If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away

There's No Place Like Home

I woke up to a donut in my face. "What the hell?" I asked.
"Eat it."
"Thanks." I said, sitting up and taking it. Ugh. Gross. Fattening.
"Do you ever not wear a jacket?"
"I don't tend to, no." I said. "You wanna walk to the library or have us drop you off? Or do you want to come to my lesson?"
"He'll walk." Dean said.
"I guess I'll walk."
"Straight, left, right."
"We need to get going." I said, coming out of the bathroom, dressed.
"Straight, right, left?" Sam asked.
"Yeah." I said. "Wait, no. Straight, left, right."
"Oh. Right."
"May I be granted permission to join you, or must I wait in the car?"
"I'd prefer you to stay in the car, but it doesn't matter."
"Great. I'll come in."
"Damn."
He grinned.

"Hi, Mr. Faso." I smiled.
"Lexie! Hello."
At the end of my lesson, I spoke up. "Mr. Faso, what do you know about a man named John Smith?"
"The man who died in the '60's?"
"Yes sir."
"He drowned at your family's motel. Some say he slipped, but some say he was pushed by his buddy Marcus Anthony. Marc was the only witness, so there's no one to know for sure."
"Why do they think he pushed him?"
"Because someone saw them arguing prior to the accident. But his wife said that couldn't be the case. Said that Marc was too even tempered."
"Why's that?" Dean asked.
"Some say they were having an affair."
Oh, shit. It's a lot of "some say"'s, but it's all we have. "Oh my." I said.
"Why do you ask?"
"Just curious. Thanks."
"Sure."
"Did they get married once Smith died?" I asked as we got in the car.
"Let's check with Sam."
Once we got to the library, Dean followed me downstairs. I kept my head ducked in case anyone saw me. After all, I was a regular. We took chairs on either side of Sam.
"Get this." Sam said. "Marcus Anthony, the only witness to John Smith's death, married John Smith's wife six months after he died."
"People say they were having an affair." Dean said.
"So Marcus Anthony pushed his best friend into the pool because he was in love with his wife."
"Sounds like an extreme Jessie's Girl." I said. I love that song though.
They both stared silently at me for a moment, then Dean spoke again. "So John Smith is getting revenge on his buddy's descendants."
"We need to find his bones." Sam said.
Dean looked at the computer screen. "Okay. On it." He said, standing. "You two get back to the hotel. Check the records and watch out."
"Do you know how to get back?" Sam asked. "I got lost on the way here."
I laughed and nodded.

We were almost back when a scream echoed through the trees. My mom. Shit. I sped up.
Another scream. Louder. Scared. Alysa.
I took off running.
Alysa was screaming still. She was crying too. Third floor.
I ran up, Sam hot on my heels.
Why is she screaming? Well, at least it means she's alive. My mom.... Oh God! My mom!
We got to the room just in time to see the spirit of John Smith stab my mother in the chest.
Immediately, without thinking, I grabbed Alysa and pulled her to me, turning her around, away from the gory mess. I pushed her to Sam and screamed over my sister's terrified, grief-ridden screams at him to get her out. Firing my rock salt filled gun in the general direction of the spirit, I ran to my mom and caught her as she slumped down. I dropped the gun and lowered her down.
Pushing her hair from her eyes, I took her hand in mine, tears welling in my eyes.
"L-Lexie?" She choked, blood pooling at the corners of her mouth. Surprise was evident on her face.
"Mamma."
"Don't ever do that again, you hear?"
"W-what?" I stammered. She hates me...
"Running off like that! You nearly-" she paused, coughing, "gave us heart attacks."
"I'm sorry." I said, my throat tightening. "But.... why didn't you look for me?"
"I didn't think you'd forgive me..." She said. "But I'm so, so sorry." She spit blood onto the floor beside her.
"I forgave you before I left." I said. "I love you."
"I l-love you too." She convulsed.
"Sh... sh... it's okay, Mamma. You'll be okay..." I whispered.
Alysa was screaming in the hall, begging him to let her in. I knew he was probably denying her entrance in a quiet voice, but I couldn't hear it through Alysa's frantic screams.
My mom was trying to say something.
"Sh... Don't talk." I said.
"F-finish it." She croaked.
I can't. Oh my God, I can't.
"Please."
"Dean?" I yelled.
"Not here!" Sam yelled over the commotion.
That leaves me.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I'm so sorry."
"D-do it."
"I love you." I said, choking back a sob as I gave the knife protruding from her chest a quick, sharp turn. I'd done this thousands of times before, but this was the hardest one ever. She convulsed once more, then lay still. I lowered my head, closing my eyes against the tears. Not until you're alone. I said to myself.
Oh, God, please help me.
I stood and left the room.
"What the fuck are you doing here?! You fucking bitch! Why are you here!?" Alysa screamed at me,
"You watch your mouth!" I yelled in response.
Sam released her, and she threw herself at me, throwing her arms around me, sobbing.
"Did Dean...?" I asked Sam as I hugged my sister back.
He shrugged and got out his phone. "I don't know."
"Hi, yes. I need to report a murder." Sam said into the phone.
Too bad they'll never find the killer...
"Dean-" Sam began. After a moment, he hung up. "Doing it now."
My aunt ran upstairs. A little fucking late. "What's going on?" She demanded. "I got here as soon as I could."
"Don't go in there." Sam warned her.
"Why? Alysa, what's wrong? Lexie?! What on earth are you doing here?!"
"My mother was murdered." I informed her. Alysa pulled away from my and ran to my aunt. I leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath.
My aunt was sobbing. My sister was sobbing. It took all I could to hold it together. I pressed my hands to my eyes, determined not to cry. If anyone talks to me right now, I'll bite their heads off.
I heard somebody throw up. Donna must have looked at my mom...
A hand on my shoulder.
I jumped away.
"Hey." Sam said.
"Oh. Sorry. Yeah?" I asked.
"You okay?"
"Let's say I am."
"I'm so sorry."
"Thanks." I stood up straight as I heard police sirens.
Sam put his arms around me, and I almost collapsed into him, but forced myself to remain upright. He rested his chin on my head and held me tightly. This son of a bitch is gonna make me cry.
"I heard my sister screaming, so I ran up here and my mom had been stabbed. I had Joshua take Alysa out and I stayed with her until she died." I said shortly to the cop interrogating me. They said it wasn't an interrogation, to think of it an an interview. This guy is the dad of someone I used to be friends with.
"You seem pretty pulled together." He said.
"Donna and Alysa are pretty messed up. Someone has to be logical." I said.
"I understand you held up well when your dad died also. And then your uncle John came to get you?"
"Yes sir."
"Lexie, this must be hard for you." He said gently.
I nodded.
"You should consider seeing a therapist."
Not my thing. I nodded again, though.
But what the hell would I tell a therapist? "I kill demons and spirits and all the little nasties none of you know about and one of them killed my mother"? No, I don't think so. I hated the mental hospital.
"You've moved, haven't you?"
"Yes sir."
"Where to?"
"Nowhere permanent yet. I'm still trying to decide on a place."
"You came here with Joshua and Isaiah, correct?"
"Yes sir."
"Who are they?"
"My boyfriend and his brother."
"Where's Isaiah?"
"Therapist."
"Do me a favor and get some rest." He smiled sympathetically.
I nodded, but didn't look at him. My eyes were following the people bringing my mom's corpse outside.
"Lexie?"
"Yes sir?"
"Are you okay?"
"Sure."
"I'm sorry."
"Thank you."
"We're here if you need us, okay? I'm sure Kate will be in touch."
I nodded. "Yes sir. Thank you."
Kate will call me, offer her condolences, ask me to lunch, and never have any contact with me after I decline her invitation.
"Uncle John Donna's husband?" Sam asked.
"No. He's your dad." I said.
He was shocked into silence.
"I'll be back. I want to go check something out.
"Want company?" He asked, composing himself.
"No, I'm fine, thanks."
"Call if you need anything."
I nodded. "Thanks."
I walked a few blocks and to my grandmother's house. I looked through the window to see a layer of dust on everything. I take that to mean nobody's moved in. I picked the lock on the back door. I made my way through the musty darkness and to the back bedroom, which is where my grandmother slept. Beginning to sob, I curled up on the bed and let the tears come freely.