A/N: Okay my loves! I am back! I know you guys have been waiting and I'm a butthead for putting this off so long and letting life get in the way! I'm so sorry and here is my peace offering to you. I have made some changes to chapter one, so I would go reread that before starting this chapter. Without further ado, here is chapter 2!
Chapter 2
Sam and I make idle chat on the way home. Outwardly, I keep up my happy facade but inwardly all I can think about is what could possibly happen tonight. We round the corner and I heave a deep sigh as my house comes into view. Sam pulls into my driveway and idles. I sink into my seat for a moment, not wanting to leave the safety of his car or presence. Sam gives me a sympathetic look, all big puppy eyes and floppy hair. I try to give him a smile, but it ends up as a grimace. I grab my bag and get out. I wave as he pulls away and head inside. Laura sniffs disdainfully as she passes me on her way to go get Connor from school. I go inside and run up to my room, dropping my bag in my computer chair. I grab my laundry basket and my food covered clothes from earlier. I run back down and put them into the washing machine. I head back up to my room and collapse on my bed. I want nothing more than to sleep, but that will only get me into trouble. I heave myself up and log into my laptop. I immediately sign into Skype and minimize the window. Almost instantly Sam and Andy call me. I turn it into a group call.
"Hi guys." We sit and chat about random shit while we finish our homework. I leave them briefly to go switch my laundry over, and grab something to eat while I'm downstairs. I run back upstairs and sit in my chair, cheese stick hanging from my mouth. Andy and Sam laugh when they see me. I giggle with them. My giggle is cut off as I hear the front door slam on its hinges. The cheese stick falls out of my mouth. I look at them, terrified. I hear Lucas stomping up the stairs towards my room. Against my will, a tear rolls down my cheek.
My door is flung open and bounces of the wall. I cringe at the lusty leer on his face. He storms over and before I can even react his hand has a fistful of my hair, yanking me out of my chair. He rips my tank top and my bra off, then starts to roughly grope my breasts. Tears slide down my face unchecked and unbidden. Instinctively I try to fight him off and get backhanded for my trouble. I cry out and land face down on my bed. He immediately lays over my back, grinding his dick against my ass. I try to pull away but there is nowhere to go. He pulls my pants down just enough to expose my slit and I hear him unbuckle his belt. I let out a sob as I hear him tear open a condom. The next thing I know he has shoved his dick inside me and it feels like he is tearing me apart. As he starts to thrust, I feel like I'm screaming myself hoarse. I throw an elbow behind me and try to get away. He rabbit punches my ribs and I cry out louder. I try to claw at him, but he grabs both of my wrists in one hand and squeezes. No matter him much I scream and beg for him to stop, he only pounds into me harder. After what feels like hours, I hear him grunt into my ear and he fills the condom. He lays on top of me for a minute, panting, then he pulls out and takes off the condom, tying it off and throwing it into my trash can. I just lay there on my bed, still sobbing, as he fixes his clothes and leaves the room. As he leaves, I hear him greeting Connor and asking him if he wants to go play catch in the backyard.
'How can he act like nothing happened?' I think wildly. I hear Sam and Andy calling my name from my computer. I manage to haul myself up and pull my pants back up. I hobble back to my desk and look at their angry faces. I let the tears continue to stream down my face and try to control the noises coming out of my mouth.
"I'm going to pack an overnight bag and be there in like ten minutes. I'll make an excuse." Before I can protest she signs off. I look at Sam, who looks like he wants to rip Lucas apart with his bare hands.
I continue to try and control the hiccupping sobs that keep escaping me. Sam looks like he's thinking hard of something to talk about to distract me until Andy gets here. He suddenly brightens like he's found something.
"So, guess what Rae?!" He suddenly exclaims. I look at him, confused. "Dean is purposely taking your birthday off! Says he finally wants to meet this girl I'm always talking about. His words not mine. So, whatever we decide to do on your birthday, he is coming too." I look at him in shock. I maybe have a not so little crush on my best friend's big brother, whom I've never properly met. Not that Dean freaking Winchester is ever going to see me as anything but his little brother's best friend. Besides, who wants used goods anyway? Sam's face darkens slightly as he reads the self-hate on my face but doesn't call me on it for the moment. He continues to chatter about my birthday and throws out ideas of what we could do. I give him a small smile as I hear a car pull into the driveway. I hear the front door close and Andy's light quick tread on the stairs. My door opens, and she rockets inside like a bullet, dropping her bag just inside the door. She wraps her arms around me and I lose the tenuous hold I have on my emotions and start sobbing into her shoulder. I vaguely hear Sam say goodbye, but it doesn't really register.
Andy helps me into the bathroom and props me against the counter. I grip the counter tightly and try not to fall. Knowing how weak I am at the moment, she helps me shower and dress like a child. We make our way back into my room and curl up on my bed. She hugs me close, stroking my hair and rubbing my back, soothing me.
"I'm staying the night. I told your dad that we have to write up our lab for biology and that its probably gonna take us a while." I breathe a sigh of relief. With Andy here, nothing else will happen tonight. We sit there for a while longer, until we hear Laura screeching up the stairs that dinner is ready. We sigh heavily, and head downstairs.
As we walk into the dining room, Lucas leers at me and I automatically flinch back. Laura sends me a look of pure hate. I flinch back from that as well. Andy presses her shoulder against mine in a silent show of support. I smile slightly at her. Connor continues to be oblivious. Lucas indicates the chair next to him and I have no choice but to sit.
'Did I do something to piss the Fates off? Now or in a past life?' I think wildly, shuddering as his hand inches its way up my leg. The food is all set on the table and Laura brings over drinks for everyone. Lucas says grace. I respectfully bow my head but nothing more. We all take our fill and start eating. Its steak night. Normally I'd be super excited about this but considering what happened this afternoon, I just want to go back upstairs and hide in my room.
I try to eat as quickly and neatly as possible, desperate to retreat. Lucas begins to question Connor about his day. Connor immediately lights up and starts jabbering on about what he and his asinine friends did today. I concentrate on my food and try to ignore what is going on around me. I cringe as his attention turns to me.
"And your day, Rae? How did it go?" I freeze, then swallow my mouthful of food.
"O-okay. Very uneventful." I manage to stammer out.
"What did you get on your English report?"
"An A plus. It was really easy." Why is he asking all this? I guarantee he already knows how my day went.
"What did you do in Biology today?"
"We dissected fetal pigs." I told him. 'And I imagined it was you the entire time, douche bag.' I think. I giggle to myself as I hear Laura and Connor gag on their food at my words.
"How was lunch today?" He is giving me a chance to tell him that Monica humiliated me. I refuse to give him that satisfaction.
"Fine. We had chop suey." I don't mention that I ended up wearing it rather than eating it. I watch his face tighten at the lie by omission and know that I will pay for it later but at this point I don't care. Andy and I finish our dinner quickly and ask to be excused. Lucas narrows his eyes at us but lets us go. We put our dishes in the kitchen and flee. I collapse onto my bed as the tears start flowing freely again. Andy wraps her arms around me and just lets me sob. She whispers soothing things to me as I cling to her.
I don't remember falling asleep but the next thing I know my alarm goes off and I hear Laura screeching at us to get up. I bolt upright and wince at the decibel of Laura's voice. I get ready as fast as my aching, battered body will allow. Andy and I grab our stuff and bolt out the door, not bothering with food. We make it to school with ten minutes to spare. Sam is there pulling my door open. I just look at him with a sad smile on my face. He pulls me into a tight hug and I hug him back just as tight, wishing I could stay right where I am forever. This is safe. Nothing can get me here. Unfortunately, the bell rings and we break apart. As we hurry inside, we pass Monica in the hall. I immediately start giggling, remembering yesterday. Andy and Sam join me in laughter and she turns beet red in anger and embarrassment. We all manage to make it to class on time and the rest of the day passes in a blur.
The next two weeks pass in much the same manner. However, I start to notice differences in myself. My back is one continuous, giant ache. Even without my father's ministrations. I'm eating less, as if my body doesn't need it. And random scenes play out in my head, that feel more like memories. They leave me dizzy. I continue to have dreams of running from something. I finally recognize the other guy in the dreams. It's Sam's brother, Dean. Which only helps to confuse me further.
Before I know it, Andy and my birthday, Halloween, is upon us. Sam, Andy and I decided that we were going to spend the day down on the beach, with a bonfire that night. Dean said he would bring Sam to our spot and the food. Andy was bringing the drinks, plus swinging over to grab me. As I stand in my room making sure I've packed everything I'm going to need in my beach bag, Lucas strolls into my room. I tense and brace myself for the worst. He notices this and smirks darkly at me.
"There's no need to be so tense, sweetheart. I'm only here to wish you a happy birthday. But if I find out that you've gotten too friendly with anyone…." He lets the threat hang in the air. I turn as white as death in an instant. He laughs darkly.
"Happy Halloween, Azrael." He laughs again and walks out. I sink onto my bed, weak-kneed. I've already been trying to figure out all the things that have been happening to me, and now I have to worry about this on top of it. As I start to stand, a vision hits me. The closer it got to my birthday the stronger they have gotten. I see myself, dressed in medieval garb, with four sets of huge black wings shot through with purple. An older man stands next to me, observing the tiny town we stand in. He turns to say something to me and I see Dean walk across my field of vision. The vision shimmers out. I gasp as I come back to myself.
'And now Dean is popping up in my visions. What the hell is going on?!' I think to myself. I try to stand, but quickly sit back down as a wave of dizziness washes over me. I sit for a few minutes and get my bearings back. I groan as a wave of pain spikes through my back. As suddenly as it came, it's gone. I shake it off and finish packing. I hear Laura shriek up the stairs that Andy is here. I grab my stuff and book it out to her car. I climb in and tell her to floor it. She gets a good look at me and does it. After we exchange birthday greetings, I tell her what Lucas said and about my latest vision. She looks worried about the threat hanging over my head and intrigued about the vision.
"Twin, this just makes me even more sure that you and Dean are meant to be together. I mean, come on. You're dreaming about him in seemingly futuristic visions and having visions of the past with him in them. Seems like fate to me!" She grins at me and I glower at her in return.
"Twin, I swear to the Goddess if you try to play matchmaker today, I'll tell Sam just how deep your devotion runs." I threaten her. She gives me a wide-eyed look of panic and I smirk in satisfaction, confident that I've headed off her matchmaking schemes.
We arrive at the beach and pull in next to a gorgeous '67 Impala. I sling my bag over my shoulder and help Andy haul the cooler down to the beach. Sam jumps up from his spot on a driftwood log. We set the cooler down and Sam sweeps Andy into a big hug. He grabs me next and I squeeze him back. He sets me down and grabs the cooler from us.
"So, Sam. Whose gorgeous Impala is that in the parking lot?" I ask him.
"That would be mine." Comes a whiskey and smoke voice from behind me. I jump and spin around. I'm staring into eyes even greener than mine. Freckles are sprinkled across his nose. My breath catches in my throat. I know I'm staring but I can't help it.
"You must be Rae. I gotta say, you are much prettier than I remember." I give a shy smile and feel my cheeks heat up.
"That's me. And you must be Dean. I've heard a lot about you." He quirks a grin at me.
"Good things I hope. Happy birthday, by the way."
"Of course, good things. And thank you." I can feel a grin spreading across my face. I feel an elbow dig into my side and jump. I look over and Andy is smirking at me. I give her a death glare and move over to the cooler to grab a soda and try to calm my racing heart. Andy comes up with the idea to make a fire, so we all split in different directions to collect driftwood. When we haul our armloads of wood back, Dean manages to get it lit. I grin happily at the multi-colored flames. We sit and chat for a while and I learn that Dean is a mechanic like his father. All of a sudden, Andy stands up and starts to wiggle out of her clothes. Sam's eyes nearly fall out of his head. I bite my lip to stop from howling in laughter. I can see Dean trying to hold his in as well. Soon enough Andy is standing there in her bathing suit. Her eyes land on me, and I freeze. I shake my head at her, but she comes at me anyway. I get up and step over the log I was sitting on to try and make a run for it, but she is quicker. She yanks my t-shirt off over my head and throws it to the side. I can feel Dean's intense gaze on me. My cheeks start to burn again. Andy yanks my shorts down and I have no choice but to step out of them. She turns and grabs my hand to tug me down to the water when I hear Dean curse. I catch a glimpse of Andy's guilt filled face before I turn to look at him.
"Son of a bitch!" I look over at him and his eyes are darting between my midsection and arms. Which are a mottled collection of various colored bruises. I close my eyes and turn my head away in shame. I don't hear him get up, but suddenly his hand is turning my chin. I look up at him from underneath my lashes.
"There is nothing to be shamed of, sweetheart. The blame lies with the asshole doing it. Which is who by the way?" I can see the concern for me warring with the anger at my abuser in his eyes.
"My father." I say quietly, as if just saying it out loud will bring his wrath down upon me. Dean's eyes tighten at my pronouncement. I can see him force himself to relax.
"I'm not gonna bring down your birthday by dredging this up sweetheart. But in the near future it needs to be talked about, okay?" I nod and give him a shy smile.
"Will you come swimming with us, Dean? Please?" I give him my best version of puppy dog eyes and he laughs.
"Those won't work on me sweetheart. I live with Sam." I giggle at that. "But yes, I will come swimming with you. Coercion not needed." He grins at me. He starts to take his jacket off and I can see Sam doing the same out of the corner of my eye. Andy tugs on my hand and I tear my eyes away from Dean and race her down the beach to the water. She hesitates slightly before wading in, braced for the cold. I immediately jump in and wade out to my waist. I sink under and immerse myself completely, cleansing myself of all the negativity from home. I breach the surface and find Dean staring with a look of awe on his face. I give him a small smile and turn to find Andy. She's almost reached me and is procrastinating getting completely wet. I grin deviously as I sneak up behind her. I suddenly grip her shoulders and dunk her. She comes up screaming and swearing at me. I howl with laughter and I hear the boys join me. Andy give in and joins us. We spend a few hours slashing around in the ocean. I feel lighter than I have in a long time, even if I have a difficult time trying not to stare at Dean. Eventually, hunger drives us back to the beach and we devour the food Dean brought. Sam pulls out a cherry pie that he had hidden in the cooler. I squeal in delight as he puts a candle in the top for Andy and I. We blow it out together, and I wish for a better year. I grin happily as I eat birthday pie. Dean looks just as happy that there is pie instead of cake. We make sure that everything is picked up and sit around the fire talking. I feel a sharp twinge in my back and wince. It goes away, so I brush it off.
My back suddenly erupts in spasms and I fall to the ground, screaming. I vaguely hear Andy and Sam trying to talk to me, but I can't focus on their words. It feels like something it trying to burst out of my back. I can feel the skin on my back tearing and something bursts forth. I hear exclaims of surprise. And as suddenly as it started, it stops. As I lie there, panting, a soothing, calloused hand rubs my shoulder. I manage to push myself upright. My back feels so much heavier than normal. Dean is crouching next to me, with Sam and Andy standing behind him. They all look worried and awed at the same time.
"What? Why are you guys looking at me like that?"
"Rae…. You have wings." Okay, that is definitely awe in Dean's voice. Then what he said actually registers.
"WHAT?!" I shriek. I crane my head to look behind me and sure enough, wings. Exactly like the ones from my visions of the past. Four sets of huge black and purple wings, with a collective span of twelve feet.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?! WHY DO I HAVE WINGS?!" I realize that I'm screaming, but I can't help it. Dean winces at my volume.
"I know you're freaking out sweetheart, but I do need my hearing." I look at Dean apologetically. "Now, we will figure out what the hell is going on. I don't know how, but we will. Okay?" I nod, still hysterical. He looks at me for a moment, then pulls me into a hug. I'm momentarily startled, but quickly tuck my head into the crook of his neck. He smells like whiskey, gunpowder and leather, with the briny smell of the ocean on top from swimming. I soak in his warmth, take a deep breath and try to calm down. After a minute he releases me, and we sit back up on the logs. My wings feel like dead weight on my back. I concentrate on them trying to get them to move. It's like a switch has flipped and they answer my every thought.
"Do you have any ideas as to how you're gonna hide them? Cuz I'm pretty sure you can't just go walking around with them like that." Sam asks me. I look over at him and recognize the look on his face. He's in research mode. I concentrate on my wings, willing them to be invisible. My back suddenly feels a lot lighter. A glance at Sam's face tells me I was successful.
"How did you do that?" He asks, eagerly. I giggle slightly hysterically at his enthusiasm.
"I just concentrated and willed them invisible. I didn't think it would work, but apparently it did." Exhausted from everything, I slump against Dean. He wraps an arm around me and I feel safe. He fishes a small package out of his pocket and hands it to me. I look up at him confused.
"It's your birthday present." I grin up at him and excitedly tear open the paper. It's a necklace. A pentacle surrounded by a sun hangs off the chain. I immediately put it on and vow to never take it off.
"I love it! Thank you so much!" I turn and throw my arms around his neck. He hugs me back and as I pull away I can see the slight blush across his cheeks. Andy and I exchange packages and Sam hands one to both of us. Gifts done and the end of the day upon us we pack up what little is left out and haul everything back up to the cars. I hug Sam goodbye and tell him I'll see him in the morning. He kisses the top of my head and let's go. As he turns to Andy, I walk over and hug Dean.
"Thank you for making my birthday amazing." I whisper. I feel him smile into my hair.
"You're welcome. And just so you know, something will be done about that asshole you live with." He presses a kiss to my forehead and lets me go. I look up at him with shocked gratitude. He runs a hand over my hair and nudges me into the passenger seat of Andy's car. He leans against the door of his Impala and winks at me. I feel my cheeks heat up for the thousandth time that day as Andy pulls out. I smile and watch as he disappears into the distance. I can't help but feel like something might finally be working in my favor.