Part 1: How long until I hurt her?

Like an act of god, a voice is heard from behind him. It's a woman's voice. Panicked, but confused. 

Voice: W-wait wait! Don't do that!

His final forward footstep comes to a halt upon hearing the voice. Based on the way they spoke, Dean could make the assumption that the voice belonged to someone around his age. He turned his head to the right, looking over his shoulder just enough to see who was speaking. 

At the end of the alley, stands a girl. Even with the distance, it's clear that she's taller than Dean, if only by a few inches. She has relatively dark skin. Her black hair isn't too long. It's tightly braided in two on the left side of her head. The braids stick out, looking somewhat like bunny ears. Despite her freaked out expression, her face looks welcoming. Her cheeks are just a little chubby, and it's clear she isn't wearing any sort of makeup. She looks like someone you can trust at first glance alone. 

All of her clothes are for boys. She's wearing black shoes that are at least a size too small. Her dark grey shorts extend past her knees. She's also wearing a clean white hoodie that is huge on her. It's at least an XXL when this girl looks like she would only need a medium or large size. 

Her hand is extended out towards Dean, like she's halting him. She holds that stance for a few seconds before lowering her hand. As she does so, her expression looks worried. Like she's trying to convey the words "are you gonna speak, or am I?". Dean spits out the blood that was collecting in his mouth, and wipes his nose with the black t-shirt under his hoodie. After he finishes with that, he speaks up. 

Dean: What?

His voice is quiet. He coughs once he gets the word out. His hand is placed on his throat as he winces in pain. A few drops of blood flew out along with the cough. As he lowers his hand, he also opens his eyes and looks at the girl again.

Girl: Well you're about to jump right? Don't do that dude. You should be glad that whatever caused this hole didn't kill you too. I know I am. 

Dean: I wathn't gonna jump.

Dean's eyes widen in confusion as he holds his hand up to his mouth. He subconsciously steps back to face the girl.

Dean (Inner): Do I have a lisp? Probably from the tooth.

As he regains his focus, his eyes are met with the goblin lackey's body once again. It makes him queasy again. Filling him with self hate. But he shoves it down, choosing instead to face the girl. His skin looks pale. His facial expression looking distraught.

Girl: You were absolutely about to jump, dude! Here. I'm gonna come closer. You just take my hand, okay?

Dean stares at her nervously as she starts walking towards him slowly. His tongue plays with the empty spot where his tooth once sat. It hurts and makes him sick. Blood leaks out and covers his tongue. The taste of it makes him shiver in disgust. He spits it out.

Dean (Inner): At least my nose stopped bleeding.

As the girl gets closer, a smile begins forming on her face. It's a nervous smile, but she's just trying to comfort Dean. Her hand extends out to him.

Girl: So what's your name?

He stares at her for a few seconds before responding. His voice is still quiet.

Dean: I'm Dean.

Girl: Dean? Cool cool. Nice to meet you, Dean. My name's Alexis. Just call me Lexi though please. Take my hand now, alright?

Dean hesitantly extends his hand before quickly bringing it back to his side. The image of Jack and the goblin lackey's bodies flash in his mind. 

Dean (Inner): I don't want to hurt her. 

Lexi: Dean? You gonna take my hand?

He shakes his head slowly as he lets out a sigh. 

Dean: No. Lexi… You seem really cool, okay? I don't want to hurt you. It's best for everyone if you just leave me alone.

Lexi: Well you're right on one of those things. I am really cool.

She flashes a nervous smile before going to a serious expression.

Lexi (Inner): Am I stupid? Why would I say that?

Lexi: Sorry sorry. But you're wrong about the other thing. I'm not just gonna leave someone who was about to jump to their death. You look all beat up dude. You keep spitting out blood. Trust me when I say that the both of us are better off with each other's company.

He tries to shout. His voice fades in and out. It's scratchy. It hurts. It's hard for Lexi to understand him, especially with his new lisp.

Dean: I was the one who created this hole! I'm wanted for murder, Lexi! And I just killed probably a couple thousand more people! I can't control my power! Please just leave me alone before I kill you too!

He bends over and coughs a few times, letting out a few whines in between from the pain. He wipes his eyes as he looks back up at Lexi. She's standing straight, staring into his soul with a stern face. 

Dean (Inner): Shit. Now she's pissed. She's gonna push me in now, huh? I don't wanna die, even though I deserve to.

Lexi forcefully grabs Dean's hand and yanks him towards her, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. Dean's eyes widen as he tenses up. Lexi's arms tighten more around him when he tries to squirm, telling him that he's not going anywhere. Eventually he loosens up, accepting the embrace. He slowly holds her in a hug too.

Dean (Inner): This feels wrong. I'm hugging a girl I just met after killing thousands of people. I should hate this, but I don't. All I feel is relaxed. Am I… Am I crying?

Tears trickle down his face, tickling him as they fall. They're warm like blood, but it doesn't feel sickening. It's a tranquil feeling. It helps him notice that the bleeding in his gums has stopped. For just a moment, everything that just happened is in the back of his mind. 

Lexi: Awww are you crying? Sorry sorry. Go ahead. But I don't give a crap dude. Don't beat yourself up about something that isn't your fault. Trust me on that. It leads you nowhere. You gotta focus on the positives, even when it seems like there are none. You not being able to control your power is nowhere near your fault. Even having a power isn't your fault. So you shouldn't be blamed for it. Sure, doing all this is terrible, but as long as you didn't mean it, you know? Sorry I'm like really bad at comforting people.

Dean: No… it's okay. Thanks. You're right but… that still won't change how I feel.

Lexi: And that's okay too. This kinda stuff takes time, dude. I promise you that you'll work through your feelings, and come to terms with all this eventually. And by then, you'll have mastered your power too. You'll look back on this moment and laugh at how you wanted to give up. I'm not allowing you to give up, alright? I'll stay with you.

Dean: W-why? But what if I hurt you? Why would you want to stay with me?

Lexi: You won't. And even if you do, that's okay. It'll help you learn. I don't have anything to lose anyways. I got nowhere to go. We'll help each other on this journey okay? 

Dean: We just met… and I told you horrible things that I've done. I just… I don't understand.

Lexi: Then don't. You don't need to understand. We all live through every day without understanding a thing. We just pretend. And we live through whatever is thrown at us. We learn from those experiences. They help us understand, little by little. Sorry, I'm just rambling. Also I haven't been out like this or made a friend in over a year so I am in desperate need for social interaction dude. DESPERATE. 

Dean: A year? Why?

She freezes. Dean can tell she's holding her breath. After a few seconds, she exhales and speaks.

Lexi: That's… Let's uhh… Just don't worry about it. Okay? I don't feel comfortable sharing that kind of stuff yet. 

Dean: Oh… sorry.

Lexi: Nah you're good dude. It's all in the past anyways. 

Lexi begins loosening her arms, pulling away from Dean. His arms instinctively fall too, but he freezes, missing the comfort of Lexi's embrace. Not wanting the moment to end yet. Not ready to return to the real world.

Lexi: You good now?

Dean looks over his shoulder to the hole. The sight of it fills him with dread. He turns back around and faces Lexi.

Dean: Mhm… Yeah. T-thanks.

He smiles a little. The sight warms Lexi's heart.

Lexi (Inner): Hell yeah! Kept a dude from jumping to his death! And I got a new friend out of it too! Whoop whoop!

Lexi: Good. So where to, Dean? I shall follow wherever you shall lead.

Dean steps over to the side and grabs his bag of groceries before standing back up and looking at her.

Dean: I don't really know. I did want to try and go to the bad part but… I don't know how to get there.

Lexi: Cool cool. You don't know about the train?

Dean: Hm?

Lexi: Yeah I'm pretty sure there's a train that goes from the good part to the bad part. It's like one of the few things the government actually funds for the bad part. That and like buildings I think. Again I've been unplugged for the past year but last time I checked, it existed. It might be gone though.

Dean: Oh… it's probably gone now.

Lexi: What makes you think that?

Dean: The hole I made is huge. That train probably ran through it.

Lexi: Well then we got two possibilities here!

She stands proud, straightening her back and holding up a finger.

Lexi: One! The train miraculously is still there! That would be most ideal. We'd be able to get to the bad part by like noon tomorrow. Plus it's free so that's a ginormous plus.

She raises a second finger.

Lexi: Two! The train no longer exists! This is both a big positive, as well as a huge negative! It's a positive because then we get more time to get to know each other. It's a negative because then we gotta walk all the way there. That'd probably take like a couple days. And I don't think that food you got there is gonna last that long for both of us. Actually… yeah that might not have any positives at all. So let's just hope it's the first one!

Dean: Yeah. Yeah let's hope.

Lexi: Alright well let's go!

She takes Dean's hand and starts walking. He follows close behind, but is practically being dragged by her. In fact, the contact of their hands together makes him blush. It's comforting and warm in a good way. 

As they get into the street, Dean darts his eyes around in a panic, wondering if anyone has spotted him. He's met with a lot of people running or driving away in a panic, unsure if they'll be the next victims of another hole. Lexi carefully guides them through all of the chaos. Dean breathes a sigh of relief.

Dean (Inner): Okay. If anyone does recognize me, they'll probably be too busy panicking to care. 

Dean: Do uhh… Do you know where you're going?

Lexi: Not really! I'm sure we can figure it out though! I just wanna get out of here!

Dean (Inner): She's so confident. Her whole personality is kind and caring, like she's a mother. But it's clear she's still a teenager based on the way she walks and talks. You can tell what she's like with one look at how she presents herself. I wonder what could've possibly happened to her in the past year. It's clear she's hiding something, wanting to show how happy and carefree she is, when she's not. I hope she'll tell me someday. 

Dean: Hey Lexi?

She stops for a second and looks back to him.

Lexi: Yeah? What's up?

Dean: Thanks again. Actually… Thank you so much. I would be dead without you. I just met you a few minutes ago, but you made me forget all the awful things that've happened to me these past few days. You're so caring to a kid you just met.

Lexi: Awww you're welcome dude. That seriously means a lot. I can't promise I'll make you constantly forget all your troubles though. It's important for you to move on from that stuff on your own. Don't let it fester under your skin, you know?

Dean: Yeah. You're right.

They walk in silence for a while. It's awkward. Neither of them know what to talk about. Instead, they focus on trying to find where the train might be, and not getting separated through the crowds of panicking people. There's a few instances where they have to change directions to avoid police that are leading people to a safer location. 

Dean (Inner): She's avoiding the police like she doesn't wanna get caught either. It could just be that she doesn't want to be seen with me. That would definitely get her into a lot of trouble. But I just can't help but feel like it's because of what happened to her.

Dean: So you said you have nowhere to go right?

Her grip on Dean's hand tightens as she turns to face him. She looks frustrated.

Lexi: Huh? Oh. Yeah.

Dean: Did you run away for some reason? Are you that missing girl?

She stops and stares at him. The frustration in her eyes was clearly multiplied upon hearing Dean's question. It strikes fear directly into his heart.

Lexi: Can you just shut up Dean? I'm sorry but I'm really stressed out with all this shit going on right now. I have no idea where I'm going. And feeling like I'm dragging a little kid behind me isn't helping. I wanted a friend, I didn't want to be a babysitter.

Her voice is calm but stern. She's clearly not trying to be rude, but she can't help but let out some emotion.

Dean: Sorry. Do you want me to help?

Lexi: How are you gonna help!? You just found out about this damn train like twenty minutes ago! How would you possibly have any idea of how to get to it!?

Dean: Yelling at me isn't gonna solve anything. We're both in the same boat. I just want to help. I want to repay you for saving my life. For keeping me distracted from all these negative thoughts. Can't you at least let me try?

Lexi: I… yeah. I'm sorry, Dean. I'll listen to you. 

Dean: Okay… So you said this train thing was funded by the government right?

Lexi: I'm pretty sure yeah.

Dean: Well if it's a major location that people go to all the time, they'd want it to be somewhere that people can get to without needing directions. 

Lexi: What makes you think that? Just a hunch?

Dean: Yeah I guess. I think it might be in the general vicinity of the world tower. It's tall enough to where you can see it anywhere in the good part, and it wasn't taken out when I opened that huge portal. So if we look for it and go towards it, we could probably get to the train.

Lexi: That's actually a good idea. Wow. 

She gives him a friendly punch on the arm.

Lexi: Good job man. And sorry I yelled at you. I was just upset. I didn't mean any harm.

Dean smiles upon receiving the praise. It feels nice. After everything that happened with the goblin man, he never expected to smile ever again.

Dean: Thanks Lexi. It's alright. Let's just get going. 

He looks up into the sky, scanning around to find the world tower. Lexi follows his gaze. She actually finds it first. She jumps a little and points towards it. From where they're currently standing, it's on the left side of the hole.

Lexi: There! Alright come on! Let's go!

Dean: Okay!

They start walking again. Instead of Lexi leading the way, they're walking side by side. They aren't hand in hand this time either. Their trust grows as they become more comfortable with each other. Despite only having met a half hour ago, they quickly grow into good friends. However, they both suspect deep down that they only feel this way because they both had no one else to turn to.

A few hours of walking pass. The crowds of panicked people have died down. 

Lexi: You think everyone evacuated?

Dean: Nah probably not. If they were doing a serious evacuation then there would be military or something patrolling the streets looking for any stragglers. Like us.

Lexi: Oohh yeah you're probably right. So uhh… we'll probably be walking for a couple more hours. How you holding up?

Lexi is walking casually. She has a smile on her face and her hands in her hoodie pockets. Dean is walking more cautiously, swaying his arms as he moves. The bag he's holding rustles with each step.

Dean: My legs hurt, my head hurts, and it still kinda hurts to breathe a little. But on the bright side, my voice is coming back and my throat doesn't really hurt anymore.

Lexi: Sounds rough. I'm pretty exhausted. Pretty much just been on the move the past couple days.

Dean: By the way, you never answered my question from earlier.

Lexi: Hm? What question?

Dean: I asked if you ran away or not.

She tenses up, but keeps moving forward. Dean raises an eyebrow.

Dean: So can I take that as a yes?

Lexi closes her eyes and sighs as her body loosens up.

Lexi: Yeah… I did. I am a missing person.

Dean: And I assume you're not gonna tell me why you ran away, right?

Lexi: Damn right.

They both chuckle and keep walking. Silence begins to creep in behind them. Following closely behind silence, is negative thoughts. Dean tries to think of something to say, desperate to distract himself from thinking about his situation.

Dean (Inner): Think of something! Anything! As long as it's not an awkward topic! 

The silence and negative thoughts catch up to them. Dean plays with the gums where his tooth was as his hands fidget.

Dean (Inner): Why are you still alive? Walking with this girl. Stop getting close to her. You're practically best friends at this point. How long until you hurt her? How long until you feel her blood too? It's only a matter of time, Dean. She won't live forever. But she'll sure as hell have a better chance without you around. So either die, or run. Get away from her. Only you have to suffer. You must suffer. You must die. Finish what you started. Jump in the hole. There's nothing left for you except death. It's what you deserve. Why should you survive when thousands of others died? Innocent people died at your hands. 

Dean: Shut up.

It's a whisper. But it catches Lexi's attention anyway. She glances over at him, quickly noticing his uncomfortable body language.

Lexi (Inner): Is he okay? Was he talking to me? It's kinda hard to tell when he's whispering that quietly. And that lisp does not help either. I assume it's just because of that tooth that he lost, but it is still annoying. Manageable, but annoying nonetheless. Okay judging by the fact that he's not repeating himself or looking at me, I think it's safe to say he wasn't talking to me. If he whispers again or keeps up with this fidgeting, then I'll definitely ask what's up.

Dean (Inner): I do deserve to live. If I didn't, then I would be dead. It's not my choice to make. It's fate. I'm supposed to live. I don't care what happens to me. I don't care how much I suffer. I'll keep going. I'll keep living. Even if I accidentally kill Lexi with my power, I'll learn to control it and then make new friends. And plus, I can't die before I see Ashley's concert. 

Lexi (Inner): Okay… Looks like he's calming down. Whatever was bugging him seems to have gone away. I'll just start a conversation anyway before it comes back.

Lexi: So do you have a girlfriend?

Dean tenses up just like how Lexi did earlier as he blushes. He slowly turns his head to face her, his wide eyes staring into her soul.

Dean: Why?

She tries to suppress a chuckle as she responds.

Lexi: I'm just curious. Making conversation, you know?

Dean: I uhh… I don't wanna answer that.

He looks away in shame. Lexi pulls her hands out of her pockets and sets them on her hips, puffing her chest out as she closes her eyes in confidence.

Lexi: Alright so no it is then.

Dean's eyes widen again as he snaps his head over to face Lexi. He gives her a light punch.

Dean: I didn't even answer!

Lexi stops containing her laugh. She wraps her arms around herself and lets out a heavy laugh. Dean stares at her with an upset expression. Like he's saying "shut up already I get it".

Lexi: Sorry sorry sorry! I've never seen someone too embarrassed to say that they're single!

Dean: Well it's not my fault! In fact I'm trying to get one.

She stops laughing and stares at Dean with intrigue. 

Lexi: Oh yeah? Who's the soon to be lucky lady? Tell me.

Dean (Inner): WHY DID I SAY THAT!? I WAS GONNA TAKE THIS TO MY GRAVE!

Dean: Oh you know… it's someone. You wouldn't know them.

Lexi: Okay okay fine. Don't tell me then. But be prepared for me to bug you about it until we get to the world tower.

Dean: You better not be serious.

Lexi: You wanna find out? I'll do it. I won't even let you sleep. I'll even poke you too if I must. 

Dean: Okay fine! I'll tell you.

Lexi puts her hands on her cheeks, making a smile on her face. She stares at Dean, waiting for him to speak. He closes his eyes and inhales, preparing himself to let out one of his biggest secrets.

Dean: Her name… is Ashley. I don't know her last name but… she's an internet singer. Happy?

Lexi: No clue who that is! But good for you dude!

She shoots him a thumbs up.

Lexi: So when you gonna ask her out? How you gonna ask her out? Does she live in the bad part or something?

Dean: Sometime within the next few weeks. I don't know. She's doing a concert and I wanted to attend. If anything happens then that's awesome. If nothing happens, that's also cool. I'll just be happy with seeing her concert. And yes she does.

Lexi starts poking Dean with a huge grin on her face.

Lexi: Dean's got a crush! How cute! I'll plan your wedding!

Dean: Please don't.

She playfully slaps his arm with the back of her hand.

Lexi: Lighten up dude. Stop being such a downer. The world isn't all doom and gloom you know.

Dean: Seriously? You're gonna tell me to lighten up? I'm trying, okay? How am I supposed to feel good about anything when these past few days have been the worst days of all human existence? I… I'm sorry.

Lexi: No I'm sorry. I was so caught up in the moment… I forgot to think about what I was saying. My bad.

She holds out her fist.

Lexi: We good?

Dean reciprocates the fist bump, but he lacks enthusiasm in it.

Dean: Yeah. 

Lexi: Awesome sauce. 

A few more hours pass as they keep walking. The whole time, they try to keep a conversation going so they don't get bored. At one point they stop and take a break. Lexi grabs cups of water from a nearby restaurant and they eat some peanut butter. They make sure to ration it since they don't have a lot, but it tastes delicious. By the time they decide to start moving again, the sun has gone down.

They sit atop a hill at the edge of the woods, looking out into the streets. Lexi looks up into the sight sky, admiring how beautiful it is. Dean soon follows her gaze before glancing over to the world tower.

Dean: We probably only have like two hours of walking left.

Lexi: Yeah but I'm gonna die if I don't get some sleep. I'm beyond exhausted.

She stretches her arms as she yawns. 

Dean: I got a pillow and blanket in here. You wanna use them?

Lexi: Don't be getting all chivalrous, Dean. We can share.

Dean: You sure? I don't mind sleeping with just my hoodie.

Lexi: Hell yeah I'm sure. I got a big ass hoodie and you got a thin one. You give me the pillow and I'll use my hoodie as a blanket. You take off your hoodie and use it as a pillow. Then you can use the blanket too. Sound good?

Dean: Yeah actually. Smart plan, Lexi.

Lexi: Yeah yeah yeah I know I'm amazing. No need to remind me.

They both giggle.

Dean: Alright here you go. One pillow.

A few minutes pass as they both get settled in. Dean stares into the stars.

Dean (Inner): Maybe tomorrow will be better. God I hope so.

Dean's thoughts are cut short when he hears Lexi's voice.

Lexi: Goodnight, Dean. You better sleep well.

He turns his head to face her with awe. A smile creeps onto his face as he looks back up to the sky.

Dean: Goodnight, Lexi. Thank you.