7. Operation: Leave the Bunker

It's way too quiet, way too dark. Call it what you want: suspicion, paranoia, or just good ole Winchester intuition. The air doesn't feel right. We're way too safe.

We might've fallen into a trap, as we're both trudging along in the dark woods. All we have are our flashlights and our phones. In the far distance, running water can be heard.

"You'd think after all we've seen and gone through, we'd be smarter than this," I tell Sam as my light roams on the dark ground. "I mean, our lives are one endless horror movie."

"That's one way to put it," he mutters.

"You know, ever since I joined the bandwagon, I think Dean's gotten himself into more trouble than you have."

"It used to be the other way around."

"Oh, I believe it." I cringe at a hooting owl. "I know this'll be the dumbest question on the planet, but, do you miss it, Sam?"

"Miss what?"

"Normalcy."

"Not as much as I used to. You?"

I smile grimly. "Not as much as I used to. If we're on the same page, I think we've both come to accept that our 'normal' isn't everyone else's definition."

"Why do you ask?"

I shrug. "I'm not all for silence in the woods. It just sets us up for something bad to happen."

"As if talking out in the open doesn't?"

I wrinkle my nose. A new scent makes me stop. I can't place a name to it, I've rarely smelled such a scent.

Sam notices I've stopped. "What is it?"

"You don't smell that?" I ask, looking around.

I hear Sam take a few sniffs of his own. "I don't think we're alone."

"Are we ever? Wait." I see a growing light coming for us.

I almost think it's a comet heading our way—it's possible for us Winchesters. But the bright light is spreading, rapidly I might add, widening its length. It isn't until it swallows up trees that I realize what's coming our way.

Fire. A forest fire is starting.

It's coming for us.

I feel the panic ice me inside. It's the one thing I've hated most in the world. Now it's coming for me.

I drop the flashlight into the grass, my mouth drops along with it.

"Run, Jo!" Sam barks at me.

I can't; I'm stuck with fear. The fire is glowing, it's bellowing a challenge, daring me to run from it. I feel my body begin to tremble.

I can slay any creatures supernatural and not be afraid to look the most disgusting or grotesque-looking beast in the eye. But this—this natural disaster that is produced by Mother Nature—is what has me stuck in fear.

Something tells me that Mother Nature didn't conjure up this fire.

The fire tongues are galloping to me now. I can feel the heat, like it's starting to burn me from inside.

"Jo!"

I'm spun around thanks to Sam, who's got an iron grip on my arm as he pulls me away. The fire notices we're fleeing, it's suddenly flying after us at double its speed. Yeah, this fire is definitely not Mother Nature's doing.

The roar drowns out our feet, our heartbeats. I can see it trying to surpass us on each side. Whoever is behind this blaze is trying to corral us. I'm not sure if I'll be stable enough to take them on. They've already gotten me shaken by the fire.

My foot catches on something, and I go down, not taking Sam with me. He stops to run back for me, but I wave him on. He hesitates and waits as I get to my feet, stumbling after him. I can feel the heat lick at my heels. I start hacking between the running and the smoke trying to suffocate me.

My vision is swimming, Sam is starting to look a bit fuzzy. I can't focus, I want to faint. I fall to my knees, coughing. I hear Sam's muffled calling of my name as I hang my head.

Bright flames circle me. Dazedly, I pick my head up to see Sam nowhere in sight.

"Sam?" I cry hoarsely, feeling the panic start to fight for control of me. "Sammy?"

"Jo!" I barely hear him over the fire.

I put my hand over my mouth and try to see past the flames for my little brother. I've got a wide ring of fire around me. It's the only thing separating me from Sam. With what consciousness I have left, I get onto shaky feet.

"Sam?" I try again, standing on my tiptoes as though that'll help me find him.

I scream and jump as a fire-eaten tree falls behind me. I focus back to Sam as I hear him cry out. The protective instinct in me rises, and for the briefest moment, I don't feel the fear from the fire. I feel like I'm the most invincible person in the world. Like I'm immortal.

Bravely, I move towards the fire wall. Through the flames, I can see Sam battling someone on the other side. And he doesn't look like he's winning. I cough again. I yell as I see Sam go down hard on the ground. The figure towers over him.

Despite the fatigue, the dizziness, the fear, I run straight for the fire wall. I don't care if I burn, I don't care if I scar. My baby brother is in trouble, and for as far back as I can remember, I've watched over him. When Dean isn't around to protect Sammy, I step in.

I'm all he has right now.

My heart runs in fear as I head for the flames. The heat spikes, I close my eyes and jump through.

I land without scorching my skin. The fire is made to look harmful, but it isn't. I get in a second's breath before I charge for the figure's back and launch onto him. He bellows, immediately trying to throw me off. I try and pull him away from Sam, who looks to be barely awake right now. Grunting, I jerk the figure away.

I'm suddenly tossed over their head, landing on the ground back first. I cough harshly as I try to sit up. A strong hand is on my throat, pulling me off the ground. It isn't until new bursts of fire surround us that I take in his features.

I feel my heart shatter and curse words fly in my head.

I can't get his name to come out of my mouth, he's too busy cutting off my air. As I try to pry his hand off me, I notice his right sleeve is down. The Mark of Cain, clear as day, burns brightly. That has to be behind this sudden attack.

He throws me away, and for the first time, I realize the water is really loud. We're close to a river. He stalks to me, no weapon in hand.

I get to my feet, and that's his cue to start his attack. He gets me hard across my face, almost sending me to the ground. I feel the blood out of my mouth and nose trickle on my skin. I duck and lash out as he tries to beat me senseless. This isn't my first fight.

But this is different. I'm not fighting a stranger, I'm fighting my own brother. But I know he's not himself. He would never go after me like this. He would never attack Sam like he just did, not unless something got a hold of our little brother. And I know for a fact I'm not possessed.

"Dean," I say, spitting out blood onto the grass. The flames cut Sam away from us both. It's just me and my big brother now. "We don't need to do this." I block his strong arm only to be kicked in the gut. I pick my head up only to have myself popped in the mouth.

I reel back as Dean reaches for my arms. He's trying to shove me back to the edge that's behind us. I lock arms with him and put all the strength I can into my effort. I cough again, feel the heat of the horseshoe of fire. From the corner of my eye, I swear I see Sam stir. Come on, Sammy, I could really use the help now.

"Dean," I try again, more desperate this time. "Fight. You've fought for Sammy and me, you've got to fight for yourself now." My feet slide back behind me. "You're the best fighter I know." I spit out more blood.

Nothing I say is reaching him. Though this looks like my brother, I don't see any trace of him in his eyes. You've got to break it, Dean. My arms are starting to shake with fatigue. I take another few steps back until one foot only finds air. I squeak and grip his arms tighter, my eyes are wide in fear.

I see something change in his eyes, and for a second, I feel hopeful.

But then a smirk crawls onto his face, and I know I've failed.

Without warning, I'm let go. My balance is faulty, my weight flings me over the edge. I know Sam is awake, because I hear his outraged, agonizing cry over the flames. I scream until my lungs burst, my eyes are stuck upwards, on the flames, on my brother.

On my killer.

***

I start, realizing I'm snuggled into Cas. I also realize that I'm not in my room anymore. I think this is Sam's room. It looks like his décor, and he might be the only one out of the three of us who has a TV in their room. I blink wearily, seeing the channel stuck on some stupid show.

"What are you watching?" I grumble.

"Oh, you're awake."

"Thanks for noticing." I adjust against Cas. "When did I start sleeping in Sam's room?"

"Since I said I would keep an eye on you. Your room doesn't have TV, so, I figured I'd move you. I didn't think you would mind."

"Not too much, no." I yawn.

"Well, we're gonna get to all the results in just a second," says a high-pitched, annoying female voice. "We're gonna start with, uh..."

I wince at a phone going off.

"Let's get back to our first story."

"Who is it?" I ask, peeking up to try and see the caller ID on the number.

"Dean."

"Oh." I put my head back on Cas's chest. "Where's the remote? I'm not sure I can stand this kind of crap TV."

Cas ignores me and answers the phone. I crane my head up so I can eavesdrop on the conversation. "Hi," he answers.

"Cas," says Dean's deep voice. "How you doing, buddy?"

"Oh, I'm fine."

"We did a DNA test on Louis," says the TV.

"Find anything on Metatron?" asks Dean.

"Um, nothing on angel radio."

"How long's it been since you left the bunker?"

Cas and I exchange looks. "Oh, why would I leave? I've got everything I need right here."

I don't know why, but I feel my face grow with heat. It doesn't help that Cas looks at me as he says that, either.

"Wait. Is that—are you watching 'Jenny Jones'?"

"It's a rerun. She's just about to announce the paternity results."

"You are the father," says Jenny.

Cas rolls his eyes. "Jenny, he is not ready to be a father."

"Okay," says Dean. "I-I-I thought you were going with socially acceptable binge watching. Uh, you know, 'The Wire,' 'Game of Thrones.'"

"Yeah, well, a man can't live on caviar alone, Dean."

"Well, you sound weird, okay? Bad weird. Now, I've been down this road before. I have heard the siren's song from the idiot box, and I'm telling you, whatever you're looking for, you won't find it in there. So do me a favor. Turn off the TV. Go outside and get some air. We're in the dark here, pal. I need you back in the game, okay?"

"Make that two of us," I say when the call ends.

"What do you mean, Josette?"

"Since I've been back, you haven't told me what's gone on. What Sam and Dean are facing right now."

"That's a very long story."

"Well, we're stuck here." I shrug. "But I think I agree with Dean. Air might do you some good. Go stretch your legs some."

"And leave you behind?"

I sigh. "Cas, I'll be alright. I won't go anywhere."

"I'm not worried about you running off..."

"Oh." I clear my throat. "Well, then I'll go with you. Come on, I think it'll do us both some good." I slide off the bed, tugging on Cas's arm like I'm a little kid. "Think of this as helping us better ourselves." Cas looks at me strangely. "Come on, work with me here, Cassie. We'll meet in the war room. I'm not going outside dressed in these." I'm pretty sure a tank top and shorts isn't exactly appropriate wear.

Cas doesn't retreat back into Sam's room with the TV when I go into my room to change. I'm the first into the war room, with Cas coming in a few seconds later. He looks out of place without his trench coat, he's in just a suit currently. He looks more like himself when he grabs his coat and pulls it on. Obediently, I follow behind him up the stairs towards the doors.

I notice he doesn't open the door right away; he hesitates.

"Cas?" I whisper. He jumps when I touch him on the shoulder. He looks at me anxiously. "You okay?"

He clears his throat, ocean eyes looking away. "I'm alright."

Now I'm the anxious one, as Cas takes an awfully slow time just getting the door open. I'm close behind him. I don't understand what's going on. I'm even more confused when he stops randomly in the hall.

"Cas?" But when I put my hand on his shoulder this time, he doesn't flinch. I move around to stand in front of him. I snap my fingers in his face. "Cas?"

He doesn't acknowledge me. It's like something's come over him, and no matter what I do, it won't get him out of it. What if he is under some sort of spell? But how can that be when all he's done is sit in the bunker and watch crap TV?

I jump back as Cas suddenly snaps out of his funk.

"Hey, hey," I say soothingly. He's hyperventilating, eyes all wide in confusion. "Cassie, hey." I grab his face with both hands. "Talk to me. Tell me what's wrong."

"You're...you're not real," he stammers.

"W-what?" He moves my hands off his face and stumbles out the door, back into the bunker. "Cas!" I run after him. He's hunched over the railing, sounding as though he's run a marathon. "Cas, please. Tell me what's wrong. Hey." I grab his chin and force him to look at me. "Focus on me. Look at me. I'm right here." I gingerly rub his stubbly face. "I'm real. I'm not going anywhere." He's not ready. Whatever's happened to him has him spooked.

"I...I'm not ready, Josette," he says.

I sigh through my nose, and he pushes his forehead to mine. "Okay then. We'll take our time. Come on, trench coat off and back to Sam's room."

**[le sigh] Our poor babies, both stuck in rough patches. </3**