where the world begins

8/11/2019 Where the World Begins

1/101

Where the World Beginsby the_ninth_bow

PART ONE

It takes the world six months to realize its ending!

O"eans don#t boil$ the world doesn#t go %& in 'lames! At least not right away!

It#s a slow b%rn!

When &eo&le 'inally start to noti"e that the world is ending$ it#s be"a%se "ro&s ha(e started to wither inthe 'ields a'ter days go by witho%t rain! )ell towers 'all and entire "ities start "r%mbling beneathdisease and s%dden "ra"ks in 'o%ndation! *emon atta"ks be"ome an e(eryday o""%rren"e$ and it#s notonly h%nters now who know o' "reat%res that go b%m& in the night!

The Word slowly be"omes +eadline as the Bible be"omes the daily &a&er! And when &a&ers begin todie o%t$ "om&anies 'all a&art$ the Word be"omes Reality!

,or *ean and -am$ the transition is a bit more abr%&t! Their li'e goes immediately 'rom h%ntingdemons to be"oming immersed in 'ighting .%"i'er and the A&o"aly&se! Being an ar"hangel#s (esselwarrants no less! Whate(er time is not taken %& trying to 'ind the )olt and hide 'rom the angels$ theys&end it h%nting and killing any &art o' .%"i'er#s 'or"es they "an 'ind!

As the months &ass$ )astiel be"omes a more "onstant "om&anion! *ean wo%ld ha(e tho%ght it strangea 'ew months ago that he#d be"ome %sed to somebody#s &resen"e$ that he "o%ld "ome to tr%st and rely%&on someone other than -am! B%t as the A&o"aly&se &rogresses$ *ean 'inds that the d%o he and -ammade has ex&anded to in"l%de the angel! *ean worries when )astiel goes o'' sear"hing 'or /od$ andhe gets angry when )astiel &o&s o%t with little warning! And it#s the same &issed0o''$ "om'ortablerhythm he has with -am!

-o when )astiel has been o%t o' "onta"t 'or 'i(e days$ *ean#s &ast 'eeling worried and is 1%st &lain&issed when he gets the "all 'rom )astiel saying he#s 'ine$ and that all o' *ean#s worrying was&ointless! What makes it e(en worse is that when *ean tells )astiel they#re dri(ing away 'rom 2ansas)ity$ )astiel tells him to t%rn aro%nd!

3What do yo% mean$ we ha(e to go ba"k45 *ean sna&s!

*ean glan"es into his rear(iew mirror$ wat"hes the smoke and ash billow o%t o' what %sed to be 2ansas)ity!

3I mean yo% ha(e to go ba"k$ *ean!5 )astiel#s (oi"e is insistent o(er the &hone$ and *ean "an imaginehim glan"ing %& at the sky$ as i' /od was %& there 1oining )astiel in his lament 'or *ean#s %nending6%estioning o' a%thority! 3I ha(e reason to belie(e there are &eo&le that are ali(e 1%st o%tside the "itylimits!5

3+a(e yo% seen the &la"e$ )as4 It#s been blown to +ell! No one "o%ld s%r(i(e that!5

)astiel sighs into the re"ei(er$ and *ean has to resist the %rge to roll down the window and "h%"k the


2/101

&hone o%t onto the bla"kto&! It#s be"ome a "ommon %rge he has$ e(er sin"e )astiel &i"ked %& theh%man habit!

3And yet I still ha(e reason to belie(e there are &eo&le who need o%r hel&!5 There#s a long &a%se$ onein whi"h *ean begins to wonder whether the angel has h%ng %& on him! Then$ 3Please$ *ean!5 Theangel#s (oi"e is so't$ almost weary! )astiel#s been on his own 'or o(er a week now$ 'ollowing a lead on

/od#s lo"ation while *ean and -am tried to tra"k down a demon with in'ormation abo%t the )olt!They#d tra"ked the demon to 2ansas )ity$ b%t they#d been too late$ and the "ity and their lead now layin ashes! ,rom )astiel#s tone$ it seems like the angel has 'ared no better!

3And where did yo% get yo%r in'o 'rom45 B%t *ean#s (oi"e has lost most o' its anger$ its 'r%stration$and he#s already &%lling a %0ee$ shr%gging at -am when the other h%nter starts to &rotest!

3,rom so%r"es!5

3-o%r"es4 That#s kind o' (ag%e$ )as! E(en 'or yo%! *id yo% r%n into something on that sear"h o'yo%rs45

There#s another &a%se on the line!

3I#ll meet yo% o%tside the "ity$ *ean! Near a street "alled )lear Water!5 It#s not a 6%estion$ not 'rom anangel$ b%t *ean "an hear )astiel &a%se on the line$ waiting 'or *ean to either a""e&t or de"line theangel#s silent &lea 'or assistan"e!

3)lear Water! /ot it!5 And he sna&s the &hone sh%t be'ore he "an hear the angel hang %&!

777

-am manages to 'ind )lear Water on the ma& they ha(e "rammed in the glo(e "om&artment! Thesatellite &hones they#(e 'o%nd don#t ha(e the internet$ and e(en i' they did there is no internet %& andr%nning nowadays$ so they ha(e to rely on older 'orms o' in'ormation!

)lear Water is little more than a one lane dirt road! There are "orn'ields and a small &at"h o' 'oresthiding most o' the street 'rom the "ity a 'ew miles away! When *ean starts dri(ing down it$ he has thestrangest 'eeling he won#t like where this is leading!

38o% s%re )as said this is where to meet him45 -am leans 'orward in the &assenger seat to get a better(iew o' the area aro%nd the narrow road! A&&arently he doesn#t like this any more than *ean does!

3That#s what he said!5 *ean glan"es at the sky! The s%n is still a 'ew ho%rs 'rom setting$ b%t alreadythere are dark "lo%ds rolling in! It looks like night'all will "ome early tonight$ with "lo%ds to 1oin thesmoke still 'iltering o%t the s%nlight! 3The only &roblem now is how we#re gonna 'ind him! +e saidthere were s%r(i(ors$ b%t there#s nothing b%t '%"king "orn'ields and trees!5

They dri(e 'or another ten min%tes be'ore they hit a small gathering o' ho%ses! The ho%ses are "losetogether$ &iling on to& o' ea"h other!

38o% think this is where he meant45


3/101

3One way to 'ind o%t!5 *ean &arks the Im&ala$ and he and -am start the slow sear"h 'or )astiel and thehint o' s%r(i(ors$ kee&ing wat"h 'or mo(ement as they a&&roa"h the "l%ster o' ho%ses!

3I don#t see anyone here$5 -am hisses as they enter a side0yard wedged between two ho%ses! 38o% s%rethis is where )as said he#d be45

*ean shi'ts the ri'le in his hands$ 'rowns! 38eah!5 B%t the silen"e aro%nd him is starting to %nner(ehim! 3)#mon$ )as$5 he 'inds himsel' whis&ering$ a kind o' hal'0silent "hant! 3Where are yo%45

The "reak o' r%sted door hinges brings them to a halt! They &ress themsel(es against the side o' a bri"kho%se$ "ree& silently to the edge! B%t no other so%nd o""%rs! *ean wa(es -am 'orward to the edge o'the ho%se and -am nods$ his hand gri&&ing tighter aro%nd R%by#s kni'e! *ean t%rns the "orner$ alls&eed and 6%i"k mo(ement!

3*ean!5 )astiel is standing be'ore him$ "hest not three in"hes 'rom the barrel o' the g%n in *ean#shand!

39es%s05 The g%n s&rings %& in s%r&rise be'ore *ean lowers it to his side! 3)as$ what the hell!5 +edoesn#t bother to hide his irritation! 3I "o%ld ha(e shot yo%!5

)astiel "ants his head to one side$ his gaze sliding brie'ly to the g%n in *ean#s hand! 3B%t yo% didn#t!5

3That#s not the &oint!5 +e glan"es behind )astiel to the ba"k o' the red ho%se$ tenses when he seesshadows looming behind a s"reen door! +e raises the ri'le again!

3*ean!5 )astiel#s hand "omes %&$ settles o(er the ri'le#s barrel$ lowering the wea&on with little e''ort!3These are the s%r(i(ors I "alled yo% abo%t! We need to hel& them!5 +e glan"es %& at the sky$ and*ean sees something akin to worry 'lash o(er his 'eat%res! +e "an#t hel& b%t noti"e$ either$ that theangel is slo%"hing more than %s%al and there#s a tear in the right slee(e o' his tren"h "oat! 3-"a(engersare "oming to the "ity!5

-am swears beside them! -"a(engers! They know what that means all too well by now! A'ter a "ity isdestroyed$ it#s only a matter o' time be'ore lesser demons and other "reat%res arri(e to "lean %& themess .%"i'er#s 'irst wa(e o' demons le't behind!

3+ow m%"h time do we ha(e45

3A 'ew ho%rs!5

And *ean knows they &robably ha(e less than that! )astiel is 1%st smoothing things o(er 'or the &eo&lestanding in the doorway behind him!

3Are these the only &eo&le le't45

)astiel shakes his head slowly! 3There are 'i(e 'amilies! Twenty0one &eo&le in all! Their means o'trans&ortation were destroyed in the main atta"k! All ex"e&t one: mini (an!5

There#s no way in hell they "an get that many &eo&le away 'rom the "ity be'ore the s"a(engers arri(e!


4/101

3Okay!5 *ean &%shes down the si"k 'eeling and t%rns to -am! 3.et#s get the show on the road!5

-am raises an eyebrow and tilts his head! They "an read ea"h other like an o&en book$ e(en a'tere(erything that#s &assed between them$ b%t *ean doesn#t answer his silent 6%estion! )astiel t%rnsaro%nd$ starts walking towards the ho%se$ and the brothers 'ollow "lose behind him!

-am leans in and whis&ers$ 3We "an#t get them all o%t o' here$ *ean!5

3Well$ that#s ob(io%s!5 The so%nd o' their shoes hitting hard0&a"ked dirt e"hoes aro%nd the smallgathering o' ho%ses!

3Then why did )as drag %s here45

3+ell i' I know!5

When they o&en the s"reen door$ the entran"eway to the ho%se se&arates into two dire"tions! To theright is the li(ing room$ and gathered there are at least 'o%r 'amilies! They are standing "lose together!;ost o' them are older$ b%t there are a 'ew 'amilies with "hildren! *ean wat"hes a yo%ng womanstanding at the edge o' the "rowd kneel beside a girl that a&&ears to be abo%t three years old! The girl$like the &eo&le aro%nd her$ looks worn down$ tired$ and dirt mars the girl#s dark skin! B%t as *eanwat"hes$ a boy "omes o(er$ "lothes marked with m%d$ and he r%ns into her$ throws an arm aro%nd hersho%lders$ and the so%nd o' la%ghter s&ills into the rooms!

3*ean!5

*ean whi&s aro%nd at -am#s (oi"e$ "lears his throat when he sees -am#s im&atient look$ and 'ollowshim into the kit"hen!

)astiel stands near the kit"hen sink$ wat"hing a man and woman and da%ghter st%'' bread and "heeseand water into a bl%e ba"k&a"k! *ean and -am go to the angel#s side$ and *ean tears his gaze away'rom the small 'amily to look at )astiel!

There is an odd tension in the angel#s 'a"e$ and *ean only sees it in"rease as -am asks$ 3)as$ we "an#tget o%t o' this with 1%st the Im&ala and one mini(an! Are yo% gonna za& them o%t o' here45

)astiel stares hard at the 'amily$ as i' trying to memorize their 'a"es! 3I "annot!5

-am#s head 1erks ba"k at that! 3What do yo% mean$ yo% "an#t45

3I mean that it is im&ossible 'or me at the moment to


5/101


6/101

r%ns 'or the &ile o' debris )astiel disa&&eared in$ b%t be'ore he "an rea"h it wood and stone shi't andslide$ re(ealing the d%sty and torn tan o' a tren"h "oat!

3)as=5

3*ean!5 )astiel has risen to his knees$ b%t he doesn#t look to *ean as the h%nter skids to a halt at his

side! +is stare is intent %&on the &ile o' r%bble$ and *ean has a moment o' stark$ shar& 'ear when hethinks the kni'e and the throw ha(e a''e"ted the angel more than he originally tho%ght! )astiel rea"hesinto the r%bble$ &%lling %& &lanks o' wood and "r%mbling ro"k$ and *ean is at a loss as to what to do!

3There is something here! -omeone$5 )astiel says$ and *ean#s eyes grow wide! -am ste&s %& to hisside$ and *ean looks at him$ shr%gs$ be'ore they 1oin )astiel in b%rrowing thro%gh the r%bble!

They "ome a"ross three bodies! Their remains are "o(ered in ash and blood$ and *ean re"ognizes them'rom the 'amilies gathered in the li(ing room be'ore the 'ight began! +e takes a ste& ba"k$ shakes hishead!

3It#s no %se$ )as!5 +is (oi"e is hoarse! 3They#re dead!5

3Wait!5 The angel#s (oi"e is low$ demanding$ and he &%shes the body o' a woman away 'rom him! +erbody is bloodied and torn and *ean "an#t e(en re"ognize her 'a"e!

*ean takes a ste& ba"k$ t%rns away 'rom the blood$ be"a%se e(en tho%gh he sho%ld be %sed to it bynow$ e(ery time another "as%alty o""%rs it only gets worse! The area is '%ll o' the "ra"kling o' the 'ireand s&lintering o' wood$ and it#s too 'amiliar now$ too m%"h o' a "ommon o""%rren"e$ this s%ddenstillness o' the air a'ter the battle!

A strange wailing st%tters o(er the "ra"kle o' b%rning wood and s&arking grass! It#s so't$ m%''led$ andit takes *ean a moment to re"ognize it as "rying! B%t then the s"ra&e and r%mble o' wood being&%shed aside drowns it o%t$ and *ean t%rns to see )astiel mo(ing another &lank o' wood$ shi'ting thewoman#s body$ and the wailing breaks$ "lear and lo%d$ o(er the 'lames! )astiel bends down$ and *eanhears whis&ering$ something that so%nds s%s&i"io%sly like .atin! When )astiel stands to 'a"e *ean thewailing has 6%ieted and there#s a girl in his arms! It#s the same girl *ean saw be'ore with her mother"ro%"hing beside her be'ore the s"a(engers "ame! -he is bloody$ her bla"k hair is tangled with &ie"eso' wood and dirt$ her eyes darting aro%nd the destr%"tion aro%nd her! Tears "lear a &ath in the ashesd%sting her "heeks!

3The blood is not hers$5 )astiel says$ and walks towards *ean and -am! *ean glan"es at )astiel#ssho%lder$ noti"es that altho%gh the kni'e wo%nd has not "losed %& it is no longer bleeding!

*ean nods$ s&ee"hless$ and -am takes a ste& ba"k$ m%tters a "%rse!

+is brother#s (oi"e seems to sna& *ean o%t o' his st%&or! The "reaking o' breaking wood s%rges o(erthe roar o' the 'lames and *ean looks aro%nd them 'or a way o%t o' this mess!

3.et#s go$5 he 'or"es o%t! They mo(e$ 1og to the Im&ala$ the toddler in )astiel#s arms silent b%t ali(e!

777


7/101

The Im&ala is steady$ 'amiliar aro%nd them! -am is silent in the &assenger seat$ and one glan"e"on'irms *ean#s s%s&i"ions! -am is o%t "old$ his mo%th hal' o&en and head tilted ba"k against theheadrest! On"e %&on a time$ *ean wo%ld ha(e tried to &%ll a &rank$ or at least sna& a &hoto o' hisbrother with his &hone$ tease him endlessly abo%t it later!

Now$ his gaze 'li"kers to the rear(iew mirror!

)astiel is wide awake$ his eyes gl%ed to the small &erson in his arms! There#s still blood on hissho%lder$ b%t the hole in his tren"h "oat 'rom the kni'e has disa&&eared! Next to him on the seat are theshattered remains o' his satellite &hone$ broken 'rom when the demon threw him! )astiel holds himsel'sti''$ his body rigid$ b%t *ean 'inds the image strangely right! As i' it is oddly nat%ral 'or a rebellio%sangel to hold an or&haned toddler in his arms!

3+ow she holding %&45 *ean#s (oi"e e"hoes thro%gho%t the "ar#s interior$ breaking o(er the r%mblingo' the engine!

3-he#s slee&ing!5

*ean nods$ glan"es at the road and tightens his hands aro%nd the wheel be'ore looking ba"k at )astielin the mirror again!

38o% holding %& okay45

)astiel meets *ean#s gaze in the mirror and *ean 'inds himsel' babbling onward!

3I mean$5 he "lears his throat! 38o% took a good beating ba"k there! E(en yo%r angel mo1o "an#t workthat good that 'ast 'or e(erything to be 'ine and dandy!5

)astiel breaks their stare and looks towards the girl! B%t *ean noti"es that he no longer seems to bewat"hing the toddler$ b%t rather at something &ast her$ his gaze growing distant!

3I#m 'ine$ *ean! Nothing a 'ew ho%rs rest "an#t sol(e!5

*ean shi'ts %n"om'ortably! Now is the &er'e"t time to ask )astiel what ha&&ened when he was goneand why he#s "ome ba"k 'rom his sear"h tired and %nable to tele&ort! B%t the "ar is silent aro%nd them$and *ean "an#t bring himsel' to interr%&t the brie' res&ite they ha(e 'rom the "haos and destr%"tionthat#s be"ome their li'e! +is hand twit"hes and he wishes he "o%ld sho(e .ed >e&&elin or ;otorheadinto the "assette &layer$ break the silen"e with )lassi" Ro"k instead o' "on(ersations abo%t the end o'the world! B%t one look at -am$ one look at )astiel with the slee&ing "hild in his arms$ and his handstills on the wheel! They#(e been dri(ing 'or ho%rs now$ *ean#s lost tra"k o' how many! -am 'o%ndwater and rags in the tr%nk d%ring their hasty de&art%re$ and they#d "leaned %& the blood 'rom the girland their 'a"es and hands as good as they "o%ld on the mo(e!

3I' there was a motel somewhere nearby I#d &%ll o(er$5 he 'inds himsel' saying into the silen"e! 3B%t Idon#t know how sa'e that wo%ld be$ "onsidering what 1%st went down!5

3This is 'ine$ *ean!5 )astiel stirs and *ean glan"es %& at the rear(iew mirror again! +is eyes meet)astiel#s! 3*o not tro%ble yo%rsel' with worrying!5


8/101

*ean s"o''s! 38eah$ well$5 he breaks the angel#s stare$ "on"entrates on the beams o' light blazing a&ath in the darkness! 3It#s kinda hard not to worry abo%t 'amily$ y#know45

-ilen"e is the only res&onse he gets$ and *ean dares not raise his eyes to the rear(iew mirror again!

3In any "ase$5 he says a'ter a 'ew moments$ 3some worrying is okay! It#s h%man! *on#t worry abo%t it$

)as!5 *ean rests his elbow against the windowsill o' his door! 3Anyway$ know anything abo%ttoddlers45

777

As it t%rns o%t$ while )astiel knows the basi"s abo%t how to make a "hild "om'ortable$ like "lean"lothes and 'ood and the 'a"t that a "hild needs slee&$ he#s &retty "l%eless with the rest o' it!

3I don#t know what that means$ *ean!5 The angel#s words are short$ his mo(ements "li&&ed$ and *ean"an#t hel& b%t be annoyed at the way the angel seems to be as 'r%strated as he is!

3It means yo% ha(e to kee& the kid o""%&ied so it doesn#t dri(e me "razy 'or the next ten ho%rs we#reon the road!5

)astiel#s eyes narrow! 3+ow do yo% ex&e"t me to do that4 What means wo%ld yo% ha(e me %se tokee& the "hild o""%&ied45

*ean throws %& his hands! 3+ow the '%"k sho%ld I know4 +ell$ i' I had a s&are g%n to gi(e yo%$ Imight &%ll o%t the b%llets and get yo% to tea"h the kid how to take a&art a !?@! .ike I "an tell yo% howto raise a normal kid!5

)astiel#s gaze so'tens then$ and *ean has to take a ste& ba"k$ "ross his arms o(er his "hest to sto& thes%dden %rge to dro& the attit%de and try to get into the mind o' a toddler to 'ig%re o%t what wo%ld kee&it am%sed!

3I#m sorry$ *ean!5 And he so%nds tr%ly sorry$ whi"h makes *ean 'eel all the worse! 3I ha(e not:obser(ed the beha(ior o' "hildren (ery m%"h! I ha(e ne(er had a need to! I don#t exa"tly know what todo here!5

Then maybe yo% sho%ldn#t ha(e &i"ked the kid %&$ *ean 'eels like sna&&ing! B%t that#s ridi"%lo%s!Be"a%se they res"%ed the kid 'rom the r%ins o' a ho%se$ 'rom the arms o' her dead mother! And i' theyhadn#t taken her with them$ she#d be s"a(enger 'ood by now!

3Well$ that makes two o' %s!5

)astiel nods$ his gaze going to the gro%nd! 3;aybe -am will know how to kee& her o""%&ied45

*ean h%''s o%t a breath! 3I' anyone knows what will kee& a little girl o""%&ied$ it wo%ld be him!5

)astiel looks %& at the em&ty gas station they#(e sto&&ed at to re'%el the Im&ala$ raid the gas stationstore 'or any 'ood they "an 'ind$ and gi(e the girl a "han"e to %se a real bathroom instead o' the b%sheson the side o' the road!


9/101

*ean leans against the side o' the Im&ala$ r%ns a hand thro%gh his hair! When they#d &%lled into thegas station$ -am had (ol%nteered to take the girl to the bathroom$ glan"ing ner(o%sly between *eanand )astiel! *ean had been dri(ing twel(e ho%rs straight$ right on thro%gh the night! The toddlermanaged to slee& 'or most o' it$ b%t as soon as the s%n had risen she#d been %&$ kee&ing )astiel#s hands'%ll in the ba"k seat! -he seemed old eno%gh that she sho%ld be able to talk$ b%t she hadn#t! Not yet!*ean didn#t know i' that was a blessing or a "%rse! While he didn#t ha(e to deal with her "hatter$ her

s"reams o' 1oy when )astiel managed to do something to &lease her$ and her "rying when she was lessthan am%sed were almost eno%gh to make him wish she "o%ld talk! The %n"ertainty o' whether she was"rying be"a%se she was h%ngry or had to %se the bathroom or i' there was serio%sly something wrongwith her didn#t hel& either$ when *ean was going o'' a 'ew ho%rs o' slee& he#d had two days ago andbarely anything to eat in between! The 'irst 'ew ho%rs she had looked aro%nd the "ar$ as i' sear"hing 'orher mother or 'ather! -he had nearly "ried hersel' si"k$ b%t something abo%t )astiel seemed to soothher like it had the day be'ore when )astiel had s&oken .atin words in the wre"kage o' the ho%se$ andshe had be"ome better sin"e then!

3I#m sorry$ *ean!5 )astiel breaks *ean o%t o' his re(erie! +e glan"es %& at the angel$ sees him staringat the gas station$ as i' already sear"hing 'or the girl they#d res"%ed only ho%rs be'ore! 3I#m b%rdeningyo%!5

*ean &%shes o'' the Im&ala and stands in 'ront o' )astiel$ breaking his line o' sight! 3I tho%ght wealready went thro%gh this45

)astiel#s gaze sna&s %& to *ean#s! -ho"k r%ns thro%gh the h%nter! ,or the 'irst time e(er$ *ean seesdo%bt and 'ear behind the angel#s eyes!

3)as45

9%st then the so%nd o' a "reaking door &%lls )astiel#s attention away$ and he shi'ts his body to look &ast*ean! There#s a "hange in the angel then$ a slight relaxing o' his sho%lders$ and *ean wat"hes theangel as -am a&&roa"hes$ the girl walking %nsteadily by his side! -am is h%n"hed o(er$ leaning to theside with one hand "las&ing the little girl#s hand tightly! The other holds his &hone to his ear!

3No$ Bobby!5 -am glan"es %& at *ean as he sto&s be'ore *ean and )astiel$ and *ean narrows his eyesat the ner(o%s look! 3I#m not 1oking! We didn#t really ha(e a "hoi"e!5

-am nods$ straightens %& as )astiel kneels down and li'ts the girl into his arms! Immediately her armsgo aro%nd his ne"k$ and )astiel seems to be on the (erge o' smiling!

38eah$ okay! +ere he is!5 -am#s (oi"e draws *ean#s attention! -am holds o%t the &hone$ and *eangroans$ &%tting the &hone to his ear!

3Bobby!5

3What the hell are yo% doing$ boy4 *ragging a little girl aro%nd with yo%! This ain#t a damn day"are!5

*ean sighs and walks a 'ew 'eet away! 3We didn#t ha(e a "hoi"e$ Bobby!5

3That#s what -am said$ and it still so%nds batshit insane!5


10/101

*ean glan"es behind him! )astiel#s ex&ression is as intense and as serio%s as *ean has e(er seen himas -am smiles$ starts talking$ and *ean hears the words 3Patty )ake5 and 3I -&y5 o(er Bobby#s "hatter!

3Bobby$ listen$ we really had no "hoi"e! A b%n"h o' s%r(i(ors got blown away o%tside o' 2ansas )ity!The girl was the only one to s%r(i(e! We:5 he &a%ses$ takes another look at )astiel be'ore "ontin%ing!3We "o%ldn#t get them o%t in time! We "o%ldn#t 1%st lea(e her!5

The line is 6%iet 'or a moment be'ore *ean hears a slow hiss! 39es%s )hrist$ *ean! I ho&e yo% knowwhat yo%#re getting yo%rsel' into!5

*ean 'or"es o%t a "h%"kle$ r%ns a hand o(er his 'a"e! +e glan"es at )astiel and -am! )astiel isnodding$ and the intense$ "on"entrated ex&ression o' be'ore seems to ha(e eased a little! +e doesn#tseem as tired or as r%ndown as be'ore$ either! -am gest%res with his hand$ holds his &alm o%t$ and)astiel re&eats the motion$ holds his &alm o%t to the little girl! A moment later$ the girl smiles$ li'ts herhand 'rom the "ollar o' )astiel#s tren"h "oat$ and sla&s her hand against )astiel#s &alm! -he giggles!And )astiel does smile then$ a slow smile that rea"hes his eyes! *ean 'or"es himsel' to t%rn aro%nd$ to"on"entrate on"e again on the "on(ersation with Bobby!

3We#ll manage!5

777

At the end o' the se"ond day they realize that the girl is not going to re(eal her name any time soon!-he still hasn#t said a word$ and *ean#s beginning to think it#s a res%lt o' what went down o%tside2ansas )ity!

3-he "an#t not ha(e one!5 *ean looks to -am in the &assenger seat$ raises an eyebrow at him! 38o%serio%sly think she wo%ldn#t ha(e one45

-am sighs! 3That#s hardly the &oint$ *ean! I' she "an#t tell %s her name$ she#s ob(io%sly going to ha(eto get a new one!5

3And we#re the ones to do it 'or her! 8eah! -%re! Totally normal$ -am!5

38o% want her to &i"k o%t her own name45 -am asks in"red%lo%sly! 3Are yo% serio%sly getting into a'it o(er this45

3I don#t get into 'its$ -am! This is 1%st ridi"%lo%s!5

,or the 'irst time sin"e this arg%ment between him and -am started$ *ean looks at the rear(iew mirror!+e &a%ses a moment when he sees the girl sitting next to )astiel$ a seatbelt stra&&ed o(er her "hest!)astiel is holding his hand o%t be'ore her$ and she looks 'as"inated to gras& his hand$ ex&lore it and its'%n"tions!

3What do yo% think$ )as45 )astiel#s eyes 'li"ker %&! 3*o yo% think we sho%ld name the kid45

)astiel looks down at the girl again$ brow '%rrowed! 3I belie(e so$ *ean! -he#s not able to tell %s hers!Names are im&ortant!5


11/101

And that#s exa"tly why *ean is hesitant to gi(e her a new name! Name$ 'amily$ mean e(erything$ anda'ter all that the girl has lost *ean doesn#t want to take her name away 'rom her$ too!

3Are we 1%st s%&&osed to kee& on "alling her


12/101

3There#s:)onstan"e$ 9oy$ Tem&eran"e$ )harity$ ;er"y! +o&e! B%t$5 )astiel &a%ses! 3I don#t know!5

*ean sighs! It wo%ld be )as#s de"ision to name the kid a'ter (irt%es! B%t -am and him are a long way'rom (irt%o%s$ and as m%"h as )astiel is still an angel$ *ean do%bts (ery m%"h angels were all that(irt%o%s to begin with$ what with the smiting and all! And it doesn#t sit well with *ean that the kidthey manage to ha(e tagging along with them now might end %& named a'ter (irt%es none o' them

really ha(e! It kind o' reminds him o' one h%ge "osmi" 1oke!

*ean s"o''s! 3Next thing yo%#ll say is that yo% want her to be "alled ,aith!5

*ead silen"e greets him!

38o%#(e got to be kidding me$5 *ean moans$ looking 'irst at -am! &on seeing him glan"e to the ba"kseat$ his eyes go to the rear(iew mirror!

)astiel is b%sy staring at the girl again$ b%t *ean doesn#t like the way his sho%lders are sl%m&ed$ likehe#s trying to a(oid *ean and his arg%ments!

3)as45

*ean hears him sigh o(er the engine!

3There are worse "hoi"es$ *ean!5

3It a"t%ally isn#t that bad$5 -am adds! +e#s wearing his I think we#(e got something 'a"e$ and *eanknows he#s 'ighting a losing battle!

3,aith45 +e tests the name o%t$ rolls it aro%nd his tong%e! 3Not really my "%& o' tea$ )as!5

3Then what wo%ld yo% s%ggest45

*ean sighs$ th%m&s his hand against the wheel! 3I don#t know! .et#s 1%st ask her what her name isagain!5

3We#(e been trying that sin"e we 'o%nd her$ *ean$5 -am reminds him! 3It#s not going to work!5

3,aith4 2ind o' seems ironi"$ don#t yo% think45

3There are worse things$ *ean$5 -am re&eats 6%ietly$ and *ean hears the r%stle o' )astiel#s tren"h "oatas the angel li'ts a hand to s"rat"h the ba"k o' his ne"k!

*ean s"o''s! 38eah! -%re!5 And the "on(ersation dies!

,o%r ho%rs later *ean &%lls onto the sho%lder$ stret"hes as he gets o%t o' the Im&ala! The sky is dark$b%t a 'aint glow has started on the eastern horizon! It#s only a matter o' ho%rs be'ore the girl$ who had'allen aslee& almost as soon as the "on(ersation o' her name ended$ will be waking with the s%n!

When *ean and -am get ba"k to the "ar a'ter wandering into the woods to relie(e themsel(es$ )astielhas his tren"h "oat o'' and is leaning against the ba"k door$ his eyes 'o"%sed on the gro%nd! *ean#s


13/101

noti"ed his gaze 'alling 'rom the sky re"ently$ and he wonders i' it#s be"a%se )astiel knows /od isn#t%& there anymore!

3/et a "han"e to stret"h yo%r legs45 *ean stands in 'ront o' )astiel$ and the angel looks %&! -am"ontin%es aro%nd the "ar$ o&ens the tr%nk$ and starts ri'ling thro%gh the ro"k salt$ the g%ns$ the b%lletsand 'ake I*#s!

38es!5 )astiel nods shortly$ and *ean swee&s his eyes %& and down )astiel#s body 6%i"kly$ noti"ingthe "ontem&lati(e look on )astiel#s 'a"e e(en as he#s registering the 'a"t that )astiel seems to be healed'rom their r%n0in with the demons the day be'ore!

*ean thinks abo%t 'inally asking )astiel what ha&&ened be'ore he "alled *ean 'or hel& with thes%r(i(ors$ why he s%ddenly "an#t trans&ort more than himsel' with his angel mo1o! B%t 'or somereason$ des&ite the tho%ght'%l ex&ression on )astiel#s 'a"e$ )astiel almost a&&ears at ease in a strangeway$ "om'ortable aro%nd the brothers$ and *ean doesn#t want to bring his memories ba"k to the'ighting and the blood and the A&o"aly&se!

3-o$5 he says instead$ wondering brie'ly i' maybe this "on(ersation#s 1%st as dangero%s as the one hea(oided! 38o% really like


14/101

)astiel t%rns his head to look at him$ and *ean meets his eyes! 38o% s%re45

*ean nods$ on"e! 38eah! What the hell! I g%ess a little more 'aith in the world ne(er killed anyone!5

+e smirks at his 1oke$ waits 'or )astiel to either smile or 'rown and walk away! B%t )astiel only"ontin%es to stare at him %ntil *ean 'eels his smirk sliding o'' his li&s!

3No$ *ean! It ne(er has!5

*ean has it in his mind to say something that will make )astiel realize that no matter how many times)astiel mentions 'aith and /od and destiny$ *ean still hasn#t been gi(en eno%gh &roo' to "hange hismind that all o' it is %ltimately good! B%t he "an#t bring himsel' to say it$ be"a%se )astiel is looking athim like he wants to say more$ b%t he s%ddenly "an#t be"a%se he knows *ean won#t listen to himanyway!

3It#s a good name$ )as!5 *ean#s (oi"e is so'ter than he intended$ b%t he nods$ "ontin%es! 3I like it!And -am will be ha&&y!5

3Will yo%45

*ean &a%ses$ t%rns his head 1%st a little 'arther to look behind him at the tiny &erson aslee& on theba"kseat!

38eah!5

And then the tr%nk is slamming "losed$ 1arring the "ar$ and -am is walking aro%nd to the &assengerdoor beside *ean!

3Are we going to hit the road again$ or do yo% want to try to get some slee&45 -am looks to *ean$ and*ean shr%gs one sho%lder!

32ee& dri(ing! I#m not that tired anyway$5 he lies! B%t he doesn#t want to slee&$ not now$ and that#seno%gh reason to &%sh the gas &edal down and see the broken "o%ntry 'ly by o%tside the solid interioro' the Im&ala!

-am nods and )astiel &%shes o'' the "ar! It isn#t %ntil the angel#s gone that *ean realizes that at some&oint in their "on(ersation the distan"e between them had "losed$ and he li'ts a hand to r%b at hissho%lder as he walks aro%nd to the dri(er seat$ trying to r%b away the heat that the &ress o' the angelagainst his sho%lder has le't behind!

777

They#(e been tra(eling 'or three days be'ore *ean 'inally broa"hes the s%b1e"t o' what )astielen"o%ntered in his sear"h 'or /od$ why he "ame ba"k weaker than when he#d le't! They are &%lledo(er onto the side o' the road$ and *ean wat"hes ,aith "losely as she#s staring at a grassho&&er that#shobbling 'rom the &a(ement to the weeds at the girl#s 'eet! -am is "ro%"hing next to the girl$ b%t *ean"an#t hel& b%t wat"h o(er her anyway! )astiel is leaning against the side o' the Im&ala beside him$ and*ean only has to glan"e at him to know he is kee&ing 1%st as wat"h'%l an eye on ,aith as he is!


15/101

38o% e(er gonna tell %s what ha&&ened be'ore 2ansas )ity45 he asks when no one seems in"lined totalk!

The sti''ening o' the angel#s sho%lders is s%btle! I' *ean didn#t know the angel so well by now$ hewo%ld ha(e missed it "om&letely! B%t when )astiel s&eaks$ he doesn#t lie$ doesn#t make ex"%ses!

3I met >a"hariah$5 he says! 3And Ra&hael!5

*ean breaks his gaze 'rom ,aith to stare at the angel! +e "an see -am#s head 1erk %& o%t o' the "ornero' his eye! 3What45

)astiel kee&s his eyes on ,aith! 3They m%st ha(e heard the same in'ormation I "olle"ted abo%t wherewe "o%ld 'ind o%r ,ather! B%t we were all wrong!5

3And4 8o% g%ys all 1%st went yo%r merry way45

)astiel 'inally breaks his gaze 'rom ,aith and meets *ean#s stare! 3No!5

*ean "lears his throat! 3-o yo% ki"ked some ar"hangel b%tt and high0tailed it o(er to )lear Water$right45

)astiel doesn#t res&ond!

39es%s$ )as! 8o% sli"e sigils into o%r ribs$ and then go throwing yo%rsel' at e(ery ar"hangel yo% "an'ind45

3It was %na(oidable!5

38eah4 And how#d yo% get o%t o' that one45

There#s a &a%se! 3/abriel showed %&!5

*ean blan"hes! 3/abriel4 What the '%"k was he doing there45

3I don#t know! B%t he arri(ed and I was able to break away$ "all yo%$ and get to )lear Water!5

*ean narrows his eyes! 3Was he the one to tell yo% abo%t the s%r(i(ors45

)astiel#s silen"e is answer eno%gh!

3And yo% tr%sted him45

3+e is rebelling in his own way$ *ean! +e has been 'or "ent%ries! I belie(e he may yet &lay a &art inthis!5

38eah! By t%rning -am and me against ea"h other!5

3Neither yo% nor -am will allow that to ha&&en! I will not allow that to ha&&en!5


16/101

-ilen"e settles aro%nd them! -am goes ba"k to wat"hing ,aith and *ean tries to "on"entrate on the girlas well$ b%t his attention is "a&t%red by the angel at his side! )astiel "oming into "onta"t with Ra&haeland >a"hariah again ex&lains a lot! )astiel is slowly losing his /ra"e$ something none o' them "andeny now$ and *ean do%bts (ery m%"h that >a"hariah and Ra&hael wo%ld ha(e let )astiel get awaywith anything less than an additional loss o' his &owers$ e(en the entirety o' his /ra"e! Ra&hael killed)astiel on"e! *ean doesn#t do%bt he#d hesitate to do so again! And the memory o' how he#d 'elt when

)h%"k had &%lled a molar 'rom his hair is something *ean does not want to re&eat$ not on any le(el!

3I don#t like this!5 *ean a(oids the looks both )astiel and -am throw him! 3Next time yo% go o'' insear"h o' /od$ yo%#re taking %s with yo%!5

3We don#t ha(e time 'or that$ *ean!5

3Next time yo% 'a"e yo%r brothers they "o%ld kill yo%$ )as! 8o% won#t be any good to anyone i' yo%#redead!5

3It will be 'aster i' we "ontin%e on o%r se&arate sear"hes$5 )astiel says$ and *ean "an hear the hardedge to his (oi"e!

3We#(e been sear"hing 'or months$ and we ha(en#t "ome "loser to 'inding either /od or the )olt! +owis slowing the sear"h now really going to a''e"t how any o' this t%rns o%t4 The best we "an do now is1%st h%nt down as many demons as we "an! It#ll hardly make a dent in .%"i'er#s ego$ b%t we#(e r%n o%to' o&tions! Nothing else seems to be working!5

-am stands slowly$ and *ean looks %& to see his brother looking between the two o' them warily!

3I#(e been thinking!5 -am#s (oi"e was hesitant! 3I think I ha(e an idea!5

3Abo%t what45 *ean#s (oi"e has an edge this time!

3What i' there#s a third o&tion45

*ean raises an eyebrow at -am! 3Ex"%se me45

3A third o&tion! -ear"hing 'or /od and the )olt has res%lted in nothing! There has to be a third o&tiono%t there!5

3*on#t yo% think we wo%ld ha(e 'o%nd it by now45 *ean asks! 3Besides 1%st r%nning and making s%rear"hangels don#t 1%m& o%r bones45

B%t -am doesn#t answer him$ merely t%rns his gaze to )astiel! 3What do yo% think$ )as45

It#s a moment be'ore )astiel answers! 3There are (ery 'ew o&tions o%t there! B%t I don#t do%bt there issome other o&tion that will send .%"i'er ba"k to +ell!5

-am t%rns ba"k to *ean! 3-ee45

*ean 'olds his arms a"ross his "hest! 38eah4 And are we 1%st s%&&osed to sto& e(erything and look 'orthis other o&tion!5


17/101

-am hesitates 'or a moment$ and *ean 'eels %n"ertainty wash o(er him! 3-am45

38o% and )as will "ontin%e to sear"h 'or /od and the )olt! I "an start at Bobby#s and try to look %&some lead$ something that will hel& %s!5

3By yo%rsel'45 *ean &%shes o'' the Im&ala$ goes to stand in 'ront o' -am!

3-omeone has to kee& sear"hing 'or the o&tions we already ha(e o&en! And Bobby#s got the texts$ thebest so%r"es to 'ind some new in'ormation! I "an do this! Besides Bobby$ I#m the best resear"herwe#(e got! Well$ besides )as maybe$ b%t he#s got his own mission$ as do yo%!5 -am is wat"hing *ean"are'%lly! 3B%t i' there#s anything to be 'o%nd$ I "an 'ind it!5

It takes only a moment$ b%t *ean "an see 'rom the "orner o' his eye )astiel nodding slowly!

38o% "an#t be agreeing with him$ )as!5

3I don#t like it anymore than yo% do$ *ean! B%t do we ha(e a "hoi"e45

*ean t%rns then$ stares at )astiel! The angel is still leaning against the Im&ala$ his arms loose at hisside! B%t *ean sees a look too similar to de'eat enter the angel#s eyes$ and *ean 'eels something insidehim go 1%st a little bit "older!

3Are yo% serio%s$ )as45

)astiel sighs$ breaks his gaze away 'rom *ean! *ean wat"hes the angel$ waiting 'or an answer$ and ashe does )astiel#s sho%lders sag a bit and he leans 1%st a little harder into the Im&ala!

3I ha(e no do%bt /od is o%t there$5 )astiel says when he 'inally s&eaks! 3B%t I am starting to realize hewon#t be 'o%nd %nless he wants to be 'o%nd! I: no longer ha(e '%ll %se o' my &owers! I' we "an 'indanother o&tion$ another way to sto& .%"i'er$ then we sho%ld be o&en to it! nless$5 he &a%ses$ looks %&to "at"h *ean#s eye! 3nless yo% ha(e another solid lead! Then we "an "ontin%e on as we ha(e!5

*ean 'eels &ani" well %& in him! The only solid lead they had disa&&eared days ago into the b%rningashes o' a 'allen "ity! B%t he "an#t sto& himsel' 'rom saying$ 3I#m not letting yo% go o'' on yo%r ownagain$ not when yo% almost got ganked last time yo% met yo%r brothers! And yo%$5 he t%rns on -am!3*on#t think I#m letting yo% go o'' on yo%r own$ either!5

3I won#t be on my own$ *ean! I#ll be with Bobby!5

38eah$ 'or a while!5 *ean#s almost yelling now! 3And what ha&&ens when yo% 'ind a lead and go"hasing a'ter it45

3I#ll gi(e yo% a "all and yo%#ll be 'lying like a bat o%t o' hell to meet me!5

;emories o' a &ossible '%t%re$ o' another 'ork in time when -am went o'' by himsel'$ r%sh ba"k to*ean! +e "%rses$ t%rns on his heel$ and walks ten 'eet be'ore he sto&s$ t%rns ba"k aro%nd and takesthree ste&s 'orward!


18/101

3Alright$5 he says! -am#s eyebrows shoot %&$ and e(en )astiel 1erks his head in *ean#s dire"tion!3We#ll go to Bobby#s! All o' %s! -ear"h 'or this third o&tion!5

B%t -am is shaking his head! 3We need to "ontin%e the sear"h 'or the )olt$ *ean! And /od! We "an#tgi(e %& on those!5

3-am!5 There#s a warning in *ean#s (oi"e now$ and -am#s beginning to look gen%inely worried!

3We#re good$ right *ean45

*ean hesitates at -am#s 6%estion!

38o% tr%st me to do this45

And *ean realizes that e(erything they#(e been trying to do$ all the shit that#s gone down between themthat they#(e been trying to &at"h %&$ all o' it "omes down to this moment! They#(e always relied onea"h other$ b%t the tr%st that sho%ld ha(e been im&li"it in that relying had been missing! And that#swhat got them into tro%ble in the 'irst &la"e!

8eah$ -ammy! I tr%st yo%! *ean wants to say it! +e really does! B%t memories are hard to erase!Es&e"ially when he still has nightmares abo%t a "ra"ked o%t angel and -am standing o(er *ean#sli'eless body$ saying 3We will always end %& here!5 B%t then again$ maybe sim&ly saying 3yes5 willsol(e e(erything 'or on"e! .ast time$ in that alternate '%t%re$ *ean hadn#t tr%sted -am when itmattered! +ad le't him at the wrong moment! ;aybe now$ tr%st and a sim&le 3yes5 were all -amneeded to say 3no!5

B%t memories are still hard to &%sh ba"k$ and *ean t%rns his gaze to )astiel when he "an#t &%t %& withhis brother#s ho&e'%l look! )astiel is now standing se&arate 'rom the Im&ala$ 'a"ing *ean andwat"hing him "are'%lly! There#s a 6%estion in his eyes$ and *ean "an#t hel& b%t 'eel he knowssomething else is going on in *ean#s head other than his %s%al hesitan"y to let -am go o'' on his own!

38eah$ -am! I tr%st yo%!5 *ean#s (oi"e is 6%iet$ b%t he knows -am#s heard him by the way hisbrother#s body relaxes$ the tension *ean didn#t know was holding -am#s body rigid s%ddenlydisa&&ears!

When -am s&eaks$ his (oi"e is e6%ally as 6%iet! 3Thanks$ *ean!5

*ean remains motionless 'or a moment only! Then he#s t%rning on his heel$ walking away! +e sto&s a'ew h%ndred 'eet 'rom the "ar$ stands staring at the road stret"hing be'ore him!

It takes him the better &art o' the a'ternoon to "alm down$ to shake the 'ear that the memories o' CD?bring %&! It takes him that long to be s%re he won#t say something st%&id that will make -am and him&art on bad terms and make this timeline too similar to the one >a"hariah za&&ed him into!

When he walks ba"k to the Im&ala$ -am$ )astiel$ and ,aith are sitting in the "ar$ all the doors b%t 'orthe dri(er#s o&en and letting the air swee& thro%gh the interior! The 'irst thing *ean#s eyes seek o%t is,aith#s small 'ig%re! )astiel is beside her$ sitting wake'%l in the ba"kseat! -am is in the &assenger seat$and *ean "an see them talking! B%t when he o&ens the dri(er door and slides in$ silen"e greets him!The silen"e remains %ntil *ean &%lls into a Wal0;art &arking lot an ho%r later! There are "ars s"attered


19/101

a"ross the bla"kto&$ and -am only has to &i"k his 'a(orite be'ore he heads 'or Bobby#s!

3,aith is staying with yo%$5 -am says as he exits the "ar$ goes to stand beside *ean as he "loses hisdoor!

3-he#d be sa'er with yo% and Bobby!5

-am s"o''s! 38o% think she#d a"t%ally be ha&&y45 +e looks behind *ean$ and *ean t%rns and sees)astiel sitting in the ba"k$ letting the brothers say goodbye in &ri(ate! 3-he#s "almer with )as aro%nd!And yo% already won#t let her o%t o' yo%r sight$ and she#s been with %s 'or what4 ,i(e days45

3)ome on$ -am! *on#t be s%"h a girl! I#m not atta"hed to a 'reakin three year old!5

3*on#t deny yo%#(e been kee&ing an eye on her!5 -am smirks! 38o%#re worse than )as with thestaring thing! And I don#t think she#d be ha&&y with Bobby sna&&ing at her to lea(e his books alone!5

*ean o&ens his mo%th to arg%e$ b%t -am "%ts him o''! 3-orry$ man! I#m lea(ing her here with yo%!Besides$ I think yo% need her more than I do!5 +e t%rns away$ starts walking towards the "ars s"atteredin the &arking lot be'ore *ean "an res&ond and ask what the '%"k he means by that! 3+el& me get oneo' these "ars %& and r%nning!5

*ean takes in a long breath$ glan"es into the Im&ala again! )astiel is still in the ba"kseat$ his brow"reased in "%riosity as he wat"hes ,aith wake0%& and look bleary0eyed o%t o' the Im&ala#s window atthe &arking lot o%tside! *ean shakes his head and 'ollows -am!

When the s%n is rea"hing its zenith$ *ean wat"hes -am dri(e away in a # +onda A""ord! +e made'%n o' -am 'or his "hoi"e$ b%t it#s a good "ar and it r%ns witho%t a hit"h! Reliability means more thanstyle now! At least 'or -am! *ean doesn#t wait 'or the "ar to disa&&ear down the road be'ore t%rninghis ba"k$ sliding behind the wheel o' the Im&ala!

)astiel doesn#t say anything$ and *ean#s grate'%l 'or it! That night he kee&s dri(ing$ always dri(ing$and it isn#t %ntil they "ross the Oklahoma state line that *ean &%lls o(er to let ,aith %se the bathroom atanother abandoned gas station! When )astiel "omes ba"k 'rom the bathroom with ,aith in tow he sto&sbe'ore *ean!

3We sho%ld rest 'or a while$5 )astiel says!

3I#m 'ine!5

38o% might be$5 )astiel lies$ 3b%t ,aith needs to slee&! Witho%t the h%m o' the engine! -he has notbe"ome a""%stomed to it$ yet!5

*ean shakes his head$ b%t they stay &arked in the gas station that night! )astiel is in the &assenger seatwith ,aith sitting between them! -he#s nodding o''$ and as she starts to lean into )astiel#s side$)astiel#s hand 'alls to her sho%lder as he gently n%dges her in the other dire"tion$ and her head 'allsonto *ean#s la&!

*ean doesn#t mo(e 'or a long time! When he does it is to sim&ly &%t a hand on ,aith#s sho%lder andsh%t his eyes as he leans his head ba"k against the headrest!


20/101

PART TWO

*ean wakes at s%nrise$ groggy and disoriented! It#s rare 'or him$ sin"e the li'e o' a h%nter de&ends onbeing instantly alert! B%t his dreams were '%ll o' .%"i'er#s smile on -am#s 'a"e and )astiel gi(ings&ee"hes abo%t the dragon'ly eye o' the %ni(erse with a ri'le resting in the "rook o' his arm!

*ean glan"es at the &assenger seat$ b%t instead o' seeing -am slo%"hed against the window$ mo%tho&en and drool &ooling in a small &%ddle on the door$ he sees )astiel alert and kee&ing a wat"h on theirs%rro%ndings! *ean slo%"hes ba"k against the seat and lets o%t a breath he didn#t realize he washolding! It#s s%r&rising how 6%i"kly seeing )astiel a"ting as )astiel$ alert$ serio%s$ attenti(e to theirs%rro%ndings$ instead o' blissed o%t on dr%gs and booze$ eases *ean and "hases the nightmares away!

A look aro%nd the em&ty gas station re(eals nothing more than weeds breaking thro%gh the bla"kto&and the s%n0blea"hed and 'aded sign reading FDC!@C &er gallon lying in the dirt! The 'ield s%rro%ndingthem is o(ergrown and brown and dry 'rom little rain! *ean glan"es down at ,aith! -he#s still 'astaslee&$ her head &illowed on his leg!

3I ha(e to &iss$5 he tells the "ar in general! +e looks %& to see )astiel staring at him! 38o% think wesho%ld wake her %&45 he asks! 3I don#t know how m%"h longer it#s gonna be be'ore we "an sto&again!5

)astiel#s brow "reases$ and it#s 'amiliar$ his "on'%sion when trying to 'ig%re o%t what *ean#s said!

38es$5 he 'inally says$ b%t he still so%nds %n"ertain$ hesitant!

3What a &air we make$5 *ean sighs! 3)an#t e(en 'ig%re o%t when she#s s%&&osed to %se the "an$ letalone what she#s going to eat or how we#re going to kee& her sa'e!5 +e la%ghs! 3And 'ight theA&o"aly&se!5

*ean#s hand ho(ers o(er ,aith 'or a moment be'ore it settles on her sho%lder! +e shakes her gently!-he wakes %& slowly$ s"r%n"hes her nose at the s%dden light and tilts her 'a"e into his leg!

3)ome on$ kid! Bathroom r%n! No rest sto&s 'or the next two h%ndred miles!5

,aith doesn#t mo(e!

+e ends %& "arrying her to the bathroom$ and it#s strange to settle her weight against his hi& and ha(eher b%ry her 'a"e against his ne"k! E(en stranger is 'ig%ring o%t how to manage the whole bathroomsit%ation! On"e he &%shes his way into the men#s bathroom$ he s&ends the next 'ew min%tes standingo%tside a stall$ wondering what the he"k -am and )astiel did with her! B%t ,aith$ a&&arently$ is'amiliar with the ro%tine! When she &i"ks her head %& 'rom his sho%lder and sees where they are$ shestr%ggles to get down 'rom *ean#s hold and all *ean has to do is &%t her on the 'loor and &%ll the doorsh%t on"e she#s wandered into the stall! +and washing is another &roblem$ sin"e the sink stands almosttwo 'eet abo(e her head$ b%t he ends %& li'ting her %& %nder the arms and leaning her against the sink asshe giggles in his hold and washes her hands!

*ean dro&s her o'' with )astiel be'ore he r%shes thro%gh his own morning ro%tine$ and be'ore the s%nhas risen o(er the horizon they#re on the road again!


21/101

The day &asses slowly$ mile a'ter mile o' "orn and 'ield and the o""asional 'orest! *ean slows down asthe 'ields grow less 're6%ent and in their &la"e ho%ses start to s&ro%t %&! They#(e learned that smalltowns and "ities are to be a(oided! I' &eo&le aren#t demon 'odder$ they#re %s%ally hal'0star(ed 'or 'ood$water$ "lothing$ anything that a new "ar and new &eo&le in town might &ro(ide! *ean#s had to make a'ast getaway more times than he "an "o%nt$ and on a 'ew o' those o""asions he or -am had ended %&

worse 'or wear 'rom the en"o%nter! B%t &la"es like this are %na(oidable$ be"a%se des&ite the 'a"t thatthis is the A&o"aly&se and *ean and -am are (essels 'or ar"hangels$ they still need 'ood to eat$ andwater to drink$ and salt to &rote"t themsel(es with! .i'e and the body#s m%ndane needs still "ontin%e todemand attention$ des&ite the world breaking down aro%nd them!

*ean bra"es himsel' to hit the gas &edal and s&eed thro%gh town i' need be! As the town limita&&roa"hes$ he glan"es at )astiel o%t o' the "orner o' his eye$ sees the angel sti'' and eyes narrowed onthe road ahead!

3-ense anything o''45 he asks!

)astiel doesn#t answer right away! 3No$5 he says when he 'inally res&onds! 3B%t we are 'ar away$and:5 +e trails o''! *ean nods! +e doesn#t need )astiel to ex&lain that his &owers are stillweakened!

3Okay! .et#s do this!5 +e looks to ,aith between them! +er ne"k is "raned so she "an look o(er thedashboard and o%t the windshield! 3.ooks like ,aith here wants a &ie"e o' the a"tion!5 +e "an#t hel&b%t grin a little at that!

)astiel blinks$ t%rns his head to see ,aith#s wide0eyed stare o%t the window!

3*ean!5

38eah45

3Wo%ld she know what to do i':5

*ean 'orgot abo%t that! 3Oh!5

*ean eases his 'oot o'' the gas &edal$ lets the "ar "rawl to a sto&! They sit there on"e *ean hits thebrake!

3This is going to be a bit"h$ isn#t it!5 Be"a%se as m%"h as they still need to 'ight and look 'or the )oltand sear"h 'or /od and deal with e(erything the A&o"aly&se throws their way$ they also ha(e a littlegirl tagging aro%nd with them! A little girl who 1%st lost her 'amily$ her li'e$ e(erything! +e wondersagain why -am didn#t take her with him to Bobby#s$ and why he hadn#t resisted more!

3In the glo(e "om&artment$5 *ean says! 3There#s a ma&!5

)astiel leans 'orward$ o&ens the glo(e "om&artment! +e ri'les aro%nd in the &a&ers 'or a momentbe'ore &%lling o%t a ma& and handing it to *ean! *ean looks at the ma& while )astiel kee&s an eye o%t'or anyone that might "ome %& on them$ b%t this area is so ba"kwoods that the roads are generalized onthe ma& and the street they#re on and the town in 'ront o' them aren#t labeled! *ean "%rses$ tries to 'old


22/101

%& the ma& 'or a moment be'ore gi(ing %&$ handing it to ,aith with a 3+a(e '%n5 as he t%rns towards)astiel! )astiel t%rns to meet him!

3We ha(e eno%gh s%&&lies to last %s 'or a week or so! We "an kee& dri(ing$ "all a 'ew "onta"ts$ seewhat o%r next ste& is!5

3That wo%ld be wise$5 )astiel says! The so%nd o' &a&er "r%m&ling 'ills the "ar$ and both men lookdown to see ,aith eying the ma&$ 'olding it and o&ening it and &ointing at and &ressing down %&on thebig stars that mark state "a&itals and ma1or "ities in a 6%iet$ solitary game!

3I see I ha(e a "o&ilot$5 *ean says$ and when he looks %& there#s a small smile on )astiel#s 'a"e! *ean&a%ses$ eyes going 'rom )astiel#s li&s to his eyes$ lingering$ be'ore he "lears his throat$ &%ts his handsba"k on the wheel$ and ste&s on the gas &edal! +e makes a %0t%rn and wat"hes the town 'ade to a dot inthe rear(iew mirror!

777

The next 'ew days are a "ombination o' restless dri(ing and trying to settle into their new tra(eling&arty! *ean "alls the h%nters he#s able to get in "onta"t with$ b%t no one has any more leads on the)olt! -am still hasn#t "alled! While it sho%ldn#t "ome as a s%r&rise$ as *ean 'ig%res it wo%ld take atleast a day and a hal' 'or -am to rea"h Bobby#s with his slow dri(ing$ *ean#s still on edge! Probablywill be 'or a while!

,aith ad1%sts s%r&risingly 'ast to li'e in a "ar! -he gets restless in the morning$ at midday$ and thenagain be'ore she "onks o%t 'or the night$ b%t *ean manages to 'ind a 'ew &i"t%re books in a smallabandoned bookstore on the se"ond day o' tra(eling witho%t -am and they kee& her o""%&ied 'or awhile! -he "ries o""asionally$ b%t it#s to be ex&e"ted! )astiel whis&ers .atin to her when she getsreally bad$ b%t 'or the most &art they try to "alm her down by kee&ing her b%sy!

On the third day$ 1%st as the s%n is beginning to set$ )astiel says$ 3We sho%ld &%ll o(er!5 +e says it6%ietly$ %nass%ming$ and *ean sim&ly nods and dri(es 'or twenty more miles be'ore &%lling o'' ontothe sho%lder o' a ba"k road somewhere in northern Arkansas! There is no gas station aro%nd$ andtea"hing ,aith to %se the trees as a bathroom is not something *ean e(er wants to re&eat!

)astiel is standing near the o&en ba"kdoor when *ean ret%rns to the Im&ala! A so't$ almostindis"ernible smile sha&es )astiel#s li&s$ and it#s dire"ted at *ean and not the girl this time! *ean r%bsthe ba"k o' his ne"k$ releases ,aith#s hand and wat"hes her "limb into the ba"kseat be'ore )astiel'ollows in a'ter her! *ean &a%ses a moment be'ore "losing the door and going aro%nd to the dri(er#sseat! +e slides in$ eases ba"k against the leather$ and is 1%st abo%t to "lose his eyes$ get "om'ortable$when he realizes that with the r%sh o' the dri(e and the h%nt$ -am hasn#t been at the 'ore'ront o' histho%ghts all day! Instead$ his tho%ghts tended to re(ol(e aro%nd the three0year0old girl and the angelshe#s "%rrently &laying with in the ba"kseat! And 'or the 'irst time sin"e -am le't$ *ean relaxes!

777

*ean &asses the ;aryland state line three days later when his &hone rings! +e groans$ tired o' talkingto h%nters who ha(e no lead$ b%t he 'li&s the &hone o&en and gr%nts o%t a 38eah45 -am#s la%ghter"omes thro%gh the re"ei(er and *ean releases a breath$ relaxing ba"k into his seat!


23/101

38o% so%nd like yo%#re ha(ing '%n$5 -am says!

39%st &ea"hy$5 he sna&s! .i'e on the road with )astiel and ,aith has settled into a hesitant ro%tine bynow! They dri(e d%ring the day$ assessing towns they "ome a"ross 'or demoni" threats or the &ros&e"to' sto"king %& on s%&&lies! At night$ )astiel always reminds *ean that they sho%ld sto&$ and *ean isn#ts%re at this &oint whether he#s insisting they sto& be"a%se o' ,aith$ or be"a%se *ean#s still lagging on

abo%t D?C ho%rs o' slee& and 'eeling it!

B%t 'inding new leads on the )olt has been di''i"%lt! No h%nter he#s "onta"ted has any newin'ormation abo%t where anything like the )olt "o%ld be$ and e(ery new demoni" omen they#(e &i"ked%& has either been too 'ar 'or them to get to be'ore another h%nter is already there$ or by the time theyget there the damage has already been done!

The sear"h 'or /od is 'aring no better! )astiel had gone into a sort o' tran"e 'or almost two ho%rs theday be'ore$ trying to ta& into angelnet and hear his brothers s&eak$ *ean &res%med! B%t at the end o'the two ho%rs$ )astiel had seemed to shrink in %&on himsel' and sag into his seat be'ore blinking hiseyes o&en$ looking bleary0eyed aro%nd the "ar! All it took was a sigh$ and *ean didn#t need words toknow that the attem&t to gain in'ormation had been %ns%""ess'%l!

38o% at Bobby#s45 *ean asks!

3/ot here this morning!5

3I see yo% ke&t yo%r granny &a"e e(en with the A&o"aly&se riding yo%r ass!5

38eah$5 -am h%''s! 3+ow are things going45

3/oing4 .i'e#s a &i"ni"$ -am!5

3m: so$ ,aith4 Is )as kee&ing her sane$ or: what45

3-he#s 'ine!5 *ean glan"es to the rear(iew mirror! )astiel is sitting in the ba"kseat with ,aith! +e#sbeen sitting ba"k there with her$ mostly! A'ter her 'irst 'ew days o' restlessness they had 'o%nd it easierto let her stand and r%n aro%nd on the ba"k seat i' she needed to get %& and ex&el some energy! *eanhad "om&lained abo%t s"%''ing the leather$ staining it with m%d$ b%t a'ter a &ointed glare 'rom )astiel$he#d sh%t %& abo%t it and hadn#t "om&lained sin"e! O""asionally$ when )astiel mo(es to the 'ront seat$he takes her with him! ,aith throws a 'it whene(er she#s le't alone in the ba"kseat! Besides not talking$it seems to be one o' the only ways her ex&erien"e with the demons has an e''e"t on her!

3-he#s really doing okay45

38eah$ she#s doing great! A little restless$ a little "lingy$ maybe! -eems to ha(e 'ormed a "r%sh on)as$5 he shoots the angel a grin and )astiel narrows his eyes at him$ 3b%t I g%ess that#s to be ex&e"ted!5

-am snorts into the &hone!

3,ind anything in that sear"h o' yo%rs yet45

3I 1%st got here$ *ean!5 E(en so$ *ean hears the sh%''ling o' &a&ers on the line behind -am#s words!


24/101

3Bobby#s been &%lling o%t some texts$ so we ha(e a 'ew so%r"es to get going with! There#s this onetext he has 'rom Israel$ 'rom aro%nd the 'irst "ent%ry! *on#t ask me how he got it$ or where#s he#s beenkee&ing it$ b%t it might ha(e something we "an %se!5

*ean gr%nts! 3I g%ess the A&o"aly&se doesn#t s"are the geek away$5 he says!

-am sighs on the line! 38eah$ well$ this geek is hel&ing sa(e yo%r ass! Bobby knows a "onta"t in;exi"o who might ha(e some texts or something$ i' the Israeli text &ro(es %seless! I' we "an get o%rhands on those we might 'ind some in'ormation that "an hel& %s o%t! Not a lot so 'ar$ b%t we know a'ew &eo&le:!5

-am "ontin%es to talk! *ean &ays attention$ b%t a'ter a 'ew min%tes the rhythm o' the words l%ll himand *ean listens instead 'or key words$ like )olt and /od and sol%tion! +is mind starts to wander$ and'or a long moment this 'eels almost s%rreal! -am so%nds &er'e"tly 'ine on the &hone! ;ore tired than%s%al$ &erha&s$ b%t that#s ex&e"ted a'ter days o' endless dri(ing on the road! *ean 'eels the Im&ala(ibrate with motion aro%nd him$ the &resen"e o' )astiel and ,aith behind him$ and he#s hit with astrange sense o' how m%"h things ha(e s%ddenly "hanged!

-am has sto&&ed talking! -hit$ *ean thinks and o&ens his mo%th$ ready to say something to &ro(e to-am that he was listening$ when -am says$ 3I "ame a"ross something while I was on my way o(er!5

*ean#s attention is 'o"%sed "om&letely on -am#s e(ery word again!

3-omething4 What kind o' something45

3.ike: maybe )olt something!5

39es%s$ -am$ yo% didn#t mention this be'ore45

-am h%''s into the re"ei(er! 3I#m not s%re i' it is the )olt$ *ean$ and Bobby doesn#t know what tomake o' it either!5

3-on o' aGokay$ -am$ what is it45

3I ran into a 'ew s%r(i(ors in Nebraska$ and one o' them mentioned something abo%t the demons thathad atta"ked a 'ew days be'ore! One o' them: she said one o' them had a g%n$ and it so%nded a lotlike the )olt! Bobby looked %& signs in the area$ and there are omens near )hi"ago!5

3)hi"ago!5

38eah! B%t: *ean! There#s no &roo' that e(en i' it was a g%n that woman saw that it#s the a"t%al)olt!5

*ean sighs! 3We got no other leads!5

38eah! The signs are all o(er the &la"e$ tho%gh! There#s no way to &in&oint the area down!5

32ee& an eye on it! .et me know when yo% ha(e a better idea o' lo"ation!5


25/101

3*ean05

3We ha(e no other leads$ -am$5 *ean sna&s! 3I' it#s not there$ the least we "an do is gank a 'ew sons o'bit"hes be'ore they do anymore damage! And be'ore yo% say it$ I won#t go in g%ns blazing be'ore Ihear 'rom yo%!5

-am sighs! 38eah$ alright! 9%st: Be "are'%l$ *ean!5

38eah$5 he says! 3Right$5 and his (oi"e "omes o%t ro%gh! +e "lears his throat$ throws a look to )astielto see the angel wat"hing him "are'%lly! 3-o%nds good! 2ee& %& the good work$ -ammy! .et meknow i' yo% &in&oint the s%"ker down!5

38eah! Will do!5

*ean sna&s his "ell "losed! +e waits a moment$ holding it against the steering wheel be'ore throwing itinto his la&!

3-am is at Bobby#s!5 )astiel#s (oi"e is s%bd%ed$ 6%iet 'rom the ba"kseat!

*ean nods! 3Already got the resear"h started!5

3/ood!5

A 6%i"k glan"e shows )astiel wat"hing ,aith gaze o%t the window! 3-am thinks he might ha(e 'o%nd alead on the )olt! The lead is shaky$ at best$ b%t it#s something!5

)astiel#s gaze sna&s to *ean$ his attention wholly 'o"%sed on the h%nter! 3Where did he get hisin'ormation$5 he states$ rather than asks$ and *ean raises an eyebrow at him!

3Witness 'rom the atta"k des"ribed what "o%ld be the )olt! And there are signs &o&&ing %& aro%nd)hi"ago!5 *ean shakes his head! 3-am#s gonna kee& an eye on it$ let %s know when he has solidin'ormation! We#ll dri(e in that general dire"tion %ntil we get word!5

,or abo%t a min%te all *ean "an hear is the r%sh o' the wind o%tside the Im&ala$ the h%m o' the engine$and ,aith s"ooting "loser to the window in the ba"kseat!

Then$ 3I do not agree with this sear"h 'or the )olt$5 )astiel says!

3What do yo% s%ggest$ then$ )as! Be"a%se as 'ar as I know$ this is the only lead we#(e got on beatingthe *e(il!5

3The de(il "annot be killed$ *ean! The most the )olt might be able to do is sto& .%"i'er long eno%ghso yo% "an do something else that will harm him$ send him ba"k to +ell!5

3Well harming him is a lot better than nothing$ )as! And I#m going to arm mysel' so me and -am ha(ethe best "han"es o' ending this '%"king A&o"aly&se!5 *ean took a breath$ held it! 3.isten$ )as!5 +is(oi"e was so'ter$ "almer$ and )astiel looked at him with a "%rio%s$ wary$ hal'0lidded ex&ression! 3Iknow the )olt might not work! +ell$ I don#t know i' we#ll e(en 'ind it!5 The memory o' a 'r%itless$'i(e year sear"h 'or it 'lashes be'ore his mind$ a""om&anied by tort%re and dr%gs and white s%its and


26/101

death! 3B%t it#s all I ha(e right now! -ear"hing 'or the )olt$ kno"king o'' as many demons as we "anwhile we look 'or it$ 'inding /od i' +e ha&&ens to s%ddenly get a "l%e and "ome sear"hing 'or %s! It allseems &retty aimless! Pointless! B%t: It#s all I "an do right now! We#re r%nning o%t o' o&tions$ here!And:5 he &a%ses! 3It#ll take -am a while be'ore he 'inds any solid lead 'or %s to go a'ter! We#ll ha(ea bit o' time to 'ind another o&tion while we make o%r way to )hi"ago!5

3I %nderstand!5 )astiel looks o%t the windshield$ li&s &%rsed tight together!

*ean knows that look! It#s the look that means )as is less than &leased$ and *ean#s seen it 'ar too o'tenbe'ore )as &%lled a disa&&earing a"t on him and za&&ed away! *es&ite the 'a"t that )astiel had agreedto sti"k with *ean and ,aith$ *ean still "an#t hel& b%t be worried that one day he#s going to wake %&and 'ind )astiel not there$ or else )astiel#s going to look %& 'rom kee&ing an eye on ,aith$ say 3I#mgoing to 'ind /od$5 and disa&&ear!

*ean#s already on edge$ with -am &artnering %& with Bobby to 'ind a sol%tion to this mess! .ast time-am had le't$ he#d held it together$ b%t )astiel had 'o%nd him &retty m%"h immediately! B%t heremembers the alone o' the moment$ remembers the 'a"t that it was -am who "hose to go his own way$had done so be'ore$ and &robably wo%ld do so again! *ean remembers too many h%nts alone! +e"o%ld handle it$ always had! B%t this is the A&o"aly&se$ and he#s tired!

3)as$ yo% with me here45

)astiel t%rns to him$ and theres no mistaking the "on'%sion "reasing his brow!

3I mean$ with this whole: sear"hing together thing!5

)astiel is silent 'or another moment! *ean shakes his head! 3Ne(er mind05

3I#m here$ *ean!5 )astiel#s words start be'ore *ean 'inishes talking! 3I said I wo%ld be!5

*ean gr%nts! 38eah!5 B%t he#s still ner(o%s! It#s hard to get %sed to &eo&le staying aro%nd whenthey#(e always le't be'ore!

B%t when he glan"es at )astiel again$ )astiel is wat"hing him "are'%lly$ 1aw set resol%tely as his armslies se"%rely aro%nd ,aith$ and *ean starts to breathe easier$ ease %& on the gas &edal$ and starts tothink that maybe this time will be di''erent!

777

Peo&le don#t %s%ally walk away 'rom tra%mati" sit%ations witho%t some side a''e"t! At least in *ean#sex&erien"e! +e had been ho&ing ,aith wo%ld be the ex"e&tion! -he la%ghs and has learned to en1oyriding aro%nd in the Im&ala! -he seems "ontent$ ha&&y almost$ and it#s no small relie' that she seems toha(e ad1%sted that well!

B%t she doesn#t talk$ not besides a 'ew words here and there that are more so%nds than words! *eanremembers$ (ag%ely$ hearing "hildren talk in the ho%se o%tside 2ansas )ity be'ore the s"a(engersatta"ked$ b%t sin"e then she#s remained silent!

And then there are the nightmares!


27/101

Two weeks a'ter -am le't$ ,aith wakes 'rom a na& in the ba"k o' the Im&ala with a wordless "ry and*ean swer(es o(er to the side o' the road$ a "%rse on his li&s be'ore he "an sto& it! )astiel leans o(erthe ba"k o' the 'ront seat! ,aith is "rying$ tears r%nning down her "heeks$ and *ean has no "l%e o' whatto do next! +e ne(er had to deal with tears! By the time he was looking a'ter -am$ all he had to say tohis brother was$ 3*on#t be s%"h a girl5 and -am wo%ld sto& his "rying! *ean doesn#t think that will go

o(er so smoothly now!

Be'ore he "an think abo%t what to do$ )astiel has managed to s6%eeze himsel' o(er the ba"k o' the'ront seats into the ba"k$ and he#s holding ,aith "lose to his "hest!

3A nightmare45 *ean asks!

)astiel nods! 3It a&&ears so!5

*ean lets his breath r%sh o%t o' him$ wills his ra&id heartbeat to settle down!

It#s bright o%t$ the s%n shining$ and *ean brings the "ar to a sto&$ "limbs o%t o' the Im&ala into thewarm a'ternoon! +e o&ens the ba"kdoor and s6%eezes into the seat next to )astiel$ r%bs a hand against,aith#s ba"k! -he#s "almer now$ the o""asional sn%''le against )astiel#s tren"h "oat the only sign thatshe#s been "rying at all!

*ean doesn#t blame her 'or ha(ing nightmares! They#(e managed to get a 1%m& on a 'ew demons o(erthe &ast week$ so the &ast 'ew days ha(e been nothing b%t r%nning and 'ighting and hiding! -am stillhasn#t &in&ointed down where the demons might be near )hi"ago$ and the resear"h still hasn#t yieldedany signi'i"ant res%lts! A&&arently -am managed to 'ind another h%nter with an old tome$ b%t so 'arthey had nothing new to work with! -o *ean and )astiel ha(e been meandering their way to )hi"ago!,or now$ they h%nt and ho&e that -am has been more s%""ess'%l in his 6%est than they#(e been! *eandoesn#t know how m%"h ,aith saw o' the 'ight that ha&&ened two days ago$ he wishes she had seennone o' it$ b%t by the nightmares she#s been ha(ing lately he#s not so s%re!

3.et#s get o%t o' here$5 *ean s%ddenly says to )astiel! )astiel nods and 'ollows *ean as the h%nterslides o%t o' the ba"k o' the Im&ala and into the bright s%nshine! ,aith looks %& as the s%n hits her 'a"e!*ean rea"hes 'orward and wi&es the trails o' tears 'rom her "heeks!

3What do yo% say we take a break 'or the rest o' the day$ h%h45

)astiel narrows his eyes at him! 3A break4 What 'or45

*ean shr%gs! 3We#(e been dri(ing 'or days! All work and no &lay is no '%n$ )as!5 +e looks to ,aith$sees her eyes soaking %& the browning grass and st%nted roadside 'lora s%rro%nding them! -he#s &ale$and her "lothes are stained with dirt and grime now! +er shoes$ always a little worn$ are starting towear thin! .ast night as *ean was tying her shoela"es$ one had broken o'' in his hand as he was tyingthe knot! There are dirt sm%dges and tearstains on )astiel#s "oat$ and *ean doesn#t ha(e to glan"edown at himsel' to de"ide that ,aith#s &robably the least raggedy o%t o' the three o' them!

3I think we "o%ld all %se a little '%n$5 he says!

)astiel 'ollows *ean#s eyes and nods!


28/101

3Okay! -o! Who#s %& 'or a game45

3/ame45

38eah! I mean$5 *ean looks to ,aith$ sees her wat"hing him with a s%ddenly ho&e'%lly ex&ression!

3It#ll take o%r mind o'' things! /et %s mo(ing!5

3Alright!5 B%t )astiel is 'rowning!

38o%#(e ne(er &layed a game be'ore!5

)astiel raises an eyebrow at *ean! 3I ha(e ne(er had the need to!5

*ean "h%"kles! 3There#s a 'irst 'or e(erything$ )as! And now that ,aith#s here$ it#s long &ast time yo%learned how to &lay a 'ew games! -he "an tea"h yo% a 'ew things$ right ,aith45 +e looks to ,aith andsees her smile! +e "an#t hel& b%t smile ba"k!

)astiel wat"hes their ex"hange and nods$ serio%s$ and *ean wonders i' the angel will take that sameserio%sness to the game or i' he#ll learn to let go and ha(e '%n!

3What: game shall we &lay45

*ean thinks! 3Well$ there#s:5 he &a%ses! Normally he#d be saying &oker$ &ool$ e(en "hannel s%r'ing$b%t things are di''erent now! -o he says the 'irst game that "omes to mind! 3+ide0and0-eek!5

)astiel#s head tilts$ his eyebrows &%ll together! 3What is +ide0and0-eek45

3Well$ someone "o%nts to a "ertain n%mberG%s%ally twentyGand the rest o' the &eo&le hide$ wait tobe 'o%nd!5

)astiel#s 'rown dee&ens$ and *ean thinks abo%t it! *ean "an#t imagine )astiel hiding behind a &ile o'stones or amongst roadside b%shes waiting 'or ,aith or *ean to "ome 'ind him! )astiel has ne(er been&atient where h%mans are "on"erned! It takes the a%thority o' angels and his 'aith in /od to make theangel &atient eno%gh to wait 'or anything! +e wo%ldn#t last the time it took 'or *ean or ,aith to 'inish"o%nting be'ore getting %& 'rom his hiding s&ot$ asking whoe(er ha&&ened to be It i' the game was o(eryet!

There#s also the iss%e o' the real hide0and0seek they go thro%gh e(ery time there#s danger! E(ery timethey#(e 'a"ed demons or wit"hes or whate(er other e(il "reat%re they#(e been h%nting sin"e they 'o%nd,aith$ ,aith#s taken to hiding! In i(y beds$ in b%shes$ behind doors o' abandoned b%ildings! The 'irsttime they %nex&e"tedly "rossed &aths with a (am&ire she#d done it on her own$ ran and hid be'ore *eanhad a "han"e to get her to sa'ety! A'ter that$ it be"ame se"ond nat%re 'or *ean to &i"k o%t &la"es 'or,aith to hide as they started a h%nt$ kee&ing 1%st as wat"h'%l an eye o%t 'or that as 'or signs o' what theywere h%nting! 9%st two days ago *ean and )astiel had r%n into three demons and a wit"h! By the endo' the 'ight$ *ean had had to &%ll ,aith o%t 'rom %nder a blanket o' I(y she#d b%rrowed %nder when the'ighting began! *ean doesn#t want ,aith to get the game and the real thing mixed %& the next timedemons "ome &rowling aro%nd! -o he 'iles hide0and0seek %nder the Things Not to Tea"h )astiel and,aith list and ri'les thro%gh his memory 'or another game to &lay to "hase ,aith#s nightmare away!


29/101

3E(er hear o' *ead ;an#s Bl%''45

And he knows by )astiel#s widening eyes that that was the wrong "hoi"e to make!

777

Two days later they r%n o%t o' s%&&lies! They &assed a Wal0;art early in the morning$ sto&&ed to &i"k%& basi" s%&&lies like mat"hes and bandages and antise&ti"! *ean had mentioned shoes and "lothes 'or,aith brie'ly$ b%t at a "on'%sed look 'rom )astiel he#d let it dro& and gone o'' in sear"h himsel'! B%tthe store had been raided$ em&ty o' water and 'ood$ and so they#d mo(ed on!

They s&ot a gro"ery store later in the a'ternoon$ and *ean &%lls o(er onto the side o' the road$ stayswith ,aith by the "ar while )astiel goes o'' in sear"h o' the m%"h0needed &ro(isions! They were goingto go as a gro%&$ sti"k together$ b%t ,aith was restless and they didn#t want to draw attention tothemsel(es i' there had been looters in the store! -o )astiel had (ol%nteered to go$ and *ean let him!

That is how *ean 'inds himsel' staring at ,aith &er"hed on the hood o' the Im&ala! Or$ to be more&re"ise$ he is staring at the new$ shiny &ink shoes the girl is wearing! )om&lete with lights that st%tterand 'li"ker and 'lash e(ery time her 'eet wag ba"k and 'orth with what *ean has learned to identi'y asher ha&&y0relaxed mo(ement! *ean shakes his head$ remembers how a mile ba"k )astiel hadres&onded to *ean#s in6%iry into what he was doing with a distra"ted 3Nothing!5

It had been s%s&i"io%s$ b%t a moment later )astiel was hel&ing ,aith stand in the ba"kseat$ and she wasgiggling as she ran ba"k and 'orth 'rom one side o' the "ar to the next$ holding )astiel#s hand 'orbalan"e! The shoes$ *ean realizes now$ had been the so%r"e o' it all!

3R%le n%mber one$ kiddo!5 *ean holds %& his th%mb$ makes s%re she#s wat"hing him! 3Ne(er let )as&i"k o%t yo%r "lothing! Or yo%r 'ootwear!5 +e looks down at her shoes again$ sees the lights 'lash!3Es&e"ially yo%r 'ootwear! E(er!5

,aith wat"hes "are'%lly as *ean lowers his hands$ &%lls the Hel"ro o&en and the shoes o'' her 'eet! +eholds them o%t in 'ront o' him$ like they smell worse than the bodies he#s destroyed and are a hell o' alot more dangero%s than the demons he#s 'a"ed! ,aith giggles$ her 'ist going into her mo%th!

*ean "at"hes her s%"king on her 'ist and 'reezes 'or a moment! 3R%le n%mber two!5 +e &la"es theshoes down on the edge o' the hood$ 'ar o%t o' ,aith#s rea"h$ be'ore gras&ing the wrist and &%lling her'ist o%t o' her mo%th! 38o%r hand is not a s%bstit%te 'or a good meal!5 +e shr%gs$ wi&es the s&it o'' o',aith#s kn%"kles! 3No matter how rare those meals are! We#ll always get yo% something better to eat$me and )as$ so don#t yo% worry! No eating 'lesh!5

+e hears the "r%n"h o' gra(el and dirt behind him$ t%rns 6%i"kly to see )astiel walking towards them!*ean#s eyes narrow at the angel#s 'ast &a"e$ the rigid hold o' his sho%lders! +e sto&s 'i(e 'eet away'rom *ean$ eyes s%r(eying the lands"a&e aro%nd them be'ore settling on *ean!

3There#s nothing here$5 he says$ and *ean raises an eyebrow at his im&atient tone! 3The stores wereraided weeks ago! There#s nothing b%t rotten 'r%it and so%r milk! Batteries and mat"hes are gone aswell$ and the only salt I "o%ld 'ind was s"attered a"ross 'o%r aisles!5


30/101

*ean shi'ts$ t%rns to 'a"e the angel "om&letely be'ore leaning ba"k against the Im&ala beside ,aith!

3No water45

)astiel shakes his head$ takes a ste& ba"k$ breaks *ean#s gaze$ and *ean is reminded again o' howh%man the angel is be"oming! )om&lete with do%bts and worries and 'ears o' his own! *ean looks

down at ,aith$ sees her smile is gone! -he#s always been sensiti(e to the angel#s emotions! No matterhow h%ngry they might be tonight$ *ean doesn#t want her or )as to be stressed o%t e(en more!

3R%le n%mber three$ kid!5 *ean says and waits 'or ,aith to look %& at him! 3When )as gets in a moodlike this$ it#s best to ignore him! .et me handle him!5

,aith#s li&s 'orm a slow smile again as she looks at )astiel! *ean 'eels as i' a weight has been li'tedslightly 'rom his "hest!

3*ean! What are yo% doing45

*ean smiles! The angel#s brow is '%rrowed$ and *ean almost la%ghs at the hal'0annoyed$ hal'0&er&lexed look o' him$ the slight tilt o' his head!

39%st tea"hing kiddo here the ro&es!5

3Ro&es45 )astiel &a%ses be'ore he shakes his head as i' dismissing something &ointless *ean has 1%stsaid! 3*ean$ I05 +e sto&s$ his eyes gl%ed to something near ,aith! *ean tenses$ is abo%t to grab ,aitho'' the hood o' the Im&ala$ &%ll o%t the g%n he has sti"king o%t o' the ba"k o' his 1eans$ when heglan"es down and sees that )astiel is only staring at ,aith#s so"k0"lad 'eet!

3*ean$ where are her shoes45

*ean smirks! 3/ot rid o' them!5 As i' to &ro(e a &oint$ he rea"hes o%t to his le't$ n%dges the shoes o''the hood o' the "ar and nods when he hears them land hea(ily in the dirt!

3Why45

3They#re too &ink! ,aith#s to%gher than those &ansy "l%nkers$ aren#t yo%!5 +e t%rns to ,aith$ who grins%& at him be'ore 'isting a hand in the arm o' his 1a"ket! -he looks ba"k at )astiel and *ean does thesame! 3-ee45

3*ean!5 )astiel is staring at ,aith#s 'eet! +is brow is '%rrowed$ and *ean is starkly reminded o' thememory o' him and )astiel standing in Bobby#s hos&ital room$ o' )as telling him no$ /od was not onany 'latbread$ as i' )astiel is still "om&letely st%&e'ied at some things *ean says and does$ no matterhow 'ar the two o' them ha(e "ome! 3-he "an#t not wear shoes!5

3I know$ )as! I#m not gonna let her r%naro%nd bare'oot!5 +e leans 'orward$ &%lls something o%t o'ea"h ba"k &o"ket$ a smirk on his 'a"e as )astiel sna&s his gaze 'rom the shoes to *ean#s 'a"e! Theshoes he has are brown$ st%rdy$ look like hiking boots 'or toddlers! Plain and sim&le and reliable! Andnot &ink! 38o%#re not the only one who knows how to raid a Wal0;art!5

777


31/101

A 'ew days later they 'ind an abandoned 'i(e and dime sixty miles o%tside )hi"ago! The Im&ala "an#tdri(e o(er the hills o' r%bble and debris that#s b%ilt %&$ so he &arks a 'ew h%ndred 'eet away and theywalk the remaining distan"e! )astiel 'alls to the 'ront$ lea(ing *ean with ,aith with a glan"e ba"k!*ean takes it slowly$ holding ,aith#s hand tightly and li'ting her o(er 'allen road signs and mo%nds o'dirt and weeds! A'ter a 'ew times$ ,aith gri&s *ean#s 'orearm$ and the next time *ean li'ts her %& she

hangs 'rom his arm$ giggling!

*ean grins! 3I think we ha(e a monkey here$ )as$5 he says!

)astiel#s sho%t "at"hes them by s%r&rise! *ean dro&s to a "ro%"h$ &%lling ,aith down with him$ andlooks %& to see eight men and women sa%nter o%t 'rom behind 'allen b%ildings and walking towardsthem! Their eyes are bla"k!

)astiel is %&on them by the time *ean whis&ers in ,aith#s ear! +e &a%ses 1%st long eno%gh to wat"h hers6%eeze hersel' %nder the r%bble$ and then he#s %&$ &%lling R%by#s kni'e o%t o' his 1eans!

*ean is "o(ered in blood by the time he#s &%lling the kni'e o%t o' the last demon! ;ost o' it isn#t his$b%t one o' the demons got the %&&er hand be'ore he "o%ld kill it and his knee is sli"ed o&en! +estaggers to a standstill$ holding his breath so he "an hear better while he s"ans the re"ent battlegro%nd!E(erything is still and silent!

3,aith!5

-ilen"e answers him! +is heart &o%nds against his rib "age! +e s"rambles o(er the debris$ b%t his kneeweakens$ gi(es o%t$ and he barely manages to "at"h himsel' be'ore he 'alls head'irst down a &ile o'"ement and twigs and ash!

3,aith=5 +is (oi"e is lo%d in the "ontin%ing silen"e! 3,aith$ answer me=5 And he#s angry anda%thoritati(e and s"ared shitless all at the same time!

The so%nd o' shi'ting ro"k$ "on"rete s"ra&ing against "on"rete$ brings him to a sto&! +e t%rns to theright$ sees a small head o' bla"k hair &eak o%t o' a too0small "ra"k between two 'allen slabs o' &laster!+e#s kneeling in 'ront o' the tiny hiding s&ot be'ore he thinks to mo(e!

3)ome here$ ,aith! That#s my girl!5 +e sho(els dirt and gra(el away 'rom the entran"e o' ,aith#shiding s&ot$ &%lls hal' o' the slab o' &laster away be'ore his hands are li'ting her %&$ &%lling her "lose$and she#s "linging to his ne"k!

3+ow#d yo% s6%eeze yo%rsel' in there$ h%h45 +e &ats her ba"k$ his eyes swee&ing o(er her arms andlegs to see i' she has any "%ts$ s"ra&es$ br%ises! B%t there#s nothing! 3/ood girl!5 +e &%ts the arm thatisn#t s%&&orting her aro%nd her ba"k$ holds her "lose as he stands and makes his way thro%gh the r%bbleba"k to the Im&ala!

+e takes the long way ba"k$ so ,aith won#t see the bodies o' the demons# (essels littering the gro%nd!

3)as45 No answer! 3)as=5

*ean "limbs o(er the last mo%nd o' r%bble and the Im&ala "omes into (iew! ,aith s6%irms in his arms!


32/101

-he "las&ing too tight to his ne"k$ and one o' her hands has lat"hed itsel' onto his hair! B%t this &ain he"an stand! When he arri(es at the Im&ala he lat"hes onto the door$ b%t &a%ses be'ore o&ening it! +elooks %& again$ trying to "at"h a glim&se o' )astiel$ b%t the angel still hasn#t a&&eared!

-hit! +e takes a dee& breath! 38o% want to g%ard the Im&ala 'or me$ ,aith4 While I go look 'or )as45

,aith nods$ b%t her hand "las&s tighter in his hair$ and he knew be'ore he s&oke that he wo%ld ne(erlea(e her by hersel'!

*ean t%rns away 'rom the Im&ala$ looking o%t again o(er the r%bble! 3)as=5 +e almost lets a "%rse 'lywith the angel#s name$ b%t ,aith is too "lose$ and )astiel wo%ldn#t like that! 3)astiel=5

The silen"e aro%nd him is broken by small noises! The wind whistles thro%gh an old metal &i&e$ andthe metal "lang o' a yield sign kee&s time as the breeze &i"ks %&! *ean tries to hear &ast all that 'or theso%nd o' 'ootste&s$ a ro%gh (oi"e$ the shi'ting o' 'abri"! Anything that wo%ld tell him where )astiel is!

It sho%ld s"are him$ he has a moment to think$ that he#s be"ome %sed to the so%nds that )astiel makes$that he#d be able to &i"k them o%t anywhere! Whether it was an abandoned 'ield or in a "rowdeds%&ermarket or in the 6%iet a'ter battle! The &ast three weeks he#s learned the n%an"es o' )astiel$ o',aith$ and the only &erson that#s e(er ha&&ened with be'ore is -am!

B%t at the moment$ the only thing that#s s"aring him is that he won#t hear the so%nds$ any so%nd$ that)astiel makes!

The s"ra&e and "latter o' ro"ks 'alling s&in him aro%nd$ 'or"e his right hand 'rom ,aith#s ba"k to thekni'e in his belt! The blade is o%t and glinting in the weak a'ternoon light be'ore he re"ognizes theslo%"hing 'ig%re that st%mbles down a &ile o' &laster and wood and dirt and metal!

3)as$ yo% bastard! What the hell05 The almost0&romise he made to )astiel to not "%rse in 'ront o',aith is 'orgotten! ,aith#s gri& is &ain'%l in his hair$ b%t her other hand is &ointing$ and 'or the 'irst timeshe says )as#s name!

)astiel st%mbles at the so%nd$ and something strange ha&&ens in *ean#s "hest when )astiel looks %&and des&ite the blood s&attered on his "heek$ the slight sweat on his brow$ there#s a look in his eyesthat#s s%r&rised and so't and %nreadable all at the same time!

*ean "lears his throat$ takes a ste& 'orward and meets )astiel hal'way!

3)as! 8o% okay45

38es!5 B%t *ean "an see the blood soaking into his &ants leg$ and when )as takes a ste& 'orward he#swalking with a slight lim&! )astiel ignores that$ his eyes 'li"kering between ,aith and *ean as he&la"es a hand on ,aith#s head! 38o%4 And ,aith45

3Awesome$5 *ean answers! 3,aith managed to s6%eeze hersel' somewhere small! I "o%ldn#t 'ind herat 'irst!5 )astiel#s sho%lders relax as he takes a dee& breath in! 3-he#s learning 'ast!5

)astiel nods$ b%t he#s staring at *ean intently!


33/101

38o%#re "o(ered in blood!5

3Not all mine!5 *ean 'or"es a smirk onto his 'a"e!

)astiel nods b%t hesitates be'ore breaking his gaze away 'rom *ean and 'o"%sing it on the land aro%ndthem!

3We sho%ldn#t linger$5 )astiel says! 3There "o%ld be more!5 And 1%st like that )astiel is ba"k to beingan angel o' the .ord again$ s%""in"t and stoi"! Only as *ean wat"hes him$ there#s a ner(o%s 'idgeting$a slight mo(ement in the way )astiel#s hand is "%rling and %n"%rling in a 'ist!

*ean nods and witho%t a word ste&s 'orward and &la"es ,aith in )astiel#s arms! +er hand releasing itstight hold on *ean#s hair sho%ld be a blessing$ b%t he 'inds himsel' glan"ing worriedly at her and)astiel as )astiel walks aro%nd the "ar$ as i' at any moment they will disa&&ear!

When *ean o&ens the dri(er#s door to the Im&ala$ )astiel slides into the &assenger seat with ,aith still"linging to him! The ba"kseat is sometimes too 'ar away!

777

*ean dri(es 'or the rest o' the day$ &asses into Indiana be'ore he thinks abo%t &%lling o(er! *ean#sknee a"hes m%s"le0dee& and the s%r'a"e wo%nd stings$ b%t the blood has dried and getting as 'ar away'rom the demons and the sight o' the skirmish is the most &ressing "on"ern at the moment! When hedoes &%ll o(er$ he brings the Im&ala to a sto& way o'' o' the sho%lder and into the trees that line thehighway!

The so%nd o' tri"kling water greets *ean when he gets o%t o' the "ar! +e manages to lim& the 'ewmin%tes distan"e$ and on "loser ins&e"tion 'inds a brook$ "lean and s%r&risingly 'ree o' any taint o' theA&o"aly&se! -o *ean is able to wash the blood o'' his hands and 'a"e! It#s a relie'$ when he gets ba"kto the Im&ala$ to walk %& to )astiel and ,aith and not ha(e ,aith stare at the blood when she looks athim!

)astiel is no longer bleeding$ b%t it takes *ean ten min%tes to "on(in"e the angel he at least needs to"lean the "%t on his leg and bandage it %&! It takes another 'i(e min%tes to a"t%ally "om&lete the task!*ean#s own wo%nds are less se(ere$ other than his knee! When he 'inishes bandaging )astiel#s leg$ hesits on the grass$ 'a"ing away 'rom )astiel and ,aith$ and bandages his "%ts and s"ra&es! +e %ses thelast o' the antise&ti" to "lean a needle and the wo%nd and stit"hes %& the gash on his knee! s%ally bynow he#d be shooting ba"k whiskey or digging o%t as&irin$ trying to d%ll the &ain! B%t whiskey hasn#tbeen seen 'or weeks now$ and the last o' the &ainkillers went be'ore they se&arated 'rom -am!

By the time he 'inishes the last stit"h$ tries to tie the knot %& at the end$ his hands are shaking and hisgri& sli&s on the dental 'loss he#s %sed as thread be"a%se his hands are on"e again "o(ered in blood!

3*ean45

*ean looks ba"k o(er his sho%lder and sees )astiel "oming to a sto& behind him$ ,aith at his side!)on"ern is drawing his eyebrows together$ and )astiel#s tong%e darts o(er his li&s! .ike he#s sear"hing'or words$ 'or something to say$ and "oming %& blank!


34/101

*ean win"es as he leans his arm o(er his knee to blo"k the (iew o' blood 'rom ,aith! 3This wo%ld be agreat time to ha(e some whiskey$5 he says! )astiel 'rowns$ his head "o"king slightly to the right! Thenhis head di&s 'orward$ and *ean "an#t read his ex&ression anymore! 3Ne(er mind$5 he m%mbles$&i"king %& the water bottle next to him and washing o'' his hands!

The next 'ew ho%rs &ass in silen"e! *ean gets %&$ lim&s o(er to the tr%nk and "he"ks their s%&&li

where the world begins

Documents