SOLITUDE • DEAN WINCHESTER [2] {SLOW UPDATES}

Isolation

TRIGGER WARNING : ABUSE AND VIOLENCE

~*~

The sun had set nearly three hours ago, Ashleigh traced back and forth along the path the group had agreed on. Her pistol held firmly in her hands as her eyes carefully darted around her. The sound of her own heartbeat echoing loudly in her ears as she breathed out, trying to release the fear and nervousness she felt.

She knew that Sam and Dean had her back but those memories still had their claws embedded in her mind.

Nikolai stepped into the barn, letting the door slam shut behind him as he glared at the Kimbrell girl. "Starving yourself isn't going to save anyone. You realize that right?" Ashleigh lifted her head tiredly, glaring up at the alpha but she remained silent.

The male let out a small snarl, landing a kick into her side, knocking the breath out of her. "When I ask you a question, I expect you to answer. Got it?" Ashleigh clutched her side, breathing in sharply as her eyes narrowed upon him. Through a snarl, she spoke. "Loud and clear.." Nikolai exhaled, leaning down to be eye level with her, placing a hand to her shoulder. "I don't want to see you suffer anymore. It's time to give up this heroic idea you have of yourself and feed." Ashleigh turned her head, pressing her lips together before Nikolai grabbed her by the chin, forcing her to look back at him, not breaking eye contact. "I'm not asking, Kimbrell. You will feed."

It felt as though something snapped in her mind, her will seeming to fade away as her eyes shifted to yellow, everything going black.

Ashleigh stopped, her breathing heavy as she leaned her hand against a tree. Her free hand coming up to clutch the fabric of her shirt at her chest, feeling as though her heart was going to explode from her chest.

However, this moment of weakness was short-lived when she caught a familiar scent, one that made her blood run cold. Swiftly, she spun around, lifting her pistol and firing off a shot only for her wrist to be caught in the process.

There he was, standing before her. But this was not some flashback or nightmare, this was real. He was real.

Nikolai smirked, tightening his grip on her wrist enough to make her drop her weapon. "You're not an easy one to find, Ashleigh. Might be because you were always our best tracker.." Ashleigh's eyes shifted to yellow, glaring at him despite the fear pumping through her veins.

~*~

Dean clenched his jaw, his leg shaking anxiously "I don't like it Sam... This shouldn't be taking so long. I'm going to find her." He started to get up from their hiding position but Sam reached over, placing his hand out to stop him.

"We haven't heard her signal. She told us to stay put because they'd catch our scent if we get too close... We have to follow this according to plan."

Dean exhaled in irritation, knowing his brother was right. But just as he opened his mouth to argue, the sound of a single gunshot rang out, followed by an eerie silence. Dean's shoulders tensed, panic shooting through him. He tried to wait for her to come running back to their agreed meet up location but when she didn't, he wasted no more time in getting to his feet.

Sam followed suit, the brothers readying themselves for the worst as two figures stepped out into view. Nikolai held Ashleigh out in front of him, using her as a shield. Ash stared at the boys with dulled yellow eyes, tears staining her cheeks.

Nikolai grinned towards the brothers, nudging Ashleigh slightly "I'd put those guns down if I were you boys. Neither of you have a clear shot, not one that won't wind up taking her out too. I'm here to talk."

Dean was hesitant but the wolf was right, any shot he tried would only hurt Ashleigh. Nodding to Sam, the two slowly lowered their weapons, dropping them to the ground below. "Okay. Then let's talk." Dean began, raising his hands defensively "Just let her go."

Nikolai glanced towards Ashleigh who's eyes never left the boys. "I'm not keeping her here. She wants to come back with me, isn't that right Ashleigh?"

The Kimbrell blinked, nodding her head silently, the motion seeming forced. Something which the brothers took notice of.

Sam clenched his fists "What did you do to her?" Nikolai laughed in amusement, shrugging his shoulders "I simply told her what she wanted. Didn't you know the bond between an alpha and the wolf they bit?"

Dean narrowed his eyes, glancing towards Ashleigh before he turned his head towards the sad excuse for an alpha. "That's bullshit. She isn't going to just listen because you said so."

Nik raised an eyebrow "Oh? I guess you're not wrong. She used to not listen. It took a certain amount of... Persuasion to get her to stop fighting me on it. But you know, one can only take so much for so long." He moved Ashleigh's hair away from her face "Now. I'm going to take her back home where she belongs. But first, she has to cut her ties here. With you." He stated, nodding his head towards Ashleigh.

Finally, she moved away from Nikolai, moving shakily towards Dean. Sam grew tense, taking a step towards her with an nervous look in his eyes. Instantly, her eyes snapped over to him, grabbing him by the shoulders and throwing him to the side with a growl.

Dean held his hands out in front of him, instantly grabbing for his silver blade. "Ash, hey! Come on. It's us!" Ashleigh tilted her head back towards Dean, yellow eyes narrowing with an animalistic look behind them. She snarled, moving quickly and tackling the hunter to the ground, her claws digging into his skin. He yelled out, gritting his teeth as he stared up at her. "Ash please! Don't make me hurt you!" Her lips parted, baring her fangs as she went to rip into him. However, that silver blade was slashed across her cheek, causing her to pause.

She blinked a few times, the dullness fading from her eyes as she pulled her hands away from him. "Dean..?" She whispered, staring at him in disbelief. Dean laughed nervously "Yeah. It's me... I was almost puppy chow though." Ashleigh fell silent, her head turning as the click of a pistol drew her attention. Sam aiming it right at her. Her eyes faded from yellow back to their usual hazel hue as she slowly raised her hands above her head, her eyes darting towards where Nikolai was situated but there was no one in sight.

~*~

"Are these necessary?" Ashleigh winced as Sam tightened the silver chains around her wrists. "Just until we know that you're not going to try to attack us again."

Dean stood in the doorway, a sad look over his expression. "We just want to make sure he didn't leave us a little parting gift. He told you to cut ties and you stopped.."

Ashleigh lifted her gaze towards Dean, staring at the bandages that covered the wounds she'd inflicted. Having to turn her head away, she furrowed her brow. "I don't know okay... I felt like I was drowning until I heard your scream and the pain.. It, I dunno. Woke me up."

Sam sighed, running a hand down his face. "Just let us try to figure this out... You won't be in here long." The two started to step away, Ashleigh's eyes widening. "Wait. You're not actually going to leave me down here are you?"

Sam pressed his lips together, hesitantly nodding "It's the safest option for all of us right now."

Ashleigh fought against the chains, staring at them pleadingly "Please! Don't do this! Don't leave me down here alone!"

Sam stepped to his brother, placing a hand to his shoulder to lead him out as the door shut behind them, the sounds of her fearful screams filling the halls. Every word stabbing them in the heart, especially Dean. He assumed this is what she was scared of when she arrived. Being locked up and treated like a dangerous beast. But he didn't know, this was the act of torture Nikolai used the most. Isolation. Solitary confinement. Now, Ashleigh's greatest fear.