CHAPTER 14: The Nightmare Before Christmas: PART 1

...

Washingtonville, New York...

Young laughter trills across the field, amid high-pitched shrieks of juvenile joy. The town's children are running to and fro, reveling in those silly games which passing years and the withering of imaginations beneath life's toils have long since rendered inscrutable to adults. But if the parents who watch from the edge of the field can't comprehend the haphazard, chaotic play, they nevertheless delight in it almost as much as their offspring. What finer sight could there be for a doting mother or loving father than that of their children glorying in the coming Winter Festival, frolicking without a care?

It's a spectacle to touch all but the most cynical and misanthropic heart. Even Eleanor, the town's English teacher- a childless elder whose vocation has forced her to endure everyone else's sons and daughters at their very worst- feels a smile upurse her lips and steal their usual severity. Almost every adult face beams, perhaps dwelling instead on memories of their own childhoods, and the merry games and friends which seemed to make life a marvelous thing.

Of the many minds there present, joyous and morose, sweet and cynical, doting and despondent, one is filled with murder.

A little boy, no more than six; scurries among the onlookers in a poorly cleaned, even more poorly patched blanket ( A blanky that some children his age were known to have) that gives him the aspect of a crimson duck trying to take flight. Tommy, the local sheriff's son, is also touched by the general mood of festive contentment. His lips were pursed outward as he mimics the sound of an airplane flying, his arms held up and using his blanket to make his arms appear like wings. He stops, tugging at a women's sleeve and speaks in a fast, high, almost squealing voice- asking her about a missing ball. When she shakes her head and murmurs a reply, without so much as turning to look at him, he flaps onward and tugs at the next person's sleeve.

Every adult he came by didn't seem to know where his ball was. So he went on, resuming his airplane mimicry across the field.

Tommy stops in his tracks when he spots a man, standing alone at the edge of the woods. He appeared tall, six feet in height, dressed in black; complete with a black leather trench coat. The man was observing everyone on the field, but not in the same merry manner as the rest of the adults. Tommy stared with deep curiosity, for what really caught his attention... was the man's eyes.

" Your eyes look funny, mister." Tommy says boldly.

The man peers to little Tommy, revealing his eyes more clearly; his scleras were black, and the irises a crimson red. " What's your name kid?"

" I can't tell you that, because my Daddy says not to talk to strangers..." He replies innocently.

" You're talking to me right now... that defeats the purpose of what your father told you, doesn't it?"

" Oh..." Tommy says, briefly looking down at his feet, then back up to the strange-eyed man. " I'm Tommy. What's your name?" He then asked, his curiosity clouding the important rule his father had taught him.

The man gave a wide, sinister grin and answered darkly, " Leviathan."

48 Hours Earlier...

The four exchanged glances with Leviathan, who smirked back to each of them. None of them dared to make a move, thinking if they did Leviathan would stop them, or do much worse. Not even Gabriel budged, he knew the creatures inside Castiel wielded considerable power. Leviathan could easily overpower them, snap them like twigs if they saw fit. But that's just their power alone. Though now in possession of Purgatory's souls, who knew how much of his strength had been multiplied.

Leviathan takes a step forward, his evil smile quickly passed into a cold stare of lion-like disdain. His eyes were unclean and full of Hell-fire, instead of the pure, gentle blue orbs Dean knew. As he looked, his eyes blazed with unholy light, and his face became wreathed with a voluptuous smile. Oh God, how it made Dean shudder to see it.

As Leviathan slowly advanced, the four would take a step back.

Suddenly with a single bound Leviathan leaped out of the room, winning a way past the others before any could raise a hand to stay him. There was something so panther-like in the movement- something so unhuman, that it seemed to sober them from the shock of his awakening. They came to notice that they were now cornered in the room with Leviathan standing between them and their only escape.

" I've been gone for so long, and I'm in the mood for a snack." And quicker than they could blink Leviathan snatched Sam by the neck. " Starting with you, Sammy boy."

" Let him go!" Gabriel jumped into action in order to protect the younger Winchester, with a quick movement, he threw himself at Leviathan. As Leviathan saw him, he sneared with detest. It was a pity that Gabriel had not some better organized plan of attack, for even at the moment he wondered what he were to do. He surely realized that an Angel blade would be useless against such an ancient creature like Leviathan. God's first monster.

" Oh?..." The next instant, with a sinuous dive Leviathan swept under Gabriel's arm, before the angel's blow could fall, and, grasping that same arm and trapping it behind his back. " As you wish." He whispered. Leviathan effortlessly throws Sam out the door. The young hunter's back collides to the wall with such force that the plaster crumbled, knocking the air out of Sam's lungs. With his now free hand Leviathan grips the lapel of Gabriel's jacket then catapults him over his head, and slams him down to the floor head first; which left the archangel outcold. Leviathan wasn't done just yet. Without hesitation he backhanded Bobby across the cheek, sending him spinning like a dreidel falling over to its side.

Now it was only him and Dean. Leviathan sloped his head curiously at Dean's current expression. The look of fear, hopelessness, shock, and misery all rolled into one. Dean doesn't flinch as Leviathan steps into his personal space.

" Cas?..." Dean choked, hoping with every fiber in him that his angel was in there somewhere.

" Oh." Leviathan shook his head, making a sad face in the most mocking way. " Dean.. poor little Dean." He plants a hand on each side of Dean's cheeks. " I'm so sorry... Cas is gone. He's... Dead." His expression immediately turns sinister. " It's as I told you before... this was inevitable." He watched with amusement as tears welled up in Dean's eyes. " You know what?... you're not even worth eating. Not with a look like that." After a few taps against his cheek Leviathan turns away. " Goodbye, Dean."

Just as he passes the threshold Leviathan ducks, and a blur of metal and black leather swings overhead. Leviathan grips tightly at the newcomer's wrist. " Ah, Apollyon, how nice of you to join us. I was wondering when you'd show up... You're a little late though." He chuckles. He looks the angel over. " Nice coat... Mind if I take it?" With that he swiftly yanks Apollyon's arm out one sleeve, swung him around then kicked him in the small of his back and he went flying into Gabriel whom just gotten back on his feet. Leviathan slips into the leathered coat, and nodded with approval. " Not bad, the color suits me." Looking over his shoulder, that manical grin still apparent on his face; those burning eyes locked on Dean. " Later..."

Leviathan suddenly dashed down the corridor, and threw himself at the window. Amid the crash and glitter of the falling glass, he tumbled into the parking lot below. Through the sound of shivering glass they could hear the 'thud' of feet as they hit the ground.

When Dean finally snaps out his emotional shock, he ran over and saw Leviathan spring unhurt from the ground. He, rushing up the lot and crossed the street; there he turned and spoke to them:

" I'd stay and play but, unfortunately, I have more matters to attend to... Adios." With a contemptuous sneer, he saunters off in a brisk pace.

Dean rushed to the lobby downstairs, and out the front entrance. But by the time he got outside, there was no sign of Leviathan. Just a few employees standing around the debris where they had witnessed Leviathan land unscathed. Dean soon can hear the sounds of police sirens blaring in the distance, making their way toward the hospital. All the while Dean stared in the direction Leviathan had taken off to.

From behind him, Dean hears shuffling feet approach. " What do we do now?" Sam asked.

" I... I don't know, Sam..."

Now...

A week has passed since the events at the Caffey County Hospital. After the incident the Winchesters, Bobby, Gabriel and Apollyon had left before the cops arrived. They decided it was best to leave, since raising suspicion is definitely what they needed to avoid at this point. From there they went separate ways. Bobby had suggested to hit the books to find any lores on Leviathan so that they know more about what they are dealing with. Gabriel and Apollyon left to seek word from Pravuil on the situation. As for the Winchesters, they're currently settled in a run down motel outside Tulsa Oklahoma.

Sam and Dean had spent the last few days searching for Leviathan. To no avail of course. They've reviewed every paper and news website they could find, but no clues on Leviathan's whereabouts. It seemed that Leviathan was determined to stay off the radar, but for how long, the brothers didn't know. All they did know is that when Leviathan decides to show himself, the body count will start to rise; it was only a matter of time.

It's almost 2 a.m. now, Sam had clocked out a few hours ago. Although, sleeping was a hassle due to Dean staying up typing away on Sam's laptop. Normally Sam would complain about Dean using it because he'd be watching porn or something else that would put a virus on his computer. But this wasn't one of those times. Dean was putting all his time and effort to find out how to save Cas; he's been at it for a few nights, reading every lore he can find on Leviathan until he'd pass out on the keyboard. Although, tonight it didn't look like Dean was gonna sleep; being that he was on his fourth cup of coffee.

Since Sam wasn't gonna get sleep anytime soon with all the click and clacking of the keyboard, Sam got out of bed. Slipping into the tiny eating area and pouring himself a cup of Joe, Sam sits at the table opposite of Dean. His brother did not seem to notice he had gotten up, his attention was completely glued to the screen before him. Instead of breaking Dean's concentration, Sam grabs the set of books laying unattended behind the laptop, and starts scanning through their pages.

Dean is the one who breaks the silence by saying, " I've already looked through those, Sam. Nothing in them tells us squat about helping Cas." He then shut the computer screen, lounging his back against the chair, exhausted and irritated. " Neither does anything on the Web help... there's no news on Leviathan; no deaths, no strange occurrences. Nothing... Son of a bitch might as well be on another planet." Dean hunches forward until his forehead thumped against the table, and he sighed.

Sam sympathetically watched his brother in silence. Between losing Cas ( twice), being in a wild goose chase in search of Crowley, and Leviathan's appearance; Sam couldn't come up with any comforting words that could ease Dean's mind.

Sam stared down at his hands, his fingers fiddling with the pages. The room fell into silence.

Dean spoke some more, " I just want to bring him home... I'm tired of the chasing, the monsters, Angels, Demons... all of it." Sam remained quiet as Dean's head finally rose up, revealing the thin river of tears trickling down his cheeks. A weak smile formed on his face and he continued, " I was gonna take him to Costa Rica as an anniversary gift, I've been saving up money for weeks... I was gonna take off early from work and..." He paused for a moment or two, swallowing the tight knot that formed in his throat, then took a long shaky breath. " we were going to have dinner at The Capital Grille in Philly, it was supposed to be a surprise..."

Sam's gaze slowly drops to the table, taking a moment to think of anything to say that will comfort his brother. But as he opened his mouth to speak he was interrupted by his ringing phone. Both Dean and himself turned their attention to the cell phone sitting alone on the nightstand.

" Who'd be calling at this time?" Dean asked.

Sam rose and retrieved his phone. " It's probably Bobby with some info." He looked at the caller ID, which reads out private caller. It wasn't Bobby. Sam glanced a confused look to Dean. " Must be a telemarketer or something..." He says and ignores the ringing until it finally stopped. He sets down the phone, but as he turns the other way it rings a second time. This time Sam answers it. " Hello?"

" Damn, it's about time you answered." A male voice responds.

Sam's brows knitted together, puzzled, he recognizes that voice. So he asks, " Who is this?"

" It's Travis."

" Detective?... How'd you get my number?"

" Your brother... Listen, is Dean with you right now?"

Sam clicks his fingers to grab his brother's attention away from the laptop. Dean glanced in his direction as Sam gestured the phone and set it on speaker. " You're on speaker, go ahead."

" I'll cut right to it... I've been getting calls from my sister up in Washingtonville about some missing person cases-"

" Sorry but what's this got to do with us?" Dean interrupted, " We're not investigators."

" These calls were from four days ago." Walker continued, " My brother-in-law is the sheriff of that town and I've been trying to get in touch with him, but can't get through." There's a short pause before the Detective resumes, " But... I did get an email last night- a video... I'm sending you the link right now... Trust me, you both are gonna want to see this."

Dean's eyes shot to the computer screen as it chimed. A small notification window popped up that reads ' new message '. Sam approached, leaning over Dean's shoulder and opens the mail. From there it directs them to another window, and the video automatically began to play.

The scenario in the video is taking place in a grocery store, or gas station. The camera was over the cashier's right side, giving a perfect view of the whole store. There are two others aside from the cashier there, two young adult boys, between the ages of eighteen to twenty-two ( by Sam and Dean's guess ). The cashier was busy reading a newspaper, and the two boys are chatting by the slushy machine. Nothing suspicious seems to be happening, so Sam begins to fast forward. His eyes expertly scanned the figures that came and went from the shop. Until, suddenly, a familiar face appeared. Sam quickly rewound the video a few seconds then played it again.

In walked a tall figure, dressed in black. Although the video quality was crappy, Sam knew it was Leviathan just by the leather overcoat. Leviathan sauntered right up to the cashier. He stood there until the cashier finally noticed him and looked up. There's no audio but both are sure the man asked what he wanted, because Leviathan's lips moved in reply. Sam isn't too good at reading lips, but he did make out one word... ' hungry '.

What transpires next surprised them both.

In a sudden blur Leviathan snags the cashier by his vest, dragging him over the counter. There's little struggle in the process, but Leviathan easily overpowered the smaller man and pins him down. Leviathan glanced toward the camera, a sadistic grin spreads across his lips. It was as if he knew the Winchesters would be seeing this. The next moment he opened his mouth wide, and ominous fangs sprouted from his gums. His jaw split open, revealing more, much larger teeth, and a perforated tongue. It was a look of a monster that would haunt your dreams. Sam paused the video, not wishing to witness the cashier's inevitable fate.

Sam looks over to Dean, believing that seeing this would overwhelm his current state. But no. There were no tears, no expression of shock or sorrow. No, he had that look of rage, and his eyes burned with a fiery determination. Dean grabs his brother's phone he had placed beside the laptop. " Detective, you there?"

" Yeah, still here." Travis replied.

" Are you able to meet us outside Washingtonville?... Sam and I can get there by tomorrow."

Meanwhile...

The night air is chilly, a ghostly whisper that strokes Stephen's cheeks and whispers promises in his ear. The air is chilly, but Amanda's hand is warm. It too is a promise, drawing him on with its inviting grasp, both soft and strong in its insistence. His heart hammers. Each fast beat sends thrills through his body. His mind swirls with imaginings of what might come.

Amanda giggles. Stephen freezes, wondering if she somehow sensed the tapestry of exhilarating images behind his eyes, glimpsed them through the inscrutable means of womankind.

" Come on!" She whispers. She steps into the shadows that pool beside one of the farm's little outbuildings, and drags him after her. He stumbles and bumps against her. The clumsiness brings a flush to his cheeks and a fresh musical giggle from her lips. " We're almost there, come on."

Amanda quickens her pace. He does the same. She turns back and smiles. Another wordless, enchanting, exhilarating promise. Amanda stops at the edge of the woods, pausing till Stephen stands beside her. She's not pulling him now. They step across the border at the same moment. When his boot touches the dirt and imprints his sole upon it, a wondrous sense of reality' weight works its way up his leg. This isn't a dream. This was actually going to happen.

They walk through the woods side by side, to nowhere in particular, but Amanda seems to know where she was going. She trails ahead of him again, guiding Stephen along. She gazed at him with a smile. Her face is both dark and bright, fought by legions of shadow and battalions of moonlight. It's the most beautiful thing he's ever seen. They stop and turn to one another.

The kiss was expected. Somehow it still takes him by surprise. Her hands draw his towards hers. Then her lips joined the fray. Soft warmth flows across his face. There's an instant of awkwardness. His tongue wriggles like a confused serpent, unsure of where it should be or whether it should recede into the innermost depths of his throat. But his flesh knows what to do, even if his intoxicated mind does not.

Amanda lightly pushes Stephen against a tree, their lips still locked. Amanda's lips leave his. Her head backs away and he can see the black brightness of her eyes, two stars that dominate all the others. There's passion in their depths, like a warm and powerful ocean. Amanda angles her head to one side, seductively, her hair falls in dark golden waves. Her lips are near his again. Her hands, gentle but determined, are on his belt.

A loud snap tears through the night.

The girl's head moves away from his again, and turns towards the noise. " What was that?" she says. " Do you think someone's out there?"

" Probably a deer or something." Stephen groans. Within his mind, infinite delights recede into the abyss. " It's nothing, baby."

There's a sound of movement in the dark- closer than before.

Amanda's weight leaves his. The parting is so unwished for that Stephen has to stop himself from grabbing her, holding her, pulling her toward him. She's gone a moment later, sauntering into the dark with long, easy paces. Stephen lies his head back against the tree and looks up at the stars. They twinkle like Amanda's eyes, a dozen promises.

Amanda emerges from the darkness, a shadow-bright smile across her lips. " It was just some raccoon."

Stephen watches her approach. His body trembled with anticipation. Somehow seeing her draw nearer, knowing each seductive step brings closer to existence, thrills him even more than her kiss did. This night is theirs.

" Stephen!" she says. She stops and gives a start. She begins to turn.

Stephen's brows narrow, and he listened closely. He hears them too. Footsteps. Out in the darkness he spots a shadowy silhouette stride across the woods. Someone is out there after all. Whoever it was is approaching them, and fast. Who-

The breath catches in his throat. Amanda screams. Burning red eyes looms through the night.

Stephen doesn't quite remember when he started running. Rust-colored trees flash by Stephen on either side, his boots thud against the ground. The stars screamed overhead. Amanda's face flashes in his whirling, shrieking, blinding thoughts. Stephen runs. He'll never stop running. Never. Because when he stops that thing will have him. When he stops, he'll die.

He runs out from between the trees. A blaring horn sounds and tires screeched to a sudden stop. A car narrowly misses running over Stephen. He screams and falls in the road, unstruck but startled.

" What in the blue blazes is wrong with you, boy?! you trying to get yourself killed?!" A man's voice shouts as the driver exited the vehicle, and crouched beside Stephen.

His head snaps round towards the driver, revealing his pale face. Wide, wild eyes bulge at him. Shed tears glimmer in the moonlight. He thrashed at the driver, as though to fend him off. But his arms are feeble, drained of every ounce of strength.

A quick glance reveals no injury. But there's a darker patch at his crotch, and down one of his legs. Along with an unpleasant stink. Whatever he's seen or done, it terrified him.

" What happened?" the driver asks.

" The Devil!" the words bursts out of his mouth like a high-pitched whine. " The Devil! killed her! He killed her!" One of his arms thrashes again. This time it flails towards the path he emerged from. " The Devil!" he repeats. Then his eyes roll back in his skull and he slumps. The driver catches his head before it can bash against the road.

" What's he on about, Henry?" the driver's wife pokes her head out the passenger window, having overheard the whole commotion.

" Not a clue... He's in shock. We'll take him to the doctor's, I'll call the sheriff from there."

Twenty hours later...

Sam and Dean arrive at a motel about a mile outside of Washingtonville. The Impala pulls into the parking lot, the headlights beaming against the buildings side. Detective Walker comes into view, sitting on the hood of his car, a lit cigarette hanging from his mouth. He quickly gestures them to wait and jogs up to the driver side window.

" Don't bother getting out. Follow me, the Sheriff's waiting for us." Is all he says before getting into his car and pulls out the lot. Dean follows behind as they head the opposite direction of Washingtonville.

After about a quarter mile out the Detective's car takes a sharp right turn down a dirt road. Soon after, Walker's car slows to a halt, so Dean does the same. The brothers continue to follow Travis' lead, leaving their vehicles behind and entered the forest. Up ahead they can see lights, and people moving around. As they made their way in that direction Walker explains the situation to the Winchesters.

" Just the other night a man by the name of Henry Wildes showed up at my in-law's office. He said something about some boy that jumped out onto the road, he's okay but he kept going on saying the Devil killed his girlfriend. Jack went to check things out, he thought it was just a teenager's prank... until he found the girl's body. Well, at least what was left of her."

The three of them are standing over the crime scene, now bathed in bright light emitting from towable light towers surrounding the area. The girl's mangled body had been taken away, to be further inspected at the town morgue. But there are still splashes of blood across the dirt, marrying the dead leaves with redness and reminding all who look upon them of the horror that took place.

Several groups of onlookers are clustered behind the caution tape, talking in low voices. Many glances are cast in their direction. Some are merely curious. A few others are awestruck at seeing Amanda's remains first hand.

" So, these two are the ones you've been talking about?" A deep voice says. " Seem a bit young to me."

" Good to see you, Jack." Travis greets his brother-in-law with a smile. He then introduced him to the Winchesters.

"I take it that you've seen the video I e-mailed Travis."

" Yeah." Dean replied.

" That incident happened four days ago, at the gas station right in town. I confiscated the tape, didn't want this getting out, it'll cause nothing but panic... That's something I don't want. But now with this, and the missing cases... I'm up to my neck with families demanding answers." Jack buried his hands in his pocket. " I really hope you can help us."

" We'll do everything we can, Sheriff," Sam says. " But about not going public about this... We might want to discuss this in a more private location. Too many people." Sam gestured his head toward the onlookers who's eyes were trained on them.

The Sheriff nods in agreement, " We'll talk at my office." He turns the other way and began walking to his car.

The Winchesters and Travis did the same, heading the opposite direction to their vehicles. The brothers once again followed behind the Detective's Charger.

...

" Folks don't know what to make of it," Jack says. " That Stephen boy's been ranting on about the Devil murdering his girlfriend."

The Sheriff throws his hands up in the air. Then he slumps in his chair, as though the action's stolen all of his wind and left him deflated. The Winchesters sympathize. The man's probably used to dealing with rowdy drunks and teenage troublemakers... Not the savage murder of a young woman. Let alone a murder under these circumstances.

" So... You two care to tell me what that thing was on the video? Because what I saw ain't human, and is waltzing around my town... I got fifteen missing people, all of which have occurred the last forty-eight hours since he's showed up... So please, I'm all ears."

Dean leaned forward in his seat, his forearms rest on his thighs as his head drops and huffed out a sigh, " Does anybody else know about this?... Aside from us." He asked.

" Just my Deputy Sheriff," Jack answered. He peers between the brothers, then asked. " Is he really the Devil?"

" No. Far from it... They're called Leviathan." Sam joins in.

The Sheriff's brows knitted together with confusion. " They? you mean there's more out there?"

Sam shook his head. " It's a little complicated. That man on the tape... is possessed by hundreds of them. And... he also happens to be my brother-in-law..."

Jack's expression went from confused to surprised, glancing at Dean who's eyes darted around to look at anything but Jack. The Sheriff could almost feel the rage and sorrow radiate off the older Winchester. " Now I understand why you wanted to include them, Travis." Jack clears his throat. " And how, pray tell, did your brother-in-law become possessed by these... Leviathan, was it?"

" It's a long story."

" Just give me the short version." Jack persists.

Sam quickly glanced to his brother who was becoming uncomfortable with this subject of his husband and rose from his seat, leaning against a filing cabinet; his back facing them. Sam returned his attention to the Sheriff and starts explaining everything.

...

" Wow... this is- um... a lot to take in." Jack wipes a hand across his mouth. Sam had revealed so much to Jack; from what he and Dean do, to all the evil that lurked in the shadows. A small part of Jack was still skeptical about this; if monsters and Demons, Angels and Gods were real, surely the world would've discovered them by now... wouldn't they? Jack's gaze locks onto Dean.

Dean's been very quiet so far, even Sam found it way out of character. Dean normally kept a smile and tough bravado, no matter what kind of stress he was going through. It seems that being separated from Castiel for such a long period of time, that it was affecting him more than Sam had originally thought. Or... could it be that he was eager to chase out Leviathan? Dean was known to do things spontaneously when it came to his loved ones. And it's that... Sam knew he'd have to keep a close eye on him from here on out. If Dean decided to do something crazy, then Sam would have to stop him.

" Dean?" Sam calls out to his brother. " You okay?"

" Sheriff... Where's Stephen right now?" Dean finally turned towards them.

" I had Deputy Marcus escort him home to his family this afternoon... Marcus is still there, on lookout." He replies. For some reason, anxiety slowly began to build up in his mind, as if he knew what to expect Dean to say next. He gulped, praying to high Heaven that he didn't.

Dean stepped to the Sheriff's desk, and slammed his palms down onto the hard wood. His knuckles went white as his hands balled into fists. Then he said, " Then they're all in danger... if Jacob really saw Leviathan that night, they'll be after him."

And there it is, the words Jack didn't want to hear. He did not hesitate for a second as he retrieved his gun and badge from his desk. " Stephen's family lives on a ranch at the far end of town. Let's go!" They all bolt for the front door, Jack orders three of his best officers to accompany them.

Hopping into their vehicles they sped off into the night, sirens and engines blaring down the road. The Winchesters, Travis, and The Sheriff; all praying they get there in time.

Concurrently...

Maria shuddered when the screaming started. She trembled in the dark, clinging to her brother's arm. Someone's heart was beating loud and fast, thumping and throbbing like a man gulping for air as he choked. Maria didn't know if it was Stephen's or her own. A thin sliver of brightness fell through the gap between the closet doors. Its narrow beam illuminated his hand.

" No!" Maria hissed. She pulled at Stephen's arm. " Daddy said!" He pushed one of the doors open. Light spilled over them. " Daddy said!" She pleaded.

" Stay here! And stay quiet!"

She tightened her grasp. But her brother was older, stronger. He pulled free and darted across the room. Stephen, on all fours, scrambled toward the table. He peeked over the wooden sill.

" Stephen!" Sofia wailed. " Ste-"

A fresh shriek silenced her, nearer and louder than before. Stephen stiffened at the window. His face was hidden, but his motionless tresses, the stillness of his limbs, made her tremble. She tried to speak, both desperate and dreading to know what he saw. No words reached her mouth. Her brother seemed to kneel there forever. When Stephen moved, it was so sudden that Maria gasped and bit her tongue. Pain exploded in her mouth. Fresh tears filled her vision. Through their shimmering veil, her brother's face was a ghostly whiteness. His eyes were big and scared, bright and wet. His mouth was open, so wide she thought he must be screaming. But there was no sound. Not in here. The only screams came from outside the window...

He stepped towards her. Maria longed for him to come, reached out so she could grab his arm and drag him back into the closet. To darkness and hidden safety. When he paused, looking away, the breath caught in her sobbing throat.

' Stephen's going to leave me,' The belief clawed at her brain with cold, cruel fingers. He's looking at the door. ' He's going to run and leave me here.'

Her brother dashed out of sight.

And she stayed silent. She couldn't move, couldn't even call out, while he abandoned her- left her alone in the house, perhaps went to join their mother, father and older brother, to escape. The world became blurrier. Its colors and shapes ran and blended together like paint poured into a swirling gutter.

An amorphous form loomed up before her, a horrific brown mass that filled the room. Sharp steel pointed through the haze. Maria found her voice at last. It emerged in a squealing cry- until something soft, warm, and damp clamped over her mouth. Her stinging eyes blinked. The browness resolved itself into Stephen's sweater and hair. He had a large knife in his right hand. Fear and relief smashed through her body, almost buckling her knees. Stephen stepped into the closet and pulled his left hand from her mouth.

" What-"

" Shush!" He closed the door, plunging them into darkness save for that narrow slit, as bright, thin, and sharp as the edge of the knife. Her brother was shaking. His body, which had seemed massive and fearsome a moment before, trembled with every thud of his heart.

His hand returned to her lips in a strong, sudden snatch- filling her nose and mouth with the saltiness of wiped-away tears. The floorboards out in the hall were creaking. She knew her parent's tread. This was different... Heavier. Stephen's eye went to the crack between the doors. So did Maria's. His broad chin pressed down on her skull, hard and painful. She started to squirm. Then she froze.

The creaking was close now. Inside the room.

Her eyelids twitched, as though urging her to look away before it came, to withdraw into the deeper darkness and huddle there. But she couldn't. She had to see...

The arm came first. Her gaze fastened on the limb, covered in black leather. But the hand, it was splashed a deep crimson, all the way down to the fingertips. And there were... bits. Darker red chunks clung to its talons like leeches. A word rose through Maria's frantic mind, so clear and hard it made her stomach churn. Gore. It hammered in her brain with the beating of her heart, the swimming of her vision.

A big, dark form followed the limb- a man, roughly a foot and a half taller than her brother. There was more blood, more Gore, matted onto his tanned skin. His mouth dripping red, smeared with pieces of... of...

' Of me and Stephen.' That absurd but unshakable notion swallowed everything else. The man was going to kill them like it had killed poor Amanda. Their blood was going to stain his skin and claws. Their blood and gore. Stephen wasn't crazy after all. He really did see the Devil. That man was the Devil. Tears swelled her vision once more, the fear of death clouding her thoughts.

The man's head twitched. His lips opened into a maniacal grin and his throat vibrated in a low, soft chuckle- revealing sharp teeth that became miniature copies of his talons in Maria's darkening gaze. The man's head snapped around. Red and black eyes glared at the closet. Stephen's grasp faltered on Maria's mouth. A half-smothered wail escaped.

The man lunged. He yanked the door open. Stephen screamed and thrust. Blackness splashed on the back of his hand. That image, black staining the pale whiteness, stayed in front of Maria as the rest of the world spun. The man grunted. Stephen clutched Maria's wrist. Then he was running, pulling her along, dragging her away from the bellowing, cackling man. Her senses fell back into place when fetid air washed over her. They were outside and-

" Run!" Stephen cried. " Run!" He was dragging her again.

Maria had a fleeting glimpse of Hell, of the bodies of Deputy Sheriff Marcus, their mother and older brother strewn about the lawn like meat on the butcher's table. The flesh ripped from their bodies, as if a pack of wolves went on a feeding frenzy. She tore her gaze away and fastened it on the path that was passing beneath their feet. But even that offered no salvation. Stephen screamed. He threw himself to the side, yanking her arm so hard that new tears lacerated her cheeks. Their father's face stared up at them from the ground. His eyes were bloody black holes. His neck ended in a ragged red gash.

Now Maria was screaming too. Screaming and running. Her little legs pumped for all they were worth, half-stumbling as Stephen's longer limbs ate the ground faster and his strong, piercing grip drew her after him.

There were other screams as well. No, not screams... Laughter... Loud maniacal laughter.

" Faster!" Her brother was gasping. " Come on!"

He wrenched at her arm. Maria staggered and nearly fell. But somehow her feet found their places under her, threw her forward after him. She stared hard at Stephen's back. Every fiber of her being urged her to look around. To see what the pounding footsteps meant, what doom was coming for them. She struggled against the temptation. If she saw him, saw the fierce mouth and gore-covered claws... If she looked, she was doomed.

The laughter was so close... Almost next to her ears. Warmth gathered on the back of her neck, and she imagined the breath of fearsome teeth. Her brain screamed, she wanted them to be saved. She prayed with all her might. ' Please, God, save us! Please!'

Then something unexpected happened.

A huge gust of wind rushed toward them, making Stephen stumble to a stop and sending Maria crashing into his back- her face buried in his sweater. He'd stopped screaming. But his entire body was shaking, almost convulsing. She drew her eyes from the soft cotton, and stared up. Bright hazel orbs gazed down at her, long wavy blonde hair gleaming in the moonlight.

" Who- where'd she come from?" Stephen whispered.

The hazel eyes weren't looking at her anymore. They stared over her, at the man behind them. And the newcomer's jaw clenched. The woman walked toward them. Her blazer lightly fluttered as she moved, dancing in the breeze like a picture Maria had seen in a comic book. The woman stood behind Stephen and Maria, shielding them from the leathered man. A long strange looking weapon flashed in her hand as it slipped free from her sleeve.

" We'll hold him off as long as we can, you two get to safety." The blonde said. Her voice was strong and firm, but there was kindness in it as well. It was a hero's voice, that seemed to echo in Maria's breast and drive her terrors away like shadows rent by sunlight.

Another, taller man, suddenly appeared out of thin air; standing beside the blonde. He wore a matching black business suit, he had short chestnut hair, and when he peered their way she saw bright green eyes. He gave a reassuring nod and said, " Go on..."

Stephen, with eyes still wide in disbelief, nodded and turned. He resumed running, his hand brought Maria in turn. Maria cast one final look over her shoulder, the man and woman strode towards the killer with his red and horrid grin. Their blades shone in their hands as though forged from heaven itself. What surprised her more was that more mysterious people appeared; seven more, Maria counted, all dressed the same. All wielding similar weapons, all of them surrounding the killer.

The only thought that popped into her mind was, ' Are they Angels?'

...

Blaring sirens echoed through the silent night. Red and blue lights flashed, illuminating the dark empty roads. Engines roared as the Sheriff, Travis, the Winchesters and the three officers sped across town. Some neighborhoods they past, civilians would look out their windows, curious as to what was going on.

Dean caught glimpses of other onlookers who've heard the sirens, come out of their homes and watch them speed by. All of these people were completely oblivious to the horror that is happening in their own town.

The loud screech ripped Dean's attention away from the homes, suddenly realizing that the Sheriff's car had come to an abrupt halt. Dean slammed on the breaks, the Impala responds as the tires locked and grated the street until it stopped. The others behind them did the same.

" What's going on?" Sam asked.

" Don't know..." Dean replied. When he spots the Sheriff climb out of his car, the brothers do as well, " Sheriff! What's wrong?!"

" It's Stephen!" He hollered back. Sam and Dean look to one another, this couldn't be good. They circle Jack's car until a young adult boy and a little girl came into view.

Jack was talking to Stephen. The little girl appears to be in a state of shock, her face buried in Stephen's sweater, sobbing real loudly. Stephen's hands rubbed up and down her back in attempt to calm her. The young man looked worse; his face was pale, his cheeks stained with dried tears and his eyes were wide from the horror he had witnessed.

" Stephen?" The Sheriff called out, but the boy was too zoned out to respond. Jack tries again, " Stephen? It's Sheriff Cunningham..." Still nothing.

Sam steps up beside Jack. He places a hand on Stephen's shoulder. " It's okay... you're safe now... just tell us what happened."

Stephen responds to Sam's calming gesture. He looks over to the taller man. His eyes sting as fresh tears welled his vision. " They're gone... They're all gone... He killed them. He killed them." Stephen repeated those words over and over under his breath.

" Rita! Anthony!" Jack shouts. " Stay with them. Everyone else, with me."

The Winchesters, Travis and the other officer trail behind Jack. All of them launch themselves into a sprint. The Sheriff draws his pistol in mid-run. Sam and Dean's own weapons gleam in their hands.

Dean's sharp eyes flash this way and that as they hurtle down the path, scouring the surrounding trees with his keen, furtive gaze. They scan the ground before them as well. The Sheriff doesn't slow down, so neither did they. Instead they follow Jack's lead, and continue along the dark channel. As their rapid pace devours the path, they see at the same instant, lights illuminating in the distance. Stephen's house. They're running straight towards it.

The end of the shadowy passage, still far off, gives way to a large field. A tall visage, and a wicked grin. Burning red eyes flared with hell-fire. It's him... It's Leviathan. Dean's mind reels, but his pace goes unbroken.

Leviathan's hand twitched, his talons were eager to tear at human flesh. In his other hand, suspended from a long mane of gold hair, is a severed head. Leviathan stands there, unmoving save for the dancing of his black leather coat in the wind. Simply stands there with his ghastly prize hanging in his grasp.

Dean halts, his legs slowing and stopping- casting aside their former swiftness. Sam grabs his arm.

" Come on!"

Sam kept running. Behind him he hears footfalls, as Dean follows his example. And still Leviathan just stood there, gazing at them with his sinister grinning face. Then he moves. The head falls from his hand, and lands in the dirt at his feet. His head turns away. And he runs, making for the small dark buildings at the edge of the field.

Dean flashes past the others. Perhaps his flight rekindled Dean's courage, or else he's overcome his shock. He rushes towards the retreating man. But quick as he is, Leviathan's far ahead. In a moment a building steals him from Dean's sight. In another, he vanishes. Dean was already across the field when the others finally caught up. Then Dean disappeared as well.

Sam leapt over a large tangle of plants. In a few moments he's cleared the field as well, and found himself amid the outbuildings. There's no sign of either Dean or Leviathan.

" Dean!" Sam shouts.

" I don't see him!" Comes Dean's raised voice, from the other side of a farmhouse.

Sam and Travis move off in another direction. If Leviathan's eluded Dean, he could be anywhere...

Dean finds a hidden path and follows it. The passage is dark. Empty and silent but for him and his footsteps. So he strains his ears. If Leviathan's nearby, perhaps... Yes! The sound of other footfalls reaches him. His grip tightens on his gun as he crept between two trees, draped in shadow. They're coming from up ahead. He steps out from the passage. He's on the edge of another field, where buildings yield to the snow covered trees. Clumps of foliage and snow along the boundary. Leviathan is nowhere in sight. The noise must've been some animal.

" Son of a bitch!" He cussed through gritted teeth.

" Hello, Dean."

Dean snapped around, and his heart drops to his stomach. He took in the sight before him. Those burning red eyes, the blood smeared features. And that smirk, so baleful, so full of wickedness. This isn't the face of Dean's Angel anymore. His heart ached to see him like this.

Leviathan chuckled, " I understand that seeing your... ' beloved ' like this is overwhelming for you... Not that I actually care."

" Dean?!" Sam's voice echoed from the distance. " Dean?!"

Dean flinched.

Leviathan flashed in front of Dean before he could even open his mouth. A bloody hand clamped over his lips tightly, and Dean was shoved hard against a nearby tree. He winced as pain shot throughout his body.

" Careful Dean... open that pretty mouth of yours and I'll rip out your tongue." Leviathan removed his hand, his claws grazing down his cheek, but not hard enough to break through flesh. Leviathan paints the blood of his victims onto Dean's skin. His smirk grew wider, " You know... I've seen all of Castiel's memories... you two were quite the lovebirds," a chortle rumbled in his throat. " It's pathetic really." He then leaned forward, his perforated tongue slipping past those crimson stained lips, and starts lapping up the blood he had traced down Dean's chin. He moved closer to the hunter's ear and whispered, " I'm going to have a lot of fun breaking you..."

Every muscle in Dean shivered with fear, thinking that every second just might be his last. He gulped as he felt that unhuman tongue brush against his earlobe.

A glint of moonlight reflects off a metal object that dangled over Dean's chest. It caught Leviathan's eye, and he peered down to it. It was a necklace, with a silver pendant of a Cupid wrapped with a golden ribbon. The words ' May Our Love Last For Eternity ' were inscribed on it.

Leviathan's grin died away, and silence fell between them. Dean stared in bewilderment, unsure of what was happening, but he didn't say anything. He just watched.

Leviathan suddenly stumbled away from Dean, one hand pressed against his head like he was in pain. He hissed, and groaned. Dean kept staring. And as Leviathan's head rose, he looked around him, a confused expression apparent on his face. When his eyes finally fell on the Hunter, Dean could've sworn his heart had stopped beating. He wasn't looking into the eyes of the monster that possessed His lover... It ' was ' Cas! Dean knew it was, he could feel it in his gut.

" Dean?..."

Dean felt like he couldn't breathe, then he realized he'd been holding it in the whole time. He gasped, and the tears he desperately tried holding back began to fall freely.

" Cas?..."

TO BE CONTINUED...