Prologue
It was a cool, calm night. The occasional night bird hooted in the woods behind the burning house, and crickets could be heard over the crackling tinder.
The Impala skidded to a halt, kicking up gravel and dirt. Sam Winchester was out of the car as soon as it stopped.
"Oh no," he said. "No!"
He started towards the house, but Dean grabbed him by the shoulder of his jacket and pulled him back.
They could hear the screams inside the house now.
"Dean! What are you doing? We have to help them!"
As he said it, part of the roof caved in, crushing the overhang down onto the front porch.
"We can't go in there!" Dean yelled at his brother. "We're too late!"
Another section of the house caved in, spilling burning wood onto the lawn on the eastern side. The screaming had stopped.
Sam turned his head around to the house. "They were innocent."
"I know."
"This was a mistake."
"I know."
Sam turned back to Dean. "We have to stop them."
"We will, but right now we have to get out of here before someone sees us."
Sam looked back at the house one last time. "I'm sorry, Kandace."
Dean squeezed his shoulder, and then got back in the car. Sam followed, defeated.
