Chapter 1

I arrived in Chicago about two days ago and the job hunt was not going very well at all. Not many places were hiring at the moment and the places that were took one look at me and shoed me out the door. I honestly don't know what's wrong with the way I look but it must be something.

I was in a bar at the moment looking at myself in the bathroom mirror. I had just left the convenience store about two blocks over that denied my application. I didn't look that unpresentable. I was wearing dark-wash skinny jeans, combat boots, a grey t-shirt, paired with my zip-up hoodie and dark-wash jean jacket. All the clothes that I took with me when I ran from home looked pretty much the same.

I sighed as I ran my hand through my dark brown hair, taking one last look in the mirror before leaving the grungy restroom of the bar. I found a small empty table and set my tattered tan satchel beside me as I waited for one of the bar tenders to come over – I really needed a beer. As I was waiting I couldn't help but over hear the conversation between the two guys at the table beside me.

"So did you get anything besides the number of the bar tender?" The taller brunette asked.

The other man looked almost offended, "Sammy, I am appalled that you would even think that. I am a professional and I take my job very seriously." He said and at Sam's incredulous look he smirked and shrugged as he held up a napkin, "and…well…"

"You know what Dean, I knew it. Did you happen to even get any useful information at all about Meredith?"

"Hold your horses. I did do a little recon but it came up empty." The one now known as Dean said, "Meredith was just a normal girl. Nothing unusual going on with her at all. She was well liked, she served the customers, she was a great bar tender and no one here noticed anything suspicious going on before she died."

They talked for a little more before the one named Sam got completely distracted by what looks to be a blonde a few tables over. He got up without saying a word and walked over. Dean just followed Sam's movements with his eyes before getting up and following him over.

It was a strange conversation for sure, considering they were talking about someone who died that they didn't even seem to know. Undercover cops maybe? In any case, I did find out some useful information – this bar is now short a bartender and might be looking for a new one. I reached into my satchel, grabbed a resume and walked over to the bar.

"Hey!" I called to one of the male bartenders and when he looked at me I continued, "I was wondering if I could speak to the manager?"

"You're looking at him." He said as he wiped down a glass and came closer to the counter. The blond-haired, brown-eyed manager looked to be about his mid-thirties. He was wearing a white button-up under a black leather vest.

"Hi, my name is Aria Kenneth and I heard you might be looking for a new bartender?" I asked and was about to hand over my resume but was interrupted.

"No sorry, you must have heard wrong." He said and was about to go back to his business.

"Wait! Listen, this is my resume. Maybe you can just take a look and see if-"

"Look, sweetheart, you're just not what we're looking for. I'd take your resume but in all honesty it will probably just end up in the trash." He said as he set the glass down on the counter and looked at me, "The convenience store a couple blocks over might be a better bet."

Giving the best smile I could muster, which wasn't that great of one if I'm being honest, I said softly, "Yeah…I'll uh…give them a try."

Except, as mentioned earlier, I did give them a try already. I was about to step back and away from the bar so other customers could be served but before I could I was shoved out of the way by a redhead that seemed to be in desperate need of a beer. I stumbled backwards and right into a solid someone.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you." I said and turned around, only to see that one guy Dean from earlier.

"Hey, not a problem." He said with a kind smile, "The way I see it, it was the other chicks fault."

I looked behind me to the redhead that was now cackling to something her friend was telling her and sighed, "I was just in the way." I looked back at him and gave a small smile, "Well, nice bumping into you I guess but I should really go."

He stepped aside so I could move passed him and I left the bar behind. This was yet another bust at a job. Evidently, I should have chosen a different city to run too. I stopped beside a streetlight and took out my phone, noticing I have two missed calls and a voicemail. I called my voicemail to listen to it.

"Hey babe, it's been a few days and I'm over it. Just come home so we can make up. I hate it when we fight. I'll even make you dinner."

He's over it? The bastard. I'm the one that should be 'over it' but I'm not and I never will be. I'm twenty-two years old and have my whole life ahead of me, I'm not going to tie myself down to some guy who doesn't appreciate me and disrespects me the way he did.

"So what was she saying?" I heard a familiar voice ask, "I treat you like luggage? What are you doing, bitching about me to some chick?"

I looked to my left and saw Sam and Dean walk passed me.

"Listen, I'm sorry Dean. It was when we had that huge fight and I was at the bus stop in Indiana."

That intrigued me a little and quietly started following them across the road. They didn't even seem to notice I was there as I watched them bicker back and forth.

"Is there any truth to what she's saying? Am I keeping you against your will Sam?"

"No, of course not. Now would you listen?"

"What?" Dean said exasperated.

"I think there is something strange going on here Dean."

"Tell me about it man; she wasn't even that into me." Dean seemed to be a little conceited.

"No man, I mean our kind of strange." Sam corrected, "I think we might have a lead."

A lead? What exactly is that supposed to mean? And what does Sam mean about 'our kind of strange'? I was hooked into their conversation and counted my lucky stars that they haven't noticed me standing a few feet away, listening to their conversation.

"I first met her a few weeks ago, literally on the side of the road and now we run into her here in some Chicago bar? The same bar where some waitress was slaughtered by something supernatural? You don't think that's a little weird?"

"Supernatural?" I questioned out loud with out even realising it. It effectively stopped their conversation though and they both turned to look at me and I nervously took a step back, "Uh…sorry. I didn't mean to eavesdrop." I said and then shook my head at the lie, "I mean I did mean to eavesdrop but I didn't mean to hear anything like that." I sighed and dropped my shoulders at how stupid that sounded, "I mean, I can't really control what I hear of course but I didn't expect that….What did you mean supernatural?" I couldn't help but ask.

Dean and Sam looked at each other, "Uh…Nothing." They said it simultaneously and I cocked an eyebrow at that.

Dean coughed, "My brother here just has a thing for a girl and is trying to make excuses of why he shouldn't feel anything. You know, thinking a little too much with his upstairs brain." Dean said, tapping his head as he said brain.

Sam elbowed him in the side, "Just check on a Meg Masters in Andover Massachusetts would you? And that symbol, alright?"

Dean grunted, "Fine and what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to watch Meg."

Dean smirked, "Yeah you are."

"I'm just going to see what's what." Sam defended.

"Alright you little pervert." Dean laughed and looked back at me, causing his smile to drop.

"And…I'm just going to…go." I said slowly as I pointed over my shoulder before turning and walking in the direction I pointed too.

"Hey, hold on a second." Dean called, "You shouldn't be walking out here alone."

I looked back and saw Dean and Sam share a meaningful look before turning back to me, "I'll be fine, really." I assured.

"At least let us drive you home." Sam offered.

I shook my head, "No, it's fine. It's only a couple blocks over."

"Good! Then it shouldn't be too much trouble."

I gave them the best smile, "Really, it's fine."

Just as I finished that sentence there was a car horn and turned and looked into bright lights before I was yanked off the road and out of the way of the car that nearly hit me. I put my hand on my heart and followed the car with my eyes before looking to Sam and then Dean, who is the one that pulled me out of the way.

"Fine my ass." Dean muttered, "Get in the car."

Regaining my bearings I shook my head 'no' and pulled my arm from his grasp, "No. It's fine." I said desperately and backed away before turning and walking as fast as I could before they could protest.

When I figured I was a safe distance away I slowed my steps and walked to my destination which was an ally a few blocks over. I walked around a dumpster and pulled my small duffle bag out from behind it and then laid down on the broken cardboard box, using my duffle as a pillow. It was a little chilly but the dumpster blocked most of the weather. The only thing I have to worry about is if it starts raining but I'll deal with it if it happens. I closed my eyes and waited for sleep to claim me.

"So this is why you didn't want a ride."

I jolted into a sitting position and frantically looked around until my eyes fell on Dean, who was leaning against the corner of the dumpster with his arms crossed. I backed towards the wall until I was stopped by my duffle and swallowed nervously.

"You followed me." I whispered.

"What can I say? You peaked my interest. Especially with these slaughters going round." Dean said.

"You mean the ones apparently done by supernatural beings?" I asked and then regretted it as his eyes narrowed.

"Right. I forgot you heard that." He said, "What do you know about the supernatural?"

"N-nothing." I said nervously. Which is true, "Aside from what I've seen in horror movies."

He nodded, "Okay, I believe you. But I still can't have you going around and telling people what you heard."

"And I wont!" I exclaimed and then took a deep breath to calm my heart, "I don't even know anything except that you said that girl was killed by something supernatural. Besides, who would I tell anyway? I'm homeless and have no friends. No one would believe me!"

"Hm." He said as he studied me.

I watched his eyes as he looked slowly from my head, to my clothes, to my duffle, to my surroundings. He eventually met my eyes again and stepped forward before kneeling in front of me.

"You don't look like the normal homeless type."

"Give it a few weeks. My clothes will eventually look ratty and tattered like they should. I'll probably get my boots stolen in my sleep too." I sighed and leaned my head back against the wall.

He seemed to study me a bit more and then groaned before standing up and offering me his hand, "Come with me. I'll give you a place to sleep for the night."

I eyed his hand, "Do I look stupid to you?"

"Look, I can't let you stay out here on your own when there is something out there killing people. So you can come willingly or you can come by force." Dean gave me an ultimatum and I thought about it before taking his hand.

He helped me up before grabbing my duffle for me. I grabbed my satchel and followed him out of the ally, "I'm Aria, by the way."

"Dean."

"I know." I said but explained when he looked at me curiously, "I was eavesdropping for a few minutes before you noticed me."

"Right." He said before crossing the street.

I ended up following him all the way back to a motel and into his room that he apparently shared with his brother. There were two beds, a sofa, and a table with two chairs. Off to the side was a little kitchenette and a door that I assume leads to the bathroom. The first thing Dean did when he entered was open up a laptop and sit down at the table.

"Why don't you take a shower. I have some research to do." He said without even looking at me.

Without replying I just went to the bathroom and locked the door. It's been a couple days since I had a hot shower and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't even a little bit excited. The hot water felt nice and I couldn't help but sigh as it rained over my body. It was great having clean hair too, even though I had to use the cheap motel shampoo.

I don't know how long I stayed in there but it was definitely pushing the half hour mark when I turned the water off. I towel dried my hair before getting dressed. I put on a maroon t-shirt and pulled on my sweatpants before throwing everything in my duffle bag and leaving the bathroom.

"You must have enjoyed yourself in there." Dean said with smirk as he leaned back in his chair when I came out.

"I did. It's been a few days since I showered." I said with a shrug and sat down on the small sofa, "Listen, thanks for letting me stay here tonight."

"No problem." Dean said, "Are you hungry?"

I shook my head, "I ate earlier. My funds are limited but I brought enough to help keep me fed for awhile."

"So what's your story anyway?" Dean asked, placing his hands behind his head.

"That's kind of personal isn't it?" I asked.

"I offered you a place to stay. The least you could do is tell me why I had too." He shrugged.

I narrowed my eyes at him, "You didn't have to do anything." I snapped but sighed at the look he gave me, "I wasn't in a very good relationship so I took off. I didn't really have anywhere to go so I picked the first city that popped into my head."

"What about your parents?"

"Dead."

"Whoa…Don't hold back." He said sarcastically.

"You're not exactly in the sharing mood either." I rebuked, "Who exactly are you? At first I thought cop but you sure as hell don't act like one. Not to mention there aren't any cops I know of who investigate supernatural beings."

He seemed thoughtful for a moment before seemingly deciding something, "My brother and I are hunters. We hunt down supernatural entities like spirits, ghosts, and demons that like to hurt and kill people."

"I didn't realise that was an actual career path." I raised a brow, "How does one become a hunter?"

"One doesn't just become a hunter for the hell of it. It chooses you."

Just then Sam flew through the door and looked around before finding Dean. They met in the middle of the room and at the exact same time, they both said, "Dude I gotta talk to you."

That's when Sam noticed me, "What's she doing here?"

"Uh, that's part of the reason I gotta talk to you. I followed her home like I said I would and as it turns out, she doesn't have one."

Sams eyes widened, "So you brought her here? What were you thinking we're in the middle of….an investigation." Sam covered at the end when he almost let the hunt slip.

"Dude, she knows." Dean said, "She eavesdropped on our conversation and I just filled in the blanks."

"What?!"

"There was nothing I could do! She would have figured it out anyway! Now what did you have to tell me?"

"I followed Meg to this warehouse where she has this alter thing. She was talking into a bowl. I'm pretty sure Meg is the one behind the attacks." Sam explained, looking at me cautiously as I had a curious look on my face.

"So hot little Meg is the one that is summoning the Daeva." Dean said as he walked around the room, "Sammy's got a thing for the bad girls." He chuckled a little, "Now what is the deal with that bowl again?"

"She was talking into it like witches used to with crystal balls and emblem trails. She was communicating with someone."

"With who? The Daeva?" Dean asked.

"Umm." I spoke up quietly, not sure if I should but wanting to none the less, "The way you described these daeva things, they seem too rabid and animalistic. She's probably talking to someone else. Someone is probably making her do their dirty work. Maybe she's trying to lure you somewhere. Like to that warehouse you're talking about."

Sam looked to Dean but pointed at me, "Are you sure she's not part of this?"

"I'm sure." Dean said and then sat down, beginning to flip through a journal of some sort before closing it with a look of disbelief, "Holy crap."

"What?" Sam asked.

"What I was going to tell you earlier. I pulled a favour from my, uh, friend Amy…from the police department. I got complete records of the two victims." Dean said, being completely serious, "We missed something the first time."

Turns out both victims were born in Lawrence Kansas, their home town. This supernatural stuff just gets creepier and creepier the more I paid attention to it. However, I couldn't help but be drawn into it. The more I learned, the more I wanted to keep learning.

They were making a plan now, to stakeout this warehouse place. Sam went out to the car to get something and Dean picked up the phone and called his dad. It went to voicemail though. I watched carefully, the look on Dean's face when he was leaving the message. It seemed to bother him that he only got his dads voicemail. I kept my mouth shut though; it wasn't my place to say anything.

Sam came in with a duffle and dropped it on the bed and began pulling out guns and other weapons. I came over to the bed to look just as Dean picked up a shot gun and loaded it.

I picked up a bottle of water that said Holy on it and raised a brow, "I didn't know Holy Water was an actual thing."

"Oh it is and Demons hate it." Dean said as he picked up another weapon.

"Can I come too?" I asked as I picked up a machete.

Dean snatched it away from me and threw it back down on the pile of weapons, "Of course not. We're not going to bring a complete stranger with us. You'll just get in the way." He scoffed.

"What he means to say. Is it's probably not a good idea since we don't even know what to expect." Sam said more kindly as he and Dean continued to load more guns.

"Then what am I supposed to do?" I asked.

"Uh…Stay here. Sleep. Then wake up and go about your day as usual." Dean shrugged.

They left soon after and I sat on the small sofa. How was I supposed to sleep when the things from nightmares actually exist and the two strangers I met tonight hunt them for a living? They're out there right now hunting a demon and I'm expected to just forget about it. All I could do is stare at the clock and watch the minutes turn to hours.

I eventually heard a jingling of the door knob before it opened and man in his late forties, early fifties walked in. I backed away until I hit the wall which caused him to look up at me.

"Who are you?" He asked.

"You're the one that broke in here." I said nervously.

"Right. I'm John, Dean and Sam's dad." He said and walked over to the window, "They should be back anytime now."

Since he explained who he was I felt I should return the courtesy, "I'm Aria. I'm the homeless chick they picked up off the street and let stay here for the night."

He turned towards me, surprised, "They did that for you?"

I nodded, "Dean offered but wants me gone first thing in the morning. He doesn't really have the best people skills, does he?"

John smiled a little at my comment before turning serious, "You shouldn't really stay here until morning. You should leave as soon as possible."

"Is this because of the Demon?" I asked.

He seemed even more surprised and was about to say something when Dean and Sam walked into the room, pretty banged up. I chose not to comment on their condition though, they did go to fight a demon after all. Dean saw John first and seemed about ready to attack before he realised who it was.

"Hey boys." John said with a smile.

I stepped aside and let Dean hug his dad. Sam didn't but I bet he wanted too. I stayed out of the touchy family feel moment and just watched, wishing I could see my own parents at this moment as well.

"We're sorry dad. It was a trap." Dean said.

"I thought it might be." John said.

"You were there?"

John nodded, "I got there just in time to see that girl take the swan dive. She was the bad guy wasn't she?"

Sam and Dean nodded, "Good." John said with a smile, "It doesn't surprise me. It's tried to stop me before."

"The Demon has?" Sam asked.

John gave me a side glance and I took a step back. He obviously doesn't like that I know, "It knows I'm close and it knows I'm going to kill it. Not exorcise it but actually kill it."

"How?" Dean asked.

"I'm working on it." John smiled.

"Let us come with you. We can help."

"No Sam. You have to understand. This Demon is a scary son of bitch. I don't want you caught in the cross fire. I don't want you hurt."

"You don't have to worry about us."

"Of course I do. I'm your father." John interjected, "Listen Sammy. Last time we were together we had one hell of a fight. It's good to see you again, it's been a long time."

"Too long."

Those two had some baggage but they finally hugged it out and I walked over to Dean as the other two made up. Dean looked at me with a raised eyebrow. I ignored the questioning look and lightly touched the cut on the side of his face. He flinched away.

"I can clean that up for you, you know, as a thank you for letting me stay here." I said just as John and Sam broke their embrace.

That's when it happened. John got thrown into the small kitchenette. Sam was slashed and thrown to the side by an invisible force and just as Dean tried to retaliate, he was thrown into me, causing us both to fly into the wall. I was winded beyond belief because of Deans weight against me. Dean fell to the floor and I fell beside him. Something slashed my arm and I couldn't help but scream as it slashed my leg as well. I knew the others were getting pretty cut up too but I couldn't pay attention to that. The pain I felt was blinding.

I vaguely heard Sam yell for everyone to shut their eyes. What he didn't know was that they were already shut in pain. I started coughing as a smoke filled the apartment and I was helped to my feet by someone and half walked, half stumbled, and was half dragged to the door and out through the hallway.

We made it outside but I was still in so much blinding pain that I couldn't even pay attention to anything else. Not even to the heartfelt goodbye between father and sons. It didn't even register that I was placed in the back seat of a car. It wasn't until I woke up in a motel room just outside of Chicago that I realised what happened.

I woke up with a start and looked frantically around me. I looked at my arm and my leg which were bandaged tightly and felt my cheek which had a small bandage too. I was attacked by something invisible and was powerless in protecting myself. It was like back home all over again. At least there I could see my attacker.

"You're finally awake." I looked to my left and saw Sam sitting at his computer.

"Yeah…Have I been out for long?" I asked quietly.

"About three days but that's good. The rest was allowing your body to heal. We used Holy Water to clean your cuts so they should heal up faster."

"Holy Water heals faster?" I asked as I took another look at my bandages.

"They do when the wounds are from creatures from hell." Sam explained, "That also means they shouldn't scar either."

I nodded and took another look around, "Where is Dean?"

"He went back to the motel we were staying at in Chicago to get our stuff."

"He went back! What if he is attacked again!" I shouted.

"It's day time. I was pretty safe." Dean said as he walked in with our stuff.

I breathed a sigh of relief and laid back down on the bed, staring at the ceiling, "So those invisible things. Were they the daeva's you were talking about?"

"That was them."

"That blond girl was controlling them though right?" I asked, "Didn't your dad say he saw her die?"

"Well, she apparently didn't die and has other means of controlling them." Dean snipped, "But now that you're finally awake and able to fend for yourself. Sammy and I can take off."

I sat up rapidly, "You can't just leave me here!"

"Sure we can. Paid for the entire week. You're good until Friday. Have fun!"

"But I want to go with you!" I said and tried to sit up, only to fall back to the bed.

Dean rolled his eyes, "You can't come with us. You're only going to get in the way."

I looked at him pleadingly, "Please let me go with you. I have nowhere else to go."

Dean groaned and looked at his brother who shrugged. This caused Deans pleading look to turn into a glare at his brothers' lack of care. Dean rolled his neck before looking at me once again.

"I promise I won't get in the way." I continued to plead.

"Fine but only for a little while and if you become a hindrance in anyway, you're gone." Dean snapped and threw my recovered duffle bag and satchel at me.