Three Days Later – The Bunker

The sound of paper flipping echoed off the bunker walls.

Books, scrolls, and ancient tomes were stacked high on the library table—sprawled between open laptops and half-drunk mugs of tea. A trail of chocolate wrappers led toward the far wall, where Maya sat cross-legged on the floor, eyes locked on the page of a faded leather-bound journal.

“I swear, if I read the phrase ‘celestial convergence’ one more time, I’m going to scream,” she muttered.

From the other side of the room, Jack glanced up with a soft smile. “You said that two hours ago.”

“And then again an hour ago. Which means it’s getting worse.”

He chuckled, flipping through a crumbling Latin manuscript. “You’re doing great.”

“You’re doing great,” she mimicked under her breath.

“I heard that.”

She rolled her eyes, but the smirk gave her away.

Truth was, she needed the humor. Because nothing about the past three days had made sense. Her memories were scrambled—flashes of light, feelings that didn’t belong to her, visions she couldn’t explain.

And her powers?

Still unpredictable. She hadn’t vanished again, thank god. But light still flickered at her fingertips sometimes, especially when she was upset. Once, her tea turned into rain. Indoors.

Jack said it was beautiful.

Maya said it was a pain in the ass.

She sighed and looked up. “Any luck?”

Jack leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. “Maybe.”

That got her attention.

He turned the book toward her. “There’s a mention here. The Radiant Soul. A myth about a mortal touched by divine force—resurrected through cosmic love. A being not angel, not god… but something in between. A counterbalance. Born of emotion.”

Maya’s throat tightened. “You think that’s me?”

Jack met her gaze. “I know it’s you.”

Before she could reply, the heavy bunker door groaned open.

“Hope you nerds found something, ‘cause I brought burgers and zero patience,” Dean’s voice boomed through the room.

He stopped in the doorway when he saw her.

Jack stood quickly. “Dean—”

But the hunter held up a hand.

He was staring at Maya like she was glowing again. Maybe she was. She didn’t know anymore.

“Whoa,” Dean said slowly. “That’s… definitely a new look.”

Maya blinked. “Same girl. Less blood.”

Dean nodded. “Yeah. Still terrifying. Welcome back.”

She smiled. “Thanks. Also, nice shirt.”

He glanced down. “It’s a band tee.”

“It’s inside out.”

Dean squinted. “Dammit.”

Jack looked like he might cry from relief.

Castiel appeared behind Dean, quiet as always. “We felt something last night. A ripple. Smaller than the resurrection burst… but growing.”

Jack frowned. “What kind of ripple?”

“Old,” Cas said. “Layered in something familiar.”

Maya stood up, brushing dust off her jeans. “So… something’s coming.”

Dean looked between them. “Okay, time out. Someone catch me up. Because last I heard, Jack melted half the planet screaming your name, and now you’re all glowing and prophetic.”

Maya crossed her arms. “That’s a pretty accurate summary, actually.”

Jack bit his lip. “We think Maya’s… evolving. Into something not quite human. Not quite angel. A kind of… living counterbalance to me.”

Dean raised an eyebrow. “Like a divine failsafe?”

“She balances his chaos,” Castiel said quietly.

Maya exhaled. “Well, no pressure.”

Dean studied her for a long moment. “You okay?”

She hesitated.

Jack reached out, brushing his hand against hers. His warmth steadied her.

“I don’t know,” she said honestly. “But I want to be.”

Dean nodded once, then tossed a bag of food onto the table. “Then you’re not doing it alone.”

Maya smiled faintly. “Thanks.”

He turned to Jack. “Also, if you ever go full apocalypse mode again, you’re grounded.”

Jack grinned. “Fair.”

---

That Night – Hallway Outside the Bunker Library

Maya stood alone in the dark corridor, one hand pressed to the cool stone wall.

She could hear the soft hum of Jack’s voice somewhere nearby, talking with Cas. Something about frequencies. Waves. Possible cosmic interference.

But she was still.

Because something had changed again.

A chill ran down her spine.

Not from fear.

From recognition.

Someone—or something—was watching.

“Jack,” she called out.

He was beside her in an instant, hand already reaching for hers. “What’s wrong?”

Her eyes glowed faintly, just for a second. “It’s here.”

Castiel appeared beside them. “You feel it too?”

“I feel her,” Maya whispered.

Jack’s voice dropped. “Her?”

Castiel’s eyes darkened. “Lilith.”

Jack froze. “That’s impossible.”

“No,” Castiel said. “It’s not. You broke something when you brought Maya back. Something old. Something sealed.”

Maya’s pulse thudded.

“I think I remember her,” she whispered. “Not from books. Not from stories. From… the other side.”

Jack’s jaw clenched. “Then we find her.”

Castiel looked grim. “And if she finds Maya first?”

Maya raised her chin. “Then she’ll wish she hadn’t.”