Death in Appalachia, Chapter 19: Aftermath Part 1
Authors: atana_blackfox & paintercrow
Summary: Another Order shows up; chaos ensues.
Rating/Warning: Mature (NC-17), Warnings for story overall. Swearing (most chapters). Rape and torture chapters have separate warnings. Character deaths (Ballad novels/OCs). Sex--both hetero and homosexual.
Disclaimer: We do not own the Supernatural or Ballad novel story elements.
Thanks to Jellicle_freak and mike_burns1002 for volunteering to be our new betas! If I forgot anyone, please let me know!
Death in Appalachia, Chapter 19: Aftermath Part 1
Summary: Another Order shows up; chaos ensues.
AUTHORS' NOTE: The vocabulary and speech patterns of the characters are reflected in this story, both in dialogue and point of view. The dialects included are Southern Appalachian, Black Vernacular English and Chiac (Acadian French in Canada). Also, the first half of this chapter is heavy on the Ballad novels characters & some OCs. Not to worry, the Winchester boys are going to be back on center stage in the later half of the chapter.
Nora finally raised her face from her hands. They would all survive the night, but it was so close. She would ring the large dinner bell out front at first light, so the folks down the mountain aways would know to send someone. Nora had every intention of getting to the farm as soon as she could after sun up. Vera Kesterson must live. If she didn’t, Nora would have to stay years longer than she wanted, getting Sam, Jay and Kayla ready. Nora was tired; Vera could bridge the gap between generations so easily and so well.
She needed to set these new Hunters in the valley 'aright'. Nora also needed to take the farm and household in hand. These Hunters would have to stay a bit, making right what they had done. She would get Jane Arrowood to help, and have young Joe come along as well. These strangers would have to understand that this community knew far more than they realized. Folks in Wake County might not want to speak of it, but they knew who their Guardians were. The Winchesters and Kestersons were not as alone as they thought.
~*~
Ben looked on with dismay as the Priory arrived. Randy West, the investigator they requested, arrived with four other Priory members, all on motorcycles. For some ridiculous reason Randy insisted on being called Red Dog. Ben guessed it had something to do with being a natural titian redhead.
The Priory were certainly odd, but having a pack of them showing up looking like a biker gang was strange even for them. With five assorted motorcycles parked in the driveway along with various farm vehicles, the rental vans and Dean’s Impala the place was beginning to look like it was owned by a schizophrenic auto dealer.
The fact that the farm was in shambles and the house was falling apart did not add to Ben’s comfort level. Zip had blown out half the wiring in the house that morning as his new ability went haywire, so it was a hunt to find a working electrical outlet. Zip had been forbidden from using anything electrical. Cheryl had been butted by a goat headlong into a compost pile and LaShonda had several uncomfortable minutes when a local farmer brought back a pair of horses. LaShonda had no idea what to do with the two large animals. Mike actually rode, but he was in full prima donna mode and dramatically refused to leave his patient in case she was a Guardian to help out with the equine residents of the farm. Ben had sarcastically defined the word ‘hypocrisy’ for Mike, but the healer pretended he hadn’t issued an execution order on Vera less than 24 hours ago. That rather matted and bedraggled cat from last night seemed to be stalking Atin; it had attacked him several times. Atin had changed from shorts to jeans out of self defense; somehow it kept getting back into the house. His tattooed legs were marred by angry cat scratches.
In the upstairs hallway a large section of crumbling plaster had fallen from the ceiling and onto Lin Yao just after she had showered. She wasn’t hurt, but she wasn’t pleased to have to take another shower. Ben wasn’t happy to hear her self-centered complaints. It didn’t help that there were only two and a half baths with this many people staying here. There was occasionally a line for the outhouse. The two most structurally sound parts of the house were the ritual room and the screened in back porch. Just thinking of the ritual room made Ben shudder so he had been spending most of his time on the porch. Another mystery of the place: the roof was green; a nice, soft green. Ben worried that it had molded over and was about to fall in on them, but he didn’t see any water damage on the ceilings. After everything that had happened so far on this mission, it wouldn’t surprise Ben if the place did collapse on them.
Then another fiasco had struck just a half hour earlier. Billy Ray had arrived with Greg, Miriam, Fawn and Millie. Billy Ray had to rescue Greg and Miriam from a farm house 30 miles away. They had gotten washed off the road by a flooded creek. They couldn’t get a tow service and had to abandon the van. Three more Comacine security personnel had arrived a little earlier bringing much needed medical equipment. Ben was glad for the back up; many members of the team were exhausted. It was good to get the team back together again, but the timing couldn't have been worse. He was still trying to get rid of the team from the Order of Knights.
They had requested assistance from the Knights after Pascal’s vision of possible demonic activity in the area. The Comacines usually dealt with Hunter and Guardian Lines and rogue psychics, so were not prepared to deal with a demon. The Knights were a great help in dealing with certain types of supernatural creatures, but they were terrible about forced recruiting and would snatch up any powerful underage psychic they could lay their hands on. To make matters even worse, one of the Knights, Jennifer Greer, was distantly related to Vera Kesterson and was wondering what they were doing here. Ben was caught totally by surprise and told her he had no idea who she was talking about. If that hadn’t made them suspicious enough, as soon as the van with the other Com team members arrived Fawn had come running up to the house demanding to see Mike. Ben almost groaned out loud. The Knights now knew the head of their medical division was here for some reason and a twelve-year-old girl was looking for him. It didn’t help that Millie was asking Greg what a booster was at about the same time.
The Knights had to realize that something very strange was going on here, and there were probably some newly found, very powerful underage psychics here. Ben was sitting in a crumbling farm house with two underage boosters, a young healer, a powerful rogue psychic and his understandably enraged brother. Then there was Vera Kesterson - whatever she was.
Ben just hoped that ‘Red Dog’ could get some answers out of Jay. Atin had tried that morning; he was great at coaxing information out of frightened psychics, but Jay Kesterson had talked circles around him. After almost an hour of trying to get him to answer the most basic of questions Atin gave up. Ben was glad he had put in a call to the Priory last night asking for their assistance. The Priory practiced both magic and used psychic abilities, and since Jay did as well he hoped they could pry some answers out of the young man. Dean and Sam were both still sedated, and Ben was thankful to only have to deal with Jay right now.
“Ben!” Red Dog hailed him after the rumble of the cycles had faded. “Sounds like you've had quite a time here. Mind if the boys come in? Long ride from Gatlinburg.”
Ben took a deep breath and told himself to stay in control of his temper. You never knew exactly what the Priory’s agenda was. That they were willing to help was surprising; Ben wondered about their motivation. “Glad you could make it here so quickly. Uh, why did you bring the whole team Red Dog?”
Red Dog shrugged. “We were at a bike rally in Gatlinburg. The guys decided to come along; beautiful country up here. We’re getting ready for the Trail of Tears run out of Chattanooga.”
Ben was a bit more comfortable now that the entire security team was here and they had another three person security team join them. They outnumbered the Priory, not that he was expecting any trouble. Despite the high weirdness that seemed to follow them, the Priory members were usually a pretty sociable bunch. "We haven't had a chance to clean up yet.” Ben warned, “come in."
The front hall looked like a battle had been fought in it and then the soldiers patched up in the same place. Blood was smeared on the walls and had made small puddles on the floor. There were still bloody gurneys, discarded IV bags, gauze and surgical tape strewn around the room.
Red Dog paused in the doorway, the four other Priory members piling up behind him on the porch. “Damn, what the hell happened?”
Ben looked grim, the unaccustomed weight of command bearing down on him. "This is the result of an inter-dimensional attack. We patched everyone up the best we could. Pascal!"
Pascal darted into the front hall from the kitchen, looking on edge.
Ben gave him a cold glance; Pascal was out of favor for leaving Zip alone to restrain Jay when he left to get Vera from the field. The fact that he was having rogue visions and his psychic shields were fluxing badly didn’t help. “Show these men to the kitchen please.” With a slight nod Pascal lead the rest of the Priory team to the kitchen leaving Ben and Red Dog alone.
Red Dog’s narrow, freckled face was a mask of concern. “What's going on Ben?”
The new Comacine team leader rubbed his balding head nervously. “That's what we were hoping you could tell us. We have a young man upstairs, Jay Kesterson. He's somehow involved in what we think is a case of necromancy, blood magic and demon summoning. He was arrested in Chattanooga for stealing human remains but he won't say where the bones are. He says he gave them to some Native American activist for reburial, but he won’t say who.”
Red Dog gave Ben a piercing look, blue eyes snapping under red hair. “I need to know a little more about what's been going on around this kid if you want me to get any answers out of him.”
Ben shifted his weight from one foot to another. “We don't know much, Jay was arrested about a month ago for breaking into the archeology lab to steal remains. Here's his booking report.”
Red Dog looked over the paperwork. “Light Feather involved in this? He usually kills necros on sight.”
Ben twitched. “I know, that's what makes this all so suspicious.”
“Why have him arrested? If Light Feather knew where Jay was he could have killed him.”
“We know Jay had help, probably the Winchesters.” Ben said with a barely suppressed grunt of frustration at all the seeming paradoxes of the situation. “We are speculating but maybe Light Feather was hoping Jay would lead him back to whoever convinced him to steal the bones. We don’t think Jay Kesterson would have done this on his own.”
“Winchesters helping procure bones for a necromancer?” Red Dog frowned, not liking what he was hearing. “I thought they weren't into that.”
Ben threw his hands into the air. “They were there to kill an Uktena, we still aren't sure of their connection to Jay.”
“How long have you had Jay in your custody?”
“We arrived late last night.”
“Anyone tried talking to him yet?
“Atin tried,” Ben said morosely “kid must have had training, couldn't get anything out of him.”
Red Dog couldn’t help but smirk. “This should be a challenge. Atin's good. How is the kid acting? Anything I should know before I take a run at him?”
“He's young, he's scared and he's hiding something or protecting someone so he won't talk.”
“Huh, any chance family is involved? Jay's still pretty young.”
Ben had a strange, suspicious feeling. Red Dog seemed to be using Jay’s first name a little too freely, with a little too much familiarity. “Does the Priory have a special interest in the Kestersons?”
Red Dog gave him a chilling smile. “Kestersons. Plural. Yes, we do.” Ben could have cursed, letting slip that more then Jay was involved. “Vera Kesterson. Where is she, is she alive, and how is she wrapped up in all of this?”
“She's here and alive for the moment. What is your connection to her?”
“She and Will have history; she better stay alive.”
Ben raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Really? Old flame?”
Red Dog gave him a hard stare. “No, something more, but I'm not sure you'd understand. It's a magic thing.”
“Reassure Will we are doing what we can to keep her alive. Mike is here. Was there anything else?”
Red Dog’s jaw thrust out just a bit. “I'd like to see her before I leave.”
Ben could see a whole new layer of trouble developing. No way was he going to allow that until he had a better idea of what was going on. Mistress Tudor had negotiated some sort of payment to the Priory for their help. “That wasn't part of the agreement.”
“Agreements can be changed.” That same cold smile was back on his face.
Ben felt his own smile freeze into place. Damn, he wished Atin were handling this rather than babysitting Jay right now. “Yes, they can.”
***
Fifteen minutes later, Ben was facing an enraged Priory interrogator. Red Dog’s face had hardened, making the unattractive man look brutally ugly. “Don't make any mistakes here, Ben. It won't be pretty if you do. See you at the Conclave.”
Ben grimly thought that it was too late for that, but said nothing. He was still too stunned by the threat from the Priory. Rather than trying to find out about the bones, Red Dog had asked Jay about what happened last night and about his aunt. Ben had cut the session short and asked the Red Dog to leave. They were obviously using the situation to spy and to contact the Kestersons. He turned curtly to Atin. “Sedate Jay and put him back in with the Winchesters.”
Atin blinked. “What the hell was that?” He asked as Greg showed Red Dog and his team out.
Ben shook his head in angered amazement. “The Priory just threatened us. If anything happens to Vera...”
Atin gasped. “Oh...she does magic and is a psychic too...”
Ben nodded thoughtfully and continued, getting his own anger under control. “I think it is more than that, Will Woodfin has a particular interest in her that seems shared by the rest of the Order. Why she isn't a member of the Priory I don't know. I wish she was, then none of this would have happened.”
Atin thought a moment, his deep brown eyes thoughtful. “We are in over our heads here. Damn. I better get back to Jay. I think he's about to have hysterics again. I think he's basically a good kid, but something has him terrified.”
Ben looked guilty. “We aren't exactly reassuring him either. I wish we could get some answers, I wish Greg could have found Ms. Bonesteel last night.”
“If he was here do you think he would have stood down on the execution order? Did I hear Red Dog ask for Jay?”
Ben sighed. “That's right; he wanted to take Jay with him and to see Vera.”
“Damn,” Atin muttered softly. “Can you send someone...who can be gentle...to help me with Jay?” It was obvious he didn’t trust most of the security team to be restrained with a young psychic mage suspected of necromancy and blood magic.
Before Ben could respond Greg came stumping up the stairs to join them. “Can't stand the Priory. They make my teeth itch.”
Ben simply nodded. “All of them gone?”
“Yes” Greg grimaced, “but there was a lot of grumbling. I think they're going to be back. I have a feeling Red Dog will be on his cell the second he’s past the farm's gates. Ben, why the hell aren't we pulling out of here?”
Ben rubbed his face. Greg had been questioning him ever since he was put in charge. “I need Cheryl but can you send the rest of your team around outside to patrol. I'll be sending you, Lin Yao and Miriam with the younger kids back to Hawaii.”
He looked pleased. “Zip coming with us?”
Ben shook his head. “Mike needs both him and Jay to save Vera. I can't send away her only hope if she is a Guardian.”
“What the hell does it matter?” Greg scowled; not hiding the fact that he thought Ben was a near idiot. “The kid can take her place, she's expendable. We shouldn't be jeopardizing Zip and Mike over a mage.”
Ben glared, angry with Greg’s callousness. “Are you willing to risk an inter-Order war? The Priory just threatened us if she dies.”
The security lead snorted. “Probably just another one of their mind fuck jokes. Seriously Ben, let the kid say goodbye and have Mike load up her IV with morphine and let's get out of here. This place is not defensible.”
Ben decided he had enough. Atin had the experience; compassion and unbiased opinion that was needed to take care of the situation here. Atin was far better qualified than he was. He had the feeling that the lead position got fobbed off on him because Mistress Tudor knew that the situation would only get worse if Greg was in charge. Greg was more senior than Atin in the chain of command, but since he was leaving to transport their new members; Ben was going to ask her to put Atin in charge. “I need to call the Mistress,” he said curtly in response to Greg. “Send Cheryl to help Atin.”
~*~
Joe was surprised when Spencer radioed him early that morning. The sheriff’s mother had called him and requested that Joe stop by her place as quickly as possible. Nora Bonesteel wished to speak to him.
When Joe pulled the squad car into Mrs. Arrowood’s laneway, Nora was already waiting at the door and walked out to the car before he even stopped. Joe hopped out to open the passenger door for her.
“We need to get to Vera’s farm,” said Nora. There was a note of worry in the old psychic’s voice Joe had never heard before. “Jane will follow us while I explain what is happening along the way.”
Before yesterday Joe would have thought he was catering to a senile old woman but recent events had conspired to show him that the supernatural was all too real. He was completely willing to believe all the strange stories about the old woman’s abilities. Joe asked anxiously, “Did Sam - did he die last night?” The last time Joe had seen Sam he was sure he wouldn’t survive. In fact he had an argument with Vera in the cave telling her it would be a mercy to let him go. Vera had disagreed vehemently.
“Everyone made it through. Sam is fine. There were a group of Hunters at the farm last night. They have a healer and Sam is completely healed, in body at least.”
Joe looked at her skeptically, “A healer? I was sure he wouldn't pull through, why the hurry then?”
“It's Vera I fear for,” she replied.
Joe sucked in a breath, and concentrated on driving for a moment. “That demon got her, didn't it?”
“Yes, Joe, it did,” said Nora her voice tight with emotion, “she's in a bad way. That group of Hunters almost killed the Kestersons last night.”
Joe's hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Is that the same group that kidnapped Millie and Fawn? Spencer called in the FBI and the agent threatened him!”
“The same group, but Fawn and Millie weren't kidnapped, they went willingly.”
“That's what Spencer said. Are you sure? They didn't do some mind manipulation on them?” Joe couldn’t believe he was actually asking the question.
“No. It will be for the best for both of them.”
Joe pounded the steering wheel in frustration. “Then what do they want? They got Millie and Fawn. Why kill the Kestersons?”
“The Kestersons are still alive, Joe. They thought Vera was controlling the demons and that she was behind the killings.”
Joe was speechless and then felt guilty; after all he also had suspected Vera and Dean of being behind the murders. They reached the farm and he pulled in behind the assortment of vehicles. As he got out he noted a van stuck in the middle of a field, fences were broken, horses and goats were running loose. "What happened here?”
“Long story Joe. These Hunters were here looking for the Kestersons and Winchesters last night. Vera knew they might kill her so she drove through the fences to a sacred place out back of the farm to do a ritual to drive the unclean presence out of Sam.”
“Were they going to kill the Winchesters too?”
“No, they thought the Winchesters were victims of Vera as well.”
Joe shook his head. He waited for Jane to join them before they all walked up to the front door together.
Nora put a hand on Joe's arm restraining him gently. “Joe, this is a very powerful and a very large group of Hunters, an entire Order of them. They outnumber us and they are very confused and don't know nearly as much as they think they do. They can be allies, so don’t do anything that will rile them up. We need them. Without them, Vera will die.”
Joe felt a slow burn of anger, "They have the FBI in their pocket. There isn't much I can do."
“That's why we have to be careful. They can take Jay, Sam and Dean away and let Vera die. Understand?”
“Yes ma'am,” he replied and knocked loudly on the door.
~*~
Pascal looked over at Billy Ray who had asked him to help clean up the front entranceway. He along with the others that arrived earlier looked like the only ones who actually got some sleep last night. The back up security team, Ginger, Hiro and Alonzo had arrived earlier that morning. Most of the Comacines who were here last night had gratefully dispersed to the many bedrooms, couches and lawn chairs for a little sleep.
Pascal was supposed to be resting but he was still on edge, things were too uncertain. The Order was still in grave danger. He saw the threat of war with the Priory in his visions but Ben seemed to think he was under the influence of Ravenmocker. At least Ben recognized very quickly that he was out of his depth here, and requested that Atin take over the lead. Atin was a seasoned field veteran while Ben usually worked with Mike in the medical facilities back in Hawaii. They were jumping over Greg in the chain of command, but Greg’s hatred of magic would make him a poor choice in the situation and he was shipping out in a few hours anyways.
There was a loud knock at the door and Billy Ray looked to Pascal. Pascal hesitated then went to answer. He opened the door and was surprised to see the elderly woman from his vision, Nora Bonesteel, standing there in a gray, linen dress. She was accompanied by a frowning woman in her sixties and a deputy sheriff, the name badge read LeDonne.
Nora seemed to recognize him. “I'm glad that everyone made it through the night.” She took a closer look at Pascal and smiled, “If everyone would have paid you more mind it would have saved a whole load of pain and grief for everyone.” She held out her arms.
Even though they weren't related in this lifetime, Pascal felt drawn to the elderly woman. He stepped into her embrace and gave her the French greeting of a kiss on each cheek. "Ma tante Nora! What an honor, please come in."
Joe looked at the young man with curly dark brown hair and a black eye intensely; he openly wore a .9 mm at his waist. He also recognized the French-Canadian accent; he had just called Miss Bonesteel his “auntie.”
Jane Arrowood looked wide-eyed from Nora to the young man. She was used to odd things happening around Nora, she glared at Pascal. “Young man, I want to know who you are and what you're doing here. This farm's livestock is wandering all over this half of the county.”
"My name is Pascal Comeau, the man in charge is Atin Lono, please come in, we were just cleaning up." Pascal stepped aside to let them in. Billy Ray barely glanced at them before returning to picking up the discarded medical equipment, gauze and bandages. Joe cursed. It looked like a crime scene that had been hastily cleaned up. There were dark stains on the floor and smudges of what looked like blood on the walls.
Jane gasped at the sight and Nora told her, “Calm down Jane. No one died.”
Pascal led the way down the hall, "Please have a seat in the living room, sorry about the mess. I'll get the Commander. Can I get you anything from the kitchen?"
Nora replied, “Some water will be fine, I think we have a lot to speak about.”
A few minutes later Atin and Ben entered the living room to speak to the senior Guardian, Pascal went to get glasses of water for everyone.
Atin looked at the two women, guessing which one was Nora by her advanced age. “Good morning ladies,” He and Ben crossed to shake Nora’s hand. “You must be Ms. Bonesteel, I'm grateful you came, we’ve been looking forward to speaking with you.”
Nora nodded, “This is Mrs. Arrowood, the sheriff’s mother.” Jane didn’t hold out her hand, she glared at him. Atin bowed slightly. “Deputy Sheriff Joe LeDonne.” Joe nodded to the strangers. Ben and Atin introduced themselves.
“You have many questions,” Nora continued as Atin they all took seats.
Atin looked down for a moment, “Yes, we do. Our main concern is about Vera Kesterson.”
“Vera Kesterson is a Guardian. Her family has lived in these hills for a long time.”
Atin took a deep breath. “We weren’t sure; she wasn’t born in this area. We know most Guardian Lines are tied to one location.”
Nora was quite firm, “Her daddy moved away before she was born.” She pinned first Ben then Atin with a stern look. “A lot of trouble could have been avoided if you had listened to your Seer.”
Ben started to crumble under the guilt and the accusing looks from the two women and man, “Ah, we weren't sure about...if he was being manipulated.”
Pascal picked that moment to walk in with a tray of water glasses. He knew he had been the topic of conversation when everyone stopped talking. He placed the tray on the coffee table and beat a hasty retreat to continue helping Billy Ray clean up the front hall.
Nora took a sip of water then asked, “Did you have any other questions?”
“We seem to have made a lot of mistakes. Could you give us advice on what needs to be done to make up for it? Have you met Sam and Dean Winchester?” Atin was still trying to figure out what their connection to everything was.
“I met Dean, Sam and Vera last week,” Nora began, her bright eyes not missing a thing, “I revealed to Vera that she and her nephew Jay were Called to be Guardians and the beginning of a new Line. Dean decided to establish his Hunt base here. Vera was injured and I approved Dean taking on the lead.”
Atin was thoughtful for a moment. “So Dean is in control of this region? This is a surprise. We’ve never known the Winchesters to stay in one place before.”
Jane nodded; “Spencer deputized Dean the other day.”
Ben nodded, “We knew that...” He looked imploringly at Nora. “What do we need to do now?”
For the first time Nora looked rattled, “For starters stop badgering that poor boy Jay and heal his aunt.”
“Certainly, both of them are asleep right now and we will certainly care for them until they've recovered from last night.” Atin quickly agreed.
Nora pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her eyes, “It's time to act like an Order that protects Hunters and Guardians. We lost one Guardian yesterday and you almost killed another.”
Atin was stunned, “A Guardian died yesterday? Who?”
Jane replied for Nora and Joe who both looked grief stricken, “A wonderful man I've known for many years. His name was Rattler. He and Deputy Ayers were killed by one of those creatures.”
Realization crossed Atin’s face, he was horrified. “Pascal saw it.”
Nora got herself under control, “There have been many deaths caused by these creatures. Rattler gave his life so another Hunter would begin.” She glanced over at Joe who looked at her in shock. She hadn’t told him.
“Another Hunter? You mean other than Sam and Dean?” Atin was reeling from all these revelations.
“Yes, Joe here joined Dean yesterday and he killed the first creature. The one you saw last night was the second one. Vera banished that one back to where it came from.”
“What happened yesterday?” asked Atin weakly.
Joe answered, clearing his throat. “Dean, Jay, Vera, myself and the park ranger Clayt Stargill took part in a search and rescue operation yesterday in the storm trying to find Sam and the other girl that was taken, Kathy Wyler. Jay and Clayt brought back the girl and she’s still in the hospital.”
Ben shifted uncomfortably, he felt extremely guilty, “and then when we found Jay last night...and this morning...”
Nora got very stern, “See that you take care of the Guardians properly now.”
“Yes ma'am,” agreed Atin, “we will be sure to do that. We might need to move Vera to one of our facilities for more specialized care, but we will co-ordinate that with everyone else involved.”
Nora nodded, “Just be sure you ask and not demand. Dean is still Hunt leader and is still finding his way in that role.”
Atin blinked, trying to re-arrange his entire attitude, “Of course.”
“What about Dean?” asked Joe “Is he in any shape to continue his duties as deputy?”
“Dean has some cracked ribs and a sprained ankle,” replied Atin. “He'll be up and around soon enough. Our security staff would be glad to help the department until he is well enough to take over his duties again. I can send a few people down later today and the Sheriff can decide which ones would be best.” Joe’s face tightened and he nodded.
“I'd like to look in on the residents of this farm, and be there for when Dean and Sam wake up,” Nora said, “those two will be pretty feisty and I want to be sure there are no more misunderstandings.”
“I’ll go and set things right in the kitchen,” said Jane firmly, as if she didn’t believe they were capable of it.
“I’ll be back later to speak to Dean when he wakes up,” said Joe getting up, it was time to go back on patrol and let Spencer know their newest deputy was injured and they’d be sleeping with the enemy for awhile.
Pascal came running into the living room, wild-eyed. “Commander, I just had another vision, the Knights are after the Stargills; they plan to kidnap Kayla and Kelly.”
* * *
Aftermath: Part 2
Summary: Another Order shows up; chaos ensues.
Rating/Warning: Mature (NC-17), Warnings for story overall. Swearing (most chapters). Rape and torture chapters have separate warnings. Character deaths (Ballad novels/OCs). Sex--both hetero and homosexual.
Disclaimer: We do not own the Supernatural or Ballad novel story elements.
Thanks to Jellicle_freak and mike_burns1002 for volunteering to be our new betas! If I forgot anyone, please let me know!
Death in Appalachia, Chapter 19: Aftermath Part 1
Summary: Another Order shows up; chaos ensues.
AUTHORS' NOTE: The vocabulary and speech patterns of the characters are reflected in this story, both in dialogue and point of view. The dialects included are Southern Appalachian, Black Vernacular English and Chiac (Acadian French in Canada). Also, the first half of this chapter is heavy on the Ballad novels characters & some OCs. Not to worry, the Winchester boys are going to be back on center stage in the later half of the chapter.
Nora finally raised her face from her hands. They would all survive the night, but it was so close. She would ring the large dinner bell out front at first light, so the folks down the mountain aways would know to send someone. Nora had every intention of getting to the farm as soon as she could after sun up. Vera Kesterson must live. If she didn’t, Nora would have to stay years longer than she wanted, getting Sam, Jay and Kayla ready. Nora was tired; Vera could bridge the gap between generations so easily and so well.
She needed to set these new Hunters in the valley 'aright'. Nora also needed to take the farm and household in hand. These Hunters would have to stay a bit, making right what they had done. She would get Jane Arrowood to help, and have young Joe come along as well. These strangers would have to understand that this community knew far more than they realized. Folks in Wake County might not want to speak of it, but they knew who their Guardians were. The Winchesters and Kestersons were not as alone as they thought.
~*~
Ben looked on with dismay as the Priory arrived. Randy West, the investigator they requested, arrived with four other Priory members, all on motorcycles. For some ridiculous reason Randy insisted on being called Red Dog. Ben guessed it had something to do with being a natural titian redhead.
The Priory were certainly odd, but having a pack of them showing up looking like a biker gang was strange even for them. With five assorted motorcycles parked in the driveway along with various farm vehicles, the rental vans and Dean’s Impala the place was beginning to look like it was owned by a schizophrenic auto dealer.
The fact that the farm was in shambles and the house was falling apart did not add to Ben’s comfort level. Zip had blown out half the wiring in the house that morning as his new ability went haywire, so it was a hunt to find a working electrical outlet. Zip had been forbidden from using anything electrical. Cheryl had been butted by a goat headlong into a compost pile and LaShonda had several uncomfortable minutes when a local farmer brought back a pair of horses. LaShonda had no idea what to do with the two large animals. Mike actually rode, but he was in full prima donna mode and dramatically refused to leave his patient in case she was a Guardian to help out with the equine residents of the farm. Ben had sarcastically defined the word ‘hypocrisy’ for Mike, but the healer pretended he hadn’t issued an execution order on Vera less than 24 hours ago. That rather matted and bedraggled cat from last night seemed to be stalking Atin; it had attacked him several times. Atin had changed from shorts to jeans out of self defense; somehow it kept getting back into the house. His tattooed legs were marred by angry cat scratches.
In the upstairs hallway a large section of crumbling plaster had fallen from the ceiling and onto Lin Yao just after she had showered. She wasn’t hurt, but she wasn’t pleased to have to take another shower. Ben wasn’t happy to hear her self-centered complaints. It didn’t help that there were only two and a half baths with this many people staying here. There was occasionally a line for the outhouse. The two most structurally sound parts of the house were the ritual room and the screened in back porch. Just thinking of the ritual room made Ben shudder so he had been spending most of his time on the porch. Another mystery of the place: the roof was green; a nice, soft green. Ben worried that it had molded over and was about to fall in on them, but he didn’t see any water damage on the ceilings. After everything that had happened so far on this mission, it wouldn’t surprise Ben if the place did collapse on them.
Then another fiasco had struck just a half hour earlier. Billy Ray had arrived with Greg, Miriam, Fawn and Millie. Billy Ray had to rescue Greg and Miriam from a farm house 30 miles away. They had gotten washed off the road by a flooded creek. They couldn’t get a tow service and had to abandon the van. Three more Comacine security personnel had arrived a little earlier bringing much needed medical equipment. Ben was glad for the back up; many members of the team were exhausted. It was good to get the team back together again, but the timing couldn't have been worse. He was still trying to get rid of the team from the Order of Knights.
They had requested assistance from the Knights after Pascal’s vision of possible demonic activity in the area. The Comacines usually dealt with Hunter and Guardian Lines and rogue psychics, so were not prepared to deal with a demon. The Knights were a great help in dealing with certain types of supernatural creatures, but they were terrible about forced recruiting and would snatch up any powerful underage psychic they could lay their hands on. To make matters even worse, one of the Knights, Jennifer Greer, was distantly related to Vera Kesterson and was wondering what they were doing here. Ben was caught totally by surprise and told her he had no idea who she was talking about. If that hadn’t made them suspicious enough, as soon as the van with the other Com team members arrived Fawn had come running up to the house demanding to see Mike. Ben almost groaned out loud. The Knights now knew the head of their medical division was here for some reason and a twelve-year-old girl was looking for him. It didn’t help that Millie was asking Greg what a booster was at about the same time.
The Knights had to realize that something very strange was going on here, and there were probably some newly found, very powerful underage psychics here. Ben was sitting in a crumbling farm house with two underage boosters, a young healer, a powerful rogue psychic and his understandably enraged brother. Then there was Vera Kesterson - whatever she was.
Ben just hoped that ‘Red Dog’ could get some answers out of Jay. Atin had tried that morning; he was great at coaxing information out of frightened psychics, but Jay Kesterson had talked circles around him. After almost an hour of trying to get him to answer the most basic of questions Atin gave up. Ben was glad he had put in a call to the Priory last night asking for their assistance. The Priory practiced both magic and used psychic abilities, and since Jay did as well he hoped they could pry some answers out of the young man. Dean and Sam were both still sedated, and Ben was thankful to only have to deal with Jay right now.
“Ben!” Red Dog hailed him after the rumble of the cycles had faded. “Sounds like you've had quite a time here. Mind if the boys come in? Long ride from Gatlinburg.”
Ben took a deep breath and told himself to stay in control of his temper. You never knew exactly what the Priory’s agenda was. That they were willing to help was surprising; Ben wondered about their motivation. “Glad you could make it here so quickly. Uh, why did you bring the whole team Red Dog?”
Red Dog shrugged. “We were at a bike rally in Gatlinburg. The guys decided to come along; beautiful country up here. We’re getting ready for the Trail of Tears run out of Chattanooga.”
Ben was a bit more comfortable now that the entire security team was here and they had another three person security team join them. They outnumbered the Priory, not that he was expecting any trouble. Despite the high weirdness that seemed to follow them, the Priory members were usually a pretty sociable bunch. "We haven't had a chance to clean up yet.” Ben warned, “come in."
The front hall looked like a battle had been fought in it and then the soldiers patched up in the same place. Blood was smeared on the walls and had made small puddles on the floor. There were still bloody gurneys, discarded IV bags, gauze and surgical tape strewn around the room.
Red Dog paused in the doorway, the four other Priory members piling up behind him on the porch. “Damn, what the hell happened?”
Ben looked grim, the unaccustomed weight of command bearing down on him. "This is the result of an inter-dimensional attack. We patched everyone up the best we could. Pascal!"
Pascal darted into the front hall from the kitchen, looking on edge.
Ben gave him a cold glance; Pascal was out of favor for leaving Zip alone to restrain Jay when he left to get Vera from the field. The fact that he was having rogue visions and his psychic shields were fluxing badly didn’t help. “Show these men to the kitchen please.” With a slight nod Pascal lead the rest of the Priory team to the kitchen leaving Ben and Red Dog alone.
Red Dog’s narrow, freckled face was a mask of concern. “What's going on Ben?”
The new Comacine team leader rubbed his balding head nervously. “That's what we were hoping you could tell us. We have a young man upstairs, Jay Kesterson. He's somehow involved in what we think is a case of necromancy, blood magic and demon summoning. He was arrested in Chattanooga for stealing human remains but he won't say where the bones are. He says he gave them to some Native American activist for reburial, but he won’t say who.”
Red Dog gave Ben a piercing look, blue eyes snapping under red hair. “I need to know a little more about what's been going on around this kid if you want me to get any answers out of him.”
Ben shifted his weight from one foot to another. “We don't know much, Jay was arrested about a month ago for breaking into the archeology lab to steal remains. Here's his booking report.”
Red Dog looked over the paperwork. “Light Feather involved in this? He usually kills necros on sight.”
Ben twitched. “I know, that's what makes this all so suspicious.”
“Why have him arrested? If Light Feather knew where Jay was he could have killed him.”
“We know Jay had help, probably the Winchesters.” Ben said with a barely suppressed grunt of frustration at all the seeming paradoxes of the situation. “We are speculating but maybe Light Feather was hoping Jay would lead him back to whoever convinced him to steal the bones. We don’t think Jay Kesterson would have done this on his own.”
“Winchesters helping procure bones for a necromancer?” Red Dog frowned, not liking what he was hearing. “I thought they weren't into that.”
Ben threw his hands into the air. “They were there to kill an Uktena, we still aren't sure of their connection to Jay.”
“How long have you had Jay in your custody?”
“We arrived late last night.”
“Anyone tried talking to him yet?
“Atin tried,” Ben said morosely “kid must have had training, couldn't get anything out of him.”
Red Dog couldn’t help but smirk. “This should be a challenge. Atin's good. How is the kid acting? Anything I should know before I take a run at him?”
“He's young, he's scared and he's hiding something or protecting someone so he won't talk.”
“Huh, any chance family is involved? Jay's still pretty young.”
Ben had a strange, suspicious feeling. Red Dog seemed to be using Jay’s first name a little too freely, with a little too much familiarity. “Does the Priory have a special interest in the Kestersons?”
Red Dog gave him a chilling smile. “Kestersons. Plural. Yes, we do.” Ben could have cursed, letting slip that more then Jay was involved. “Vera Kesterson. Where is she, is she alive, and how is she wrapped up in all of this?”
“She's here and alive for the moment. What is your connection to her?”
“She and Will have history; she better stay alive.”
Ben raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Really? Old flame?”
Red Dog gave him a hard stare. “No, something more, but I'm not sure you'd understand. It's a magic thing.”
“Reassure Will we are doing what we can to keep her alive. Mike is here. Was there anything else?”
Red Dog’s jaw thrust out just a bit. “I'd like to see her before I leave.”
Ben could see a whole new layer of trouble developing. No way was he going to allow that until he had a better idea of what was going on. Mistress Tudor had negotiated some sort of payment to the Priory for their help. “That wasn't part of the agreement.”
“Agreements can be changed.” That same cold smile was back on his face.
Ben felt his own smile freeze into place. Damn, he wished Atin were handling this rather than babysitting Jay right now. “Yes, they can.”
***
Fifteen minutes later, Ben was facing an enraged Priory interrogator. Red Dog’s face had hardened, making the unattractive man look brutally ugly. “Don't make any mistakes here, Ben. It won't be pretty if you do. See you at the Conclave.”
Ben grimly thought that it was too late for that, but said nothing. He was still too stunned by the threat from the Priory. Rather than trying to find out about the bones, Red Dog had asked Jay about what happened last night and about his aunt. Ben had cut the session short and asked the Red Dog to leave. They were obviously using the situation to spy and to contact the Kestersons. He turned curtly to Atin. “Sedate Jay and put him back in with the Winchesters.”
Atin blinked. “What the hell was that?” He asked as Greg showed Red Dog and his team out.
Ben shook his head in angered amazement. “The Priory just threatened us. If anything happens to Vera...”
Atin gasped. “Oh...she does magic and is a psychic too...”
Ben nodded thoughtfully and continued, getting his own anger under control. “I think it is more than that, Will Woodfin has a particular interest in her that seems shared by the rest of the Order. Why she isn't a member of the Priory I don't know. I wish she was, then none of this would have happened.”
Atin thought a moment, his deep brown eyes thoughtful. “We are in over our heads here. Damn. I better get back to Jay. I think he's about to have hysterics again. I think he's basically a good kid, but something has him terrified.”
Ben looked guilty. “We aren't exactly reassuring him either. I wish we could get some answers, I wish Greg could have found Ms. Bonesteel last night.”
“If he was here do you think he would have stood down on the execution order? Did I hear Red Dog ask for Jay?”
Ben sighed. “That's right; he wanted to take Jay with him and to see Vera.”
“Damn,” Atin muttered softly. “Can you send someone...who can be gentle...to help me with Jay?” It was obvious he didn’t trust most of the security team to be restrained with a young psychic mage suspected of necromancy and blood magic.
Before Ben could respond Greg came stumping up the stairs to join them. “Can't stand the Priory. They make my teeth itch.”
Ben simply nodded. “All of them gone?”
“Yes” Greg grimaced, “but there was a lot of grumbling. I think they're going to be back. I have a feeling Red Dog will be on his cell the second he’s past the farm's gates. Ben, why the hell aren't we pulling out of here?”
Ben rubbed his face. Greg had been questioning him ever since he was put in charge. “I need Cheryl but can you send the rest of your team around outside to patrol. I'll be sending you, Lin Yao and Miriam with the younger kids back to Hawaii.”
He looked pleased. “Zip coming with us?”
Ben shook his head. “Mike needs both him and Jay to save Vera. I can't send away her only hope if she is a Guardian.”
“What the hell does it matter?” Greg scowled; not hiding the fact that he thought Ben was a near idiot. “The kid can take her place, she's expendable. We shouldn't be jeopardizing Zip and Mike over a mage.”
Ben glared, angry with Greg’s callousness. “Are you willing to risk an inter-Order war? The Priory just threatened us if she dies.”
The security lead snorted. “Probably just another one of their mind fuck jokes. Seriously Ben, let the kid say goodbye and have Mike load up her IV with morphine and let's get out of here. This place is not defensible.”
Ben decided he had enough. Atin had the experience; compassion and unbiased opinion that was needed to take care of the situation here. Atin was far better qualified than he was. He had the feeling that the lead position got fobbed off on him because Mistress Tudor knew that the situation would only get worse if Greg was in charge. Greg was more senior than Atin in the chain of command, but since he was leaving to transport their new members; Ben was going to ask her to put Atin in charge. “I need to call the Mistress,” he said curtly in response to Greg. “Send Cheryl to help Atin.”
~*~
Joe was surprised when Spencer radioed him early that morning. The sheriff’s mother had called him and requested that Joe stop by her place as quickly as possible. Nora Bonesteel wished to speak to him.
When Joe pulled the squad car into Mrs. Arrowood’s laneway, Nora was already waiting at the door and walked out to the car before he even stopped. Joe hopped out to open the passenger door for her.
“We need to get to Vera’s farm,” said Nora. There was a note of worry in the old psychic’s voice Joe had never heard before. “Jane will follow us while I explain what is happening along the way.”
Before yesterday Joe would have thought he was catering to a senile old woman but recent events had conspired to show him that the supernatural was all too real. He was completely willing to believe all the strange stories about the old woman’s abilities. Joe asked anxiously, “Did Sam - did he die last night?” The last time Joe had seen Sam he was sure he wouldn’t survive. In fact he had an argument with Vera in the cave telling her it would be a mercy to let him go. Vera had disagreed vehemently.
“Everyone made it through. Sam is fine. There were a group of Hunters at the farm last night. They have a healer and Sam is completely healed, in body at least.”
Joe looked at her skeptically, “A healer? I was sure he wouldn't pull through, why the hurry then?”
“It's Vera I fear for,” she replied.
Joe sucked in a breath, and concentrated on driving for a moment. “That demon got her, didn't it?”
“Yes, Joe, it did,” said Nora her voice tight with emotion, “she's in a bad way. That group of Hunters almost killed the Kestersons last night.”
Joe's hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Is that the same group that kidnapped Millie and Fawn? Spencer called in the FBI and the agent threatened him!”
“The same group, but Fawn and Millie weren't kidnapped, they went willingly.”
“That's what Spencer said. Are you sure? They didn't do some mind manipulation on them?” Joe couldn’t believe he was actually asking the question.
“No. It will be for the best for both of them.”
Joe pounded the steering wheel in frustration. “Then what do they want? They got Millie and Fawn. Why kill the Kestersons?”
“The Kestersons are still alive, Joe. They thought Vera was controlling the demons and that she was behind the killings.”
Joe was speechless and then felt guilty; after all he also had suspected Vera and Dean of being behind the murders. They reached the farm and he pulled in behind the assortment of vehicles. As he got out he noted a van stuck in the middle of a field, fences were broken, horses and goats were running loose. "What happened here?”
“Long story Joe. These Hunters were here looking for the Kestersons and Winchesters last night. Vera knew they might kill her so she drove through the fences to a sacred place out back of the farm to do a ritual to drive the unclean presence out of Sam.”
“Were they going to kill the Winchesters too?”
“No, they thought the Winchesters were victims of Vera as well.”
Joe shook his head. He waited for Jane to join them before they all walked up to the front door together.
Nora put a hand on Joe's arm restraining him gently. “Joe, this is a very powerful and a very large group of Hunters, an entire Order of them. They outnumber us and they are very confused and don't know nearly as much as they think they do. They can be allies, so don’t do anything that will rile them up. We need them. Without them, Vera will die.”
Joe felt a slow burn of anger, "They have the FBI in their pocket. There isn't much I can do."
“That's why we have to be careful. They can take Jay, Sam and Dean away and let Vera die. Understand?”
“Yes ma'am,” he replied and knocked loudly on the door.
~*~
Pascal looked over at Billy Ray who had asked him to help clean up the front entranceway. He along with the others that arrived earlier looked like the only ones who actually got some sleep last night. The back up security team, Ginger, Hiro and Alonzo had arrived earlier that morning. Most of the Comacines who were here last night had gratefully dispersed to the many bedrooms, couches and lawn chairs for a little sleep.
Pascal was supposed to be resting but he was still on edge, things were too uncertain. The Order was still in grave danger. He saw the threat of war with the Priory in his visions but Ben seemed to think he was under the influence of Ravenmocker. At least Ben recognized very quickly that he was out of his depth here, and requested that Atin take over the lead. Atin was a seasoned field veteran while Ben usually worked with Mike in the medical facilities back in Hawaii. They were jumping over Greg in the chain of command, but Greg’s hatred of magic would make him a poor choice in the situation and he was shipping out in a few hours anyways.
There was a loud knock at the door and Billy Ray looked to Pascal. Pascal hesitated then went to answer. He opened the door and was surprised to see the elderly woman from his vision, Nora Bonesteel, standing there in a gray, linen dress. She was accompanied by a frowning woman in her sixties and a deputy sheriff, the name badge read LeDonne.
Nora seemed to recognize him. “I'm glad that everyone made it through the night.” She took a closer look at Pascal and smiled, “If everyone would have paid you more mind it would have saved a whole load of pain and grief for everyone.” She held out her arms.
Even though they weren't related in this lifetime, Pascal felt drawn to the elderly woman. He stepped into her embrace and gave her the French greeting of a kiss on each cheek. "Ma tante Nora! What an honor, please come in."
Joe looked at the young man with curly dark brown hair and a black eye intensely; he openly wore a .9 mm at his waist. He also recognized the French-Canadian accent; he had just called Miss Bonesteel his “auntie.”
Jane Arrowood looked wide-eyed from Nora to the young man. She was used to odd things happening around Nora, she glared at Pascal. “Young man, I want to know who you are and what you're doing here. This farm's livestock is wandering all over this half of the county.”
"My name is Pascal Comeau, the man in charge is Atin Lono, please come in, we were just cleaning up." Pascal stepped aside to let them in. Billy Ray barely glanced at them before returning to picking up the discarded medical equipment, gauze and bandages. Joe cursed. It looked like a crime scene that had been hastily cleaned up. There were dark stains on the floor and smudges of what looked like blood on the walls.
Jane gasped at the sight and Nora told her, “Calm down Jane. No one died.”
Pascal led the way down the hall, "Please have a seat in the living room, sorry about the mess. I'll get the Commander. Can I get you anything from the kitchen?"
Nora replied, “Some water will be fine, I think we have a lot to speak about.”
A few minutes later Atin and Ben entered the living room to speak to the senior Guardian, Pascal went to get glasses of water for everyone.
Atin looked at the two women, guessing which one was Nora by her advanced age. “Good morning ladies,” He and Ben crossed to shake Nora’s hand. “You must be Ms. Bonesteel, I'm grateful you came, we’ve been looking forward to speaking with you.”
Nora nodded, “This is Mrs. Arrowood, the sheriff’s mother.” Jane didn’t hold out her hand, she glared at him. Atin bowed slightly. “Deputy Sheriff Joe LeDonne.” Joe nodded to the strangers. Ben and Atin introduced themselves.
“You have many questions,” Nora continued as Atin they all took seats.
Atin looked down for a moment, “Yes, we do. Our main concern is about Vera Kesterson.”
“Vera Kesterson is a Guardian. Her family has lived in these hills for a long time.”
Atin took a deep breath. “We weren’t sure; she wasn’t born in this area. We know most Guardian Lines are tied to one location.”
Nora was quite firm, “Her daddy moved away before she was born.” She pinned first Ben then Atin with a stern look. “A lot of trouble could have been avoided if you had listened to your Seer.”
Ben started to crumble under the guilt and the accusing looks from the two women and man, “Ah, we weren't sure about...if he was being manipulated.”
Pascal picked that moment to walk in with a tray of water glasses. He knew he had been the topic of conversation when everyone stopped talking. He placed the tray on the coffee table and beat a hasty retreat to continue helping Billy Ray clean up the front hall.
Nora took a sip of water then asked, “Did you have any other questions?”
“We seem to have made a lot of mistakes. Could you give us advice on what needs to be done to make up for it? Have you met Sam and Dean Winchester?” Atin was still trying to figure out what their connection to everything was.
“I met Dean, Sam and Vera last week,” Nora began, her bright eyes not missing a thing, “I revealed to Vera that she and her nephew Jay were Called to be Guardians and the beginning of a new Line. Dean decided to establish his Hunt base here. Vera was injured and I approved Dean taking on the lead.”
Atin was thoughtful for a moment. “So Dean is in control of this region? This is a surprise. We’ve never known the Winchesters to stay in one place before.”
Jane nodded; “Spencer deputized Dean the other day.”
Ben nodded, “We knew that...” He looked imploringly at Nora. “What do we need to do now?”
For the first time Nora looked rattled, “For starters stop badgering that poor boy Jay and heal his aunt.”
“Certainly, both of them are asleep right now and we will certainly care for them until they've recovered from last night.” Atin quickly agreed.
Nora pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her eyes, “It's time to act like an Order that protects Hunters and Guardians. We lost one Guardian yesterday and you almost killed another.”
Atin was stunned, “A Guardian died yesterday? Who?”
Jane replied for Nora and Joe who both looked grief stricken, “A wonderful man I've known for many years. His name was Rattler. He and Deputy Ayers were killed by one of those creatures.”
Realization crossed Atin’s face, he was horrified. “Pascal saw it.”
Nora got herself under control, “There have been many deaths caused by these creatures. Rattler gave his life so another Hunter would begin.” She glanced over at Joe who looked at her in shock. She hadn’t told him.
“Another Hunter? You mean other than Sam and Dean?” Atin was reeling from all these revelations.
“Yes, Joe here joined Dean yesterday and he killed the first creature. The one you saw last night was the second one. Vera banished that one back to where it came from.”
“What happened yesterday?” asked Atin weakly.
Joe answered, clearing his throat. “Dean, Jay, Vera, myself and the park ranger Clayt Stargill took part in a search and rescue operation yesterday in the storm trying to find Sam and the other girl that was taken, Kathy Wyler. Jay and Clayt brought back the girl and she’s still in the hospital.”
Ben shifted uncomfortably, he felt extremely guilty, “and then when we found Jay last night...and this morning...”
Nora got very stern, “See that you take care of the Guardians properly now.”
“Yes ma'am,” agreed Atin, “we will be sure to do that. We might need to move Vera to one of our facilities for more specialized care, but we will co-ordinate that with everyone else involved.”
Nora nodded, “Just be sure you ask and not demand. Dean is still Hunt leader and is still finding his way in that role.”
Atin blinked, trying to re-arrange his entire attitude, “Of course.”
“What about Dean?” asked Joe “Is he in any shape to continue his duties as deputy?”
“Dean has some cracked ribs and a sprained ankle,” replied Atin. “He'll be up and around soon enough. Our security staff would be glad to help the department until he is well enough to take over his duties again. I can send a few people down later today and the Sheriff can decide which ones would be best.” Joe’s face tightened and he nodded.
“I'd like to look in on the residents of this farm, and be there for when Dean and Sam wake up,” Nora said, “those two will be pretty feisty and I want to be sure there are no more misunderstandings.”
“I’ll go and set things right in the kitchen,” said Jane firmly, as if she didn’t believe they were capable of it.
“I’ll be back later to speak to Dean when he wakes up,” said Joe getting up, it was time to go back on patrol and let Spencer know their newest deputy was injured and they’d be sleeping with the enemy for awhile.
Pascal came running into the living room, wild-eyed. “Commander, I just had another vision, the Knights are after the Stargills; they plan to kidnap Kayla and Kelly.”
* * *
Aftermath: Part 2