Ancient Words - Ch. 7 "Unraveling"
Title/Chapter: Ancient Words - Ch. 6 - "Unraveling"
Author: Supernatural Mommy
Characters: Sam, Dean, OFC, OMC (child), OMC ; no pairings
Spoilers: None really, unless you've not seen Season one, to Nightmare
Warnings: PG now, R overall for adult themes. This chapter heavy religious references: Overall rated for language, violence (including non-con acts depicted with OC's and torture) hurt/comfort, religious references (seriously, this story uses lots of religious references, so if that bothers you, please don't read) I will try to label each chapter appropriately
Disclaimer: I don't own 'em *pity*, but new characters are my own creation.
Summary: They’re home from the hospital, but their troubles are just beginning.
Author's Notes: Sequel to Look Into His Eyes. Please read through my author's notes Here (from first chapter) and Here (Chapter listing and summary with some minor plot spoilers) if you need more information, explanations, etc. Previous chapters can be found at my journal.
Chapter 7 "Unraveling"
The brothers watched from the doorway as Annie tried to call the pastor once again. She hung up without leaving a message and while Annie didn’t seem too concerned, there was a niggling feeling in the pit of Dean’s stomach. As they watched, her slightly puzzled expression gave way to something darker in a flash of shifting emotions and she cried out in pain, closing her eyes. A slender hand flew up to clutch at her head as she swayed precariously.
Both men rushed forward. Dean caught her just before her body gave out and lowered her to the floor. Sam hurried to the sink, finding and wetting a washcloth before rushing back over to place it gently on her forehead.
She shook, and Dean held her close, soothing her like he did Sam sometimes. Sammy hovered, looking as agitated and unsure as Dean felt.
A soft moan escaped her lips along with a soft word.
“Andy.”
She writhed in apparent agony and opened her eyes, sightlessly staring ahead as tears ran down her face. Her body trembled violently. Then suddenly, she was still.
Her eyes drifted shut as she slipped into unconsciousness.
The brothers’ eyes met in troubled confusion.
“She sees things, kind of like you, right? Is that what just happened?” Dean’s hazel eyes were concerned as he fleetingly glanced back down at the woman in his arms.
“She felt something...I don’t know if she saw it or not. From what she said the last time, her visions, or whatever they are, they aren’t like mine. They’re different.” Sam looked at Annie in confusion. “She said Andy’s name so it was probably about him...you don’t think...?”
“I don’t know.” Dean’s simple words cemented their unease. Dean rose, and, wincing, lifted Annie and walked with her to the couch in the living room. Sam padded softly behind. Bobby’s heavy footsteps on the stairs warned them before he rounded the corner into the living room. The little boy stared, wide-eyed, at his sister.
“An-nie!” Sam stepped back as he barreled past him, stopping to stare down at his sister. His bottom lip trembled and he started rocking on his feet. “An-nie hur’?”
He stepped hesitantly forward and dropped to his knees beside her still form, reaching a hand to tentatively rest on her cheek for a fleeting moment. Then he clutched at her shirt with both hands, gathering the material tight within his small hands, twisting it.
“An-nie...” His voice was soft. A tear gathered in the corner of his eye, then pushed away, rolling down his cheek. “Bobby hep’.”
The boy lowered his head, resting it on his hands, soft words muffled against his hands. Within moments, the boy was still and quiet, his head dropped to rest on Annie’s chest and he closed his eyes, face relaxed. Annie began to stir a moment later, groaning, and brought a free hand up to her brother’s head.
“Bobby?” She opened her eyes, blinking. She leaned her head down to see her brother and groaned again at the movement.
As pain knifed through her, her eyes opened wider and she looked up to see Dean and Sam looking at her...she blinked.
“Andy...you’ve got to check on Andy. Something’s wrong . . . I felt...something . . . I can’t . . . please . . . Please!” Not able to put coherent thoughts together, she pleaded with her eyes. Dean looked at Sam, who studied Annie and then glanced up at him.
“Go. I’ll stay with them. “
“He was at the church, right? So I should start there...” Annie’s hesitant nod spurred him into motion, Sam following him to the door.
Considering the strength behind Annie’s psychic thingie, and her reaction after the fact, Dean wasn’t under the illusion that he would be finding Andy at the church, unharmed and looking at Bibles.
**********************************************
½ hour earlier. . .
The pastor leaned back into his chair, rubbing his eyes clear from hours of researching. Lined around the edge of his large oak desk, books created uneven stacks high enough he barely reached them.
Thoughts of demons and angels fled as he considered taking a much-needed break and stood up, stretching his six and ½-foot figure. Maybe he would go to the diner and grab a drink and a piece of pie. His stomach rumbled in acceptance of that idea.
First he stopped by the main office to inform the senior pastor's secretary where he was going. He saw the secretary's eyes dance at the thought of pie and told her he would bring her back a slice as well.
His step was light as he walked the familiar path towards the diner. It was only around the block, literally. He cut through the church parking lot, humming a hymn as he walked.
Andy was surprised to come face to face with three men at the edge of the parking lot. Their fighting stances warned him of their intent seconds before the assault began. And while he fought valiantly, the three wore him down. In a last ditch effort, he charged, connecting with one man and disabling him with a sharp karate chop to the back of the neck. He turned to face another man, delivering a roundhouse kick to his stomach and then putting all his strength behind a hit to the man's back. He dropped and Andy turned to face the last man.
Andy realized his mistake a moment too late when he felt the imprint of a gun in the small of his back. There were two men left, not just one. He hung his head, breathing heavily, and tried to decide on another plan of action as he held his arms forward in mock surrender. He was just about ready to drop and turn when someone grabbed one of his arms unceremoniously, jerking him around to face his newest threat. Help me Lord..
Daniel Larkin sneered as his eyes burned bright blue. The clear evil on the man's face confused Andy.
"Hello there, pastor. Surprised to see me?" Larkin leaned forward, his breath hot against Andy's down turned face. "You're the first to fall. So you should feel special. Special indeed."
Larkin nodded to the man now behind Andy, and in response, he felt his arms pulled back, wrists lashed tightly together. The holy man knew anger. In saving this man from being demon possessed, what had they created?
Clearing his mind, Andy struggled to remain calm and aware of the men around him. An engine sounded close-by, and he heard a vehicle driving down the alley behind him.
It didn't make sense.
Larkin's next words explained more than he wanted to know and drove fear straight through him; he struggled for the calm of a moment before.
"You took the demon away from me. All of you will pay." Here he leaned in inches from Andy's face. "But I wanted to start with you."
He stopped and stepped back again, clearly working for control. When he looked up his blue eyes flashed dangerously. He gazed around Andy and nodded behind him. He was pulled off balance as he was jerked around dragged to the waiting vehicle. It was a van, he realized as he was pulled inside.
He wanted to fight, but was out of his element. What do I do, Lord? The answer came to him and washed over him gently.
Be still, and know that I am God.
Easy to be still with his hands tied, Andy thought to himself. He looked up when he realized someone was crouched beside him. The van started to move, knocking him off balance and into the person. Larkin.
"Now, we have time to chat." Larkin leaned back, relaxing against the side of the van. He studied Andy, who couldn't help staring back angrily.
"Why are you doing this? We dispossessed you and sent the demon to hell. We freed you." He was surprised by Larkin’s quickness as he sprang forward and punched him solidly in the stomach. He bit his lip to keep from groaning.
"You didn't free me, you holy idiot! You stripped me of it's power! You took it away from me and it was a part of me. It belonged with me." He glared at Andy, who was still breathing through his teeth in an attempt to quell the pain. He wanted to just ignore Larkin, but knew he couldn't. Not if he wanted to understand his motivation, find a weakness, catch any chance of escaping.
"I have plans for you, and the rest of that stupid gang. The boys, and Annie." He looked down at Andy and his eyes gleamed. "Especially Annie. The rest of you will die. She will just wish she had."
Andy looked back at him, eyes wide.
"You're crazy! Why would you..." Larkin cut him off with a vicious slap to his cheek.
"I'm not crazy!" He all but growled at Andy in his anger. He swallowed and calmed himself, then grinned an evil little smile. "You and the rest of them - you'll die when the time is right. One of you will even get a starring role - I haven't decided which."
He trailed off, looking into nothing with a calm, detached, yet gleeful look on his face. He shook his head and then glanced dismissively down at Andy.
"Soon, everything will be in place. I'll have the power again...This time, you won't be around to take it away." He smiled, looking calculating, yet barely lucid at the same time. He glanced toward one of the other men, positioned just outside of Andy's range of vision. Nodded.
"I'm done with him, gag him, blindfold him, and do whatever else you want. Just don't kill him yet." He smiled dangerously. "I want that honor."
Andy closed his eyes, readying himself for what was to come.
Pray.
The one word carried to him softly and he blinked in surprise. He couldn't help but obey. Worried now about Annie, Bobby and the Winchester brothers, he first lifted them up in prayer. Lord, please protect them, and help keep them safe. No matter what, help them be okay, Lord, please.
As his eyes were covered and his mouth invaded, he silently continued his prayer, trying desperately to block out the punches raining all over his exposed body. Not able to fight them anyway, he did the only thing he could do...he prayed.
As the blows came harder, he held onto consciousness, praying silently
Lord, I don't know if I'm going to get out of this...He continued to pray softly, the words falling without conscious thought. Give me strength Lord. Trying desperately to still block the pain he recited the first prayer that came to mind.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name . . .
His silent prayers stopped suddenly as the physical assault pushed him into oblivion.
***************************************
The guardian wept silent tears as he stood watch over the holy man's now still form.
He cried out to the heavens.
Knowing that no peace would come from the questioning he sighed deeply and knelt beside his charge. He whispered softly, weaving verses into the pastor's subconscious mind.
He unfurled his wings and surrounded his unmoving charge, dimming the outside world's affect on him. As his body lay broken, the man's consciousness stirred slightly. His spirit was still strong; Reelaiah could feel it.
Reelaiah knew the role pastor Andrew had in this battle.
While he might be the first casualty, he wasn't out of the battlefield. Instead, he was now deep within enemy territory. Reelaiah shuddered as he felt the evil in this moving vehicle. He lifted his head and looked towards heaven.
No matter what was to happen, he would be steady at the holy man's side. For this was his battle too. No matter the outcome, he was charged with the spiritual care of this human.
The angel looked down at the still man. He laid an angelic hand on his head and prayed, lapsing into the most ancient of languages.
As he finished his prayer, he turned to study the others in the vehicle.
While he could not interfere, he would still be alert.
**************************************
“Everything okay there?” Relieved at Sam’s quick affirmative, Dean sighed, running a hand through his hair. He turned to look back at the area that had attracted the bulk of his attention already.
“I’m pretty sure Andy was taken. But that’s all I got. The secretary in the main office was waiting for our priestly dude to bring her back a piece of pie, but the folks at the diner said he never made it there. So...” Dean paused, wondering where they could really go from here. He studied the area towards the back of the church parking lot once again, hoping for a clue he might have missed.
His eyes narrowed on the same area as before, raking a practiced eye over the signs of a struggle.
“Looks like at least three, maybe four guys were waiting for him at the edge of the parking lot. He fought back...” He was trying to piece more of it together. “I see fresh tire tracks, mid-size truck, van maybe?”
He was frustrated, knowing almost nothing more than when he started. The ten-minute drive over here he had run over all possible scenarios. They all led back to Larkin.
“I’m heading back to you guys.” He hung up with Sam and walked slowly towards his car. Something caught his eye as he turned and he paused, then stepped backwards to make sure he wasn’t imagining things. He finally felt like he had caught a break. There, staring out into the alleyway, was a camera . . . it might have caught what happened to Andy.
He flipped his phone open to call Sam and frowned with it entered voicemail. He had just spoken with him...why wouldn’t he answer? He stared at his phone, waiting for an answer. Then he moved with purpose towards his car once again. The camera would wait. He needed to get back to Sammy.
*****************************************************
The knock at the door surprised Sam and the Carvers. Annie was still lying on the couch with Bobby at her side. He looked back at them guardedly and, at Annie’s slight nod, he went towards the door.
“Bobby, go behind the couch, sweetie. And you stay there, you understand.” When the boy didn’t listen, she barked the order again. “Bobby, behind the couch, now!”
He listened this time, moving quickly behind the couch. Annie raised herself to sitting on the couch, trying to fight the vertigo that assaulted her quick motion.
The ringing of Sam’s phone seemed ironic given the stress of the moment. But Sam couldn’t make it to his phone. Instead he was almost to the door, about to look through the keyhole, when the door burst open.
Quickly switching into a fighting stance, Sam took a moment to adjust to the newest threat and his eyes widened in surprise at what he saw. Too many of them were pouring into the doorway so he faded back from the door.
He gulped, putting his hands up in a submissive position. By this time, Annie had gotten up and made her way over to stand by him.
She grinned up at his obvious discomfort, then back around at their visitors.
“I take it they’re here for you?” Sam’s incredulous voice was slightly panicked.
Annie nodded and stepped forward.
[hr]
Dean muttered obscenities at every red light and stop sign.
It was only a ten-minute drive, but it seemed like everything was stacked against him. A few minutes later, when he pulled up in front of the Carver house, the vehicles there didn’t really ease his mind. He frowned.
He placed his gun in the back waistband of his jeans, pulling his shirt down carefully to hide it. He grabbed a small flask of holy water and his favorite knife, sliding the knife into his boot and tucking the holy water into the pocket of his leather jacket, which he shrugged into upon getting out of the car.
He walked carefully up to the house, noting the energy coming from the house. He could tell there were several people inside, but shadows against the window didn’t give him any further information.
He paused at the door, considering the best way to go about this. He wasn’t sure of the threat inside, but didn’t want to tip his hand. So instead, he just opened the door and walked through like an old family friend.
His eyes grew wide at the level of activity coming from inside the house. He hadn’t been prepared for this. There were people spread throughout the living room and kitchen. He stepped back in surprise when someone appeared at the base of the stairs.
Summoning his cheekiest grin, he looked around until he found Annie. She met his eyes across the room with raised eyebrows and a small knowing grin.
“Sam took Bobby upstairs...too many people...” She trailed off and looked about ready to choke as someone cut her view of Dean off. He stared at the person in front of him. His eyes widened for a split second, and then he planted what he hoped was a charming smile - it might have been a grimace instead, he wasn’t sure.
“Well hello there, sonny. You must be one of Annie’s little friends.” The short woman had planted herself firmly within Dean’s personal space and leaned forward with her eyes almost up to his chin, studying him, her hands planted on generous hips. “Well, don’t you worry none...we brought lots of food and we’re taking care of cleaning the house up for poor little Annie. Poor dear . . . really . . . getting in an accident.”
She shook her head and grabbed Dean’s arm, dragging him into the kitchen. He looked over his shoulder and met Annie’s eyes, glaring when he saw the grin she was trying to hide.
The woman pulled him over to the table.
“Sit.”
He sat. He couldn’t believe the number of people around the house. In the kitchen alone there were five women, scrubbing and sweeping, chatting among themselves. Dean looked down at his hands and considered what excuse would save him from the threat of church ladies.
All thoughts fled as a bowl was placed in front of him. The scent wafted up to him and he grinned and sighed happily.
“Chicken noodle soup. Homemade. It’s perfect for what ails you.” The woman pulled out another chair and plopped down to sit, studying Dean. He ignored her and instead picked the spoon up to take a bite. He groaned in satisfaction as the spoonful hit his taste-buds.
“This is awesome.” He looked up to see the woman beaming proudly.
“‘Course it is...I made it.”
He about choked at the woman’s easy statement.
“You finish eating that and then you can come sit in the living room with Annie and we’ll have a chat.”
“My brother really should be the one to do the talking...he’s so much better at it than I am.” He smiled genuinely at the woman, who patted the table and stood. She grinned down at Dean.
“Well, then, I’ll just send Patty up to keep little Bobby company and we’ll let your brother come down too. Then you can all of us have a nice chat.”
Damn! Dean cringed inwardly, thinking he probably shouldn’t even be thinking swear words at this point. At least if he was going to suffer, Sammy would too.
He took his time eating his bowl of chicken noodle soup, barely registering when his brother’s long form sat across from him at the table.
When he looked up, Sam’s look was murderous.
“Hey, I gotta suffer - you do too.” At that, Dean gave his brother a familiar teasing grin. His fun came to an abrupt end as another lady sidled up to the table, staring at them with undisguised interest. How could they tell the lady to get lost?
Maybe Sammy . . . but as he looked up and met his brother’s eyes, he saw the same level of panic there. Okay, maybe Sammy couldn’t help that much.
How to save themselves?
“Sam...you eat anything yet?” He looked pointedly at his brother, who caught on quickly.
“No, and I’m starving too...what’s that you got there Dean...” He studied Dean’s bowl innocently as he played his part. “Looks like chicken noodle soup...mmmm...can I get some?”
Dean looked hopefully at the little lady who was still staring at them in awe. He absently wondered if the holy water in his pocket worked against little old ladies too. Nah.
“Could I get another bowl too?”
*******************************************
They escaped having to regale the little ladies with their exploits when Annie took pity on them and claimed a massive headache. The ladies took their leave with little clucking sounds.
When Annie closed the door behind the last helpful woman, she leaned against the door with a sigh.
“Almost worse than facing a demon, huh?” She grinned at the boys, completely enjoying their discomfort. Dean smirked at her with a dangerous glint in his eye.
“Don’t worry, we’ll get you back for that.” He raised an eyebrow at her.
“So . . . about Andy? What did you find out?” The question was whispered softly. She looked like she was scared to find out.
“I didn’t have a chance to tell her anything...” Sam whispered to Dean as he cocked his head towards him.
“Well...I didn’t get much. Sorry.” He glanced up at Annie and then swallowed. “I found his trail. He was supposed to go to the diner to get some pie. The secretary at the church said he told her he’d bring her back some, but never did. The diner said they never saw him. So I concentrated on looking in between and I think...”
He paused and took in Annie’s pale expression. Lowered his head.
“I think he was attacked towards the edge of the parking lot. Looked like three, maybe four guys jumped him, from the prints I could make out. Then he was dragged to a vehicle in the alley.” He saw the tears flowing down her face and swallowed. He looked over at Sam, who met his eyes with understanding.
“Why don’t you sit down, Annie. We’ll figure out what to do, okay?” Sam guided her towards the couch, and he didn’t back away when she leaned into his chest and sobbed. He looked awkwardly at Dean, and then started patting her back. He leaned his cheek to rest on the top of her head, feeling her sobs and soft shudders.
Bobby chose that moment to venture carefully down the stairs. He looked around, and Dean figured out immediately what the little guy was checking out.
“They’re all gone, little man.” He smiled at the grin that lit up Bobby’s face. He shielded Bobby from his sister on the couch and guided him into the kitchen instead. “Why don’t we get you something to eat, okay?”
He was just about to lead the boy through the doorway into the kitchen when a knock sounded at the front door. He shuddered. Church ladies.
He turned to meet Sam’s eyes, flickered his gaze at Annie, and sighed, turning towards the door.
“I’ll get it Dean...take care of Bobby.” Annie struggled to right herself against Sam’s shoulder as she raised off the couch. “It’s probably Patty, or Gertrude.”
She wearily stumbled towards the door, glancing at Dean with a slight grin on her face before squaring her shoulders and turning the knob on the door.
But just as she had started to open the door, it flew open. She stepped back and opened her mouth to scream.