And More Than Ever, I Hope To Never Fall
Title Credit: Lyrics from the song Carnival of Rust by Poets of the Fall
A/N:Hey guys! Surprise early update! Next week I won't be able to post this, so I thought I'd do it now. And I have a request for anyone interested who might've got the time. So, I've almost completed this sequel, but I'm having trouble with certain elements of a certain chapter. I won't get into details here, as it would spoil the story, but if anyone doesn't mind spoilers and would like to bounce off some ideas and give me some perspective on HOW to go about a certain part of this story, that would be awesome! Feel free to PM me and we can talk more about this.
Thanks to everyone for the follows, favorites, reviews, and PMs. They make me smile every single time! I hope you're enjoying the story so far. Don't forget to review and let me know what you thought of this chapter. Hearing from you and the discussions that spark up from your reviews is half the fun of sharing the story on this platform and not just writing it and reading it alone! Please devote a minute to write me a few lines, it means the world!
*This chapter picks up right after chapter's 2 last scene. I'm including a few lines to help the transition (first lines in Italics)
"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."
It was close to two hours later when Amber made her way out of her room and walked down the hallway. She lingered for a moment just outside the kitchen door. Inhaling deeply, she gathered her thoughts and pushed the door open, stepping into the warm, inviting atmosphere. The mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked pizza filled the air, and her stomach growled in response. Dean stood at the counter, slicing the first tray of piping hot pizza that had just come out of the oven. Castiel was already seated, his piercing eyes fixed on Jack as he meticulously set the table with precision. Sam, half-buried in the fridge, was rummaging through its contents, finally straightening up, holding two bags of pre-cut green salads.
"Do you want to help me with these?" Sam asked, locking eyes with Amber as soon as she entered the room.
Amber wasn't entirely certain if Sam's request was a mere formality or if she was indeed given a choice. However, given the weight of their recent conversation, it didn't matter. She simply nodded, her gaze shifting to the bags of salads as she made her way further into the room.
Taking one of the bags, she followed Sam to the unoccupied area of the counter. Sam retrieved two bowls from the cupboards, handing one to Amber.
"So… Did you have a chance to think over the whole school deal?" Sam stated, initiating the conversation.
"I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about it," Amber admitted, opening the bag and pouring the greens in her bowl.
Sam glanced at his sister, his eyebrows arched in mild surprise. He had been expecting resistance. "That sounds like there's room for discussion," he remarked, noticing the hint of uncertainty in her response.
Amber, reaching up to grasp the bottle of olive oil from the cupboard above her head, remained silent for a few seconds. Her guarded thoughts concealed behind a neutral expression. With the salad now dressed in a drizzle of olive oil, sprinkles of salt, and a splash of vinegar, she turned her full attention to Sam, her eyes meeting his.
"You mentioned that you're still looking into this, right? Nothing set in stone yet? Particularly in terms of where?"
Sam shook his head, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Not yet," he confirmed, noticing the importance Amber placed on the location aspect.
Nodding in acknowledgment, Amber carried the bowl of salad, and placed it on the table with a resounding thud, drawing everyone's attention.
"Then I have a proposition."
Her words reverberated through the otherwise quiet kitchen, capturing the attention of Sam, Dean, Castiel, and Jack.
Amber chose her seat deliberately, allowing a pregnant pause to fill the room before she reached for a slice of pizza. Taking a contemplative bite, she prepared herself to unveil her idea.
"How about Sioux Falls?" she announced, after swallowing her first bite.
The adults in the room and even Jack turned towards her, their expressions a tapestry of confusion.
Dean sought clarification, "What about Sioux Falls?"
With deliberate composure, Amber took another bite of her pizza before responding, her voice carrying a resolute tone, "School. Sioux Falls. You know… Where Claire is going."
Silence enveloped the room.
Sam interjected, his concern etched on his face, "We live in Lebanon, Amber. I understand you can teleport, but we can't be separated from you for so many hours every day. We need to be close by in case anything happens."
Amber shook her head, her eyes alight with conviction, setting down her half-eaten slice of pizza. "I'm not suggesting just me zapping back and forth. I'm proposing that we all move to Sioux Falls.. Lucifer is currently out of the picture, and we have a home awaiting us there."
"We can't burden Jody for an entire school year, Amber," Dean shot down.
"I wasn't talking about Jody's house, Dean. Of course we can't impose on her like that. I was thinking about Bobby's place."
Her proposal hung in the air, a brief pause allowing the weight of her words to settle. Sensing the opportunity, Amber pressed on, her eyes filled with hope.
"I mean, consider this… We have a home in Sioux Falls. A real home with a living room, a porch, a garden, well not exactly a garden, but still! Actual windows that let in the sunlight, guys! And we have Jody and the girls there. A town, places to go, schools, a community college. I can picture myself attending school there. I can see us living there. I know it's not as safe as the bunker, at least in theory, but haven't we proved ourselves capable of warding a house effectively before? Besides, with Lucifer out of the equation we don't need to worry that much anymore."
As Amber's final words floated in the air, she scanned everyone's faces. "I understand it's a big ask. But we're trying to figure out how to move forward, and I truly believe it's our best option. We'll be close to Jody, and we'll be able to support each other more. Besides, I'll have a friend at the school I enroll in, even if it's in the middle of the year."
Sam's and Dean's countenances remained unreadable, guarded. Amber could tell their gears were turning, trying to figure out how they felt about the prospect.
Cas listened attentively to every word Amber spoke, his focus unwavering. He also noticed all of the unspoken thoughts and emotions she and Jack were diligently trying to shield from him. The intensity of their efforts to keep their minds locked was not lost on him. It hinted at a hidden depth, a secret they were guarding.
The room filled with tension, and a mutual understanding among the adults present that there was more to this proposal than what had been revealed. The true extent of the agenda remained a mystery, leaving them to wonder and speculate.
Sam's response came measured and composed, his voice steady despite his whirlwind of thoughts.
"That's not something that can be decided right here, right now," he said. He knew Amber had her points. He could understand her longing for a sense of normalcy—a real home, a community, and a place where she could belong. Deep down, he shared that desire as well. Always had been. He could envision them settling into Bobby's house, a place filled with some of his best childhood memories. But he couldn't shake the feeling that Dean might not be as receptive to the idea as he was. More than that, he could tell that Amber was once again omitting things, which didn't sit well with him at all.
"I know," Amber readily agreed with her brother. She didn't expect them to say yes that easily.
They never did. But the fact alone that they hadn't immediately shot the idea down, gave her hope. She tried to stop her brain from creating images of her and Kyle in Sioux Falls. Not only to avoid involuntarily projecting anything to Cas, but also to not get herself overly attached to the idea if it never happened. Or if they didn't succeed in their efforts to Save Kyle.
The atmosphere around the dinner table became tinged with silence as each of them retreated into their own thoughts, before Jack's voice interrupted the stillness.
"I want to go shopping tomorrow. I need clothes that actually fit," he declared.
The timing of Jack's request caught Sam off guard. He glanced at Jack surprised as he processed the words. Sure, he couldn't deny the practicality of it. Jack was currently wearing Dean's old and ill-fitting clothes. But then again Jack had never expressed any worry over how his clothes looked before, and Sam couldn't help but wonder about the underlying reasons behind this sudden desire. His gaze shifted briefly to Amber, searching for any hints of ulterior motives. Her expression mirrored his own surprise, suggesting that this was not a calculated move. Or at least it looked like it didn't.
Amusement danced in Amber's eyes as she spoke up, breaking the tension. "Is this because of Leslie?" she asked, a teasing smirk tugging at her lips.
Curiosity piqued, Castiel couldn't help but inquire, "Who is Leslie?" His concern for Jack was evident in his voice and the furrowed lines on his forehead.
Amber took a moment to explain, her smile growing wider. "She's a girl who likes Jack. We were practicing flirting with her last night," she revealed, clearly finding the situation amusing.
Dean choked on his beer upon hearing this, earning a glare from his sister and an annoyed glance from his brother. The unexpectedness of the situation had caught him off guard, momentarily leaving him speechless.
"Maybe next week, Jack. We have a nearby lead to check tomorrow, and we won't have enough time," Sam finally responded, doing a better job of concealing his amusement than Dean.
"I can take him," Amber offered.
Sam immediately dismissed the idea with a firm, "No, you're grounded."
Dean's eyes shifted between Sam and Amber upon hearing that. He imagined this had transpired during the door episode, but neither of his siblings had mentioned anything to him about Amber getting grounded.
"It'll only be for a couple of hours," Amber gave a small shrug, "I mean, if you're nearby, what's the problem? We'll go shopping in the morning and be back on time for lunch with Cas. I need a few things of my own too. I'll be back to being grounded within a couple of hours. It won't be like I'm going out for beers, or anything."
Sam, Dean, and Cas exchanged looks, their expressions filled with uncertainty. Amber sensed their skepticism and suspicion.
"Look, it's not like I have nothing better to do," Amber continued. "If you want him to keep walking around Lebanon whenever we're out, looking like that," she paused and gestured towards Jack, "then fine. Just know that we're already getting strange looks. It's only a matter of time before someone starts asking questions..."
That statement caught their attention. Dean examined the worn-out flannel Jack was wearing, with faded but visible stains. The kid's jeans had a small rip on the left knee, and his boots were clearly old and damaged. Amber had a valid point. Dean imagined the contrast between Amber, dressed in mostly new and nice clothes, and Jack next to her. It was only a matter of time before someone became also saw the logic in Amber's reasoning and noticed that she didn't seem particularly enthusiastic about going with Jack. However, he still had reservations. How could he be completely certain?
"Only if Cas comes with you," Sam offered the only option he felt comfortable with.
Amber considered this, her fork twirling as she mulled this over in her head, thinking of how they'd navigate having the angel with them and still get to Sioux Falls in time. An idea forming in her head, she finally nodded.
"Fine, I guess I can live with that," she agreed.
Amber looked at Cas and felt a twinge of guilt. It wasn't entirely his fault that her brothers had assigned him to guard-dog duty. If she were honest with herself, it wasn't solely Sam's and Dean's fault either. Once again, she grew frustrated with her own emotions, which had taken complete control over the past few weeks. If she had kept a lower profile, they wouldn't be in this predicament now.
Shifting her focus on the opportunity that Jack had opened up for them, she felt her heart race. This was their Trojan Horse. She was so thankful Jack had come up with this request for shopping the way he had. They could have made it happen, even if they had to stay in the bunker tomorrow. But that involved the risk of the brothers taking Jack with them to their lead chasing. It was, after all, part of his hunting training regime. But Jack had managed to find a way out.
Dean felt a small surge of relief. Taking Jack with them tomorrow would be just an extra thing to be worried and vigilant about. And all he wanted was a quiet ride without a million questions from this overgrown nephilim-kid and a billion explanations for every little thing they did.
"Fine, we'll go with that. I hope I don't need to say this, but I will anyway... You go to the mall, you stay in the mall. You do the shopping, you listen to Cas, and return home. No detours. Capish?" Dean asked firmly.
Jack eagerly nodded.
"Alright," Amber replied, doing her best to feign annoyance when, in reality, she felt relief and excitement. She hoped that by this time tomorrow, Kyle would be back, hopefully safe and sound.
Amber meticulously reviewed her mental checklist for what felt like the millionth time that morning. Holding her cold mug of coffee she paced around her room with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. Every step of the spell was carefully documented in a detailed, step-by-step guide she had prepared, just in case. She had not only sent a copy to Claire, but also took a photo of it to store on her phone and kept the physical paper tucked securely in her pocket, ensuring that she wouldn't forget any crucial details. She kept Claire updated via texts, sharing every pertinent she had sought a moment of tranquility. Sitting amidst her collection of crystals, she closed her eyes and engaged in a meditative practice, following the process Castiel had guided her though so many times before, allowing her mind to clear and her energy to align.
As she surveyed her backpack, she checked the assortment of items she had gathered for their journey. Among them was a demon blade, a small gun she had borrowed from the bunker's arsenal for added protection, and the cherished silver blade gifted to her by Kyle on her birthday. She made sure to include vials of holy water, a lighter, and a set of matches, recognizing their potential usefulness in the face of the unknown. Claire, too, would carry her archangel blade and a few weapons of her own as an additional precautionary measure.
A glance at her phone's screen revealed the early hour: 7 a.m. It struck her that she had hardly slept a wink the night before. Her emotions, ranging from excitement to trepidation, guilt and worry, had kept her mind restless throughout the night. She had still managed to rise at 5:30, and get herself showered, dressed, and caffeinated. Since then, her mind had been consumed with the relentless fixation on not forgetting any essential item or detail. Taking in a shaky breath, she finally concluded that everything they could possibly plan for was in order. Eager to distract herself and pass the remaining hours, she made her way to the kitchen to pour herself a fresh, steaming cup of coffee.
Stepping into the kitchen she headed directly to the sink. After emptying her mug's cold remains in it, she refilled it with hot coffee from the pot. Taking a whiff she inhaled the comforting aroma, and remained watching the steam swirling upwards before gradually vanishing. Her eyes traveled to the ticking clock on the wall that reminded her there were still two more hours to patiently endure. As she turned to lean on the counter, she gasped upon spotting Castiel, seated at the table, staring at her with a pensive expression. Lost in her thoughts she had failed to notice or sense him.
"There is something going on," Castiel stated, his voice carrying an undercurrent of concern.
"What? Does it have to do with Sam and Dean's lead?" Amber quickly responded, feigning ignorance while fully aware of the angel's implication.
"No, it has to do with whatever you and Jack are trying to conceal. Amber, I've already informed your brothers that something is amiss. I understand your desire for privacy, but I'm genuinely worried. Please, talk to me. What is going on?"
"Nothing's going on, Cas!" Amber replied dismissively, attempting to downplay the situation. Lacing her tone with annoyance she added, " I'm just teaching Jack that he has the right to his privacy and making sure he knows to protect his mind. He needs to learn early on that in this house some things are not taken for granted, like said right to privacy."
"Your brothers would not have any issue to respect your privacy if your behavior did not worry them to this extent," the angel countered.
Deciding not to comment on that, Amber simply shook her head. "Anyways, what you're thinking is a "plot" or whatever, is merely two people keeping their minds the private place it should be."
The sound of footsteps interrupted their conversation, and Sam entered the kitchen, having overheard Amber's last words. His knowing gaze fixed upon her, his words carrying his skepticism.
"I hope you're being truthful, Amber. Because we have a lot of reasons to doubt what you just said. And you know our honesty policy."
Choosing not to engage in an argument, Amber refrained from commenting on Sam's words. She was well aware that any discord could jeopardize their plans for the day, and she wanted to avoid aggravating her brothers unnecessarily. More than that, she couldn't guarantee that her response wouldn't be provocative, potentially leading to an abrupt change of plans regarding their mission—a disastrous outcome.
Taking a sip of her coffee, she met Sam's gaze and simply said, "I've made coffee for everyone. Help yourself." With those words, she left the kitchen, making her way to Jack's room. Softly knocking on his door, she entered swiftly, shutting the door behind her.
"Good morning," Jack greeted her with a smile, his heightened senses picking up on her unstable energy and deep-seated worries even before she fully entered the room. "You need to calm down. Remember, stressing yourself out won't help with locking your mind, and we still have a couple of hours with Cas."
Amber let out a weary sigh and settled onto his neatly made bed, clutching the mug in her trembling hands. She knew he was right. She had taught him that.
"I know. I'm just... freaked out. It's finally showtime. But if I mess this up..."
"You won't mess anything up. I've seen the amount of effort you've put into every detail..."
"Sometimes hard work isn't enough, Jack. We're going to need luck. Lots and lots of luck to make this work."
Jack's face creased with concern upon hearing her words. Taking a seat beside her, he asked, "Are you sure you still want to go through with this? Are you sure you and Claire will be safe?"
"No, Jack, I'm not sure. How could I be? We've already discussed this. The odds are against us, that's a fact. Even though I've done everything within my power and control, there's so much that's beyond my grasp. But I can't live with myself if I don't at least try."
Sensing her determination, Jack simply nodded.
"You remember the plan, right? You'll hold down the fort and remain vigilant for any telepathic messages I send. You'll only follow us through the rift if I..."
"If you use the code word. I have memorized the plan," Jack assured her. "We've been over this many times. I won't pick up any calls from anyone while we're there and I'll only go off plan if you give the order telepathically or if we completely lose contact with each other."
Amber nodded, finding some comfort in his presence as she rested her head on his shoulder, attempting to ignore the knot of fear twisting in her stomach. Not so much for her own safety, but mostly for Kyle's, Jack's and Claire's. She couldn't help but wonder if she'd find Kyle alive on the other side.
Guns & Roses played lowly in the Impala, their timeless rock anthems reverberating through Baby's speakers, infusing the air with a touch of rebellious energy. The rhythmic hum of the engine melded with the music, as the Impala sped along the quiet country road. Rays of golden sunlight filtered through the lush green canopy of trees, casting dappled shadows on the road, as if nature itself was swaying to the rhythm of the music.
Dean's gaze was distant, fixed on the road ahead, tracing its turns and swirls. He observed the rhythmic disappearance of the white lines on the asphalt beneath the car as they maintained a steady speed. Sam was lost in his phone, reading an article on the mysterious disappearance of 3 civilians in a nearby town, scanning for supernatural red flags.
"Do you think it has to do with Kyle?" Dean's unexpected question made Sam turn his head and look at his brother with a pensive expression. Dean didn't need to further explain himself. Sam could easily follow his train of thought and what he meant even without his brother spelling it all out. And it had nothing to do with their current lead.
"I'm afraid it could be, yeah. Though, after sharing everything we did with her yesterday, I think she might be starting to finally reconsider."
Dean bobbed his head skeptically, and his fingers drummed nervously against the wheel. "You really think so? 'Cause I'm scared shitless she's gonna go headfirst into an effort to save him behind our backs. You heard Cas... She and Jack keep trying to keep him out of their minds. Trying too hard… I don't think this is just covering their asses over breaking a few rules… On the contrary, she's been rubbing our faces in every rule she brakes. Deliberately. No, this must be something bigger. They must be planning something."
Sam sighed. Dean was probably right. It wasn't the first time they were having this conversation. But no matter how many times they talked about this, it always led to a dead end. He glanced out of his window at the annoyingly beautiful day and wondered if Dean was right.
"But... Dean, what can we do? What can we truly do? We don't want her to suffer, but with all the possible repercussions... All the 'what ifs'... Huge 'what ifs'! We've analyzed all the scenarios, and most of them are haunting. And we've been through them, again and again. The two of us, with Amber, too. We couldn't possibly risk this..."
"I'm not saying we're wrong, Sammy. I'm not saying we'd be in our right minds doing this. I'm not saying we should be doing this. I'm not doubting our decision. I'm saying I'm worried Amber will do this. Or at least try to. Which could be..."
"Disastrous," Sam finished his sentence, a hand rubbing at his face. Lowering his hand, his gaze wandered to the worn journal lying on his lap, filled with scribbled notes and sketches of sigils they had tried in their desperate attempts to draw Kyle back without risking a rift opening. The weight of their failure hung heavy in the air, mingling with the scent of leather and old pages. His glance shifted at the window again, this time focusing on his reflection in it. He looked tired. Older. His heart and Dean's, too, were heavy with the burden of responsibility, torn between their desire to protect their sister and their world and the realization of how much pain this was causing her.
"We've done everything we can, Dean. We've let her blow out some steam, we're keeping a short of a leash as possible considering she's a nephilim who can jump continents in seconds, we've talked through everything time and time again," Sam listed all of their efforts, trying to reassure himself along with Dean. "We now even told her we tried to save Kyle. Maybe now that she knows we did, she'll be able to let this go. Maybe she'll accept it and stop. Maybe it will make her realize there is no way to save him…" Sam tried weakly, but Dean interrupted him.
"Will it? Or will it push her to do the only thing we refuse to try?"
"You really think she'll figure out a way to make a successful attempt? I mean, even if she has managed to find out about the rift-opening spell, she still won't have access to the main ingredient. Just like we don't."
"I don't know, Sam. I really don't."
Dean's voice was laced with uncertainty. The weight of their recent decisions bore heavily on his mind. And he wasn't used to feeling this vulnerable or uncertain. This was a new territory that came with raising Amber.
"Give Cas a call, will you?" Dean then asked, wanting to make sure everything was alright back home. His eyes focused on the road, he listened to Sam talking briefly with the angel and confirming everything was fine and that they were just getting in the car. Letting out a relieved breath, Dean drove on, trying to ignore the vice-like grip that clenched his stomach.
"Yes, everything is fine, Sam. We were just about to get in the car," Castiel sent through the phone, his voice calm but tinged with a hint of weariness.
"Shotgun!" Amber called out loudly, her voice carrying a mix of playful enthusiasm, as she swiftly ran to the passenger's door and eagerly settled herself inside the sleek Challenger.
"Yes... We'll talk later," the angel confirmed, before ending the call and taking his own seat behind the wheel. Jack climbed into the backseat with a touch of hesitation, not managing to completely mask his concern for Castiel in his worried expression.
Amber discreetly watched from the corner of her eye as Cas inserted the key into the ignition. With a telepathic "now" transmitted to Jack, she observed the other Nephilim raise his hand and gently touch the back of Castiel's head with his index finger. A surge of energy passed between them. Amber acted swiftly, catching the unconscious angel just before he could collapse onto her. Carefully, she maneuvered his senseless body into a position she hoped would provide some semblance of comfort, ensuring his weight rested on the driver's seat and the sturdy support of the driver's door.
"Are you sure he'll be alright?" Jack asked, his voice thick with genuine concern. The weight of their actions evoking guilt and worry to surge inside him. The mere thought of facing the angel later, unsure of his forgiveness, made his stomach clench uncomfortably.
"He's fine, Jack. You can sense it too," Amber reassured him. "It's an induced sleep, nothing harmful about it, I promise. It will just buy us the time we need. If we didn't knock him out he'd sense us gone and contact Sam and Dean immediately. We couldn't let that happen."
Sensing his underlying anxiety, she added, her tone carrying a touch of determination, "It will be fine. Sam and Dean will be mad, that's a fact. But Castiel... he never gets angry. Just worried. He'll understand, trust me. And if things go south and Sam and Dean bring down the hammer, I'll take the burn. Or at least I'll try to. Can't promise it will work, but I will try. That's why I asked you a million times if you're sure you're willing to do this."
Jack nodded, finding some reassurance in Amber's words and the shared responsibility they bore.
"Okay. See you at Bobby's," Amber said with a strained smile, the reality of what they were about to do hitting her like a truck.
A second later, she and Jack materialized in their operational center, Bobby's dining room. Amber's lips curled into a soft smile as she realized the profound connection she now shared with Bobby Singer, a man whose impact resonated through the lives of her brothers and her father. She might've never met him, but he ended up a sort of a guiding force, offering assistance to her own cause, too. She moved purposefully to the table, shrugging off her backup and carefully placing it on the heavy worn wooden table that served as the centerpiece of this room, cluttered with vials, herbs, and curious artifacts. The air around them carried a faint aroma of incense. Time seemed suspended even as its unrelenting passing pressured for action.
They heard the back door opening and closing, Claire walking into the room a few seconds later. Her face mirrored the same spark of thrill it held whenever she was going on a hunt. In a sense, this endeavor was not that different from a hunting trip.
"Goodmorning, bitches! Showtime," Claire said, her tone reflecting excitement and carefully concealed worry.
"Hey, Claire," Amber greeted, as Jack forced out a small smile, his fear and anxiety growing by the second.
Not wishing to waste any more time, Amber swiftly unzipped her backpack, revealing its contents. She retrieved Kyle's knife, its beautiful handle with the large amber stone carrying the weight of their memories together. Addressing Claire, she spoke with a sense of urgency, her eyes filled with determination. "Make sure you have everything we discussed, alright?"
Not expecting a response, Amber reached into her pocket and pulled out two pieces of paper. The guide she had created, and the words of the spell, neatly scribbled out. Placing them on the table, she leaned against it, taking a moment to steady herself. With a deep breath, she grasped the paper with the spell's words, closing her backpack and securing it on her shoulders. She then turned to face Claire and Jack.
"Alright, guys, this is it. Last chance to step back. No hard feelings," Amber's voice came out serious and strong, hiding the vulnerability she felt in that moment. She hoped that they would stand beside her. Despite her attempts to exude strength for Jack's sake, fear gnawed at her. The weight of the task ahead was immense, and she knew she couldn't face it alone. She didn't want to face this alone. And she was quite sure that she wouldn't be able to pull it off without their help.
"In or out?" she asked with finality.
"In," Claire responded, rolling her eyes at what she considered was Amber being over-dramatic, even though deep down, she understood the gravity of the situation.
"In," Jack nodded, his gaze reflecting his commitment despite his apprehension.
"The bowl is ready. The only thing missing is Kyle's knife and your blood," Claire informed them.
Amber closed her eyes, shutting out the external world and channeling the power within her. Her hair seemed to dance in the air as she reopened her eyes, which were now glinting golden. Holding the small piece of paper before her, she walked toward the intricately drawn sigil, standing directly over it. Nestled in the center of the symbol was an iron bowl, its contents carefully arranged —the culmination of their arduous efforts. Though unable to collect the exact ingredients required for the original spell, they had improvised, substituting with elements they believed would serve the same purpose, through a different path.
Amber's voice filled the room as she commenced the incantation. Kyle's knife, charged with his unique essence, was held high above the bowl. It symbolized her connection to him, an anchor they hoped would guide them to the desired "other side." With deliberate precision, she made a small cut on the back of her arm, allowing her blood to trickle into the waiting bowl. The knife followed suit, its silver blade splattered with crimson droplets. As her fist clenched, a final stream of blood mingled with the concoction, infusing it with the essence of her grace.
Jack stepped forward, mirroring Amber's actions, his own knife cutting into his flesh. The crimson flow mingled with the mixture.
As the last drops of blood joined the swirling concoction, the first faint rumbles started. Jack and Claire exchanged worried glances, uncertainty etched across their faces. Unfazed, Amber continued her chant, her voice steady and resolute. The rumbles turned into intense tremors that shook the ground below their feet.
Suddenly, an intense light erupted within the room, illuminating it with an otherworldly radiance. The vibrations became stronger, causing the house to quake in response. With bated breath, Amber, Jack, and Claire watched in awe as a rift slowly materialized before their eyes. It appeared smaller than the one created during Jack's birth, but otherwise identical. Relief welled up in Amber's eyes, and as the last words of the spell flew from her lips, she took in a shaky breath. They had done it. The first step of their mission was successfully accomplished.
"Alright," she said, her voice trembling, her gaze locking with Claire's. "Let's go save Kyle."
A/N:
Thoughts?
Anything you loved or hated in this chapter?
Did you expect Amber's request about Sioux Falls?
Anything you'd love to see in the next chapters?
Review and let me know!
P.S. And don't hesitate to PM me if you'd like to help me out by giving me your perspective/ideas on certain parts of a certain chapter :)