In The End | Daryl Dixon

Chapter 4

"If you need me you know where I'll be."

Erica

I've never been good at describing shit. Between that, the chaos in both heaven and hell, the jammed angel-radio signals and the fact that I kept forgetting to pray, maybe that's why it took Castiel so damn long to find me. Without an exact address, all he had was my general location. Not to mention it had taken him a few days to heal. Apparently a bomb fell on him. Whoever did that is certainly going down under. I was just glad Cas was okay, and here now. Apparently my prayers weren't getting over too well. Nobodies were anymore.

"You should have told me you were by a quarry. And you pray too quietly." Castiel scolded me as I captured him in a bear hug. He awkwardly hugged me back. Sort of. It's more like he patted me and then dropped his arms to his sides so I could finish seeing how much pressure it would take before his spine snapped. He didn't seem too bothered. I think he's used to my odd behavior by now.

"Yeah, whatever. You found me, and we're both fine." Castiel was pristine as usual. How, I didn't know. And his hair wasn't messed up either. It was styled just as it always was. It was slightly unnerving, but I was so used to it that I overlooked it with relative ease. I'd be a fool to start asking questions now.

Finally, I let go of the angelic being. He still didn't seem fazed. Disappointing.

"Are you alright, Erica? I still don't now what's causing this, but until I get to the bottom of it, you have to stay safe." He informed me. I rolled my eyes. Oh boy, he sure foiled my plans. I was just planning on going out and throwing myself into the face of danger for no reason other than the fact that he was just as clueless as the rest of us pertaining to what the hell was going on. Shame he had to ruin it for me.

"I should be asking you that, feathers. You're the one who got blasted to the heavens." I said. He's lucky his meat suit was in good enough condition to heal. If it hadn't been, we'd have been screwed six ways to Sunday. I don't doubt angelic vessels are in short supply these days, with all the deaths and such. The world's population has definitely taken a nose dive. Heaven and hell must be scrambling right now.

Castiel looked completely lost. "I was not blasted to heaven, Erica. I told you. The blast only sent me a few blocks away." He shook his head at me. I pressed my lips together as I stared up at him. Of course.

"Who the hell is that?" Castiel and I looked up to see T-dog, who was looking between the two of us like we were Marshians here to invade. We may as well be at this point.

"My name is Castiel. I'm an angel of the lord." Castiel introduced simply. T-dog looked completely lost now. I resisted the urge to slap my hand against my face and scream. I, and my brothers, have all talked to Castiel concerning the whole angel thing. He still doesn't stop. It must be programmed into him or some shit. Some days he's great about it, and then there now. And here I thought he was getting better.

"This is my best friend, Castiel." I patted his arm. "I think he hit his head. Ignore anything he says."

"How's he so... clean?" T-dog asked, nose scrunching up. That's a valid question. I ask myself that question everyday. Angel or not, this meat suit of his is still... well, human. It's a human body that can most definitely get filthy. Angels can heal, but can they clean? I'm scared to know the answer.

"I stopped at the laundromat." Castiel said. I shoved him a little, laughing nervously. Of-fucking-course he did. Trying to figure out how this all started my ass.

"Right. Well, Castiel, this is T-dog!" I introduced nervously.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Theodore Douglas." Castiel said. I elbowed him, giving my best death glare. He frowned. "T...dog." He corrected. I nodded. At least he knows my threats aren't empty. He learned that when I brought him to the floor in a head lock. Not even angels like noogies.

"Right." T-dog said shortly, brows furrowed. "How the hell'd he find us, anyway? I thought you guys left him in the middle of the city." He scratched his cheek. I tried to think of a plausible excuse. Castiel, smartly, remained silent. Guess he does have a brain up there.

"Luck." I'm a fucking idiot.

"...Alright. Is he gonna come join us or what? I think Dale said he had another tent." T-dog scratched the back of his neck, looking between us. I pursed my lips, looking up at Castiel. I'm fine here, with these people, but I don't know where Sam and Dean are. I need to know if they're alright. Knowing them, they're probably cruising along just fine right now. Sam riding shotgun and complaining about Dean's taste in music.

"Cas, we've gotta find Sam and Dean." I said. T-dog seemed startled by the urgency in my voice, and moreover, by my request. He should know I'd never abandon him. It's only been a week or so, but living in close quarters tends to draw people together. As if our epic escape from Atlanta hadn't been bonding enough.

"I know. I've already searched the general area they were in. The Impala is gone." Cas told me firmly. I nodded, letting it sink in. Dean would die before he left his baby behind, and he'd hunt down anyone who took it. I looked up at him.

"Go find them." I demanded. He looked surprised.

"But Erica-" T-dog watched us silently.

"I'll be fine. I've got Theodore Douglas to watch over me." I grinned at T-dog, shooting him a wink. He rolled his eyes at the sound of his full name, scoffing at me when I snickered. I don't think there's anything wrong with his name. It's just the way he reacts that tickles my funny bone.

"That brings me no comfort." He said bluntly. I rolled my eyes and slapped his arm a little. Rude. The man, who's fully capable of bashing the heads of the dead in, is standing right there.

"Stop stalling and hightail it out of here. If my brothers die because you wanted to doubt T-dog and I's skills, I'll shove a nine-inch metal pole down your throat and leave you for the wolves." I hissed at him. I don't feel ready to leave to try and find my brothers, so if I don't have to, I'm not going to. Plus, Castiel can teleport.

"There are no wolves in these woods." He assured me. "There are bears."

"Oh, okay. Bears work just as well." I nodded slightly. Is he helping me plan his murder? I think he's helping me plan his murder. I guess I'll take help where I can get it. "Now, go." I shoved him slightly towards the trees. If he thinks for one second I'm going to let him vanish into thin air in front of T-dog, he's sorely mistaken.

"You're just going to let him go? Just like that?" T-dog asked, looking baffled as I waved to Castiel, who tromped into the woods fearlessly. I shrugged vaguely, not really wanting to explain. I could only hope that Cas would be okay, and that my brothers would be as well.

[Song: Shotgun by George Ezra]