Fic: Crossover: Supernatural: Silent Hill: Dean, Cas (9/15)
Sorry this one took so long guys, for those of you that missed my post in this journal, i've been on vacation.
Title: Supernatural: Silent Hill
Author: nicole9514
Rating: R
Chapters: 9/15 (still editing/writing, but i'm almost positive on the 15 total)
Warnings: gore, blood, disturbing imagery, violence, language
Genre: Crossover/AU on the silent hill front
Spoilers: season five Supernatural, Silent Hill film, and Silent Hill 1 and 2 video games.
Characters: Focus on Dean and Castiel friendship or pre-slash depending on your preference, but some Sam and Bobby as well.
Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or Silent Hill, I'm only playing with them.
A/N: I blatantly steal elements/scenarios from the Silent Hill film, and Silent Hill 1 and 2 video games, but I've also created some of my own canon/expanded/changed characters and other elements to create an insane trip to Silent Hill tailor made for Dean and Cas, hence the AU part of this fic.
Special Thanks: to my beta skylar_matthews
Summary: Dean and Cas get trapped in Silent Hill. Sam and Bobby are on the outside trying to find them - will they find a way out...
Word Count:3000 (total 39,797 total)
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7
Chapter 8
All the pyramid head freak had to do was open the door, come in, and slaughter them.
So why wasn’t it?
Dean could feel it standing there - could hear the bugs digging.
Was it toying with them?
Dean tried to lick his lips, but his mouth felt like sandpaper.
He wiped each palm on his jeans and glanced at Cas.
Cas’s breathing had returned to normal but his skin was slick with sweat, his eyes unfocused.
Dean reached out, terror sweeping over him. If Cas had another fit now, it was all over. His hand tightened around Cas’s forearm, squeezing until Cas blinked and focused on him.
Dean pointed at Cas, then at his eyes. Silently asking if he was seeing something.
Cas shook his head, then pointed to his ears.
Dean strained to listen to anything other than the pounding of his own heart, or the scrambling feet of those horrible bugs.
After a moment he heard it.
Voices. Soft. Distant.
The handle on the door rattled and Dean forgot all about anything else.
He chanced a quick glance over the top of the desk and saw the knob start to turn.
He sunk back down, the door creaked open at an excruciatingly slow pace.
Dean heard something skittering, the desk vibrated, a pencil clattered to the floor next to the hunter and rolled across the ground, stopping when it hit the wall.
Dean had stopped breathing, his eyes were burning, he remembered to blink.
A brush against his hair. Dean swallowed, and started to jerk his head upward but felt Cas dig his fingers into his shoulder. Dean got the message and raised his head very slowly.
A tremulous hiss, sounded above him. Dean lifted his chin and got a good up close view of the biggest insect he’d ever seen.
It was perched at the edge of the desk, antenna fluttering; Dean got the impression it was smelling him. The hard shell on its back pulsated, its front legs trembled slightly and Dean didn’t see any eyes. He slowly started to lift the pipe hoping to catch it off guard.
The door creaked open further. More chattering, more skittering.
Dean froze.
Death by mutated bugs. Awesome.
Harsh, raspy breathing.
Two heavy footfalls.
A dragging sound.
Looked like it might be death by a giant blade instead.
Over the drumbeats of his heart, Dean heard the sound of that siren.
He twitched, the bug spun, he heard papers rustling, a few floated to the floor around them, then a thump.
He saw Cas rising slightly, and despite his wobbly legs Dean did the same. The bugs were heading towards the half open door, climbing on top of each other in their hurry to leave the room.
Dean’s gaze lifted higher and he caught a glimpse of that giant sword vanishing.
Mr. Sunshine was leaving. Dean could hear the sounds of his footfalls getting farther and farther away. Maybe it was past his bedtime or maybe whoever was calling the shots had called him off.
Dean honestly didn’t give a shit.
That was one monster he didn’t want to face without a machine gun and an army.
When the sounds faded entirely, Dean, still riding his adrenaline high let out a shaky, quiet laugh and blurted, “you think that dude was trying to compensate for something?”
Cas opened his mouth, then closed it. “What?”
Dean laughed again. “The size of his sword, Cas. Did you see that thing?”
Cas gaped at him - his expression one of complete bewilderment.
Dean reached out and ruffled Cas’s already messy hair. If he kept doing touchy-feely shit like that he was going to seriously tarnish his tough guy image, but at the moment he was too happy that they were both alive to care.
Cas wrinkled his forehead and glared. “Dean.”
Dean didn’t like Cas‘s tone. “If you are going to say anything that even remotely relates to us going our separate ways - I will kill you.”
Cas rolled his eyes. “That’s not what I was going to say.”
Dean mentally snorted. Cas must have picked that little gesture up from Sammy. Yeah because you never roll your eyes. Dean ignored his inner voice, it was such a pain in the ass sometimes.
The room started to shift again silencing them both. This was really starting to get old.
More foot steps, this time softer.
The fun never stopped in Silent Hill.
The classroom had finished remodeling itself again. Dean was willing to bet those windows would open up now.
Muffled voices-human voices-echoed in the hallway.
Cas cocked his head, Dean tensed.
“Hello,” a gruff man’s voice called out surprising Dean. So far nothing they’d encountered here had been big on communication.
Cas simply raised an eyebrow.
Dean took one last look at the window. Confronting the stranger was a risk; one they had to take. This might be their only chance to find out what was going on from someone who wasn’t a creature from the black lagoon.
“Guess we should go say hi,” Dean whispered.
Cas nodded.
Dean stood, ready to fight. Human or not. There was no way he was letting his guard down for one second until they got out of Silent Hill.
Cas rose moments later, looking fairly steady.
Using simple hand gestures Dean communicated his plan to Cas.
They each took up position on one side of the door and waited.
“Is someone there?” a woman this time, high-pitched.
The door knob turned; Dean raised his weapon.
It opened, a man walked in, gray hair, beard, dressed all in black. His clothing was tattered and covered in ash. Dean grabbed the man the second he cleared the threshold and put him in a choke hold; the pipe flush with the man‘s throat.
Cas stepped forward and pointed his gun at the woman who’d been following closely behind.
The woman stopped, her eyes widened and zeroed in on Cas. She was a mousy thing, probably late forties, with reddish, brown hair. Same black clothing.
“Hey there,” Dean breathed. “You’ll forgive us if we’re a little untrusting. Since we arrived in your quaint little town we’ve been fucked with from every angle. I’d love it if you could explain what the hell’s been going on.”
The dude smelled of body odor and moth balls. Dean tried not too breathe too deeply as he pressed the pipe a little more tightly to his neck.
“We mean you no harm,” gruff voice blurted.
“Like I said, trust issues. I’m gonna need more than that.”
The woman couldn’t seem to stop staring at Cas, her eyes glinted, she didn’t even seem that concerned about the gun. Maybe the dumb bitch didn’t know what it was. These people did look like they’d walked out of the dark ages.
“There’s no need to point that gun at me,” she drawled.
There went that theory.
“We heard there were strangers spotted around town. We came looking for you. We want to offer you sanctuary,” she continued.
Cas cocked his head. “Heard from who?”
“Other townsfolk of course. They were out gathering supplies and saw you running down the streets.”
Dean and Cas exchanged skeptical looks.
“It’s true,” the man said quickly. “We have somewhere safe to stay, where the darkness can’t reach.”
“What is this darkness?” Cas asked.
“It’s where the evil lives.”
Cryptic dick. “Care to elaborate?” Dean snapped.
“We don’t know what it is, only that if we want to stay alive we must try to avoid it,” the man replied.
“Which is why we must leave now,” the woman pleaded, her eyes beseeching, her hands clasped together.
Dean wanted to scream. If these people were on the level, they desperately needed to take them up on their offer. Cas needed rest, and he needed information. These townspeople might just be able to provide it.
If they weren’t, Dean figured two against two, he and Cas could take them. He just had to hope they didn’t have an angry mob of friends waiting outside.
“If you’re lying to us, I’ll snap both of your necks. Understand?” Dean hissed into the man’s ear, he had no intention of killing another human being, but they didn’t know that.
“We understand.”
“I’m going to search you both for any weapons before my friend takes his gun off of you.”
They both nodded. Dean did a thorough search of both the man and the woman. He found nothing but flashlights, matches, and some old silver medallions with an odd symbol in each of their pockets. It was a hexagon, with three crosses protruding from it. Dean didn’t recognize it.
“What’s this?” Dean asked.
The woman answered. “A symbol of our faith.”
Dean held it up where Cas could see it without lowering his gun.
Cas shook his head. He’d never seen it before either.
Dean put it back in her pocket and stepped away.
“I’m Walter, this is Claudia,” he gestured towards the woman. Walter was now staring at Cas as well, that same fervor in his dark eyes.
Seriously. Does everyone have a hard on for the angel in this town?
Dean didn’t bother with introductions. “Great, now where are we going?” he asked while moving to stand beside Cas.
The two villagers frowned, but Claudia replied. “Our church.”
How cliché. They really were living in a horror movie.
“Lead the way.” Dean grinned.
****
They left the school following a few feet behind their tour guides. The two veered right onto the sidewalk, heading deeper into town. Dean patted his phone that he’d retrieved, making sure it was there to screech its warning should anything decide to come up and say hello.
Dean thought he saw movement, then a flicker of black out of the corner of his eye, he jerked his head to the right, but all he saw were rows of houses and abandoned cars. Great, now I’m seeing shit that isn’t there.
He took a few deep breaths and turned his head back towards Cas. “You buy their story?” Dean quietly asked Cas as they walked.
“I don’t know what to think.”
“Yeah. I feel your pain.” Dean rapped the pipe against his leg a few times. “You holding up?”
Cas rubbed the back of his neck. “Better than earlier.”
Translation: he wasn’t about to collapse, but he still felt like crap. It wasn’t the answer Dean had been hoping for, but at least Cas was being honest.
They walked for a few minutes in silence. Dean stepped around a rusty old bike with the wheels still spinning and decided he hated this town more every minute. The thick fog, the strange ash, the old buildings with boarded up windows, and the random crap lying in the road.
Claudia looked back. “It‘s only a few more blocks away.”
“Wonderful,” Dean quipped, his tone bordering on petulant.
“You should be more grateful,” she said, her tone reminded Dean of a snake about to strike. Maybe she wasn’t so mousy after all.
“Should I?” Dean let more than a little challenge slip into his voice and posture. His back straightened, his chin lifted, and his jaw clenched.
Her eyes narrowed and a vein seemed to throb on her right temple. Guess she didn’t appreciate his charming demeanor.
Cas started coughing.
Dean abandoned his pissing contest with Claudia and turned his attention to his friend. Cas was hunched over, his hands cupped around his mouth, hacking up a lung.
“I’m fine,” he managed before Dean could ask.
Dean had been breaking his personal space rule a lot today. One more time wasn’t going to make any difference. He stepped closer to Cas and rested his hand on his friends shaking shoulder and squeezed.
Cas coughed softly a few more times. His hands dropped from his face, and Dean’s stomach twisted. His hands were splattered with blood.
He saw the fear flicker in Cas’s eyes before his face went blank and he mumbled. “It’s nothing.”
Like hell.
“Man you-”
Dean broke off when he heard the shuffling of feet, and the sharp intake of breath. He glanced ahead at the two residents. They were staring at Cas, no, at his hands, practically salivating.
“Why don’t you mind your own business,” Dean growled furious at the intrusion.
Claudia gave him a smile that was reminiscent of a lion right before it ate you.
The hairs on Dean’s body prickled again.
He tensed and started to drag Cas backwards, intending to get some distance between them and these weirdo’s.
He was too late.
Five hooded figures stepped out from an alley in front of them and they were all armed with shotguns.
Fuck. Great job not letting your guard down. You walked right into a trap.
Claudia's smile never wavered. “It’s you who need to mind yours Dean Winchester.”
That’s not good. Dean’s muscles coiled and his mouth went dry. He plastered on a mocking smile and said, “Have we met before?”
She laughed. It was nasally and grated on Dean‘s nerves. “No, but we have been anticipating this meeting for a long time.“
“Aww, that’s so sweet. It’s always nice to feel wanted.”
Her grin was tinted with insanity. “It’s not you we’re interested in Dean.”
Dean swallowed, his veins ran cold. “Really? Then why send me all those love letters?” His expression hardened, and he gave her his best cold, calculating stare. “You draw them yourself?”
She actually snorted and looked at Walter. It was him who responded. “We didn’t draw them.” Walter stepped closer. “But we will be taking Castiel with us.” His tone was nonchalant, but certain. This man had no doubt he would get what he wanted.
“Like hell you will,” Dean snarled, pulling Cas behind him, confusion nipping at the back of his brain. This made no sense; the bait had been for him and Sam, the drawings they’d found had been directed at him. So why did they only seem interested in Cas? Was this some new game this town was playing with them?
The men toting guns stepped closer, their weapons aimed at Dean’s head.
“Dean,” he heard the warning and the plea in Cas’s voice, could feel the tension vibrating off him.
Dean knew he’d messed up. He never should have followed these two nut jobs, but he’d felt as if he‘d had no other choice. Now Cas was going to once again, pay for his poor decisions.
“This is going to happen one way or another.” Claudia was smiling again. “All we want is the angel.” Her eyes lit up and she licked her lips. “We have no further use for you. You are free to go, as long as you don’t resist.”
Angel.
The world tilted on its axis; Dean felt like a fool for not pulling his head out of his ass sooner.
They knew.
Which meant whatever had been screwing with Cas had to be pulling their strings. For what purpose, he had no idea, but it couldn’t be good.
Dean’s heart crashed into his stomach as he realized if this was all about Cas and his angelic properties, Dean had probably been the bait.
And you played right into their hands didn’t you, Dean? His inner voice taunted him. Dragging Cas into this, bringing him here on a silver platter. You were too busy fretting over whether or not this involved your dad to see anything else. Dean felt frustration and rage ignite inside him with the speed of a brushfire.
They were out-numbered and out-gunned. It didn’t matter how well trained you were when there were five shotgun barrels pointed at you.
“Go where?” Dean gestured all around him, trying to stall, trying to pull a rabbit out of his ass. “In case you haven’t noticed, there’s not exactly an exit sign in this damn town.”
“Head to your car and drive away. I promise you, you will be able to leave now.”
“Just like that,” Dean bit out.
“Yes.”
The scary thing was Dean believed her. Their ring master obviously cared about nothing but getting Cas - his gut seized - he could not let this happen. His entire body was yelling at him to do something - anything to stop this.
Cas started to walk forward. Dean grabbed him, their eyes locked.
“Dean. There’s no reason we should both die.” His blue eyes danced with desperation. “I’ll go with them. You - go home.” He tilted his head while his too wide eyes screamed at Dean to do the smart thing for once in his life.
Dean shook his head, his throat started to ache. Cas was family; he couldn‘t leave him behind.
Cas wouldn’t leave him.
“Why do you want him?” Dean snapped, but his gaze never left Cas.
“There’s someone who’s been wanting to meet one of his kind for a very long time.” Claudia again. Dean really wanted to keep his promise and snap her neck.
“Yeah, well, they can meet me too.” Dean finally looked away from Cas and turned his most macho grin on Claudia. “I’m always a hit at the parties.”
She smirked, crossed her arms across her chest, then hissed, “Such arrogance. I’ve already told you we aren’t interested in you.” She turned her attention on the men surrounding them. “Grab the angel, if Dean resists, shoot him.”
Dean hadn’t let go of Cas’s arm, his fingers were aching, but he squeezed tighter. His eyes darted around as the men stepped closer, trying to think of someway to escape.
He had nothing.
It didn’t matter, he’d go out fighting. No way was he just going to stand by and let them take his friend.
He felt Cas shift, moving behind him again.
“I’m sorry,” Cas whispered, his voice full of sadness and regret. Dean started to turn but felt something hard connect with the back of his skull - darkness.
Next Chapter
Feel free to friend this journal for the insanity :)
Comments are loved. They feed my muse and let me know if anyone's actually reading/enjoying this :)
Title: Supernatural: Silent Hill
Author: nicole9514
Rating: R
Chapters: 9/15 (still editing/writing, but i'm almost positive on the 15 total)
Warnings: gore, blood, disturbing imagery, violence, language
Genre: Crossover/AU on the silent hill front
Spoilers: season five Supernatural, Silent Hill film, and Silent Hill 1 and 2 video games.
Characters: Focus on Dean and Castiel friendship or pre-slash depending on your preference, but some Sam and Bobby as well.
Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or Silent Hill, I'm only playing with them.
A/N: I blatantly steal elements/scenarios from the Silent Hill film, and Silent Hill 1 and 2 video games, but I've also created some of my own canon/expanded/changed characters and other elements to create an insane trip to Silent Hill tailor made for Dean and Cas, hence the AU part of this fic.
Special Thanks: to my beta skylar_matthews
Summary: Dean and Cas get trapped in Silent Hill. Sam and Bobby are on the outside trying to find them - will they find a way out...
Word Count:3000 (total 39,797 total)
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7
Chapter 8
All the pyramid head freak had to do was open the door, come in, and slaughter them.
So why wasn’t it?
Dean could feel it standing there - could hear the bugs digging.
Was it toying with them?
Dean tried to lick his lips, but his mouth felt like sandpaper.
He wiped each palm on his jeans and glanced at Cas.
Cas’s breathing had returned to normal but his skin was slick with sweat, his eyes unfocused.
Dean reached out, terror sweeping over him. If Cas had another fit now, it was all over. His hand tightened around Cas’s forearm, squeezing until Cas blinked and focused on him.
Dean pointed at Cas, then at his eyes. Silently asking if he was seeing something.
Cas shook his head, then pointed to his ears.
Dean strained to listen to anything other than the pounding of his own heart, or the scrambling feet of those horrible bugs.
After a moment he heard it.
Voices. Soft. Distant.
The handle on the door rattled and Dean forgot all about anything else.
He chanced a quick glance over the top of the desk and saw the knob start to turn.
He sunk back down, the door creaked open at an excruciatingly slow pace.
Dean heard something skittering, the desk vibrated, a pencil clattered to the floor next to the hunter and rolled across the ground, stopping when it hit the wall.
Dean had stopped breathing, his eyes were burning, he remembered to blink.
A brush against his hair. Dean swallowed, and started to jerk his head upward but felt Cas dig his fingers into his shoulder. Dean got the message and raised his head very slowly.
A tremulous hiss, sounded above him. Dean lifted his chin and got a good up close view of the biggest insect he’d ever seen.
It was perched at the edge of the desk, antenna fluttering; Dean got the impression it was smelling him. The hard shell on its back pulsated, its front legs trembled slightly and Dean didn’t see any eyes. He slowly started to lift the pipe hoping to catch it off guard.
The door creaked open further. More chattering, more skittering.
Dean froze.
Death by mutated bugs. Awesome.
Harsh, raspy breathing.
Two heavy footfalls.
A dragging sound.
Looked like it might be death by a giant blade instead.
Over the drumbeats of his heart, Dean heard the sound of that siren.
He twitched, the bug spun, he heard papers rustling, a few floated to the floor around them, then a thump.
He saw Cas rising slightly, and despite his wobbly legs Dean did the same. The bugs were heading towards the half open door, climbing on top of each other in their hurry to leave the room.
Dean’s gaze lifted higher and he caught a glimpse of that giant sword vanishing.
Mr. Sunshine was leaving. Dean could hear the sounds of his footfalls getting farther and farther away. Maybe it was past his bedtime or maybe whoever was calling the shots had called him off.
Dean honestly didn’t give a shit.
That was one monster he didn’t want to face without a machine gun and an army.
When the sounds faded entirely, Dean, still riding his adrenaline high let out a shaky, quiet laugh and blurted, “you think that dude was trying to compensate for something?”
Cas opened his mouth, then closed it. “What?”
Dean laughed again. “The size of his sword, Cas. Did you see that thing?”
Cas gaped at him - his expression one of complete bewilderment.
Dean reached out and ruffled Cas’s already messy hair. If he kept doing touchy-feely shit like that he was going to seriously tarnish his tough guy image, but at the moment he was too happy that they were both alive to care.
Cas wrinkled his forehead and glared. “Dean.”
Dean didn’t like Cas‘s tone. “If you are going to say anything that even remotely relates to us going our separate ways - I will kill you.”
Cas rolled his eyes. “That’s not what I was going to say.”
Dean mentally snorted. Cas must have picked that little gesture up from Sammy. Yeah because you never roll your eyes. Dean ignored his inner voice, it was such a pain in the ass sometimes.
The room started to shift again silencing them both. This was really starting to get old.
More foot steps, this time softer.
The fun never stopped in Silent Hill.
The classroom had finished remodeling itself again. Dean was willing to bet those windows would open up now.
Muffled voices-human voices-echoed in the hallway.
Cas cocked his head, Dean tensed.
“Hello,” a gruff man’s voice called out surprising Dean. So far nothing they’d encountered here had been big on communication.
Cas simply raised an eyebrow.
Dean took one last look at the window. Confronting the stranger was a risk; one they had to take. This might be their only chance to find out what was going on from someone who wasn’t a creature from the black lagoon.
“Guess we should go say hi,” Dean whispered.
Cas nodded.
Dean stood, ready to fight. Human or not. There was no way he was letting his guard down for one second until they got out of Silent Hill.
Cas rose moments later, looking fairly steady.
Using simple hand gestures Dean communicated his plan to Cas.
They each took up position on one side of the door and waited.
“Is someone there?” a woman this time, high-pitched.
The door knob turned; Dean raised his weapon.
It opened, a man walked in, gray hair, beard, dressed all in black. His clothing was tattered and covered in ash. Dean grabbed the man the second he cleared the threshold and put him in a choke hold; the pipe flush with the man‘s throat.
Cas stepped forward and pointed his gun at the woman who’d been following closely behind.
The woman stopped, her eyes widened and zeroed in on Cas. She was a mousy thing, probably late forties, with reddish, brown hair. Same black clothing.
“Hey there,” Dean breathed. “You’ll forgive us if we’re a little untrusting. Since we arrived in your quaint little town we’ve been fucked with from every angle. I’d love it if you could explain what the hell’s been going on.”
The dude smelled of body odor and moth balls. Dean tried not too breathe too deeply as he pressed the pipe a little more tightly to his neck.
“We mean you no harm,” gruff voice blurted.
“Like I said, trust issues. I’m gonna need more than that.”
The woman couldn’t seem to stop staring at Cas, her eyes glinted, she didn’t even seem that concerned about the gun. Maybe the dumb bitch didn’t know what it was. These people did look like they’d walked out of the dark ages.
“There’s no need to point that gun at me,” she drawled.
There went that theory.
“We heard there were strangers spotted around town. We came looking for you. We want to offer you sanctuary,” she continued.
Cas cocked his head. “Heard from who?”
“Other townsfolk of course. They were out gathering supplies and saw you running down the streets.”
Dean and Cas exchanged skeptical looks.
“It’s true,” the man said quickly. “We have somewhere safe to stay, where the darkness can’t reach.”
“What is this darkness?” Cas asked.
“It’s where the evil lives.”
Cryptic dick. “Care to elaborate?” Dean snapped.
“We don’t know what it is, only that if we want to stay alive we must try to avoid it,” the man replied.
“Which is why we must leave now,” the woman pleaded, her eyes beseeching, her hands clasped together.
Dean wanted to scream. If these people were on the level, they desperately needed to take them up on their offer. Cas needed rest, and he needed information. These townspeople might just be able to provide it.
If they weren’t, Dean figured two against two, he and Cas could take them. He just had to hope they didn’t have an angry mob of friends waiting outside.
“If you’re lying to us, I’ll snap both of your necks. Understand?” Dean hissed into the man’s ear, he had no intention of killing another human being, but they didn’t know that.
“We understand.”
“I’m going to search you both for any weapons before my friend takes his gun off of you.”
They both nodded. Dean did a thorough search of both the man and the woman. He found nothing but flashlights, matches, and some old silver medallions with an odd symbol in each of their pockets. It was a hexagon, with three crosses protruding from it. Dean didn’t recognize it.
“What’s this?” Dean asked.
The woman answered. “A symbol of our faith.”
Dean held it up where Cas could see it without lowering his gun.
Cas shook his head. He’d never seen it before either.
Dean put it back in her pocket and stepped away.
“I’m Walter, this is Claudia,” he gestured towards the woman. Walter was now staring at Cas as well, that same fervor in his dark eyes.
Seriously. Does everyone have a hard on for the angel in this town?
Dean didn’t bother with introductions. “Great, now where are we going?” he asked while moving to stand beside Cas.
The two villagers frowned, but Claudia replied. “Our church.”
How cliché. They really were living in a horror movie.
“Lead the way.” Dean grinned.
****
They left the school following a few feet behind their tour guides. The two veered right onto the sidewalk, heading deeper into town. Dean patted his phone that he’d retrieved, making sure it was there to screech its warning should anything decide to come up and say hello.
Dean thought he saw movement, then a flicker of black out of the corner of his eye, he jerked his head to the right, but all he saw were rows of houses and abandoned cars. Great, now I’m seeing shit that isn’t there.
He took a few deep breaths and turned his head back towards Cas. “You buy their story?” Dean quietly asked Cas as they walked.
“I don’t know what to think.”
“Yeah. I feel your pain.” Dean rapped the pipe against his leg a few times. “You holding up?”
Cas rubbed the back of his neck. “Better than earlier.”
Translation: he wasn’t about to collapse, but he still felt like crap. It wasn’t the answer Dean had been hoping for, but at least Cas was being honest.
They walked for a few minutes in silence. Dean stepped around a rusty old bike with the wheels still spinning and decided he hated this town more every minute. The thick fog, the strange ash, the old buildings with boarded up windows, and the random crap lying in the road.
Claudia looked back. “It‘s only a few more blocks away.”
“Wonderful,” Dean quipped, his tone bordering on petulant.
“You should be more grateful,” she said, her tone reminded Dean of a snake about to strike. Maybe she wasn’t so mousy after all.
“Should I?” Dean let more than a little challenge slip into his voice and posture. His back straightened, his chin lifted, and his jaw clenched.
Her eyes narrowed and a vein seemed to throb on her right temple. Guess she didn’t appreciate his charming demeanor.
Cas started coughing.
Dean abandoned his pissing contest with Claudia and turned his attention to his friend. Cas was hunched over, his hands cupped around his mouth, hacking up a lung.
“I’m fine,” he managed before Dean could ask.
Dean had been breaking his personal space rule a lot today. One more time wasn’t going to make any difference. He stepped closer to Cas and rested his hand on his friends shaking shoulder and squeezed.
Cas coughed softly a few more times. His hands dropped from his face, and Dean’s stomach twisted. His hands were splattered with blood.
He saw the fear flicker in Cas’s eyes before his face went blank and he mumbled. “It’s nothing.”
Like hell.
“Man you-”
Dean broke off when he heard the shuffling of feet, and the sharp intake of breath. He glanced ahead at the two residents. They were staring at Cas, no, at his hands, practically salivating.
“Why don’t you mind your own business,” Dean growled furious at the intrusion.
Claudia gave him a smile that was reminiscent of a lion right before it ate you.
The hairs on Dean’s body prickled again.
He tensed and started to drag Cas backwards, intending to get some distance between them and these weirdo’s.
He was too late.
Five hooded figures stepped out from an alley in front of them and they were all armed with shotguns.
Fuck. Great job not letting your guard down. You walked right into a trap.
Claudia's smile never wavered. “It’s you who need to mind yours Dean Winchester.”
That’s not good. Dean’s muscles coiled and his mouth went dry. He plastered on a mocking smile and said, “Have we met before?”
She laughed. It was nasally and grated on Dean‘s nerves. “No, but we have been anticipating this meeting for a long time.“
“Aww, that’s so sweet. It’s always nice to feel wanted.”
Her grin was tinted with insanity. “It’s not you we’re interested in Dean.”
Dean swallowed, his veins ran cold. “Really? Then why send me all those love letters?” His expression hardened, and he gave her his best cold, calculating stare. “You draw them yourself?”
She actually snorted and looked at Walter. It was him who responded. “We didn’t draw them.” Walter stepped closer. “But we will be taking Castiel with us.” His tone was nonchalant, but certain. This man had no doubt he would get what he wanted.
“Like hell you will,” Dean snarled, pulling Cas behind him, confusion nipping at the back of his brain. This made no sense; the bait had been for him and Sam, the drawings they’d found had been directed at him. So why did they only seem interested in Cas? Was this some new game this town was playing with them?
The men toting guns stepped closer, their weapons aimed at Dean’s head.
“Dean,” he heard the warning and the plea in Cas’s voice, could feel the tension vibrating off him.
Dean knew he’d messed up. He never should have followed these two nut jobs, but he’d felt as if he‘d had no other choice. Now Cas was going to once again, pay for his poor decisions.
“This is going to happen one way or another.” Claudia was smiling again. “All we want is the angel.” Her eyes lit up and she licked her lips. “We have no further use for you. You are free to go, as long as you don’t resist.”
Angel.
The world tilted on its axis; Dean felt like a fool for not pulling his head out of his ass sooner.
They knew.
Which meant whatever had been screwing with Cas had to be pulling their strings. For what purpose, he had no idea, but it couldn’t be good.
Dean’s heart crashed into his stomach as he realized if this was all about Cas and his angelic properties, Dean had probably been the bait.
And you played right into their hands didn’t you, Dean? His inner voice taunted him. Dragging Cas into this, bringing him here on a silver platter. You were too busy fretting over whether or not this involved your dad to see anything else. Dean felt frustration and rage ignite inside him with the speed of a brushfire.
They were out-numbered and out-gunned. It didn’t matter how well trained you were when there were five shotgun barrels pointed at you.
“Go where?” Dean gestured all around him, trying to stall, trying to pull a rabbit out of his ass. “In case you haven’t noticed, there’s not exactly an exit sign in this damn town.”
“Head to your car and drive away. I promise you, you will be able to leave now.”
“Just like that,” Dean bit out.
“Yes.”
The scary thing was Dean believed her. Their ring master obviously cared about nothing but getting Cas - his gut seized - he could not let this happen. His entire body was yelling at him to do something - anything to stop this.
Cas started to walk forward. Dean grabbed him, their eyes locked.
“Dean. There’s no reason we should both die.” His blue eyes danced with desperation. “I’ll go with them. You - go home.” He tilted his head while his too wide eyes screamed at Dean to do the smart thing for once in his life.
Dean shook his head, his throat started to ache. Cas was family; he couldn‘t leave him behind.
Cas wouldn’t leave him.
“Why do you want him?” Dean snapped, but his gaze never left Cas.
“There’s someone who’s been wanting to meet one of his kind for a very long time.” Claudia again. Dean really wanted to keep his promise and snap her neck.
“Yeah, well, they can meet me too.” Dean finally looked away from Cas and turned his most macho grin on Claudia. “I’m always a hit at the parties.”
She smirked, crossed her arms across her chest, then hissed, “Such arrogance. I’ve already told you we aren’t interested in you.” She turned her attention on the men surrounding them. “Grab the angel, if Dean resists, shoot him.”
Dean hadn’t let go of Cas’s arm, his fingers were aching, but he squeezed tighter. His eyes darted around as the men stepped closer, trying to think of someway to escape.
He had nothing.
It didn’t matter, he’d go out fighting. No way was he just going to stand by and let them take his friend.
He felt Cas shift, moving behind him again.
“I’m sorry,” Cas whispered, his voice full of sadness and regret. Dean started to turn but felt something hard connect with the back of his skull - darkness.
Next Chapter
Feel free to friend this journal for the insanity :)
Comments are loved. They feed my muse and let me know if anyone's actually reading/enjoying this :)