Small Cuts (Supernatural Dark!fic)

n i n e t y - t w o

"Didn't have to put a lot of work into this girl
She saw my contentions and gave me the world
I'm in love
But I will fuck this up"
Need to Change - Landon Tewers

The air in the bunker was heavy with tension as the group gathered around the table. Amara sat between Sam and Dean, her childhood Bible resting in front of her, the worn cover a stark reminder of the past she had tried so hard to leave behind. Jack and Castiel stood nearby, both with serious expressions, knowing the weight of the task ahead.

Jack broke the silence first, his voice steady but tinged with determination. "I'll give my blood for the ritual," he said, looking around at the group. "I can act as a conduit, an amplifier, to help stabilise the chaotic energy. My grace should be strong enough to create a protective barrier for Amara."

Amara's mismatched eyes flicked toward Jack, appreciating the gravity of his offer. She knew what giving his blood meant, how it weakened him, but the quiet strength in his voice reassured her. He wasn't offering out of obligation—he was doing it because he cared.

Castiel nodded, his voice low and thoughtful as he spoke. "That will help, Jack. But we'll need more than just a barrier. The essence of chaos is unpredictable. I'll place powerful wards around the ritual site to protect Amara—and the rest of us—from the entity's influence. I'll also reinforce the wards around the bunker, just in case we have to retreat. The entity may try to invade while we're away."

Amara swallowed, her fingers brushing over the old Bible in front of her. The book held so many memories—ones she would rather forget—but it had been a constant in her life, a tether to her past. Now, it would be her anchor.

Dean glanced over at her, sensing her unease. His hand rested gently on her arm, his voice softer than usual. "We'll be with you the whole time, Amara. You won't be doing this alone."

Sam nodded in agreement, his hand covering hers as he leaned in. "Dean and I will be your emotional anchors. No matter what the entity throws at you, we'll keep you grounded."

Amara looked between the brothers, feeling the weight of their words sink in. Their presence was a comfort, even in the face of the unknown. She trusted them—she always had—and knowing they would be there to help her through this was enough to push down the fear gnawing at the edges of her mind.

"How... how will the wards work?" Amara asked, her voice quieter than usual.

Castiel stepped forward, his eyes meeting hers with a calm certainty. "I'll create a protective circle around you, using the wards to keep the chaotic energy contained. It will also shield you from the entity's direct influence. The wards will be old—powerful incantations from celestial magic—but they will hold."

Jack chimed in, his gaze steady. "And with my blood, the protective barrier should be strong enough to handle the chaotic energy. It will give us time to complete the ritual without things getting... out of control."

Dean's voice was firm but reassuring. "We'll be right there with you, every step of the way."

Amara took a deep breath, the weight of the upcoming ritual pressing down on her. It felt impossible, overwhelming even, but with the people around her—her makeshift family—it was manageable. They had been through so much together already. This was just another battle they would face side by side.

"We'll need to be careful," Castiel continued, his tone serious. "The entity will try to attack Amara mentally, using her memories and emotions against her. Sam and Dean, you'll need to stay close to her, keep her grounded through the worst of it."

Sam and Dean exchanged a look, both knowing the weight of that responsibility, but neither hesitated.

"We've got this," Sam said quietly, his fingers tightening around Amara's hand.