Chapter 8
Angela walked out of the room and down the hall, not sure of where she was going but only to try and figure out what was going on and why her friends from the Academy were playing these tricks on her. She knew that they wouldn't have blabbed so the question was how the hell Haley and the boys found out. She started pacing back and forth and talking to herself, going over the possibilities. "So how did they find out? I know records would have been obscured. Let's see, the family papers… Those are confiscated and in storage. What about that blabber mouth Hector from Spain? Died in 1752. The photographs from the 40s and 50s? Well those were somebody else's. Mary knew but did she tell John? Hell no. Bobby…?"
"Angie?"
Angela did an about face to find that Sam had followed her. It shouldn't have surprised her since one or the other or both would have followed and yet it was. She was aware that she was in an agitated state so she took a step backwards and took a breath. Maybe she could salvage this to some degree and let him think she was crazy. She plastered on a fake smile and replied, "Sam, what a pleasant surprise."
Sam knew something was wrong the moment they walked into the room. Haley looked a little confused and bursting with a surprise while the three others looked like various stages of guilt and annoyance at being put through this. Then there was the look on Angela's face when she stared at the cake. At first he thought that she saw something they missed but it dawned on him that it was something else. Then she politely excused herself and got out of there as fast as she could, like she was running from one of those things that they hunted.
Dean gave him the nudge to chase after her and he did. He would have gone anyway without any help from his brother but Dean must've figured out something was wrong too. So Sam followed her amazed that she could put quite a bit of distance between them within a span of two minutes. He finally caught up to her as she was pacing and talking to herself.
It bothered Sam that she still did that taking a step back thing when she was agitated or nervous about something; like she was afraid. In this case though she was visibly worked over whatever it was. Maybe it was a good thing since she could probably do something that she would regret later. However that fake smile and the lame attempt at pleasant conversation didn't fool him. He replied, "You don't need to do that. You don't fool anyone."
"I have no idea what you mean," Angela replied with a pleasant smile.
Sam felt his frustration rise at that and it occurred to him that she was trying to deflect him in the extreme but not this time. "Angie, stop it. Please."
He didn't have to use the puppy eyes. The simple word was enough but Angela still fought against it. She bit her lower lip as she took a deep breath, "Can you just leave it alone? If I come back will you leave it alone?"
"No." It sounded harsh even to Sam's ears so he added, "Angie something is really bothering you and I just want to know what it is. Maybe we could help. That was supposed to be what this vacation was about."
Angela released her lip and looked down and stared at the ground for what seemed like a long time. "I don't do my birthday," she muttered.
"What?"
"I don't do my birthday and for good reason," Angela repeated a little louder so that Sam could hear.
Sam made a slight face and took a chance and stepped forward, "Okay. You wanna tell me why?"
"Not particularly," Angela replied, "But it does explain a few things."
"Okay. Shoot."
Angela glanced off a bit and noticed the playroom and saw some kids wandering in there playing. It was a nice distraction and served to give some focus as to what she wanted to say. She replied with a question, "You know what day it was two days ago right?"
"Yeah, Halloween." Sam frowned wondering where this was going. He waited patiently for Angela to continue.
"You know that it is associated with everything…" Angela drifted off and gave a slightly sheepish look. This was hard and maybe by going it roundabout, the meaning would become clear. It had worked before but that was in a different time and place before she met the Winchesters.
"Angie, where is this going?" Sam wasn't trying to goad her but he was good at recognizing stall tactics.
"That's part of it Sam. I don't do my birthday because bad things have always happened on that day and the last time… I lost a good friend." Angela looked at Sam. She could see that he was trying to puzzle it out and she knew she wasn't making it any easier for him since she was dancing around it instead of stomping on it. He did deserve some explanation but not all of it since part of it was fairly recent and she was still debating on what to do about it. Another part was that she had a secret that she wasn't even sure how well Sam would take. Biting the bullet, she came out and said, "My official birthday is November 2nd. That was the day your mother died."
Sam had to admit that was a bit of surprise. It did explain a bit about her moodiness. He could even see why she wouldn't bother though he suspected she hadn't bothered before that. He then saw the slight look on her face and asked, "You don't bother because of Mom?" It didn't quite make sense to him unless she was actually implying that she was there the night Mom died. That seemed a bit strange in of itself.
"Partly. The other part is that it reminds me too much of a possible inevitable end for me. The whole Chaser thing." Angela shrugged her shoulders for good measure. She turned to lean on the banister that overlooked the main hall.
"I see." There really wasn't much more for Sam to say. At least not at the moment but maybe later there would be. They always seemed to crop up when things wound down after a case or for the day.
"Them 16th century bastards really were a superstitious lot. They said I was a changeling, as if. Yet they would probably say they were right if they knew what I am." Angela looked nothing and a thought occurred to her. She looked at Sam who was leaning against the railing and studying her. She said, "You know the reason why they call us Shadow Chasers? We chase shadows and in the beginning our kind stuck to the shadows in order to follow orders. So we were born of shadows and it clings like a heavy cloak. Even for me, the five hundred year old freak." She gave a sort of dopey smile like she was on something.
Sam listened to what she was saying. He had read the history of her race and it wasn't pretty at all. In fact it was bloody. That was no biggie and he didn't care since that was a distant past that involved a bunch of people long dead. He figured that what bothered her was the fact that Mom died on that night and maybe she still blamed herself for it. Why, he had yet to find out but this was a baby steps thing. He was going to say something when something shook under his feet. He gripped the railing and wondered if it was a fluke.
Looking at the pictures on the wall, it was clear that something big was happening underground or something, like an earthquake. It stopped but he felt uneasy about the whole thing. "What was that? Earthquake?"
"No," Angela replied. She had gripped the banister and had been looking around. "Arkansas, Sam. If we were in LA or something, then I'd say no biggie. That was something else." She then heard something. Was it laughter? Then she heard a door slamming.
The shaking had stopped but there was unease in the air. Angela could feel it and for once, since they started this trip, she was eager to find out what it was. Sam was asking, "Okay so since we aren't in earthquake country, then it has to be something. What about the supernatural could do that?"
"No idea except maybe a spell but it would have to be a powerful one. The thing is I don't know anything about this place except the mineral springs." Angela looked around. She thought she heard something but it was faint. Maybe she was going crazy.
"Well, best thing is to do the usual," Sam replied.
"I agree," Angela replied and started down the stairs after tugging on Sam's jacket sleeve to follow. For some reason she had a very uneasy feeling about that 'earthquake.' She led the way back to the bungalow when she stopped.
Sam nearly ran into her when she stopped suddenly and stared off in the distance. He couldn't see anything and yet it was clear that she could. He asked, "What's wrong?"
Angela was aware that Sam couldn't see what she was seeing. She wasn't even sure if she was hallucinating or not. She replied, "Nothing. I thought I saw something. You know reaction to little things. Come on. Let's just find out what we are dealing with and maybe get back to having a vacation." She paused a little to look around and then added, "There is something about this house…"
Thomas had been spying on the moms in the room where his father used to talk politics with the men and their brandy. He had been messing with a few of their things on the buffet just for some fun. He had just checked the playroom and he was assured about the lock. He still couldn't conceive how it could have manifested like it did. At least it was bound. That was the most important thing.
They were just coming to the part where they were going to pray and all that hoopla when it started. Thomas knew exactly what it was. He ignored the fact that the ladies were screaming earthquake and went up the stairs to the playroom.
He found that the door had been shut and it wouldn't open. Not even his ghost mojo could open it. He tried going through the door but he was expelled forcibly. It was free. It must have broken the spell that was one of the more powerful in the bunch. It was the bond of brothers spell that he developed and had his brothers perform with him. It effectively bound the thing in the replica of Bordeaux but it didn't kill it.
With that spell, it had to be a brother bond to break it but the thing must've circumvented that. The only other possibility was that it used a close bond of friendship that was like brother bonds. Thomas knew that there were brothers on the premises since he had spied on them earlier at the bungalow. He went to find them. Perhaps he could stop it before it was too late.
Thomas found one in the upstairs parlor. The other was missing. Well he could help at least one of them. He went to the bedroom attached to that parlor and manifested himself. He made sure only the one saw him and led him into the room. As soon he was in, there was no way out. Thomas may have no control over the thing but he could still control parts of the house and counter the thing.
Once the brother was in, he shut the door. He could tell that he was upset. It was also interesting to see that he seemed to know that he was there. Thomas watched as he looked around for something. The human finally picked up something and Thomas recognized it as an iron poker. He said, "Don't worry. You are safe."
Thomas watched as the human turned and looked around. Apparently he couldn't see him but he could hear him. That was something. The human then said, "Come on out. I got something for ya."
Thomas appeared in front of the hunter. He was close enough that they were about touching noses. He moved slightly and said, "Don't swing that. I won't hurt you."
It was amusing to see the human jump nearly two feet away. Well he did appear rather close to him. The human though was remarkably composed and not screaming his head off. It was like he had seen his kind before. Like the other three. He must be a hunter. Thomas said, "I'm not going to hurt you."
"That's like the third time you said that but I don't believe it. Damn and this was supposed to be a vacation for Angie. Now we've got frigging spirits."
"Yes I am the resident ghost. I have been for nearly over a hundred or so years. I can never remember the exact amount." Thomas walked up to the hunter who backed away for every step he took. "I'm not a vengeful spirit."
"That's a new one. You locked me in here, now let me out."
"I can't. He will find you."
"Who will find me?"
"He will," Thomas replied. "You are safe here. I will find the other."
He left the brother cursing in his leaving. He had to find the other and make sure that they were safe. He spotted a pair heading out of the house and towards the bungalow. That must be the one. So he followed. He reappeared at his favorite spot to watch them when the woman stopped as she looked in his direction.
Thomas stood still as he watched. He knew he was invisible but she was looking at him. It was like she could see him. That was strange in of itself. As far as he could tell, no one could see him unless he wanted them too. It was part of the fun he used to entertain himself. Here this woman was staring at him and hard but she brushed it off as the pair went into the bungalow. Thomas knew they would be safe in there. It was one of the few places that had been marked. HE went back to the house to try and see what he could do for the children and the others.
Haley knocked on the door and jiggled the handle. "Dean!"
"Hale, the door is stuck."
Haley tried the door again and it was jammed. When the 'earthquake' happened, she saw Dean head on over to the room like he saw something. Then the door slammed shut and now they couldn't get it open. She tried jiggling the door and trying to bash it down.
Aaron offered his services and even the Nephilim couldn't do it. Neither could the others. It was like something was keeping the door from being opened. Haley was trying again in a desperate attempt. At one point she could hear Dean talking to somebody in the room. The thing was they didn't see anybody in there.
"Hale, find somebody to unlock it or something."
"Dean you know that a key isn't going to do it."
"Just a suggestion. Better yet somebody should find Sam and Angie. Last thing I want to do is bust a window or a door."
Haley frowned slightly. What could Sam or Angela do? "What good will that do?"
Akira heard the reply even though it was muffled. That was a good idea but there were some drawbacks. It could be that Angela was no match for ghost mojo but she did have strong telekinetic abilities. "Dean, that's telekinetic."
"She can talk to the damn thing."
"What?"
"She can talk to it; try to convince it to let me out. She did it once. Trust me."
Even that was strange for Akira and she had done quite a bit of the more strange and unusual with Angela. "Are you sure about that?"
"Am I talking to a bunch of idiots? Yes."
Haley gave a slight grin and said, "Calm down Dean. We'll find her."
"You'll probably find Sam with her. Brooding emo. Hell I think someone switched bassinets at birth with that kid. Him and his health fetish… such a pansy."
Haley laughed a little. Even though it was muffled she heard every word coming from Dean. It was hilarious since the brothers were different and yet the same. She said, "Right. We'll look around the grounds. Sit tight."
"That's pretty much what I'm doing and it's pissing me off."
Haley turned from the door and looked at the others. "So what do you think?"
Christian was the one to reply, "One thing is for certain that whatever this is, we shouldn't be going alone since we don't have the proper gear."
"No shit Chris. Next thing you're gonna say is that we should stick in pairs. Well I know that the witch here is going to stick with her bodyguard. You and the princess usually work together so that leaves me," Austin pointed out. He leaned against the wall with a slight smug look on his face since he pretty much knew what the score was between various, interested parties.
"And I'm sure you want to go solo," Christian replied betraying a slight annoyance. Then again Austin knew him pretty well and there was somewhat of an established routine when it came to partners. The only exception was being the school guardian.
"Hell no," Austin replied. He pulled a chair and put it near the door. "I'm just here to keep Dean here some company."
"To hell with that," Dean's voice came through the door. "You're gonna drive me crazy."
"Ya know ya love me," Austin called back.
"I don't swing that way."
"Alright, alright," Akira intervened before Dean decided to try to bust down the door and ended up hurting himself. "Haley and Aaron search all the rooms downstairs and Christian and I search upstairs to look for Sam and Angie and make sure they're okay. Austin will stay here and try to see if the door will open. You got that Dean?"
"You're not my boss."
Akira gave a slight smile. "Right because she's the boss."
"Very funny."
Akira gave a slight smile as she led the way out of the parlor. Some party. Oh well, at least things would be exciting. She and Christian headed to where their rooms were to find the usual things to counter spirits. For some reason she took the voodoo bracelet. Maybe it would prove useful if she put it in the right hands.
Austin couldn't help but chuckle as he sat in the chair he had placed by the door. He could hear Dean pacing around in the room and judging from the sound of his steps, he was resigned to the fact that he was going to be in there for a while. That didn't mean that he had to like it. He called to the hunter, "I take it you've been in a similar situation before?"
"Yeah."
"Oh. I could tell by the sound of your steps. Patient but pissed."
"You trying to analyze me now? Thanks but no thanks. I just want out."
"You and me both." Austin knew that it was going to be a while. It would probably annoy Dean but it would pass the time and the like. "So who do you think planned this?"
"No idea. I thought it was Haley. Proved me wrong."
"Well we thought that you must've found out. Your friend Bobby is good with resources. The volumes in his library…" Austin petered off. He couldn't hear anything on the other side. "Dean?"
"Yeah?"
"Good. Just making sure that you're still alive. We wouldn't want Angie to get pissed."
"That would be better than what she had been doing since the end of the tournament."
"Well I expect that a change would occur right around this time," Austin replied. "She usually goes quiet and then disappears for a few days. We call it the annual camping trip because she would head off into the woods and whatever funk she was in would disappear and then she would be back."
"Why is that?"
"Mostly because it's her birthday and she dislikes it because it is so close to Halloween."
"Oh. I think I can understand it more now."
Austin frowned slightly. "Really?"
"Yeah," Dean's voice came through. It sounded a little weary as he tried to find the right words to say. "I understand why she would dislike it because of that whole Day of the Dead thing. That and Mom died on that date. I figured that Angie always thought it was her fault. She sort of blames herself when things go wrong."
"That she does and I'm betting that her mind is consumed with ways of getting you out of your deal."
"Aside from Bobby, Sam and Angie, you are the only one who knows that."
Austin couldn't help but chuckle. At least he and Dean were on better footing after the last time or so. After that misunderstanding, they got along the next time they met. Austin was good at keeping secrets and he figured that this was one that Dean wanted to keep. He laughed a little as Dean said something funny about the latest prank he played or something. He had to hand it to Dean; he sure could find a way to keep his spirits up.
It had been a long time. For many years the boy had kept him under control. Even when he started to fade the boy kept his word and stayed there. The years that went by and the house was relatively safe from the evil one. Even when it was determined that her sight vanish, they were safe. Then they arrived.
She noticed the three of them as they pulled up next to the house that once belonged to the family. Two she could tell were related and the third was different. She walked differently but the step was the same. It was clear that the three were close.
The two that were related she could tell were brothers. She could see the marks upon them that defined their burden and they followed one with the heaviest burden. Yet all three shouldered each other's burdens. Interesting indeed but their arrival spelt something ominous.
That did happen. A brother bond released the dark one. It will wreak havoc unless it is stopped. She then saw something. She wasn't seeing the land. The light had long dimmed on that but she did see something. She saw light and she saw the image. She knew what that meant. She knew…
A/N: Well now Sam knows why Angie doesn't do birthdays and things seem to be picking up. What happens next? Stay tuned for next time on 'Trick'steen Candles...