I Found Rock Bottom

Didn't know how bad it could really get here. I guess it's never too late to be unpleasantly surprised. The name's Jo. I don't like doctors, therapists, nurses, or whoever else is working here.

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Somewhere Only We Know | Jo & Dean

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“Dunno. Maybe. But since when has anything ever protected a hunter, ‘cept for an angel? And, I mean, I don’t think we can blame angels. This place is covered in Enochian sigils. It’s their writing that’s keeping us in here.” Dean gave a small shrug again. Angels. An unlikely probability, but still; this wasn’t the first time someone had brought it up.

Nodding, the Winchester sighed. “Hope so. Wouldn’t be the first time someone’s gone darkside after sleeping with a Winchester, though,” he muttered under his breath.

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"Just because there's a lot out to kill hunters doesn't mean there's definitely no protection," Jo said, very quietly. As if she was in deep thought and not all there because of it. Then she shook if off. "But you're probably right. It's unlikely something'll go out of its way to protect any hunters. And then there's the questions of the demons and angels and... stuff, right?"

She looked at him with a bemused expression. "What?"

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Somewhere Only We Know | Jo & Dean

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“Oh, yeah, definitely real. And to add to the fun, He hates Sam and I tons. We died and ended up in Heaven, and God had a message for us. Basically told us to give up on trying to save the world. So He either wants the world to burn or just doesn’t care about the outcome. Either way, He’s no better of a father than mine.” Narrowing his eyes, Dean checked his surroundings, ensuring no one else was up there with him. “What if it’s not that something is keeping us in here, but that someone in here is trying to keep something else out?”

“Like I said, you’re probably safe. She’s a good girl. Just don’t get too close ‘til we’re sure,” he suggested.

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"That's terrible," Jo said with a frown crossing her features. She'd never been religious, but to think that there was, in fact, a God and that that God didn't care was... mildly unpleasant to say the least. At Dean's theory she raised both her eyebrows. "Like what? Something... dangerous? But then why revive the dead? Could it be protecting us, in some screwed up way or something?"

She smiled and nodded. "Sure. That sounds fine. I hope she's... actually good, though."

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Socialising | Jo and Anna

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She nodded. “My favorite are The Beatles.” She hummed along with the current music and flipped through the records until she found the one she was looking for. “See.” She held it up for a moment and then let it rest in her lap.

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Jo smiled at that. "The Beatles are good. What song's your favourite? Do you want to put on one of their records?"

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Somewhere Only We Know | Jo & Dean

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“No. And that kinda rules out God, too, doesn’t it? Unless this is His sick way of letting us all know that He’s a closeted sadist in which case, not exactly the most subtle way,” Dean commented. “I mean, I had a theory. But it doesn’t make sense, so…” He shook his head.

Dean huffed quietly. “Anna’s an angel. She’s hurt innocent people. She’s killed innocent people. She tried killing my parents, and as a result, got herself killed,” he told Jo in a soft voice. “Anna’s a good girl underneath it all, just… be careful. I mean, when people are brought back, they’re not always themselves. We still don’t know if Anna’s all there.”

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"God? You mean God's... real, then?" she asked, not sure what to think of that possibility. It wasn't that she didn't believe, she just considered it something she'd never know the answer to, and she was content with that. She shook her head. "Theory?"

Jo's eyes went wide at that. She definitely hadn't expected that information. She nodded slowly. "I'll be careful. Thanks for telling me..."

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Somewhere Only We Know | Jo & Dean

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“Uh… Well, only ones I know for sure are angels, archangels, and God. And Crowley, I think,” Dean added as an afterthought. “But then, why would an angel or even a demon want to trap their own relatives in here, right? Spoiler alert: we’re not all humans.” Which brought him back to Anna.

“There’s probably more than a few things,” Dean answered vaguely. “Things I don’t think even she remembers.”

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"They wouldn't," she said simply, a thoughtful look on her face. "So it's not likely an angel or demon doing the resurrecting..." She frowned a little and shook her head. "Weird. This is all... weird. All wrong."

"Are there? Like... like what?" Jo asked. She knew Anna, too, was having problems with her memory but of course knew nothing more about it. "Sounds important."

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Somewhere Only We Know | Jo & Dean

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“Um… Well, it’s nothing I’ve heard of,” Dean replied with a frown. “But Sam and I considered that, uh, maybe the fairies aren’t bringing people back. Maybe they’re working with another creature that brings us all back, and the fairies just work to trap us in here and mess with our heads and stuff. I mean, it’s complicated, sure, but not impossible. No different than a bunch of hunters workin’ together.” Dean let out a small chuckle at Jo’s startled questions. “I meant while I was researching. Like, i read about one. Don’t get too excited.”

Inhaling deeply, Dean held the breath for a moment before he answered. “Anna’s a nice girl, Jo,” he replied. “Sam and I had a few run-ins with her over the years. She’s…” Did he tell her the truth? Of course he did, she’d be able to handle it… he thought, anyway. “How much do you know about Anna?” Maybe questions were a better way to go about it.

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"Another creature..." she said, trailing off as she considered it. "Hey, Dean, how many things do you know of that have the power to bring the dead back? I can't imagine it's a common ability or we'd be having all sorts of problems, wouldn't we?" Laughing she covered her face. "Oh. Duh. Obviously you didn't find one. That would be too convenient. Sorry."

Jo frowned a little at the question, then shrugged. "Not much. I just met her the other day, you know? Something I should know about her?"

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Somewhere Only We Know | Jo & Dean

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“You should,” Dean responded seriously, taking a seat on the ground and letting his legs hang over the edge of the building. “God, I’m starting to sound like Cas.” He rolled his eyes.

Dean nodded. “True, and they don’t usually travel in groups. The amount of shit they’re causing and people they’ve got controlling around here… it’d take dozens. They couldn’t do it with just one. Fairies, though, some live in groups, travel with them. Hell, some don’t leave that nest ‘til they die.There’s one I found the other day that can alternate reality and shapeshift, which means… for all we know, it could be anyone in here.”

“Anna? Like, pretty mermaid girl, Anna? Looks like Ariel with messier hair and talks like she’s from 1940 sometimes?” Dean blinked. That was the only Anna he knew of. “Jo… Anna’s a nice girl, alright? Just… be gentle, and watch yourself.”

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Jo sat down next to him and laughed. "I will, then," she said, not sure why sounding like Cas was a bad thing but also not sure if she wanted to ask.

"Can fairies bring back dead people?" she asked, curiously. "All I know about them are... fairy tales. From books and stuff. And fairy tales never mentioned them grabbing people out of Heaven or whatever but they also never said they can't do that." She frowned. "You found one the other day? What did it look like? What did it do?"

She nodded. "That's the one. And sure, I'll watch myself. She's still mostly a stranger. I won't get careless, I'm not the type to do that. Or at least... I don't think I'm the type to do that."

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Somewhere Only We Know | Jo & Dean

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“Yeah, just, don’t get on an angel’s bad side. They’re even more vicious than demons, and twice as difficult to take out. The only upside is that they don’t usually travel in packs. Usually when you’re up against a demon, you’re up against more than just the one. Angels are more predictable; two, at most, ‘cause honestly that’s all they need.”

Dean glanced down to her hand and smiled widely at the small comfort. “Theory is currently, um, some type of fairy. Or maybe a djinn, we’re not really sure, like I said. Only other option is God and, well, why would he trap us all in here when he could just wipe us off the face of the earth with a single thought, right? Honestly, I’m not sure you can help, unless you feel like hitting the library and reading up with us sometime.”

Smirking curiously, Dean challenged Jo further. “Alright, names. C’mon, tell me what’s going on. I know you, Jo, something else is up. What, you’re not sure you can trust her or somethin’?”

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"I'll try to be nice to them," she said with a laugh. Though while she laughed, she was a little nervous. Tougher than demons? That wasn't something she wanted to get on the bad side of. But she figured that she'd never even met an angel, as far as she could remember, so it shouldn't be that hard.

Jo nodded. "Fairy or djinn. Got it. But don't djinn usually kill pretty quick?" she asked, a look of concentration on her face as she tried to remember. She'd heard of djinn before. She didn't think she'd encountered any herself, though. "Don't know anything about fairies, though. Sorry I'm no help here," she said with a laugh. "I'd go and read up some time if that might help. I don't want to feel... useless here."

She shook her head. "No, no, it's not that. I mean, I actually don't know for sure if I can trust her but she seems... all right. Her name's Anna."

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Somewhere Only We Know | Jo & Dean

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Dean nodded, a silent confirmation before he spoke. “Demons. Look human, but have black eyes. You can send ‘em back to hell with an exorcism. Leave traces of sulfur behind them. There are lots of different classes of them. And yeah, demons are here. Angels, too. A lot, actually, more than there are demons.”

“We’re not sure,” Dean answered flatly, staring down to the ground in shame. “We’ve got some theories, just… still doing our research. As of right now, it’s not hurting anyone but we think it’s what’s got us trapped here in the first place, so techn—are you okay?” the older Winchester brother asked, frowning at Jo’s sudden reaction. as he listened closely to her words. She? “You’re worried about a friend of yours?”

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"I remember demons now. Hard to forget something like that. Them. Whatever," Jo said with a nod. "A lot of angels?" she asked, somewhat surprised. "Well, better that there's more of them than demons. I'd take a lot of things over demons."

She put a hand on Dean's arm. "Theories are better than nothing," she said, calm as anything once more. "What do you think you're dealing with? And is there anything I can do to help?" Then she added, "Yeah. Just a little. She said she could fight and I believe her. But it's just that if something's dangerous enough, it doesn't matter how well you fight. Sometimes things are just... too much."

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Somewhere Only We Know | Jo & Dean

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“Well, what do you remember killing? ‘Cause angels, believe me, they’re harder to take out,” Dean informed Jo. He took a moment to collect the appropriate words to describe Castiel. “They’re loyal to God, for starters. Don’t go rebelling against Heaven. They come when you ask ‘em to. And Cas… No, he’s just disobedient and likes a good adventure. Actually, it’s kinda useful.”

Dean searched for the right words, words that wouldn’t spit themselves out, that wouldn’t scare the already-fragile Jo. “Honestly, it’s pretty messed up. But so are we, I guess. We chase after things that try to kill us. Do you really think there’s a damn sane thing about hunting?”

“Then, maybe it’s angels. But… why would they erase your memories before that?” he asked, not sure if the uestion was directed more at Jo or to himself. “This whole thing’s messed up. You remember Sam, right? My brother? We’re here on a hunt. Or, well, we thought we were. And now… well, we’re not so sure. But hunting aside… Let’s focus on you. Talk. What’s on your mind? C’mon, you can tell me.”

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"I remember taking out... ghosts, vampires..." she trailed off, then paused. "Demons?" It was sort of a question, like she was asking for conformation. She remembered demons, vaguely. Not angels, and she thought those would stand out. "Angels..." she repeated with a frown. "Don't go rebelling? I don't like the sound of that. Are there any of those here? I know there're... demons, right?"

Jo let out another shaky breath. "Yeah... you can't be all the way sane if you're gonna go after monsters. That's true."

She looked intrigued at the mention of a hunt. "What are you hunting? Is it something here? Is it dangerous to... to anyone?" The last question was a little urgent. "'Cause I've started making friends," she added quickly. "Wouldn't want any of them getting hurt. Even if she says she can take care of herself." The last part was very quiet, almost unintelligible.

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Somewhere Only We Know | Jo & Dean

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His hand stroked up and down her arm, shushing her comfortingly until her breaths became calmer. “Monsters are everywhere. I mean, we chased after lots of ‘em, all kinds of ‘em. We even befriended a few. You and Ellen worked with my roommate, Cas. He’s an angel. A pretty poor example of one, but still.”

“Honestly, I think it comes with the life,” Dean responded with a chuckle. “I lost my mom at four. Shot my first gun at six. Went hunting at seven. I think you get raised into the idea that you’re gonna die young and just kinda… adapt. Besides, the first time, I knew it was coming. Being pulled back to earth, though, that was unexpected. I think after the first time you’re kinda… desensitized, I guess. I mean, you’ve already kicked it once, what’s once more, right? So by a hundred, mostly you’re just bored with it.”

“You mean besides the lack of desire to talk about heaven or hell, wherever you end up? Not in my experience,” Dean answered. “Sam came back without his soul once, though. But unless the angels wipe your memory of wherever you ended up… No, you pretty much remember everything.”

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She nodded. "Monsters, yeah. I remember killing some. Don't remember any angels, though. I didn't think angels were real, honestly," she admitted, looking confused for just a moment. "Poor example of one? What're angels usually like anyway?"

Jo listened intently. What Dean was saying made sense. It didn't make it any less of a strange situation (resurrection, really?) but it made a sort of sense. "So the first time's worst? Yeah, it... it would be," she said, sounding calmer, almost back to her normal calm. "After that it would make sense to get used to it. Having to get used to dying, though..."

"I don't remember Heaven or Hell at all," she said quietly. "No idea where I ended up whenever it was that I... died." The word was said like it was stuck in her throat and she had to force it out.

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Somewhere Only We Know | Jo & Dean

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Dean eyed her, eyes stern. “You, too,” he repeated. God, he hated this part of the job, telling people the truth about what’s out there, and the background story of what really happened. He slipped a protective arm around her shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze.

“I have no idea,” he confessed. “You aren’t the only one, though. My dad’s here, my mom’s around. And, well, Sam and I—God knows how many times we’ve both died. I mean, my count is at least 105, and Sam… I dunno, I’ve really lost count with that kid. And there were times after we got back where we were barely holding it together. So if you gotta cry or whatever, hey, let it out. I’m here. I get it. I’ll tell you anything you wanna know, ‘kay?”

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Jo relaxed against him, just a little, and took a deep breath. She would not cry, though. She wouldn't. After another deep breath she nodded. "That's... pretty crazy," she finally said. "Monsters I can buy. People coming back from the dead? I'll need a while to let that sink in."

"How are you and Sam even... okay after dying so many times? I mean, I feel like I wouldn't be able to take it." Admitting that wasn't easy, but she wondered, who would be able to handle it? Apparently Dean and Sam. She took another deep breath. "Are there any side-effects to being resurrected? I mean, is my memory loss part of that, or is it from something... else?"

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Somewhere Only We Know | Jo & Dean

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“Uh huh. Important,” Dean reaffirmed. “Makes sense that you remember her more. Your dad passed when you were… ten, I think. Your mom… Well, her story’s a little more complicated.” With all the resurrections in town, Dean wasn’t sure either of her parents were dead anymore, only that at one point, they had been.

“Look, Jo, I need you to try not to freak out here, alright? ‘Cause whatever I’m about to say… hell, it’ll mess anybody up, not just you. And for the record, I’d give anything not to have to tell you this, but… Yes, your mom’s gone, too. And… and at one point, so were you.”

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She stiffened up at that. No, that was impossible. She couldn't have died. It was all she could do not to break down in a panic right then and there, so she stood perfectly still, eyes looking left and right along the horizon. "Me, too?" she asked weakly, doing everything she could to keep herself calm.

She didn't know how she could think so with such certainty, but she was almost positive that Dean wasn't lying. After taking a deep breath, she turned back to look at Dean. "How am I here? Do you know?" she asked, looking calmer, but not totally calm. She did her best to look like it wasn't bothering her, but she knew she wasn't doing a great job of that.

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Socialising | Jo and Anna

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Anna observed her with a friendly gaze. “That sounds nice.” She nodded. “What’s your favorite song, Jo?”

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"I have quite a few. Grew up with lots of classic rock in my life. Almost anything by Johnny Cash... Maybe 'Can't Fight this Feeling'... you know, REO Speedwagon? But there's lots of music I like... what about you?"

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Somewhere Only We Know | Jo & Dean

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Dean frowned, the corners of his mouth twitching as his smile dropped. “Jo…” He trailed off with a heavy sigh, turning to her with his hands in his pockets. “Jo, listen to what I’m about to say, ‘kay? You’re someone, and… God, you’re important.”

“You’re… Joanna Beth Harvelle. You were born April 7th, 1985, to Ellen and William Harvelle. Your dad was a hunter, he worked a lot with my dad, actually. And, yes, we’re talking monsters. All kinds of ‘em. You didn’t always hunt, though. Not ‘til you reached adulthood, anyway. Your mom was totally against it, but it was who you wanted to be and eventually she joined you after the Roadhouse burned down. That was the bar you used to work at. With your mom, and this guy, Ash.”

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Jo listened to everything Dean had to say and let a little smile cross her face. Important. He thought she was important. That was nice, she would admit to herself. "Important," she repeated quietly. The rest of what Dean said was consistent with the bits of memory she had, which was a huge relief.

She nodded slowly before letting out a breath. "I believe that, all that," she said quietly. "And I sort of remember my parents. My mom more than my dad. But I think... they're both dead?" She looked confused at that, as if she wasn't sure. She didn't remember either of them dying, specifically. But she remembered the time after her father's death and had a nagging feeling about her mother.

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Somewhere Only We Know | Jo & Dean

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Taking a step toward Jo, Dean punched her arm lightly, playfully. “Alright, go for it. I’m all ears,” he told her. “I get it. You think you’re seeing things, hearing things, maybe. Not sure what’s real anymore, and who you can and can’t trust. I get all of that. Maybe I’m not in your, uh, exact situation, but… I get it more than you think.”

“They treat everyone like that,” he continued. “Like we don’t know what we’re talking about, like we deserve to be in here and, hell, half of them don’t believe they’re supposed to be here. Bunch of hypocrites.” He shrugged, looking out at the empty fields surrounding the building. Miles of grass as far as the eye can see, except for the two-lane highway out in the front which, ironically, was behind them. “‘Nough about me though. Let’s talk about you, huh?”

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Jo nodded, looking out over the field before stepping up to the edge again and looking down. "Yeah. Just... just like that. And I do... hunt monsters, right? I just need some reassurance there."

"I'm glad you get it," she said quietly, almost shakily, before shaking that off. She didn't want to sound... weak. She sighed. "I don't know what's real, you know? Not for sure. I barely know who I am."

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Somewhere Only We Know | Jo & Dean

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Dean nodded and chuckled softly, understanding Jo’s pain. “Tough to deal with it alone, huh?” He pushed open the door to the roof and stepped forward, a few feet from the edge. “You’re not insane, you know, if that’s what you’re thinking.” He looked over his shoulder at Jo, who did appear dimmer than her usual bright self, she girl she was outside of this place. Technically, she was outside now, though, so with any lucky maybe this would, at the very least, provide some kind of relaxation.

He motioned for Jo to come over to him, holding his grin steadily. “You wanna talk about it or should I just pretend we’re somewhere that isn’t here?”

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"Yeah," she said, looking over the edge of the roof but keeping a safe distance so there was no chance of falling. "Worse when the staff don't believe half the things I say. I hope I'm not insane. I'd like to think I know what did and didn't happen. And the memories are too vivid to be... delusions or whatever they call them."

She went over to stand closer to him and gave a slow nod. "I think I want to talk about it. Or maybe I need to. Don't know which. But just a little. I need someone to talk to about this who won't treat me like I'm nuts."