Daughter of the Legend: Soul on Fire (#Wattys2018)

Chapter Thirty: Burning Soul

Gazing up at the depot building, the sound of the water lapping at the shore behind us and the wind through the trees made the night feel looming and barren. As if we were strategically placed in a situation that we had no business being in. Oh wait, yeah that was exactly what had happened.

Dean and I hadn't moved from our seats in the Impala. Though our eyes seemed to be locked onto the dingy concrete, we were instead looking for movement in tinted windows.

"Don't trust anything at first glance," Dean's words fell like feathers on water, quite and relatively still, but sent ripples of worry nonetheless.

"I remember," My own voice trembled. I could never forget the shapeshifter that had nearly killed me while wearing my father's face.

"Rachel," I looked over at him. The faint lighting illuminated the lines on his face, making him seem so much older than he was, "No matter what we find in there, it's not your fault. Do you understand me?" Frowning, I looked him sternly in the eyes.

"Dad, no matter what happens in there, it's not your fault. Do you understand me?" It was his turn to frown. Dean opened his mouth to respond, but no words came. We both understood what the other was trying to convey. I remember those first weeks with Sam and Dean. When Sam told me he was afraid to get close because he was afraid of hurting me. Neither of us were prepared for this long war.

Emerging from the cab, the others were waiting for us. Castiel had his usual look of disgruntled disapproval.

"There is warding inside," His voice jagged in the quiet night, "I don't know how far I will be able to accompany you for, and Rachel, you may also be affected." I nodded.

"Ready?" asked Dean, receiving nods of reassurance.

Making our silent entrance through an unlocked side door, we made our way into the belly of the beast. Similar to the times before, there were a few minor demons posted as watchman. Their shadows danced like the smoke that drifted from their small fire pit. They were laughing when Dean and I snuck up and drove the angel blades through their backs. In a flash they fell to their knees.

After clearing two more rooms, Castiel came to a halt.

"I cannot go any farther," He sighed, "I will be here when you return." He looked at me and Dean with a degree of urgency, "There is something very powerful here, do not be the hero." He looked at Bobby and Bentley, "Don't let them do anything stupid."

Bentley smirked, "We'll try." Leaving the angel behind us, we continued on. The building wound itself in a complex maze of steel and stone, making me think of the Labyrinth.

I would rather deal with David Bowie than Lily any day.

Watching Dean out of the corner of my eye, I couldn't help but think about the idea of him that I had created as a kid. Mom used to tell me that I had his eyes and his heart. Laughing slightly, I felt embarrassment towards my younger self. In my head, I believe that my dad was like an American Antonio Banderas with green eyes.

Dad shot me a sideways glance hearing my small chuckle.

"What?" He whispered, eyes darting from me to the dark hallway ahead of us.

"Nothing," I grinned, "Just, when I was a kid, I used to think you were Antonio Banderas." I caught a glimpse of his smile as we passed around a pool of light streaming through a window.

"You thought I was Zoro?" He raised an eyebrow as he tried to hide his obvious smirk.

"Nah, I thought you were Puss in Boots. Green eyes and all," I could feel his ego deflate slightly which made me giggle, "Of course I thought you were like Zoro! Mom spent my whole telling me my dad was a badass who fought evil. Plus, you had to be suave enough to sweep my mom off her feet, it made sense to me." Dean chuckled, pulling his head down towards his chest to repress the laugh that seemed to take over his whole body.