CHAPTER ONE

The shadow crept along the darkened buildings, looking for a soul to take for the pleasure of taking. Yet as the sun sunk behind the horizon did it find its victim. In the dirty street below, was a young woman dressed in white, her long red hair flowing all around her, the hunger in the beast's stomach began to growl as it slowly approached the woman silently.

She didn't hear the thing come up behind her and felt the cold breeze upon the nape of her neck, she tried to scream but her throat was cut of oxygen as she was lifted off her feet. She gagged as the air didn't reach her throat, she clawed at the nothingness to get away, and her eyes bulged from the pressure on her throat and darkness cut through her as she died in the hands of fate.

The shadow grinned with pleasure as it tore her flesh from her body. It had been weeks since it had fed and now the girl would suffice him for quite some time. But it had to move on, someone was watching him, following him and he knew that danger would show its ugly face. So it disappeared into the night, leaving a trail for someone to follow.

CHICAGO

Sam watched in the alleyway as the Shadow took the girl. He'd been late getting here and was too late to save her life. He lifted the heavy duffel and sighed with resignation. What was Dean going to say when he found out that he hadn't gotten to the only person who understands the whole ordeal in time?

"Damnit, he is so going to kick my ass for this." He muttered and got into the car. He sat there contemplating on what he was going to do next when his cell phone rang. It was Dean calling to confirm the kill. Shit.

He answered, "Yeah?"

"You get it this time Sammy?"

He paused, "No exactly."

"What the hell does that mean? You got it right? Layla is alright isn't she?" he asked frantically.

"Layla's dead Dean. I was too late."

"Damnit Sam! I gave you a simple order and you screwed up! What the hell are we going to do now?"

Sam rubbed his head, he was exhausted from the lack of sleep and Dean screaming in the phone didn't help the now starting migraine. "There has to be others out there to help us Dean. Layla wasn't the only one."

"But she was the only one I cared about Sam."

"What about Cassie? Is she just someone to toy with now too?"

Dean slammed the phone against something hard, cursing. He was pissed and that anger would only result in him beating up Sam when he got his hands on him. "Get your ass back to the hotel, we have to leave NOW!" he yelled and the connection was cut.

Great. Perfect. I'm a dead brother. Sam said to himself as he started the car and drove back up the main street to the hotel in which they'd been staying at.

He didn't know it, but the Shadow had plans for the brothers and soon they would come to light.

**********

Dean paced the hotel room, the bags were packed and the only thing in delaying him was Sam. He was angry at his brother; sick to his gut about Layla, but the way he'd spoken to Sam was the worse of all. How the hell was he going to get through the night when all he wanted to do was kill Sam?

"Damnit! Shit!" he muttered as the door to the room opened and Sam entered.

Dean stopped in his tracks and glared at Sam. "We're going now. Grab your stuff and let's go."

Sam acknowledged and grabbed his stuff, only to be slapped upon the head. He glared up at Dean, "What the hell was that for?"

"For getting Layla killed."

"Jesus, she was in the way to begin with and I screw up like once and you're pissed. Get over yourself."

Dean dropped his stuff and turned to his brother. "Get over? I cared deeply for Layla and she knew the answers to what is in store for us. She was going to tell us who killed mom for god's sake!"

Sam shook his head, "OT."

"OT, what the hell is OT?"

"Ol Torchy, Layla called it that. As for the Shadow, she called it the Devil."

"And how would you know that?"

"Remember my nightmares? Well they're coming true Dean, every single one of them."

Dean stopped and looked at Sam, "What happens next then? Do I hit you again?"

Sam shook his head, "Our fights aren't there, just what we need to know. I think Layla comes to me in my dreams to help guide us."

Dean laughs, "What do you think she is an angel? Ok Sam you really need help now."

"What the hell else would you call it then?"

"Your fucked up mind Sam." He said and shook his head.

"Whatever Dean." He said, "Let's get out of here and see where fate leads us."

"You go first psycho boy. I don't trust you any longer." He said and watched as Sam left the room.

Dean sighed, how Sammy boy would take it when he realized that brother dearest was going to die and that this Dean was going to kill him.

"Well Sammy, you're in for a real treat." He said and left the room, locking it behind him.