A Very Supernatural Journey Chapter 12
A birthday story for Enkidu07, co-manager of the E/O Drabble Challenge.
by womanofletters, theymp, mainegirlwrites and wynefred
Previous Chapters: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]
This chapter written by wynefred
Chapter 12: Caught in the Riptide
"Sammy, tell me you found something. I'm dying over here."
Sam couldn't help laughing at the desperation in Dean's voice. "Really? Being stuck in a house with three college girls sounds like horn-dog heaven for you."
"Shut up. It's not like that. Seriously, man, what've you got?"
Sam held the phone to his ear with one hand as he opened the Impala's driver-side door with the other. He slid behind the wheel as Shawna slipped quietly into the passenger seat. "Dean, you have got to see resources this library offers. It's pretty fantastic!"
"Awesome. Can't wait to get my geek on. Until then, did this treasure-trove of otherworldly knowledge have any info we can actually use?"
"How about confirmation that the bagiennik carries the mate to the ring Rachelle has?" Starting the car, Sam threw it into drive and sped down the campus streets.
"Huh. That could be how it's tracking her. Nothing we didn't already suspect, though. How exactly does that help us?"
"Well, we found a ritual that should allow Rachelle to track the other ring and might even call the ring to her. We just need to find a few items for the ritual."
"So we can bring the fight to us? Good! No more waiting around with our thumbs up our asses."
"Right. Shawna says there are a few shops in town that should have the items we need to complete the ritual. We'll finish gathering everything and meet you back at Rachelle's."
"Okay, but hurry. Rachelle insists on going to that vigil tonight. Crazy-assed woman's making my job harder."
"Heh. Well, we'll get there as soon as we can."
Sam ended the call and tucked the phone back into his pocket, turning his full attention to driving. He and Shawna had a lot to do and very little time to do it.
X X X
Dean ran his hands across his chin, feeling the stubble growing there. Sam's news reminded him of how anxious he was for some action. This was certainly one of the strangest hunts they'd ever been on... some creature they'd never heard of and had no idea how to fight, cooped up with some girl from an alternate reality, all her weirdo friends hanging around.
Dean shook his head in wonder. There certainly was something different about Rachelle. He snorted at the thought. Of course there was something different. She was from a friggin' alternate reality. Still, he couldn't help thinking about her, how her face lit up when she got excited, remembering her smell. Even when covered in river muck, she smelled great. And earlier in the bathroom...
Stopping that particular train of thought, Dean jumped from his seat and paced the short distance between the kitchen and living room. He could hear the girls giggling in the bathroom as they helped Rachelle clean up for the vigil tonight.
And wasn't that a kicker? He had to admire her determination in standing up to him. Not many women had the confidence to put the great Dean Winchester in his place. He actually liked it... not that he'd let anyone else know. Yep, she sure was something else...
Fortunately, his phone rang before his thoughts traveled too far down that dangerous road again.
"Hey, Bobby."
"Hold onto yer shorts, boy, 'cause I've got a humdinger of a story to tell ya."
X X X
Rachelle bent over the bathroom vanity with her long, soapy hair hanging down into the sink as Mer poured bottle after bottle of water over it. They'd washed it twice to remove the river grunge. Satisfied that all the shampoo had been rinsed out, Mer handed Rachelle a towel and stepped back to give her friend some space.
Amy perched on the edge of the tub, chattering happily about nothing in particular. Her cheery attitude was having an effect on Rachelle. In all the craziness of the last few days, Rachelle hadn't noticed how stressed she'd been. She felt some of that tension melt away in the presence of her friends. Of course, cleaning her hair helped too! She really hated being dirty!
Rachelle finished drying her hair and set the wet towel on the side of the vanity. Luxuriously running a comb through her clean locks, she realized she would certainly never again take a shower for granted.
Soon, the silence in the tiny room drew her attention away from her grooming. She looked up to find her friends watching her intently. "What?"
Mer and Amy exchanged glances, then returned their gazes back to Rachelle. Again she asked, "What?"
Meredith responded first, "Nothing. It's just... this is all so strange. I mean, we believe you, but you've got to admit that this is pretty bizarre."
Amy nodded her agreement. "I guess it's just starting to sink in for us."
"No kidding," Rachelle chuckled.
"I do have one burning question, though," Amy grinned. "What's the story on that cute ghost hunter sitting in your living room?"
Rachelle shifted uncomfortably. "What do you mean?"
"Don't play innocent with us, missy!" Mer exclaimed. "We know you too well for that. There's something going on between you two. Now spill."
Rachelle couldn't help blushing slightly at the reminder of her encounters with Dean Winchester, one in this very room. Seeing crimson on her friend's cheeks, Amy exclaimed jubilantly, "See! I knew it! You like him!"
"Soooo...," Meredith prompted again.
"There's nothing to tell," she began. Mer snorted at that, so Rachelle gave her a wry smile. "Not for lack of trying, though. I like him, I really do, but things are a little... complicated... right now."
"No kidding." Mer laughed.
Amy stood and eased past Mer in the small space. She wrapped her arms around Rachelle, then stood back and looked her friend straight in the eye. "Just remember, dear Rachelle, that nothing is too complicated for love. You should tell him how you feel. Take the chance." With one last squeeze, she slipped out the bathroom door to chat with the man under discussion.
"Even in another universe, Amy is still Amy," Rachelle said with a smile as she watched her friend in the next room. She gave her own drying hair one last swipe with the comb before placing it on the vanity and turning to leave. Mer's hand on her arm stopped her.
"Rachelle, I want to apologize," she began.
"You have nothing to apologize for, Mer!"
"Actually, I do. I should have believed you when you tried to tell me what was going on. I just... well, it sounded so outlandish. I seriously thought you'd cracked. I'm so sorry!"
"Oh, Mer! I don't blame you at all. It really did sound crazy. But you're here now, and that's all that matters."
The two women embraced. Rachelle walked back to the living room with a light step and an even lighter heart.
X X X
The young cashier handed Sam a small bag containing the last item on the list. Sam thanked the girl, beaming his dimpled smile at her. Shawna noticed the girl sway slightly, as if the force of his smile caused her knees to melt. She couldn't blame her. Shawna was surprised to find herself jealous that Sam's grin hadn't been aimed at her.
Sam turned to leave, apparently oblivious to the effect he'd had on the cashier. Shawna turned back to the cashier, intending to thank her before leaving. Instead, she smiled at the distracted, awed look the young woman gave Sam's retreating back.
Still smiling, Shawna followed Sam out the door. She was pleased to note that she'd already become accustomed to lengthening her stride to match his long gait. With a grin still on her lips, she slid into the passenger seat. Sam folded himself behind the steering wheel and, stretching his long arm to the back seat, he placed the small bag containing their latest purchase alongside their other bags.
After fishing out the keys and inserting them in the ignition, he glanced over at her. Noticing her grin, he asked, "What?"
"You don't see it, do you?"
"See what?"
"She was totally into you, and you didn't even notice."
"Who? The cashier? She's a little young for me, don't you think? I like my women a little more mature." He smiled slyly at her. Then, as if shocked at his own audacity, he mumbled, "I mean... she was barely out of high-school and I'm... you know." He slammed the car into drive, his entire being focused on the act of driving.
Wow, she thought, brains, bod, and a sweet personality. This guy is too good to be true.
She decided to let him off the hook, ease his discomfort, and hope there was time later to get to know this fascinating man a little better. "You're probably right. I'll tell you one thing, though. That poor girl's life will never be the same now. No other man could possibly compete with the memory of the tall, dark stranger who stole her heart with just a smile." She laughed.
Sam glanced sideways at her, then relaxed visibly. That gorgeous smile spread across his face, revealing the dimple she'd come to cherish. Definitely a 10, she thought.
X X X
"So, this ritual is supposed to help us find Henri's ring?" Rachelle asked. She'd cleaned up and changed clothes in preparation for the vigil tonight. Dean hadn't had a chance to fill her in before Sam and Shawna returned with the ingredients for the ritual. She was looking at Sam with a mixture of dread and resolution. Dean really had to admire her for not freaking out under the stress.
"We hope so, we just don't know how it's going to accomplish that," Sam replied.
"Okay, then what do you need from me?"
"Just your ring."
Rachelle removed the chain from her neck and held it out to Sam. Dean intercepted it first, though. "Rachelle, there's something else you need to know before we do this."
She raised an eyebrow at him, silently encouraging him to continue. Sam also caught his eye, his face questioning.
Dean directed his answer to Sam, "Bobby called. He found some lore on this creature." Sam nodded, and Dean shifted his attention back to Rachelle. "Turns out, the bagiennik isn't our only concern. There's a queen, Wada or whatever-she's-called. According to lore, this Wada chick realized the bagiennik spit stuff was extremely toxic to her. Instead of making them an enemy and letting them remain a threat, she convinced her to make them her queen. They revere her, but all the while she's sucking their land and their people dry. She's using them. In fact, the bagiennik are supposed to be extinct."
Rachelle looked shocked. "That can't be true. After all, Henri's still alive."
"Maybe he's the last of his kind. Either way, this ritual could not only bring the bagiennik here, but it could also call to the queen."
"Poor Henri!" Rachelle exclaimed.
Dean sighed. "That's another thing, Rachelle. I don't think you should get so attached to this thing. It's just an it. A monster. And we will kill it before this is all said and done. You have to accept that."
"But he doesn't want to hurt people. He's just trying to do his queen's bidding, and if what you say is true, he's been duped. He's innocent in all this."
"Innocent? Rachelle, he's already killed people. In my book, that's justification for ganking the sonofabitch." Rachelle clenched her jaw and tilted her head in stubborn disagreement, so Dean tried again, his tone more compassionate, "Rachelle, we just can't let him kill again."
Rachelle aimed an angry glare at Dean, but relented after a few seconds. Her response sounded extremely sad, "You're right, of course. I don't like it, but you're right."
"Good." Dean squeezed her hand in approval before passing the ring over to Sam for the ritual.
X X X
Meredith watched Sam add the burning herb bundle to the ritual bowl and speak the final words of the incantation. The contents of the bowl lit up in a brilliant flash. Everyone in the room seemed to be holding their breath in anticipation of what might follow.
What followed was absolutely nothing. They all stood around staring at each other, waiting for something to happen. It was almost comical.
Dean was the first one to break the tension. "What the hell, Sam?"
"I don't know, Dean. Obviously, it's not instantaneous. Maybe Rachelle has to wear the ring for it to work."
Meredith's concern for her friend amped up at those words. "Wait, will Rachelle be safe wearing it now that you've performed this ritual on it?"
The brothers exchanged a look, then Dean answered. "Honestly? We don't know. It's possible that it will draw her to the other ring rather than drawing the creature here. All we can do is try everything we can to keep her safe."
Mer looked over at her friend, who nodded her consent. Meredith could tell her friend was putting up a brave front but inwardly she was extremely worried. If Rachelle could be brave, so could Mer. She nodded back and put a hand on Rachelle's shoulder. She didn't know if the contact was support for Rachelle or for herself, or even if it was an attempt to keep her friend from being whisked away.
Rachelle took the ring from Sam. "Do you think hanging it from the chain is enough?"
Sam thought about it for a second before responding, "Well, you've been wearing it that way through all your visions. That might be enough."
Rachelle placed the ring back on its chain and hung it around her neck. Again, nothing happened for long moments.
"Seriously, Sammy, I think this ritual thing was a bust."
Sam shot an exasperated look at his brother. "Dean, we don't know how this works. I'm just guessing here. We still haven't tried wearing it on her finger. Maybe it need contact with her skin to draw the other ring."
As the brothers bickered, Meredith felt Rachelle stiffen under her hand. Rachelle's eyes looked glazed and distant, like she wasn't really inhabiting her own body. "Rachelle?" She tried shaking her friend, but received no response. "Dean! Sam! Something's wrong!"
X X X
Ryba sat in her favorite chair by the window, listening to the sounds outside her house. Usually, the sounds of life around her gave her much comfort, but not today. She wrung her hands while listening impatiently for the familiar tread of her tenant's steps. When they finally came, she rose to meet him at the door.
"Henri, I am so pleased to have you home."
"Mrs. Bouřková, you look troubled."
"I am, Henri." She responded. Her face tilted up to his, her sightless eyes reflecting concern. "I had a visitor today. A detective."
Ryba heard Henri take a surprised breath. "Detective? Why? Why would a detective come here?"
"He said he was looking for a killer. Oh, Henri! I am so frightened!"
"Don't worry, Mrs... Ryba. I will take care of everything." Henri's voice sounded panicked. Ryba heard his heavy footsteps as he pounded out of the house. She resumed her seat, her worries not the slightest bit eased.
X X X
Rachelle swam through the murky water. She sensed rather than saw a figure swimming near her.
Henri? She thought.
She heard the response, I am here.
What's happening? Why can't I see anything?
Come. I will lead you through.
They swam for what felt like hours. All the while, the water became more and more clouded. She would've sworn the water felt almost ill, like it was a living being that had contracted some sort of sickness.
Breaking the surface felt like choking on unending hopelessness. Everything seemed to be suffering from a blight, the signs of illness showing on every leaf and reflecting of the surface of the water. Living structures that must have once been beautiful now appeared limp and withering.
Henri, what is this place?
It is my home as it was when last I came here. Once it was magnificent, but no more. Henri emerged from the water, leading Rachelle to a seating area surrounded by trees whose leaves were spotted with disease. His eyes seemed ancient, filled with a sadness deeper than any Rachelle could imagine.
How long ago was that?
Centuries. I was entrusted with the task of saving my home, my people. I fear even now it is too late. I have let my queen down. I have failed.
You need my ring.
Yes. It was stolen from us so long ago. My queen needs it to restore balance to our land.
Rachelle reached out a hand, placing it on Henri's scaly one. A strange understanding for this creature washed over her. He met her gaze, his ancient eyes looking tired beyond imagination, and her heart broke for him. You didn't fail, Henri. My friends, they think your queen may be evil, that she's tricking your people somehow. They say your people are all gone. I'm so sorry, Henri.
Anger transformed Henri's features into a hideous mask. Never! He jerked his hand from hers, his eyes wild. You lie! My queen loves us! She entrusted me... ME... with finding the ring. She will use it to save my land, my people. His fingers stretched toward her, his cold fingers seeking the chain around her neck. All these years wasted. You cannot hide it from me any longer. I will find you. I will take it back to my queen.
Rachelle gasped as strong fingers encircled her throat, cutting off her air until blackness surrounded her.
XXX
"What do you mean, different?" Dean was trying to be patient, but she'd scared the hell out of him. She'd been unresponsive for several very long minutes.
"I don't know... it just felt different. More real, I guess. It was less abstract and more like I was physically there with Henri."
"Then it looks like the ritual worked," Sam concluded. "Can you tell where he is?"
Rachelle's eyes took on a distant look, as if she were viewing something in the distance. "Not really. Just that he's not close."
Dean held a tight rein on his nervous energy, trying not to jump up and pace the floor. "So what happened during your little walkabout?"
"I was in Henri's home. I think I've been there before, but it looked so different this time. Dying. Everything felt sick, even the water. I tried to warn Henri about his queen. He didn't... didn't take the news very well."
Rachelle looked very troubled. Her brows were crossed with worry and she picked aimlessly at her pants. Dean tried to make his voice sound soothing, but he could barely keep the sound of his own worry from his voice. "How not well?"
"He freaked out. Said I couldn't hide it from him anymore and swore he'd find me."
Dean looked over at Sam. He knew his brother was thinking the same thing he was. This creature had already been tracking her through its own ring. What if the ritual worked both ways... heightened the sensitivity of both rings and not just Rachelle's? That would mean that she was in even more danger.
Sam asked, "So what now?"
Dean felt like he was floundering, that this crazy case had just been amped up a notch or two. He ran a hand over his face to ground himself. It was a habit he'd picked up early in life whenever things felt like they were spinning out of control. The ladies in the room trusted him, relied on him to help them out of this situation. He'd be damned if he was going to let them see how worried he really was.
He used his don't-question-me tone of voice. "Now you go find those vials of samples we took."
Of course, Sam never heeded that particular vocal cue. "Dean, Rachelle gave them to her friend for testing. Surely they've been contaminated by now. "
"Try, Sam. It's our only hope of fighting this Walla Walla chick if she shows up."
"Wada. Even if I do find the samples intact, what good would that do? We're talking about a tiny amount of saliva in those vials. What am I supposed to do with it?"
"I don't know, Sam. Tip some arrows with it, coat some bullets in the stuff, make a Molotov with it, or whatever. Just think of something. Meet us at the vigil as quickly as you can."
Sam nodded, just as Dean knew he would. Sam turned to Shawna. "Shawna, I need you to come with me. You know the campus better than I do." Dean's baby brother actually managed to look bold, confident, and dangerous. Girls loved that crap, and it seemed this one was no exception. She blushed a bit while stumbling out her consent.
Dean turned to Rachelle. She still looked a bit shaken. "Are you sure you want to do this, Rachelle?"
She seemed to transform before his eyes. One moment she was a scared girl and the next she was a pillar of fire and determination. "Dean Winchester, don't you dare try to talk me out of this again. I'm going to this vigil. It's my fault they're dead!"
Amy threw her arms around Rachelle. That girl sure did hug a lot. "Don't say that! It's not your fault, Rachelle. You didn't kill them."
Rachelle seemed to draw strength from her friend before gently pushing her away. "No, but my presence put them in danger. Don't you see, Dean, I have to go."
Dean couldn't believe he was caving this easily. "Okay. Let's get this over with, then."
The group trouped out of the house, Sam and Shawna in one direction while Dean, Rachelle, Meredith, and Amy headed to the vigil. Dean just hoped he wouldn't regret not having his brother at his side for this. Who knew what would happen next?
X X X
Tyrone slammed his phone down with a bang that resonated across the station. A few people turned to look at him. Temper flairs were normal in their line of work, but Tyrone was not known for them.
The detective had spent most of the afternoon calling every judge in the area. He'd even tracked down one judge who was vacationing in Hawaii. Every one of them gave him the same response... not just no, but hell no. A few of them even questioned his sanity.
Tyrone knew he wasn't crazy. He also knew with equal certainty that he soundedlike he'd completely lost his marbles, which didn't help his case any as he tried to convince the judges to grant him a search warrant. That old gal had been hiding something, he was sure. Given what Tyrone knew about the... thing... they were hunting, he felt absolutely positive that he'd find answers in that house.
Snagging his jacket from the back of his chair, Tyrone stalked through the office toward the exit, thankful that Rosy was occupied with a phone call. If he couldn't get a warrant, he'd have to come up with another alternative. In the meantime, he had a vigil to attend and an innocent girl to protect.
X X X
Rachelle stood among the crowd of mourners, feeling both connected to them and separate from them. Like everyone present, she grieved for the loss of these two lives. However, her understanding of the events behind these deaths gave her an oddly disconnected sensation, as if she didn't really belong.
Surrounded by some of her closest friends and one scary-good hunter, she couldn't help feeling protected. She even spotted Detective Tyrone hanging around at the back of the crowd. He caught her eye and nodded from across the sea of faces. She knew from his expression that he would do everything in his power to keep her safe. She forced herself to relax by distracting herself with the details of what was going on around her.
The campus lawn was decorated beautifully. Flowers adorned every surface and hung from poles set at regular intervals. Candles and lawn torches shed yellow, flickering light. The college music department had organized a lovely program that played continuously in the background. Several local VIPs came forward to give appropriately solemn speeches. Everything was just as Rachelle expected it to be.
While the university president gave his heartfelt speech, Rachelle became overwhelmed by a sudden dizziness and her vision doubled. She realized she was seeing the events of the vigil from two different perspectives. Part of her stood among the crowd, sandwiched between Dean and Mer, watching the speakers and her fellow mourners as the candlelight flickered around them. Another part of her observed from outside the ring of tear-filled students and faculty, untouched by the soft light.
This other part of her grew until she was no longer looking through her own eyes. She emerged from the safety of the river, the strength and succor offered by her ancient friend swiftly receding as she walked. Anger boiled within her, anger and hatred and... fear... desperation. These smelly land-dwellers tried to hide it from her, keep it from her. But now it was so close! She had to get to it, take it, bring it back to Her. Then her land, her people would be safe. She had to save them. Before it was too late. Too late. So much time lost. So many centuries. Already too late. NO! Mustn't think that! Not too late! Can still save them! Will save them!
She strode forward on powerful legs, her mighty arms sweeping obstacles out of her way as she lumbered toward her goal. She spewed her poison at anyone stubborn enough to stand against her. She would not be diverted.
There! She saw it! The girl in her dreams carried it on a chain around her neck. So close! So close! Another one stood before her, blocking her way to the girl, but she flung her aside. Screams of fear and pain filled her ears, but she ignored them. They didn't matter. Only IT mattered.
She reached her goal. Stood before the girl, the prize. She stretched her hand toward it, felt the girl's freakishly delicate skin beneath her fingers. The triumph of having it almost in her grasp pulled a cry from her throat. A shot rang out! Agony! Fire! She thrashed, shrieking, falling. Her flailing arms struck the girl, who thumped to the ground, a motionless tangle of limbs. So close! But oh, the pain! She struggled on. Can't stop! So close!
X X X
"Rachelle!" Dean's urgent voice pulled her back to herself with a gasp. "Rachelle, dammit, get up!"
Rachelle blinked her eyes, trying to shake off the lingering effects of the vision. She lay on her back on the cool grass, Henri's face looming above her as he crouched over her prone body. He mumbled incoherently, his hands clawing and scrabbling at her neck. Lines of pain etched his hideous face and she felt the wet warmth of his blood soaking into her shirt, but it was his eyes that drew her attention. No longer filled with the ancient weariness from her previous visions, his eyes instead reflected a deranged determination.
Dean towered over her, his glock aimed at Henri's head. She had a feeling that the only thing keeping Dean from shooting was fear of hitting her. Dean's gritty voice cut through her confused haze, "I said get away from her, you sonofabitch!" Henri ignored Dean as if he wasn't even there. His scaly hands succeeded in gripping the thin chain around her neck as another shot echoed around her. The blast threw Henri off of her, the chain snapping from the tension. She cried out, "No!", as Henri thudded to the ground a few feet away.
Henri seemed dazed for just a moment before leaping to his feet. His mouth twisted in a triumphant leer, revealing his razor-sharp teeth. He lifted both hands, her ring clutched in his right fist, the chain dangling from his fingers. Another band shimmered on the finger of his left hand. She could feel power pulsing from the two rings. She longed for the rings to meet, to touch, yet at the same time dreaded it.
The power surged as Henri brought his hands together. Its song filled Rachelle's ears and mind, causing her to cry out, then crescendoed as the rings slammed together.
X X X
Read Chapter 13: Hook, Line and Sinker