The Angels' way - A Supernatural Story

3

The memories unfurl like autumn leaves, swirling in the wind as Sam drives through the familiar streets. Maeve's laughter echoes in his mind, a haunting melody that lingers longer than it should. He recalls late-night study sessions in cramped university libraries, their conversations punctuated by caffeine-fueled debates and unspoken dreams. Back then, they were just students, oblivious to the darkness that awaited them beyond graduation.

"Sam, are you even listening?" Maeve's voice breaks through his reverie, bringing him back to the present.

"Sorry, lost in thought," he admits, turning down the radio. "I was just remembering how much you loved our Human Rights class."

Maeve smiles faintly, but there's a heaviness in her gaze. "I still do. It feels like a lifetime ago, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, it does."

His heart tightens at the realization of how much has changed. The world they once envisioned seems impossibly distant now, overshadowed by grief and monsters that lurk in the shadows.

"So," Sam asks, turning down the radio, "I read in the paper that Rodrigo Suarte was released last week. Did you have anything to do with that?"

"We could say that," Maeve replies with a faint smile. "He did most of the work himself: you know, by being innocent."

Maeve has never been one to brag, and that's not about to change today. Yet, Sam knows her better than she might believe and immediately understands she's not a stranger to the Suarte case.

"I always knew you'd end up a great lawyer," he tells her, nodding. "I was convinced about it: you have it in your blood. I can't explain it, but... yeah, I always knew. Plus, you loved our Human Rights class so much, I was sure you'd end up in that field."

"Let's say I'm doing my best," she responds. "I try to help as I can. Well... I used to. Now... I think the law is over for me."

Sam turns to his old friend, his expression sorrowful. "We don't know what the future holds," he tries.

"You're right. But I'm pretty sure mine isn't where I thought it was."

With her head turned toward the outside, elbow resting on the window, Maeve watches the streetlights pass by. No, nothing is as it was before. Things changed in just one night. Once again, that... intuition in her mind seems to want to take over. Wanting to shake off that feeling as quickly as possible, she shakes her head as if to eject the bad thoughts and turns back to Sam.

"And you? Monster hunter, huh? Did you do it... for Jess?"

"Actually, I've always been on this path. Let's say it's a family affair. My dad was a hunter; he taught Dean and me early on. Now that he's gone, we've taken up the torch."

"You didn't talk much about your dad back then."

"No, I know. Sorry."

"You don't have to apologize," Maeve replies, holding his gaze with an encouraging smile. "I understand."

Sam feels comfortable enough to talk about anything with Maeve. Back in university, he often burned to tell her everything-his rather disastrous childhood, his extracurricular activities. But like with all his friends back then, he held his tongue for fear of putting her in danger one day. If he had known he would be here, years later, things might have been different. But Sam doesn't want to, can't keep torturing himself with "what ifs." So instead, he shakes his head and focuses back on the road.

"Your brother seems nice," Maeve says, changing the subject. "He fits the idea I had of him pretty well. You're very different, but... you can feel there's a special bond between you. The kind that not everyone has."