the magician//d.winchester

3.

Jim passed away early that morning. I found him in his bed, he looked content. Happy. I knew he was at peace. It didn't stop the tears. The overwhelming sadness. I texted Sam, simply saying he was gone, and to meet me at the gas station.

I poured gasoline all over the house, wrapping Jim in his sheets, one last kiss on the cheek, " You were the best dad I could've asked for." I whispered.

I packed a small backpack, taking only clothes and my valuables. I left the house, staring back at it. " I had a really good life." I smiled, my cheeks already wet.

I whispered a short spell, my finger lighting like a candle. I flicked a spark on to the gas trail, getting into the Jeep as the house went up. A hunters ending, and an ending for me. I drove to the gas station, knowing there wasn't any going back.

Sam and Dean were sitting outside of their impala, waiting. " Harper I'm so-"

I cut Sam off, " I'm good. I'm fine. Tell me how I can help with this end of the world shit."

***

Lebanon was a lot nicer than my town. Sam and Dean lived in an underground bunker, well warded from bad things.

Sam was sweet. He apologized for the witch hunt thing. " We didn't know you were Jim's daughter. Hearing about witch like killings of monsters-"

" I'd be concerned too." I said, " No hard feelings. Dean on the other hand."

" Dean is going through a lot."

I sighed, " The world is ending. The spirits from hell, keeping them away is hard on me. The warding took a lot from me."

" We've lost a lot of people. Our mom. Our... him."

" I heard about your mom, I'm sorry. Jim told me about her. He kept me sheltered from other hunters. Understandable. Who's him?"

Sam frowned, " Uh... I'll just call him our kid. He was. We took care of him. Protected him. He was basically the Antichrist. A nephilim. Half arcangel. I don't wanna talk about him."

That's the word the demon said. Nephilim. " How did something kill something that powerful?"

" God killed him." Dean said, coming back from the kitchen, " Because I couldn't. And God was scared."

" Why would God be scared of anything?"

" Why did God open hell? Because he's a dick." Dean said.

" Harper, could you excuse us." Sam grabbed his brother by the arm.

I heard them screaming from the other room, but all I could focus on was ringing in my ears. A loud, constant ringing. I felt fear in my heart, a childlike fear. Like a little kid lost in the middle of nowhere. I didn't like it.

I sat there for a minute, thinking. Where was this fear coming from, it wasn't mine. " Show me who you are." I whispered, opening my palms, " Guide me to whoever wants to speak to me."

" Hello?" A small voice called.

It sounded so far away. A young boy. He was afraid. So afraid. " Who's there?" I said, " Why are you trying to reach me?"

" It's so dark. I can't see anything. Why am I here? Who are you?"

" My name is Harper Barlow, let me help you."

" What are you doing?"

I opened my eyes, glaring at Dean. " Practicing the craft. Take your little witch knife and shove it up your ass. Where's your brother?"

" His room." Dean said, " Left me to apologize."

" Go for it."

" No."

I rolled my eyes, " Men. This is why I only worked with Jim. Knew when he was wrong. Accepted good people for who they were."

" Forgive me for not liking people like you. I've had some run ins."

" If I judged every human based off the bad ones I'd have killed half of Kansas already. But I didn't. I judge the individual. I get in this line of work that's a lot to ask, I do. But I've been alive a while, and I've yet to kill an innocent person."

Dean grimaced, " Yeah. Do you want a drink?"

" I like wine."

" We have whisky."

I forced a smile, " I forget you all drink to numb."

He slid the bottle over to me, " A lot of people I love are dead. Numb is good. Very good."

***

I couldn't sleep. Not with that voice. I painted a circle on the floor, sitting in it, and projected. " This is Harper. Speak to me again."

" Hello? You can hear me?"

" Yes. I can hear you. Tell me your name."

" I'm Jack."

" Jack, where are you. How can you reach me?"

" What are you?"

" I'm a witch. And a hunter. But I'm help. Let me help you."

" I don't know where I am."

I felt pain in my chest, " Not on earth. Not anywhere."

" I'm so afraid. I haven't felt anything in a year. And now I'm afraid. Please help me. I don't know what to do. I don't want to be here."

His poor voice. He sounded like a teenager, but so small at the same time. A felt a tainted person, but such a good soul. A new soul. " I can't help you right now. But I'm going to find out how. You aren't dead, I'd be able to feel that. I'll pull you from where you are. I promise."

" Please hurry."

" I will. I'm going to go now. Don't be afraid."

" Wait! Please don't leave me. I'm alone. There's so much empty. It feels bad. Like there are bad things. Please don't leave me alone here."

I've slept keeping up a ritual before. It wasn't a new thing. This Jack. I don't know how he could reach me. But he needed help. I knew he did. I'd figure out a way. " Okay. I'm gonna sleep. But you'll still be connected. You'll feel me there, like I'm asleep next to you."

" I just dont wanna be alone here."

" You aren't alone. I'm right here."