"What is the Distance Between a Bullet and a Gun," Rated R, SPN/Paranormal Activity/Surprise Xover
Fandom: Supernatural/Paranormal Activity/Surprise Fandom X-over
Rating: Rated R
Word Count: 20,434 total
Time Period: Happens after SPN "5.04 The End." The time period of PA had to be AU'ed to 2009 to accommodate this (I desperately wanted to include Castiel in the story, heh). The ending of PA was also changed to make a need for the SPN characters to swoop in.
Summary: Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat have been terrorized by a demon in their home for the last twenty days. In step Dean and Sam Winchester and the angel on their shoulder, Castiel, to solve the problem. But what they find is that Katie's past is linked to theirs in ways they never anticipated, and the demon they are dealing with has some very powerful friends.
Warnings: Bad language. Violence. Attempted non-con. Burning of an animal. Character death. Spoilers for SPN up to 5.04 "The End" and all of Paranormal Activity. Told in transcription/script style.
Beta: Beta'ed by moonlitxmelody. Thank you Sammie!
Author's Notes: Will be at the end of the story because they're numerous. Story title comes from the Bon Jovi song "Bullet." Written for sncross_bigbang.
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PERSON OF INTEREST: WINCHESTER, DEAN, Age 30
PERSON OF INTEREST: WINCHESTER, SAMUEL, AKA "SAM," "SAMMY," Age 26
PERSON OF INTEREST: NOVAK, JAMES, AKA "JIMMY," AKA "CASTIEL," Age 35
Wanted for questioning in the case of SLOAT, MICAH and FEATHERSTON, KATHERINE, AKA "KATIE," out of SAN DIEGO, CA. Couple was the subject of a series of digital recordings made over 20 nights from September 18 through October 7, 2009, in which they were terrorized by what appeared to be a DEMONIC PRESENCE; the manifestations increased in severity, causing Katie and Micah to seek outside help. SEE VISUAL FILE #846729087.
SUMMARY: Katie has indicated that this entity has been following her since age 8, as far as she can remember. Seen only as a black mass, a shadow. Micah, in an effort to capture the entity on film, brings in a large camera and records the happenings in the house at night through a digital interface with his laptop computer. Recorded manifestations include lights being turned on and off, scratching sounds in the walls and ceilings, doors moving and being slammed shut, strange footprints appearing in powder, objects moving on their own, heavy footsteps, phantom winds/"breath" inside the house, loud rappings on the walls, a phantom voice speaking in a demonic language, a spectral shadow moving across a door, the breaking of glass and scratching of a photo in a picture frame, contact through a Ouija board, the appearance of demonic symbols on said Ouija board through a pyrokinetic event, an attack in which Katie was dragged out of bed and down the upstairs hall, the appearance of a bite mark on Katie's back after this attack, and finally, suspected demonic possession, evident by Katie's nocturnal behavior (she appears to sleepwalk, but this behavior takes on a different meaning in subsequent recordings once the Persons of Interest arrive).
Dean and Sam Winchester were thought to be deceased after the explosion of a jail in Monument, Colorado that killed Special Agent Victor Henrikson, FBI, who had taken the suspects in for, among other charges, murder, grave desecration, and mutilation of a corpse, and were suspected of being devil worshippers. The explosion is believed to have been caused by a gas leak.
James Novak was reported missing in 2008; his wife cancelled this report in mid-2009. Novak had been treated by a psychiatric doctor for Theomania.
VISUAL FILE #846729088 begins when the Winchesters are called in later the same day Katie was attacked and bitten by the entity.
(SCENE OPENS with Micah going to the door and allowing Dean and Sam Winchester entry into his home. He cannot be seen because he is manning the camera.)
DEAN
(Shielding his eyes with his hand as he comes in the door)
Whoa, that light's bright. What's the camera for?
MICAH
(Switching off the camera light)
Sorry, I forgot it was on. Um, I've been taping everything as we've been going along, so I guess it's a force of habit now.
DEAN
Well, I'm not sure how comfortable we're going to be with the camera on all the time. If it gets in the way...
SAM
Could we at least introduce ourselves before we start in on this?
DEAN
Uh, yeah. Dr. Fredrichs called and told you we were coming?
(Sam closes the door behind them.)
MICAH
Yeah. He said you've dealt with demons before, that you could handle them.
DEAN
(Smiles slightly, as if he finds that amusing)
I guess you could say that. Anyway, I'm Dean, and this is Sam.
(Sam smiles and gives a nod of greeting.)
Dr. Fredrichs knew our dad, so he's familiar with our work.
MICAH
This is something you do on a regular basis... you... fight demons?
DEAN
(Thin smile, he seems irritated by the question)
Unfortunately.
SAM
(With a nod)
Yes.
(He is more reassuring than his brother, less jaded and sarcastic.)
MICAH
Are you demonologists?
(Micah pans the camera down one man and up the other, taking in their casual dress. His tone of voice seems to indicate that he's dubious of them.
Dean looks at Sam, back at the camera, and doesn't reply. He's obviously aware of the skepticism.)
SAM
Uh, no. We don't have any official degrees or anything...
DEAN
Not formally.
(Another thin, annoyed smile.)
KATIE
(Voice comes from off-camera)
Micah, bring them in here.
MICAH
Okay. Er, Katie's in here.
(They walk into the den, where KATIE is sitting on the couch, covered in a blanket. As soon as Sam and Dean walk into the room and she sees them, her eyes widen and her head cranes up; she appears to be noticing how big they really are. Dean is 6'1" and Sam is 6'5", and both are very muscular, built for battle. Her body language says that she instantly trusts them to protect her, based on their appearance. Sam sits on the opposite side of the bend in the couch while Dean remains standing, arms crossed. They introduce themselves.)
KATIE
I'm sorry I'm so out of it. We didn't get much sleep last night.
DEAN
That's alright. Dr. Fredrichs said you tried to call a local demonologist, but he's out of the country, so he called us. We don't have university degrees in this... just, ah, field experience.
(A sincere grin. He speaks to Katie with a great deal more sympathy and charm in his voice.)
SAM
There was an attack last night?
MICAH
Yeah, the thing dragged Katie out of bed and down the upstairs hall. Bit her a good one.
(Nodding, Katie lifts up the back of her shirt high enough to show them the bite. Both men examine it carefully. They share a glance. Sam's eyes cannot be seen by the camera, but Dean's look is captured; there is a little suspicion there for a brief moment. It should be noted here that the bite mark is roughly the size of a normal human mouth. As Micah is dubious of their credentials, they are considering all possibilities as well, including the fact that this may be a hoax. Dean returns to his previous stance, sniffing.)
SAM
Okay... we should probably watch this video footage you have before we go any further. But before we do that, do you have any idea where the demon is right now? Is there any particular place in the house it has gravitated to?
KATIE
We've heard it scratching around in the walls, and the ceiling. Like it moves through the vents. And the attic. We think it's come out of the attic a few times.
MICAH
I've got that on tape.
DEAN
Okay, we should get a few supplies out of the trunk, and then we can get started. While we're watching this footage, you can get some sleep if you want.
KATIE
(With a sigh of relief)
That would be great.
SCENE CHANGE
(The viewer can now see Sam dumping a line of salt out of a burlap sack along the threshold of the upstairs hall closet. Beyond the doorway, it can be seen that there is a little rectangular opening in the closet ceiling that leads to the attic.)
MICAH
This'll keep it in the attic?
SAM
(Straightening up and brushing some hair out of his eyes)
We hope. If the demon is using the vents to move around, this will only be so effective. But that's why we have other weapons to use against it.
SCENE CHANGE
(Sam and Dean are now back in the living room, loading sawed-off shotguns with rounds. Micah watches them in silence for a few moments, taking it all in.)
MICAH
I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this gun thing...
(He still doesn't trust them.)
SAM
(In one hand, he holds up his shotgun; in the other, the round, as if to indicate he's no threat to Micah. He presents them almost as a soldier would when safely showing his weapon.)
These are salt rounds. Demons are repelled by salt. If we have a general idea of where the demon is, these will hurt it.
DEAN
Don't worry, these are only for the demon.
(For the first time, he gives Micah a sincere smile.)
SCENE CHANGE
(Micah goes into the next room to check on Katie. She is lying on the couch, asleep under her blanket. Micah strokes her hair before the scene changes once again.
Sam and Dean are sitting in front of Micah's computer watching the footage taken on the days previous. They occasionally swivel back and forth slightly in their computer chairs; Dean's arms are crossed again. When they view the scene where Katie is dragged out of bed, they both react with amazed noises; one can assume this is because they realize how terrifying this must've been for the couple. Once it is over, Micah speaks.)
MICAH
You see what I mean?
DEAN
Son of a bitch.
SAM
Shhh.
(They continue watching. The last scene is Katie showing her bite mark to the camera.)
MICAH
Well? What do you think?
DEAN
First off, trying to get her to have sex on camera?
(He gives Micah both thumbs up. Micah laughs a little loudly, not expecting the joke.)
SAM
(Glaring at his brother)
Dean...
DEAN
Just sayin'.
SAM
Anyway... I know this isn't what you want to hear, but I think Katie's right - the camera just made the demon want to perform.
(He gives him a very sympathetic look, and Micah eventually sighs with regret.)
MICAH
I didn't want Katie to get hurt. I just wanted to be able to prove it.
DEAN
The other side is that the footage is extremely useful too. Really gives us a sense of what's been happening here, what we're dealing with. I don't think it will hurt to keep filming. It just gives us an extra set of eyes.
SAM
Yeah...
DEAN
I mean, it's not like the bastard is going to stop now.
MICAH
(Sighing again)
So what do we do?
DEAN
First off, no more of this "Show yourself!" crap. I know you want to protect your girl and your house, but you don't face a demon in your pajamas with no weapons in hand. You got that?
MICAH
I was unprepared. I understand now how dangerous this creature really is.
DEAN
What were you going to do if the demon had shown itself? Bash it in the head with the camera?
MICAH
I don't know. It just seemed like the thing to say at the time.
DEAN
(Rolls his eyes)
You were lucky you got out of that one with your skin still on.
MICAH
Yeah, okay, point taken.
DEAN
Okay. You've got two guest rooms upstairs, right?
MICAH
Uh huh.
DEAN
Sam and I will stay here tonight, guard the place, if that's okay with you. See what the demon does in reaction to us being here. We'll put the salt lines down to keep it from getting into your bedroom while you sleep. And we'll figure something out.
MICAH
You really think you can get rid of it?
DEAN
We've done it before.
SCENE CHANGE
(They are now sitting on the bigger black leather couch in the living room, looking over the Ouija board Micah brought into the house. Sam is running his fingers over the symbols etched/burned into the board.)
MICAH
Do those symbols mean anything to you?
SAM
Not offhand. (To Dean) Maybe I should call Bobby and describe these to him, see if they ring any bells. If not, he can at least put his feelers out for a translation.
DEAN
Sounds like a good idea. This one's a little familiar... (Points to one symbol) ...but it might just look like some other one we've seen.
(Sam gets up and goes into the next room, making his phone call. While he's doing that, Micah shows Dean the things he wrote down while trying to decipher the demon's message.)
MICAH
What do you think the demon was trying to tell us by pointing out Diane Mercer?
DEAN
It could mean exactly what you thought. But there are so many possibilities here, it's hard to say. (He reads over the names and words that Micah wrote down.) The fact that "Diane" is one of them could be just a wild coincidence, or... (He furrows his brow, then points to one of the words Micah wrote on the pad of paper.) Beans?
MICAH
Well...
DEAN
(Incredulous and sarcastic)
"Goodbye Beans"?
SCENE CHANGE
(The camera has been put back on its tripod in the couple's bedroom. They are heading to bed; the clock on the camera screen reads 11:34PM. It is OCTOBER 7, 2009, about to be OCTOBER 8, 2009, when the clock reaches midnight.
Katie shakes out her hands and lets out a deep, anxious sigh on her way to the bed. There is a salt line across the threshold of the bedroom; the door is open. The light in the hall closet is on, but the hallway light is turned off. Both guest rooms are dark. Dean walks slowly by the bedroom door, gun in his arms. He is patrolling the hall.
Micah comes out of the bathroom, climbs into bed, and beckons for Katie to follow. She gets in bed.
Dean reaches in to turn off their light.)
DEAN
You okay?
(They both say, "Yeah," although Katie's voice shakes.)
I'm turning off the light now. It'll be okay.
(He switches off the light. Katie and Micah settle into bed. Dean continues to patrol up and down the hall for the next two and a half hours.
2:09AM
Dean is leaning against the stair railing halfway between the couple's bedroom and the hall closet. Suddenly, the closet light goes off.
He is instantly at attention, heading for the closet, raising the gun. Nothing seems to happen. After waiting for almost 30 seconds, Dean lowers the gun a bit and steps closer to the closet, looking around.
The light comes back on.
A steely, no-nonsense look comes across his face as he stares into the closet. It becomes apparent that some sort of low-level wind is rustling Dean's shirt collar in a rhythmic fashion, almost like the phantom breathing that was heard and observed on the recordings. It's as if he is currently staring right into the face of the demon across the salt line, if its face was visible.)
DEAN
(With a derisive chuckle)
You can't get out, can you?
(His voice is just barely audible, as he's standing too far from the camera to be heard fully.)
You'll figure it out though, huh? That's okay. We're working on a way to get rid of you.
(Dean then takes out his cell phone, smirking at the closet, and makes a call.)
Hey. We're on a case; we could use your help. When can you be here? ... The address is 1497 Casa Grande Way, San Diego, Cali-
(A new voice comes out of the short hallway that leads into Micah and Katie's bathroom.)
CASTIEL
I'm here.
(He steps from the hall into view of the camera. This is JAMES NOVAK, AKA CASTIEL, apparently in his Castiel persona at this moment, wearing a tan trench coat he never seems to remove. When he passes the camera, there is a bright lens flare off something over his head for a split second; it almost looks like a ring, like a halo. Then he turns toward the hall and heads out of the bedroom, stepping over the salt line without even looking at it.
Dean hangs up his phone.)
DEAN
Couldn't you have made a more stealthy entrance?
CASTIEL
Stealthy?
(Dean points toward the bedroom.)
DEAN
There's a camera going in there.
CASTIEL
Oh. Well, we'll just have to explain it to them.
DEAN
(Rolling his eyes)
Oh, that'll be fun.
(He motions for Castiel to move closer to the guest room he's occupying and they have a hushed conversation. Most of what they say cannot be made out. Dean appears to introduce the demon trapped in the hall closet, and fill Castiel in on what they know. A few sentences are spoken loudly enough to be caught by the camera's microphone. They include:)
CASTIEL
I can't do that unless it inhabits a vessel, a human being.
DEAN
Okay, then (inaudible)
(Castiel shakes his head.)
DEAN
What are we supposed to do when we can't even see it?
...
DEAN
In the morning, we (inaudible) and get a rug.
CASTIEL
A rug?
DEAN
For the Devil's Trap.
(Castiel agrees to resume the patrol. Dean takes the gun to bed with him; it's unclear at this time what Castiel is supposed to use to protect himself. The man in the trench coat stands woodenly in front of the hall closet and just peers in, barely moving. After a few seconds, he cocks his head upward, watching the little door that leads into the attic. Castiel stays in this exact position for the next four and a half hours, until the sun comes up.
When Micah's alarm clock goes off, Castiel finally moves, looking toward the bedroom, and then steps into the guest room in which Dean is sleeping, disappearing from view.)
SCENE CHANGE
(Micah comes into the kitchen with the camera, where Sam, Dean, and Katie are sitting at the bar, having breakfast. The food that Sam and Dean have is different from the breakfast Katie has; it can be assumed that they went out and got theirs, as they are eating out of Styrofoam containers. Katie looks annoyed when she sees the camera.)
KATIE
Micah, why do you have that thing now? Put it down and eat your breakfast.
MICAH
(To Dean)
Um, can I talk to you for a second?
DEAN
(Wary)
Sure.
(They step off into the adjoining living room. Sam can be seen in the background, sometimes leaning back to peer at them as if he's wondering what's up.)
MICAH
I watched some of the footage from last night...
DEAN
(Laughing awkwardly)
I told you that wasn't necessary...
MICAH
Who was that guy that came in here, and how did he get in here, and where did he go?
(His tone becomes more and more incredulous as he goes along with this question.)
DEAN
(Rubs his chin anxiously)
Ummmm... you wouldn't believe me if I told you.
MICAH
Try me.
DEAN
Ahhh... his name is Castiel, and... he's one of our associates...
MICAH
Castiel? Is that his last name or...?
DEAN
(Hands in his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels)
That's it, just Castiel.
(He sounds like he doesn't even believe it himself, or just knows how insane the full explanation will seem.)
MICAH
Just Castiel. So, what, he's Cher? Just one name?
DEAN
Well, his real name is Jimmy Novak, but... right now, he's, ah...
MICAH
Yes?
DEAN
(Breaking out in a big, awkward, embarrassed smile)
...he's possessed... by an angel.
(There is a long beat of silence.)
MICAH
... An angel.
DEAN
Yeah?
(More silence, before Micah says:)
MICAH
Get out.
DEAN
No... come on, I know it sounds crazy, but I can prove it.
MICAH
You and your brother get your guns and your salt and your big stupid heads together, and get out of my house.
DEAN
Big stupid...?
MICAH
Get out!
(Katie and Sam rush into the room. Micah puts the camera down so the viewer can still see most of the action from the knees up, on a slightly tilted angle.)
KATIE
What's the matter?
MICAH
These guys are fruitcakes and I want them out of here.
KATIE
Why?! What did they do?
DEAN
(To Sam)
He saw Cas on the camera footage. I told him.
SAM
Oh man...
MICAH
They let some dude in here last night without our knowledge and this one (gestures to Dean) says he's an angel.
KATIE
What guy?
DEAN
Castiel. He's a friend of ours and he won't hurt you, I promise.
KATIE
So you did let a guy in here last night?
DEAN
(Hands on his hips, he sighs and thinks for a moment)
Yes. But he's on our side.
MICAH
That's why I want them out of here.
KATIE
Micah, wait a second, we need help, right? These guys know what to do. They have the knowledge and the weapons that we need to get rid of this thing once and for all.
MICAH
Did you hear what I said?
KATIE
(Partially speaking over him)
I know that what he's saying sounds crazy, but can we hear them out? (Her voice shakes with threatening tears.) Can we hear them out, please, please? If we don't get rid of this monster that's been following me around for fifteen years, then I won't ever sleep again, baby, please, please, please?
MICAH
(He sighs, looking down for a moment)
Alright. Alright, you can explain further.
DEAN
Like I said, I know it sounds crazy, but I can prove it. Just like there are demons in the world, apparently, there are also angels, and we've got one here, willing to help you. Cas? Will you come down here please?
MICAH
There's no one there; I checked the whole upstairs for this guy -
(Castiel suddenly appears right next to Micah. The video footage has been heavily analyzed and no edits have been performed on it; there are no camera tricks or cuts. It is as if the man appears in the shot out of thin air.
Both Micah and Katie gasp loudly in surprise.)
MICAH
Fuck!
CASTIEL
Did you call me?
MICAH
Where did you come from?!
DEAN
Cas, I had to tell them about you. They saw you on the video footage.
CASTIEL
Oh?
DEAN
Yeah, and Micah doesn't believe me. Tell him what you are, Cas.
CASTIEL
I'm an angel of the lord.
MICAH
I know that's what you think you are...
CASTIEL
Yes, I do think that's what I am.
DEAN
No, Cas, he's insulting you.
CASTIEL
How?
DEAN
Never mind. He doesn't think you're really an angel. So I told him you could prove it.
CASTIEL
What should I do?
(Dean whispers in his ear. Sam stands in the background and watches uneasily.)
I can do that.
(He points to the camera.)
Micah, operate your camera. I'm taking you on a trip around the house.
MICAH
Don't you do anything -
DEAN
He's not going to hurt you.
(As soon as Micah gets the camera on his shoulder, Castiel stands next to him and takes his arm. A split second later, they are in the upstairs bedroom. The scene before the camera changes like some sort of blurry speed wipe.)
MICAH
Whoa!
(Katie's voice comes from downstairs.)
KATIE
Micah? Where the hell did they go?!
CASTIEL
And now, the guest room...
MICAH
(Trying to pull away)
No, wait, I -
(Suddenly, they're in the guest room, looking at a large stuffed bear sitting in the corner. The microphone temporarily whines with feedback.)
MICAH
Okay, I get it, don't - !
(Again, they switch rooms, now back in the living room, right in front of Katie. She let's out a startled cry.)
KATIE
What the fuck?!
(Micah groans.)
CASTIEL
If you require more proof, I can let you see my wings.
MICAH
No! No, I get it. Whatever you are, you can do stuff. You have... powers.
CASTIEL
I'm an angel of the lord.
MICAH
I get it!
(He puts the camera down. He and Katie continue to look stunned as she touches him on the shoulder.)
KATIE
Are you okay, baby?
MICAH
Yeah, I'm fine, I'm just freaked out. I guess if the guy can do stuff like that, it's good to have him on our side.
SAM
Do you want us to stay?
MICAH
Yeah, I guess you're okay.
(Micah picks the camera up again. Sam and Dean head back into the kitchen with Castiel.)
KATIE
Come eat your breakfast, Micah.
MICAH
I don't know if I can. I feel all bound up now. Ugh.
SCENE CHANGE
(Castiel is sitting at Micah's computer, watching the last of the footage taken previously. Micah stands next to him; it appears that Dean is operating the camera.
The footage ends as Katie shows her bite mark.)
MICAH
What do you think?
CASTIEL
Well... there is more than one type of demon that has the ability to move through the material world unseen. This one seems to be a very low-level daeva.
DEAN
(Surprised)
A daeva?
CASTIEL
Yes. Remember its shadow on the door?
DEAN
But those things are absolutely savage. This one's barely touched them.
MICAH
You mean it gets worse?
DEAN
Cas, I've tangled with daevas before.
CASTIEL
This one may be a different species that you're familiar with. Some are just watchdogs. Not very strong, put there mainly to keep watch. Sometimes they become territorial and attack their charge.
The language that it used in the one clip, where you caught its voice on tape, that's a very primitive demon language. Yes, I'm quite sure it's a daeva.
DEAN
What did it say? Can you translate it?
CASTIEL
I am not familiar with all demon languages, but this one I know somewhat. The daeva said, "It was you, my girl."
MICAH
Was it talking to Katie? What does that mean?
CASTIEL
I don't know.
MICAH
Why is it here?
CASTIEL
This type of daeva is always working for a stronger, more intelligent demon. One that knows how to enlist their service. It's here to keep tabs on Katie.
MICAH
Why?
CASTIEL
I don't know. Maybe we can find out, though. Do you know how long after the daeva showed up that Katie's childhood home burned down?
MICAH
Uh, she said that it was only a matter of months.
CASTIEL
Doesn't that seem like an odd coincidence to you, Dean?
DEAN
Yeah, so odd that it wasn't a coincidence at all.
MICAH
You think the demon lit the fire?
CASTIEL
It would seem so. Perhaps if we talk to Katie about what happened that night...
MICAH
She told me she doesn't remember anything out of the ordinary.
CASTIEL
I can speak to her in ways you cannot. It's sort of like hypnotism.
MICAH
Oh. Well, if she agrees to it, sure, maybe we can find out something useful.
CASTIEL
Fine. You said she went to class?
MICAH
Yeah, she has an 8 o'clock class Tuesdays and Thursdays.
CASTIEL
We'll wait until tonight, then.
(When he turns his head toward the camera, a brief flare of white light shines from deep within his eyes. Dean groans.)
DEAN
That was bright.
CASTIEL
What?
DEAN
When you turned your head, I caught a holy spotlight from your eyes.
CASTIEL
Oh, sometimes cameras can catch that.
DEAN
(Joking, in a French accent)
You know, your eyes look beautiful in the moonlight...
CASTIEL
(Confused)
It's the daytime.
MICAH
(Looks at the camera and chuckles)
Anyway... I'll turn this off.
(He moves around Castiel, putting his hand on the mouse, and closes the window containing the video footage. Behind it is an old window Micah forgot to close previously; it is a Flash game on Facebook called Farmville. It seems to peak Castiel's interest.)
CASTIEL
What's that?
MICAH
This? Farmville.
CASTIEL
Farmville? It looks like an animated farm.
MICAH
Yeah, it's a game where you run your own farm. You plant crops, buy chicken coops and animals and stuff, and build up your land.
CASTIEL
Hm. (Points to the screen) That looks like a chicken.
MICAH
Uh huh.
CASTIEL
And that's a horse.
MICAH
(Pausing to look at him)
Do you want to play?
CASTIEL
Play? No...
MICAH
You can play if you have a Facebook account.
CASTIEL
Facebook? (Thinks) Those words don't go together.
(Dean chuckles.)
MICAH
I guess... angels don't have Facebook, huh?
CASTIEL
No.
DEAN
Maybe Jimmy has a Facebook account. You can use his.
CASTIEL
I don't think this Facebook existed when Jimmy left home. (Realizes what he's said) I don't need it anyway.
DEAN
Okay... let us know if you change your mind.
(Micah looks back at the camera with an amused smirk.)
SCENE CHANGE
(It is early evening on October 8, 2009; the clock on the video footage reads 8:23PM. Katie is sitting on the couch in the couple's den. Micah is filming, Dean and Sam are sitting nearby to watch, and Castiel is standing in front of Katie, still wearing the tan trench coat.)
MICAH
Explain for us what we're about to do.
CASTIEL
Katie has agreed to be hypnotized. I'm going to regress her back to the night her house burned down. Are you sure you're ready, Katie?
KATIE
Mm-hm, yes. Yes, I'm ready.
(It's obvious she's nervous. Her hands fidget by her sides.)
CASTIEL
Alright. You're going to be fine. Don't be nervous.
(He takes her hands in each of his and squeezes them lightly, giving her a comforting smile. She lets out a ragged sigh and tries to smile back.)
Please, no one else speak during the regression. Let my voice guide her through it.
MICAH
You'll be okay, baby.
(Castiel puts a finger to his lips to tell everyone to be quiet. He then whispers something to her in a language that has been confirmed to be Enochian. At the same time, he puts his first two fingers to her forehead, right between her eyes, and rubs there gently. Katie lets out a small moan, and her eyes slowly close as he finishes the incantation.)
CASTIEL
(In a soothing, mesmerizing voice)
Katie, we're going back to a time when you were eight years old. Move slowly back... back... through the years. Smoothly... through time... I am leading you there. Are you having any trouble following me?
KATIE
(Slow and detached)
No. No trouble.
CASTIEL
Fine. I want us to go back to the night your family's home burned down.
(She cringes, face contorting in discomfort.)
I know, I know it's unpleasant to remember such things, but it's very important that I know what happened that night. I promise you won't come to any harm.
KATIE
(Child-like)
I'll get in trouble.
CASTIEL
No, you won't get in any trouble. I won't tell your parents what you did.
KATIE
I had to go to the bathroom! I didn't know he was in there!
CASTIEL
You won't get in trouble, Katie. I promise. I won't tell. Do you trust me?
KATIE
Yes.
CASTIEL
Then let's go back to shortly before the fire started. What were you doing?
(Katie lays on her side with her hands under her head, pretending to be asleep.)
You were sleeping, yes. But something woke you up?
KATIE
I had to go to the bathroom.
CASTIEL
Then let's go to the bathroom. Show me what you did.
KATIE
(With the attitude of a petulant child)
I'm not gonna let you watch while I go to the bathroom!
(The others stifle laughter. Castiel is flustered.)
CASTIEL
I didn't mean that. I meant did something stop you on the way, or did you hear something after you finished?
KATIE
I was going back to my room... (She stands up and begins to act out what she's describing as if it's happening. Katie stops in an imaginary doorway.) ...and I heard a noise.
CASTIEL
What kind of noise?
KATIE
Brittany whined, like she's hungry or somethin'.
CASTIEL
Who's Brittany?
KATIE
My baby sister. She's really a baby!
CASTIEL
Ahh. Do you know how old she is?
KATIE
I dunno, like, not even a year. Mom keeps talking about her in months. Three months, four months, five months, a dollar. Come on everybody, stand up and holler!
(As she recites this cheer, Katie mimes that she has pom-poms and acts like a cheerleader, shaking the pom-poms from one side to the other and jumping into the air.)
CASTIEL
Did you go into Brittany's room to see what was the matter?
KATIE
(Lowering her head)
Yeah. I shoulda gone and gotten Mommy.
CASTIEL
What did you see?
KATIE
(Whispering)
There was a man in there.
CASTIEL
A man?
KATIE
Uh huh.
CASTIEL
Do you recognize him?
KATIE
Huh?
CASTIEL
Do you know who he is?
KATIE
Nuh uh.
CASTIEL
What's he doing?
KATIE
(Swivels her top half from side to side, tossing her arms about like a child might do)
Just standin' over Brittany's crib. I don't know what he's doin'.
(Sam and Dean suddenly look at each other sharply, as if they realize what's happening. Dean looks a bit angry in reaction while Sam's face grows more and more stricken as Katie goes on.)
CASTIEL
Does he have his hand up, like this... (Holds his hand up with the palm facing downward) ...with his wrist above her mouth?
KATIE
Pretty much, yeah.
CASTIEL
Is there something dripping from his wrist or his hand?
KATIE
Uhh, I dunno. I'm not lookin'.
CASTIEL
Did he know you were there?
KATIE
Yeah, he turned around and saw me.
CASTIEL
What did he say to you?
KATIE
You want me to, like, tell you everything we're sayin'?
(She rolls her eyes.)
CASTIEL
Just give me the gist of it.
KATIE
The what?
CASTIEL
The important parts.
KATIE
He said me and my sisters were special, and he was lookin' for a special child to open some door for him. So I shouldn't tell my mom that he was there, and he would just go. If my mom knew that I talked to him and didn't tell her, she'd be real mad. You're not supposed to let some guy just come into your house and fart around in there. (She giggles.) Did you hear what I said? I said fart.
He's some kind of magical guy. His eyes aren't normal. They're yellow.
(Sam tries to hold in a startled sound; it comes out choked.)
MICAH
Do you know what that means?
(Castiel desperately shushes him.)
CASTIEL
Are you scared of him?
KATIE
Not at first. He gave me candy.
(She leans her head back and opens her mouth, sticking out her tongue. Then she closes it, pretending to swallow something, and rubs her stomach.)
Mmmmmm. I did that thing that the dog does in the cartoon, when he gets a dog biscuit. Snuffles! He's Quick Draw McGraw's dog! He goes mmmm, mmmmm, MMMMM! And then floats into the air! (Giggling again)
(Hearing all of this, Sam looks like he may be sick. He puts his head into his hands.)
CASTIEL
(Confused, he's unfamiliar with the cartoon)
That's nice. Do you know what the man gave you?
KATIE
I told you, candy. It tasted really good. It made me want to play, but Baba Looey came in the room.
CASTIEL
Baba Looey?
KATIE
Christy named him. He's Quick Draw's faithful sidekick.
CASTIEL
(Perplexed)
So... a character from this cartoon came into the room?
KATIE
No, dummy! Baba Looey, our dog!
CASTIEL
Oh.
KATIE
He's a Toto dog. Daddy brought him home for Christmas. (She looks displeased, scrunching up her mouth.) I don't like 'im.
CASTIEL
Why not?
KATIE
'Cause we was having a staring contest a few days ago and he bit me on the lip. Here. (She points to her upper lip.)
CASTIEL
How did the yellow-eyed man react to Baba Looey?
KATIE
He starts doin' this. (Katie pantomimes that she's striking a match on something in her other hand.) He says he's got magic invisible matches that will set the bad doggie on fire. (Her mouth open in wonder, she gasps and looks up.) Baba Looey flew up on the ceiling!
(Sam and Dean both groan. From behind the camera, Micah makes an uncomfortable sound. He must be full of questions for them.)
CASTIEL
The ceiling?
KATIE
Uh huh! He starts to bark, so the man hands the pretend matches to me and tells me to strike a match, and throw it up on the ceiling. So I did. (Suddenly, she begins to cry.) And Baba Looey caught fire!
CASTIEL
That must have been frightening.
KATIE
(Still crying)
It was! I thought we was all gonna die! 'Cause the ceiling started burning, and Baba Looey was cryin', and it smelled awful. I turned to the man and just like that, he was gone! Mommy started screaming and Brittany was crying. He made it look like I did it. But they were only pretend matches! I didn't burn the house down. I didn't!
MICAH
(To himself, in sympathy for her)
Aw, baby...
CASTIEL
I know you didn't. The yellow-eyed man set the house on fire.
KATIE
That's right, I didn't do it. It was so scary. I thought he was nice. I'm sorry I hated Baba Looey and I threw that pretend match. But the man did it.
(She covers her eyes with her fists and sobs like a child.)
CASTIEL
It's alright, Katie. It's alright. You can sit down now. Calm down.
(She sits on the couch, wiping her eyes with the backs of her hands.)
Did you ever tell your parents about the man and what he did to Baba Looey?
KATIE
(Shakes her head)
I thought I would get in trouble.
CASTIEL
I can understand that. Did anything else happen that night that seems important?
(She shakes her head adamantly.)
Alright then. You can come back to the present now. Let's move through the years, to 2009. Slowly... smoothly... (Placing his fingers on the spot between her eyes again) ...you're moving back to your... I'm sorry, how old is Katie?
MICAH
Twenty-three.
(With a stunned gasp, Sam gets up and leaves the room. Dean looks after him with a pained expression.)
CASTIEL
You're moving back to your twenty-third year in this life. Now you're settling comfortably into October 8th, 2009... 8:32PM.
(Katie bounces on the couch, as if she has been dropped there.)
Good... good...
MICAH
(Overwhelmed by what he's just heard)
Holy shit...
CASTIEL
When I count to three, you will awaken feeling rested and refreshed. These new memories you have recovered will be integrated in with the familiar ones gently and without trauma over the next few minutes. One... two... three. (He removes his fingers from her forehead.)
KATIE
(Opens her eyes, blinks a few times, and wipes at her tears in confusion)
I was crying?
On to Part II
Rating: Rated R
Word Count: 20,434 total
Time Period: Happens after SPN "5.04 The End." The time period of PA had to be AU'ed to 2009 to accommodate this (I desperately wanted to include Castiel in the story, heh). The ending of PA was also changed to make a need for the SPN characters to swoop in.
Summary: Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat have been terrorized by a demon in their home for the last twenty days. In step Dean and Sam Winchester and the angel on their shoulder, Castiel, to solve the problem. But what they find is that Katie's past is linked to theirs in ways they never anticipated, and the demon they are dealing with has some very powerful friends.
Warnings: Bad language. Violence. Attempted non-con. Burning of an animal. Character death. Spoilers for SPN up to 5.04 "The End" and all of Paranormal Activity. Told in transcription/script style.
Beta: Beta'ed by moonlitxmelody. Thank you Sammie!
Author's Notes: Will be at the end of the story because they're numerous. Story title comes from the Bon Jovi song "Bullet." Written for sncross_bigbang.
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PERSON OF INTEREST: WINCHESTER, DEAN, Age 30
PERSON OF INTEREST: WINCHESTER, SAMUEL, AKA "SAM," "SAMMY," Age 26
PERSON OF INTEREST: NOVAK, JAMES, AKA "JIMMY," AKA "CASTIEL," Age 35
Wanted for questioning in the case of SLOAT, MICAH and FEATHERSTON, KATHERINE, AKA "KATIE," out of SAN DIEGO, CA. Couple was the subject of a series of digital recordings made over 20 nights from September 18 through October 7, 2009, in which they were terrorized by what appeared to be a DEMONIC PRESENCE; the manifestations increased in severity, causing Katie and Micah to seek outside help. SEE VISUAL FILE #846729087.
SUMMARY: Katie has indicated that this entity has been following her since age 8, as far as she can remember. Seen only as a black mass, a shadow. Micah, in an effort to capture the entity on film, brings in a large camera and records the happenings in the house at night through a digital interface with his laptop computer. Recorded manifestations include lights being turned on and off, scratching sounds in the walls and ceilings, doors moving and being slammed shut, strange footprints appearing in powder, objects moving on their own, heavy footsteps, phantom winds/"breath" inside the house, loud rappings on the walls, a phantom voice speaking in a demonic language, a spectral shadow moving across a door, the breaking of glass and scratching of a photo in a picture frame, contact through a Ouija board, the appearance of demonic symbols on said Ouija board through a pyrokinetic event, an attack in which Katie was dragged out of bed and down the upstairs hall, the appearance of a bite mark on Katie's back after this attack, and finally, suspected demonic possession, evident by Katie's nocturnal behavior (she appears to sleepwalk, but this behavior takes on a different meaning in subsequent recordings once the Persons of Interest arrive).
Dean and Sam Winchester were thought to be deceased after the explosion of a jail in Monument, Colorado that killed Special Agent Victor Henrikson, FBI, who had taken the suspects in for, among other charges, murder, grave desecration, and mutilation of a corpse, and were suspected of being devil worshippers. The explosion is believed to have been caused by a gas leak.
James Novak was reported missing in 2008; his wife cancelled this report in mid-2009. Novak had been treated by a psychiatric doctor for Theomania.
VISUAL FILE #846729088 begins when the Winchesters are called in later the same day Katie was attacked and bitten by the entity.
(SCENE OPENS with Micah going to the door and allowing Dean and Sam Winchester entry into his home. He cannot be seen because he is manning the camera.)
DEAN
(Shielding his eyes with his hand as he comes in the door)
Whoa, that light's bright. What's the camera for?
MICAH
(Switching off the camera light)
Sorry, I forgot it was on. Um, I've been taping everything as we've been going along, so I guess it's a force of habit now.
DEAN
Well, I'm not sure how comfortable we're going to be with the camera on all the time. If it gets in the way...
SAM
Could we at least introduce ourselves before we start in on this?
DEAN
Uh, yeah. Dr. Fredrichs called and told you we were coming?
(Sam closes the door behind them.)
MICAH
Yeah. He said you've dealt with demons before, that you could handle them.
DEAN
(Smiles slightly, as if he finds that amusing)
I guess you could say that. Anyway, I'm Dean, and this is Sam.
(Sam smiles and gives a nod of greeting.)
Dr. Fredrichs knew our dad, so he's familiar with our work.
MICAH
This is something you do on a regular basis... you... fight demons?
DEAN
(Thin smile, he seems irritated by the question)
Unfortunately.
SAM
(With a nod)
Yes.
(He is more reassuring than his brother, less jaded and sarcastic.)
MICAH
Are you demonologists?
(Micah pans the camera down one man and up the other, taking in their casual dress. His tone of voice seems to indicate that he's dubious of them.
Dean looks at Sam, back at the camera, and doesn't reply. He's obviously aware of the skepticism.)
SAM
Uh, no. We don't have any official degrees or anything...
DEAN
Not formally.
(Another thin, annoyed smile.)
KATIE
(Voice comes from off-camera)
Micah, bring them in here.
MICAH
Okay. Er, Katie's in here.
(They walk into the den, where KATIE is sitting on the couch, covered in a blanket. As soon as Sam and Dean walk into the room and she sees them, her eyes widen and her head cranes up; she appears to be noticing how big they really are. Dean is 6'1" and Sam is 6'5", and both are very muscular, built for battle. Her body language says that she instantly trusts them to protect her, based on their appearance. Sam sits on the opposite side of the bend in the couch while Dean remains standing, arms crossed. They introduce themselves.)
KATIE
I'm sorry I'm so out of it. We didn't get much sleep last night.
DEAN
That's alright. Dr. Fredrichs said you tried to call a local demonologist, but he's out of the country, so he called us. We don't have university degrees in this... just, ah, field experience.
(A sincere grin. He speaks to Katie with a great deal more sympathy and charm in his voice.)
SAM
There was an attack last night?
MICAH
Yeah, the thing dragged Katie out of bed and down the upstairs hall. Bit her a good one.
(Nodding, Katie lifts up the back of her shirt high enough to show them the bite. Both men examine it carefully. They share a glance. Sam's eyes cannot be seen by the camera, but Dean's look is captured; there is a little suspicion there for a brief moment. It should be noted here that the bite mark is roughly the size of a normal human mouth. As Micah is dubious of their credentials, they are considering all possibilities as well, including the fact that this may be a hoax. Dean returns to his previous stance, sniffing.)
SAM
Okay... we should probably watch this video footage you have before we go any further. But before we do that, do you have any idea where the demon is right now? Is there any particular place in the house it has gravitated to?
KATIE
We've heard it scratching around in the walls, and the ceiling. Like it moves through the vents. And the attic. We think it's come out of the attic a few times.
MICAH
I've got that on tape.
DEAN
Okay, we should get a few supplies out of the trunk, and then we can get started. While we're watching this footage, you can get some sleep if you want.
KATIE
(With a sigh of relief)
That would be great.
SCENE CHANGE
(The viewer can now see Sam dumping a line of salt out of a burlap sack along the threshold of the upstairs hall closet. Beyond the doorway, it can be seen that there is a little rectangular opening in the closet ceiling that leads to the attic.)
MICAH
This'll keep it in the attic?
SAM
(Straightening up and brushing some hair out of his eyes)
We hope. If the demon is using the vents to move around, this will only be so effective. But that's why we have other weapons to use against it.
SCENE CHANGE
(Sam and Dean are now back in the living room, loading sawed-off shotguns with rounds. Micah watches them in silence for a few moments, taking it all in.)
MICAH
I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this gun thing...
(He still doesn't trust them.)
SAM
(In one hand, he holds up his shotgun; in the other, the round, as if to indicate he's no threat to Micah. He presents them almost as a soldier would when safely showing his weapon.)
These are salt rounds. Demons are repelled by salt. If we have a general idea of where the demon is, these will hurt it.
DEAN
Don't worry, these are only for the demon.
(For the first time, he gives Micah a sincere smile.)
SCENE CHANGE
(Micah goes into the next room to check on Katie. She is lying on the couch, asleep under her blanket. Micah strokes her hair before the scene changes once again.
Sam and Dean are sitting in front of Micah's computer watching the footage taken on the days previous. They occasionally swivel back and forth slightly in their computer chairs; Dean's arms are crossed again. When they view the scene where Katie is dragged out of bed, they both react with amazed noises; one can assume this is because they realize how terrifying this must've been for the couple. Once it is over, Micah speaks.)
MICAH
You see what I mean?
DEAN
Son of a bitch.
SAM
Shhh.
(They continue watching. The last scene is Katie showing her bite mark to the camera.)
MICAH
Well? What do you think?
DEAN
First off, trying to get her to have sex on camera?
(He gives Micah both thumbs up. Micah laughs a little loudly, not expecting the joke.)
SAM
(Glaring at his brother)
Dean...
DEAN
Just sayin'.
SAM
Anyway... I know this isn't what you want to hear, but I think Katie's right - the camera just made the demon want to perform.
(He gives him a very sympathetic look, and Micah eventually sighs with regret.)
MICAH
I didn't want Katie to get hurt. I just wanted to be able to prove it.
DEAN
The other side is that the footage is extremely useful too. Really gives us a sense of what's been happening here, what we're dealing with. I don't think it will hurt to keep filming. It just gives us an extra set of eyes.
SAM
Yeah...
DEAN
I mean, it's not like the bastard is going to stop now.
MICAH
(Sighing again)
So what do we do?
DEAN
First off, no more of this "Show yourself!" crap. I know you want to protect your girl and your house, but you don't face a demon in your pajamas with no weapons in hand. You got that?
MICAH
I was unprepared. I understand now how dangerous this creature really is.
DEAN
What were you going to do if the demon had shown itself? Bash it in the head with the camera?
MICAH
I don't know. It just seemed like the thing to say at the time.
DEAN
(Rolls his eyes)
You were lucky you got out of that one with your skin still on.
MICAH
Yeah, okay, point taken.
DEAN
Okay. You've got two guest rooms upstairs, right?
MICAH
Uh huh.
DEAN
Sam and I will stay here tonight, guard the place, if that's okay with you. See what the demon does in reaction to us being here. We'll put the salt lines down to keep it from getting into your bedroom while you sleep. And we'll figure something out.
MICAH
You really think you can get rid of it?
DEAN
We've done it before.
SCENE CHANGE
(They are now sitting on the bigger black leather couch in the living room, looking over the Ouija board Micah brought into the house. Sam is running his fingers over the symbols etched/burned into the board.)
MICAH
Do those symbols mean anything to you?
SAM
Not offhand. (To Dean) Maybe I should call Bobby and describe these to him, see if they ring any bells. If not, he can at least put his feelers out for a translation.
DEAN
Sounds like a good idea. This one's a little familiar... (Points to one symbol) ...but it might just look like some other one we've seen.
(Sam gets up and goes into the next room, making his phone call. While he's doing that, Micah shows Dean the things he wrote down while trying to decipher the demon's message.)
MICAH
What do you think the demon was trying to tell us by pointing out Diane Mercer?
DEAN
It could mean exactly what you thought. But there are so many possibilities here, it's hard to say. (He reads over the names and words that Micah wrote down.) The fact that "Diane" is one of them could be just a wild coincidence, or... (He furrows his brow, then points to one of the words Micah wrote on the pad of paper.) Beans?
MICAH
Well...
DEAN
(Incredulous and sarcastic)
"Goodbye Beans"?
SCENE CHANGE
(The camera has been put back on its tripod in the couple's bedroom. They are heading to bed; the clock on the camera screen reads 11:34PM. It is OCTOBER 7, 2009, about to be OCTOBER 8, 2009, when the clock reaches midnight.
Katie shakes out her hands and lets out a deep, anxious sigh on her way to the bed. There is a salt line across the threshold of the bedroom; the door is open. The light in the hall closet is on, but the hallway light is turned off. Both guest rooms are dark. Dean walks slowly by the bedroom door, gun in his arms. He is patrolling the hall.
Micah comes out of the bathroom, climbs into bed, and beckons for Katie to follow. She gets in bed.
Dean reaches in to turn off their light.)
DEAN
You okay?
(They both say, "Yeah," although Katie's voice shakes.)
I'm turning off the light now. It'll be okay.
(He switches off the light. Katie and Micah settle into bed. Dean continues to patrol up and down the hall for the next two and a half hours.
2:09AM
Dean is leaning against the stair railing halfway between the couple's bedroom and the hall closet. Suddenly, the closet light goes off.
He is instantly at attention, heading for the closet, raising the gun. Nothing seems to happen. After waiting for almost 30 seconds, Dean lowers the gun a bit and steps closer to the closet, looking around.
The light comes back on.
A steely, no-nonsense look comes across his face as he stares into the closet. It becomes apparent that some sort of low-level wind is rustling Dean's shirt collar in a rhythmic fashion, almost like the phantom breathing that was heard and observed on the recordings. It's as if he is currently staring right into the face of the demon across the salt line, if its face was visible.)
DEAN
(With a derisive chuckle)
You can't get out, can you?
(His voice is just barely audible, as he's standing too far from the camera to be heard fully.)
You'll figure it out though, huh? That's okay. We're working on a way to get rid of you.
(Dean then takes out his cell phone, smirking at the closet, and makes a call.)
Hey. We're on a case; we could use your help. When can you be here? ... The address is 1497 Casa Grande Way, San Diego, Cali-
(A new voice comes out of the short hallway that leads into Micah and Katie's bathroom.)
CASTIEL
I'm here.
(He steps from the hall into view of the camera. This is JAMES NOVAK, AKA CASTIEL, apparently in his Castiel persona at this moment, wearing a tan trench coat he never seems to remove. When he passes the camera, there is a bright lens flare off something over his head for a split second; it almost looks like a ring, like a halo. Then he turns toward the hall and heads out of the bedroom, stepping over the salt line without even looking at it.
Dean hangs up his phone.)
DEAN
Couldn't you have made a more stealthy entrance?
CASTIEL
Stealthy?
(Dean points toward the bedroom.)
DEAN
There's a camera going in there.
CASTIEL
Oh. Well, we'll just have to explain it to them.
DEAN
(Rolling his eyes)
Oh, that'll be fun.
(He motions for Castiel to move closer to the guest room he's occupying and they have a hushed conversation. Most of what they say cannot be made out. Dean appears to introduce the demon trapped in the hall closet, and fill Castiel in on what they know. A few sentences are spoken loudly enough to be caught by the camera's microphone. They include:)
CASTIEL
I can't do that unless it inhabits a vessel, a human being.
DEAN
Okay, then (inaudible)
(Castiel shakes his head.)
DEAN
What are we supposed to do when we can't even see it?
...
DEAN
In the morning, we (inaudible) and get a rug.
CASTIEL
A rug?
DEAN
For the Devil's Trap.
(Castiel agrees to resume the patrol. Dean takes the gun to bed with him; it's unclear at this time what Castiel is supposed to use to protect himself. The man in the trench coat stands woodenly in front of the hall closet and just peers in, barely moving. After a few seconds, he cocks his head upward, watching the little door that leads into the attic. Castiel stays in this exact position for the next four and a half hours, until the sun comes up.
When Micah's alarm clock goes off, Castiel finally moves, looking toward the bedroom, and then steps into the guest room in which Dean is sleeping, disappearing from view.)
SCENE CHANGE
(Micah comes into the kitchen with the camera, where Sam, Dean, and Katie are sitting at the bar, having breakfast. The food that Sam and Dean have is different from the breakfast Katie has; it can be assumed that they went out and got theirs, as they are eating out of Styrofoam containers. Katie looks annoyed when she sees the camera.)
KATIE
Micah, why do you have that thing now? Put it down and eat your breakfast.
MICAH
(To Dean)
Um, can I talk to you for a second?
DEAN
(Wary)
Sure.
(They step off into the adjoining living room. Sam can be seen in the background, sometimes leaning back to peer at them as if he's wondering what's up.)
MICAH
I watched some of the footage from last night...
DEAN
(Laughing awkwardly)
I told you that wasn't necessary...
MICAH
Who was that guy that came in here, and how did he get in here, and where did he go?
(His tone becomes more and more incredulous as he goes along with this question.)
DEAN
(Rubs his chin anxiously)
Ummmm... you wouldn't believe me if I told you.
MICAH
Try me.
DEAN
Ahhh... his name is Castiel, and... he's one of our associates...
MICAH
Castiel? Is that his last name or...?
DEAN
(Hands in his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels)
That's it, just Castiel.
(He sounds like he doesn't even believe it himself, or just knows how insane the full explanation will seem.)
MICAH
Just Castiel. So, what, he's Cher? Just one name?
DEAN
Well, his real name is Jimmy Novak, but... right now, he's, ah...
MICAH
Yes?
DEAN
(Breaking out in a big, awkward, embarrassed smile)
...he's possessed... by an angel.
(There is a long beat of silence.)
MICAH
... An angel.
DEAN
Yeah?
(More silence, before Micah says:)
MICAH
Get out.
DEAN
No... come on, I know it sounds crazy, but I can prove it.
MICAH
You and your brother get your guns and your salt and your big stupid heads together, and get out of my house.
DEAN
Big stupid...?
MICAH
Get out!
(Katie and Sam rush into the room. Micah puts the camera down so the viewer can still see most of the action from the knees up, on a slightly tilted angle.)
KATIE
What's the matter?
MICAH
These guys are fruitcakes and I want them out of here.
KATIE
Why?! What did they do?
DEAN
(To Sam)
He saw Cas on the camera footage. I told him.
SAM
Oh man...
MICAH
They let some dude in here last night without our knowledge and this one (gestures to Dean) says he's an angel.
KATIE
What guy?
DEAN
Castiel. He's a friend of ours and he won't hurt you, I promise.
KATIE
So you did let a guy in here last night?
DEAN
(Hands on his hips, he sighs and thinks for a moment)
Yes. But he's on our side.
MICAH
That's why I want them out of here.
KATIE
Micah, wait a second, we need help, right? These guys know what to do. They have the knowledge and the weapons that we need to get rid of this thing once and for all.
MICAH
Did you hear what I said?
KATIE
(Partially speaking over him)
I know that what he's saying sounds crazy, but can we hear them out? (Her voice shakes with threatening tears.) Can we hear them out, please, please? If we don't get rid of this monster that's been following me around for fifteen years, then I won't ever sleep again, baby, please, please, please?
MICAH
(He sighs, looking down for a moment)
Alright. Alright, you can explain further.
DEAN
Like I said, I know it sounds crazy, but I can prove it. Just like there are demons in the world, apparently, there are also angels, and we've got one here, willing to help you. Cas? Will you come down here please?
MICAH
There's no one there; I checked the whole upstairs for this guy -
(Castiel suddenly appears right next to Micah. The video footage has been heavily analyzed and no edits have been performed on it; there are no camera tricks or cuts. It is as if the man appears in the shot out of thin air.
Both Micah and Katie gasp loudly in surprise.)
MICAH
Fuck!
CASTIEL
Did you call me?
MICAH
Where did you come from?!
DEAN
Cas, I had to tell them about you. They saw you on the video footage.
CASTIEL
Oh?
DEAN
Yeah, and Micah doesn't believe me. Tell him what you are, Cas.
CASTIEL
I'm an angel of the lord.
MICAH
I know that's what you think you are...
CASTIEL
Yes, I do think that's what I am.
DEAN
No, Cas, he's insulting you.
CASTIEL
How?
DEAN
Never mind. He doesn't think you're really an angel. So I told him you could prove it.
CASTIEL
What should I do?
(Dean whispers in his ear. Sam stands in the background and watches uneasily.)
I can do that.
(He points to the camera.)
Micah, operate your camera. I'm taking you on a trip around the house.
MICAH
Don't you do anything -
DEAN
He's not going to hurt you.
(As soon as Micah gets the camera on his shoulder, Castiel stands next to him and takes his arm. A split second later, they are in the upstairs bedroom. The scene before the camera changes like some sort of blurry speed wipe.)
MICAH
Whoa!
(Katie's voice comes from downstairs.)
KATIE
Micah? Where the hell did they go?!
CASTIEL
And now, the guest room...
MICAH
(Trying to pull away)
No, wait, I -
(Suddenly, they're in the guest room, looking at a large stuffed bear sitting in the corner. The microphone temporarily whines with feedback.)
MICAH
Okay, I get it, don't - !
(Again, they switch rooms, now back in the living room, right in front of Katie. She let's out a startled cry.)
KATIE
What the fuck?!
(Micah groans.)
CASTIEL
If you require more proof, I can let you see my wings.
MICAH
No! No, I get it. Whatever you are, you can do stuff. You have... powers.
CASTIEL
I'm an angel of the lord.
MICAH
I get it!
(He puts the camera down. He and Katie continue to look stunned as she touches him on the shoulder.)
KATIE
Are you okay, baby?
MICAH
Yeah, I'm fine, I'm just freaked out. I guess if the guy can do stuff like that, it's good to have him on our side.
SAM
Do you want us to stay?
MICAH
Yeah, I guess you're okay.
(Micah picks the camera up again. Sam and Dean head back into the kitchen with Castiel.)
KATIE
Come eat your breakfast, Micah.
MICAH
I don't know if I can. I feel all bound up now. Ugh.
SCENE CHANGE
(Castiel is sitting at Micah's computer, watching the last of the footage taken previously. Micah stands next to him; it appears that Dean is operating the camera.
The footage ends as Katie shows her bite mark.)
MICAH
What do you think?
CASTIEL
Well... there is more than one type of demon that has the ability to move through the material world unseen. This one seems to be a very low-level daeva.
DEAN
(Surprised)
A daeva?
CASTIEL
Yes. Remember its shadow on the door?
DEAN
But those things are absolutely savage. This one's barely touched them.
MICAH
You mean it gets worse?
DEAN
Cas, I've tangled with daevas before.
CASTIEL
This one may be a different species that you're familiar with. Some are just watchdogs. Not very strong, put there mainly to keep watch. Sometimes they become territorial and attack their charge.
The language that it used in the one clip, where you caught its voice on tape, that's a very primitive demon language. Yes, I'm quite sure it's a daeva.
DEAN
What did it say? Can you translate it?
CASTIEL
I am not familiar with all demon languages, but this one I know somewhat. The daeva said, "It was you, my girl."
MICAH
Was it talking to Katie? What does that mean?
CASTIEL
I don't know.
MICAH
Why is it here?
CASTIEL
This type of daeva is always working for a stronger, more intelligent demon. One that knows how to enlist their service. It's here to keep tabs on Katie.
MICAH
Why?
CASTIEL
I don't know. Maybe we can find out, though. Do you know how long after the daeva showed up that Katie's childhood home burned down?
MICAH
Uh, she said that it was only a matter of months.
CASTIEL
Doesn't that seem like an odd coincidence to you, Dean?
DEAN
Yeah, so odd that it wasn't a coincidence at all.
MICAH
You think the demon lit the fire?
CASTIEL
It would seem so. Perhaps if we talk to Katie about what happened that night...
MICAH
She told me she doesn't remember anything out of the ordinary.
CASTIEL
I can speak to her in ways you cannot. It's sort of like hypnotism.
MICAH
Oh. Well, if she agrees to it, sure, maybe we can find out something useful.
CASTIEL
Fine. You said she went to class?
MICAH
Yeah, she has an 8 o'clock class Tuesdays and Thursdays.
CASTIEL
We'll wait until tonight, then.
(When he turns his head toward the camera, a brief flare of white light shines from deep within his eyes. Dean groans.)
DEAN
That was bright.
CASTIEL
What?
DEAN
When you turned your head, I caught a holy spotlight from your eyes.
CASTIEL
Oh, sometimes cameras can catch that.
DEAN
(Joking, in a French accent)
You know, your eyes look beautiful in the moonlight...
CASTIEL
(Confused)
It's the daytime.
MICAH
(Looks at the camera and chuckles)
Anyway... I'll turn this off.
(He moves around Castiel, putting his hand on the mouse, and closes the window containing the video footage. Behind it is an old window Micah forgot to close previously; it is a Flash game on Facebook called Farmville. It seems to peak Castiel's interest.)
CASTIEL
What's that?
MICAH
This? Farmville.
CASTIEL
Farmville? It looks like an animated farm.
MICAH
Yeah, it's a game where you run your own farm. You plant crops, buy chicken coops and animals and stuff, and build up your land.
CASTIEL
Hm. (Points to the screen) That looks like a chicken.
MICAH
Uh huh.
CASTIEL
And that's a horse.
MICAH
(Pausing to look at him)
Do you want to play?
CASTIEL
Play? No...
MICAH
You can play if you have a Facebook account.
CASTIEL
Facebook? (Thinks) Those words don't go together.
(Dean chuckles.)
MICAH
I guess... angels don't have Facebook, huh?
CASTIEL
No.
DEAN
Maybe Jimmy has a Facebook account. You can use his.
CASTIEL
I don't think this Facebook existed when Jimmy left home. (Realizes what he's said) I don't need it anyway.
DEAN
Okay... let us know if you change your mind.
(Micah looks back at the camera with an amused smirk.)
SCENE CHANGE
(It is early evening on October 8, 2009; the clock on the video footage reads 8:23PM. Katie is sitting on the couch in the couple's den. Micah is filming, Dean and Sam are sitting nearby to watch, and Castiel is standing in front of Katie, still wearing the tan trench coat.)
MICAH
Explain for us what we're about to do.
CASTIEL
Katie has agreed to be hypnotized. I'm going to regress her back to the night her house burned down. Are you sure you're ready, Katie?
KATIE
Mm-hm, yes. Yes, I'm ready.
(It's obvious she's nervous. Her hands fidget by her sides.)
CASTIEL
Alright. You're going to be fine. Don't be nervous.
(He takes her hands in each of his and squeezes them lightly, giving her a comforting smile. She lets out a ragged sigh and tries to smile back.)
Please, no one else speak during the regression. Let my voice guide her through it.
MICAH
You'll be okay, baby.
(Castiel puts a finger to his lips to tell everyone to be quiet. He then whispers something to her in a language that has been confirmed to be Enochian. At the same time, he puts his first two fingers to her forehead, right between her eyes, and rubs there gently. Katie lets out a small moan, and her eyes slowly close as he finishes the incantation.)
CASTIEL
(In a soothing, mesmerizing voice)
Katie, we're going back to a time when you were eight years old. Move slowly back... back... through the years. Smoothly... through time... I am leading you there. Are you having any trouble following me?
KATIE
(Slow and detached)
No. No trouble.
CASTIEL
Fine. I want us to go back to the night your family's home burned down.
(She cringes, face contorting in discomfort.)
I know, I know it's unpleasant to remember such things, but it's very important that I know what happened that night. I promise you won't come to any harm.
KATIE
(Child-like)
I'll get in trouble.
CASTIEL
No, you won't get in any trouble. I won't tell your parents what you did.
KATIE
I had to go to the bathroom! I didn't know he was in there!
CASTIEL
You won't get in trouble, Katie. I promise. I won't tell. Do you trust me?
KATIE
Yes.
CASTIEL
Then let's go back to shortly before the fire started. What were you doing?
(Katie lays on her side with her hands under her head, pretending to be asleep.)
You were sleeping, yes. But something woke you up?
KATIE
I had to go to the bathroom.
CASTIEL
Then let's go to the bathroom. Show me what you did.
KATIE
(With the attitude of a petulant child)
I'm not gonna let you watch while I go to the bathroom!
(The others stifle laughter. Castiel is flustered.)
CASTIEL
I didn't mean that. I meant did something stop you on the way, or did you hear something after you finished?
KATIE
I was going back to my room... (She stands up and begins to act out what she's describing as if it's happening. Katie stops in an imaginary doorway.) ...and I heard a noise.
CASTIEL
What kind of noise?
KATIE
Brittany whined, like she's hungry or somethin'.
CASTIEL
Who's Brittany?
KATIE
My baby sister. She's really a baby!
CASTIEL
Ahh. Do you know how old she is?
KATIE
I dunno, like, not even a year. Mom keeps talking about her in months. Three months, four months, five months, a dollar. Come on everybody, stand up and holler!
(As she recites this cheer, Katie mimes that she has pom-poms and acts like a cheerleader, shaking the pom-poms from one side to the other and jumping into the air.)
CASTIEL
Did you go into Brittany's room to see what was the matter?
KATIE
(Lowering her head)
Yeah. I shoulda gone and gotten Mommy.
CASTIEL
What did you see?
KATIE
(Whispering)
There was a man in there.
CASTIEL
A man?
KATIE
Uh huh.
CASTIEL
Do you recognize him?
KATIE
Huh?
CASTIEL
Do you know who he is?
KATIE
Nuh uh.
CASTIEL
What's he doing?
KATIE
(Swivels her top half from side to side, tossing her arms about like a child might do)
Just standin' over Brittany's crib. I don't know what he's doin'.
(Sam and Dean suddenly look at each other sharply, as if they realize what's happening. Dean looks a bit angry in reaction while Sam's face grows more and more stricken as Katie goes on.)
CASTIEL
Does he have his hand up, like this... (Holds his hand up with the palm facing downward) ...with his wrist above her mouth?
KATIE
Pretty much, yeah.
CASTIEL
Is there something dripping from his wrist or his hand?
KATIE
Uhh, I dunno. I'm not lookin'.
CASTIEL
Did he know you were there?
KATIE
Yeah, he turned around and saw me.
CASTIEL
What did he say to you?
KATIE
You want me to, like, tell you everything we're sayin'?
(She rolls her eyes.)
CASTIEL
Just give me the gist of it.
KATIE
The what?
CASTIEL
The important parts.
KATIE
He said me and my sisters were special, and he was lookin' for a special child to open some door for him. So I shouldn't tell my mom that he was there, and he would just go. If my mom knew that I talked to him and didn't tell her, she'd be real mad. You're not supposed to let some guy just come into your house and fart around in there. (She giggles.) Did you hear what I said? I said fart.
He's some kind of magical guy. His eyes aren't normal. They're yellow.
(Sam tries to hold in a startled sound; it comes out choked.)
MICAH
Do you know what that means?
(Castiel desperately shushes him.)
CASTIEL
Are you scared of him?
KATIE
Not at first. He gave me candy.
(She leans her head back and opens her mouth, sticking out her tongue. Then she closes it, pretending to swallow something, and rubs her stomach.)
Mmmmmm. I did that thing that the dog does in the cartoon, when he gets a dog biscuit. Snuffles! He's Quick Draw McGraw's dog! He goes mmmm, mmmmm, MMMMM! And then floats into the air! (Giggling again)
(Hearing all of this, Sam looks like he may be sick. He puts his head into his hands.)
CASTIEL
(Confused, he's unfamiliar with the cartoon)
That's nice. Do you know what the man gave you?
KATIE
I told you, candy. It tasted really good. It made me want to play, but Baba Looey came in the room.
CASTIEL
Baba Looey?
KATIE
Christy named him. He's Quick Draw's faithful sidekick.
CASTIEL
(Perplexed)
So... a character from this cartoon came into the room?
KATIE
No, dummy! Baba Looey, our dog!
CASTIEL
Oh.
KATIE
He's a Toto dog. Daddy brought him home for Christmas. (She looks displeased, scrunching up her mouth.) I don't like 'im.
CASTIEL
Why not?
KATIE
'Cause we was having a staring contest a few days ago and he bit me on the lip. Here. (She points to her upper lip.)
CASTIEL
How did the yellow-eyed man react to Baba Looey?
KATIE
He starts doin' this. (Katie pantomimes that she's striking a match on something in her other hand.) He says he's got magic invisible matches that will set the bad doggie on fire. (Her mouth open in wonder, she gasps and looks up.) Baba Looey flew up on the ceiling!
(Sam and Dean both groan. From behind the camera, Micah makes an uncomfortable sound. He must be full of questions for them.)
CASTIEL
The ceiling?
KATIE
Uh huh! He starts to bark, so the man hands the pretend matches to me and tells me to strike a match, and throw it up on the ceiling. So I did. (Suddenly, she begins to cry.) And Baba Looey caught fire!
CASTIEL
That must have been frightening.
KATIE
(Still crying)
It was! I thought we was all gonna die! 'Cause the ceiling started burning, and Baba Looey was cryin', and it smelled awful. I turned to the man and just like that, he was gone! Mommy started screaming and Brittany was crying. He made it look like I did it. But they were only pretend matches! I didn't burn the house down. I didn't!
MICAH
(To himself, in sympathy for her)
Aw, baby...
CASTIEL
I know you didn't. The yellow-eyed man set the house on fire.
KATIE
That's right, I didn't do it. It was so scary. I thought he was nice. I'm sorry I hated Baba Looey and I threw that pretend match. But the man did it.
(She covers her eyes with her fists and sobs like a child.)
CASTIEL
It's alright, Katie. It's alright. You can sit down now. Calm down.
(She sits on the couch, wiping her eyes with the backs of her hands.)
Did you ever tell your parents about the man and what he did to Baba Looey?
KATIE
(Shakes her head)
I thought I would get in trouble.
CASTIEL
I can understand that. Did anything else happen that night that seems important?
(She shakes her head adamantly.)
Alright then. You can come back to the present now. Let's move through the years, to 2009. Slowly... smoothly... (Placing his fingers on the spot between her eyes again) ...you're moving back to your... I'm sorry, how old is Katie?
MICAH
Twenty-three.
(With a stunned gasp, Sam gets up and leaves the room. Dean looks after him with a pained expression.)
CASTIEL
You're moving back to your twenty-third year in this life. Now you're settling comfortably into October 8th, 2009... 8:32PM.
(Katie bounces on the couch, as if she has been dropped there.)
Good... good...
MICAH
(Overwhelmed by what he's just heard)
Holy shit...
CASTIEL
When I count to three, you will awaken feeling rested and refreshed. These new memories you have recovered will be integrated in with the familiar ones gently and without trauma over the next few minutes. One... two... three. (He removes his fingers from her forehead.)
KATIE
(Opens her eyes, blinks a few times, and wipes at her tears in confusion)
I was crying?
On to Part II