Lost ¥ Dean Winchester [2]

43

Jessica struggled to stand, after a while, she only managed to sit on the ground.

Sweat coated her forehead and the wound had healed, but it left behind markings and dark shadows.

Dean wanted nothing more than to help his wife, but after hearing her shout at him to stay back, he knew he couldn't do anything right now.

Castiel took this moment to then kneel beside her, not daring to touch her skin, he looked her over.

As he saw the strange markings on her body, he mentally cursed.

Dean saw the distressed look on his face and couldn't help himself.

"What is it?" He asked.

"These markings, it isn't meant to kill her, it's meant to tether. They translate to 'bound to another being'."

Deans face began to pale slightly. "Teather? You mean..."

Castiel nodded his head. "Yes, her essence is linked to Melissa. Her life, her powers, it's all anchored to the other."

Sam knelt down next to Jessica too, looking over the wound as well. "I've seen these kinds of sigils before; Castiel's right, they're meant to tie one another together. To bind two souls. If one dies... the other will follow."

Dean shook his head violently. "No. This can't be the only way it ends, there has to be something else. There always is!"

Jessica watched all three of them, the shadows writhing like living smoke beneath her skin. "Dean, if she dies... so do I." She whispered.

Dean froze, guilt and terror chocking him. He clenched his fists. "Then I'll find another way. I-"

"Dean," Sam said quietly. "You don't understand-"

Dean's jaw tightened. "I understand enough. I've lost her once; I will not lose her again. Not like this."

Castiel's gazed remained fixed on the shadows crawling beneath Jessica's skin. His voice was low, careful.

"Dean, understand this. Melissa is not reckless. She never was. The bond is not a contingency-it's the design. If we delay any further, she could attack or worse, there may be nothing left of Jessica to save."

A voice made its way into Deans head. almost as if it were mocking him.

"You were never meant to save her."

He stiffened. His fists clenched at his sides as the words echoed, lingering far longer than they should.

Jessica's breath hitched. The shadows on her arms surged, crawling high, tightening briefly around her throat again before she forced them back down. Her jaw trembled as she continued to fight for control.

She then lifted her gaze to Dean.

Even through the darkness, there was no surrender in her eyes--only grim understanding.

"She wanted this," Jessica said quietly. "The bond...it wasn't a last move. It was a point."

Sam swallowed hard. "A mutual end," he murmured. "If one falls, the other goes with them."

Castiel's expression darkened. "Yes. A closed loop. No escape."

Dean shook his head once, sharp and violent. "No. She doesn't get that choice. Not for Jessica."

The woman's hands twitched as the shadows pulsed again, responding to something unseen-something distant.

"She's waiting," Jessica whispered. "And she's not afraid of dying this time."