She Talks to Angels | {BOOK 2}

9|The Rising of the Witnesses

"See, this is why I can't get behind God," Dean announced.

He, Sam and I were making more salt rounds while Bobby tried to figure out what the brand he and Sam had seen on the ghosts meant.

"What are you talking about?" Sam asked him.

"If he doesn't exist, fine. Bad crap happens to good people," Dean elaborated. "There's no rhyme or reason- just random, horrible evil- I get it, okay? I can roll with that. But if he's out there, what's wrong with him? Where the hell is he while all these decent people are getting torn to shreds? How does he live with himself? You know, why doesn't he help?"

We were silent following the explanation. Sam and I looked over at Bobby for help, but he shook his head.

"I ain't touching this one with a 10-foot pole."

"Yeah," Dean rolled his eyes.

"Found it," Bobby announced.

"What?" Sam asked.

"The symbol you saw- the brand on the ghosts..."

"Yeah?"

"Mark of the Witnesses."

"Witness?" I repeated. "Witness to what?"

"The unnatural," Bobby explained. "None of them died what you'd call ordinary deaths. See, these ghosts- they were forced to rise. They woke up in agony. They were like rabid dogs. It ain't their fault. Someone rose them... on purpose."

"Who?" Dean inquired.

"Do I look like I know? But whoever it was used a spell so powerful it left a mark, a brand on their souls. Whoever did this had big plans. It's called 'the rising of the witnesses'. It figures into an ancient prophecy."

"Wait, wait," Dean held up a hand. "What- what book is that prophecy from?"

"Well, the widely distributed version is just for tourists, you know. But long story short- Revelation. This is a sign, guys."

"A sign of what?" Sam, Dean and I chorused.

"The apocalypse."

"Apocalypse?" Dean repeated. "The apocalypse, apocalypse? The four horsemen, pestilence, $5-a-gallon gas apocalypse?"

"That's the one," Bobby nodded. "The rise of the witness is a- a mile marker."

"Okay, so, what do we do now?" I asked.

"Road trip," Dean smirked over at me. "Grand Canyon, Star Trek Experience. Bunny Ranch."

"First things first. How about we survive our friends out there?"

"Great. Any ideas aside from staying in this room until Judgement Day?"

"It's a spell," Bobby read from the paper in front of him, "to send the witnesses back to rest. Should work."

"Should," Sam repeated. "Great."

"If I translate it correctly. I think I got everything we need here in the house."

"Any chance you got everything we need here in this room?"

I smacked Dean upside the head.

"So, you thought our luck was gonna start now all of a sudden?" I quipped.

"Spell's got to be cast over an open flame," Bobby added.

"The fireplace in the library," Sam realized.

"Bingo," Bobby nodded.

"That's just not as appealing as a, uh, ghost-proof panic room, you know?" Dean called from the back as we made our way out of the room.