Chapter 26: Howlers Nest

"He begged me to stop, but at that point, I couldn't."

Abel stared at the other with shock in his face, he understood why the man couldn't legally have a gun now. Wondering how things ended up working out with the law but deciding against asking, he could see the story itself shook the doctor to the core.

"Remind me not to piss you off," He whispered. Cain scoffed, arching an eyebrow at the man.

"Probably a good idea," He replied with a small smile.

They fell silent again, Abel let out a sigh as anxiety flashed through his chest. Looking towards his brother once more, the man was staring around them attempting to figure out what stairs to take next.

"Hey, can I get your opinion on something?"

Cain looked towards the brunette, nodding "Shoot,"

Abel let out a breath, fiddling with his string lights on his arms. Wondering when the batteries would finally run out and leave them in the deep darkness forever.

"I...really think I like Cham, in a way I don't think I've...really felt before. It's really confusing, I always kind of went after chicks,"

"What? You? Liking Cham? That's a shock,"

"Shut up,"

"What do you need an opinion on?"

"Well," Abel murmured, "I got these texts today, basically saying Cham didn't like me. Ya'know, he was talking to a friend and...well, he called me...childish, and I just...I was going to tell him when we got back. But I don't know now,"

Cain shuffled uncomfortably, Abel saw a flash of something in the others gaze but it vanished too quickly for him to identify the emotion.

"It sounds like you got your answer already," Cain said with a shrug, "Is that all he said?"

"Well...he also said he only dated...normal men, not, yaknow," Abel almost didn't want to say the word, feeling a sudden shame flood his system. Causing prickles of anxiety to roll against his fingertips as he scratched his cheek.

"He has a preference? I mean, I think that's the nicest "no" you could have got, now you won't have to possibly hurt your friendship," Cains voice sounded sincere as he spoke, which made Abel's heart hurt even more.

"It just, the texts didn't sound like him, you know?"

"Are you sure? Or are you trying to make excuses to not believe it?"

Abel didn't have an answer for that as he glanced down at his feet, the deep darkness below caused him to shiver but he was thankful he couldn't see the bottom it kept his fear of heights at a minimum, for all he knew, the bottom was only a few inches below where the gaze of the twinkling lights didn't reach.

"He's an angel, right?" Cain continued, "Maybe he's not supposed to be with you because you're...Jesus? At least in a sense. I don't recall Jesus dating or anything in the bible,"

Abel felt frustration and heartbreak burn through his body, "You're right," He said finally, glancing towards the other.

"It's...just a stupid crush," He continued, louder than he meant to, his smile returning to his features despite the war that raged in his system. The image of Chamuel laughing flashed in his mind which turned his chest to fire. "I'll get over it, thanks Cain," He said with more confidence than he actually had. Nudging his brother with a closed fist, which brought a smile to Cain's face until their breath billowed from their lips once more causing the men to roll their eyes.

"You want to swing this time?" Cain asked, holding out the club.

"Sounds good," Abel replied, grabbing the club just as the image of Iggy appeared before them. His neck broken, his mouth opened in a scream. It caused a flash of guilt to rush over Abel but he brought the club down with a hard thunk.

***

Bailey stepped into the museum, having stopped by her apartment already to snag a few bags of things she'd need. She felt determination spark through her skin at the thought of helping the group, she wasn't sure what she'd do to help but she was going to try.

"We can't just add a team member, we don't even know her," Sam had said to Donnie who shrugged,

"Me and Israfil already voted, Baal's in too."

"This isn't a democracy!" Sam had spluttered out, looking at the group perplexed.

Just like that, she was part of something bigger. Something she felt would help the world, something that would get her closer to her revenge on the demon who stole her life from her.

Police had surrounded the area outside, taping it off, having pictures taken, chatting with one another. When she came up they allowed her in, she spotted Donnie's camera in the hands of a short detective, his partner writing something on a notepad as they looked over the impressively small piece of equipment.

She did her best to walk past them with her eyes down, neither gave her a glance as she moved past the exhibits. She made for the stairs, slowly climbing upwards until she got to the floor that held the changing area. Making her way past a few cops and towards the 'employee only' door. The locker room. She'd grab her stuff quickly before hunting down her manager to quit.

Her foot knocked against something lightly, blinking in surprise as a baseball rolled away from her high heeled boot. It had been resting by the leg of a table, a small bit of glass scattered about as if someone swept up the larger chunks of whatever broke but left the smaller pieces.

"So that's what that was," She said, leaning down and snatching up the baseball. Looking it over for a few seconds, names had been scribbled around it in old ink that was, until she came to the newest signature.

"Chamuel, hm," She smiled, clicking her tongue and placing the baseball in her purse before pushing into the room.

Her boss looked up at her, a shocked look on his face as she walked to her locker. She hadn't expected anyone to be in the room, especially not her manager.

"Bailey!" He spluttered,

"Hey Dave," She said with an awkward smile, pulling her sleeve over the fresh new tattoo on her arm, the anti possession symbol peaking out a bit from the arm of her leather jacket.

"What happened last night?" He asked with his jaw dropped, "We thought you got kidnapped, no one could find you the place was a wreck! They found cameras, a bunch of wires, and so much blood." He let out a breath, wrapping his arms around her and hugging her tight. She chuckled softly, patting his back till he let go.

"Sorry Dave, I'm sorry," She suddenly felt guilt flood her body. She meant to text the man but it slipped her mind.

"I wasn't even here," She said with a shrug, "Uh, yeah,"

He blinked at her a few times, "Your car was found though, and you weren't at your apartment."

"Yeah...I uh, so the story is..." She glanced around in an attempt to figure something out, she had planned on coming up with a story while collecting her things. The day had been too hectic for her to think straight.

"I went to dinner with...my friend," She started, "And we went to that twenty four hour taco place, you know the one, with the nacho's that have that...deep fried beef and the little--"

"Bailey, you're rambling,"

"Right, anyways, I came back and saw...the broken glass and decided I would just...go to my friend's,"

He blinked at her in shock, she shuffled uncomfortably and bit her lip as she quickly put her locker combo in, snatching her clothes and purse from the night before out of the steel coffin before turning on her heels.

"Anyways, before we get too comfortable here," She laughed, "I quit,"

The shock on his face caused her to wince, "Q-Quit?" He said, looking completely perplexed.

"Yeah, I uh...got a new job,"

"Doing what?" He asked, his jaw still on the floor.

"Oh, you know...security again, taking care of..."

"Is this about the man who's been stalking you?"

"No, it's not, thanks for remembering and calling the police about that,"

He gave her a confused look, "I didn't call anyone,"

"Great, I have to go," She closed the locker behind her, scooting past him rapidly. He followed her out with his jaw slacked, watching as she bound down the steps and out the front door.

She waved at the van across the street, Israfil yanked open the side of it. Freezing as Theo turned his head, eyes locked with Israfil's as Bailey hopped into the back of the car and closed the door behind her. They took off down the street, music blasting from the refurbished weather van.

Theo watched the car pulling away, rapidly writing down the license plate number, state of the plate and whatever he could of its description.

"Wasn't that the night time security guard?" He asked his partner,

"Yeah, think so," She said, "Why? What are you thinking, Theo?"

"I'm thinking she didn't do a good job protecting this place last night," He whispered, the two turned on their heels at the same time to make their way back into the building. Dagmar folded her hands behind her back as she watched the agent sketch out the top of the vehicle with incredible accuracy. The fancy shoes on his feet clicked against the pavement, his partner wore a similar suit, long sleeves that touched her wrist, black tie and long slacks that say comfortably over her oxfords that had a tad more heel to them than what she was used to as they entered the museum. Their steps echoing around the hollow room as Theo took in a breath, "Let's see what we can find out about her."

***

"You ever think about the fact that we, somehow, got the names Cain and Abel?" The hunter asked the doctor, using the golf club to whack down large vines that sat in the way. They walked, knee deep, in muddy water that smelled awful. The world around the pair covered in bugs, trees, and smoke of different colors and densities. The bugs in the bog raced against his ear as they walked, attracted to the lights that blinked lazily around the brothers arms. Many of the bulbs had broken from the running and fighting, Abel felt as if he was going to snap at any second as he continued to swat down the leaves around them.

"Well, I was named Cain after some...sort of martial arts fighter my dad liked," He groaned, Abel scoffed as he slapped the back of his neck the sound echoed around them. The bug bites were starting to drive the man up a wall, how an entire swamp had appeared in the home was beyond him.

"I picked my name, Abel just sounded close enough to Alice,"

"Alice huh? Wait, how do you have the name Winchester if you never met your father? Wouldn't you have our moms name?"

Abel felt a shot of discomfort, he didn't want to tell Cain how their mother tried to kill him as a baby. Cain was a complete mama's boy, he couldn't share such a dark thing about the woman with him. For all Abel knew, she wasn't like that anymore.

"Erm, well, our mom kinda just left me at the hospital without signing her name on the certificate."

"Don't they do it all electronically?"

"Do I look like I work in a baby ward to you?"

"Sometimes,"

Cain and Abel both stopped walking, the hunter sat down against an old tree that curved itself into the waters below.

"Only name on it was Dean Winchester, so I was just given his last name,"

Cain nodded in understanding, leaning against the tree as well. Glancing up at the darkness above, he silently wondered how all this was possible. He knew Arphaxat was part of it all but he couldn't believe the demon was able to do all of this, on top of that, to allow danger to come to him was unacceptable.

Abel hopped off the tree, a flash of white caught his eye. Tilting his head to the side he made his way through the hanging branches, splashing out of the water and onto solid ground. Cain followed after him, both men stopped as they entered an opened area in the middle of the giant swamp. No trees touched this place, the grass looked as if it were all pointing inwards towards a specific spot. An old, brick well.

"If a little girl comes out of that well I quit," Abel murmured, his eyes traced the area for a few more seconds until he spotted it. The white hare from his dreams, the tug on his body was so strong he couldn't stop himself from running towards the animal. The second his boots kicked up the rabbit turned and sprinted away.

"Is that a rabbit?"

He heard Cain ask but Abel was already too far away to answer. Racing after it with a strong sense of determination pounding under foot. Running through the deep, blue trees, his boots the only noise he could hear as the hare ran in front of him at its top speed.

When suddenly the hare stopped, Abel stopped as well. The rabbit tilted it's head at Abel, it's face was mangled from old bruises, jaw slacked. They stood in the middle of the undergrowth, swampy waters licked at the hunters boots. A cold wind has started to kick up, sending goosebumps down the man's pale skin.

"What are you?" He asked, taking in breaths rapidly.

The hare didn't respond, it turned and hopped itself to a large concrete stone. It sat ominously in the middle of the large swamp, he couldn't even see the top it went so high. Abel placed a hand on the stone, it pulsed under his palm as though it were alive.

Looking down Abel spotted the animal digging itself a hole and vanishing into the darkness under the large, thick wall.

"Abel," Cain called, sucking in air as he did so. Sweat caused his hair to stick to the side of his head when he finally caught up to the other, looking shocked at the large stony wall. He shivered at the sudden switch in temperature, rubbing his palms against his damp coat in an attempt to stay warm.

"What is this?" He asked.

Abel took a few steps to the side, running his hand over the exterior of the rock as he looked for a door. Stepping down he heard a soft click, he looked to his shoe he spotted something copper sticking out of the long, overgrown grass.

A Zippo! A piece of tape had been placed on the side that read 'dont press red button!' in Donnies handwriting.

"Hey, it's my zippo," Cain said with a tilt of his head.

"Isn't this Donnie's?"

"Finders keepers,"

"Where did it come from?" Abel murmured, he recalled Cain dropping it in the mouth of the beast. Did they get swallowed?

The soft sound of raspy breathing caused both men to freeze, eyes wide as they pressed themselves against the hard stone. Pressing together, Abel held the golf club out as the hunters attempted to peak through the trees and brush of the swamp. The sound of something sloshing through the swamp caught their attention, eyes following where the sound came from before another sound of twigs snapping caught their eye. No sounds could be heard as the two pressed to the hot stone,

"Cain,"

"Hm?"

"Can a ghost kill you?"

Before Cain could answer Abel let out a gasp of agony, he was suddenly being choked. Hot fire flooded his throat as someone grabbed the back of his necklace and was yanking him through the wall as if it weren't made of a solid mass. Attempting to steal the amulet off his neck. Abel by instinct grabbed the golden charm, attempting to pull it away from the grip of whatever had him.

"Abel!" Cain shouted as Abel's head was yanked through the stony wall into an unseen room. He gagged as Butch attempted to break the rope that held the necklace together.

"Abel I aint gonna hurt'cha if you don't give it to me," He roared, Abel glared. Quickly getting his bearings he shoved an arm through the opening, using the head of the club to smack into the others skull causing Butch to yelp in pain and drop the necklace.

Abel collapsed into the room, his body falling through the unseen opening of the wall. Sucking in air, a raw red line burned into the hunters neck where pressure had been applied by the rope.

They seemed to be in some type of basement, the ground was made of dirt that was flattened by thousands of shoes through the ages. A few random gaps that lead to nowhere covered the floors around them.

Abel rolled to his feet quickly, Butch didn't look well. He had dark, deep black blood dripping from his nose, his eyes sunken in, his skin was pale but his muscles seemed to ripple with power.

Abel held the club tight, Butch leapt at him. Cain pulled himself into the room as Abel smacked the man in the side of the head, the man roared in anger but he didn't falter. Snatched the club, tugging it with great strength from Abel's bruised hands.

Abel looked at the other shock as Butch held it up before bending it until it screamed and broke in half. Cain growled, he felt Cherm shuttering below him. Knowing the shadow would protect its king as all cost, Abel glared daggers at Butch. Holding his fists up with a grin, for a heartbeat Butch swore he was Dean but it vanished quickly.

"Ya can't punch, Abel," Butch laughed, "I aint 'fraid of you,"

Abel simply scoffed, brushing blood that dotted his chin with the back of his hand, Cain stood beside him, sharing the same grin as his brother, ready to fight.

With a dark glare Butch took towards them, his eyes distorted to black as he came down on the men. Butch and Abel punched at the same time, glass exploded around the old hunters face sending him cascading backwards. Despite the bulbs being shattered they continued to flash in the darkness only at a more rapid pace. Glass crunched under their feet as both men readied themselves to punch again.

Butch let out an inhuman roar, his body mutated, shuttering, his skin crawled with thin blue veins that raced into the mans arms causing them to explode outward. Large muscular tissue expanded from the other's body, showering the brothers in blood. A deep, rich, black fur rolled up the man's arms stopping just before his chest.

"Oh hell!" Abel shouted, the creature bore down on them with a bright, evil grin. Butches face shattered and morphed, showing a large jaw with sharp jagged teeth, that resembled that of a bear. eyes flooded to red that burned deep into the hunters eyes. Large horns exploded from the top of the man's now hairy skill, he let loose another roar that reminded Abel of a hyena trying to howl like a wolf.

Cain and Abel took a few steps back as the creature slammed its large, clawed fists to the ground. Sending a gust of wind that nearly knocked the men backwards. Letting loose another loud howl that seemed to make the house shake under their feet.

"What the hell is that!" Abel asked Cain who stared at it with wide, fearful eyes.

"Not friendly," Cain replied as the monster leapt for them. The two jumped back, Abel fell on the floor before pain shot through him. The monster had leapt on him, holding him to the earthy ground. Abel glared up at the sharp teeth, drool fell on the mans face cause Abel to cringe, he felt as if he would suffocate from the thick, long fur that shoved itself into face as Butch towered over the man. Letting his weight crush the hunter under him.

Abel struggled to breath, hot panic started to fire through his skull as the monster practically laid on the hunter who's airway screamed for a breath.

Cain punched with all his might into the bear-like creatures jaw, more of the bulbs shattering in the beast's face.

It howled painfully as the sharp glass from the bulbs slashed up its fur and flesh. Abel scrambled away, it shook its giant head before glaring at the hunter who sucked air in as if he'd run a mile.

"Abel, you good?" Cain shouted out,

"If Yogi bear suffocated me I'd have haunted your ass," Abel replied, blood dripping from inside his mouth and onto the ground below.

Spitting the blood to the floor as the doctor rammed a fist at the creature only to have his closed hand caught. Butch threw Cain away from them, the doctor yowled in pain as he slid across the dirt. Glass spiked into his body, Cherm snarled but Cain placed a hand down in front of the creature. Turning to take a blurry look towards his brother,

"Cain!"

"I'm alive," He shouted, watching as Abel ran and slid under the monster's large legs. Taking off towards his hurt brother. The creature flipped around, pelting after Abel

"Give me the Chamulet," Butch roared in anger.

Abel took a few steps away from his brother, this thing was after him, not Cain. If he wanted the Chamulet he'd have to come after him and him alone.

"Behind you" Arphaxat whispered, Abel took another step back and looked. A large, deep, dark hole sat in the middle of the floor. The sound of rushing water could be heard coming from inside it, was it another hidden altar?

He didn't have time to think, holding the necklace up, it shone bright against the Christmas lights,

"Come get it, asshole!" Abel shouted, the monster charged him. Abel leapt out of the way only for butch to grab his leg just as he was about to vanish over the edge. Abel shouted in shock as he was dragged into the hole, grabbing the side of the pit.

"Cain!" He shouted, Cain scrambled to his feet. Watching with wide eyes at his brother who dangled helpless over the edge. A deranged monster clawed its way up the hunters leg, dark blood falling from Abel's skin as the monster roared.

Cain hesitated, half of him wanted the hunter to fall. It would take care of everything, and yet, a split second decision caused Cain to jump for the other. Grabbing him by the hand just in time, now Cain found himself about to fall over the ledge too. Groaning painfully as he fought to bring his brother up, Abel kicking at Butch in an attempt to get himself free. Watching as the horns slowly burrowed back into the other's head, his large, bear-like jaw slowly returning to its original state. The sound of crunch bone filled the air.

"Let go!" He shouted,

"Give it to me," Butch yelled back, his body returning to normal as he continued climbing up the mans legs.

Cain struggled, feeling himself slip farther off the ledge. The sharp glass digging into his skin through his jacket causing him to hiss in pain.

"I can't hold it," Cain shouted,

"Cain!" Abel yelled, "drop me, or you'll fall too," Abel's eyes locked with Cain, something deep in the hazel gaze of the other was an understanding

"Don't let 'em go!" Butch shouted out, fear flashed over the man's face.

"Let me go," Abel whispered, staring daggers into the others' eyes. Cain's jaw tensed as he allowed himself to release his brother.

Abel gasped in shock as he started falling, Butch continued to fight for the necklace. Smashing a hard fist into Abel's nose, blood poured out as the hunter continued to attempt and free himself. His body rapidly started to panic as he realized he was falling, and falling. Yet he forced himself to continue and shove Butch away, kicking, punching. Pain exploding through his body as Butch sunk sharp teeth into his arm. Yowling in agony, he kicked Butch hard in the jaw sending the man backwards and away from him. Abel felt sick, he could see the ground coming quickly. Shutting his eyes tight against the darkness, grinding his teeth as he waited for impact. He was going to die by falling, a deep, hard set fear.

That is, until he felt himself suddenly stop. His eyes flew open, glancing up with joy exploding in his chest as Chamuel hoisted the hunter and Butch out of the large ditch. His eyes bright, his wings so larger they almost didn't fit in the opening as he flew easily upwards. He carried Butch and Abel with each hand, his wings pumping against the air for a few short seconds. Bringing them close to the top with ease. Relief flooded over the brunette.

"Abel!" He heard Cain shouted,

"I'm alive!" Abel shouted back

"Cham, you're a badass," Abel breathed, the angel looked down at him. Giving the man a smile that turned his chest to fire, the Chamuelt glowed softly. Butch struggled in the angels hand but Chamuel didn't let the men go until he reached solid ground.

Butch shoved away from the two, his body shuttered as he started to bring forth his beasthood but Baal was ahead of him. He grabbed the hunter, yanking him forward and smashed his head hard against Butches causing the man to go limp in his arms. Blood rolled down Baal's head but the demon didn't seem to notice, his yellow eyes flashing in the darkness.

"How'd you find us?" Abel asked, sitting back in relief, "Did you hear my prayer?" Abel whispered towards Chamuel whose white eyes didn't diminish. He shook his head, leaning down to inspect the blood that ran down the hunters face and arms. Looking for signs of shock only for Abel to smile at him, his teeth stained red.

"Tis but a scratch," he chuckled.

"Nope, no prayers. You two have been gone for a lot longer than we expected," Baal explained.

"So we decided to come over here and find you," Chamuel added, "Good thing too, you're pretty close to the bottom."

"The bottom?" Abel asked, looking around them.

"The bottom of what?"

"Explain later," Baal snorted, grabbing Butch.

"Tie him up," Cain said, "He's..."

"A howler," Baals responded in a matter-of-fact tone "Ozark Howler, son of a gun seemed a little off," The demon grunted. Abel pulled the lights off from around his body, handing them to Baal who blinked a few times before wrapping them around the man. Attempting to avoid pricking him with sharp glass. Without warning Butch attacked before the demon king could finish. Baal gasped in shock as the creature smashed him out of the way, diving for Abel who no longer had the protection around his arms. Chamuel shouted out for the hunter as Abel and Butch exploded through the floor. The wood under Abel gives way easily to the weight of the pair.

Abel felt hot pain score through his spine as he and Butch collapsed to the floor. They were in a bathroom, the tiled floor had been dug up, the toilet broken and the sink rusty as the two men rolled on the floor.

"Get off" Abel shouted, Shoving the man, kicking at him. Butch snagged the Chamulet from around Abel's neck and before the hunter could react the man pulled it off.

"Stop!" Chamuel shouted, diving for the howler who stumbled to the toilet and dropped the amulet into the muddy water.

"No! Butch!" Abel shouted, Scrambling forward with wide, terrified eyes.

"If ah can't have it, neither can you lot!" He spat, pressing down on the handle. Abel scrambled to the opening of the toilet, reaching for the golden trinket desperately but it was too late. The Chamulet was gone.

***

Abel tore the back of the toilet off, throwing it to the ground causing it to shatter. Butch laughed as Chamuel landed beside the howler, grabbing him and hoisting him in the air pushing the man violently against the wall.

"Cham stop," Abel groaned. racing his fingers through his hair, as he stared into the dark waters of the toilet.

"Beating him to a pulp won't bring back the Chamulet," He sounded defeated as his hands dripped from old toilet water, Baal leapt into the bathroom followed closely by Cain.

"No, but I'll feel better," Chamuel growled, Butch flinched as the archangel tightened his grip.

"Let 'em go, Cham, we got some questions," Baal said, placing his hand on the angel's shoulder. Cham growled, dropping Butch to the dirty floor below causing the man to laugh again as Cain pulled Abel away from the toilet.

"Good luck savin' the world now," Butch chuckled,

"Let's do this right," Baal snarled, grabbing the bald hunter and slamming their heads together. Blood dripped down Butch's head with the impact, causing his neck to fall forward.

With Chamuels help they tied him down. Now the group stood over the toilet bowl, staring down as if they expected the necklace to appear.

"What do we do now?" Abel whispered, Baal let out a sigh and shrugged.

"Honest, kid? No idea."

"How do we get out of here?" Cain asked.

The group climbed their way back into the basement, Abel felt as if a part of him was missing now as he brushed blood from his nose with the back of his hand. Butch had landed a few good punches, though the hunter wasn't trained when it came to close combat he was proud of the beating he had given the man regardless. His eye started to swell up, he could taste blood from a cut on his lip.

"This is called a Caro Comedenti, otherwise known as the flesh eater," Baal explained as he started to guide them through the home. Chamuels light keeping the place from getting too dark now as Cain and Abel remained close together.

"They're devil spirits, they take over large properties, buildings, houses, whatever they feel like. They make the place alive, sentient. When they choose their next victims they turn the place into a maze of their biggest fears, regrets, wrong doings and on and on."

Abel glanced at Chamuel, silently wondering if he actually had sent those texts. The words with Cain made his heart hurt, they must have been him. After all, Cain was right, Jesus didn't have anyone so why would he be considered special? The thought hurt, hurt far more than any of the bruises he wore.

"They're usually just seen in hell, sometimes in places that have had great battles. I've never seen one in the middle of New York." Baal said, using his brass knuckles to punch away anything that came at them. Chamuel winced as the ghost of Iggy appeared, the demon didn't seem to bat an eye as he punched through it easily.

"Yep, they'll mess with you, your insecurities, fears, whatever they can while tricking you into the deepest part of their body. Then they eat you. The more terrified the soul is, the better it tastes I guess,"

"So...it's like Monster house?" Abel asked,

"I love that movie," Cain whispered, Chamuel pulled out his phone and typed something on it rapidly before returning it. He was surprised Abel hadn't asked him about seeing it or not but he seemed exhausted.

"I guess so, I don't know what that movie is," Baal laughed, "But these things are easy to send back to hell. Just need a lot of fire power,"

The group walked up a flight of stairs, turning into an open window and climbing down a chimney that led seemingly nowhere before they landed in the muddy water of the swamp.

"So this monster house...why didn't it eat Butch?" Cain wondered out loud,

"And why all this....stuff?" Abel added.

"Butch probably summoned it," Baal replied smoothly, "and the rooms depend on who they target. If they're going after someone who has a fear of heights, they'll make them climb up high. Some have a fear of the dead? They'll bring them to life. Someone doesn't like swamps?" He gestured around them, "There will be swamps."

"Does anyone like swamps?" Abel asked.

The ground came to the edge of the buggy swamp, Baal stepped out of the dirty water and lazily made his way towards the large stone the hare had taken them too. They moved past it before coming, once more, to the well that was settled deep into the ground.

"Alright," He said, turning to the others. "Only way to gank it is to burn the house down, but we gotta get to the actual house part."

Baal pushed Butch into the well, Abel couldn't help but snort as he watched the man he once called his friend vanish into the darkness. The demon followed suit, his large body took a few seconds to fit inside before he too vanished. Chamuel followed, Abel felt a thorn in his heart as Cain walked up to Chamuel.

"Together?" He asked with an arched eyebrow, Chamuel blinked at him and shrugged. Abel watched the men vanish into the darkness, running his fingers through his hair, shaking it out anxiously so it fell messily over his face.

"Alright, wait for me!" He shouted into the hole, leaping into the darkness.

Abel felt a strong rush of wind explode around him as he was thrown into the pitch blackness. His body tingled from the fall, he hated falling.

"Fuck," He shouted out as pain started to rip into him, his body screamed as if he were being torn in half when suddenly, it was over. His boots let out a loud clack as he met hardwood below him, stumbling forward and nearly running into Cain, who looked just as dazed. They stood in the room they had been in earlier, Abel looked up to the large hole in the ceiling before inspecting the area around them spotting the bat and his phone.

He snatched both up with a sigh of relief, turning towards the group with a wide grin. Cain also seemed to have found his phone, plucking it off the lone coffee table.

"That was a rush," Abel chuckled, "So how do we burn this son of a bitch down?"

***

Baal dumped the strong smelling liquid over the porch of the home, Chamuel watched him through war's gaze. He felt smaller now in his skin as the grace kicked him back whenever it felt the need, he needed to be more assertive.

"How's it lookin'" Baal shouted up to Cain who was dumping lighter fluid over the old houses tiles on the roof. His shoes slipping occasionally but he always seemed to steady himself, Abel dug through the trunk of the Impala, hunting for another bottle of the fluid.

Chamuel had almost expected the home to attack them, reach forward with a toothy smile and take a bite of Baal but it remained still as the group soaked it to the core.

"Alright," Abel brushed his hands on his coat as he slammed the trunk of the car closed. Chamuel blinked a few times, he felt war practically purr with joy at seeing the hunter.

"No," Chamuel whispered to himself, "I can't, I need to figure this out first,"

"Cham?"

The angel blinked a few more times, war fell from his gaze leaving Chamuel feeling exhausted.

"You cool, man?"

"Yeah, just...exhausted," He didn't want to tell Abel about the meeting yet, how he denounced God, what the other angels had said. He knew they wouldn't be getting help any longer from the angels and that caused anxiety to burn into his skin.

"Hey uh, I think we gotta talk about something," Abel murmured, glancing down at the messages on his phone. He didn't even want to open the other screen shots, every single text made him wince now.

"What is it?" Chamuel asked, glancing down at the others phone with a slight tilt of his head. Abel shoved it into his pocket quickly, "Just...can we talk later?"

"Maybe, I'm beat," Chamuels voice sounded more annoyed than he intended it too, causing the hunter to flinch as if struck.

"No I'm the one beat, while you we having a tea party with Israfil we almost died,"

"What? The obvious haunted house ended up being haunted?" Chamuel replied with sarcasm dripping from his words like poison.

"Hey, this was some kind of super beast,"

"Can I remind you that I saved you?"

"Maybe I didn't want to be saved,"

"Oh yeah? So you'd rather be eaten by a house."

"Hey!" Baal barked, holding his hand out to Abel.

"Lighter, go back to your lovers spat when this place is ashes,"

"It's not a lovers spat," Both Chamuel and Abel shouted at the same time as the hunter pushed the lighter into the demon's palms.

"Mhm," Baal turned towards the house, Abel shot a glare at Chamuel before following the other. Chamuel rolled his eyes, rubbing his hands together anxiously as he watched Cain take the lighter from Baal and set fire to the home. The flames started out small before slowly eating their way up the wood, a loud, haunting scream ripped from the inside of the home but the salt that surrounded the area trapped the creature inside.

Chamuel blinked back the frustrated tears in his eyes as the group watched the home smolder. He was so frustrated, he wanted to scream. Why had he snapped at Abel?

"Let's get out of here," Abel's voice sounded distant, as if he were thousands of miles away. Turning towards the Impala, pulling out his keys and getting in. Baal lifted Butch from the spot he had been placed, tossing him onto the bed of the truck. Leaping inside to latch him down so he couldn't escape.

Abel motioned for Chamuel to come to the car but the angel shook his head, opting to go with Baal causing the brunette's heart to shatter. Looking down at the wheel as Baal's truck started up, his eyes moved to the noise only to see Cain had also joined into the truck. He growled to himself, rolling his eyes as he watched the car peel out, slamming his hand violently on the wheel.

"Good job, asshole," Abel snarled at himself.

"I thought you did good," Arphaxat said, appearing beside him in the passenger seat. Causing the hunter to leap with surprise. The demons smile bright, pulling his glasses off and cleaning them before placing them back on the brim of his nose.

Abel gave the man a lopsided grin at, pulling from his parking spot and following the other car out. Looking in the mirror as the house collapsed in on itself. Flames eating away at the rotten, abandoned wood.