On April 21, 1967, the 100 millionth GM vehicle rolled off the line at the plant in Janesville – a blue two-door Caprice.
There was a big ceremony, speeches. The lieutenant governor even showed up. Three days later, another car rolled off that same line. No one gave two craps about her. But they should have, because this 1967 Chevrolet Impala would turn out to be the most important car – no, the most important object – in pretty much the whole universe.
She was first owned by Sal Moriarty, an alcoholic with two ex-wives and three blocked arteries. On weekends, he'd drive around giving Bibles to the poor "Gettin' folks right for Judgment Day." That's what he said. Sam and Dean don't know any of this, but if they did, I bet they'd smile.
After Sal died, she ended up at Rainbow Motors, a used-car lot in Lawrence, where a young marine bought her on impulse. That is, after a little advice from a friend. I guess that's where this story begins.
"And here's where it ends."
• • • • • •
(Jess's POV)
Jessica watched from the window in Bobby's house as Dean walked out to meet with Sam. It looked like they were having a big boy discussion and she didn't want to bother them. It had been a quiet few days for them but not for the world. More and more cities and towns were under siege. Freak nature storms and other very odd happenings had been going on.
Many newscasters didn't know what to say...nothing like this had ever happened before. Of course, there had been earthquakes and hurricanes that had rocked the Earth. Volcanic eruptions and tornadoes tearing up land and wrecking families.
But there was a strange feeling in the air. A taste of despair and utter chaos surrounding everything living. Of course, the people in the know...hunters and the supernatural alike knew that the end of days was upon them. But the unsuspecting humans that lived their lives and knew nothing of what goes bump in the night have no idea. They haven't the faintest clue as to what is actually going on...but even they know it's nothing good.
Chloe walked over to Jess and they both looked out the window, up to the sky now. It was dark with clouds. It looked menacing and scary and the rain was starting to pick up. It looked like a normal Thursday...but it wasn't.
"I won't blame you if you wanna leave Chlo.," Jess whispered out.
It was stupid to try and push Chloe away now but even though they'd become fast friends, Jess knew little about the demon...except that her father had been responsible for the way she was now. There was of course nothing Jessica could do to repay her father's faults but Chloe didn't seem to care. She didn't blame Jessica like Jessica blamed herself.
The demon continued to stare out the window like she hadn't even heard her friend. Then out of the silence came her voice.
"I'm a lot of things Jess...but I'm not a coward. I know you're trying to do what you think is best...giving me an out but I'm involved now," She looked up at her friend. "I'm not going anywhere."
"What about Hell?"
"Who cares! Sam's gonna kick that little devil back in his playhouse and as soon as that's done, I'm getting out of that infernal place...I'll kill Crowley if I have to." The demon said with venom under her breath.
• • • • • •
The brothers soon returned and everyone loaded up their stuff. Jess and Chloe would be going with Bobby and Cas would be riding along with the brothers.
To make sure Sam's body didn't up and combust, they had to get a boatload of demon blood.
After driving to a local warehouse, the boys left to go to work while Bobby went to buy a newspaper. Jess and Chloe went over optional procedures of evacuation. Jessica had decided on her own that she'd be going with Dean when the time came...as he wasn't just gonna leave his brother to ice the devil alone.
When the boys returned, they all had gallon jugs of demon blood. Chloe helped them put them in the back of the Impala as Jess stopped by the van.
"You okay?" Bobby asked as Dean walked over to them.
"Not really. What do you got?"
Bobby looked down at the newspaper. "Not much. These look like omens to you?" He said and handed the paper to Dean. "Cyclone in Florida, temperature drop in Detroit, wildfires in L.A."
Dean looked up at Bobby when Detroit was mentioned.
"Wait. What about Detroit?"
"Temp's dropped about 20 degrees, but only in a five-block radius of downtown Motown."
That seemed strange to Jess. Why would only a section of a city have a lower temperature? If it was a normal day then that may make sense...but all the end is nigh crap seemed to set things in perspective.
"That's the one. Devil's in Detroit."
Jessica tipped her head up, "You really think he's there?"
Dean nodded and handed back the newspaper.
"Yeah, I'm sure." He said with such positivity that it was scary.
• • • • • •
(Chloe's POV)
After getting the blood, they all set off for Detroit. Jess was sleeping against the window in Bobby's van. Chloe was checking the internet for any other signs that warranted the apocalypse just as a precaution as they followed behind the Impala.
The van followed the Impala into a curve when Bobby said.
"I'm not sure why you're helping us...but thanks."
Chloe looked over at him. She stared at his beard for a moment, taking a breath before responding. "How did you know?"
"I'm old but I do have eyes. Jess said you worked with Cas so I just figured we had another angel in our corner but then Crowley showed up and I knew."
"He told you?" Chloe asked. It sounded like him.
"No no, he didn't have to. I put two and two together. Jess trusts you and for right now that's enough for me. But if you ever hurt that girl."
"I understand." She said as seriously as she could. She knew the old hunter didn't trust her fully but it was enough for now.
"Besides you're really too sassy to be an angel."
"Don't tell Cas that," They both chuckled, "...thanks then for not ganking me."
The old man didn't respond and that was okay. Chloe smiled.
• • • • • •
(Jess's POV)
Bobby and Chloe left to go stake out the building, so Jess stayed with the boys. Dean was messing with the weapons in the trunk and Sam was just chillin.
Jessica saddled up beside him. "Hey."
"Hey."
"I'm nervous." She said maybe for her own benefit more than his. She wasn't the best conversation starter.
Sam looked over at her...properly. She looked fine...calm even but Sam knew her...actually knew her. He tried to smile. "You're holding it in pretty well. Don't be nervous Jess."
"Easier said than done, my friend."
But the newbie hunter nodded at his words. He was right after all. She wasn't going to be the one to put old Luci back in his cage or go to hell in the process and die. But that didn't stop her from worrying about Sam. She considered him family and she wished that he didn't have to do this...to save the world. That it was all on his shoulders.
"I know it's childish but I wanted to make sure we were okay, after everything I-"
"I forgave you a long time ago Jess," He said as she settled beside him. "Make sure you get out alright. I don't want you living this life. Go back home to South Carolina...take Chloe with you and never look back."
Tears brimmed in Jess's eyes. She didn't want to do that. She couldn't do that. How could he ask her to just leave all this behind? She saw Dean in her peripheral eyeing them.
"Sam you know that my home is with you and Dean...I have no one left. Nowhere to go...nowhere, I'd rather be," She wiped a tear that started to streak down her face. "But, for your sake, I'll try you big idjit." She said and opted to wipe her face with her sleeve.
"Bobby's rubbing off on you I see."
"No one better." The pair smiled at each other as Sam threw an arm around her. She hugged him back as this could very well be the last time she saw him so she held on as long as she could.
Bobby and Chloe rounded the corner of the alley.
"Demons, at least two dozen of em. You were right, somethings up.'
"More than something. He's here, I know it." Dean said and rounded the Impala to the trunk and Jess let go of Sam so the others could say what they needed to.
The older hunter grabbed Sam in a bear hug. "I'll see ya around, kid."
"See ya around."
Bobby continued his arm holding Sam close, "He gets in...you fight him tooth and nail, you understand? Keep swingin'. Don't give an inch."
"Yes, sir."
Chloe was next, she slapped a hand on Sam's shoulder. "Give em' hell Sam."
A brief smile etched itself on Sam's face and he nodded. "Thanks for maybe being the only demon that hasn't stabbed us in the back for personal gain." He told the girl.
Jessica grabbed onto Dean as Sam said this. She was slowly losing the will to stand upright and not crash down and cry like a baby. It was stupid but Dean held her anyway.
Sam leaned over to Cas, holding out his hand. "Take care of these guys, okay?"
"That's not possible," Castiel said with all seriousness.
"Then humor me."
Cas's face falls as it usually does when he's failed to understand something. "Oh. I was supposed to lie." Cas said and smiled which made Jess smile sadly. "Uh... Sure. They'll be fine." He said.
"Just – just stop... talking," Sam said and made his way over to Dean who had to let Jessica go so that he could join his brother.
"Was that bad?" Cas asked. Chloe blinked at him.
"It's okay. He knows you mean well." The demon said and patted the angels' arm.
"You mind not watching this?"
Dean gave him a moment and then walked away. Jessica was still sort of crying but now Chloe was hugging her trying to tell her some joke as they leave Sam to drink all the demon blood.
"He said to take you with me...after all this is over."
"Sounds good to me...maybe we'll open a cafè or something. Make pancakes for a living." Jessica cracked a laugh at that but it was still tearful. She thought she sounded like a dying animal but it was the thought that counted. Bobby patted Jess's arm for encouragement but it brought even more silent tears as they waited.
Over by the car, Sam cleared his throat and closed the trunk.
"Okay. Let's go."
Sam walked past Dean and everyone else shot Jess one more smile before heading towards the building. Dean waited a heartbeat before following his brother leaving Bobby, Cas, Chloe, and Jess behind. Jess gripped Chloe's hand in her left and Cas' in her right and prayed that Sam would be okay.