MISSIONS

Chapter 15- Play the Part

Shifter!Dean's POV:

Dean could sense that he was losing control of the situation. He knew that it had to look real: he had to play his part, and they had to play theirs, but something seemed off. They were playing their parts a bit too well, and he could feel a hint of nervousness at what might possibly happen if things went off the deep end.

But then again, look at how he was playing his part. He'd stabbed one of his children (not fatally, but it had happened all the same); he'd become protective over the angel, moreso than his own, making sure that he didn't get hurt. He told himself that it was all so that Castiel could vouch for him and save him if (or rather, when) Michael came after him, whether Michael thought he was human or shifter.

He glanced at Cas, wondering what their next move should be. Before, he could've pulled his weight as the alpha and marched over and grabbed the whiny Winchester, delivering him to the feet of the angel, but A) that would be more than slightly suspicious, and B) there was always the chance that she might actually drop the lighter.

Castiel slowly raised his hands in surrender, looking round hopelessly at all the lives he'd been trying to save. As he did, Dean caught a glimpse of the angel blade in its hiding place, shoved up his sleeve. Through the telepathic link in his head, he could tell that none of the other shifters had seen it, but it wouldn't be long before they did. He had to act fast.

Dean tucked his head in and barreled toward Cas, tackling him. As he was knocked off balance, the blade slipped out of the sleeve of his trench coat. Dean snatched it midair and pointed it at the woman - his daughter's - chest. All this time, his children's voices in his head were blasting, accusing and pointing fingers at him.

Liar.

Fraud.

Weakling.

I'll show you who's weak, he thought, gritting his teeth. Cas had fallen to the ground next to him and watched the ordeal play out as he attempted to collect himself.

"Dean!" Sam yelled, but the woman tugged hard on his hair, holding the lighter directly in front of his face.

"I wouldn't come any closer if I were you," she taunted him. "Or else the first one to get burned will be your precious baby brother." She practically spat the words at him, mocking the position he'd taken as a hunter with a family complex.

Honestly she had to have some respect, right? The alpha shifter stepped toward her, blade still aimed at her heart.

She sighed. "You should've listened." In the blink of an eye, she had taken the lighter and thrust it into Sam's face before quickly removing it and placing it on the ground. The surrounding gasoline was quick to add to the flames, and the wall of fire grew bigger by the moment.

Sam's scream was nearly drowned out by those of the other hostages, whose terror multiplied at the sight of what had just happened. The shifter disguised as Dean used the momentary distraction, which had been caused by the noise and the torture she'd inflicted, to stab her in the heart. He quickly yanked Sam away, tossing him towards Cas, who was freeing the rest of the humans. Here, they found a problem.

The stairs were made of wood.

The rickety structure had already been engulfed. From what was currently visible, there were no other ways out. And yet, there had to be, didn't there? Surely it would be at least a bit suspicious for all of these people (and things that looked like people) to go through the front of the convenience store. There must be a back entrance. And if there was a free entrance, there was a free exit.

The cellar area was quite large, and there was a clear gap through to the other side where no flames were blocking the way. Sam led the prisoners away and searched for the way to escape while Cas and Dean battled with the shifters.

Dean could hear them unleashing their anger at him in his head.

Why are you even doing this?

You know Michael wants everything dead!

What, have you grown to care about the pretty-boy angel?

Don't forget, when it's finished, one of you will end up dead.