Story: Well-aged like Swiss

Chapter: Wild Cat

Desperado, Texas Present day

A twenty-something with a tight-rolled bun hesitantly turned down a dark alleyway. After a few steps, she turned suddenly. Peering into the darkness and the busy street beyond, she looked for the source of the footsteps. No one. Sara took a few more steps and heard the steps again. This time, she didn't turn around, she started walking faster. The steps behind picked-up pace too and started to gain on her. Sara broke out into a run. After several seconds, long enough for her to get short of breath, the footsteps stopped. She looked over her shoulder but no one was there. Sara slowed down to a jog; she's almost out of the alley and onto the main street. The street light was inches from touching the tip of her nose, when something grabbed her ankles. Her mouth formed a silent scream, as her chin hit the ground and road rash covered her body. She disappeared into the alley.

Sara Clarkson was officially reported missing two days later by her sister and room mate.

Three days after her disappearance, an impala rolled into town with two strangers.

Four days after Sara's death, Sara's room mate leaves town.

"Why again are you leaving?" Susan watched her friend pile in several pairs of jeans and her favorite t-shirts into a suitcase.

"I think that's it," she tossed her long black hair over her shoulder; "I know its rotten timing, hon". She zipped the suitcase shut as her friend studied her.

"I wish you'd reconsidered. I mean, Sara's still missing. And well, they have no leads on her." She sat down on the bed. Can't her step-dad take care of her mom? It was only a knee replacement. Its not like she had open heart surgery.

"I know. I'll be back in two days." She sat down next to her friend so close she had some difficulty wrapping her arms around Susan's shoulders. "You can call me. I promise. If anything happens. OK? I'll rush right back." She was trying her best to get going. Eddie's flight left in left in two hours. If she misses this flight, she would have to stay a night. That she was not willing to do. Eddie stood, grabbed the suitcase. "I just hate leaving you in such a mess. I'll call Thomas and have him stop over and check on you."

Thomas was Eddie's long-time boyfriend. They'd been together as long as Sara and Susan had known Eddie. He was the tall, dark, and handsome dreams were made of. Often the sisters had teased Eddie about how lucky she was to have a man of so many women's dreams. Not only was Thomas easy on the eyes, he had the ability to charm anyone. He could swoon the woman one minute and the next be talking about camping and football with men. If they were in Hollywood, they would be the "It" couple. In the business world, they were a power couple.

The girls said good-bye at the taxi in front of the building. As Eddie got into the cab, she, for the one two many times, said she'd be back soon and to call if anything comes up. As the cab pulled away, Susan knew she was never going see Eddie again. She just had that feeling that she was alone. She wrapped her arms around herself and stood facing Sara's apartment building. After several minutes of feeling sorry for herself, worried for sister, and down right mad at Eddie, she went inside the building and got to work.

A light rapping at door, slowly brought Susan out of her restless sleep. The commotion outside the door made her suddenly come to alertness. Is someone breaking in? She heard talking, two men. What are they doing? Are they arguing? Just pick it already? They are breaking in. Oh, my GOD! She absently began feeling around next to the door and found the bat leaning against the door jam. Good girl, Sara. She smiled. She wrapped her hand around the bat handle just as the lock was released. She stepped back and held up the bat in perfect form. Susan was ready for whatever robbing bastards were coming through that door.

Sam and Dean were greeted by a wild, bat-swinging woman as they entered the apartment. Dean managed to duck the swing just in time, with the bat grazing his hair and slamming into Sam's shoulder. Susan re-cocked the bat and let it swing again, this time not missing her target and slamming the bat into Dean. She focused her attack on Dean since he was first coming in the door. She hoped the men would take off before she had to worry about Sam. He was after-all significantly taller the Dean. And since she and Dean were the same height, she would have to aim at the one unforgivable target.

Sam went to his brother's rescue and attempted to grab the girl's arms to stop Dean's assault. She was stronger and faster then she first appeared. Susan had seen him coming and impulse took over, she jabbed the end of the bat into Sam's groin. He kneeled in immediate pain. This was followed by a quick sharp pain to his back. Sam was on the floor in a prone position wallowing in pain. Dean grabbed Susan by her elbows forcing her to drop the bat. She kicked wildly in his arms. He dropped Susan on her knees and kicked the bat away.

"Just stop already. We're not going to rob you." He pushed he door shut and hoped no one heard the struggle.

"Wh…wha…what do you," Susan was short of breath from the struggle. She remained on the floor. Her plan was simple, she wanted to rest then she would kick these bastards out of her sister's apartment. They messed with the woman today.

"We're FBI. Here about a Sara Clarkson's missing person report." Dean flashed a badge, looked over his shoulder and realized his brother hadn't recovered yet, "Get-up already" he jabbed Sam with his foot, "Show her the badge." Sam slowly got up to a knee and flashed his badge.

"FBI agents break into apartments, now?"

"Well, sometimes. It's Big Brother, you know always watching and doing whatever….whatever," Dean responded. "Aren't you a wild cat, attacking two men in your apartment. Most people call the cops."

"Yeah, and FBI agents should have real badges. Those are as phony as they come. So, why don't you tell me who you really are." No longer short of breath, Susan stood-up, and got into perfect Kick-boxing form. "Because the bat was just warming me up."

AN: My first story in a while. If you would, please provide some feedback as I'm working through. As always, I'm grateful you've taken a few minutes to read. Thanks!