Fabulous!  Very mysterious.  I'm glad they killed the 'Jack, that's one problem solved.  Now the Winchesters just have to deal with Dean becoming a messenger of death, and hopefully, more of The Immortals.  *nods head* yes?

Author's Response:

Hey hun! Thought I'd respond to all of your lovely reviews in one go.

This story was great fun to write - there's some lovely characters in there for an author - from the creepy to the profane, and the downright mysterious, so it's great to know they were as engaging for you to read as they were for me to write.

I spent a long time trying to get the revelations of what happened to Dean at the revenants' hands right. It was a fine line, between 'soap opera' emo and dry prose, and kudos really does go to Ilka for helping me balance it in many, many long chat. The pacing of the story was important too - it's much longer than State of Grace, and had much more to cover, but I didn't want it to feel that way, hence the way the tension builds and eases throughout.

I found myself wondering, sometimes, if the tension between the brothers was just too much, but I think it came out alright in the end. They've been through so much by now - and don't forget, this series is set in season 4, so there's even more going on! I'm glad to know you liked the conflict though, it's very reassuring to hear it came out right!

As for the Immortals, well... they will most definately be making a return. But, I hate to say, it's not going to be in the next story. It's 80/90% complete, then just needs beta'ing, but I can promise lots more action and angst up the wazoo. I'll preview it once it's finished and sent off - and then we'll have a look-see at those pesky revs...

Ta hun!

Cal

Oooohh!  More suspense!  Just when I think we're winding down, you ramp up the mystery and action again.  I can't wait to find out what's happening in the town and why the man has so much control over Joe and the others.

Brilliant!  OMG!  I had goosebumps.  You set the stage magnificently in this chapter!  The Loa begins as an ominous shadow and we slowly get to see more of him until at the crescendo of action, he's completely visible.  The cadence of the Loa's speech lulled me (love how even when their speech is chopped it still flows beautifully) so at odds with the description of its horrible appearance (charms, wood and bones in his stringy hair).

What can I say---amazing chapter and artfully written! 

Another heart-wrenching chapter!  Seeing the boys through the nurse's sympathetic eyes and the compassionate way that she cares for both Winchesters was very touching.  then you had to top that off with Dean's desire to let go, his only concern who would care for Sam after he was gone anchoring him to this life.

"...new skin, old scars, the jarring dichotomy shaking him until he didn't know when he was anymore."  A very interesting statement and given Dean's history frighteningly appropriate.

I can't wait to find out what's wrong with Dean (I have my suspicions) and how they cure him.  I'm also hoping for a return of the Immortals so the boys can finish what their father began.  

"futuristic Spanish moss" is an interesting phrase---very imaginative and picturesque.

"...feeling the spirit's laughter curl under his skin..." Seriously, where do you come up with these spectacular word-picture phrases?  You string things together that wouldn't normally go together and make it fabulous. 

The boys are really trying to get back to normal in this chapter.  Their moods swinging from caring to irritated in the blink of an eye.  When Dean lets Sam take the bed closest to the door, then you know something's not right in Winchesterville.  Glad to see he's conquering that mountain.

Beautifully written so Dean's revelation has the maximum shock-value!  

"I can't do it again, Sam.  I can't kill you again."  And there it is!  So simply stated and yet powerful and emotionally charged.  Those two lines were the gut-punch I've been waiting for.  It was obvious who had killed the other Sam but everyone skirted around that fact.  I guess the truth doesn't always set you free, at least not at first. 

Now all that's left besides healing is to track down the Immortals and put them to rest. 

Ahh- You've here maintained an exhaustingly delicious level of angst, and the ominous pace your writing has threaded through this chapter is supurb- and why do I feel that this bodes nothing but ill tidings for poor Joe...? Hmm.... Great chapter!

Author's Response:

Ah yes. Poor old Joe. But love that: An exhaustingly delicious level of angst - superb! Thanks hun!

What an intense chapter!  What a great sense of urgency, and the god-conjuring scene was awesome -- oh, and all that wonderful angst! ...And this:

A tear slipped from his eye, traced an ice cold trail he barely felt, down across the freckles starkly painted over the bridge of his nose, trickling down his cheek until it disappeared into the pillow. His vision faded, dimmed until all he saw was the bright fall of light, tumbling over the walls and the door, everything in him yearning to reach out and feel the warmth of it against his hand.

-Devastatingly lovely....!

Author's Response:

Thanks! It was a fun chapter, largely because of the characters - Tom and Papa were just great (And the freedom for the doc to drop the f-bomb thanks to the rating was very... liberating! As Ilka said - I like him. He says **** :) )

Glad you enjoyed it - that line you picked out was a favourite scene in my head while I was writing it. It felt so lonely, somehow, and slow, in a way. So it made a nice contrast against the summoning!

Thanks again hun, and sorry I missed you last night!

Cal

You've taught me something!  I have heard stories of the half man, from Appalachian and Ozark stories, but I never knew it was Scottish in origin.  No, I don't have much more information than that, but I read a LOT of ghost stories, and the half-man has come up once or twice. 

Poor Dean!  I'm so glad that he finally said something to Sam- admitted what was going on with sleeping- it's not as if Sam didn't KNOW what was going on!  I just wish there was more either of them could do about it. 

Author's Response:

I have? wow! I don't know where it originated, could be that the Scottish link is actually stolen... It is always a bit scary when there are several names in several different countries for the same thing. Makes you wonder how they all come up with it. There's another, similar thing that I love - a symbol that turns up all over the world in religious architecture. ALL religions, dating back centuries, way before there would have been enough traffic between landmasses to account for it. The symbol's three running hares, arranged in a circle, nose to tail. It's really beautiful, generally - love to get it as a tattoo one day...

The idea of Dean suddenly admitting what was happening without really meaning to really appealed when I was writing this chapter. It as great to have Sam push him like that - to be all 'chick-flick', yet ctually quite confrontational with it at the same time, and almost literally back Dean into a corner. And then, somehow, knew just what to say. Sorry really isn't enough - but it's all there is.

Have to see how the third story pans out - there may be a continuation of this line. Although there ain't much room in Shadow...

Ta for reviewing hun - hope you like the last chappie!

Hi, still enjoying your story very much! This was a spooky chapter, loved it!

Author's Response: Good! Glad to have spooked ya... It was a freaky one to write - which is always fun!

Poor broken Dean!  I hate seeing him like an old man- beaten down by too much.  It makes me sad.  Clearly things aren't all right- I can't wait to find out what other consquences Sam's meddling has had.  You've got some GREAT imagery here- tasting graveyard dirt when he kissed the crossroads demon was an outstanding touch. 

Author's Response: wow that was quick... Ta hun! Great to know someone's still reading! And oh, you're gonna love the consequences. *insert manic cackle here*

Oh my!- What a heart-pounding chapter-- Sam's terror is so palpable, both with the CPR and the seizures -- you really put the reader right there with him, and Whew!  And their quiet discussion in the cold & empty garage... Powerful stuff, my friend ;>)

I'm up again after working another 12-hour night, but I always read and/or write to wind down -- But this? - This is just chilling, bound to keep me up - and I'm anxious to read more - Nice going, Cal!

Oh my gosh!  It's really getting down to the wire now!  And poor Sam is falling apart, quickly unraveling now.  I don't think he can take much more.

And poor Dean!  That revenant spell is killing him (or possibly about to turn him into one?) and he's seriously running out of time!

Hurry up, Sam!!

Author's Response:

Clock's ticking on this one for Dean... and Sam! And I don't think the beta's can take much more for that matter.

Ta hun!