Chapter 3: Wednesday's Child is full of woe -part 3
It was a strange afterlife, John, found himself living. He was surprised that even in this twilight zone of existence, Wednesday, was still prone to the whims of God. She would fall into waking trances or, if sleeping, haunted dreams and nightmares. When she awoke from either trance or dream, she would write or draw in one of her journals. Sometimes headaches and vision problems would accompany the night terrors or day trances.
For a while John’s curiosity got the best of him and he’d read what she’d written. Until the day he sat reading about Cold Oak, South Dakota and Dean’s crossroads deal to save Sam. Wen’s account of Dean’s descent into demonic apprenticeship broke him.
“…I saw a brother die; stabbed in the back by one he’d shown mercy. I saw his brother mourn him and his grief turn to despair and despair into desperation. I saw the brother summon a demon and sell his soul to resurrect his brother. One would live and the other dies within the year, condemned to hell for love of family...
…Again I dreamt of hell, of being strapped to a rack and I felt unbearable pain and looked into the eyes of the two demons torturing me. One was hideous to behold and with every cut made to me would hiss to the other as if instructing it. The other still looked like a man, only shadowed and indistinct. As this shadow demon leant over me, cutting the way the first demon had, I heard an angel say ‘this is Dean Winchester he is the Righteous Man; remind him of his humanity, so he may be saved’. A sense of peace washed over me and I did as angel instructed…
… The shadow demon would ask me to join them. It was tempting to say yes, but I would hear the angel’s voice again, ‘This is not a demon, this is the Righteous Man, help him regain his humanity, so he may be saved’. I would look into the demon’s eyes and I would answer no. The demon would mock me and then kill me…
…this cycle repeated itself ‘demon dean’ becoming frustrated and more creative with every denial and I refusing to join him because with each death and resurrection, I saw the light within him become stronger and stronger. Until there was hesitation in the blade held, and light returned to his eyes. The air was filled with the roaring of a jet engine and an intense heat and light surrounded us.
When I awoke I was again in hospital. A woman came up to me and told me everything would be fine and it was just a nightmare and I was to go back to sleep. I didn’t want to because if felt so real, but then she took my hand and kissed me on the forehead and everything felt safe again, so I went back to sleep. When I awoke I was back in the hunter’s cabin Dad found abandoned…”
****
John cursed God, the Devil and even Ariel for making this truth known to him. He raged silently with himself. Telling himself if he’d only known, he would have broken that seal willingly and spared Dean.
“Oh, the hell you would have Winchester, ‘should’ve, would’ve, could’ve, didn’t, can’t, won’t’. They might as well be the family motto, together with ‘Road to Hell paved with Good Intentions’ and my personal favourite, ‘You do whatever it takes to protect your family’.” John said bitterly to himself.
“People say talking to yourself is the first sign of madness. Personally, I don’t understand that because who else understands you better than yourself.” Wen said brightly, coming up behind him and making him jump. She noticed the journal in his hands. “You probably shouldn’t read them if they’re going to make you walk around muttering to yourself.”
“Yeah, Sorry about that, curiosity got the better of me.” John said placing the journal back in the chest and closing the lid. “Do you ever read what you’ve written?”
“No. I write everything down because my dreams give me headaches and make my eyes ache. Why would I want to re-read stuff that gives me headaches? That makes my eyes hurt?” Wen said and really, John couldn’t argue with that simple logic.
***
In the year following Dean’s miraculous resurrection from hell while he and Sam struggled to stay connected as brothers. Wen and John worked together turning the ruined cabin into a home. John discovered Wen’s approach to home building was simple, as long as it was cosy and comfortable, aesthetics be damned.
The cabin took the shape of a misshaped rhomb with a separate bathroom and an outhouse. When not writing the ‘holy word’ as John called Wen’s journals, she would swim or hike through the forest. Sometimes John would accompany her, most of the time she preferred to be alone.
In the year of the apocalypse, as heaven and hell waged war with each other, the Winchester brothers did their best to re-write the word of God and the angel Castiel struggled with faith, friendship and the concept of free-will. Wen and John spent the time working at her family’s garage.
John was surprised at the authenticity of the garage and how authentic the customers were. His hunter’s instinct reminded him of the old adage, “if it seems too good to be true - it’s supernatural”. He stuck to pumping gas and fixing punctured tires for lost Yuppies, old ladies, single parents, spotty teenagers and on one occasion an entire troupe of artists. Careful observation and subtle questioning of both the customers and Wen soon confirmed his suspicions.
Ariel was setting up a pretty compelling “ghost story” for some curious hunter. John assumed that the hunters would probably be his boys and he wondered how they would play into the archangel’s future plans.
John knew when the archangel was fully powered up because he’d find himself back in the hospital room.
“Why do we come here?” John asked the archangel. The third time this happened.
“She was in a coma for six weeks after the accident. Our work couldn’t begin until she died. I posed as her cousin and read to her. I suppose my grace feels this is an appropriate environment to guide Wen through her tasks.” Ariel smiled and returned to reading aloud.
John looked out the window until Wen awoke screaming. Ariel said something to Wen kissed her forehead and they returned to Wen’s cabin.
“How much longer are you shuttling that poor woman’s soul between hell and the twilight zone of her personal heaven?” John asked the angel.
“This is the last time. You have fulfilled your obligation to me. It is time for you to rest in peace, John Winchester.” Ariel said and touched his forehead with her fingers.
***
When he opened his eyes he was standing on the sidewalk in front of Mary’s house. He remembered nothing of his time with Ariel and Wen Smith. He remembered only that he’d escaped from hell to help his sons kill the yellow-eyed demon that murdered his wife and tainted his baby boy. Mary and Deanna Campbell welcomed him with love and in the extended community of the Garden of Eden, John Winchester, found peace and the life he should have had while on earth.
The Prophet is reborn
“…and then I saw the vessel reject Satan and sacrifice himself for the world. I saw the surprise on the face of Michael as he reached out to his brother’s vessel and both fell into the pit… I found myself in a field looking up at the sky as a violent electrical storm flash across pitch black clouds. It was cold and the grass underneath was covered in deep frost. Through the flashes of lightning I thought I saw huge birds of prey fighting. Other times I thought I saw two men fighting. The storm suddenly stopped and I thought I heard sobbing and somebody begging for mercy. Then there was just scornful laughter and the sounds of more fighting mingled with sobbing…
…Then I dreamt I was in a darkened room. I saw figures sitting in a corner and asked their names and where they were. There was no answer from either figure. I said they had to remember. If they remembered their names help would come... When I next found myself in that darkened room there was only one figure that lay still as if dead. A strange light was hammering against the corner wall.
“What are you doing?” I asked the light.
“Trying to get back to him,” it replied.
“Who?” I asked.
“Sam” it said.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because I am his soul, help me return,” the light pleaded.
“I don’t know how,” I replied.
“Please don’t leave me.” The light begged.
“No. I will not leave you Sam,” I said.
…Then I dreamt Death himself came and claimed Sam’s soul. Then everything turned tomb cold and black with the only sound an inhuman screaming echoing around the room.”
***
Wednesday awoke with a start and found herself in a cabin. She was alone. Getting up she looked around the room and then wandered outside. It was the abandoned hunter’s cabin her father had found and made a haven for her. He hadn’t told her he’d fixed it up before … Wen found she couldn’t remember what happened to her father, or her mother.
“Hello Wednesday.” A voice spoke from behind and Wen turned to find she faced a beautiful woman. Around her there was an unearthly glow.
“Who are you?” she asked fearfully.
“My name is Ariel and I have been your guardian angel since your birth.” Ariel replied taking her by the hands and smiling.
“Am I dead?” Wen asked even more fearful.
“More or less,” the angel answered. The fear disappeared, replaced by a feeling of surprised frustration.
“Which is it?” Wen asked placing her hands on her hips.
“More as far as the world is concerned. Less as far as heaven is concerned.” Ariel said.
“What does that even mean?” Wen asked looking around her.
“It means I keep you safe until those whom you have helped remember you. And the one you are to help asks for it.” Ariel said, “It means you live in this cabin and work at your parent’s garage. It means while this happens you are alive. Look around Wen, isn’t this all you’ve ever wished?”
“Hmm,” Wen said absently as she walked around the cabin, taking in all the oddities about it. Then, she walked down to the lake. It was peaceful in this place. She placed a foot in the water, it was soothing and inviting.
“Can I swim?” she asked Ariel.
“Yes. If that is what you wish,” was the reply. Wen stripped off her clothes, took a running jump into the water and swam until she was exhausted.
The cabin was warm and cosy when she entered and there was a fresh pot of coffee and newly baked bread on the table. Wen grabbed a mug and poured herself a coffee. She ate a slice of bread with butter and closed her eyes. Contentment flowed through her mind and body. It was good to be home.
Chapter 4
For a while John’s curiosity got the best of him and he’d read what she’d written. Until the day he sat reading about Cold Oak, South Dakota and Dean’s crossroads deal to save Sam. Wen’s account of Dean’s descent into demonic apprenticeship broke him.
“…I saw a brother die; stabbed in the back by one he’d shown mercy. I saw his brother mourn him and his grief turn to despair and despair into desperation. I saw the brother summon a demon and sell his soul to resurrect his brother. One would live and the other dies within the year, condemned to hell for love of family...
…Again I dreamt of hell, of being strapped to a rack and I felt unbearable pain and looked into the eyes of the two demons torturing me. One was hideous to behold and with every cut made to me would hiss to the other as if instructing it. The other still looked like a man, only shadowed and indistinct. As this shadow demon leant over me, cutting the way the first demon had, I heard an angel say ‘this is Dean Winchester he is the Righteous Man; remind him of his humanity, so he may be saved’. A sense of peace washed over me and I did as angel instructed…
… The shadow demon would ask me to join them. It was tempting to say yes, but I would hear the angel’s voice again, ‘This is not a demon, this is the Righteous Man, help him regain his humanity, so he may be saved’. I would look into the demon’s eyes and I would answer no. The demon would mock me and then kill me…
…this cycle repeated itself ‘demon dean’ becoming frustrated and more creative with every denial and I refusing to join him because with each death and resurrection, I saw the light within him become stronger and stronger. Until there was hesitation in the blade held, and light returned to his eyes. The air was filled with the roaring of a jet engine and an intense heat and light surrounded us.
When I awoke I was again in hospital. A woman came up to me and told me everything would be fine and it was just a nightmare and I was to go back to sleep. I didn’t want to because if felt so real, but then she took my hand and kissed me on the forehead and everything felt safe again, so I went back to sleep. When I awoke I was back in the hunter’s cabin Dad found abandoned…”
****
John cursed God, the Devil and even Ariel for making this truth known to him. He raged silently with himself. Telling himself if he’d only known, he would have broken that seal willingly and spared Dean.
“Oh, the hell you would have Winchester, ‘should’ve, would’ve, could’ve, didn’t, can’t, won’t’. They might as well be the family motto, together with ‘Road to Hell paved with Good Intentions’ and my personal favourite, ‘You do whatever it takes to protect your family’.” John said bitterly to himself.
“People say talking to yourself is the first sign of madness. Personally, I don’t understand that because who else understands you better than yourself.” Wen said brightly, coming up behind him and making him jump. She noticed the journal in his hands. “You probably shouldn’t read them if they’re going to make you walk around muttering to yourself.”
“Yeah, Sorry about that, curiosity got the better of me.” John said placing the journal back in the chest and closing the lid. “Do you ever read what you’ve written?”
“No. I write everything down because my dreams give me headaches and make my eyes ache. Why would I want to re-read stuff that gives me headaches? That makes my eyes hurt?” Wen said and really, John couldn’t argue with that simple logic.
***
In the year following Dean’s miraculous resurrection from hell while he and Sam struggled to stay connected as brothers. Wen and John worked together turning the ruined cabin into a home. John discovered Wen’s approach to home building was simple, as long as it was cosy and comfortable, aesthetics be damned.
The cabin took the shape of a misshaped rhomb with a separate bathroom and an outhouse. When not writing the ‘holy word’ as John called Wen’s journals, she would swim or hike through the forest. Sometimes John would accompany her, most of the time she preferred to be alone.
In the year of the apocalypse, as heaven and hell waged war with each other, the Winchester brothers did their best to re-write the word of God and the angel Castiel struggled with faith, friendship and the concept of free-will. Wen and John spent the time working at her family’s garage.
John was surprised at the authenticity of the garage and how authentic the customers were. His hunter’s instinct reminded him of the old adage, “if it seems too good to be true - it’s supernatural”. He stuck to pumping gas and fixing punctured tires for lost Yuppies, old ladies, single parents, spotty teenagers and on one occasion an entire troupe of artists. Careful observation and subtle questioning of both the customers and Wen soon confirmed his suspicions.
Ariel was setting up a pretty compelling “ghost story” for some curious hunter. John assumed that the hunters would probably be his boys and he wondered how they would play into the archangel’s future plans.
John knew when the archangel was fully powered up because he’d find himself back in the hospital room.
“Why do we come here?” John asked the archangel. The third time this happened.
“She was in a coma for six weeks after the accident. Our work couldn’t begin until she died. I posed as her cousin and read to her. I suppose my grace feels this is an appropriate environment to guide Wen through her tasks.” Ariel smiled and returned to reading aloud.
John looked out the window until Wen awoke screaming. Ariel said something to Wen kissed her forehead and they returned to Wen’s cabin.
“How much longer are you shuttling that poor woman’s soul between hell and the twilight zone of her personal heaven?” John asked the angel.
“This is the last time. You have fulfilled your obligation to me. It is time for you to rest in peace, John Winchester.” Ariel said and touched his forehead with her fingers.
***
When he opened his eyes he was standing on the sidewalk in front of Mary’s house. He remembered nothing of his time with Ariel and Wen Smith. He remembered only that he’d escaped from hell to help his sons kill the yellow-eyed demon that murdered his wife and tainted his baby boy. Mary and Deanna Campbell welcomed him with love and in the extended community of the Garden of Eden, John Winchester, found peace and the life he should have had while on earth.
The Prophet is reborn
“…and then I saw the vessel reject Satan and sacrifice himself for the world. I saw the surprise on the face of Michael as he reached out to his brother’s vessel and both fell into the pit… I found myself in a field looking up at the sky as a violent electrical storm flash across pitch black clouds. It was cold and the grass underneath was covered in deep frost. Through the flashes of lightning I thought I saw huge birds of prey fighting. Other times I thought I saw two men fighting. The storm suddenly stopped and I thought I heard sobbing and somebody begging for mercy. Then there was just scornful laughter and the sounds of more fighting mingled with sobbing…
…Then I dreamt I was in a darkened room. I saw figures sitting in a corner and asked their names and where they were. There was no answer from either figure. I said they had to remember. If they remembered their names help would come... When I next found myself in that darkened room there was only one figure that lay still as if dead. A strange light was hammering against the corner wall.
“What are you doing?” I asked the light.
“Trying to get back to him,” it replied.
“Who?” I asked.
“Sam” it said.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because I am his soul, help me return,” the light pleaded.
“I don’t know how,” I replied.
“Please don’t leave me.” The light begged.
“No. I will not leave you Sam,” I said.
…Then I dreamt Death himself came and claimed Sam’s soul. Then everything turned tomb cold and black with the only sound an inhuman screaming echoing around the room.”
***
Wednesday awoke with a start and found herself in a cabin. She was alone. Getting up she looked around the room and then wandered outside. It was the abandoned hunter’s cabin her father had found and made a haven for her. He hadn’t told her he’d fixed it up before … Wen found she couldn’t remember what happened to her father, or her mother.
“Hello Wednesday.” A voice spoke from behind and Wen turned to find she faced a beautiful woman. Around her there was an unearthly glow.
“Who are you?” she asked fearfully.
“My name is Ariel and I have been your guardian angel since your birth.” Ariel replied taking her by the hands and smiling.
“Am I dead?” Wen asked even more fearful.
“More or less,” the angel answered. The fear disappeared, replaced by a feeling of surprised frustration.
“Which is it?” Wen asked placing her hands on her hips.
“More as far as the world is concerned. Less as far as heaven is concerned.” Ariel said.
“What does that even mean?” Wen asked looking around her.
“It means I keep you safe until those whom you have helped remember you. And the one you are to help asks for it.” Ariel said, “It means you live in this cabin and work at your parent’s garage. It means while this happens you are alive. Look around Wen, isn’t this all you’ve ever wished?”
“Hmm,” Wen said absently as she walked around the cabin, taking in all the oddities about it. Then, she walked down to the lake. It was peaceful in this place. She placed a foot in the water, it was soothing and inviting.
“Can I swim?” she asked Ariel.
“Yes. If that is what you wish,” was the reply. Wen stripped off her clothes, took a running jump into the water and swam until she was exhausted.
The cabin was warm and cosy when she entered and there was a fresh pot of coffee and newly baked bread on the table. Wen grabbed a mug and poured herself a coffee. She ate a slice of bread with butter and closed her eyes. Contentment flowed through her mind and body. It was good to be home.
Chapter 4