“The two rangers died,” he said softly. Two bodies had been found by the burned-out station, and the fire marshal was quoted as saying it was probably arson that had caused the fire. The article particularly expressed relief that the arsonist left the medicine wheel unharmed.

“They probably were killed by the demons who possessed them,” Dean said. “They just left their bodies behind when they moved on.”

Castiel nodded, still frowning. “They are getting careless. They don’t expect to need the bodies for long.”

When it was dark and the town was quiet, Dean and Castiel went to the impound lot. Dean was ready to climb the fence and get his baby — and he was looking forward to driving through the gate — when Castiel waved his hand and the padlock fell open.

“You’re handy,” Dean said, grinning at him, and Castiel shrugged and smiled.

“I have a few tricks.”

There were few cars in the lot so they found the Impala quickly. Castiel unlocked the boot on her front tire with another wave of his hand. “Hello, sweetheart,” Dean said, as he pulled the boot off. “You’re a good, patient girl, you know that?” He shoved the boot aside and unlocked the passenger door, using his key, to let Castiel in. He got into the driver side and then leaned over to kiss Castiel one more time. “Still scared? I hope you are, ’cause I’m scared shitless.”

Castiel smiled a little. “I am not as much as I was.” He laid his hand on the dash. “We have to fly. We’ve lost a few days.”

“My baby can fly,” Dean said and started up the engine, grinning as the Impala roared to life. They took off into the night, out of town, heading west.

***

They say, on the highways of Nevada, there’s a ghost car — big and black as if the devil himself could be behind the wheel, and going so fast you can only see it out of the corner of your eye.

There isn’t. But despite Castiel making the Impala go much faster than mere gasoline ever could, a few people driving the highways saw them as they tore across the desert to California, and stories will always spread. That’s what stories do.