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Entry tags:
Captivus, Part III, Supernatural, PG-13, Keeper!Verse
Fandom: Supernatural, Keeper!Verse
Title: Captivus, Part III (Other Keeper!Verse stories can be found Here
Pairing/Characters: Sam/Dean, Dana, John
Rating: Overall PG-13 (with a touch of R in places)
Word Count: 17, 972 (total)
Summary: For![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
shotofjack, who bought me in the Sweet Charity auction. She asked for Keeper Verse and a look at Dana actually growing up and working with Sam to rescue Dean. So, this is Dana at 16, half way to seventeen. A dream offers the Winchesters two hunts at once, though with John suffering with a broken arm, and Sam hurting from a life time of physical abuse, it's time for Dana to step up to the plate. When Dean's hunt goes terribly wrong, it's up to Dana and Sam to figure out why and rescue him, before it's too late.
A/Ns & Warnings: Unfortunately there is no sex here, though there is some nakedness. There is also a fair amount of schloomp and not a small amount of angst. This story is complete and will be posted in sections because LJ won't let me post it as one.
The landscape of the dream told her it wasn’t just a dream. There was a quality to the ones that were prophetic, the ones that were glimpses into other places and people…the ones that led them on hunts.
Dana recognized it immediately. She was on her bed in the motel, only not. She shifted her consciousness and sat up. The motel melted away as she stood, and she stepped forward with a confidence she didn’t quite believe. The town’s main street stretched out in front of her then faded. The high school loomed large over her.
She stepped toward it. She got to the steps and hesitated. This wasn’t right. This wasn’t some ridiculous television show, and demons don’t lay their eggs in high schools. There’s no security, no way to protect them. Too many people. She turned, and there he was.
“You’re good, Dana.”
Dana crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “How do you know my name?”
He smiled. “The hunter…you taught him, but he’s not gifted. Not like you and me.”
She tried not to let her fear show. “You should know that if you hurt him, I will hurt you.”
“No, you won’t. You’re not like that. Even now you’re wondering how I can be saved.”
It was Dana’s turn to smile. “No, that’s Sam. He thinks like that. I just think that you’re an evil bastard who needs to be put down.”
She pushed him with a gesture and he took a step back. “Tell me where he is, and I’ll go easy on you.”
“Right. You expect me to believe that?”
Dana shrugged. “Believe what you want. You’re obviously an idiot, letting demons manipulate your gifts. You could be so much more.”
This time he pushed her, and she held her ground, though it was a struggle. “This is my dream, Paul. That gives me control.”
“So, you know my name too? Impressive.” He closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, he was smirking. “It maybe your dream, Dana, but that doesn’t make me powerless. I’ll be seeing you, huh?”
He faded and Dana sighed, willing herself out of the dream, but hands closed around her ankles and wrists, dragging her to the ground. Ropes closed over her, wrapping around her until she was bound in a harness much like the one she’d seen her father in.
The panic was overwhelming, and she could feel the blood draining.
“Dana!” It was her father’s voice.
“Wake up Dana.” That was her Papa. She struggled against the bindings, fought the dream. It took a long time, but she pulled a hand free and forced herself from the dream.
When she opened her eyes, Papa was sitting on the bed next to her. “Sam?” She sat up, clinging to her Papa, as her eyes sought out Sam’s. He was sitting on the other bed, his hand covered in blood. “What happened?”
Sam shook his head. “Nosebleed, I’m fine. You okay?”
She nodded. “He was in my dream. Taunting me, the fucking bastard.”
“Dana, language.”
“Sorry Papa. I’m angry.”
“I realize that.”
“He’s got Dad and he’s taunting me.” She threw the blankets off and stood up. “He’s a cocky kid though. I learned a lot.” She moved to Sam’s side, turning his head so that she could look at his nose. It was obvious it had been bleeding, though it had stopped. “Is this because of me? Or because of that?” She pointed at the leather band on his wrist.
He looked at her and shook his head. “Maybe both. I’m fine, Dana.”
She nodded and stepped back. “Get cleaned up. I’m going to finish the research I was doing last night. Papa, would you go get coffee, and breakfast?”
Dana could feel Sam behind her, checking her and nodding to Papa before he stood and headed for the bathroom. She didn’t look up as she settled onto the bed with her laptop, content in knowing they would do what she said, because it was the right thing…because she’d stepped up to the plate. Sam was right. This was the real thing, not training, not a game.
It was time to take the fight up a notch.
Dean groaned as the lights came on. As much as he hated the feeling of the drugs they’d hit him with when they caught him, he’d relish a little right now…something to take away the feeling of tiny mouths biting into his flesh. He’d lost a lot of blood at this point. He had no idea how long he’d hung there. Hours. Days.
“Morning.” Paul came toward him, his “meal” in his hands. “Well, it’s closer to noon. I came earlier, but you weren’t all together here.” He came close, watching the demon spawn as they rolled around within their nest. “Hungry? You better eat. You’re not looking too good.”
“Yeah, fuck you too.” Dean grunted, turning his head and flexing his fingers.
Paul just smiled at him. “I spoke with Dana earlier. She’s quiet remarkable.”
Dean stiffened and squinted at the kid. “Oh, don’t worry. It was in her dream. They’re here, looking for you. She’s good…might make this an interesting race.” He held the cup and straw up and Dean forced himself to take the straw in his mouth and suck. The kid hadn’t been kidding when he said the damn shakes tasted like shit.
“What do you think? Can Dana find you before there isn’t enough of you left to save? Can she beat me and Angie and Donnie?”
Dean ignored him and drank the damn protein shake. He had to keep his strength up, had to stay strong. Find a way free.
“She’s your daughter, isn’t she?” Paul asked and that got Dean’s attention. “I thought so.” He could obviously tell by Dean’s reaction that he was right. “That explains a lot. So then, who is Sam?”
Dean’s thoughts moved sluggishly, and he didn’t get the important bits pulled behind the wall fast enough. “Oh? Really?” Paul pulled the cup away. “Which is it? Brother….or…Lover? Or is it both? Are you that sick? Here I thought you were one of the good guys. Never would have pegged you as gay though.”
“Fuck you.” Dean said again.
Paul chuckled. “Yeah, you probably would. I’m way more interested in your daughter though. She’s pretty. Maybe when we catch her, Donnie will let me play with her while we wait for the eggs to hatch.”
“You lay one finger on her—“
Paul leaned in close. “It wasn’t exactly my finger I was thinking about laying on her,” he whispered. “I’ll be back in about an hour. Let you digest a little before we feed the little guys.”
“So, here’s what I know.”
Sam crossed his arms and watched Dana as she closed the laptop. “Donald Marks has lived here in town his whole life. He was raised on the ranch outside of town. He met and married Angela ten years ago on a vacation to Florida. Surprised everyone. They adopted Paul 4 years ago, when he was ten.”
Dana had been in full on research mode while Sam and his father attempted to get into Dean’s room and searched the Impala’s trunk space and other hidden hiding places. She had a page of notes on the family, and another on their two types of demons and signs to tell them apart.
“There isn’t much on Paul. He’s a good student, but not straight As. He keeps to himself, and is almost non-existent in the yearbook.”
“Yearbook?”
Dana shrugged. “I hacked into the high school’s system. They haven’t dumped the proofs yet.”
“When did you get so good with computers?” John asked.
She smiled a little sheepishly and blushed. “I’m not…really. But…it’s amazing how much you can get done over an internet connection with certain gifts.”
Sam smirked and shook his head. He’d half expected it, with the way she’d been concentrating when they came back in. She’d impressed him so far, and he was willing to let her continue to take the lead. “So, what’s our plan?”
Dana took a deep breath and looked at him. “As I see it, we need to find Dad. But we also need to figure out what’s possessing Donald and Angelina Marks. And, we’ll need to deal with Paul. My thinking is, Papa does the physical searching, I’ve got a list of places. Uncle Sam, I’ll give you everything I’ve got about the demons, and you figure out how we send their sorry asses back to hell. I’ll deal with Paul.”
“How do you plan to do that?” Sam asked, watching as she stood.
“I plan to start by calling him out.” She stood and rubbed her hands over her arms. “I need you to spot me and kinda damp down the…damage.”
Sam stood and followed her to the door. “Where are we going?”
“To break into Dad’s room.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?”
Dana stopped and looked up at him, and for the first time he realized she was nearly as tall as Dean, that she was nearly a woman. “No, I’m not sure. But it’s what I think I should do. The compendium is in there. And, Dad’s gonna want some clothes when we find him.” She started for room 24 again. “And, I want that little boy to realize I’m not playing around.”
Sam smirked at her back and waved at his father standing in the door of their room watching. By the time he’d caught up to her, her hands were already on the door and he could feel her starting to make out the edges of the lock. “Hang on,” he murmured, laying down a dampening field around them. He knew from their earlier experience that it was going to sting when she broke through…and the echo would set even the most ungifted people on edge.
He felt the physical lock give first, an easy task for Dana even four years before. Then she set to the psychic one. It took her a minute to find her way in, but it snapped nearly in two as soon as she found it.
The reverberation slammed into him and she caught him with one hand fisted in his shirt, even as she opened the door. “Damn.” Sam rubbed at a temple and let go of the protection he’d laid down.
“Sorry. There was no gentle. The kid is strong, but not subtle.”
“He probably wanted to make sure he’d know you were here.”
“Well, now he knows.” Dana’s eyes swept the room. Nothing looked like it had been touched. “God, he’s an idiot. He didn’t even look through Dad’s things. He hasn’t been in this room.”
“He’s not an idiot, Dana, he’s fourteen.”
“I wasn’t that dumb at fourteen.” Dana countered, moving to her father’s duffle bag. The compendium was there, in the bottom of his bag. Dana took it to the bed and dumped it, pushing aside bits of clothing to get the book. “Dude.” Dana held up a pair of boxers, old and grey and filled with holes. “What’s with the holey underwear?”
Sam chuckled. “He takes them everywhere. Says they’re lucky…or something. He’s had them forever.”
Dana shook her head. “Maybe he should have been wearing them.” She tossed them aside and held up the book. As Sam took it she shivered.
“You okay?”
She wiped her hands on her jeans. “Yeah…that book…it feels…icky.”
Sam held it and looked at it. He frowned. “I suppose it does. I’ve gotten used to it. I forget.”
Dana shook her head and pulled the clothes back into something resembling a pile that Dean would have been proud of. Neither one of them was ever much interested in actually folding anything. She was shoving them back into the duffle bag, when she suddenly straightened and he felt her attention snap. “Oh, that was fast.” She chuckled. “Apparently I’ve made him angry.”
She slung the duffle over her shoulder. “We should get back to our room. Get you and Papa started.”
John was waiting for them, a local map laid out on the bed. Sam settled in with Dana’s notes and the compendium, while she marked out two areas on the map with a red marker from her backpack. “This is the ranch. From what I can tell from public records there’s a main house here, about a half mile in from the road. There’s a horse barn here, about a half mile in from the house and north. The cattle are to the south. It used to be a dairy operation, so there’s a milking barn at the back.”
“Used to be?”
She nodded. “Donald’s father decided there was more money in meat, so he made the switch. They still do some milking, but not commercially. I figure the big milking shed is probably a good place to look.”
“That’s a lot of acres.” John’s finger traced the outline of the property.
She sighed. “If it’s the nesting kind of demon they need someplace warm to lay the eggs. Someplace without a lot of noise and with controlled lighting. The little demons need ample darkness. That implies indoors.”
“So what’s this?” He pointed to the second space.
“The woods. From what I could tell there are some old, abandoned buildings out there. The property used to belong to the Marks family, but Donald’s father sold it off. When I saw Dad…when he got caught, it was in the woods.”
John nodded, then gathered up the map. “Okay. I’m on recon. I’ll be in touch.”
Dana stopped him with a hand on his cast. “Look, but don’t try anything stupid, okay? Call us.”
He nodded and hugged her, then waved at Sam and headed out.
Dana turned to Sam. “You ready for me?”
Sam nodded and patted the bed beside him. “How much of what you gave him was from the internet?”
“Most of it. I got a pretty good reading on Paul when he was in my dream…and I scanned some memories of the family from some folks who were…available.” She looked like she was waiting for him to scold her.
“Okay, so give me what you’ve got, and I’ll get us some action points.”
He dropped the wall completely and waited, watching while she sorted through what she wanted him to see and what she apparently didn’t, then she dropped her side of the wall and slid into his mind.
It only took a moment to transfer the images and information, but she lingered a little longer, offering him a small amount of comfort while she could, then she withdrew slowly. He waited until he felt her begin to block him, then took a deep breath, triggering the rise of the wall from his side.
“Now what?”
“I’ll be heading out to the high school.”
“The high school?” Sam crossed his arms.
“That’s where he came to me in my dream. So I figure it’s a good enough place to start.”
She reached for her cell phone and shoved it in a back pocket.
“You be careful.”
She smiled at him. “I will. I’ll be back in an hour.”
Dana didn’t feel nearly as confident as she was playing for her uncle and her Papa. The truth was she was terrified for her father. Her last glimpse of him wasn’t good. He’d lost a lot of blood. Soon the damn things wouldn’t be content with blood, and she didn’t know how long it would take for him to die.
She forced that thought out of her head and kept her eyes open as she moved quickly through town. She knew she could be walking into a trap, but she also knew that Paul was a cocky SOB who would try to take her on his own to earn the praise of his demonic parents.
They probably weren’t even aware he was missing yet. That would be the advantage she’d need. That and her ability to be cold, to act as though she didn’t care that he was just a kid…misguided and probably abused into thinking this was the right thing to do, that this life was what his gifts predisposed him to…but the truth was, she’d seen him…seen through him.
So, it was just a glimpse, and it was more a memory of something he’d said to her father, but it was something. Something she could use.
He was already there, sitting on the steps of the school. It was close to one in the afternoon and there were a few students milling about. Dana knew exactly how many, and she could tell that the demons weren’t there.
She stopped still a good ways away, watching him. He turned toward her and a smile came over his face before he stood and started coming toward her. “You’re even prettier in person.”
Dana raised an eyebrow and looked at him. “All this build up, and that’s you’re opening line?”
Paul shrugged, brushing blond hair out of his eyes. “What is it with you kids raised by demons, don’t the ever cut your hair?” Dana asked and he looked puzzled for a moment before brushing past it.
“I didn’t think you’d actually come.” Paul said. “I was about to give up.”
She smiled. “I’m here. Now what?”
“I thought I’d take you to your father.”
“Just like that?”
“Well, that way you get what you want, and so do I.”
She chuckled. “I’m not that naïve, Paul. I was raised by hunters. I’ve been dealing with demons and the supernatural since I was a baby.”
“Yeah, I’m trying to figure that out. If your father is gay, where did you come from?”
Dana licked her lips and cracked her neck, forcing herself to turn away from the bait. She could see genuine curiosity in his eyes and the thoughts telegraphing from him were of a hunter…someone he…”Your father’s a hunter too.”
He looked surprised. “He was. He’s dead.”
“No. He isn’t.” Dana could feel it. “He’s alive. Thinks you’re dead.”
“Stop it. I’m not listening.”
“Demons aren’t real well known for telling the truth. It shouldn’t be too surprising that they lied to you.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” He took a few steps toward her, fists clenched.
She shrugged. “It’s your head, I’m just reading what you know, but won’t admit to.”
“Who is Sam?” Paul asked, trying to regain control of the conversation.
“I thought you were powerful. Why don’t you tell me?”
“Is he the one that pushed me away yesterday?”
“Maybe.” Dana crossed her arms.
“He’s your uncle. Figured you got your gifts from your mother’s side, since your father is so normal.” The boy was starting to get nervous. He was sweating. His eyes were dark and he didn’t like the fact that she had a good 8 inches on him.
She hadn’t planned on her advantage being physical. “Where’s my father?” She pushed at him mentally and he flinched, but held.
“Nice try. I’m not telling you.”
“That’s okay. I’m sure we’ll find him soon. And when we do, rest assured we’ll send the demons back to hell. What you do after that is up to you.”
“You can’t—“
Dana smiled. “Can. Will. In fact, Sam is probably already there, performing the exorcism.”
“You’re lying.” He squinted up at her. “But you’re trying to keep me here.”
“Am I?” Dana stepped aside, gesturing. “Go. I’m not keeping you.”
“Right, so you can follow me? I don’t think so.”
“Okay, Paul. I’ll go first. You already know where I am. Why isn’t you haven’t told your parents?”
He moved from nervous to angry, just like that. She felt him coming, physically and mentally and slammed up a wall. He hit it full force and she staggered backward a little under the assault. “Come on Paul, people are going to see you. Do you really want that?”
He growled in wordless rage and came at her again. That’s it, come on.
His next attempt was harder, but to get the power, he had to let go of some of his self protection. She let him in, rolling to the ground underneath him and reaching into him for what she wanted. He yelled as he realized what she had done and landed a punch to her cheek before someone was pulling him up and away. She looked up, holding a hand to her cheek. A man in his fifties held Paul by the scruff of the neck.
“Mr. Marks, you should know better than to fight on school property.”
Dana picked herself up of the ground. “Thank you. I don’t know what his problem is. We were just talking.” Stop now, Dana, she thought. Less is more when dealing with teachers.
“I don’t know you.”
She shook her head. “No sir. My name’s Dana. I’m in town visiting my uncle.”
The teacher nodded. “Inside, Mr. Marks. I’ll be calling your father.”
Paul’s eyes went wide with fear and Dana felt him working hard to marshal it. “I suggest you head back to your uncle, young lady.”
“Yes sir, that’s a good idea.” Dana turned and walked away, barely containing her desire to run. I know where they are. We have to move now. While Paul and his father are occupied. she sent through to Sam as she rounded the corner and put the school behind her. As soon as she knew she was out of sight, Dana took off at a dead run, pulling her cell phone out and pressing the button for her Papa’s number.
“Papa, I know where he is. Sam and I are heading there now.” She looked both ways quickly and raced across the street and into the parking lot of the hotel. “No, I was right. There’s a back room in the milking shed. It’s small, easy to keep warm. Meet us a mile south of the main gate.”
Sam was on his feet, moving toward her as she burst in. “Papa’s going to meet us. I’ve got Paul occupied at the school. His father’s on his way.”
Sam turned her face to look at the reddening cheek bone. “What happened?”
She grinned and batted his hands away. “He got angry. Lost control. I took what I needed, and got him busted for fighting on the school grounds.”
“That’s not going to keep them long, Dana, especially not once that demon learns who he was fighting with.”
“I know, thus the hurry. We need to go.”
“Okay. Here.” He handed her a notebook with Latin scribbled out on two pages. “Exorcism. They’re Genrrol demons. Nasty fuckers. But not known for being super intelligent. I don’t know how they got free of their overlord, but there’s a first time for everything.”
He ushered her to the door and into his car. “The babies are easy enough to kill.” He tossed his rolled up tool kit in her lap. “There’s a blade in there, right size, sharp.”
She unrolled it, marveling at how there could still be things about him she didn’t really know. Somewhere in his memories was information about these tools, but she didn’t delve into those too much anymore. She’d learned that lesson the hard way. Even if those memories lived in her own head now too.
She knew instantly which blade he wanted and pulled it out. “Necks?”
He nodded. She made a face, but rolled up the rest of the tool kit and set it at her feet. “So, we have a plan?”
Sam exhaled and looked at her. “We get to your father first, kill the…babies. That should bring the mother to us.”
“How do we keep her from killing us before we exorcise her?”
“I don’t know if we’ll have time for the easiest solution, which would be a devil’s trap. We may have to go with the inelegant and knock her out, tie her down.”
Dana nodded, then looked at him. “That spell of yours is due to wear off. You going to be good for this?”
“You worry about you, Dana, let me worry about me.”
“Normally, Uncle Sam, I’d be fine with that. But…this is Dad’s life. And yours. And mine, and Papa’s. I need to know.”
Sam smiled at her, one big hand reaching over to slide over her head and pull her close enough that he could kiss her forehead. “Your father is going to be so proud of you, Dana. I touched up the spell while you were out. I’ll be fine.”
She nodded and looked away. “When we get home, I’m so telling Dad about that.”
Part Four
Title: Captivus, Part III (Other Keeper!Verse stories can be found Here
Pairing/Characters: Sam/Dean, Dana, John
Rating: Overall PG-13 (with a touch of R in places)
Word Count: 17, 972 (total)
Summary: For
shotofjack, who bought me in the Sweet Charity auction. She asked for Keeper Verse and a look at Dana actually growing up and working with Sam to rescue Dean. So, this is Dana at 16, half way to seventeen. A dream offers the Winchesters two hunts at once, though with John suffering with a broken arm, and Sam hurting from a life time of physical abuse, it's time for Dana to step up to the plate. When Dean's hunt goes terribly wrong, it's up to Dana and Sam to figure out why and rescue him, before it's too late.A/Ns & Warnings: Unfortunately there is no sex here, though there is some nakedness. There is also a fair amount of schloomp and not a small amount of angst. This story is complete and will be posted in sections because LJ won't let me post it as one.
The landscape of the dream told her it wasn’t just a dream. There was a quality to the ones that were prophetic, the ones that were glimpses into other places and people…the ones that led them on hunts.
Dana recognized it immediately. She was on her bed in the motel, only not. She shifted her consciousness and sat up. The motel melted away as she stood, and she stepped forward with a confidence she didn’t quite believe. The town’s main street stretched out in front of her then faded. The high school loomed large over her.
She stepped toward it. She got to the steps and hesitated. This wasn’t right. This wasn’t some ridiculous television show, and demons don’t lay their eggs in high schools. There’s no security, no way to protect them. Too many people. She turned, and there he was.
“You’re good, Dana.”
Dana crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “How do you know my name?”
He smiled. “The hunter…you taught him, but he’s not gifted. Not like you and me.”
She tried not to let her fear show. “You should know that if you hurt him, I will hurt you.”
“No, you won’t. You’re not like that. Even now you’re wondering how I can be saved.”
It was Dana’s turn to smile. “No, that’s Sam. He thinks like that. I just think that you’re an evil bastard who needs to be put down.”
She pushed him with a gesture and he took a step back. “Tell me where he is, and I’ll go easy on you.”
“Right. You expect me to believe that?”
Dana shrugged. “Believe what you want. You’re obviously an idiot, letting demons manipulate your gifts. You could be so much more.”
This time he pushed her, and she held her ground, though it was a struggle. “This is my dream, Paul. That gives me control.”
“So, you know my name too? Impressive.” He closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, he was smirking. “It maybe your dream, Dana, but that doesn’t make me powerless. I’ll be seeing you, huh?”
He faded and Dana sighed, willing herself out of the dream, but hands closed around her ankles and wrists, dragging her to the ground. Ropes closed over her, wrapping around her until she was bound in a harness much like the one she’d seen her father in.
The panic was overwhelming, and she could feel the blood draining.
“Dana!” It was her father’s voice.
“Wake up Dana.” That was her Papa. She struggled against the bindings, fought the dream. It took a long time, but she pulled a hand free and forced herself from the dream.
When she opened her eyes, Papa was sitting on the bed next to her. “Sam?” She sat up, clinging to her Papa, as her eyes sought out Sam’s. He was sitting on the other bed, his hand covered in blood. “What happened?”
Sam shook his head. “Nosebleed, I’m fine. You okay?”
She nodded. “He was in my dream. Taunting me, the fucking bastard.”
“Dana, language.”
“Sorry Papa. I’m angry.”
“I realize that.”
“He’s got Dad and he’s taunting me.” She threw the blankets off and stood up. “He’s a cocky kid though. I learned a lot.” She moved to Sam’s side, turning his head so that she could look at his nose. It was obvious it had been bleeding, though it had stopped. “Is this because of me? Or because of that?” She pointed at the leather band on his wrist.
He looked at her and shook his head. “Maybe both. I’m fine, Dana.”
She nodded and stepped back. “Get cleaned up. I’m going to finish the research I was doing last night. Papa, would you go get coffee, and breakfast?”
Dana could feel Sam behind her, checking her and nodding to Papa before he stood and headed for the bathroom. She didn’t look up as she settled onto the bed with her laptop, content in knowing they would do what she said, because it was the right thing…because she’d stepped up to the plate. Sam was right. This was the real thing, not training, not a game.
It was time to take the fight up a notch.
Dean groaned as the lights came on. As much as he hated the feeling of the drugs they’d hit him with when they caught him, he’d relish a little right now…something to take away the feeling of tiny mouths biting into his flesh. He’d lost a lot of blood at this point. He had no idea how long he’d hung there. Hours. Days.
“Morning.” Paul came toward him, his “meal” in his hands. “Well, it’s closer to noon. I came earlier, but you weren’t all together here.” He came close, watching the demon spawn as they rolled around within their nest. “Hungry? You better eat. You’re not looking too good.”
“Yeah, fuck you too.” Dean grunted, turning his head and flexing his fingers.
Paul just smiled at him. “I spoke with Dana earlier. She’s quiet remarkable.”
Dean stiffened and squinted at the kid. “Oh, don’t worry. It was in her dream. They’re here, looking for you. She’s good…might make this an interesting race.” He held the cup and straw up and Dean forced himself to take the straw in his mouth and suck. The kid hadn’t been kidding when he said the damn shakes tasted like shit.
“What do you think? Can Dana find you before there isn’t enough of you left to save? Can she beat me and Angie and Donnie?”
Dean ignored him and drank the damn protein shake. He had to keep his strength up, had to stay strong. Find a way free.
“She’s your daughter, isn’t she?” Paul asked and that got Dean’s attention. “I thought so.” He could obviously tell by Dean’s reaction that he was right. “That explains a lot. So then, who is Sam?”
Dean’s thoughts moved sluggishly, and he didn’t get the important bits pulled behind the wall fast enough. “Oh? Really?” Paul pulled the cup away. “Which is it? Brother….or…Lover? Or is it both? Are you that sick? Here I thought you were one of the good guys. Never would have pegged you as gay though.”
“Fuck you.” Dean said again.
Paul chuckled. “Yeah, you probably would. I’m way more interested in your daughter though. She’s pretty. Maybe when we catch her, Donnie will let me play with her while we wait for the eggs to hatch.”
“You lay one finger on her—“
Paul leaned in close. “It wasn’t exactly my finger I was thinking about laying on her,” he whispered. “I’ll be back in about an hour. Let you digest a little before we feed the little guys.”
“So, here’s what I know.”
Sam crossed his arms and watched Dana as she closed the laptop. “Donald Marks has lived here in town his whole life. He was raised on the ranch outside of town. He met and married Angela ten years ago on a vacation to Florida. Surprised everyone. They adopted Paul 4 years ago, when he was ten.”
Dana had been in full on research mode while Sam and his father attempted to get into Dean’s room and searched the Impala’s trunk space and other hidden hiding places. She had a page of notes on the family, and another on their two types of demons and signs to tell them apart.
“There isn’t much on Paul. He’s a good student, but not straight As. He keeps to himself, and is almost non-existent in the yearbook.”
“Yearbook?”
Dana shrugged. “I hacked into the high school’s system. They haven’t dumped the proofs yet.”
“When did you get so good with computers?” John asked.
She smiled a little sheepishly and blushed. “I’m not…really. But…it’s amazing how much you can get done over an internet connection with certain gifts.”
Sam smirked and shook his head. He’d half expected it, with the way she’d been concentrating when they came back in. She’d impressed him so far, and he was willing to let her continue to take the lead. “So, what’s our plan?”
Dana took a deep breath and looked at him. “As I see it, we need to find Dad. But we also need to figure out what’s possessing Donald and Angelina Marks. And, we’ll need to deal with Paul. My thinking is, Papa does the physical searching, I’ve got a list of places. Uncle Sam, I’ll give you everything I’ve got about the demons, and you figure out how we send their sorry asses back to hell. I’ll deal with Paul.”
“How do you plan to do that?” Sam asked, watching as she stood.
“I plan to start by calling him out.” She stood and rubbed her hands over her arms. “I need you to spot me and kinda damp down the…damage.”
Sam stood and followed her to the door. “Where are we going?”
“To break into Dad’s room.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?”
Dana stopped and looked up at him, and for the first time he realized she was nearly as tall as Dean, that she was nearly a woman. “No, I’m not sure. But it’s what I think I should do. The compendium is in there. And, Dad’s gonna want some clothes when we find him.” She started for room 24 again. “And, I want that little boy to realize I’m not playing around.”
Sam smirked at her back and waved at his father standing in the door of their room watching. By the time he’d caught up to her, her hands were already on the door and he could feel her starting to make out the edges of the lock. “Hang on,” he murmured, laying down a dampening field around them. He knew from their earlier experience that it was going to sting when she broke through…and the echo would set even the most ungifted people on edge.
He felt the physical lock give first, an easy task for Dana even four years before. Then she set to the psychic one. It took her a minute to find her way in, but it snapped nearly in two as soon as she found it.
The reverberation slammed into him and she caught him with one hand fisted in his shirt, even as she opened the door. “Damn.” Sam rubbed at a temple and let go of the protection he’d laid down.
“Sorry. There was no gentle. The kid is strong, but not subtle.”
“He probably wanted to make sure he’d know you were here.”
“Well, now he knows.” Dana’s eyes swept the room. Nothing looked like it had been touched. “God, he’s an idiot. He didn’t even look through Dad’s things. He hasn’t been in this room.”
“He’s not an idiot, Dana, he’s fourteen.”
“I wasn’t that dumb at fourteen.” Dana countered, moving to her father’s duffle bag. The compendium was there, in the bottom of his bag. Dana took it to the bed and dumped it, pushing aside bits of clothing to get the book. “Dude.” Dana held up a pair of boxers, old and grey and filled with holes. “What’s with the holey underwear?”
Sam chuckled. “He takes them everywhere. Says they’re lucky…or something. He’s had them forever.”
Dana shook her head. “Maybe he should have been wearing them.” She tossed them aside and held up the book. As Sam took it she shivered.
“You okay?”
She wiped her hands on her jeans. “Yeah…that book…it feels…icky.”
Sam held it and looked at it. He frowned. “I suppose it does. I’ve gotten used to it. I forget.”
Dana shook her head and pulled the clothes back into something resembling a pile that Dean would have been proud of. Neither one of them was ever much interested in actually folding anything. She was shoving them back into the duffle bag, when she suddenly straightened and he felt her attention snap. “Oh, that was fast.” She chuckled. “Apparently I’ve made him angry.”
She slung the duffle over her shoulder. “We should get back to our room. Get you and Papa started.”
John was waiting for them, a local map laid out on the bed. Sam settled in with Dana’s notes and the compendium, while she marked out two areas on the map with a red marker from her backpack. “This is the ranch. From what I can tell from public records there’s a main house here, about a half mile in from the road. There’s a horse barn here, about a half mile in from the house and north. The cattle are to the south. It used to be a dairy operation, so there’s a milking barn at the back.”
“Used to be?”
She nodded. “Donald’s father decided there was more money in meat, so he made the switch. They still do some milking, but not commercially. I figure the big milking shed is probably a good place to look.”
“That’s a lot of acres.” John’s finger traced the outline of the property.
She sighed. “If it’s the nesting kind of demon they need someplace warm to lay the eggs. Someplace without a lot of noise and with controlled lighting. The little demons need ample darkness. That implies indoors.”
“So what’s this?” He pointed to the second space.
“The woods. From what I could tell there are some old, abandoned buildings out there. The property used to belong to the Marks family, but Donald’s father sold it off. When I saw Dad…when he got caught, it was in the woods.”
John nodded, then gathered up the map. “Okay. I’m on recon. I’ll be in touch.”
Dana stopped him with a hand on his cast. “Look, but don’t try anything stupid, okay? Call us.”
He nodded and hugged her, then waved at Sam and headed out.
Dana turned to Sam. “You ready for me?”
Sam nodded and patted the bed beside him. “How much of what you gave him was from the internet?”
“Most of it. I got a pretty good reading on Paul when he was in my dream…and I scanned some memories of the family from some folks who were…available.” She looked like she was waiting for him to scold her.
“Okay, so give me what you’ve got, and I’ll get us some action points.”
He dropped the wall completely and waited, watching while she sorted through what she wanted him to see and what she apparently didn’t, then she dropped her side of the wall and slid into his mind.
It only took a moment to transfer the images and information, but she lingered a little longer, offering him a small amount of comfort while she could, then she withdrew slowly. He waited until he felt her begin to block him, then took a deep breath, triggering the rise of the wall from his side.
“Now what?”
“I’ll be heading out to the high school.”
“The high school?” Sam crossed his arms.
“That’s where he came to me in my dream. So I figure it’s a good enough place to start.”
She reached for her cell phone and shoved it in a back pocket.
“You be careful.”
She smiled at him. “I will. I’ll be back in an hour.”
Dana didn’t feel nearly as confident as she was playing for her uncle and her Papa. The truth was she was terrified for her father. Her last glimpse of him wasn’t good. He’d lost a lot of blood. Soon the damn things wouldn’t be content with blood, and she didn’t know how long it would take for him to die.
She forced that thought out of her head and kept her eyes open as she moved quickly through town. She knew she could be walking into a trap, but she also knew that Paul was a cocky SOB who would try to take her on his own to earn the praise of his demonic parents.
They probably weren’t even aware he was missing yet. That would be the advantage she’d need. That and her ability to be cold, to act as though she didn’t care that he was just a kid…misguided and probably abused into thinking this was the right thing to do, that this life was what his gifts predisposed him to…but the truth was, she’d seen him…seen through him.
So, it was just a glimpse, and it was more a memory of something he’d said to her father, but it was something. Something she could use.
He was already there, sitting on the steps of the school. It was close to one in the afternoon and there were a few students milling about. Dana knew exactly how many, and she could tell that the demons weren’t there.
She stopped still a good ways away, watching him. He turned toward her and a smile came over his face before he stood and started coming toward her. “You’re even prettier in person.”
Dana raised an eyebrow and looked at him. “All this build up, and that’s you’re opening line?”
Paul shrugged, brushing blond hair out of his eyes. “What is it with you kids raised by demons, don’t the ever cut your hair?” Dana asked and he looked puzzled for a moment before brushing past it.
“I didn’t think you’d actually come.” Paul said. “I was about to give up.”
She smiled. “I’m here. Now what?”
“I thought I’d take you to your father.”
“Just like that?”
“Well, that way you get what you want, and so do I.”
She chuckled. “I’m not that naïve, Paul. I was raised by hunters. I’ve been dealing with demons and the supernatural since I was a baby.”
“Yeah, I’m trying to figure that out. If your father is gay, where did you come from?”
Dana licked her lips and cracked her neck, forcing herself to turn away from the bait. She could see genuine curiosity in his eyes and the thoughts telegraphing from him were of a hunter…someone he…”Your father’s a hunter too.”
He looked surprised. “He was. He’s dead.”
“No. He isn’t.” Dana could feel it. “He’s alive. Thinks you’re dead.”
“Stop it. I’m not listening.”
“Demons aren’t real well known for telling the truth. It shouldn’t be too surprising that they lied to you.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” He took a few steps toward her, fists clenched.
She shrugged. “It’s your head, I’m just reading what you know, but won’t admit to.”
“Who is Sam?” Paul asked, trying to regain control of the conversation.
“I thought you were powerful. Why don’t you tell me?”
“Is he the one that pushed me away yesterday?”
“Maybe.” Dana crossed her arms.
“He’s your uncle. Figured you got your gifts from your mother’s side, since your father is so normal.” The boy was starting to get nervous. He was sweating. His eyes were dark and he didn’t like the fact that she had a good 8 inches on him.
She hadn’t planned on her advantage being physical. “Where’s my father?” She pushed at him mentally and he flinched, but held.
“Nice try. I’m not telling you.”
“That’s okay. I’m sure we’ll find him soon. And when we do, rest assured we’ll send the demons back to hell. What you do after that is up to you.”
“You can’t—“
Dana smiled. “Can. Will. In fact, Sam is probably already there, performing the exorcism.”
“You’re lying.” He squinted up at her. “But you’re trying to keep me here.”
“Am I?” Dana stepped aside, gesturing. “Go. I’m not keeping you.”
“Right, so you can follow me? I don’t think so.”
“Okay, Paul. I’ll go first. You already know where I am. Why isn’t you haven’t told your parents?”
He moved from nervous to angry, just like that. She felt him coming, physically and mentally and slammed up a wall. He hit it full force and she staggered backward a little under the assault. “Come on Paul, people are going to see you. Do you really want that?”
He growled in wordless rage and came at her again. That’s it, come on.
His next attempt was harder, but to get the power, he had to let go of some of his self protection. She let him in, rolling to the ground underneath him and reaching into him for what she wanted. He yelled as he realized what she had done and landed a punch to her cheek before someone was pulling him up and away. She looked up, holding a hand to her cheek. A man in his fifties held Paul by the scruff of the neck.
“Mr. Marks, you should know better than to fight on school property.”
Dana picked herself up of the ground. “Thank you. I don’t know what his problem is. We were just talking.” Stop now, Dana, she thought. Less is more when dealing with teachers.
“I don’t know you.”
She shook her head. “No sir. My name’s Dana. I’m in town visiting my uncle.”
The teacher nodded. “Inside, Mr. Marks. I’ll be calling your father.”
Paul’s eyes went wide with fear and Dana felt him working hard to marshal it. “I suggest you head back to your uncle, young lady.”
“Yes sir, that’s a good idea.” Dana turned and walked away, barely containing her desire to run. I know where they are. We have to move now. While Paul and his father are occupied. she sent through to Sam as she rounded the corner and put the school behind her. As soon as she knew she was out of sight, Dana took off at a dead run, pulling her cell phone out and pressing the button for her Papa’s number.
“Papa, I know where he is. Sam and I are heading there now.” She looked both ways quickly and raced across the street and into the parking lot of the hotel. “No, I was right. There’s a back room in the milking shed. It’s small, easy to keep warm. Meet us a mile south of the main gate.”
Sam was on his feet, moving toward her as she burst in. “Papa’s going to meet us. I’ve got Paul occupied at the school. His father’s on his way.”
Sam turned her face to look at the reddening cheek bone. “What happened?”
She grinned and batted his hands away. “He got angry. Lost control. I took what I needed, and got him busted for fighting on the school grounds.”
“That’s not going to keep them long, Dana, especially not once that demon learns who he was fighting with.”
“I know, thus the hurry. We need to go.”
“Okay. Here.” He handed her a notebook with Latin scribbled out on two pages. “Exorcism. They’re Genrrol demons. Nasty fuckers. But not known for being super intelligent. I don’t know how they got free of their overlord, but there’s a first time for everything.”
He ushered her to the door and into his car. “The babies are easy enough to kill.” He tossed his rolled up tool kit in her lap. “There’s a blade in there, right size, sharp.”
She unrolled it, marveling at how there could still be things about him she didn’t really know. Somewhere in his memories was information about these tools, but she didn’t delve into those too much anymore. She’d learned that lesson the hard way. Even if those memories lived in her own head now too.
She knew instantly which blade he wanted and pulled it out. “Necks?”
He nodded. She made a face, but rolled up the rest of the tool kit and set it at her feet. “So, we have a plan?”
Sam exhaled and looked at her. “We get to your father first, kill the…babies. That should bring the mother to us.”
“How do we keep her from killing us before we exorcise her?”
“I don’t know if we’ll have time for the easiest solution, which would be a devil’s trap. We may have to go with the inelegant and knock her out, tie her down.”
Dana nodded, then looked at him. “That spell of yours is due to wear off. You going to be good for this?”
“You worry about you, Dana, let me worry about me.”
“Normally, Uncle Sam, I’d be fine with that. But…this is Dad’s life. And yours. And mine, and Papa’s. I need to know.”
Sam smiled at her, one big hand reaching over to slide over her head and pull her close enough that he could kiss her forehead. “Your father is going to be so proud of you, Dana. I touched up the spell while you were out. I’ll be fine.”
She nodded and looked away. “When we get home, I’m so telling Dad about that.”
Part Four