[HIATUS] Runaway ° Supernatural

i. ouroboros

"Hey, Dean. It's me. I'm sorry. I know I'm selfish and I know leaving was a shitty thing to do. I just need some time. It's just... what you said last night struck a nerve with me. Not in a bad way, I guess. It just made me realize that I'm nothing but a burden. You and Sam would have been better off without ever meeting me, and I am so sorry for that. I'm just leverage for whatever dick angel or demon wants me to be. I need you to know this—I know I'm just a kid. I'm only seventeen. But I can't grow up. I grew up a long time ago. Way before you and Sam showed up. I don't care about what happens to me because it really doesn't matter. I grew up living paycheck to paycheck in greasy motel rooms and shitty apartments. God, that sounds so stupid, and I know you guys can relate, but at least you had each other. I only had my mom who tried her damned best to get every penny she could before spending half of it on alcohol and cigarettes. I mean, hell, when the power went out because we were evicted we would stay there until the food went bad or we got kicked out. Listen to me, Dean. I don't want you blaming yourself. I don't want either of you blaming yourselves, because for some reason you love to do that. This is my fault. I won't call you again and don't try to track my phone—unless you're planning on going for a swim—because I'm throwing it into a lake when I'm done with this. Anyway, I have a place to go. I'm sorry for ranting and I'm sorry about Ellen and Jo. I'm sorry for everything. Tell Sam and Cas I said bye.

Bye, Dean."

Her fingers hovered over the Send button, wondering if she should redo the voicemail. She shook her head. It was how she felt and she didn't care anymore.

She pressed send and it felt as if a massive weight had been removed from her shoulders.

Artie stood on an empty bridge near Everett's house.

She hadn't told him that she was coming yet, but she hoped that he wouldn't be too upset about her 4 am visit.

She'd parked the car on a back road because she wanted to take a walk. She had a feeling she would come to regret it, especially if she had to walk back and go to a motel, or if she had to leave in the morning.

Artie took a deep breath, basked in the moonlight for a moment, and then tossed the phone into the water. She watched it float for a minute before sinking slowly into the water. Then, she started walking to Everett's house.

The woods were surprisingly serene, especially at night. Owls, crickets, and frogs all hummed together in a gorgeous cacophony of sounds that she hadn't appreciated since she was little.

Something cold dripped on her head. The moon had all of a sudden disappeared, and it started raining. Of course, it was just her luck.

She turned back and decided that the car was farther than his house, and hopefully, they would let her come in despite being soaking wet.

Soaking wet she was—it started pouring down rain so she covered her head with the duffel, her clothes soaked, hair dripping, and bag surprisingly dry.

She knocked on the door a few times and worried she was disturbing—well, his entire family with it. For a moment she wondered if she should leave and come back in the morning, but she was shivering and would kill for a roof over her head.

Finally, someone came to the door and she assumed it was Everett based on the size of the shadow in the window.

She jumped as the door swung open and a gun was pressed against her chest.

Her heart dropped when she saw Jackson standing on the other side of the threshold.

The two stared at each other and he lowered the gun. Without saying anything—and before Artie could either—he closed the door.

"Really?" She said, making her voice loud enough that he could hear, "Not cool."

The door opened again after a minute of waiting and she was greeted with a much more welcoming face.

Everett was there—though he had a cast and crutches—with a warm smile.

"Artie!" His smile quickly turned into a frown, "Is everything okay?"

She grinned stupidly and let out a relieved laugh, though she had tears in her eyes, "I need a break."

He gave a sympathetic smile and moved out of the way.

"Sorry about breaking your leg."

"Yeah, no worries." He carefully sat down on the couch and patted the cushion beside him, "Isabel's friend is coming tomorrow to fix me up."

"Uh, I'm kind of soaked. It rained."

"Oh! Well, uh, just grab a towel from that closet."

She did so quietly—grabbing more than one just in case—and sat down beside him.

"Uh..." Everett shifted nervously, "What happened?"

She was quiet. Her face fell and she chewed her lip.

"Things got bad. Our friends—they didn't make it. I had to get out—take a break. "

"I get it." He gave a sad smile and put his hand on her forearm, "Listen, I've already talked to my mom and Isabel. They said you can stay here whenever you need to."

"What about Jackson?"

"He's... less enthusiastic, but he doesn't bite. He's harmless unless you're a monster."

Her stomach churned when she remembered Olivia, but she swallowed and shook her head.

"Yeah. Listen, I appreciate all of this. But—" she couldn't help herself; she laughed, "—do you think I could get some sleep?"

"Oh, yeah, of course. You can have my bed—"

"No way, Everett. I'll take the couch. Just give your family a word of warning so they don't freak out, okay?"

He nodded, smiled, then brushed his hair out of his face. "Goodnight."

She smiled back. She felt safe for once.

 "'Night, Everett."