A Light In The Black

Title credit: Lyrics from the song A Light in the Black, by Rainbow.

A/N: Hey guys! Big thanks to everyone who followed, faved, and reviewed, so far! It's so nice talking to all of you again and sharing this new journey.

You know what to do!

"You're late," Claire called grumpily from the dining room.

"Good morning to you, too, sunshine," Amber replied drily, looking at her friend, who was kneeled on the floor, nose practically touching it as she carefully worked on the sigil. Amber couldn't help but smirk at the memory of Claire being adamant about how sigils shouldn't be used in hunting and not wanting to learn anything about them a few months back, when Joy sent her to spend a month in the bunker. So much had changed since then.

The dining room of the old house exuded an air of mystique and enchantment, having been transformed into the working space of their 'Save Kyle Operation'. Weathered books were scattered all around. On the heavy wooden dining table, on the floor, on the wall shelves next to the large window with the lowered dusty blinds.

"You're late," Claire repeated, eyes never leaving the spot she was very carefully drawing on.

"Well, yeah! I have two Winchesters and an angel to evade, you know."

Claire didn't say anything more, solely focusing on the line she was drawing. Finishing she inspected her work and when she felt satisfied with it, she turned her head to look at Amber and then pointed at the nearby table. Among the books, notes, and jars with various contents, stood a foam cup.

Amber smiled at the thoughtful gesture. Claire could be a pain, but she was a good friend. And her being there and risking her ass the way she did, proved this more than anything.

"Thank you," Amber said, a small smile warming her expression, and both girls knew these words covered a lot more than a coffee. "Any progress?" she then asked.

"The sigil is coming along. It's insanely intricate and supposedly drawing even a single line wrong could be disastrous, but I'm nailing it. I'll finish it up in a few hours. What about you? Found anything in the bunker's library?"

"Nothing," Amber shook her head. "Didn't have too much time to look, either, as Sam and Dean are constantly on my case these days…"

"Well, you're trying really hard to ensure they are," Claire commented. At Amber's raised eyebrows she shrugged. " I overheard Jody and Sam talking. Looks like you give them a run for their money on a daily basis."

"So?"

"So, nothing," Claire replied, shrugging. " I'm just not sure if this is the ideal time to be doing that. If they're vigilant and constantly on your ass, we risk them finding out. And this is the one thing we DON'T want them to find out."

Amber nodded at that, her expression conveying her annoyance -mainly with herself.

"I know. I went a bit overboard last night, but I'm gonna dial it back a bit, promise."

"Good. Now get to work, before we have to leave."

Amber nodded and taking her coffee, she walked to the small tower of books that stood near the couch a few feet away from the table. As she opened the first book in front of her, she mentally scanned for Kyle. She could barely feel him these days. Her stomach clenching with fear and worry, she shifted her focus on the page in front of her hoping against hope she'd return home tonight having figured out the last and missing step of the spell they were creating. The original spell that could create rifts demanded the blood of an archangel. Something they didn't have, nor managed to obtain. Realizing time was running thin, Amber made the choice to risk tweaking the spell to make it work with Jack's blood. He had archangel blood inside him after all.

It was close to three hours later when Amber's yell of "Holly shit!" made Claire jump from where she was organizing the ingredients they had gathered.

"What?"

"I think I got it!" Amber answered enthusiastically.

"Shut up! Show me!" Claire rushed to her but halted when Amber's face paled and she vanished with a loud "Fuck!"

The blonde remained looking at the empty spot in front of her and groaned annoyed. Checking the time, she realized she should be getting home, too, if she wanted to make it there before Jody.

Amber materialized in her room just in time to hear Sam's frustrated voice calling out to her. Hastily placing the book she had taken with her from Bobby's on her desk, Amber hurried to the door and opened it.

"Can't anyone read in peace in this place?" she called out as she unlocked it, doing her best to sound annoyed.

Sam immediately stepped inside, eyeing her with a warning gaze.

"Did you leave the bunker again without permission?" he asked, his voice stern, his eyes scanning every inch of her and the space around them.

"No! I did my chores and have been studying ever since," Amber immediately denied, managing to make her tone sound annoyed.

"Then why did you activate the sigil that locks Cas out of this room?" Sam questioned, his eyes fixed on hers.

Amber got that feeling again that Sam was somehow able to see right through her, something that always unnerved her.

"Because I know you have him spying on me, and I wanted some privacy, Sam!"

"Do you have your coat on for privacy too?" Sam asked, his tone rising, arms crossing over his chest.

Shit! Amber watched with a pang of unease as his jaw tightened, a familiar sight that signaled he had reached his limit. And Sam didn't get there easily. Shit! Why had she forgotten to get her coat off? She and Claire always wore them while working at Bobby's house. Having been uninhabited for so long and obviously without a working heating system, the atmosphere inside that place was bone-chilling. Panicked to get back, Amber hadn't even considered taking off her coat upon returning to the bunker after Jack's urgent telepathic call.

Her mouth opened and closed, unable to find the right words. Inhaling deeply, she managed to somewhat calm herself down. Her voice, laden with both frustration and vulnerability, finally burst forth, "I was so cold, Sam. Sitting at the desk, the damn blanket kept slipping off my shoulders, so I put on my coat. Why is it such a big deal?"

Her heart pounded, not so much from worry about what Sam would do or if she would face consequences from him right now. What really worried her was how she would navigate this situation without risking being able to leave the bunker tomorrow. She could finish the spell tonight and she needed to perform it and get to Kyle ASAP. After all these months of effort, she had finally figured out how to do it. It couldn't all go south now. Amber watched her brother, sensing that he wasn't buying any of it, but also realizing that he couldn't prove she had done anything. She observed him standing there, studying her and could tell he was processing everything.

"I can't believe you're lying to my face like that," Sam finally said, shaking his head, his tone a mix of disappointment and anger.

"I'm not lying! And you don't have any proof for your stupid accusations!" Amber countered, her voice heated, crossing her arms over her chest in defiance.

"No, I don't," Sam admitted. Then, in a resolute tone, he added, "But I intend to make sure it doesn't happen again!"

Amber braced herself for what she thought was coming. She was surprised when Sam walked out of the room instead of moving towards her. She stood there, looking at the open door with confusion written all over her face. A minute later, Sam returned with a hammer, wedge, and screwdriver, further confusing her. It was only when she saw him heading straight for her door and starting to work on the hinges that she understood.

"What the hell are you doing?" Amber yelled at him, taking a step closer with every intention to stop him. Sam's glare halted her in her tracks.

"What needs to be done. If we can't trust you with your privacy, that privacy is lost."

Sam remained silent for the next couple of minutes, fully focused on the task at hand, while Amber watched him in sheer disbelief. When he finished, he turned to his sister, his expression hard and unwavering.

"The door is mine until further notice. And you're grounded, while I have it. You're to stay in this room, the library, or the kitchen at all times. Am I clear?"

"No, you're a psycho," Amber yelled at him.

"We warned you yesterday, Amber," Sam's voice resonated with a mixture of sternness and frustration, his eyes piercing into her with a weight of disappointment. "It's time to shape up. You're lucky Dean isn't here, or losing your door and a grounding wouldn't be the only consequence you'd have to worry about!"

Amber could feel the heat of anger and embarrassment rising within her. Mustering every ounce of self-control, she refused to let her emotions spill over into a reckless response. Or a flipoff. Not being able to lock her room and keep Castiel out would present a significant problem. She needed to think quickly and find a solution without further aggravating her brothers.

"You know what?" Amber's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, her words laced with a tinge of defiance. "I'm not going to bother. You can take the damn door, and..." Catching herself, she wisely completed that last sentence silently in her mind.

Shaking her head in resignation, Amber turned away from Sam, her gaze fixated on the floor. With deliberate movements, she shrugged off her coat, the fabric slipping off her shoulders and pooling around her feet. Her hands reached for the worn book resting on the desk, right where she'd left it. Settling onto her bed, she leaned against the headboard, pulling her knees close to her chest, as if seeking protection from the turmoil around her. Resting the book gently on her lap, she opened it to the marked page and tried to focus on the words that seemed to dance on the page.

From the corner of her eye, she caught a fleeting glimpse of Sam leaving her room, the door now cradled under his arm. A fresh surge of frustration coursed through her, mingled with regret. Damn it! Claire had been right. She had let her emotions take control. She'd gone too far and now it was coming back to bite her in the ass.

Upon that thought, Jack's head poked from the doorway, his eyes concerned.

"I'm sorry," he offered, his voice tinged with unease. He seemed uncomfortable like he always did when he found himself in the midst of conflict among the Winchesters. Having never been on the receiving end of a scolding, let alone punishment, he struggled to navigate his own emotions and worries in such situations.

Amber managed to send him a reassuring smile, gesturing for him to enter. "Not your fault, Jack." She could sense the weight of his concern, his genuine desire to support and protect her.

"I should have called you sooner," he confessed in a hushed tone, glancing over his shoulder cautiously. "I think Cas caught on to how I cover for you when you're out. He intentionally distracted me today, and it took me a while to realize what was happening when Sam started trying to get into your room." His words carried a sense of guilt.

"Did Cas give you a hard time when he realized?" Amber asked, unsure of what to expect from the angel in this situation and feeling uneasy at the possibility of Jack getting into trouble because of her.

Jack shook his head. "No, he didn't."

"Good. And don't worry about it. This was bound to happen sooner or later. I'm angry at them for not letting me help Kyle, and it clouds my judgment more than it should. It's my own fault this happened. If I had been more cautious, we wouldn't be in this situation now," Amber reassured him.

"Any progress?" Jack inquired telepathically this time, a glimmer of hope shining in his eyes.

"Yes! We've actually made significant progress. I believe I've discovered the final missing piece to complete our spell," Amber responded in the same manner, her heart pounding with excitement at the magnitude of her words.

She and Claire had achieved something remarkable. While not entirely developed from scratch, it was a testament to their creativity and skill. The intricate and volatile nature of the spell they had crafted would leave even seasoned witches in awe. A part of her felt disappointed that she couldn't share this with Sam. Not only would his insights and fascination with magic have added depth to their discovery, but he would also appreciate the significance of this accomplishment. There was no denying there were risks involved. The slightest mistake or oversight could lead to unforeseen consequences. But they would do this. They would be careful and thorough. And that would be enough. It had to.

Now, it was time for action. This final step had to be flawlessly executed. Amber summoned all her focus, envisioning a positive outcome—a conclusion to their adventure, Kyle's safe return, and a resolution between her and her brothers. And everything would fall back into place in her world. It had to.

"I need you to let me concentrate on this for a while. It's crucial to figure it out correctly and make notes of the entire spell process from start to finish. Text Claire and let her know that we're making progress, and I'll text her all the deets soon," Amber requested telepathically, her tone resolute and tinged with anticipation.

Nodding, Jack quietly exited her room, leaving Amber alone with her thoughts and the weight of their impending endeavor.

Dean had just returned from his grocery run, making his way down the dimly lit hallway toward his room. As he passed by Amber's room, he couldn't help but notice her huddled in bed, engrossed in a book. A few steps later, realization struck him —that's something he shouldn't be able to see, as her door was constantly closed lately. Pivoting on his heel, he took a few steps back only to realize that the door wasn't open, it just wasn't there.

Standing at the threshold, Dean's expression was one of confusion, disbelief, and a hint of concern. He stared at the vacant doorway before tentatively stepping inside the room, treading carefully as if entering uncharted territory.

"You blew it up?" he blurted out, his voice laced with a mix of surprise and jest, his gaze fixed on Amber as he sought an explanation.

Amber's eyes met Dean's. After a brief pause, she quipped, "I wish. Why don't you ask your brother?"

'My brother? That's promising,' Dean thought, his curiosity ignited at the mention of Sam's involvement. His mind raced, attempting to piece together what in the world could have transpired to result in a vanishing door.

"I'm asking you. Why is the door missing?" Dean probed, his arms crossing over his chest as he moved deeper into the room, finding support against Amber's desk, his eyes fixed on her, awaiting her response.

Amber's anger burned bright as she retorted, her gestures punctuating her words with frustration. "Because Sam took it, Dean. He unscrewed the damn thing and walked off with it," she declared, her voice resonating with indignation.

"And I'm pretty sure that's only half the story. Let's hear it," he urged, eyes narrowing with suspicion, his tone firm yet tinged with a genuine curiosity that gnawed at him.

Amber's frustration resonated in her voice as she retorted, "Nothing to hear. Literally, nothing. I locked my door for some privacy. I locked Cas out too, for the same reason. And Sam decided that meant I had left the bunker without permission and tore down my damn door when he couldn't prove his stupid accusations!"

Amber's tone was confident and annoyed. She knew better than to mention the few bits and pieces of this story that made Sam's conclusion sound a lot more concrete. She was perfectly aware that Sam could provide a more comprehensive account, but she didn't expect him to do so. Typically, when he dealt with consequences on his own, he considered the matter resolved and kept Dean out of it. Even if Sam did inform Dean, she'd cross that bridge when she got there.

"You sound so annoyed and angry when this is one hundred percent a result of your own actions and behavior. Even if Sam went cuckoo—which I seriously doubt—it's the crap you've been pulling all these weeks that has brought us here. How can we trust you?" Dean's voice was filled with frustration and concern as he confronted Amber.

Amber, not having any suitable response, opted to simply roll her eyes. Dean had a valid point, and she knew it. Deliberately trying to infuriate them both was her only way of punishing their refusal to assist her, even though she understood why they had made that choice. It was one of the strangest emotional conflicts she had ever experienced—a complete understanding of their perspective coupled with resentment towards their decision. All these conflicting emotions, intertwined with her ego, created the complex web of emotions that left her grappling for balance.

"I know," she replied, her voice strained with frustration. "I know you can't trust me right now. And you also know why I'm acting this way, just as I know why you're being like this. And yet, here we are, stuck at a dead end."

"And that's the only truthful words we've heard coming out of your mouth today."

Sam's unexpected voice made Amber and Dean turn to the doorframe, where he was standing, face serious, arms crossed. His gaze held its usual understanding, but also a stern resolve Amber wasn't used to seeing in him.

"As we said, you're entitled to your feelings. But that doesn't give you a free pass to do whatever the hell you want with no care in the world for the consequences," Dean stated firmly.

"But you have the right to condemn Kyle to death, right?"

"That's not…" Sam tried to defend their decision, but Dean cut him off.

"We tried to save him. We've been trying to for weeks now," Dean confessed, his voice heavy with exhaustion.

His words burst into the room like a bomb. Sam, caught off guard by Dean's unexpected revelation, threw him a perplexed "what the hell" look. It wasn't because what Dean said was untrue. But they had made a pact, a shared understanding that it would be best to shield Amber from the painful uncertainty until they had managed to at least make some progress.

"We've tried every summoning incantation and spell we know. We've tried putting sigils together and done a bunch of witchy shit we never thought we would. We even asked Rowena for help. But we haven't succeeded," Dean continued, his voice somber.

Amber gaped at them eyes widening in disbelief, a knot forming in her throat that made it hard to breathe. They had been trying, trying for Kyle's return. A few stray tears rolled down her cheeks as she asked, her voice trembling with both pain and accusation, "Why didn't you tell me, then? Why let me think you just didn't care?"

Dean's eyes met Amber's as he said, "We never said we didn't care. We only said risking opening a rift in that universe, when Lucifer is also trapped inside is NOT an option. And that's still true. That's why we've been trying to figure out a way around this."

Sam stepped forward, his gaze filled with empathy. "We didn't tell you anything because we didn't want to get your hopes up if we couldn't make it happen," he said apologetically. Keeping this a secret had been a mistake. And seeing their sister unraveling the way she had, had been the wake-up call they needed to understand this.

"Which is the case," Dean confirmed what Amber was already fearing. "We've tried everything, Amber. And as hard and painful as it is, we can't bring him back," he concluded.

"You haven't tried EVERYTHING," Amber countered, using the back of her palm to try and dry her cheeks even as more tears kept rolling down from her eyes. Her composure wavered, her heart torn between gratitude for their efforts, hope they might reconsider the hail mary of reopening the rift, and the bitter ache of loss.

"Everything that's remotely safe," Dean stated firmly. "Opening another rift is still off the table. One hundred percent off. But we need you to know that we did try. And we did it for you."

Silence hung heavy in the air as Amber struggled to process everything they had shared with her.

Sam, his concern morphing into frustration and urgency, stepped closer to Amber, taking a seat at the edge of her bed causing it to squeak under his weight. His voice was edged with a firm resolve.

"I don't know what you and Jack are planning, but it needs to stop, Amber. Now. You're being careless, leaving the bunker without any of us knowing, doing God knows what and where..."

Amber's gaze drifted to the side, her eyes avoiding the intense scrutiny of her brothers. The anger she had harbored towards them before, the justification for her actions, seemed hollow and distant now. The weight of their shared pain hung heavily in the room.

"You know, Sam and I have been discussing this, and we think now might be a good time to enroll you in an actual school. It would give you a fresh focus—getting your GED, meeting new people..."

Dean wasn't entirely certain if this was the ideal timing to broach the subject, but he couldn't deny that it was the longest and most peaceful conversation they had had with Amber in what felt like ages. They watched her facial expressions shift from distant to surprised to incredulous, gauging her reaction.

"You're kidding! I don't want to!" Amber protested immediately, slamming the book shut and letting it slide off to her right on the bed, the sound of it hitting the mattress echoing her resistance.

"Tough. You'll still have to. We believe it's in your best interest. Don't get worked up just yet. We haven't figured out all the logistics, like when and where, but it's going to happen in the near future," Dean responded, his tone unwavering.

"No! You don't get to make these decisions for me," Amber exclaimed, frustration evident as her hands shot up in protest. In her current state of overwhelm it was easy to go back to her default resistance and let anger take the wheel.

"These are precisely the decisions we have to make for you. It's our role as your brothers and guardians. As Dean said, you don't have to like it, but you need to start accepting that things are going to change," Sam replied, a mix of determination and concern in his voice. "It will be good for you. You'll have a great distraction while going through your grieving, you'll make friends…"

Amber struggled to contain her emotions, her powers pulsating just beneath the surface, ready to be unleashed. But she resisted, knowing that succumbing to her rage wouldn't solve anything. Her brothers clearly believed saving Kyle was a lost cause after their efforts didn't bode out. But she was not ready to give up on him. In fact, the only thing keeping her in check was her unwavering commitment to 'Operation Save Kyle'.

"Guys, I'm trying really hard not to blast you and this entire place right now. Please, just leave," she pleaded, a hint of vulnerability in her voice.

"Fair enough," Dean commented, retreating from the room with Sam in tow. As he departed, he tossed over his shoulder in an attempt to ease the tension. "I bought your favorite frozen pizza for dinner tonight. I'll let you know when it's ready."

Amber was left to grapple with the weight of everything that had been revealed. Her brothers tried to save Kyle? Rowena helping? And the whole school deal...GED? What the hell? These weren't the things she wanted. Or were they? Her head throbbed as her mind oscillated between the unexpected news she had just received and the intricate spellwork she needed to complete. Not to mention the actual task of casting the spell, opening a rift, venturing into a parallel universe where Lucifer was imprisoned with minimal backup, saving Kyle, sealing the rift without allowing the Devil to escape, and getting everyone back home safely. And she was supposed to make all these happen while on lockdown in the bunker.

Closing her eyes, she willed her brain to cooperate and focus on one thing at a time. She'd figure this out.

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