Hollowing Souls

Gunslinger

Short little original chapter today. I'll make up for it with a nice long one tomorrow :)

...

"This might actually be a good thing." Alex looked over at Dean Winchester, finally breaking the silence. "You and Sam separating."

Dean shot her a glance out of the corner of her eye, and Alex looked away. But all he said was, "How?"

"Well, you know, especially since you two were the most wanted serial killers yesterday, maybe being in the same place at the same time wouldn't be the smartest idea, you know? Listen," she added before Dean could respond, "Bobby just texted me, said there's a case about five hours west of here. It's in a small town, nice and out of the way, and it's a simple salt and burn. We get in, we get out in a day, maybe two."

Dean let out a skeptical grunt, but asked, "Where is it?"

"Sholes, Nebraska. Just follow I-80." Alex pointed past Dean, and he knocked her arm out of his way. The angel pulled it back in with a frown. "Sam's going to be fine, you know that, right?"

"Yeah, well, I wouldn't be so worried if the devil wasn't riding shotgun," the Winchester shot back. "You've seen what he can do."

"Sam's got it under control. That hole 'hand scar' thing's really working out, okay?" When Dean didn't look convinced she added, "Plus, I'm literally just a call away. He won't hesitate if he really can't handle it. Sam trusts me, and he knows I can help."

Dean didn't respond, but he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. With a sigh, the young angel gave up, turning her attention to the fields passing by.

...

April 6, 2012

Sholes, Nebraska

Alex wandered across the dark grass, gaze focusing on the crooked tree up ahead. Her fingers brushed over the cold marble stones all around her, and she stopped, staring up at the dark night sky where stars burned with their cold light. Her wings flared open, muscles tensing as she prepared to thrust them downwards.

"You know, you're not suppose to be here."

The angel's wings fell back to her side at the the ever-familiar voice, and she turned, wings spreading open in greeting as an angel sauntered out of the shadows. "Yeah," she agreed, "like you're one to be talking about rules." A sharp flash of anger shot through her. "Where the hell have you been?"

Large, golden wings flicked nonchalantly. "I've been busy."

"I've been praying."

"And now I'm here." Gabriel stopped in front of her, golden-whiskey eyes coming to rest on her bruised jaw. "What happened?"

"Sam." The young angel's gaze dropped. "He punched me."

Fingers came to rest on her jawline and warm, comforting grace pushed inwards, healing the damaged tissue. Something churned inside her in strong protest, ice cold in comparison, but Alex pushed it down, taking a deep breath to steady herself.

Sensing the turmoil, Gabriel pulled back, eyes glittering in amusement."So. You gonna tell me why Sam did that?"

"It's how the Winchesters show affection," Alex half-joked, still frustrated that the archangel had chosen that moment to finally show himself.

If Gabriel noticed, he didn't say anything. "I'll keep that in mind," he quipped back before his gaze drifted across the cemetery. "What are you doing out here?"

Alex shrugged, turning away from the archangel. "I was gonna learn to fly," she admitted, fingers coming to rest on top of a smooth black headstone. She could feel the archangel's gaze on her hand and she pulled back. "You know, we buried my mom in a place just like this. Under a large tree, at the bottom of a hill."