Hey everyone, I'm sorry for the slow updates. Life got in the way so I am having a hard time in finding the time to write. I hope you all enjoy. Thanks!
Chapter Five
It was hard for any of the three men to sleep that night even with the Angel giving them a small amount of grace to each. They were all worried about how they were able to get Christina back and if she would be the same. Castiel had continued to try and calm the small group as much as he could by reassuring them he could still hear her prayers though faintly. But it seemed that no matter what he said it would bring the family deeper into closed his eyes not because he was tired, as he didn't need to sleep, but to try and hear more of Christina's prayers. But he could only hear her brothers' prayers of a safe and quick return. He knew how much they love their sister and it hurt Castiel that he couldn't save her himself.
"You know I keep forgettin' that you don't sleep," Bobby said as he stepped into the living room after grabbing a water bottle from the fridge. "Let's just let me know before hand. 'Bout had a heart attack."
"Do you need me to heal you?" Castiel asked suddenly concerned for the older hunter.
"No, I'm to stubborn to leave this world from a heart attack. But you shouldn't sit in the dark. But I bet if you could sleep you'd still have a problem sleeping."
Castiel silently nodded. "It's difficult for my mind to stop worrying about Christina and her wellbeing. I only hope I could help ease Dean's and Sam's mind from the worry."
"They'd appreciate it if you just keep an ear open to anyone that might help."
Castiel nodded knowing that Bobby wasn't really demanding just wanted to get a solution to bring home their loved one. Castiel watched as the older hunter slipped back into his room and went back to closing his eyes trying to picture what the youngest Winchester was doing.
~DSCWIN~
The rain swept over the plain walking up Christina who didn't know she had fallen unconscious. She slowly sat up and lifted her face to the sky feeling the heavy droplets land on her face feeling like small pebbles being dropped on her. She glanced over at the barn and knowing she would be needing to get rid of the Vampire's body she stood up and walked over to the body and began to drag it to the door. Careful Christina opened the small door and checked inside smiling at how dry and warm the building was but she didn't think she would be able to stay as the wind outside began to howl the body and tossing some straw that had been littered all over the floor Christina first made sure that the body and the head were together, as she didn't want anyone to stumble on it, although with how bad the storm was getting she didn't think anyone would venture out in slowly sat down and leaned against the wall closest the door taking in a deep breath at the wet earth that she loved the most all her life. She shivered and pulled off her jacket, wringing out most of the water it had and hung it on a nail that was protruding out of a beam next to her. She normally didn't mind being out in the rain but now being so alone she felt like a little child. Pulling her knees closer to her chin she softly began to sob as she was now scared. Afraid she will never see her brothers again. That whoever sent her there and brought monsters along with them she was scared of who and what is out to get her.
A loud clap of thunder made her jump and she could see that the ground nearest the body had ignited. The flames spread quickly towards across the straw covered floor. She leapt to her feet and rushed out of the barn ignoring her jacket on the nail. Within minutes the fire spread and consumed the building, the rain slowing down to a drizzle to prevent the flames from dying out. Christina trembled as she dared to move closer to try and stay warm. But as the flames started to become more dangerous she backed up and regretted it as the rain regained power and the drops pelted her making her soaked within stood there watching as the barn collapsed onto itself shooting up sparks into the sky only to be quickly doused by the rain. The smoke and the fact she was starting to get sick by how cold she was she shook and cried. Whoever did this to her was going to pay dearly. She glared at the collapsed barn and thought back on what the vampress had told her right before she died.
"You should know I never wanted this! He said to get rid of you! You'll never get back to your brothers!" The vampress' voice was sinking deeper inside Christina's body causing her to shiver more. "You won't touch him! He will make sure you never leave!"
Christina fell to her knees as her body was cold, weak and starting to sweat from fever. The barn had been doused for only for a few minutes as it still continued to smolder. She looked around to see the sky slowly turning light blue and purple as the sun was starting to creep up in the horizon. She slowly stood up and started to walk towards down ignoring the numbness from the cold rain. She had to make sure her new friends were honest about her coming back to stay and to work.
~DSCWIN~
Detective William Murdoch had reservations on coming into work, knowing what had happened last night. His mind buzzed with how worried he was of Julia and of Christina as she was on her own. Even if both Julia and Christina assured him that everything was going to be okay. He paused just outside the morgue before taking in a breath and walking inside. Julia, despite having a rough time going to sleep the night before, was working on getting herself ready to receive bodies to start her autopsies. She looked up and smiled up at the Detective.
"Good morning William." Dr. Ogden said hanging up her coat from the rack. "Sleep well?"
"I was about to ask you the same." Detective Murdoch said with a shy smile. "Did Christina come back? I don't believe I stayed that late."
"No she didn't return at all." Dr. Ogden said her voice soft and full of worry. "But I'm sure she's alright. She seemed like someone who can take care of herself."
"That may be true," Detective William agreed his voice not sure he believed it completely. "But I just can't help but feel that something bad has happened to her."
Dr. Ogden smiled and warmly placed a hand on his arm. "William, I'm sure she'll be alright. However you need to go to work. If we don't hear anything of her by tonight then we'll search."
"I'm not sure if that is very safe." Detective Murdoch said still shaken by the attack the previous night. "But I must head into work. Please promise me you won't go searching for Christina by yourself."
"I promise, William." Dr. Ogden smiled. "You have my word.
"Detective Murdoch smiled and walked out not wanting to be late for his own station house was in its usual array of bustle when Detective Murdoch gathered any messages he might have had and headed for his office. He paused at the empty constable desk nearest to the front and saw it didn't look as though anyone had even been assigned to it. He spotted a few looks from the constables and he forced his way into his he closed his door he sunk into his office chair and scanned over his messages Constable Crabtree knocked softly on his door and stepped inside his office. "What can I do for you, George?" He asked already familiar with all the questions the young Constable had in his mind.
"Sir, I just received notice that one of the barns we found yesterday went up in flames. There is talk that it was due to the storm last night but other believed it was Arson. Inspector Brackenreid wants us to investigate."
"Very well George." Detective Murdoch said and leapt to his feet. He followed Constable Crabtree out of the Station House and climbed on his bike.
~DSCWIN~
Dean woke up with a start as he had a nightmare of his sister being chased by every monster the three of them had put down in their past. He wiped away the sweat from his forehead as he slowly took in breaths to calm himself down. He knew his sister was a capable hunter and was impressed that she was able to stay alive and learn on her own. But he being the older brother it was ingrained in him to protect and be there for his younger siblings despite them both saying he didn't need to.
"Couldn't sleep either?" Sam asked bringing Dean out of his sleepy brain fog to realize he had been sitting in his bed close to tears.
"Bad dream." Dean admitted not caring about Sam teasing him about being soft. "We need to get her back."
"And we will." Sam said appearing next to his older brother. "Cas and Bobby are doing their best to find a way to get her back. I'm just as worried as you are."
Dean sighed knowing that he couldn't do anything and that Sam was indeed right. "Alright fine. Let's find us a case so we can get our minds off of this."
Sam nodded silently. He climbed out of bed and gathered his clothes to take with him, while Dean laid back down and tried to keep his mind from thinking about the dangers his sister was in.
~DSCWIN~
Detective Murdoch felt uneasy when he arrived seeing the smoldering wreckage from the fire. His stomach twisted hoping that Christina wasn't inside that when it happened as he remembered her saying she was going alone to this place. He also felt like he was in a crossroads of guilt not knowing if she was involved with arson or if this was just an act of god. When he arrived he noticed that Doctor Ogden had just arrived herself and she was looking pale but not for what she might find but for something Detective Murdoch must ask her in semi private means.
"Detective," Doctor Ogden said before walking up when she had stepped off the morgue issued wagon. "I was informed there had been a body."
"I did not hear that." Detective Murdoch said with a slight surprised look. "Why wasn't I informed of this, George?"
"Well, sir," Constable Crabtree said clearing his throat from nerves. He leaned in closer between Detective Murdoch and Doctor Ogden and kept his voice low and tried to be steady. "I had just been informed of this plus we found a jacket that...Constable Winchester had been wearing when she first arrived had been found near the are the entrance was located. So they believe the body could be hers."
Detective Murdoch felt his stomach fall with the possibility of having to determine the identity of the body. "Thank you, George. Please try and do a perimeter to see if you can find some evidence." Constable Crabtree nodded and taking a few more other constables they began to walk a perimeter while Detective Murdoch slowly walked towards Doctor Ogden who stood off to the side of the area as the fire brigade was seeing if there was a dead body.
"William," Doctor Ogden said her voice pleasant but also sounded a bit more tired then this morning. "I wanted to say if you would come and accompany me with the body back to the morgue. I've already asked Inspector Brackenreid if you could. He gave his approval."
Detective Murdoch felt confused but nodded after a few minutes of silence. "I'll be sure to stop at the Morgue when we are done here."
Doctor Ogden smiled and nodded. "Thank you, William." She then looked over when the captain of the firehouse waved for them to come over. Detective Murdoch helped Doctor Ogden over to a severely burnt remains that clearly looked to be missing their head, which was discovered a few feet away, also severely burnt. "Looks like this poor soul was trapped inside this building when it caught fire. However knowing that this was an old barn, my feeling is that a stray bolt of lightning came and caught straw on fire."
"But how can someone loose their head?" Detective Murdoch asked trying to sound like he wasn't going to accuse anyone even though he had a feeling who this person was.
"By just looking looks like this person lost their head before their body succumbed to the flames. But I won't know completely until we get them back to the morgue."
Constable Crabtree walked up after looking over the perimeter of barn looking a bit pale in his face. "Sir," he said clearing his throat making both Detective Murdoch and Doctor Ogden turn and look at him. "I found this amongst some blood stained reeds. I'm surprised that the rain didn't wash it away. But I recognize it as one we had from the Police Station. Sir, you don't think it could be Constable Winchester, do you?"
"I don't think so, George." Detective Murdoch said clearing his throat and standing up. "But we will get to the bottom of this when I get back at the station. For now I need to follow Doctor Ogden back at the morgue. By what I'm seeing here, I don't think it was arson but natural based."
"Sounds good, Sir." Constable said seeing the uneasiness in Detective Murdoch's eyes as he walked Doctor Ogden back to her carriage. "I shall inform Inspector Brackenreid that you will accompany Doctor Ogden at the morgue."
"Thank you again, George." Detective Murdoch forced a smile as he usually did to remain professional. "Doctor Ogden I will meet you back at the Morgue. I would need to make sure my bike gets back to the Station house safely."
"I understand, Detective." Julia said with a tired smile. "I will see you at the morgue." She smiled and climbed into her carriage to head back to do her job.
Detective Murdoch watched as Julia left before looking over at Constable Crabtree who handed him a notebook he had found just a few feet away from the burned down barn. "What's this, George?"
"Sir, it's an issued notebook we all have." Constable Crabtree said his voice soft. "Nobody else spotted it, and I know I'm going against everything I promise to withhold with me being a police constable. But I believe it was Christina's notebook. It was underneath a burned piece of fabric that looked like a jacket. Like the same jacket she wore when we first found her."
Detective Murdoch felt his stomach twist, making him grateful that he wasn't going back to the Station house. "Thank you, George..." He said his voice getting soft. "I'd like it if you don't say anything until I can get an answer from Christina...If I find her."
"Yes, sir." Constable Crabtree said his head lowering. "Best you keep the book...just in case I drop it somewhere."
"Thank you, George." Detective Murdoch said before heading to his bike sliding the slightly burnt book into his jacket. His head was in the clouds but, he had days were his mind was whirling with inventions or questions on cases. One of those questions was how to make reasonable explanations to why he wasn't going to not pursue certain cases. He let his mind continue to wonder but didn't let it distract him into getting to the Morgue safely.
Once he placed his bike up against the wall of the Station House next door, Murdoch made his way to the Morgue and walked in.
"... We will make this work. It's going to be tough, but I know you can do this. You've told me the many times you had to survive on your own." Julia's voice was soft and caring as if she was talking to a young child.
A string of soft coughs was followed by some sneezing. "Thanks, Julia." Christina's voice was raspy and clearly she was sick. "But this isn't my time. My brothers most likely going insane knowing they can't help me. "Also I feel terrible knowing that Detective Murdoch's reputation is on the line because of the nature of my job."
Detective Murdoch turned around the corner and saw Christina looking pale glance up at him. He was relieved to see that she was still alive and before he could react Julia stood up and blocked him from getting closer to Christina and possibly arresting her. "Don't worry Julia, I'm not going to attack or arrest her."
"Thank you, Detective." Christina said before going into another coughing fit. "I could come to work if I-"
"No you must head to Julia's and rest. Get your health and strength back. I will explain to the Inspector what had happened." Detective Murdoch quickly walked out and headed into the Station House. As if he knew what was going to happen he was standing and waiting for Inspector Brackenreid to stop talking with Constable Crabtree, who looked like he was about to faint from the verbal bashing the Inspector was giving him. "Inspector I need to talk to you." Detective said quickly making Constable Crabtree happy he could have a brief moment of reprieve.
"Murdoch," Inspector Brackenreid lead the Detective into his office. "What have you got for me?" He asked pouring him a glass of his choice of liquor.
"Sir, the fire was caused by the storm last night. One in a million chance that someone unfortunately was trapped inside. Also I'm sure someone might have mentioned that a constable's notepad was found at the crime scene, I can confirm that it was just a red herring. Constable Crabtree accidently dropped his when he did his rounds the other day helping Constable Winchester's request of finding abandoned buildings."
"And where is this Constable Winchester?" Inspector Brackenreid asked placing his hands on his hips.
"She is at Doctor Ogden's house sick. I take it where she is from she's not accustomed to this area. So please don't let her loose this job. She is quite handy as she a great protector as well."
Inspector Brackenreid nodded and took in a slow deep breath. "Very fine, Murdoch. I'm giving her another chance since I value your opinion. But that better not leave this office if you hear me."
"Of course sir." Detective Murdoch smiled and nodded. "If I may sir, I'm sure there might be an actual murder I must look in to."
"Yeah, best you get back to work."
Detective Murdoch smiled and head out of the office hoping there was indeed a murder, even though he didn't like the thought of death, it will be better to get his mind off of the knowledge that there was supernatural monsters out there, and the only one that could help them, was a woman from another time.