Back again with my second story! I'm having a blast writing it. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.

The title and lyrics are from 'Long road out of Eden' by The Eagles. I don't own anything from supernatural or the song.

Out of Eden

Back home I was so certain, the path was very clear.

But now I have to wonder, what are we doing here?

I'm not counting on tomorrow and I can't tell wrong from right.

But I'd give anything to be there in your arms tonight.

Prologue

Professor Francis stared at the essay in his hands without really seeing it. He had read it many times over the past few years. It was good, really good. Exceptional. That was the reason he had kept it for so long. But not the only reason.

It wasn't the contents of the essay that bothered him. It was the name on top of the page.

Sam Winchester.

"Hey, Robert?"

The man on the other side of the room looked up. "Yeah?"

"Have you ever had a Sam Winchester in your class? Real tall kid, it would have been about four years ago."

Professor Robert Williams shrugged. "I'd have to look it up."

"Nah, never mind. You'd remember him."

"How's that?"

"Well," Professor Francis hesitated. "The kid was a genius. It's a simple as that. One of the most observant students I have ever had. His LSAT was nearly of the charts."

Professor Williams dropped a heavy book on his desk with a bang. "Never thought I'd hear you sing praise to a student. What's he doing now?"

"That's the thing. I have no idea. I'm pretty sure he had an interview here. He had that full ride practically in the bag. I was really looking forward to getting him in my class again, but…"

"But what?"

"I've never seen him again."

Professor Williams shrugged. "So, he probably went somewhere else. If he is as good as you say he is, any University would accept him."

"Yeah, maybe." Professor Francis looked at the essay again. "Hey Rob? That PI friend of yours, is he still in town?"


"Thanks for coming, Mr..."

"Fielding. Call me Sid." The PI smiled. He was in his late thirties, with curly brown hair and a disarming smile. He was short and very slender, unremarkable in practically every way. Only his pristine British accent made him stand out.

Professor Francis looked at him thoughtfully. This really wasn't what he had expected. Sid smiled in amusement. "I can get the job done, if that's what your wondering."

Professor Francis raised his eyebrows. "How…"

"It's what I do. Robert said you had a job for me?"

"Eh… yeah. I need you to find a former student for me. Sam Winchester."

Sid pulled out a small notepad and a pen. "Winchester? It's an unusual name. Why do you want me to look for him?"

"He was in my class a little over four years ago. Great student, very smart. I know he applied for law school here, but I've never heard from him again. I haven't found anything about him going to a different university. I just want to know what happened to him.

"Just to… satisfy your curiosity?"

"Yes."

The PI studied him for a few seconds. Professor Francis had the uncomfortable feeling the man was reading his mind.

"Why would you go through all that trouble and expense to find a random student?"

Professor Francis pulled the essay from his bag and pushed it across the table.

"He left this. Never picked it up. That's not like him at all."

"You're worried."

"Maybe," Professor Francis hesitated. "I don't know what to think."

Sid looked down at the essay. "And you've kept this for all these years?"

"Read it, you'll see why."