Chapter Text
“Yeah, we’re heading back after we grab a bite to eat,” said Sam, on the phone to Dean. “You?”
“Jodie’s invited me to dinner and to stay the night,” said Dean smugly. “I’ll drive back tomorrow.”
“You’re just staying for her cooking,” Sam teased, noting Cas give a slight smirk out of the corner of his eye.
“I’m staying for the company, thank you,” Dean informed him. “The cooking is just a bonus.”
“We believe you, don’t we, Cas?”
“Of course,” said Cas.
“You can both shut your faces,” said Dean. “Think of me while you’re eating your crappy diner food.”
“Jerk,” said Sam.
“Bitch.”
After Sam’s meal of (admittedly crappy) diner food, they headed for the bunker. Seeing a service station sign, Sam mentioned it would probably be the last one for many miles, and Cas agreed they should probably fill up. He pulled his truck up to a bowser, and Sam headed inside.
Cas was in the middle of filling the car, when a gust of wind came through and there was a distinct smell of sulphur. Cas looked around while he replaced the pump. There was a shout from inside the building, and he saw three men through the windows with Sam who he was sure had not been there a moment ago. Cas raced towards the door, angel blade already in hand.
He took one in the back as Sam stabbed the second. The third smoked out, leaving a dead body behind, the uniform indicating he was the service station employee. “Let’s go,” said Sam.
As they left the building, they found themselves surrounded by another six demons. As Sam and Cas prepared for them to charge, there was a whistling sound, and a length of chain wrapped itself around Cas, pinning his arms. Before Sam could react, a charge of some kind pulsed through the links. Cas jerked as if being electrocuted, then fell over. A demon grabbed up the blade Cas had dropped, holding it at the unconscious angel’s throat. “Surrender!” he barked. Sam dropped the blade he was holding and raised his hands.
Cas regained consciousness with a start. He was lying on the floor in an office, with the chain that took him down still wrapped around him, pinning his arms. He looked down and saw carved sigils on the links, and knew he wasn’t getting free in a hurry. Sam was on his knees nearby, his hands cuffed behind him. “You alright?” he asked. Cas nodded.
“Shut up!” snapped one of the demons who were gathered around them.
The door opened and another demon walked in. “We got them, Bael,” said one of the demons proudly. “That gadget worked on the angel just like you said.”
The newcomer nodded. “Well done.” He looked from Cas to Sam. “Which Winchester are you?” he asked. Sam didn’t answer.
“The younger one, Sam,” said one of the demons.
Bael nodded. “Yes, I think they’ll do very nicely.” He smiled at Sam and Cas. “Any humans would have done, but it was an unexpected bonus, you two being in the area. It’ll make my test results all the more convincing.”
“What tests?” asked Cas.
“In good time,” said Bael.
He opened a box that was sitting on the desk, and took out a large metallic ring. He pulled, and it opened on a hinge. “Keep him still,” he said to the demons holding Sam. Bael fitted the ring around Sam’s neck and closed it. “Perfect,” he said. He waved a finger at Castiel. “Take him and get him ready.”
“Where are you taking him?” Sam demanded, as Cas was dragged out.
“You’ll see him again soon,” said Bael placidly.
“What have you put on my neck?” said Sam angrily.
“A tool,” said Bael. He rounded the desk and sat down, opening a laptop. He typed away silently for a moment, before saying, “That should do it.” He picked up what looked a wireless microphone from the desk, and spoke into it. “You can’t move.” He waved at the remaining demons, who unlocked the handcuffs.
Sam found to his horror that he could not move a muscle. “What the hell have you done to me?” he yelled.
Bael was peering at his laptop again. “Excellent,” he murmured, before looking up. “Hmm? I’m controlling you. Like a puppet.”
“What?” Sam gasped. He renewed his efforts to move, but nothing happened.
“Okay, that’s step one.” Bael looked at one of the other demons. “Razor next.”
One of the demons kicked Sam in the back of the legs, forcing him to his knees. The demon giggled. “Gonna enjoy this,” he sneered.