[h2]Esme[/h2]
 As Esme sat on the floor, she could hear everything spoken between the three in the kitchen, even though their voices sounded distant, that was until Cason dropped his voice. It came as a bit of relief knowing Cason knew where the angels had taken Dean and Mika and that he could get them close, but it still bothered her to know what they would find. Out of all the visions she had in life, she had never been able to change them unless it was something small, and this wasn’t small. Esme knew there was no changing the outcome of this vision. Something told her they would never make it in time to change it. Her heart sank, and she forced back the tears threatening to show themselves. Now wasn’t the time to cry. She had to pull herself together and be strong even if she was scared about her vision coming true. Again, Esme tried to shake the image of Duke crying and cradling someone from her mind, finally being successful. She drew in several deep, shaky breaths and slowly let them out, trying her best to collect herself and get control of her trembling body.

Esme could feel herself starting to improve when Duke squatted in front of her and brushed some hair from her face, causing her to flinch. She didn’t feel him approach her like she usually did. Dropping her hands from her head and opening her eyes, she looked into Duke’s face, unable to erase the worry resting on her face. Her eyebrows knitted together at his words, and she softly shook her head. “No….” she started but was cut off by his thumb brushing her jaw and his following words. Esme scanned his face. She knew that look in his eye. She could see he was debating on making a run for it and forcing her to stay here with Cason and Natalia. “There’s no way in hell I’m letting you walk in alone. Even with Cason backing you up later.” she told Duke softly. Lifting a hand, she took Duke’s hand and squeezed it, looking deep into Duke’s eyes after tilting his hat back a bit. “If you go. I go.” She didn’t like what they would find there but wouldn’t let Duke find it alone. Esme knew that he was going to need her on this one more than ever, and she was damn sure going to be there for him. 

“You and me. Remember?” Esme told him. “That applies to just about everything we do. You'll have to lock me in a room or tie me down to make me stay here. Which I can tell you're tempted to do.” She continued to look deep into his eyes to drive home that she meant what she said, and if he did either of those options, she would find a way to free herself and come after him. After losing him once, she was determined to keep him from going off on his own and potentially doing anything stupid and reckless, which was a possibility after what she saw in her vision. Esme was determined to be there and help him through everything. Whoever he was holding in her vision, she knew the grief could potentially push him over the edge and cause him to bolt. She was going to do everything she could to keep that from happening and show him she was there for him.