(Scene Change) Dean and Mallory are at the diner in Colorado. It is morning again. They are in the midst of police and forensic people.

"This is a mess," Dean said.

Mallory was crouched over where one of the bodies once was. She wiped at the ground at something then sniffed her fingers.

"Demons were here... but why... And you're sure this Crowley guy isn't behind this?"

"As much as I hate to say it, but we keep in good contact with Crowley, for the most part. This wasn't him."

"Rogue demons then?"

"Best guess so far."

Dean's phone started ringing and he pulled it out and answered it. "What'd you find out?"

(Scene Change) Show Sam and Cas walking across the street. Sam is on the phone.

"We talked to the witness that the police picked up. He was across the street when it all went down."

(Scene Change) Show Dean. "What'd he see?"

(Scene Change) Back to Sam. "Two big black SUV's showed up, bunch of dudes in suits walked in. Not even ten minutes later, they walked out." Sam and Cas get into the Impala.

(Scene Change) Mallory is now standing next to Dean.

"So it didn't take them long to dine and dash... We got sulfur, so we at least know we're dealing with demons.... K." Dean hung up the phone. An officer walked up behind the two and spoke up.

"Did you guys go up to the scene in Utah?" She asked.

"No... Uh, Some other agents were put on that one." Mallory said.

"Not that'd it be much different," She stated. "Reports are nearly the same. Some sick group of psychos are goin' around doing this... Just got a call from the sheriff in Burlington. A gas station was hit late last night. These guys are moving fast."

"Same cause of death?" Mallory asked her.

"Exact Same."

Dean and Mallory shared a worried look and made their way to the door.

(Scene Change) The four are driving in the impala late at night. Dean is driving and Cas and Mallory are in the back seat. Mallory is asleep. They are driving in silence before Sam finally speaks up.

"Do you think we could just be on some wild goose chase?" He asked with a hint of concern.

"Maybe..." Dean agreed. "We still haven't found out the reason behind the attacks. I don't think it's going to be pretty when we do."

"Still, I fear it may be connected to one of us," Cas said quietly.

"What do you mean?" Sam looked back at him.

Cas looked over to Mallory, who was leaning against the door, fast asleep.

"There could be a way to find out more about her..."

"Yeah, a good way to piss her off." Dean warned.

"Dean, this could be a very effective way to learn more about her, and maybe the case. You said that she had been to the diner in Durango. How are we to know that she wasn't at the killings in Blanding and Burlington?"

Dean scowled. "I still don't think this is very smart. You're going into her personal memories. Who knows what craps she's been through."

Sam spoke up. "Yeah, but there's still a lot about her that she hasn't told us. These demons could be after her for some reason... If she's not going to speak up, this is a good way to get something out of her."

Dean didn't say anything, but angrily kept driving. Sam sighed and turned back around. They drove on for a few more minutes in silence. Cas looked back at Mallory, then back at Dean and Sam. He reached out his hand and gently touched Mallory's arm. Almost immediately, his eyes closed, and he slumped in his seat.

Dean looked in the rear view mirror, "Damnit Cas!" Sam swiveled in his seat and reached out to shake him awake.

"Don't! You might be taken under too."

(Scene Change) Cas is standing in the middle of a barren and grim forest. He looked around him and found no one. "Mallory?"

Silence.

He ventured a few steps forward. In the distance, a figure is hunched over something. Cas precariously walked towards it. Lying on the ground was the body of a small boy, blood covered the left side of his neck. The figure over him was a man whose hands and face were covered in blood. There was a rustling noise behind him and the man looked up towards the noise. The man stood up, opening his mouth to reveal large sharp teeth and a long tongue.

"Leviathan?" Cas asked aloud, utterly confused. The leviathan took off after the sound and Cas ran after him.

They came up upon two young children vigorously running. One was a young boy, looking to be about 9 years old. He had dark hair and rich brown eyes. Beside him ran a girl who looked to be about seven. She had long dark, brown hair and bright blue eyes. The leviathan sprinted after them, gaining ground. Cas slipped his blade out from his sleeve and moved to cut off the monster. He jumped forward, bringing the blade across the leviathan's neck. The blade slipped through the neck like butter, but no blood was shed. The monster paid the angel no attention and kept on sprinting.

Cas followed the three until they reached the edge of the cliff. The young children turned around, knowing that they were trapped, utter fear in their eyes. The leviathan slowed, knowing he had won. He crept towards them, opening his mouth to reveal his true self again. The children held onto each other, bracing themselves for the attack. The leviathan lunged at them but was suddenly thrown back with a immense flash of black light. Cas shielded his eyes from the light.

When he opened his eyes, he was in complete darkness. The children and the monster were gone. The forest and cliff had disappeared as well. He stood in the black for a moment before the world around him reformed. Now, he was in the bunker. Sitting on the couch was Dean and Mallory, watching the news; it was the broadcast of the diner attack. Cas walked around the couch and stood in front of the TV. The two continued to watch the news as if he wasn't there. Cas reached forward and touched Mallory's face, but his hand went through it as if it was smoke.

"You can't do anything," Said the real Mallory's voice. Cas looked to see her sitting on the dining room table. "They're memories. They can't be changed, or interfered with."

"What happened to the children?"

Mallory smiled. "You're looking at one of them."

"You were in purgatory... The leviathan... They were chasing after you. Why?"

"That's not important," She responded casually. "The real question is why you're in my head in the first place."

Cas didn't say anything.

"Why are you here, Castiel?" She asked again, her face grim.

"... I wanted to know if you had anything to do with the demons killing people."

"I'm not a villain, if that's what you're thinking."

"No," he said, walking towards her. "I want to know what they want. Are they looking for you?"

"I'm afraid so."

"Why?"

"... I don't know. But I'm going to figure it out. I can't have you three getting hurt because of me.

"You're planning on leaving? When?"

"Whenever I get a hint as to where the demons will be..."

"Mallory, what is really going on here? Surely a group demons wouldn't want a cursed girl-"

"-They don't."

"Then why do they want you?" Cas asked, his voice raising. "What are you?!"

Mallory smiled at him, but it was sad and empty. "If you don't know, then it's best that it stays that way. I've already put you guys in danger; I can't continue to do so. It was selfish of me to think that I could be around friends and keep everyone safe. I will leave and so will the demons. You will not be involved with this any longer." She stood up.

" Mallory, wait-"

"I could make you forget this conversation once you wake up, but I want to trust you and I want you to trust me too. Please don't say anything to Sam and Dean."

Cas stared at her, contemplating her plea. "I won't," He said finally. Mallory walked up to him and places two fingers on his forehead. Cas' eyes closed and he fell to the floor.

(Scene Change) Cas jumped awake in the Impala. He looked around confused, Sam and Dean looked back at him and Mallory. Mallory was sitting awake beside him.

"Dude, you were only out for like a minute," Sam commented.

"Dream time. It's a little different," Mallory commented smugly. Sam and Dean looked at each other awkwardly and didn't say anything. Dean turned his attention back on the road and Sam turned up the radio. Cas looked over at Mallory, but she ignored him.

(Scene Change) It is daylight at the gas station. Cas and Mallory are checking out the scene, Dean and Sam are at the police station. The bodies are no longer at the gas station, but much like the diner, the blood is still there. Mallory walks back behind the counter, Cas is a short distance away, watching her.

(Scene Change to Dean and Sam at the police station) An officer is sitting at a desk with a computer. the brothers are standing over him.

"This is what we got of the security footage before the perp shot the camera...."

They watched the footage Atticus slitting the boy's throat and letting him fall to the ground. The demon that shot the camera smiled at it while pulling his gun out, flashing his eyes black. The screen when black after that.

"Doesn't give us a lot to go off of..." Sam mumbled.

"There was another security camera," The officer continued. "It was at the back of the store, you couldn't see any of their faces, but we did..." he pulled up the video. "Catch this."

The footage showed Atticus walk back into the store, pause at the counter then leave again,

"What did he do?" Dean asked. "Play that again."

The officer replayed the video.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

"Stop." Dean ordered. "Look. He's pulling something out of his pocket..."

Sam squinted at the screen. " Did you guys find anything on the scene, a note,or anything like that?"

"No, we're still looking over the crime scene."

Sam pulled out his phone. "I'll call Cas."

(Scene Change) Show Cas and Mallory back at the gas station. Cas is speaking on the phone with Sam. He hangs up and addresses Mallory.

"They think one of the demons left something. A note perhaps."

"Where?"

"By the counter they think? Mallory, if there is something, it's for you. Are you sure you want to play this game?"

She scanned the counter, running her hands along the surface. "I'm already playing it. I've been playing it for years, I just didn't realize..." Her fingers stopped under the cash register and she lifted it. Out from underneath it, she pulled out a note. Cas stepped forward trying to take a peek at it. Mallory scanned over it, then shoved it into her pocket.

"Tell Sam we didn't find anything," She told Cas.

"But-"

"Tell them that.... please." She walked out of the gas station. Cas stayed inside and pulled out his phone.

"Sam... yeah, we looked. We didn't find anything... okay, we'll see you in a few."

(Scene Change) That night, at a motel, Mallory slips out the hotel door, shutting it quietly behind her. She walks over to the impala and pulls out a CD from her backpack; it is the Van Halen CD that Dean had lent her. Attached to it is a note. She places it under one of the windshield wipers.

"Leaving so soon?" Cas asked behind her.

"Gotta take care of business sooner or later." She turned and faced him.

"How will you get there? Steal the impala?"

She grinned. "I'll think of something."

Cas turned his head in the direction of the hotel door, "Well I don't think Dean would ever forg-" He turned back around and Mallory was gone.

He walked over to the impala and picked up the cd. The note read, "See you around boys. This case is on me."

Cas slipped the cd into his pocket.

(Scene Change) Inside the hotel room,

"Dean. Sam," Cas said sternly. Dean jumped awake, rubbing his eyes. "Crap, Cas. What?!"

Sam fumbled around, looking for a lamp. he turned it on and sat up. "What's going on?"

"It's Mallory. She's gone to confront the demons."

"What?!" Dean exclaimed, getting out of bed and putting on his shoes.

"They were after her the whole time, trying to separate her from us."

"Why?" Sam asked.

"She wouldn't say. I don't think she even knows.... but I saw some of her memories. One of them was her as a child in Purgatory... what ever she's facing has serious consequences."

"Damnit Cas, why didn't you say anything?" Dean out on his coat and pulled out his keys.

"She didn't want to get us involved."

"Well that isn't up to her!"

The three left the hotel room.

(Scene Change) Mallory is walking up to an old abandoned theater. She opens the door and steps into the darkness. When she steps inside, the lights on the stage light up and sitting in a plush chair on the stage is the older demon. He is sitting at a table, sipping on a cup of tea. Standing beside him is Atticus. About a dozen other demons are in various places in the theater; sitting in seats, standing on the stage, or standing near the doors. The older demon looks up and grins when he sees Mallory.

"Mallory Devlin! I'm so glad you could make it! Good to know the directions were simple enough." He set down his cup of tea. and stood up.

She walked towards him slowly. "Who are you?"

"Oh! how rude of me! Azarias is the name. This is Atticus. Come, have a seat." He gestured at the table where another plush chair had appeared.

Mallory hesitated but sat down.

"Tea?" Azarias asked her.

"No thank you."

"Suit yourself." He sipped at his again. Everything about him was refined.

"What do you want with me?" Mallory asked harshly.

Azarias chuckled. "Right into it then..."

"You've killed at least twenty people, so yeah, let's get right into it."

"Ah, I never killed a single soul. Atticus deals with the blood. I just deal with the negotiations."

"Negotiations?"

"Yes," Azarias smiled. "I've waited a long time to meet you. I'm glad I finally had the chance. I take it you came alone? Assuming you were with the Winchesters."

"And an angel-"

"-ooh, making all kinds of friends I see."

"Yeah," she said flatly. "I did come alone. Now it's my turn to ask questions. Who the Hell are you and what do you know about me?"

Azarias looked at her with a cool expression. "I'm a demon."

"Yeah, I got that. But who are you?"

He stood up and started pacing the stage. "Someone who's waited a long time to get to the center stage. My brother had his time in the limelight, but we all know how that ended up. Now it's up to me to clean things up."

"Your brother?"

"Azazel, of course."

Mallory looked surprised. "The Yellow eyed demon?"

"Yes, him." Azarias looked slightly irritated. "He had good intentions, but got himself killed."

"So, wait. Are you trying to replace him? That was years ago. Hell's gone through plenty of rulers in the last decade. You don't seem nearly as powerful as Azazel and Abaddon, or as crafty as Crowley."

Azarias pursed his lips before answering. "My goal... dear girl, is not to rule hell. Demons have shown time and time again that they are unfit to do so. No, no, my goal is to find the right ruler. Azazel and Lilith set forth the steps to release Lucifer, but Lucifer is no longer an option at this point-"

"Not that anyone is complaining about that... well except for you, maybe," Mallory smirked.

"You should show more respect to your father." He said bluntly.

(Scene Change) The brothers and Cas pull up to the theater and quickly make their way to the theater. instead of going through the front door, they make their way to the back. They sneak through the back door and shuffle through the darkness. they make their way backstage. Sam stops when he sees Mallory sitting and talking with Azarias.

(Scene Change back to Mallory and Azarias)

Mallory's face clouded in anger. "You're wanting a true heir of Lucifer to take on Crowley and rule Hell."

"For years, the loyalists have been wanting to set things right again. Back to the days of order. Without Crowley or Abaddon, or even Lilith screwing things up," Azarias said with glee and passion.

"Azarias, please. Show some respect. Lilith was my mother, after all," She said sarcastically.

Azarias shot her a cold look. "Unfortunately for us, there wasn't many of your kind left after the Leviathans had their way with you."

"There weren't many to begin with."

"It's taken thousands of years to track you down. Now we can finish the job."

"What makes you think that I want to rule Hell?" She asked stubbornly, standing up from the chair. "I hate demons. I hate the politics of everything, and I hate others interfering with my life. You should have just left me alone."

Azarias calmly pulled out a blade from his coat. He looked at it longingly. "Oh, dear Mallory, I had a feeling you'd be... difficult. Seeing as you won't be cooperative, I suppose we'll just have to go with plan B... Our orders were just to lure you out in the open."

Mallory looked horrified. "What do you mean?"

"You're not first in line for the throne.... Shameful really, I kind of looked forward to a combined rule of Hell..."

They were interrupted by the thud of a body dropping to the ground. Azarias and Atticus turned to find Sam standing over a dead demon, demon blade in hand.

Azarias' face turned red in anger. "You know I didn't want extra company," He said to Mallory.

"Deal with this," He ordered Atticus. Azarias put the knife back in his coat. Mallory stretched out her hand, and Azarias flew across the stage and hit the wall, the knife falling from his pocket. He slowly sat up and wiped blood from his mouth.

The remaining demons flooded the stage towards the brothers and Cas. Fighting broke out among them, the occasional flash from Cas or a blade, indicating a death of a demon.

Mallory made her way towards Azarias. A demon lunged at her, but she caught him around the throat and threw him aside like a rag doll.

Dean and another demon were in the midst of a fight. The demon picked him up by the shirt and threw him several feet. He landed off stage, out of breath.

Cas held off two or three demons easily enough, placing his hand on them, killing them quickly.

Sam and Atticus were going at it, Sam punching the demon, sending him stumbling back a few feet. Sam continued towards him, knife aloft.

Mallory picked Azarias up by the collar and held him close to her face. "Why are you here if you know you can't kill me?!" She spat.

"I only have the knife for safe keeping. But mark my words, Mallory. The weapon will be your demise."

"Who sent you?"

"... You already know the answer to that."

She threw him again, and he landed near Atticus and Sam. Atticus was on the ground, fighting Sam off. Azarias crawled back into the wall, grabbing the knife. Sam held his demon blade to Atticus' throat, weighing down on him.

"NO!" Azarias yelled at Sam. He leapt forward with the knife and thrust it into Sam's side,' the blade let loose a bright, white light. Sam yelled out in pain and slumped forward and rolled off Atticus. In the blink of an eye, Atticus and Azarias disappeared, taking the strange knife with them.

Dean had made it back on the stage and rushed towards Sam.

"Sam!" he yelled.

"Dean, don't touch him!" Mallory stretched out her hand again and stopped Dean in his tracks.

"Mallory, Wait-" Cas said, and Mallory did the same to him.

Confusion and anger twisted Dean's face. Mallory walked over to Sam and crouched over him.

"What are you doing?!" Dean yelled at her.

Mallory ignored them and placed a hand on Sam's wound. Her eyes flickered black, but had an eerie white glow in the middle. She grimaced in pain before closing her eyes and falling to the ground.