Chapter Text
Chapter 1
December 12th, 2009
It was the same old thing, day after day. Nothing ever changed.
Same television shows. Same nurses. Same medicines. Same food. Day in and day out.
"What I would give to just have something different," I sighed, staring blankly at the television screen, not even actually watching the show that was playing. Idly, my fingers played with the edges of my light gray sweatshirt, as my mind kept going back to my latest vision. Four nights ago.
"Means roughly three nights left for it to happen," I thought to myself," I have yet to be wrong… But who are they? I don't remember ever meeting them… yet they seem so familiar… like I've seen them somewhere before…" I kept picturing the two guys; one with short spiky hair and the other chin-length hair- near the same brown tones… matching eyes…
"Anna."
"Great. More medicine already?" I inwardly groaned, tilting my head to the left, causing my dark brown hair to shift. My hazel eyes pierced the nurse—Nurse Kristy- with a soft glare- but otherwise I kept my negative emotions quiet and impassive.
"Hey sweetie-"
"Please. 'Hey Sweetie' yourself, hag." I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
"-with what day it is. You do remember, right?" she continued, oblivious to my inner mumblings. I stopped for a second, though, pausing to figure out what she meant. Then my eyes glanced over her shoulder at the calendar on the wall.
"It's… the 12th of December… already?" I choked out, as my eyes fell to the floor. Yet another year spent here. Another year that my mom has been dead. That my dad has not shown up.
"That's right!" nurse Kristy exclaimed, again oblivious to my inner turmoil," And since it's your birthday- Director Hutchins has extended you the privilege of a phone call! Now, I know in previous years you have passed on this opportunity- but I really do think it would be a marvelous—"
"I'll take it." I said without even thinking about it," If only to get you to shut up."
"Splendid! Follow me dear," She beckoned, a wide smile plastered on her face. I uncrossed my legs and stood up off the highly uncomfortable, blue plastic chair and slowly followed along behind her. My dark gray pants making a swish sound with each passing step, I kept my eyes in a dead stare ahead of me- ignoring all others we passed on the way to the phone room. Well, it was more of a closet- with a hard-plastic door that allowed a small semblance of privacy.
"Here you go sweetie- now, you only get one phone call—" she began rattling off the speech of the rules that went with the phone call, but I didn't listen to much anything she said. Instead, I was trying to figure out who I would call. My Uncle? He put me in here in the first place—and even if I called, there was a chance that Aunt Catherine or one of my three cousins would answer the phone, and then promptly hang up when they heard it was me. I didn't have any grandparents or siblings. My mom died months before I was put in here. That only left-
With shaking hands, I reached out to the phone and began slowly dialing the number that was etched into my mind. A number I used often after my tenth birthday. A number I hadn't used since my fourteenth birthday.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
"What if he doesn't answer? Why wouldn't he answer? He said he would be there if I needed him."
Ring. Ring. Ring.
"He's not gonna answer… of course he isn't…. why would he?"
Ring. Ring.
Just as I got ready to hang up, I heard a click on the line and then some air, before—
"Hello?"
"Oh uh… hi." I stuttered out, surprised at my sudden shyness," Dad, I—"
"You must have the wrong number kid."
"W-what? No—Dad said he would always have this number."
"Hit the wrong key."
"No—I know I got it right," I shook my head frantically, even though the voice on the other side couldn't see me. I heard some whispering back and forth on the other side, before the guy cleared his throat.
"Who are you… uh.. looking for?"
"My dad—John Winchester."
Silence stretched for what seemed like forever. At first I thought I might have lost the connection- until I heard a soft voice utter in response.
"You've gotta be kidding me."
"Sorry?" I asked, confused- but before he could answer, I kept speaking," Look—if you can just give him the phone real quick- I'd really appreciate—"
"I can't do that."
"Why the hell not?!" I demanded, my temper flaring momentarily. At the silence on the line, I took a moment to compose myself, before uttering softly," Sorry."
"You sure John Winchester was your dad?"
"Yeah, why?" More hushed voices on the other side, to which I caught bits and pieces of.
"….another kid…."
"…. Trap…"
"… like Adam…"
"….before she does….."
"Okay, so I'm just gonna tell you. John Winchester died a few years back. Car accident."
Suddenly, my vision started spinning and I felt my knees go weak. Breathlessly, I collapsed into the chair beside the phone stand and stared unseeing at the tiled floor.
"He's…."
"Yeah."
"Now what am I gonna do?" I whispered, not intending for the male on the other side to hear me.
"Look uh… why don't we meet up- we can talk about whatever's bothering you. My brother and I might not be John Winchester- but we might be able to help you."
"I.. uh… I don't know…" I frowned," my dad was my only option left…"
"If it helps, we're in the same line of business."
"Same line of business?" I questioned, not really connecting where that went," No—no. I just… I was hoping he could… I mean.. no, never mind. It doesn't matter… Sorry I bothered you—"
"Hey- hey- wait a sec." The voice almost sounded panicked, but I held on out of curiosity. Something about this guy… I couldn't put my finger on it. A few more hushed voices were exchanged before he returned his attention to me.
"Where are you? We can meet up."
"I don't even know you—why would I agree to meet with you?"
"Because…" He paused a moment, as if he were trying to figure out what to say," Because we help people. It's the family business. You sound like you need help." I was quiet for a few moments, trying to figure out what I should do.
"Do I trust him? Trust them? I do need help, but with dad gone… no one can get me out of here…" A knock on the door behind me caused me to slightly jump. Looking over my shoulder, I saw Kristy tap on her wrist. "Yeah yeah, I know."
Out of pure irritation, I threw caution to the wind.
"You'll have to come to me. I'm afraid I can't leave my… housing situation."
"Uh… alright. What's the address?"
"Just take 90 East out of Buffalo, New York and go for about an hour. You'll come across a quaint, charming Hospital. That's where you'll find me."
"Alright—what's your—" Before he could finish, the line went dead. With wide eyes, I looked around, and saw that the power had been cut to the entire room. Rolling my eyes in irritation, I slammed the phone down on the receiver and walked out the door.
"Did you have a pleasant phone call, sweetie?" Kristy asked, her usual fake smile across her face.
"No, as a matter of fact. Found out my dad died some years ago."
"Oh- I'm so sorry."
"No you're not," I thought, as I walked back into the entertainment room and sat back down on my previously abandon blue chair. Now, all I could do was wait.
"What if these guys don't show up?" I thought, flipping aimlessly through the available channels on the television. My finger stopped in hesitance, as another thought came to mind," What if they do?"