Chapter 1: Meeting the Winchesters

Jumping around from school to school is hard on any child. But it was quite normal for the Magnums. Two sisters, Lyra and Kara, traveled almost monthly with their father who was a hunter. Lyra was 14, and Kara was 10. Their mother? Killed in a nursery fire. That incident is what fueled his passion for hunting the supernatural. This time, it landed them in St. Paul, Minnesota, to hunt some ghosts and possibly a wendigo in some mines while both girls were about to meet a couple boys they had more in common with than they realized.

The youngest, Kara, was reading a high-school psychology book while walking the halls during lunch. Her hazel eyes scanning the pages when she overheard a group of boys threatening another kid. Peeking around a corner of the hall, she spotted a boy her age being picked on by some of the next-years. She scrunched her eyebrows in anger.

"Give us your lunch money!"

The boy avoided eye contact, his back pressed against a line of lockers. "I don't have any…"

Another bully laughed in his face. "Liar! I saw you eat lunch yesterday. So where is it?"

He shook his head. "I told you, I don't have any!"

The biggest bully lunged forward, grabbing the collar of the boy's shirt. "Hand it over or I'll beat your ass!"

Kara snapped her book shut and rounded the corner, facing the bullies. Her short blonde hair swished around her face as she walked. Their heads turned, and the one holding the boy against the locker sneered. "Oh look, a brave little girl."

Kara stomped over to the group and pointed a finger at the bully. "Listen, just because your mom doesn't care enough to send you lunch money doesn't mean you need to steal it from someone else." His eyes glossed, and he let go of the boy.

"Wait how…"

She turned and looked at another boy. "And no, it's not okay that your dad takes out his anger on you. But you don't get to forward that anger onto other people. It makes you just as bad as him." The second bully broke down in tears, and the third just ran. The two that were left stood frozen in their tracks. "And neither of you will ever be better than your parents unless you prove them wrong and do good in school, so you can get a decent job and afford to sue their asses for neglect and abuse."

The bullies walked off, with a few words of confusion whispered under their breath. The boy who was being bullied sighed, sitting down on the floor in front of his locker. "Thanks." Kara smiled, and sat down next to him. "No problem. I'm Kara." She held out a hand, and he shook it. He had brown-hazel eyes, and medium length brown hair.

He smiled. "Sam."

Kara opened her book again and scanned the pages once again. Sam looked at her with wide eyes. "How can you understand any of that?"

She shrugged. "I just like it."

His eyes scanned the page she was on. "What's it about?"

"Psychology."

Sam chuckled. "Psychology? What's that?"

Kara shrugged. "It's kinda like, the study of how people think." Sam nodded, not really understanding how it was possible you could learn how people think. He folded his arms. "I don't like learning, so I guess it doesn't matter."

Kara's hazel eyes glared at Sam. "Knowledge is power! See how I took out those bullies without lifting a finger? You could do that too if you like to learn." Sam shrugged. "Why should I though? Dad has other plans for me."

Kara's eyes went soft, and she gently closed her book, setting it on the floor. "My dad doesn't want me to be book smart either. But I have hope for a life outside of his control. If that ever happens, I want to be ready."

Sam nodded slowly, hazel eyes looking up at hers. "Could you teach me?" She shrugged. "I can try!" Sam's eyes lit up with determination. "I'd do anything for a normal life. If this helps me do that someday… I'm in!"

The bell rang, startling them both. They heard a mass of footsteps leaving the classrooms. The two stood up and shook hands. Kara smiled. "I guess we're friends now!" Sam smiled shyly back at her. His face flushed a little, never having a real friend before besides his brother.

"I guess so."

A group of 8th graders were doing stretches in the gym. The short, angry teacher with a receding hairline counted off sit ups and jumping jacks for warm-up before blowing his whistle. Dean sighed, rolling his green eyes, tired of the warm ups when he knew it was Wednesday; and that was his favorite gym activity… weight-lifting.

He ran into the weight lifting room as soon as the whistle was blown and headed for one of the bench presses. He always broke the rules by refusing to partner up with someone to spot him; he knew his limits and wasn't about to start being a wuss now. He tousled his spiky dirty blonde hair before throwing a fifty pound weight on each end of the bar. He sat down on the bench and was about to position himself when a girl stood over him, spotting for him. She had brown hair like Sam's that even in a ponytail went to the bottom of her shoulders, and her eyes were a hazel that could almost be mistaken for green. She smirked down at him. "You really think you can bench a hundred? Let's see if those muscles are just for show." He snickered.

"As If you could do any better, twiggy." She was lean but didn't seem to have much muscle. A spark lit in his soul and he felt the need to prove her wrong. Grasping the bar, he lowered the weights right above his chest, and pushed them up off him, straightening his arms. The girl watched with her arms crossed, boredom written over her face. Dean made 20 repetitions before setting the bar back in its rest. "Do you want to try cupcake?"

She smiled, the lack of worry in her face making Dean sweat. "Sure." Dean got off the bench and switched positions with the girl. He grasped the bar unlike she had, readying to save her ass when she couldn't push it back up off her. He was completely unprepared to see her take the weight with ease and press thirty times before setting it back to its resting place. She looked up at him with a smirk, not a bead of sweat on her complexion. "Add 25 to each side, will you?" Dean caught a laugh in his throat.

"Are you kidding me? You'll kill yourself." She shook her head, repeating the words he had told himself earlier. "I know my limits. Now do it, partner." Dean pressed his lips together, eyebrows scrunching in frustration with this girl. Who was she and why was she trying to out-do him? He reluctantly added the fifty pounds and she handled it with relative ease, this time glossing her skin with a thin layer of sweat. When she set the bar back down Dean added another hundred and put himself on the bench. The girl looked down at him with worry. "Are you sure you can handle that?" Dean scoffed. "Of course I can, now shut up!"

Dean sat under the bar for a moment, teeth clenched. He'd never really pressed more than 200, and he preferred to go up by tens instead of a whole fifty. He took a deep breath and lifted the bar, arms already screaming at him to stop. But the girl's green gaze created a wave of adrenaline that allowed him to press it once, but only once. He got the bar back down to his chest and his arms failed him. The bar ended up resting on his chest and he couldn't breathe. His face lit up red when he could only move the bar back to it's resting place with the girl's help. She chuckled at him as he sat up rubbing his painful sternum.

"You've never benched more than 200 before have you?"

Dean glared up at her, trying to catch is breath, arms tingling with pain. Defeated already, he decided to give in with a half-truth. "Maybe." She sat down on the bench next to him. "How did you know?" He asked, arms dropping down to his side unable to keep rubbing his chest.

"I went up by 50 once. The exact same thing happened to me."

Dean shook his head. "Guess you caught me. Why are you training so hard?"

She shrugged. "I've got a little sister I need to protect." He nodded. "Same, but a brother. Hey, what's your name?"

She smiled, holding out her hand. "Lyra."

He took her hand in his hand shook with what little strength he had left. "Dean."

"So, Dean." Lyra wiped the sweat he transferred on her hand with his shirt. "What do you like to do besides showing off for girls?"

He smiled and ran a hand through his hair. "Fix classic cars and listen to classic rock." Lyra punched him on the shoulder. "No freaking way dude. You're making fun of me." Dean shook his head. "No, I'm not! Honest, I like those things more than girls."

She squealed a little. "Those are some of MY favorite things! Do you want to hang out later?" He looked at her curiously, and saw she was being honest with her question and not slutty about it like the other girls he was used to. Smiling, he nodded.

"Yeah! That'd be great."

About a week later during study hall, Kara sat with Sam with their history textbook in front of them. "Now, the reason history in school sucks so much is because they don't tell it in order. They jump around, and it doesn't make any sense." Kara spoke quietly to Sam, his head nodding.

"The only thing I've learned in history is that there are a lot of bad people in this world." Sam sighed, scratching the back of his neck. Kara lightly smiled. "It's the sad truth. And I believe in monsters."

Sam chuckled. "You have no idea."

Kara just nodded, not wanting to reveal her family's work and look insane to her first real friend, unaware he was talking about the same things. "So anyway, if you put all the events in order in your mind before learning them, it becomes a lot easier to remember what happened, who was involved, and who won."

Sam scribbled down the information his blonde friend gave him. "This is going to be so helpful!" Sadness filled his eyes as he looked up to Kara. "Dad should be done with his job next week… we will be moving again."

Kara frowned. "Aw man… you really do move a lot. Our dad tries to keep us in one spot for as long as possible, so, we should be here for a little while longer."

Sam looked out the window of the classroom. "We never stay anywhere long." He looked back to Kara. "I really have to thank you for all these tips. I couldn't remember anything before but now it's so easy!" She beamed a smile, and he continued. "If I had a phone I'd give you the number, but only my brother has one…" Kara chuckled.

"It's okay. I don't have one either. It's really sad, though. You're like, my best friend ever." Sam blushed, and that made Kara giggle. They looked up at the clock and realized they only had a few minutes left. "I really hope you get to have a normal life someday." Sam never told her why his life wasn't normal, except that they moved a lot and his dad was strict, but Kara felt she could understand him no matter what his life was life back home, all things considered. Sam smiled, albeit sadly. "You're my first real friend too, Kara! I swear I'm going to go to college someday and I'm going to make a life for myself."

Kara closed the textbook on the desk. "I'm planning on going to Stanford. It's one of the best! Dad can't tell me what to do if I get into THAT college for sure!"

Sam's eyes brightened. "Stanford, huh?" She nodded, and the bell rang. They got out of their desks and headed for their lockers. "That sounds like it would be hard."

She shrugged, opening her locker, as hers was nearest the classroom. Sam stood by, waiting for her. "Just try your best and I'm sure you can get into any college too!" She grabbed her book for the next class and then shut her locker, walking Sam to his where he gathered his things. "I'll make sure to teach you every learning trick I know before you leave!"

Sam smiled, and shook her hand. "Maybe I'll even meet you in Stanford someday!"

"Sounds like a plan!" The two high-fived and headed back into the classroom for their next class.

Lyra leaned up against the brick building, Dean standing next to her, a soda in hand. "Yeah, my dad says he's going to give me the Impala when I'm old enough."

Lyra huffed, crossing her arms. "Damn! You're so lucky." They looked out at the parking lot. "I would kill for a 1968 Pontiac GTO."

Dean nodded, lips turned up in a half-smile. "Ooh, nice. Good choice." Lyra smiled, stealing the bottle from him and taking a swig. He shrugged his shoulders at her and glared. "Hey! I paid for that!"

She smiled, giving it back to him. "You drank half of mine yesterday, it's only fair." He groaned, downing the rest of the bottle just to make sure she didn't get any more of it. He threw it into the grass and put his hands in his pockets. Lyra sighed. "This has been fun. It's a shame you gotta leave so soon." Dean nodded, a pout on his lips. "Yeah. I don't get to make actual friends very often."

"I bet not." The two stayed leaning up against the building even when the bell rang. Neither one made a move. "I don't feel like going back in right now. Screw math, right?" Dean exclaimed and they both laughed, and collectively decided to ignore the siren. Lyra turned, facing Dean. "So, I've known you a week and you haven't offered me your phone number?" His cheeks showed a faint tinge of red, and he smiled. "I don't usually associate with people who beat me in gym class." Chuckling, he pulled out his phone. "Let alone give them my phone number, but here." She pulled out hers and they exchanged numbers, putting them straight into their phones.

Lyra put her phone back in her pocket and smiled, green eyes sparkling. "We need to keep in touch. With how much we travel, we're sure to cross paths at some point."

Dean nodded, keeping in a chuckle. "And nobody can sing Bohemian Rhapsody like we can!"

She shook her head, looking back up at the clouds. "Hell yeah. Rock-on forever."

The two stood in silence, enjoying each other's company. They knew they probably wouldn't run into each other anytime soon, and it was a painful thought neither of them wanted to think about right now. Neither had any friends in the past, and it was a good change. But they did know they only had a couple days left together at the max, and even if they did nothing, hanging out together was some of the best glimpse of normal either one had experienced in years.

Dean checked his watch and smiled. "It's ten minutes to gym class. I'm gunna pummel your ass as revenge for yesterday's defeat in dodgeball." Lyra cracked a smile, shaking her head. "I don't think so. I'm the dodge-ball queen. You can't beat me!"

Dean tousled her hair, and she pulled away, a pretend scowl on her face. "I won't let you beat me because I need to make sure I'm strong enough to protect my sister." Dean sighed, fixing her hair. "Well I'm trying to protect my little brother. Maybe we can come to a truce?" Lyra raised an eyebrow, folding her arms as dean finished fixing her hair. "How so?"

Dean shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno. I feel like I could count on you to protect my little brother if something ever happened to me. Maybe I could promise to be there for your sister if the same ever happened to you." Lyra eyed him up and down for a moment before sticking out a hand, and Dean took it in a firm shake. "Deal. If I ever need any help… you're my guy."

Dean smirked. "And you're my go-to girl."

The bell rang, and they both glared at each other, smiles on their faces.

"Game on, Jerk!" Lyra bolted for the door, and Dean chuckled.

"I'd call you a bitch, but that's rude towards a lady."

"Damn straight!"

John Winchester dropped his boys off at the school. He had been quiet all last night after his hunt and it was bothering Dean. His jacket had been covered in blood and he said his partner was killed. Dean tried fishing for information but he refused to answer him. Now as the teen walked inside the building with Sam, their eyes were drawn to familiar faces in the principal's office. Lyra and her little sister Kara were inside, being talked to by the principal and another lady dressed in a beige suit. Dean and Sam both stood and watched as Lyra yelled at the lady, an arm wrapped protectively around her sister. Kara's eyes wandered and found Sam's, and they were wide with fear. Dean felt his blood boil and he went against his better judgement and barged into the office, Sam following close behind. The lady stopped talking and Lyra turned in surprise, tear streaks shining on her cheeks.

"Lyra…" Dean's green eyes glared warily at the adults in the room. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, although her eyes welled up with more tears. "They're trying to take us away to foster care. My father… died last night."

Dean's breath caught in his throat as he thought back to his father's words last night. He needed to ask her if her father was a hunter, but not here. He hoped he was wrong. He stood next to Lyra, not seeing Sam's little hand wrap with Kara's for comfort. The foster care lady would have looked down to Dean if he wasn't taller than her. Her words cold as ice. "Because of the age difference they have to go to different homes. I promised them they can keep in touch, so I don't see what the problem is. This young lady needs to settle down."

Lyra opened to mouth to protest when Dean cut in for her. "Her little sister is all she has left, how can separating them NOT be a big deal?! Are you heartless?" Lyra shot a thankful smile towards Dean. The lady shook her head. "I don't make the rules. Now come willingly or there will be consequences."

One of Dean's hands gripped Lyra's shoulder. She looked at him, ready to cry again. He imagined losing his brother like this, and it hurt his heart too much to even think about. "It's going to be okay. Two years and you will be able to drive, and then you can see each other every day." Lyra's shoulders dropped in defeat. "But how am I supposed to protect her if I'm not there? Two years is a long time…"

The principal broke in, separating Dean and Lyra. Sam and Kara's hands separated too. "She said you can stay in contact. Boys, get to class. This is none of your business."

Dean's voice raised. "It is my business! She's my friend!"

The lady shook her head and grabbed Kara's hand. "Time to go."

She started dragging the ten-year-old, knowing where she went, Lyra would follow. Dean watched helplessly as his friend was forced out of the school. His heart aching for them, he called out. "Call me!"

Lyra looked back, tears in her eyes and waved good-bye. Kara shot a thumbs-up to Sam, wishing him luck in class. He nodded, and both boys watched their friends leave. The bell rang, and after watching the car they got into leave the parking lot, they slowly headed off to class. Dean's anger rising knowing his father might have something to do with this.

A few days had passed, and Dean tried multiple times to get in contact with Lyra. Her phone would ring to voicemail, and her texts would stay unread. He was starting to get worried about her. He had realized he never asked her last name, and wanted to know how to find her in the future. He even tried calling the foster care unit in the area, but they refused to tell him any information without a last name. He threw his phone on his bed, and looked over at Sam. He had been studying hard, and even though they were moving schools again today, it looked like he was well prepared. He frowned, thinking again how great the possibility that something would happen to their dad. Dean wouldn't let anything happen to Sammy. Not like that. He shook his head, and admitted defeat. She would either get in contact, or she wouldn't.

Back at the foster home, Lyra cried on her new temporary bed. They had lied and took Kara away without a contact or a word. They said she couldn't stay in touch, and they even took her phone away before she had a chance to write down Dean's phone number. She was alone. The chances of finding her sister were slim especially if they changed her last name. Sighing, she opened a book on Greek lore, and opened her un-used leather notebook that her father gave her in his will. She began writing the basics of her hunter knowledge and swore not to let her hunter past go to waste or disappear. And she swore to one day find her sister, and in the back recesses of her mind, she hoped to find Dean, too.

Kara sat in her room, tears streaming down her little face, clouding her hazel eyes. She swore not to forget her sister, but she decided to take this change as a gift. It was her opportunity for a normal life. And she had to work hard to meet Sam at Stanford, and not even the loss of her sister was going to stop her.