Chapter 20: 20. To Roadhouse
James sat alone in a small motel room in Palo Alto. His family home had been destroyed during the fight with the poltergeist, leaving it burned and in ruins. He had hired a team to restore the house, using part of the fortune he had inherited from his father, Thomas. The amount was staggering—close to $25 billion.
Meanwhile, the police were still searching for Emily, who was officially listed as missing. James had told them about the man who had taken his mother and killed his father, but the cops found no evidence of the man. Deep down, James didn't expect them to succeed. After all, it wasn't a case they could handle—it was beyond the realm of normal law enforcement.
As James sat on the edge of his bed, his thoughts drifted to the questions that had been haunting him. Why had the demon targeted his family? Emily wasn't even his birth mother. From what he remembered of the show Supernatural, demons usually went after blood relatives. But maybe there wasn't a clear pattern. Maybe he didn't know enough yet to understand the demon's motives.
Then there was the strange fact that the demon had kidnapped Emily instead of killing her. Why? What did it want with her? And did it know about James' abilities? Was the demon trying to use Emily as leverage to control him? If so, why hadn't it reached out to him by now? None of it made sense.
The more James thought about it, the stranger the whole situation seemed. But as much as he wanted answers, he knew there wasn't much he could do right now. He didn't have enough information. All he could do was wait, plan, and prepare for what was coming next.
James spent the next few days getting ready for his trip to the Roadhouse. When he e had held a small funeral for his father, Thomas, in Palo Alto, Ellen, Jo, and Ash had also showed up.
After the service, James approached them, hoping to talk about what had happened to his parents. Ellen stopped him before he could say much.
"Not here, James," she said firmly but kindly. She glanced around at the remaining guests. "The Roadhouse is a safer place to talk about this. We'll discuss it there."
Ash added, "And we'd like to check out your house, if that's okay. Whatever happened that night might have left behind some clues."
James agreed without hesitation. "Go ahead. I don't know much about tracking demons or anything like that. If you can find something, I'd appreciate it."
Their offer gave James some hope. He had no idea how to handle demons or anything supernatural. He only knew bits and pieces from the one season of Supernatural he'd watched before being reincarnated into this world. Ellen, Jo, and Ash seemed experienced, and he was grateful for their help.
Once they left, James turned his attention to getting ready for the trip. The Roadhouse wasn't just a quick visit—it could be the start of a much longer journey. He didn't know how long he'd be gone, so he wanted to prepare for anything.
First, he withdrew a large amount of cash to cover his expenses. He had access to a fortune, but he knew using credit cards or showing off his wealth wouldn't be smart. He needed to stay low-key in the world of hunters.
Next, he packed practical clothes—jeans, boots, and jackets that could handle wear and tear. He also brought a few personal items, like the pocket watch his father had given him on his fifteenth birthday. It was one of the few things that had survived the fire.
Then, James had to decide on a car. His Ferrari was sleek and fast, but it was too flashy and would attract too much attention. Instead, he chose his father's car, a 1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28. It was in excellent condition, with a shiny black paint job. The car wasn't as showy as the Ferrari, but it had a solid, classic feel that seemed perfect for the road ahead.
James spent hours making sure the Camaro was ready for the trip. He checked the engine, changed the tires, and packed essentials in the trunk, including a toolbox, a first aid kit, and a flashlight. He also added a journal to write down anything important he learned regarding the ghosts and stuff during the journey.
Before leaving, James made arrangements with the team restoring his house. He gave them clear instructions to call him if they found anything unusual during the repairs. He couldn't shake the feeling that something important might be hidden there, left behind from the fire or the fight with the poltergeist.
Finally, the day to leave arrived. James stood in the motel parking lot, looking at the Camaro. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. This trip to the Roadhouse wasn't just about meeting Ellen, Jo, and Ash—it was the first step into a world he barely understood. He didn't know what to expect, but he knew he had to move forward.
James climbed into the driver's seat, resting his hands on the steering wheel. The engine rumbled to life, its sound low and strong. As he pulled out of the motel parking lot, the morning mist swirled around the headlights.
As James drove down the highway, the Camaro's engine hummed steadily, keeping him grounded while his thoughts drifted. He remembered saying goodbye to Sam Winchester back in Palo Alto. Their meeting had been brief but comforting. James had told Sam about his plans to visit the Roadhouse and promised they would meet again in the future. He also assured Sam he wouldn't hesitate to call if he ever found himself in danger.
The memory of that moment stayed with James, giving him a sense of reassurance. Even though they were going in different directions for now, James knew he wasn't entirely alone in this fight.
Soon, the Roadhouse came into view. The old bar sat at the edge of a gravel parking lot, its wooden exterior worn by years of weather and travelers. A neon beer sign flickered in the window, casting a faint glow across the lot, where cars were parked haphazardly—trucks, sedans, and motorcycles, each looking like it belonged to someone who lived on the road.
James parked the Camaro and stepped inside. The bar was busy but not chaotic. Groups of hunters sat at tables, talking in low voices over maps and drinks. The smell of whiskey and faint traces of gun oil filled the air. Occasionally, a burst of laughter or the clink of glasses broke through the hum of conversation.
As James looked around, Jo Harvelle appeared, her face lighting up when she saw him.
"James!" Jo called, hurrying over to throw her arms around him in a big hug. The warmth of her greeting took James by surprise but made him feel welcome.
"Hey, Jo," James said, managing a smile as he hugged her back.
Behind the bar, Ellen Harvelle noticed him and came over. Her sharp gaze softened when she saw him, and she nodded firmly. "Good to see you, James. How was the drive?"
"Long," James admitted, "but it gave me a lot of time to think. I'm glad I finally made it here."
Ellen gave him a small smile. "You're in the right place. Come on, we've got things to talk about. Ash has been working on your case."
At her call, Ash strolled out from a back room, holding a laptop under one arm. His mullet was unmistakable, and his laid-back attitude came through in the casual wave he gave James as he approached.
Ellen leaned against the table. "We've been looking into what happened to your family. Ash has been tracking demon activity, and he's found some leads."
Ash opened his laptop and turned it so James could see. The screen showed a map of the United States dotted with glowing red marks.
"See these?" Ash said, pointing at the map. "These are spots where your demon's been spotted. It's been moving around a lot, with no particular pattern. I don't know why it's doing that, maybe to throw us off. But when it shows up again, I'll be able to track it."
James leaned in, his brow furrowed. "You can track it like this? And that too all over the country?"
Ash smirked, clearly proud of himself. "What can I say? I'm good at what I do."
Ellen rolled her eyes but smiled. "Don't let it go to your head, Ash. But yeah, he's good. If that demon shows up again, we'll know."
Jo, who had been standing nearby, joined the conversation. "James, this demon isn't like the usual ones hunters deal with. From what Ash found, it's powerful—way stronger than most. You're going to need more than just a shotgun to deal with it."
James nodded, absorbing her words. "I figured. But do you guys have any ideas.....on why that demon did it?"
Ellen and Ash exchanged a glance before Ellen spoke. "We don't know yet. Demons don't do things randomly, though. There's something about you or your family that it wants. We'll figure it out, but it's going to take time."
James felt a wave of gratitude. "Thanks. I don't know what I'd do without your help."
Ellen placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You're not alone in this, James. We've got your back."
They spent the next hour going over what Ash had found and discussing strategies. James listened carefully, trying to take in every detail. Ash's resourcefulness amazed him to end. Although the guy was lazy, but he would complete the task given to him with hundred percent efficiency.
As the evening went on, James couldn't help but feel like this was just the beginning. There were still too many unanswered questions—about the demon, his abilities, and what lay ahead.
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