(Just a note that this chapter focuses on the main OFC, introducing her and bringing her into the fold. No worries! J3 will be returning shortly.)

The rumble of her car engine dying to silence focused Evie on her current surroundings. Ever since she’d gotten better from whatever flu she’d caught in Chicago, she’d been prone to having her mind wander, unable to focus on anything. Her family, naturally, had been very worried for her, but she’d proven her stuff and had recovered. Luckily, her mother had taken care of her and Evie will forever claim that it was motherly love that had helped her through. Though she had vague recollections of there being a black woman there, but she blamed it on the fever. The rest of her family had stayed away and her parents had even cancelled their plans to go to Washington so she could take care of Evie, so there was no way it had been anyone but her mom. At least…she kept telling herself that so she wouldn’t go crazy with the need to know what had happened.

She got out of her old Sunbird and slammed the door shut as she breathed in the pure air that always blew around her parents’ home in the warm Indian summer that had hit all of a sudden just after Thanksgiving. She could remember just standing outside when she was little and letting the wind wash over her body, filling her with energy and joy. Even when she’d been little, her affinity for nature had been high and had grown deeper as she’d grown older. It had enhanced her natural empathy for people somehow as well, making her more sensitive to people’s auras and how they were connected to nature. Or so she told herself. Sometimes she wondered if she was just deluding herself into thinking that she was special.

Shrugging out of her gloomy thoughts, she turned to go inside her parents’ place, but stopped as she saw a car coming out of their shed. Curious and a bit peeved, for it wasn’t unusual for stupid people to go down their driveway thinking it was a shortcut and having no respect for private property, she went over slowly to investigate. She stopped at the edge of her parents’ yard under the large oak that had been a playground and safe haven for her and her siblings years ago and watched as the car came to a stop and a familiar face emerged, watching her intently. She smiled in surprise and waved. “Alex Kuehl? Is that you?” she called out as he sauntered over to her with a mysterious smile on his face.

“Evie, been a long time. How’s it going?” he asked with a grin and hugged her in greeting. She returned the hug with a laugh and stepped back as he looked her up and down. “You look good, hun!” he declared and she rolled her eyes.

“Still the charmer. How’s your girlfriend? Or is it fiancée or, dare I say it, wife?” she retorted with a giggle and he grinned at her.

“Amy’s doing great. We’re expecting our first kid this Christmas,” he answered before reaching out to cup Evie’s face, which surprised her. “You really are looking good there, Evie,” he said quietly and she blushed and looked away, obviously biting down a sarcastic retort.

“Thanks…course, you haven’t seen me in a while,” she finally murmured before looking up at him. “So what brings you here? Getting some last minute veggies from the garden, though how you knew we had them-“

“No, I was visiting your mom for something. Listen, I need to get going. But, let’s get together tonight,” Alex interrupted her and grinned as she blinked at him in surprise. He pulled out a piece of paper and a pen and wrote down an address before handing it to her. “Come here tonight at seven. It’s just a bunch of friends that I think you’d really like,” he explained and she smiled uncertainly as she took the paper.

“Um, ok…this is kinda sudden, but hey…I have no life, so why not!” she commented nervously and laughed a bit to cover it. He hugged her tightly and kissed her head before pulling back and she blinked up at him. “So I guess I’ll see you tonight?”

“See you there. And don’t worry! It’ll be fun!” Alex reassured her as he went to his car. He smiled at her once again before getting into his car and driving off.

Evie watched him leave in confusion. When had he become so mysterious? The young man she remembered had been a flirt, yet as warm and cuddly as could be. They had been ok friends, nothing special since he was younger than her, but the way he had just acted it was like they were old dear friends. Shaking her head, she went inside to visit with her mother and father before going to grab some veggies and heading home.

A couple of hours later, she was home and cleaning up for that night, confused even more. Her mom had been happy when she had mentioned the get together for that night, but that was kind of nothing new. What had surprised her was how her mom had lit up with hope that went beyond motherly love. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but it was almost a feeling of relief and nervousness that had been underlying that hope. Did she know something?

Shaking it off as just her mom being *mom*, Evie got dressed in a pair of black capris and her blue t-shirt that had butterflies on it. She printed up directions to the place that she was going to and was surprised to find that it was in Wausau near the University. She then put on her favorite pair of flat sandals and called to her room mate that she was heading out. She’d pick something up on the way to eat and fill up on gas since it was about a forty-five minute drive. On her way out, she hummed along with the songs that played and tried not to think about what she was going into. She never would have done something so impulsively and usually avoided it because of it being a strange situation.

But the invite had felt compulsory and she hadn’t felt the need to avoid it even though something in her was still wary. She had even turned down babysitting that night for her sister and the weird thing had been that her sister hadn’t bitched. Not when she’d been told that Evie was going out as well that night. It was as if everything was working towards her being there and it kind of scared and excited her.

She turned off of I-39 onto Stewart Avenue and went towards the University. She turned right and slowed down as she saw numerous cars already parked in the parking lot. Impressed, but then telling herself that it was probably for summer classes, she parked towards the far end and got out after locking up. She followed the directions through a courtyard that was depressed in the center around several trees and a fountain until she arrived at the base of a building that had archways all along its traveling walls. She went inside and smiled a bit as she took in the warm atmosphere from the lights and people that were already there. There was a large glass and metal sculpture hanging from the vaulted ceiling and it slowly turned as if from a breeze above the mingling people. She stepped in farther and looked around cautiously, avoiding the small groups of people that were turning to look and smile at her in welcome. She smiled back warily and wondered if there really was anyone she knew there.

Looking over and up, she noticed that a lot of the people were going into the auditorium, but she didn’t want to presume. What if there was a performance and they asked for tickets? She’d end up unable to go in because she wasn’t paid for and definitely didn’t have any money. She was just starting to panic a bit when she heard a very familiar voice call her name. She looked over just in time to see her brother’s face before he wrapped his long arms around her and hugged her tight. She was surprised, but hugged him back, smiling as he squeezed her. She looked up at him when he loosened his hold and smiled even more at him in relief. “What are you doing here?” she asked and he laughed.

“Me?! What are *you* doing here?” Phil answered with a squeeze of her shoulders before rubbing her arms.

“Hey, I asked first! Older sis’ perogative!” Evie retorted playfully as she grinned and slapped him lightly on the chest and he laughed again.

“Yea, yea whatever. I was in the state and knew about this get together and so here I am!” Phil replied and grinned as she cocked an eyebrow.

“Phil, you live in Connecticut! Why are you here?” Evie asked as she smirked at him.

“Well, I’m planning on moving back home. With the divorce being settled, it’s just easier and I’ve been wanting to come home for a long time,” Phil responded with a quiet grin. He squeezed her hand and she hugged him. “So tell me why you’re here!” he demanded and she snorted.

“You’ll never believe it, but I ran into Alex Kuehl this afternoon and he told me to come here for a get together. Though...I think maybe I shouldn’t be here...” Evie explained as she looked around and noted that most of the people were watching her and talking quietly while trying to look welcoming to her. But she felt more weirded out than welcome.

“No, I think you do belong here, Evie. Come on...we’re going to start heading inside,” Phil stated and grinned as he pulled her along to the winding staircase the led to the auditorium. She looked around warily and noted that people were now moving inside and shivered. What was going on?!

“Phil! Hey man, long time no see!”

Evie looked up in shock at the voice that should *not* have been in little old Wisconsin and saw indeed that Jared Padalecki was striding down the stairs, beaming at them as he waved.

“Jared man! Good to see you! How’s filming?” Phil called back and shook hands with Jared when they reached him. Evie tuned out in shock as she watched her brother and *the* Jared Padalecki talk like they were old friends. How they were friends, she had no clue because she was *quite* certain that her brother had never rubbed elbows with any of Hollywood’s finest. She blinked back into the present as she felt Phil tug her hand. “Hey sis, this is Jared Padalecki. I know you’ve wanted to meet him.” He looked back up at Jared and grinned. “Jared, this is my oldest sister, Evie. Evie, this is your fantasy man, Jared!” he stated and Evie smacked him hard on the shoulder as she blushed red in embarrassment.

“I’m gonna kill you later, baby bro. Fair warning,” she growled at him and he grinned as Jared laughed and held his hand out.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’d been looking forward to it since Chicago,” Jared greeted her warmly as she shook his hand.

“You...remember me?” she whispered in shock as she stared up at him and suddenly felt a bit dizzy as warmth and so many strange feelings washed over her as he gripped her hand. She wavered and felt herself caught by strong arms and looked up into Jared’s concern-filled face. “U-um...”

“Hey, you ok?” Jared asked softly as he steadied her while Phil looked on in concern.

“Um, I was...was really sick a couple of weeks ago. Still get weak if a bit....um...overwhelmed...” she answered quietly and swallowed hard as the feelings seemed to intensify. What was going on??

“Maybe we should sit down,” Phil suggested quietly, but they looked over as people headed into the auditorium.

Evie reached over and braced herself on the stone railing and instantly felt a bit steadier. She stood up on her own and breathed in deeply, then smiled reassuringly at them. “Let’s head in, I guess. Just...no more surprises, k lil bro? I’m still not better yet,” she told them and Phil wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

“Sorry sis...didn’t mean it,” he murmured apologetically.

“S’ok...you coming Mr. Padalecki?” Evie asked as they started in.

“Aw shit, that’s my dad! Call me Jared,” Jared responded as he walked alongside them.

She grinned at him. “We don’t know each other all that well, Mr. Padalecki. Mom raised us to be polite until we know people,” she retorted and he laughed lightly. He waved suddenly and she looked and almost fainted again as she saw Jensen Ackles *and* Jeff Morgan. “Oh god, I’m dying...I know it,” she whispered in shock and Phil looked down at her in bemusement, seemingly not at all put off that there were TV stars at this gathering or whatever it was.

They went down to the second row and sat down as the people milling around them also began to find seats. Suddenly, a young Indian woman came onto the stage at the bottom of the seats and stood between three candles on a small platform. She smiled and bowed to them all and received a bow from the gathered in return. Evie stared at her brother as he did the same as if it was something he did all the time and wondered about the look of utter peace and happiness that was on his face. She looked forward again as the woman spoke.

“Greetings my family and welcome to all who join us here this night. You are all here by invitation or by calling and are welcome with open arms. I would like to ask our newcomers to please step forward and surround the platform, for it is a tradition with our group that we greet the newcomers into the warmth of the Mother Earth and our family,” the woman greeted them and spread her arms in invitation, beckoning the guests to come forward.

Evie looked at her brother warily. “Are you in some kind of cult?” she hissed out and looked around as several people began to move towards the platform.

Grinning, Philip shook his head. “Just go down, Evie. I promise that it won’t hurt,” he whispered back and Jared smiled and nodded encouragingly.

“Dude, if mom and dad find out you made me join some kind of hippie cult, they’re gonna flip!” Evie retorted softly, which earned a laugh from them both as she hesitantly made her way down. She stood in front of the platform, facing the Indian woman as the others made a crude circle around the platform. She glanced around as she felt the presence of others enclosing them and saw the obviously-already-members encircle them and raise their hands in a strange position with their right hands over the newcomers and their left hands pointed towards the sky. She looked ahead again and bit her lip as she saw the woman copying the other members. She had a really bad feeling about all this...

“Mother Earth calls to us and we shall answer her.” The words were spoken calmly and Evie felt herself relax. Well maybe it wasn’t *so* bad...

“She is always our guide…always our light,” the members answered her and their heads tilted forward.

“Her children shall gather until the Chosen One leads us to peace,” the woman intoned joyfully and a soft glow began to surround the newcomers. Evie flinched as she felt like a live wire was hitting her body and color and light seemed to block out everything else around her.

“Blessed be that time. May peace come and life shine through.” The words barely made it through the white haze that was surrounding Evie and she wanted to cry out in fear. Suddenly, her head tilted back as she closed her eyes while a brilliant flash of light enveloped her and information seemed to flood over her senses. It was as if she was learning everything that could be learned, but it hurt so much that she couldn’t even scream. Just as it reached the threshold of her nearly passing out, it gentled and became warm and comforting. She relaxed and it felt like strong arms were enfolding her, soothing her as the information slowed down and a voice whispered to her about who she *really* was. She could all of a sudden hear the thoughts of millions of people, but it was quieted before it became overwhelming, muffled to the point that it was like faint background noise.

She opened her eyes and swayed slightly on her feet as she brought her head up and noticed vaguely that the light and colors were fading and she was returning to reality. She felt strong hands on her own, grounding her and she focused on the Indian woman as she came back into herself. She took a deep breath and blinked as her hands were squeezed reassuringly. “Welcome to the Elam, Chosen One,” the Indian woman, who Evie knew somehow that her name was Sati, said in greeting and Evie stared at her.

“Chosen One for what?” she asked dumbly and the crowd around her chuckled softly at her question. She looked around and started as a large hand squeezed her shoulder and she looked up into her brother’s face. “Dude, what the hell are you guys doing with that light show? It was damn freaky!” she demanded hoarsely and swayed just a bit, still somewhat high from whatever had just happened. She felt so strange, like she didn’t fit her skin. She felt everyone’s eyes on her and it scared her. What were these weirdoes!?

“It’s ok, Evie. All will be explained,” Sati replied gently and then drew her along the stage to the right wing, where they went through a door. Evie looked over her shoulder and saw Jared, Jensen, and Jeff standing next to her brother smiling reassuringly, but she didn’t feel one bit reassured. In fact, she felt terrified.

“What’s going on?” she finally whimpered as they walked down what seemed to be a medieval tunnel with iron sconces that held light bulbs and doors that appeared to lead into other rooms and halls. “Where are we going?”

“Everything is all right now, Evie. You’re safe with us. We’re going to Eden...a place that is a safe haven for others like us,” Sati replied comfortingly as she squeezed the other woman’s hand.

“Eden? Where is that? And what *are* we?” Evie demanded weakly and stopped, pulling Sati to a halt as well. “Are you guys some kind of cult or something? Do you drug people with whatever was in that light show?” she questioned as she held her head, which was steadily pounding. Something didn’t feel right...

Sati opened her mouth to answer, but stopped as Jared suddenly raced down the hall towards them, followed swiftly by two young teenagers. He was dressed in a long maroon and gold trimmed robe and held what looked like a naginata, a long staff with a curve blade at the end. “Sati! The Faithful have found us! We have to get to safety!” he snapped out as he came to them.

Nodding once, Sati looked at Evie. “You must be protected at all costs. The fate of humanity and earth is held by you,” she declared softly and Evie’s eyes widened. Turning to the teenagers, Sati pointed at them. “Josh, Gretchen...protect her and get her to safety. Jared, with me,” she ordered swiftly and then ran with Jared back towards the auditorium.

Josh grabbed Evie’s hand and tugged. “Come on! We don’t have much time!” he stated as he started down the hall.

“Huh!? No, wait! My brother! The others! What’s going on!?” Evie cried as she was pulled along the hall at a rapid pace. They turned and went into a small room and she faced them as they stood in front of the door. “Talk to me, please! What’s going on!? Who’re these Faithful people?!” she begged as she trembled. She didn’t feel very good all of a sudden.

“The Faithful are our greatest enemy. They are a cult that was created back in the time of Babylon that uses selective breeding to make themselves stronger, more powerful in mind abilities, and able to withstand great amounts of pain. They have been hunting us since our creation centuries ago, though our group has been around long before theirs ever was. They fear us...you especially,” Gretchen explained gently as Josh kept an eye on the door. They both stood tensely with their naginatas gripped tightly in their hands, obviously ready to fight at any moment.

“Why me?! What is the big deal about me?! What’s all this Chosen One crap?!” Evie inquired desperately and struggled to keep her voice down.

“You will be the bridge between Earth and humans. You will bring about peace and the new way for all humankind,” Gretchen answered simply and Evie reeled. But before she could answer, Josh hissed a warning just as the door was kicked open and several black robed figures ran in towards them. Gretchen and Josh coldly fought back, taking them down as quickly as they could while backing Evie into a corner.

“Stop this! Stop fighting please!” Evie yelled, but was drowned out by the snarls and clanging of fighting as the children fought against the ones who were intent on killing them. She shrieked as she was grabbed from behind and suddenly pushed back, sending the figure flying into the wall with a sickening thud. Her head spun and she nearly fell forward, but unexpectedly strong arms that she knew grabbed her and held her close.

“I’ve got you...hold on,” Jared whispered to her even as he swung his naginata and impaled another of the black robed attackers. “Josh, Gretchen! Fall back!” he shouted as he led Evie out of the room.

My...brother...where’s Phil...” Evie whispered as she held onto his arm and tried to keep the hall from spinning out of her control.

“He’s safe. Don’t worry about him or the others. We can survive,” Jared replied gruffly and nodded at Jensen as the other man fought off the last of a group that had obviously followed them. Jared raised a hand and his eyes narrowed before the group that had been coming down the hall went flying with cries of shock and pain. “Jen, grab Evie! We gotta get out of here and to Eden!” he snapped before pushing her towards Jensen.

“Come on, Evie! We have to run!” Jensen urged her with a smile as he grabbed her hand before turning and racing off with Evie in tow.

“God, why do I have to get to finally meet you guys when there’s a freaking brawl going on over some hippie cult!?” Evie whined as she ran, but she didn’t, amazingly, feel winded. She was able to keep up with Jensen, which should have been impossible since she was only 5’5” and Jensen was 6’1”. They got outside and Evie gulped in air and felt the dizziness that had been overpowering her fade back as they raced across the courtyard to the depressed area that surrounded a fountain and a grove of trees. She looked up and noted that it was nighttime. How long had they been in there?!

She was about to ask when they arrived on the other side of the trees. Bending down, Jensen yanked up the sewer hole cover like it was Styrofoam and jumped in. Evie’s eyes widened and she backed up right into Jared. “Oh hell no! I am not going down there!” she declared hotly before looking up at him pleadingly.

Jared smirked at her and sighed. “No choice, babe...in you go!” he replied and she squeaked as he picked her up like she weighed nothing at all, which again should have been impossible because she was at least 250 pounds! He moved quickly to the hole. “Coming down!” he called in and pushed Evie down.

“I’m going to murder you! I don’t care how cute you are!” Evie shouted as she fell down into the sewers, but she was caught and steadied. “Oh be still my heart,” she whispered and Jensen laughed lowly near her ear.

“Ok? That wasn’t so bad now was it?” he murmured and she felt her face go flushed.

“Says you...” was all she could flip back as Jared climbed down after securing the hole cover. “Now what?”

“Now we head for the rendezvous point and then to the tunnel that will take us to Eden,” Jared answered while pointing out the direction and smiled at her. “Don’t worry...everything will be fine now,” he added gently.

She looked up at him and tears filled her eyes. “I wish I could believe you, but you’ve lied to me already. Some of your people are dead,” she responded hoarsely and looked away before trudging along the sewer in the direction Jared had pointed.

TBC