A/N: This is my very first chapter fiction! I'm really excited to write this one out. I'll be posting every other day, so I won't leave you guys hanging. Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoy! Reviews are much appreciated!
Sam scrolled through the website, looking for clues to the mysterious happenings in the next town over. He and his brother checked into the dilapidated motel an hour earlier. Dean was out getting something greasy for dinner, no doubt. Sam thought that a more efficient use of time was to start researching. This case was a puzzle for sure, and even Bobby was having trouble finding any clues in all of his extensive stacks of books. Sam thought through the incomprehensible sequence of events. It all started a month ago when the local bank manager died after he dropped his cup full of pens, tripped over them, fell, and impaled himself on his own red pen. It had gone straight through his sternum and pierced his heart. Initially the coroner couldn't figure out how the flimsy plastic pen could pierce so deeply, shattering through bone and flesh. The working theory down in the labs was that it was some kind of childhood bone deficiency, a genetic disorder overlooked by his primary physician. The local news picked up the story immediately,and after a few crime scene pictures leaked the tale became a Youtube sensation a mere week later. That alone was not enough to get Sam's attention. Strange things happen every day after all, and lord knows both brothers had seen stranger.
It was what happened a week after that really put the suburb in New Jersey on the brother's map. The owner of a local book store chain had been found in the corner of his giant emporium, next to the overpriced coffee shop advertising 8 dollar cappuccinos. The official press release stated that he choked to death on his own manuscript, masticating his own pages of pretentious literary fiction. He ate until his stomach was full, the paper lined his esophagus, filling him until he couldn't take another breath. The coroner found that the owner had been taking a specific combination of arthritis medication and anti-depressants that caused this manic episode. The media had a field day. With two implausible deaths in two weeks, who could blame them?
That's when Sam proposed that he and Dean check out the town. Initially, he'd thought it was the work of the trickster. Each death had that dramatic flair and touch of irony. However, upon closer inspection the medical evidence had completely explained each event. Both victims either had extremely bad luck, or someone was out to get them. Maybe a witch? Sam kept researching.
"Hey Sammy, how's it goin'?" Dean burst in the door unceremoniously, but with more exuberance than he's had in weeks.
"Same. No leads... If I had to guess, I'd say we have a witch on our hands." Sam grabbed the bag of food Dean tossed onto the faux wooden table.
"I got you your rabbit food." Dean said snarkily as Sam took out the Cobb salad that he'd requested.
"That stuff'll kill you" Dean took a huge bite of his double cheeseburger. Sam wouldn't begrudge Dean of his greasy meals. Especially not after last summer.
Sam speared a few pieces of lettuce, "Yea, sure. So, I think we should start with the coroner tomorrow." Dean grunted in affirmation. Sam closed his laptop for the night, his eyes tired from staring at the screen.
The metal slab rolled out, metal clashing against metal as the body of the first victim was revealed.
"Straight shot into the left vetricle." The coroner mused, obviously bewildered by the state of the body. "If it wasn't for his genetic disorder, he'd have been fine. It's extremely rare, with no obvious symptoms. It's no wonder his physician missed it."
Sam and Dean moved closer to the pallid corpse, scrutinizing the dark hole where the red pen punctured the victim's sternum.
"It passed right through. His sternum just couldn't hold up. I've never seen anything like it, in twenty years." The coroner crossed his arms to his chest, contemplating
"So you're sure he had the genetic markers for this disease?" Dean asked, doubtfully.
"Go down to the lab and check the results for yourself, Agent Nugent. I can save you a trip though. I guarantee their validity." The coroner's arms tightened around his chest.
"We believe you, Dr. Schorsch." Sam cut the tension. "What about the second vic?"
The doctor rolled the corpse back into the freezer. He moved a few rows down and brings out a second chilled body.
"Now this one is a mystery." Dr. Schorsch marveled, "Ate himself to death. I mean, literally ripped his own manuscript apart and ingested it until his suffocated."
Dean grimaced as he took in the appearance of the second victim. His mouth was wide open, the paper that had filled it occupied a jar next to the body.
"We took out most of the paper in his mouth and esophagus. He'd eaten enough to fill his stomach beforehand, though. I've never seen anything like this, either. Is this why the F.B.I is involved?"
"We can't really say, doctor." Sam said with authority. "Are there any correlations in social groups, any commonalities in habits that you've deciphered?"
"None. Not a one. That's the mystery I suppose.." Dr. Schorsch's eyes glazed over in thought.
"Well, make sure you get back to us with any new information." Dean handed the coroner his card before motioning Sam to the exit. "Still thinking it's a witch?"
"I think it's as good a theory as anything else." Sam pushed the double glass doors of the coroner's office open as he made his way to the Impala.
"Let's interview the witnesses. These two cases have to have a common thread." Dean started the Impala's ignition.
"Hex bags first." Sammy said as he folded himself into the passenger's seat. "Can't be too careful."
Dean pressed down the gas and heads back to the motel.