From the fiery title card we flash to a funeral pyre - John's. The only light comes from the wrapped, burning body. Standing behind, hands in their pockets, are Sam and Dean. Sam is near tears and fidgeting, Dean staring into the flames silently.
"Before he.. before, did he say anything to you? About anything?" Sam asked.
Dean didn't look at his brother when he replied. "No. Nothing".
A week later
Sam went out to see his brother who was working on the impala while Bobby stayed inside, while he was reading over a newspaper there was a loud knock on his door.
"I'm coming hold yer horses". Bobby said in a gruff voice.
He opened the door to see two kids who couldn't have been older than 12, they were skinny as if they hadn't eaten in weeks, their clothes were torn and tattered, they were covered in dirt from head to toes.
"Can i help you?" Bobby asked.
"We were hoping you could help us find our dad". The girl said.
"Who's your dad?" Bobby asked.
"His name is John Winchester". The boy said.
Junkyard
Dean is underneath his car working on it, only his legs sticking out. It is little more than a rusted frame, but it looks considerably less crunched than last time. Sam approaches.
"How's the car coming along?" Sam asked.
"Slow". Dean said.
"Yeah? Need any help?" Sam replied.
Dean had dropped something then replied. "What, you under a hood? I'll pass".
"Need anything else, then?" Sam asked.
Dean then pushes himself out standing up. "Stop it Sam". He says a bit annoyed.
"Stop what?" Sam asked confused.
"Stop asking if I need anything, stop asking if I'm okay. I'm okay. Really. I promise". Dean said.
"All right, Dean, it's just... We've been at Bobby's for over a week now and you haven't brought up Dad once". Sam said.
"You know what? You're right. Come here. I'm gonna lay my head gently on your shoulder. Maybe we can cry, hug, and maybe even slow dance". Dean replied sarcastically.
"Don't patronize me, Dean, Dad is dead. The Colt is gone, and it seems pretty damn likely that the demon is behind all of this, and you're acting like nothing happened". Sam said a bit angry.
"What do you want me to say?" Dean asked.
"Say something, all right? Hell, say anything! Aren't you angry? Don't you want revenge? But all you do is sit out here all day long buried underneath this damn car". Sam said.
"Revenge, huh?" Dean replies.
"Yeah". Sam said.
"Sounds good. You got any leads on where the demon is? Making heads or tails of any of Dad's research? Because I sure ain't. But you know, if we do finally find it - oh. No, wait, like you said. The Colt's gone. But I'm sure you've figured out another way to kill it. We've got nothing, Sam. Nothing, okay? So you know the only thing I can do? Is I can work on the car". Dean replied angrily.
Dean then went back to work on the car when his brother replied.
"Well, we've got something, all right?" Sam said. He then pulled out an old cell phone. "It's what I came by here to tell you. This is one of dad's old phones. Took me a while, but i cracked his voicemail code. Listen to this". He finishes.
Sam handed it to his brother who took it reluctantly and began listening to the message.
"John, it's Ellen. Again. Look, don't be stubborn, you know I can help you. Call me". Ellen's voice played.
"That message is four months old". Sam pointed out.
"Dad saved that chick's message for four months?" Dean asked.
"Yeah". Sam replied.
"Well, who's Ellen? Any mention of her in Dad's journal?" Dean asked.
"No. But I ran a trace on her phone number and I got an address". Sam said.
"Ask Bobby if we can use one of his cars". Dean said.
Sam then quickly ran back into the house and saw Bobby was in the kitchen. "Hey Bobby, Dean and I need to borrow one of the cars". He said.
"Alright but before you go i need to talk to you boys". Bobby said.
"Is everything alright?" Sam asked.
"Look at the table". Bobby said.
Sam was confused but looked over to see two young kids who were quietly talking and asking questions.
"Bobby who are the kids?" Sam asked.
"They said that they're John's kids so that would make them your siblings". Bobby said.
Sam then approached the two kids and he noticed that the boy was about to move to protect his sister but Sam stopped him.
"Hey, hey i'm not gonna hurt you guys". Sam said gently.
"Who are you?" The boy asked.
"My name's Sam, what are your names?" Sam asked kindly.
"I'm Haley". Haley said.
"I'm Max, our father is John Winchester. Do you know where he is?" Max asked.
Sam felt a lump in his throat he couldn't tell his new siblings that their father just died by luck Dean had finally come in he was wiping his sweaty face on his oil greased shirt.
"Sam what's taking so long? And who are the kids?" Dean asked.
"Who's he?" Max asked.
"That's Dean he's your other brother". Sam said.
"We have two brothers". Haley said excitedly.
"Brothers? What the hell did i miss?" Dean asked.
"Dean this is Haley and Max, they are dad's kids they came here looking for him". Sam said.
The oldest Winchester couldn't help but sigh sadly. "I'm sorry to say guys but dad's gone, he passed away not too long ago". He said sadly.
"How'd he did?" Haley asked.
"Someone had shot him and the doctor's couldn't bring him back". Sam said.
"Does this mean we have to go back Max?" Haley asked her twin.
"I think so". Max said.
"Go back where?" Dean asked.
"With our mom but we don't want to". Max said.
"Why not?" Sam asked.
"She doesn't care about us, i don't think she ever has". Haley said.
Bobby then sat two plates in front of them and the two kids had begun devouring the food.
"Hey slow down guys you're gonna make yourselves sick". Dean said.
"We're sorry but we're so hungry". Haley said.
"When was the last time you guys ate?" Sam asked.
"Three days ago, our mom doesn't really get a lot of food we mainly eat cereal, rice or pasta sometimes not even that". Max said.
The twins were covered in so much dirt that nobody noticed the bruises on their skin.
"Can you guys tell me anything else about when you were living with your mom?" Dean asked gently.
"She would always bring a different guy home every other week, she told us to stay in our room and not to come out". Max said.
"But one day we came out and one of the guys had started hitting us and our mom didn't stop him". Haley said.
"Where was your mom?" Sam asked.
"Passed out on the couch like always, but she wasn't like this she started acting like this when dad left". Max replies.
"He just left one day without saying a word but he said if anything happened to him to look for a Dean and Sam". Haley said.
"Listen guys we would like to finish this later but Sam and I have to go somewhere so would you be ok with Bobby". Dean said.
"You'll come back won't you?" Haley asked.
"Of course we will sweetheart". Dean said.
"I'll make sure they're taken care of". Bobby said.
"So what could we call you?" Max asked.
"I guess you can call me Uncle Bobby they did when they was your age". Bobby said.
"We'll be back soon but if something comes up we'll call Bobby". Sam said.
"Ok". They said.
"Besides you two need some new clothes and a shower". Bobby said.
"I think i still have some old t shirts they could wear". Dean said.
"Nonsense i'll take them out and get some stuff". Bobby said.
"You guys alright with that?" Dean asked.
"Yeah thanks Uncle Bobby". Haley said.
"Thanks Uncle Bobby". Max said.
"Yer welcome now finish up then you can clean up". Bobby said.
"You guys be good and we'll call later alright". Sam said.
"Ok". They said.
Dean and Sam had left to go find one of Bobby's working cars and they had found a minivan which Dean wasn't too happy about.
In a beat-up, poorly maintained minivan, Dean and Sam pull up to the Roadhouse Saloon.
"This is humiliating. I feel like a friggin' soccer mom!" Dean exclaimed.
"It's the only car Bobby had running. Besides i think it'll suit us now that we have a brother and sister". Sam said.
"I still can't believe we have a brother and sister". Dean said.
The brothers start looking around and didn't see anybody.
"Hello? Anybody here?" Sam called out.
"Hey. You bring the, uh,". Dean started.
"Of course". Sam replied.
He tosses something to Dean, who catches it. They open the door and go inside. The saloon is quiet except for a fly buzzing. A light bulb blows out. They go to the back and see a man passed out on the bar.
"Hey buddy". Sam said shaking the unconscious man. "I'm guessing that isn't Ellen". He said.
"Yeah". Dean said.
Sam goes into a back room, looking around. Dean goes down the steps, then pauses as he feels the point of a gun touch his back.
"Oh god, please let that be a rifle". Dean said.
The gun cocks. Pan over to reveal an attractive blond girl.
"No, I'm just real happy to see you. Don't move" Jo said.
"Not moving, copy that. You know, you should know something, miss. When you put a rifle on someone, you don't want to put it right against their back. Because it makes it real easy to do..." He said then turns fluidly, grabbing the rifle and cocking it. "That". He finished.
Jo punches him in the face and takes back the rifle. Dean doubles over, clutching his nose.
"Sam! Need some help in here". Dean called to his brother. "I can't see, I can't even see". He muttered.
The back door opens to reveal SAM, both hands on his head. He enters slowly.
"Sorry, Dean, I can't right now. I'm a... little tied up". Sam said.
He nods his head, indicating Ellen, who is behind him with a handgun pointed at his head.
"Sam? Dean? Winchester?" Ellen asked.
"Yeah". They said.
"Son of a bitch. Wait if you're here then where's Max and Haley?" Ellen replied.
"How do you know them?" Dean asked.
"John brought them by quite a few times, they're ok aren't they?" Ellen replied.
"We just found out about them today, they're with Bobby Singer". Sam said.
"Mom, you know these guys?" Jo asked.
"Yeah, I think these are John Winchester's boys". Ellen said as she put her gun down laughing. "Hey, I'm Ellen. This is my daughter Jo". She says.
Jo also lowers her rifle, and Dean smiles at her. "Hey". Jo says.
"You're not gonna hit me again, are you?" Dean asked.
Ellen is handing Dean a small towel filled with ice. "Here you go". She said.
"Thanks. You called our dad, said you could help. Help with what?" He asked.
"Well, the demon, of course. I heard he was closing in on it". Ellen replied.
"What, was there an article in the Demon Hunters Quarterly that I missed? I mean, who, who are you? How do you know about all this?" Dean asked.
"Hey, I just run a saloon. But hunters have been known to pass through now and again. Including your dad a long time ago. John was like family once. I still consider the twins family". Ellen said.
"Oh yeah? How come he never mentioned you before? Or the twins?" Dean asked.
"You'd have to ask him that". Ellen said.
"So why exactly do we need your help?" Dean asked.
"Hey, don't do me any favors. Look, if you don't want my help, fine. Don't let the door smack your ass on the way out. But John wouldn't have sent you if..." She said stopping then realizing. "He didn't send you". She said.
Dean looked down then over to his brother. "He's all right, isn't he?" Ellen asked.
"No. No, he isn't. It was the demon, we think. It, um, it just got him before he got it, I guess". Sam said.
"I'm so sorry". She said sincerely.
"It's okay. We're all right". Dean said.
"Really? I know how close you and your dad were". She said.
"Really, lady, I'm fine". Dean snapped.
"So look, if you can help, we could use all the help we can get". Sam said.
"Well, we can't. But Ash will". Ellen said.
"Who's Ash?" Sam asked.
"Ash!" Ellen called.
The man passed out on the bar jerks awake and sits up, flailing.
"What? It closin' time?" Ash asked confused.
"That's Ash?" Sam asked in almost disbelief.
"Mm-hmm. He's a genius". Ellen said.
A brown folder is slapped down on the bar; Sam and Ash are sitting, Dean standing behind them. Jo is on the other side of the bar pouring glasses of water.
"You've gotta be kidding me, this guy's no genius. He's a Lynyrd Skynyrd roadie". Dean said.
"I like you". Ash said.
"Thanks". Dean replied.
"Just give him a chance". Jo said.
Dean sits and opens the folder. "All right. This stuff's about a year's worth of our dad's work, so uh, let's see what you make of it". Dean says.
Ash pulls out the papers and starts rifling through them. He shakes his head. "Come on. This crap ain't real. There ain't nobody can track a demon like this". Ash said.
"Our dad could". Sam said.
"There are non-parametrics, statistical overviews, prospects and correlations, I mean.. damn! They're signs. Omens. Uh, if you can track 'em, you can track this demon. You know, like crop failures, electrical storms... You ever been struck by lightening? It ain't fun". Ash replied.
"Can you track it or not?" Sam asked.
"Yeah, with this, I think so. But it's gonna take time, uh, give me... fifty one hours". Ash said.
He gets up to leave. "Hey, man?" Dean called.
"Yeah". Ash replies.
"I, uh, I dig the haircut". Dean said.
"All business up front, party in the back". Ash said.
As he leaves, Jo walks by, flirting a little with Dean. He checks her out tiredly, then gets up to follow her. Sam sees something behind the bar.
"Hey, Ellen, what is that?" Sam asked.
"It's a police scanner. We keep tabs on things, we." She said but was cut off by Sam.
"No, no, no, no, the, um, the folder". Sam said.
"Uh, I was gonna give this to a friend of mine. But take a look, if you want". Ellen replied.
She takes a folder from the wall and places it in front of same. It has some newspaper clippings attached to the front, and on the front, in red marker:
COUPLE MURDERED
CHILD LEFT ALIVE
MEDFORD, WISC.
At the window, Dean sits down by Jo. "How did your mom get into this stuff, anyway?" He asked.
"From my dad. He was a hunter. He passed away". Jo said.
"I'm sorry". Dean said.
"It was a long time ago. I was just a kid. Sorry to hear about your dad". Jo replies.
"Yeah. So. I guess I've got fifty one hours to waste. Maybe tonight we should, uh..". He said stopping looking at her. "No, you know what? Never mind". He said.
"What?" Jo asked with a smile.
"Nothing, just, uh, wrong place, wrong time". Dean said.
"You know, I thought you were gonna toss me some cheap pickup line". She said. Dean chuckles, embarrassed. "Most hunters come through that door think they can get in my pants with some... pizza, a six pack, and side one of Zeppelin IV". She said.
"Well... what a bunch of scumbags". Dean said.
"Not you". Jo said.
"I guess not". Dean said.
"So how are Max and Haley?" Jo asked.
"They'll be fine i can't believe they ran away from their mother because of what she's doing to them". Dean said.
"What are you talking about?" Jo asked confused.
"Their mother is a drunk and lets her boyfriends hit them". Dean said.
"Dean that is impossible because their mother died when they were babies, they been in foster care the whole time John's been trying to get them back for years but he never could he was allowed visits with them". Jo said.
"Dean, come here, check this out". Sam said calling to his brother.
"Yeah". He said going over to him.
"A few murders, not far from here, that Ellen caught wind of. Looks to me like there might be a hunt". Sam said.
"Yeah. So?" Dean replied.
"I told her we'd check it out". Sam said.
Meanwhile
Bobby was in a nearby store not far from his house with the twins he was lucky that he was able to find a couple of Dean's shirts that were practically dresses on the twins he managed to find them each a pair of shorts and they had to make due with their old worn out sneakers. The older hunter had let them pick anything they wanted since he hasn't shopped for a child since Dean and Sam were kids. Max started to pick different shirts with superheros, video game designs, etc. He then started to pick some different kind of jeans and shorts, once he was finished with that he went to find a couple pairs of sneakers. Once he had gotten all the clothes and shoes he picked the twelve year old then picked out different types of pajamas.
Haley had a slight different style than her brother she wasn't a girly girl and she wasn't a tomboy she was in the middle, she picked out a bunch of different colored shirts from pink, purple, red, blue, some with princesses, some with random designs, she then picked out a couple dresses along with some jeans, shorts, skirts, she then moved onto her shoes she picked a couple pairs of sneakers, some sandals, and a pair of boots, she finally had picked out some pajamas. Once the twins had finished getting their clothes they had to get some other essentials such as shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste.
"You two finished?" Bobby asked.
"Yeah". They said.
"Let's go". Bobby said.
Just as they were checking out the sheriff Jody Mills had seen Bobby with the twins. "Bobby Singer what are you doing here? And who are these two?" The sheriff asked.
"Jody this is Haley and Max, they are my god children i knew their dad now that he had passed away i'm taking care of them". Bobby said.
"Hi guys". Jody said.
"Hi". They said.
"So what happened to their dad?" Jody asked.
"Hunting accident". Bobby said.
"I'm sorry to hear listen i gotta go but hopefully i'll see you guys later". Jody said.
"Will do Jody". Bobby said.
"Buy guys". Jody said.
"Bye". They said.
Soon the older hunter and the twins were heading back home with something came to their mind.
"Uncle Bobby what was our dad hunting when he died?" Max asked.
The older man froze for a second he knew that he couldn't tell them the truth just yet so he was hoping he could slide with a lie.
"He was hunting a deer and he was accidentally shot by another hunter". Bobby lied.
"I miss him". Haley said.
"Did he visit you guys often?" Bobby asked.
"Whenever he could he would always try to take us from our f-" Haley said but was cut off by her brother.
"By our terrible mother". Max said.
The older man knew that they were lying he could tell by the sound of their voice he figured he could let it go for now. Later after they had gotten home they took turns washing up and got into their new pajamas they waited till Bobby went to bed then Haley had went to her brother's room just as he sat on his bed she quietly entered the room as he levitated something with his mind.
"I thought you stopped doing that?" Haley asked.
"I practice and it seems i'm getting better i know you are too". Max said.
"Do you think Dean and Sam would believe us if we told them?" Haley asked.
"Don't know all i know is that in the letter dad left for us when he left was that if anything started to happen we find them". Max said.
"Max i don't wanna go back, i don't it'll happen to us all over again it happened before so you know it'll happen again". Haley said.
"So what do you wanna do? Tell our new brothers that our mom is really dead and that were in foster care? What if they do take us back Haley then what?" Max replied.
"They're family Max they won't do that". Haley said.
"But you don't know that they could be like dad and show up when they want and leave when they want, where will that leave us? Here with Uncle Bobby?" Max replied.
"It's better then the last home we were in at least here we won't get hit, we'll get fed, we won't go hungry, we don't have to be afraid anymore. Our whole lives we were always afraid but we don't have to be anymore the only thing that kept us together was each other now that we have Dean, Sam, and Uncle Bobby we have a family. A real family one that we wanted since we were five. Something we never had". Haley said.
"But what will they do when we tell them about what we can do? Then what? They'll get rid of us as fast as we got here". Max said.
"Look could we talk about this when Dean and Sam come back so we can tell them everything". Haley said.
"Yeah whatever". Max said.
"Good night Maxie". Haley said.
"Good night Hales". Max said.
When Haley went back to her room and they had fell asleep neither of them knew that Bobby had his door open and he heard everything.
EXT. Highway - Night
Back in the minivan, Dean and Sam drive. It's raining; Sam has the research open in his lap.
"You've gotta be kidding me. A killer clown?" Dean asked in disbelief.
"Yeah. He left the daughter unharmed and killed the parents. Ripped them to pieces, actually". Sam replied.
"And this family was at some carnival that night?" Dean asked.
"Right, right. The, uh, Cooper Carnivals". Sam confirmed.
"So how do you know we're not dealing with some psycho carnie in a clown suit?" Dean asked.
"Well, the cops have no viable leads, and all the employees were tearing down shop. Alibis all around. Plus this girl said she saw a clown vanish into thin air. Cops are saying trauma, of course". Sam replied.
"Well, I know what you're thinking, Sam. Why did it have to be clowns?" Dean asked amused.
"Oh, give me a break". Sam said.
Dean then laughed at his brother. "You didn't think I'd remember, did you? I mean, come on, you still bust out crying whenever you see Ronald McDonald on the television".
"Well, at least I'm not afraid of flying". Sam shot back.
"Planes crash!" Dean exclaimed.
"And apparently clowns kill!" Sam said.
"So these types of murders, they ever happen before?" Dean asked.
"Uh, according to the file, 1981, the Bunker Brothers Circus, same M.O. It happened three times, three different locales". Sam said.
"It's weird, though, I'm mean if it is a spirit it's usually bound to a specific locale, you know, a house, or a town". Dean pointed out.
"So how's this one moving from city to city, carnival to carnival?" Sam asked.
"Cursed object, maybe. Spirit attaches itself to something and the, uh, carnival carries it around with them". Dean says.
"Great. Paranormal scavenger hunt". Sam said.
"Well, this case was your idea. By the way, why is that? You were awfully quick to jump on this job". Dean said.
"So?" Sam replies.
"It's just... not like you, that's all. I thought you were hell-bent for leather on the demon hunt". Dean said.
"I don't know, I just think, this job, it's what Dad would have wanted us to do". Sam said.
"What Dad would have wanted?" Dean asked a bit confused.
"Yeah. So?" Sam replied.
"Nothin'. Dean said calmly.
"So how do you feel that we have a little brother and sister now?" Sam asked.
"It'll be like having two of you again except one's a girl and she's not dating, ever". Dean said.
"I see your already protective". Sam chuckles.
"I protect my family besides Haley has three brothers she'll be lucky if she even bring a boy around". Dean said.
"You would make the guy piss himself". Sam said.
"Damn right i would but it's like their hiding something, like something big". Dean said.
"They're kids Dean, i mean they've been abused and their scared. They just found out dad died and that we're they'er brothers it's a lot for them to take in at once". Sam said.
"Sam they been to the roadhouse they know Ellen, Jo, and Ash". Dean said.
"Ok so dad brought the twins to see them what's the big deal?" Sam asked.
"Why bring them and not us?" Dean asked.
"I don't know Dean besides you don't even have any proof that the twins are hiding anything". Sam said.
"Then why did Jo tell me that their mother is dead and they've been in foster care this whole time. She said that dad's been trying to get them out but never could". Dean said.
"Did she say when their mother died?" Sam asked.
"She said that their mother died when they were babies never said how old". Dean said.
"Do...do you think that they could be like me?" Sam asked.
"I don't know". Dean answered honestly.
Sam then pulled his cell phone out.
-Hello. Ash answered.
-Ash it's Sam i need you to look into something for me. Sam said.
-What's up? Ash replied.
-Can you look into the twins for me? Haley and Max find anything you can on them. Sam said.
-On it my man. Ash said.
-Thanks. Sam said.
Dean then glanced over at his brother. "What?" Sam asked.
"Are you sure about that Sam?" Dean asked.
"Dean they're family and i want to know about them and if they are like me i want to be able to help them". Sam said.
"Your right". Dean said.
INT. Fun house - Night
A little boy and his father are going through the fun house at the carnival. The boy is playing a hand-held video game and not really paying attention.
"Check it out. Hey, look, Evan! Scary!" The Dad said.
"Yeah, dad. Scary". Evan said not interested.
"No, it's over here. Wow. You know, when I was your age this would have scared the pants off of me". The dad said.
The boy ignores him. He looks up and sees the creepy clown from earlier waving at him. He looks around, and the clown is gone.
"Evan? Hey! What is it?" His dad asked.
"I... I saw a clown!" Evan exclaimed.
"Don't be afraid of clowns. They're nice, they're your friends. Okay? Come on". His dad said.
INT Evan's Home - Night
Evan's parents are asleep; he places a hand on his dad's arm.
"Dad. Dad!" Evan said shaking his father's arm.
His father slowly wakes up. "Evan? What is it?" He asked.
"You were right! He is my friend!" Evan said.
"Huh?" His dad replied confused.
He looks up to see the Clown holding Evan's hand. It smiles. He screams.