Sam.
"People said that the witch ate away little children in exchange for knowledge to the travelers. Each question that she had answered would've aged her a year. But anyone who asked about the servants would die, for she was very secretive about them." Valissite said, "Mama told me these stories when I was young, so I wouldn't go into the forest. But I wasn't normal, no one believed me." She looked at me sadly, "and I'm in a child's spirit forever."
"I'm sorry, Valissite; we'll help you…" I looked back at Sam and Dean for back up, and both of them nodded quickly. I glanced at the clock…it was 11:30 PM…Oh my… "We don't have much time…I guess...We have to get ready, now…"
"Finally!" Dean grinned and put on his jacket again. Sam put on his slowly, and I went back to my room, Valissite walking…or rather gliding after me. The room was a damn mess, because I'd left the window open. "Damn it…" I moved towards my bed and grabbed my jacket, putting it on slowly and leaving the room, locking the door.
"Where are you going, Mara?" Sam asked as he walked towards me, I frowned. "I'm coming with you, Sam."
"No, you're staying here." He said, reaching for my door knob. I stood in front of him. "You heard what Valissite said; I'm the only one who can face her, like she did."
"No, you can get hurt…and it's not your job."
"It's my fault this is happening, and don't say it wasn't because it is."
"You're staying here." He said, looking down at me defiantly.
"No, I'm not. I'm coming and I'm going to help you." I said, glaring up at him.
"She's the only who can help." I heard Valissite murmur behind me; Sam looked at her too and sighed. He started walking again and I followed him towards the Impala, where Dean stood at the trunk. I heard him murmur, "Rock salt, shot guns, gasoline, rock salt bullets, lighter…Yep, we're set and ready to go." He said as he slammed the trunk shut. I nodded slowly and we got into the car, as Valissite sat beside me in the back seat.
Dean parked the car at the forest's entrance and we got out. Sam and Dean fumbled in the trunk as Valissite glued herself to my side. Sam tapped my shoulder and I looked back at him, smiling slightly. He just shook his head and handed me a flashlight, "Keep that with you."
I nodded silently and looked down at Valissite when Dean nodded, "Your turn, Valissite, lead us like you led me before." She looked up at me and nodded, starting her slow walk into the forest, her hand never leaving mine. I heard Dean and Sam's footsteps after me as we searched first for any sign of children wandering around, and then we kept getting deeper into the forest…the moonlight slowly disappeared above us.
Valissite halted before a few bushes and moved back behind me. I looked back at Dean and Sam, who both nodded at me. I looked through the bushes, and the ugly cottage stood before me. I didn't contain my gasp, and neither did the boys. I looked back at both of them, "We have to find a way into that cottage."
Dean looked around, "Well, that seems easy. Nothing's here, let's move already." But I heard something and pushed them back behind the bushes. I shushed both of them as I kept looking between the leaves. The old lady figure walked back to the house, dragging something…or someone…I gasped…How? We checked? There wasn't anyone!
But I didn't stay back, I got up and right in front of that thing. She stopped and looked up at me, smiling wickedly with bloody teeth, "Well, hello my child. Are you here to offer me another meal?"
I was far too angry to reply; I didn't even consider the strength a spirit might have…and all of the sudden I was crashing against a tree with so much force it knocked the breath out of me. I hoped neither of them moved; I hoped Valissite kept them back. I squeezed my eyes shut as I felt my hair being tugged at, my whole body being dragged away. I slowed down my breathing and hoped I could put up the act right.
Sam's POV:
"We should have never agreed on making her bait…" I murmured angrily as Dean and I tried to find a way into the house. Valissite had succeeded in keeping us back, according to our plan. And we didn't want to hurt her when we barely have been trusted by her. Nothing is worse than a child's angry spirit, moreover the spirit being a hybrid's.
"It was the only way to get her in there, be practical and stop sulking. I'm sure she's fine," Dean nudged me with the rifle as we walked, whisper-shouting. I glared back at him, "We'd be sure that she was fine if she had done her part of –her and your- plan, which is getting us inside. But apparently, something went wrong!" I whisper-shouted back at him.
"Hey!" We heard a whisper and looked up; Mara was glaring down at us. "Stop bickering like an old married couple and come up here." She whispered, looking back as she got back in again. I looked at Dean who was smirking at me as he started climbing the uneven wall of the house. I followed him silently.
Both of us looked around as we landed into the dark room. It was pitch dark, no light at all, but light flickered at both of our faces, and back at Mara, who was holding the flashlight. "Sorry, I was a bit late." She said.
"Are you okay?" I asked as I frowned, looking around and then back at her.
"Well, I managed to dodge a few bites…and this buddy over here helped me…" She knelt down and petted an invisible figure, "You can't see them though. You see, after that thing killed Valissite it came back for its animals, and these are their spirits. They're just as locked up as those children here, and that's why they're helping me." She looked up at me, her expression barely visible through the darkness. Our heads snapped towards the door, supposedly the door, when we heard a click and a silent smug chuckle, "And that lock just failed on holding up against the almighty Dean Winchester, just like the others."
I noticed Mara shake her head as she stood up and moved towards the door with me, which Dean had unlocked. We exited, and I noticed that we were standing in some kind of a hallway. I heard Mara gasp, and I found her looking through the bars of the other doors. The doors were lined with salt; that old witch was smart. I guessed that she had the children's spirit locked in those rooms, all lined with salt.
"Just set any room on fire and let's get this over with." Dean said as he swung the duffel off his shoulder. Mara looked at us and bit her lip, "Yeah, that's what I just discovered. We have to burn her living room, if that's it. Her power is all centered there."
"How'd you know?" I said as I frowned.
"Well, when she dragged me across the house, the power itself changed. Like the amount of EMF." She mumbled.
"And you felt it?" I asked, lifting both brows, and she nodded slowly. I figured I'd ask her about that later, since we had to get this done. "Okay then, let's burn the house's heart."
The three of us moved through the hallways, turning here and there. It was like a huge endless maze, with no exit, but we were following Mara's lead, on hopes that we'd get there. I could see light ahead…but Mara stopped a few feet from it, looking back at us, then back at the door. She took a deep breath and peeked through the door; she moved into the room slowly, looking around.
"Sam, Dean! She's not here, come on!" She whispered and we both followed her, setting the duffels on the ground. Mara and I grabbed the salt containers and we started throwing it everywhere…I was slightly amazed though. This room was different, more elegant. Dean splashed gasoline everywhere, but I noticed a dark figure behind him. "Dean, duck!" I yelled as I raised my rifle, shooting at the spirit. It dissolved into the air…
"Come on! Set it on fire and let's leave." Dean said as he started stroking the match against the wall until it ignited. He threw it at the farthest couch and the fire started spreading quickly. I picked up the bag and we started racing to the door.
"Mara!" I heard Dean yell and looked back, to find Mara still in the house, held back by fire that blocked the door. She looked at me in shock and yelled, "I'll get out from the window!" Then she disappeared into the house before I could stop her. I looked at Dean, eyes wide, and his expression mimicked mine.
Mara's POV:
I ran through the hallways, unlocking and moving the salt away from all the doors. I admit I slowed down on purpose to get the spirits in this place free. I could feel the spirits' power fleeing, running out of the house. I laughed lightly when I saw them disappear and looked around, double checking for any locked door. I scanned the familiar row of doors until I found the one that I was in. I got in; feeling the heat of the scorching fire at my back, but something grabbed my wrist, digging its nails into my wrist. I winced and looked back at the ugly figure of the Baba Raga, which was burning now. She wasn't letting go of my wrist, and it was already burning in pain.
I tried desperately to pry her fingers off my wrist as watched the fire snaking around the room, almost blocking the window, which was shut for some reason. Even with my strength, even though, I was a half vampire…I couldn't get her to let go. Suddenly, I heard the familiar bark and saw the dog jump at the old lady. I fell back as she let go of my wrist and watched both of the spirits burn into the ground. I looked around and saw the rest of the animal spirits burn into the wall as well.
I shook my head and got up to my feet, trying to open the window desperately. I got the flashlight from my pocket and started hitting the glass until it cracked. I took a few steps back as the fire started burning at the window's base. I just ran ahead and leaped through window, feeling a few glass shards embed into my arms as I shielded my face.
I fell onto the hard ground, rolling a few times before my body settled face-down. I gasped and opened my eyes, propping myself up on the elbows, watching the cottage burn and slowly dissolve. My breathing was labored as I laid myself onto my back, looking up at the canopy of green leaves, lightened at the edges by the beams of a new day. I slowed down my breathing and closed my eyes.
"Mara!" I heard quick footsteps run towards me and I recognized Sam and Dean's voices. I opened my eyes and sat up; looking at both of them, who were right beside me, kneeling down, and both looked like they saw a ghost.
"I'm fine, I'm fine, don't worry." I sighed and rolled my eyes.
"You sure bout that? Cause hell, I saw you jump outta that window!" Dean exclaimed.
"Yeah I did…" I said as I brushed the little glass shards from my arms, trying to remove them gently, so I wouldn't hurt myself.
"What's that?" Sam exclaimed as he took hold of my wrist gently, turning it around a bit. I frowned and locked my jaw…because it hurt a bit. "The old hag wanted me in there, to stay in there."
Sam sighed heavily and stood up, offering me a hand. "Come on, let's just leave. I miss the light all of the sudden." I laughed a bit and took his hand, standing up. The three of us started walking back, following an M&M trail that Dean had made in case we got lost; I guess he didn't trust Valissite that much.
I wondered where Valissite was now…was she free to leave, like the other children? Did she stay in a child's spirit? I didn't know, but I could've sworn I saw a young lady with braided blonde hair smile at me before disappearing. I smiled at the sight, maybe she's finally resting now. The boys walked, each on my side like bodyguards or something. It felt nice…and I laughed, but neither asked why.
Dean's POV:
"Dean, call Mara, will you? I'll get the duffels to the car." Sam said as he carried both duffels, looking at me.
I rolled eyes and nodded, "Sure Sammy." He chuckled and exited the room, leaving the door opened. I locked the door after I shut it and started walking towards Mara's room. I knocked on the door lightly, which was actually a bit awkward if you asked me. "Mara, come on! We're leaving!"
I looked around and twisted the knob, surprised that the door was unlocked. I looked into the room, which was perfectly arranged, like no one has been here. I hummed in approval and closed the door again, very sure that there wasn't anyone in this room. I walked around slowly, searching for her until I saw her…sitting at a bench by the back door, staring at a picture.
I went around and stood behind her, and narrowed eyes at the people in the picture. A tall young guy, messy black hair and he had Mara's eyes…the exact same color. The young woman beside him was kind of a chick, she was a brunette and her eyes were green. Oh well…I noticed the resemblance though…she looked so much like Mara. That's when I realized that these were her parents.
"Your Parents?" I asked as I leaned against the bench's backrest. She gasped and looked back at me, quickly placing the picture back into her wallet, but then she sighed and nodded. "Yeah, these were my parents."
"Your Mom looks nice." I said, smiling a bit.
"She is…" She smiled softly as she gazed ahead, and then she swallowed a bit, "I kind of miss her. She's the only one who accepted me…"
"And what bout me and Sam? We're chopped liver?" I asked and she laughed a bit as she shook her head. "You won't get it, Dean." She twisted in the bench as she looked back at me, smiling apologetically.
I shrugged, "Hey, you're my little sister…of course, my –other- little sister. Sorry Mara, you have to come in second place so Sam won't kill me." She laughed aloud and shook her head.
"You guys are unbelievable." She said as she closed her bag, slinging it over her shoulder. I grinned but then I looked at her seriously, "Mara, I wanted to ask you something."
"What is it Dean?" She said as she stood up, tilting her head a bit.
"You never really told us your last name, and you never really told us anything bout your father. I mean that it just…it might help us find him."
Her face was frozen for half a second the she looked down. "My last name is Salvatore. And my father's name is Damon Salvatore."
"Salvatore?" I asked and frowned. I'd heard that name before…yeah, they were vampires who lived in Virginia…in something falls. "So you're a Salvatore?"
"Yes…But don't tell Sam though, I want to tell him." She said as she smiled at me a bit and I nodded, shoving my hands into my pockets, "Hmm, Mara?"
"Yes, Dean?" She smiled at me a bit as she zipped up her jacket.
"You don't happen to have any M&M's…I kinda want my family bag back." I asked and smiled sheepishly.
"No! You wasted it on the trail; plus, I'm offended, you didn't trust me!" She placed a hand over her heart and feigned a hurt expression. Why do these people possess the art of –puppy eyes- and I don't? Oh well, I've got the looks. I smirked inwardly.
"Hey Mister 'I Got the Looks', I still exist and I am amazed at the fact that I've actually found someone who flirts with himself." She laughed as we both started walking back to the car. I pouted, trying to master my own puppy eyes but she shook her head, muffling her laughter with her hand.
"Sorry Dean, it'll take you a long time to master that." She grinned and I nudged her shoulder lightly. She stuck her tongue out at me and disappeared. I rolled my eyes and grinned, finally seeing my baby in eyeshot, also seeing Mara in the backseat, grinning as she told Sam something, who laughed his ass off in response.
"Hey baby." I said as I patted my Impala lightly, climbing into the driver's seat. I'm actually grateful that Sam had kept her for me when I was gone; now that's what brothers are for. "Hey bitch, moron." I said, nodding at both Sam and Mara, smirking as I stared the car. "Where to next?"
"Just hit the road, we'll see." Mara said, her head between the driver's and passenger's seat. I nodded and turned up the music, as my personal favorite 'Back in Black' by AC/DC was playing. Yep, this ride was just the beginning.
A/N: PHEW! Very, very long chapter if it were for me. That's record. Anyways, the legend in the story exists but I added my own touches here and there like I said before, please feel free to ask any questions, I know it might be confusing at the beginning, but I'll try to get simpler lore. PM or Review for ideas and opinions, I'll be sure to reply.
Note: Sory is taking place after Season 3, meaning in 2008 four months after Sam's birthday which is the 2nd of May. Time goes on forwards as they travel.