Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural or any of its characters.

Well, chapter twelve is up!

Thanks to everyone who reviewed!

This one's kinda short. But you know how fast I update, so chapter thirteen will be up tomorrow! ;)

By the way- the name of the chapter is borrowed from the band Motionless in White. I found it….. fitting.

On with it, shall we?

(Odette PoV)

CHAPTER TWELVE- GHOST IN THE MIRROR

Dean slowed the car as soon as he saw the nearest motel. I took one look at it and shuddered. "Keep driving," I told him.

I instantly wished I'd kept my mouth shut when Dean turned around to not glare, exactly, but his stare was distinctly unfriendly.

"You don't like skeevy motel rooms, do you? I told you I could help with that."

I swallowed nervously. Dean didn't look like he was going to agree anytime soon.

Sam came to the rescue. "Come on, Dean, humor her. Do you like staying in rooms with rats and roaches?"

Rats. I barely concealed my shiver. Dean paused for a long minute, then moved the Impala forward with a jolt.

Sam looked at me apologetically. As we moved further into Jericho, I spotted a suitable hotel.

"How about here?" I asked timidly, avoiding Dean's eyes.

He huffed. "Kid, this place is-"

I cut him off, thrusting one of my credit cards at him. He stared at the sleek, black surface as if it were a snake.

"It'll work, I promise." I curled into the windowsill, trying to shield myself against Dean's obvious distrust. He stared at my position for a long minute.

"Fine," he said gruffly, slightly less antagonistic. He walked out into the hotel, leaving me alone with Sam and Castiel.

I breathed out in relief.

Sam smiled at me reassuringly, trying to ease my mind, I supposed.

Part of me wanted to thank him for being so kind, but I was too frightened and nervous to smile back.

The ramifications of my decision were slowly seeping through, and I was very close to a panic attack.

Castiel shifted a bit closer to me. "You don't have to be afraid," he spoke in a calm, measured monotone.

Inexplicably, his unruffled tone helped me some. "You're safe with us."

Hearing him speak lessened my panic.

I tried to smile at him as best as I could. Thank you, my mind whispered.

His expression relaxed infinitesimally, almost as if he understood.

Sam, who had been silent, cleared his throat. "Seriously, Odette, you don't need to worry. You'll be fine, I swear."

I smiled properly then. He seemed to understand that as my thanks.

Dean doesn't like me, was all my mind could repeat, though.

Castiel inclined his head to one side, a habit I was fast getting acquainted with.

He seemed on the verge of saying something, when Dean returned.

"Well, did it work?" Sam demanded. Dean did not answer, but silently handed the card back to me. It was answer enough.

Sam got out of the car, as did Castiel. I went around the back to collect my suitcases.

I opened the trunk with difficulty, and then nearly shut it in my surprise. My eyes grew huge as I surveyed the plethora of machetes, knives, guns and a few more things I really didn't want to know the origin of.

I retrieved my suitcases and walked into the lobby of the hotel. Dean had already checked in, so we moved into the elevator and headed towards our rooms.

Mine was off on the side of Dean and Sam's. I entered it, looking forward to sleeping on the plush, feathery bed.

I showered quickly, changing into a tank top and shorts. I rubbed cream into my face and hands and the smell of it, familiar, soft and comforting, helped soothe my frazzled nerves.

I was just about ready to sink into bed when Dean walked in. I tensed immediately.

He threw me a bag of rock salt. "Line it across the window, nice and thick. Keeps ghosts out."

His eyes fell on the gun by my bedside. I'd gotten it off as soon as I could, hating the sensation of it against my skin.

I did as he asked, while Dean stood and watched.

"We'll be working the case in the morning, around 10 o'clock."

I nodded. "I'll be up."

Dean grunted and withdrew from my room. I tucked the knife below my pillow, remembering his instructions.

I was almost about to fall asleep when I saw the woman in the gauzy white dress outside my window.