Losing Hope | {BOOK 4}

90| Remembering Again

When I got inside, a woman was about to throw a mirror shard at Bouncy Hair Lady, who was magically pinned to the wall. The woman stopped when she heard me cock the gun. Turning back to look at me, she laughed.

"A gun? You really think that's gonna work on a..."

She trailed off as I held up the note that read 'witch-killing bullets'. She scoffed, turning away, and I pulled the trigger, taking her down. Once she was dead, Bouncy Hair Lady fell to the floor. Two men hurried down the stairs and I rounded the gun on them, hesitating when I didn't know which one to shoot. I settled for pointing it at Guy Two.

"No, no, no," he held up his hands. "Husband, witch."

He pointed at himself, then at the other guy. Moving the gun, I shot the one he claimed was a witch, killing him like the woman. A second later, another guy joined my husband on the stairs. I started to move the gun over to him, but my husband shook his head.

"Not a witch," he told me, and I lowered the gun.

I gave them both a thumbs up, smiling a little as they both looked relieved. Bouncy Hair Lady took me upstairs and recited a spell using a spell book. There was a flash of purple light and I felt my memories flood back into my head.

"Eleanor?" Rowena asked hesitantly.

"I'm back," I grinned, nodding.

We made our way down the stairs, Rowena in the lead, holding the book. Sam and Dean were standing impatiently in the foyer, staring at us expectantly as we came into view.

"Hey. Is that it? Is- is it done?" Dean asked worriedly.

"Who are these hippies?" I jabbed a thumb in their direction, looking at Rowena.

Both brothers looked horrified that I didn't recognize them, and after a moment, both Rowena and I started laughing.

"Look at their faces!" I grinned. "Oh. Kind of like that time I glued both of your hands to your beers. Remember that? Classic."

Sam shook his head, half smiling, while Dean just glared up at me.

"Not funny," he pointed at me.

We headed back to the motel and Rowena packed her bag, heading out to put it in a cab while we followed.

"I can't believe you called Rowena," I shook my head.

"I can't believe you rode Larry," Dean shot back.

"Hey. I was awesome on that bull. I was like a goddess."

"Now, should you experience any odd memories from when you were hexed, conversations, you'll let me know?" Rowena addressed me.

"It's blank, mostly. Really."

"Oh, just a second," Sam went up to the window of the cab as Rowena got in.

"If you want to thank me, you can send a wee gift basket."

"The book."

Rowena glared at him, holding the book out through the window.

"You're no fun."

"We owe you one. Small one."

He stuck the book under his arm as the cab drove away.

"So how you holding up after the spell?" Dean asked me.

"That thing kicked my ass."

We all started over to the Impala.

"You know, I gotta be honest. I was actually, uh, a little jealous at first," Dean admitted.

"Of what? The curse that nearly killed me?"

"No, just, you know... some of the things we've done, we've had this weight for... forever. And seeing it gone, uh, you looked happy."

"He's got a point," Sam chimed in beside me.

"Huh," I nodded, smirking a little. "Well, look, was it nice to drop our baggage? Yeah, maybe. Hell, probably. But it wasn't just the crap that got lost. I mean, it was everything. It was us, it was what we do, you know? All of it. So... that's what being happy looks like? I think I'll pass."

We stood there in silence for a minute, and then Dean took out the keys, nodding to the door I was standing in front of.

"So, if you just pull on that handle-"

"Shut up. Get in the car."

Both brothers chuckled, climbing in the front while I slipped into the backseat and we took off.

⁘

I got a text from Kelly telling me to meet her at a diner. The boys still had no idea I helped her escape me and Cass. So, while they worked a case, I went off to meet up with Kelly. When I arrived, I found the dead bodies of two angels in the alley and no sign of Kelly. I pulled my phone out, dialing her number, and it went straight to voicemail.

"Kelly, I don't know where you are or who you're with, but whoever they are, you can't trust them. Call me back. I can help you. I promise."

I hung up, staring down at the dead angel vessels. I had a bad feeling Kelly had been taken by demons, which couldn't mean anything good. I left the diner, heading back to my car and driving back to the Bunker. When I got back, Sam and Dean were sitting at the map table with Maddie and Zep.

"Mama!" Zep grinned, running over to give me a hug.

"Hey, bud," I smiled, hugging him back.

"Where you been?" Dean asked me.

"Went for a drive. Needed to clear my head," I shrugged.

He eyed me skeptically as the door to the Bunker opened once more and my mom walked in.

"Mom!" I grinned at her. "It's been a while. A long, long... long, long, long, long while."

"Yeah, alright," Dean rolled his eyes. "She's dramatic, as you know. What she meant to say was, you've been missed. Glad you're back."

"Burgers. Beer," my mom said, placing the items on the map table.

"Yum," Sam said, getting two burgers out and giving them to Maddie and Zep before helping himself.

"Mm. Forgiven," I smirked. "What 'cha been up to?"

"Oh. Jogging, tai chi, meditation. Melting rugaru brains."

Sam choked on his bite of burger and Dean and I stared at my mother in bewilderment.

"Uh, m-m-melting rugaru brains?" Dean asked.

"There's no easy way to say it," Mom swallowed, "so I'm just gonna say it. I have sort of... been working with the British Men of Letters."

"You- you, uh... you what?" Sam asked.

"Ah," I nodded my head slowly.

I looked over at Maddie and Zep, who were staring at my mom curiously while they ate, and crossed my arms over my chest as Dean piped up.

"Emilie... we, um... we have a-a history with them."

"I know, Dean. And it was a hard decision. But they're doing good work. I have helped them save people, a lot of people. We can learn from them."

She looked away from him over to me.

"Do not give me the face."

"What face?"

"You know the face."

"There's no face."

"That's the face," she gestured to me.

I looked away from her, playing with Zep's hair while I stood behind him.

"Emilie, look," Sam chimed in, "we have our own tool kit, and it works just fine. A-and for obvious reasons, like broken ribs and burnt feet... We don't trust the Brits."

"So where does that leave us?" I asked, glaring over at my mom.

"Same as always. Family."

I pursed my lips, exchanging a look with Sam and Dean.

"Just hear me out," my mom begged.