New Beginnings

Festival of Moondor

We took the Impala back to the bar where Dean had made his deal with the witch. Dean walked straight up to him and said, "I'd like to renegotiate my deal. I wasn't exactly thinking clearly when I agreed to your terms, but I've had some time to think it over."

The witch just looked at Dean and laughed. "Are you kidding with this? Do you know how many times--If I had a nickel for every time I heard that--"

"You'd what? Have about 10 cents? We're here to make you a new deal. Sam plays you in one game of 8-ball. If he wins, you tear up Dean's contract, no harm, no foul. If you win, which you won't, then you can name your terms," I explained.

The witch considered my offer, then accepted. Sam was able to break, but didn't sink anything on the break. The witch walked up to the table and sank the #2, the #6 and the #7 before handing control back over to Sam.

"Knock 'em in, Sam!" I shouted from my barstool. "Go for that one with the orange stripey-thing on it!"

Sam stepped up to the table and looked it over for his shot. He easily pocketed the #9 and the #11 but miscued on the #14.

The witch took his turn and drove in the #1, the #3, the #4 but missed the #5. "Got some work to do, Sam."

"Ooh, ooh, Sam, go for the purple one! It's my favorite color," I suggested. Sam took his turn and sank the #10, #13 and the #14. He tried a bank shot for the #12, but was unsuccessful.

"My turn. I believe this will be game, my dear Mr. Winchester," the witch gloated as he pocketed the #5. He called the #8 to the corner pocket, which is exactly where it ended up going. Sam had lost.

"Well, now I have two Winchesters. Don't think anyone else in our world can say they have that," gloated the witch.

"Not so fast, Witchy-Boy. You haven't heard from this Winchester yet. Now, now, I've been watching, and I think I got it figured out. I think that I can do this, if you let me try," I offered.

"Maggie, NO!" Dean hissed.

"Hmmm. Three Winchesters are infinitely better than one or none. What are your terms?"

"I win, you tear up both contracts," I stated.

"What happens if I win?" the witch asked.

"You get me. And only me. These two go free," I said.

"Maggie, what the hell are you doing?" Sam asked.

"Done," said the witch as we shook hands to seal the deal. "Oh, by the way, since the price is higher, the risk is also greater. We don't play 8-ball. We play 9-ball."

"Fine. Wait, what?" I asked, a panicked look on my face.

"We play 9-ball," the witch repeated.  "I'll even let you break, sweet cheeks," the witch said as he winked at me.

"All right. Here goes," I said.

On the break, the #1 and the #3 went in. I turned my attention back to the #2. After it went in, I continued to follow down the line until only the #9 ball was left on the table. I called my shot for the #9 ball. It had to follow the rail for a bit before finally going into the designated pocket.

Suddenly, there was a horrible screeching sound coming from the witch. "HOW DID YOU DO THAT?? THERE WAS NO WAY YOU SHOULD HAVE WON!! THE TABLE WAS RIGGED!!" he screamed.

"I knew that. I used my telekinetic ability to keep it level while we played. Besides, the only other game I play better than 8-ball is 9-ball." I winked and then watched as the witch began to glow in this bright green light before completely disappearing. His "loyal" associates chose this moment to escape before they also were pulled into Witch Hell.