Zoey Winchester

by RainyDayWriter16

*Sis fic** One night, one instance is all it takes. The Winchester's world was turned upside down after Zoey was abducted that fateful night. Seventeen years later an encounter with a vengeful spirit reunites her with the family she has always wanted. Can she find the courage to face the world she was taken from? Will she remember who she is?

1. Chapter 1

Author's Note:

Hey guys :) I hope you enjoy this story. I know sis fics are very common, but I've worked hard to make this different and unique. Please give it a try. This is the backstory of Zoey, from there i will follow the last three episodes of season that, I will more than likely follow select episodes Also I will also from time to time add songs that set the mood/theme of each chapter. I edited this myself, so I can't promise there won't be any grammical errors. So please, no flaming me.

Side Note: Zoey is portrayed by Danielle Campbell. (Just imagine her with black hair :P )

Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural or any characters you may recognize. I do own Zoey.

---

Zoey Winchester

Chapter 1

Song: Calls me home- Shannon LaBrie

I stretched my legs out in front of me, my muscles still sore from soccer practice just days ago. I wasn't satisfied until I heard a slight pop in my leg and back and rolled my neck, feeling some of the tension ease. Ietting out a sigh of satisfaction, I made sure to keep one ear on the professor while I continued writing in my journal. This was by far my favorite class, but instead of giving it my normally undivided attention, I was more focused on the burning need to get my thoughts on paper. This journal had been my confidant for the past two years. I honestly don't know what I would have done without it.

January 4th, 2006

Well diary, here is a weird question I have for you. Do dreams foretell of things to come?...like a window into the future or into the soul. This sort of thing has always sounded like complete bull to me, but lately? I just don't know. Last night I had that dream again. Iv been having them for years but the past few months they have become more intense. I guess it's my own stupid fault. You would think having just turned twenty I would grow out of my love for horror movies. This could be my last entry for now though. Iv decided I need at least a year off from school. Iv never full felt part of the whole college life, at least not all the time. Thank God for soccer, It's been my only outlet. Ugh. A year and a half counts as respectable right?

I ran a hand through my long midnight locks before slowly closing my journal, using the clasp to make sure it was securely shut. It really was beautiful. A dark mahogany brown with a sunflower etched onto the front cover. It was one of my favorite flowers.

"You in the white shirt, care to give us your opinion?"

"Crap" I muttered closing my eyes briefly. The only paranormal class taught on campus, my ONLY favorite class and I was blowing it. "Im sorry, what?" I asked again feeling the stares of others as I looked down toward the front seeing the not so happy professor.

He simply laughed, tapping his pen on his palm. "You don't know? You were scribbling so furiously I thought you were taking notes."

"It looks like her diary to me." A voice snickered to my right.

I whipped around to find a cocky smirk on a guy whom i knew to be a senior already. I glared at him and clenched my teeth.

"It's a journal, you ass."

"Oh my mistake, because there's such a difference." He rolled his eyes and then put his arm back around the girl to his left,whom gave me a weird look before snuggling back into him.

Are all couples so weird? I was about to respond to him but the professor tapping his pen loudly on the desk brought my attention back to the front.

"We were talking about how society views the paranormal, such as ghost, demons, ect." he repeated with a slight huff of annoyance.

I drew in a deep breath. "Oh. Well obviously not everyone believes in those things. I think society simply believes once you die, that's it. There is nothing else. Were taught to believe that ghost and demons are only in the movies. I mean think about it, the idea of someone spirit staying on earth to haunt people after they die? It's crazy."

"I see... and what do you believe?" He asked slowly, crossing his arms to himself.

I shrugged and played with my pen, turning it over and over in my hands. "I don't know if they do or not, iv personally never seen a demons or a ghost. But i choose to believe just because you can't see something, doesn't mean it's not there. i'd love to see a ghost."

"Ohhhh I see dead people!" Mr smart ass to my right started in again. I felt his head right at my shoulder making spooky noises in my ear. Are you kidding me?! This guy was senior in college and acting like some immature high school freshman.

I gritted my teeth, feeling my cheeks flush with anger. That did it. It was time for me to fly the coup. I slowly got to my feet and slung my messenger bag over my shoulder. I shoved my books inside and then leaned real close to the nimrod, giving him my best icy glare.

"Oh yeah?..well I see an asshole. That's much more frightening than a ghost." I hissed fully pissed off now and then turned shoving open the door and stalking out. So long former epic class. It's been real.

---

John Winchester wasn't exactly sure what he was feeling at the moment. He had waited for this day for seventeen years. Had it really been that long?

"Missouri..." His gruff voice trailed off

"Yes John." The psychic spoke in her gentle, yet sassy southern drawl.

"Don't screw with me, please. This is my daughter were talking about."

Missouri looked at the man she had come to know well over the last seventeen years. She pitied him, felt for him knowing he had almost lost everything in his life that mattered to him. She reached and touched his hand.

"John honey, I'll tell you the same thing i told your son. Im gonna whack you with a spoon!" she chastised him, as she gave him her non nonsense look. "Ive been here since day one, remember? First when your wife died and then when your little girl was taken. Did I or did I not tell you if I ever sensed anything, i'd let you know?"

The seasoned hunter lowered his head, feeling properly chastised and began playing with his wedding band. Thank God Mary hadn't been alive when there little girl went missing. What would she think, or say? How could he explained he had failed to protect her.

"You did, Missouri. I need to know though, is she ok, is she hurt?"

Missouri smiled slightly. "She is alive and well. But John, something is close to her, and it's dangerous.." She watched for his reaction carefully.

John's head snapped up. A feeling of cold dread going through him. "Something is what?...is it the yellow eyed demon. Tell me!" his voice rose and his hands gripped the edge of her small eating table so tightly, that his knuckles were turning white.

"I don't think so. I would feel that powerful energy, trust me." She squinted trying to concentrate. "I can't understand why I didn't sense her energy until now. It's a mystery to me. John, Dean and Sam do they.." she didn't get to finish because the hunter picked up on what she was thinking.

He shook his head slowly, the shame still eating at him even after all these years.

"They don't, no. Sam was only six, Dean was ten. For years Dean asked were his sister was, so did Sam. It was killing me, I know they missed her." John let out a sigh and wiped his face. "Eventually I managed to convince them she was just a childhood friend."

Missouri felt her eyes grow in size and her emotions rise. She swatted her hand on the table.

"John Winchester, I could just smack you! Why would you do such a thing?"

John leaned back in the high backed chair and began to rubbed his forehead. "Missouri, what would you do? Both of the boys had just lost there mother a year beforehand. Then there sister gets taken, we can't find her. Day after day they asked if Zoey died, if she went where there mommy did. I hated to see them go through that pain again. So?.I did the only thing I could. I'm not proud of it, but what's done is done. Now where is my daughter?"

Missouri wasn't happy in the slightest. Furthermore, she couldn't believe the boys fell for such a thing. "She's in Terre Haute, Indiana. At the university. I suggest you hurry."

John cursed under his breath. There was no way he could get there in time, but luckily he knew his boys were closer. Immediately he headed toward his truck, before texting the coordinates to Dean. He knew before it was all over he was going to have to tell them. Even more nerve bending than that, he had no idea if Zoey remembered any of them or not. How would she react?

---

Dean took advantage of the rest stop and got out of his impala, stretching his legs and arms. Sam had went inside getting there food from a local diner; and after a full twenty four hours on the road he was aching for some pie. His little brother had been quiet the past two weeks. Sarah Blake had really gotten to him. Sure he was worried, but at least Sam had some happiness if only for a couple of days. After Jess, he needed it. As he stood looking at the small run down diner, he leaned back against his car, stuffing his hands in his leather jacket. Diners were there normal thing, the only places they a could afford on a hunters budget. Yet something about them brought back memories. Not just of there dad dragging them to hundreds over the years when they had been on the road, but something else. Something that played on the edge of his subconcious every single time. Mostly he shook it off as a drunken memory from his many nights of becoming intoxicated. But even now, it was there again. A little girl with jet black hair and big blue eyes running around him and Sam, trying to get into the diner door first. She was always happy the second she spotted one from down the road. What the hell?...they had never traveled with a little girl had they? The beeping of his phone brought him out of his thoughts. Yanking the device from his jacket, he looked at the text and his eyebrows rose.

"I can't freakin believe it." He murmured.

"Can't believe what?" Sam asked as he came up beside him then. "Look man, they had no pie so don't kill me ok?" He joked and then sipped his soda as he set the bag of food on the roof of the impala.

Dean held up the phone. "Coordinates. There from dad, has to be. Come on geek boy, where is this?" He tossed his phone to Sam.

Sam's face darkened. "Great." He grumbled. he hated there dad just demanding things of them and Dean followed blindly. He looked up on the internet with his own phone and then his eyebrows raised. "Terre Haute, Indiana...Dean I'm pretty sure this is a college campus."

Dean grinned. "Seriously?... and hey it also says we should hurry so it's gotta be urgent. Think maybe it's some sorority girls haunting or something? Hey maybe we can catch then in an underwear pillow fight." He wiggled his eyebrows.

"Dude your sick." Sam stated in an exasperated voice as he yanked open the passenger door and slid inside.

"Oh come on, you need some fun" The eldest Winchester argued as he grabbed the bag of food, not even mad about the pie for once as he slid easily into the drivers seat, unwrapping his burger to eat with one hand.

"And naked sorority girl's are the answer?" Sam questioned as he munched on a french fry.

Dean mumbled with a mouthful of his cheeseburger. "Well yeah, or my offers still stands to go see Sarah after this case is over."

Sam groaned. "Dude, drop it ok. Let's do this for dad first and go from there."

Dean laughed and cranked up the volume as he shoved metallica into his tape player. "I can't hear you, the musics too loud!"

Sam fought a grin as he unwrapped his chicken sandwich. "Jerk."

"Bitch."

---

I made my way around the fountain in front of the girls dorm and then through the lobby doors. To my left, I saw a handful of students playing a game of pool, others milling around the tv in the corner. I let out a small sigh. I had played quit a few games at that very table. I wasn't too good, but it was still fun to try. Once I was on my top floor I unlocked my door, glad my roommate was out right then. Once inside, I pulled out my green Pebl flip phone and scrolled through my list of contacts. It was pathetic really, I didn't have many. Just my boss at the campus coffee shop, my previous foster parents, roommate and maybe one or two students I had made friends with from the soccer team. I debated calling my previous foster parents. Would they even care? We has gotten along ok right before I left for college, but I wasn't sure they wanted to mess with me a anymore. With a sigh i shoved it back into my denim jacket pocket and then began shoving everything I could into my big soccer duffel bag and smaller items in my backpack. The soccer Adidas duffel was the nicest thing i owed to be honest. It was a deep burgundy-pink like color with some silver mixed in. I was barely able to afford it once I joined the soccer team. Thankfully I had a part time job for a good year before I made it to campus. My outfits? mostly some good pieces form wal-mart, the other from various thrift stores. I rolled my jeans into tight compacted shapes and t-shirts and few sweaters I had. I didn't even hear my roommate come in.

"Geez!...you scared me to death." i jumped and turned to see my blonde roommate, Sasha come inside.

Her eyebrows raised as she tossed her purse down. "My bad, sorry about that. I thought your class wasn't over for another hour?"

I shrugged, trying to smile. "Yeah, but i ditched. What about you, your never back so early." I finally shoved my sneakers in last and managed to zip it up.

"It was cancelled. Ok, what's going on?" She finally ask, a tone of suspicion creeping in her voice.

I sighed and slowly turned to face her. "Here's the thing, 'Im sorta dropping out."

"What?...oh come on your joking right?" her eyes got impossibly large and she crossed her arms watching me carefully.

I shook my head. "Nope. I'm serious."

"But Zoey, why? And what about the soccer team."

I swallowed some. I couldn't get past the feeling that something better and bigger was waiting for me out there. Maybe it was the dreams I was having, I have no idea. One thing I had learned was to always trust my gut.

"Doesn't matter. There's just some things I need to figure out, maybe take a year off or something. Anyway your welcome to use my books and sheets or something, I won't be taking them." I gathered my things and tossed my key card and ID on the desk.

Sasha watched me sadly and then before i knew it she stepped forward and gave me a very tight hug. I was caught off guard and I slowly got one arm free to hug her back.

"I wish you'd change your mind. Take care ok? I'll let the RA know. Any idea where your going?" she asked as she finally let me go. and took a step back to watch me with her arms crossed.

I smiled and shrugged. "Not quit sure yet. If you want, maybe we can keep in touch?...I need to go. Good luck ok?" I told her quietly before leaving my room for the last time.

---

I stopped by the cafeteria and spent the next hour and a half thinking of a plan as I grabbed something to eat. I had no idea when id get to eat again on my little bit of money, so I ordered an extra chicken club wrap and wrapped it between two paper towels. before shoving it in my bag along with few pieces of fruit. Luckily I remembered it was pay day and I had a pretty good size check waiting on me since I had pulled double shifts. My grades had slipped but hey, it was money right?. I now had about two hundred and fifty dollars to work with. Taking one last bite of the pizza and salad, I got up and headed out into the icy air. There was a bus stop about a block away and as I headed across the student union and down the sidewalk, things started to get errie. I was nearing the parking lot that was behind the math and science building. Snow and patchy ice still covered the sidewalk from the big snow last week and I had to be careful how I walked. Luckily my brown combat boots were fairly sturdy. My stomach started to feel jumpy and my heart beat got louder with every thump. It was the same sensation I had felt for the past week straight. Was I being watched? I glanced around not seeing but maybe a handful of people around. Most students were inside away from the cold or in class. Just great. If I was attacked, screaming for help didn't seem like an option. I had taken a month of kick boxing lessons but i highly doubted that would be enough to fight anyone off. A branch snapped and I stopped dead, looking around wildly. No one there.

"Too many horror movies, Zoe." I muttered to myself, shaking my head at how pathetic I was being. I turned around and suddenly came face to face with something I had never expected to see in my life. A figure, a man. Horribly burnt. I could see through him! I'm not some college student on a bender and I wasn't crazy. I could see the snow covered tree right through him. I blinked rapidly, frozen in fear.

His mouth seemed to open and it came out like a deep menacing growl that carried through the frosty wind.

"Get out!"

I jumped, letting out a scream as I stumbled back. What the hell was happening? This sorta thing only happened in the movies, right? Before I knew it, he was coming at me, not even walking, he just seemed to glide. I dropped my bag and reached for a large broken limb that had broken off one of the trees.

"Get away from me!" I yelled in terror, as I swung it with all my might. The popsicle branch went clean through him and I gasp, letting the heavy branch go in stark terror. I did the only thing I could. I ran like hell.

The only safe place I knew was back at the dorm room. Forget the dammed bus for now. A ghost?! Surely I was seeing crap right? I barely managed to grab my duffel, while still having my backpack on my shoulder before i ran like crazy. It was times like this I was glad for all the soccer training. I was a fast runner and pretty decent at dodging things. The coach had insisted it was my long legs. Either way I could of kissed him right now. I narrowly avoided stumbling over a bench and then a garbage can. My lungs burned from the frigid air. Right as the dorm came into sight, I dared to glance over my shoulder but I didn't see anyone. I yanked my head back around as I skidded around the corner, trying to stop but it was to late. A blur of two men was all I saw before we collided. At least I did with one of them. I heard him grunt and then stagger. Me? I tried to catch my balance, but I was going full speed and his body was like a freakin brick wall. My duffel bag slid off my shoulder and fell to the snow covered ground. I fell backward, landing hard on my elbow and shoulder. My backpack had slid off my shoulders too and I barely noticed. I struggled to suck in air and not think about the pain that shot through my arm and shoulder. I frantically looked behind him but still saw nothing.

"Auw!...I'm so sorry." The tall one grunted as he managed to grab the wall to keep from falling. "Are you ok?"

"Damm Sammy, is that your way to get woman. Crash into them?" The shorter one joked trying to steady him.

"It was more like she ran into me, you idiot."

The shorter one reached down, grabbing my arm gently. "Hey, where's the fire, you ok?"

I shook my head, trying to get enough air to speak and pulled my arm from his. When pain shot through my arm and shoulder, I stopped being stubborn and used my good hand to grab his and stumbled to my feet.

"Do you see him?!...he...he was...right there, chasing me."

The two of them shared a look of confusion and then back at me. Oh yeah, I knew that look. They probably thought I was some typical college sophmore who had a little too much to drink. I shook my head in frustration.

"Im not crazy!"

"Hey,calm down. No one said you were. Your saying some creep was chasing you?" The dark blonde headed man asked looking at me intently.

The taller one called Sam, I think anyways stepped around me and I saw his eyes sweep over the campus and he finally shook his head as he turned back to us.

"I don't see anyone. Did you call campus security?"

"Ok you both aren't getting it, he's not...normal. i could see through him, ok? and no i'm not high or drunk." I explained exasperated and then palmed my face, feeling it almost numb from the cold. "Forget it." I muttered shakily.

I straightened up. "I'm fine, I think maybe i just...am crazy. I'm sorry about running into you both." I bent down to grab my bags.

"Did you say you can see through him?" The taller demanded suddenly,and he shared a worried look with his companion beside him.

I groaned. "Ok, yeah I did, but I think im just stressed." I bit back a groan rolling my sore shoulder as I tried to lift the bags. I was skittish now and kept glancing around

The shorter turned to me. "Ok listen my names Dean, This is my brother Sam. We believe you. But we need to know everything."

"Yeah, like what's your name?" Sam asked gently.

I stared at them. Were they kidding? or just indulging the poor delusional college girl? I swallowed some, still feeling my heart racing. How crazy would I have to be to tell two complete strangers my name?

"It's Zoey, but I-" I stopped talking and froze in horror. Directly behind them, there it stood again. "That's him!" I stumbled back in fear. "Tell me you see him too."

Dean spun around and he cursed as his face seemed to tense. The taller, Sam, reached down and grabbed my bag and then turned urging me forward.

"We see him alright!, Zoey where is your dorm?, we gotta go. Now!" his voice was so intense, it made me even more fearful.

"Here!" I nodded to the building and grabbed my backpack from the ground. I didn't waste any time and took off the last few feet to the building entrance.

"We need to get to your room, lets move it!" Dean called as he leaped into an elevator just in time as someone got off. The Sam guy and me soon followed.

---

Once on my floor I raced past them, feeling my hands trembling as I inserted the room key. Once it was open I flew inside feeling the two men right behind me. Now I know what your thinking, what kinda idiot am I to let too strangers inside my room? At that moment I didn't even care. I slammed the door, almost feeling disapointed Sasha wasn't here. You know, just in case they were bad news. Once I caught my breath I turned to them both, my back pressed against the door.

"What the hell is going on?!" I demanded shrilly, tossing my backpack on my now empty bed. "Was that really a ghost?"

They didn't seem to notice me at first as the Dean guy walked to my window looking out and then closed the blinds, while Sam locked my door.

"Dean what do we do, all of our stuff is out in the car."

"No kidding Sherlock!..this must be why dad sent us here. Dammit!" He cursed slapping his hand against the wall. He turned to me suddenly "It's Zoey right?..listen here's the thing, that was a ghost you seen and a very pissed off one too. Now do you got any salt around here? We gotta try to keep it out, at least for now."

I was suddenly very much aware I had two complete strangers in my room whom I knew nothing about. I started pacing again and looked between them when they mentioned salt.

"Excuse me?..what's salt got to do with anything! And who are you two anyways?"

Sam sighed and pivoted in my direction. "it's Zoey, right?. Ok listen to me. You can call us crazy, but that thing you saw was a malevolent spirit. A ghost. Salt will keep them away , they can't cross it, meaning we need to line your windows and door with it ,ok?"

I shook my head in exasperation. Oh boy , I for sure wanted to say that yes, they were loons but yet, that weird unexplainable feeling took over me again. It told me to trust them and i really was seeing a dead spirit. "Over here..." I went and opened a desk drawer of my roommates and found her salt shaker. "She keeps it here to put on popcorn and stuff." I tossed it to the tall one, vaguely remembering something in the back of my head but I couldn't put my finger on it. "But look I don't get it, ghost aren't real! and even if lets say they are, why have I never seen him before? Why attack me and no one else?"

"No one really knows I don't think. Dammit, Sam im going to have to go down to the car, we've got nothing to work with and we can't haul up in here forever." Dean replied peeking out the window again. Then, he took the salt shaker and lined the windows and then the front of my door.

"Yeah, I know. Be careful alright? I'll stay here with her." he tilts his head towards me.

"Good. Look Zoey, I get it your freaked the hell out, but you need to stay here ok? Were going to take care of it." Dean nodded assuredly to me before opening the door quickly and then shut it behind him.

"Freaked is an understatement!" I called after him, and then sighed and leaned against my empty dresser. I crossed mt arms and watched the taller Sam guy keep looking out the window. Finally he pulled my desk chair to him and straddled it backwards before running a hand through his hair, his facial muscles looking rigid and tense.

I watched very faint sunlight stream through the window, spilling across my bed and the floor. it lasted several seconds before the winter grey clouds swallowed it back up. My nerves were so on edge and it was becoming more real to me I was alone with a complete stranger in my bedroom.

"Zoey you can sit down, it's ok you know." His gaze went to me slowly, looking uncomfortable himself.

I laughed, shaking my head slowly. "Sam,I don't know you, or your brother. I'm here with complete strangers in my room and evidently ghost are real and this one is pissed and trying to kill me. How can I sit down?"

"Point taken. I guess I can't blame you." He smiled sympathetically at me and then let out a long sigh himself.

"What's your brother going to get anyways? How can it help us? and not only that but..like how do you guys know about this stuff?" Ok yeah I was full of questions, who could blame me? I bit my thumbnail as I watched him anxiously

Sam watched me a second, as if debating on something. Finally he crossed his arms over the back of my chair.

"Ok well..this is the hard part of our thing is Dean and me do this for a living. I know that sounds certifiable to you, but it's the truth. Ghost are real, and they can hurt you. Same goes for demons and hundreds of other things."

I stared at him, not even blinking. "You have got to be kidding me.. the crap I get myself into! It figures the one time I meet new people, there the freakin ghost busters." I couldn't help but laugh as I ran my hands through my hair. I began walking around the room now, feeling too restless to sit still

Sam smiled wanly too. "I know. We hate telling people, trust me. But the way i see it at least you can protect yourself now. Dean's going to get iron. Because like salt, it's pure. ghost and demons aren't. Iron repels ghost and salt repels both demons and ghost too."

I frowned as an entire semester worth of that paranormal class came back to me. I had spend countless hours up till nearly dawn studying the stuff because I loved it. I suddenly turned to him.

"Iv read that before, i think. Like back in the old days they used iron horseshoes on the doors of villagers, because it kept spirits away."

Sam's eyebrows rose so far, I was sure they would fade into his hairline. "How do you know that? Not many do."

I shrugged, before leaning around him to part the curtains, looking around nervously for signs of Dean or the ghost anywhere.. "Iv been taking paranormal class here on campus for awhile now. I've always loved horror movies, ghost and goblins and all of that. I just never, um..."

"You never thought you'd see one in person?" Sam guessed with a small grin.

"Exactly." I pulled back and looked at him trying to smile. This guy pulled off a very easy going and warm vibe. He made me comfortable and at ease and I had no idea why. I finally sat on the end of my mattress and was about to ask him something else but already i began to notice a cold chill in the room.

"Jeepers it's cold" I muttered and began to zip my jacket up.

Sam suddenly looked around as he sat up straight. "Yeah a little too cold. The heat was on when we came in here." He slowly stated, before fog seemed to come from his breath.

I breathed out and was startled to see fog in my breath too.

"Uh, Sam..that class I told you about?..I remember learning that spirits can take energy away from there surroundings in order to get enough energy to manifest. True or false?" I questioned cautiously.

"True, but it's ok there's salt and they can't come-" He was cut off when the lights flickered in the room, before going out all together.

"Are you kidding me!" I leaped to my feet so fast that I nearly lost my balance. I grabbed the salt shaker from my desk and backed toward Sam ,looking around wildly.

"Dammit he's here!...Dean come on, hurry." Sam muttered as he grabbed my shoulder and pulled me toward him. "Stay calm, ok?"

"How?...you said he can't get in here because of the salt."

"He can't, but he could be inside the building, maybe even in the hallway." He stated grimly as he eyed the door.

"We need iron then, right?" I asked, gripping the salt shaker so tight my knuckles were turning white.

Sam moved toward the door, his hand on the knob about ready to turn it. In some way I just wanted to face this thing , to get it over with. The other part was terrified but suddenly something occured to me.

"You know where any is?"

"Yeah, downstairs, there's a fireplace. Iron pokers right? If Dean can't make it to the car, there's some there."

Sam reached into his pocket and yanked his cell phone out. I saw him speed dial Dean and I just watched, trying not to panic.

"Dean! hey..its...what's going on?...dude, get back here ok? Zoey said there irons pokers in the lobby...alright hurry the lights are already out and its freezing up here." Sam ended the call and sighed. "It found him. He got about halfway, I think h'es banged up but ok. Hes on his way back now."

"Oh God, this is just great. I hope it doesn't try to hurt anyone else." I muttered tapping my foot on the floor. Minutes later the door shook with force as he banged on it. I yanked it open and saw a bruise on his cheek and cut on his forehead. Already I saw him blowing fog out of his mouth too and right then the hallway lights went off.

"Get in here!" I yelped in alarm. I reached to grab him ,but the air behind Dean started to shimmer and the best way I can describe it, is the static like feeling in the air, like what a tv screen gets on it. I saw the cold eyes first, then the horrible burnt face and finally his body materialized.

"Dean behind you!" Sam called , lurching forward, throwing a handful of salt in his direction. I watched in awe as it begin to fade but only a few moments. When it reformed, he lifted Dean in the air and I gasp. .Way.

"Auw, you sob!" Dean growled as he kicked and tried to move in mid air.

The doors across the hall opened and several people stuck there heads out. Great! just what we needed. How was I going to explain this? I was having trouble fathoming that this ghost could lift someone in the air.

"Get back! Go back inside now!" I yelled frantically. Luckily they looked scared and listened. The next thing I knew, Dean was launched inside the room, crashing into both Sam and I. I grunted as we all tumbled to the ground.

"Please just stop! isn't it me you want?" I yelled as I rolled over, staggering to me feet. Dean and Sam quickly followed.

"Get...out!" His mouth opened slowly and it came out in a deep forced growl that made my hairs stand up.

"The only person leaving is you, dickhead!" Dean growled looking furious as he ran to him and swung the iron rod with all his might. His imaged flickered and his body faded.

Sam ran to the door switching over the lock swiftly and then turned to me."Something isn't right, this guy came from somewhere! Zoey, has anyone died here that you know of?"

Dean scoffed. "Sam come on man, im sure there's been tons of people who have died here over the years. It could be anything and we don't have all day. The RA's and more than likely campus security is going to be storming this place soon to see what's going on."

"Yeah I know." Sam sighed and turned to me, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Zoe, think, said you love all stuff paranormal, does anything come to mind? Who he could be because if so, we have to find where he's buried and salt and burn the bones."

I stared hard at them. Was this really happening? "Ok,what?..Is that how you get rid of them?" I gaped at them, still reeling from having a ghost throw someone at me. My shoulder and arm were still sore, but I didn't care because at that moment I had to wonder if any of us was going to survive this. Nevertheless, I tried to stop panicking and think and that's when a story from last year popped in my head and it hit me so hard, that I had to grab the bed post.

"What is it?" Dean demanded anxiously.

I slowly raised my gaze to meet his."Last year I heard from several people that a ghost haunts this campus, or at least this building anyways. I brushed it off at first, I mean why not right? Every campus has those story's. But..they said there was a janitor here, and students hated him. They said some juniors beat him up one night , and dragged him down to the basement. This was an eyewitness account. later there was a explosion, so..do you think he was killed and that's why he haunts this building? And why now? I've never seen him until today" I looked back and forth between them, starting to feel uneasy again.

"Your joking, and you only telling us now!" Dean barked looking majorly annoyed. What was with this guy? He was pissing me off. I glared at him as I let go of my bed post.

"Hey, not everyone does this for a living you know!"

Dean started to say something, but just shook his head, as if dismissing it. Well good, he had no right to jump my case anyways.

Sam held up a hand. "Just hold on, both of you!. If his body was destroyed in the fire then he should be ashes already. Do you know if they ever found the remains?" He questioned looking at me again. "Dean and I would normally hit up local history at the library but we don't have time, this thing is powerful."

I shrugged and started pacing the small room again. "I have no idea what actually happened, I swear. I just want to get rid of this thing and get the hell out of here. All I know is, people say he had no family and there was never reports of them finding anything." My hands went to my hips and I anxiously watched the door in fear he'd come back.

The lights flickered again and this time I swear the actual room shook. I screamed and grabbed my bed post again. Once it stopped I felt the foreboding chill in the air.

"Not again! Look if this damm thing wants me out, i was headed off campus anyways, what does it want?" I yelled in frustration.

Sam pulled me to the door once we all got our balance. "It's not just you. My guess is it wants revenge on every student in this dorm. Dean come on!"

---

Dean grabbed is backpack, his jaw clenched. "Right now I don't give a damm, we have to torch this sucker. Zoey show us the basement, hurry" He urged me forward and I didn't mind one bit. I only paused to grab my jacket, not my bags and ran out into the hallway and to the elevator. I slapped the ground floor button over and over, in full panic mode now. Once it stopped on ground floor I motioned for both of them to follow me. I had only been to the floor once, never the actual basement its self. I ran the last few steps and then yanked open the door with the big yellow basement sign on the front..

"It's here...but look..I've never been down there before." I said once I caught my breath. I peered down into the dark, damp basement. The smell of gas and wet earth filled my nostrils and gasp, as a cob wed brushed against my hand. "Gross!"

Dean nudged past me, just as the hallway lights flickered. On the other end of the long hallway, I heard several students call out in alarm.

"Doesn't matter, we gotta start somewhere. Let's go." He turned on his flashlight and tossed Sam one as well. I gulped and followed behind him, with Sam bringing up the rear. Once at the bottom, I allowed myself to take Sam's flashlight and shine it around. It was more spacey than I thought. It was actually split into three large rooms and from what I could tell, a smaller one through the open doorways to the left.

I turned to my right and spotted the boiler. "How do they still have these things? Everyone uses electric now." I muttered, before walking over, feeling my hand along it. "It's cold too."

"I guess that means Freddy's not home." Dean actually joked from the corner of the room.

I turned to him, my annoyance with him wavering just a tiny bit. "No way. You like Freddy Krueger?" I shined my light in his direction.

He snorted. "No. It's lame as hell. You want a good movie, watch silence of the lambs."

"I have. WAY too disturbing for me." I found myself almost smiling. There it was again, that feeling I couldn't place. I had a weird image of possibly myself, very very young, watching something scary on tv, a boy beside me, maybe two. But how could that be? I was never close with any of the foster kids.

"Ok guys. Focus. We got a real horror story going on here." Sam cut in. I shined my light on him and caught him holding back a smile.

Dean went to the far room once they looked in the broiler and didn't find any bones. I went with Sam, because let's face it, I wasn't staying alone down here. After searching the main room we were in, I walked through the small archway, having to dunk down and shine my own flashlight around Sam had given me. There was nothing much, but pieces of broken boards and pile of logs that looked green with mold in the corner. If this guys bones were here, I sure wasn't seeing them. Hell I didn't want to find them. Well...only to get rid of him. I turned and saw Sam join me and we still heard Dean shuffling around the other room.

"Guys, something is funny." Dean called from the ajacent room.

I walked quickly to join him and Sam followed. Dean was running his hand along the brick wall and I raised my eyebrows.

"Yeah it's an old wall, so what." I questioned.

"There loose... and sunk in. Sam dude, seriously feel this."

Sam stepped forward and leaned over, pressing with his hand and it was then I noticed the bricks were wiggling and very loose. I quickly stepped forward and jiggled a brick.

Sam look stunned. "Huh."

"it is!...but you don;t think...oh come on!" I groaned feeling very disgusted already.

Dean smirked. "Well that nails it, The janitor did it, not in the library, but the basement for one hundred dollars Alex."

"Dean's making a clue reference, from the game." Sam clarified for me, seeing my confused look, then rolled his eyes to Dean. "Step back." he pushed me backwards.

"Yeah, duh. I have played it before you know." I stepped back letting them do there work.

They began to hack away with tire irons at the brick and in two minutes they had a large pile at our feet and then I slowly, almost dreadingly raised my light and shone it into the nook in the wall. I was met with a scull and bones of the man.

"That's just sick!" I turned away, unable to help it.

"Kid, you haven't seen sick, trust me." Dean informed me.

I was about to turn back but suddenly the cold basement air, seemed to drop ten degrees if I had to guess. I watched the air shimmer and my hairs once again stood up as I watched him appear.

"Guys!..whatever you gotta do, do it, like now! He's here."

Dean turned briefly just in time to see him. "Son of a bitch!, Sam, salt." He waited until Sam tossed it from the bag before dousing it on his remains.

I grabbed the fireplace poker with my non flashlight hand, feeling my knees shake. I was no fool.I had seen what this entity could do. I could easily be thrown clean through a wall, but I had to try .I ran forward, meeting him as he moved toward us.

"Get out of here! Rest in peace or..whatever." I yelled, swinging with all my might, watching it go right through his when it did, the energy changed. The static faded and his body became smoke. I heard the woosh of flames and I spun around in time to see the bones being burned to a crisp. We watched as he manifested slowly and let out a piercing howl that made us cover our ears. I gasp, dropping both flashlight and poker as his form started to slowly burn as well, before fading out. I let out a gasp and finally uncovered my ears.

"Please...tell me he's really dead!" I practically whimpered, feeling exhausted as well as terrified.

I only heard Sam and Dean laugh as I was already making a beeline for the stairs, clamoring up them as fast as I could. There was only so much I could take in one day.

---

Once I was in the lobby, I had to lean over the back of an unoccupied couch, just to get my bearings. There was maybe a handful of students around, playing pool, watching tv or just mingling with friends. The bright overhead lights made things seem to unnatural and yet normal at the same time. It for sure made what just happened seem like some bizzare dream. Minutes later my gaze shot up and I saw the men I had just met hours ago make there way toward me. The Dean guy seemed less stern and grouchy now and he eyed me with a worried expression.

"Hey, you ok?" he asked rather gently as he and his brother stopped in front of me.

I took a second to get my bearings as I crossed my arms over my chest, before I drew in a long breath, then released it slowly. I was starting to finally calm down a bit. I nodded to them both and offered the duo a weak smile.

"I think so. I'm just trying to process all of this. It's hard because..everything that just happened? It's not supposed too! This stuff is only supposed to be in the movies and yet it's real? I mean look around" I motioned with a hand to everyone around us. "They had no idea it happened. How is that?"

Dean leaned closed to Sam and muttered. "Dude, is this one of those rhetorical questions, or does she want an answer?"

His brother gave me in what I can only imagine is an insufferable look, before elbowing him. Sam turned back to me and offered me a reassuring smile.

"It's overwhelming, that's for sure. Just know that pretty much anything you thought wasn't real, is."

Dean nodded. "Yeah consider your innocense lost, kid. For what it's worth?.. im sorry as hell. This never gets easier for us, pulling back the curtain for people that is."

"Because you can never unknow something once you know it, right?..yeah I get it" I said with a weary laugh

"Exactly." Dean laughed and it was then i heard a jingle in his pocket. Actually it was some loud rock jam that sounded vaguely familiar and I watched him pull it out.

"Dad?..yeah yeah were here. It was some nasty vengeful spirit, but im guessing you knew that...what?..." he paused giving me a weird look and then motioned for Sam to lean in close. "Actually yeah, it was pure chance we ran into this girl, names Zoey. We took care of it though. Say what?...your joking..how come?"

"Dean, what's he saying?" Sam demanded as he shoved his hands into his coat pockets.

I raised an eyebrow and despite them being strangers, I found myself curious. So there dad obviously hunted all things that went bump in the night too? Shaking my head, I realized it wasn't my business. I needed to get back up to my room, get my things and get as far away from here as I could.

"Yes sir. We'll be here. Keeton Hall, it's on the west side of campus." The call ended and Dean nudged his brother aside and spoke with him a few moments. Both of them kept looking at me, then away again. Yeah, that wasn't creepy at all.

"Hey guys?.." I walked over to them, feeling exhausted, cold, and starving. It had been a very long day. "I hate to interrupt but, I need to get going. Thanks alot for everything. I um...well I have no idea how i'll ever repay you for literally saving my life but, I do appreciate it. It's been real." I smiled weakly and started to step around them. Dean touched my shoulder though, making me turn around.

"Whoa whoa, hey. Uh ok listen here's the thing..our dad does this too. it's a family thing. I'm not sure why, but that was him, somehow the guy knew you were in trouble, that's why he sent us here, so lets just say it wasn't random."

"Your joking...how could your dad possibly know there was some phycho spirit after me?" I demanded, not able to hide how startled and uneasy that made me look and feel.

Sam sighed, looking lost and confused himself.. "We have no idea, he just said he'd explain when he got here. He want's to meet you, Zoey. He asked us to stay with you until he got here. He's about half an hour away. I know it's strange and you've been through tons today but...Dean do you think we should?" He glanced at his brother.

Dean only gave him a look. "Sam if dad said it's important, then it is. You didn't hear how serious he sounded. Were staying." his tone left no room for argument.

I rubbed my face, stifling a groan that wanted to come out. All I wanted to do was get somewhere, eat and sleep but reluctantly I finally shrugged. After all I did owe them big for saving my life. "Yeah ok. You guys saved my ass, so... this is the least I can do." In real, I just really wanted to know how this guy knew about this ghost and how he knew to send help.

---

It didn't take any of us long to realize we didn't want to attractive anymore attention than what was necessary, so I led them across campus to the library. They called there dad to tell him what floor and room number exactly. By now I knew I trusted them not to hurt me, if anything I felt at ease around them, yet had no idea why. Up on the fifth floor, I led them toward the back where the study rooms were. They were mostly glass walls so you could see right through and college kids couldn't do anything shady. Only one room was occupied thankfully and I led them to the one on far end. Once in, I sat on top of the table,letting my feet rest in the chair. Dean and Sam fell into there chairs looking weary and on edge. No one talked really and I found myself slowly tapping my foot and humming a tune under my breath. Something about it was familiar and calming. I often caught myself humming it out of nowhere. If I closed my eyes I had a vision of golden blonde hair and the woman was singing. Deep down i just knew she had to be my birth mother, because no one who ever adopted me had ever sang, that was for sure.

Dean looked up suddenly, a funny expression coming across his face. I glanced up as well, quirking an eyebrow.

"What?...sorry, do you not like the song?" I questioned, leaning back on my elbows and peered sideways at them.

Dean cleared his throat. "it's not that. Im just surprised someone your age is singing a beetles tune. Our mom..she used to sing that to us."

Sam smiled. "I don't remember that, but dad said that Hey Jude was always her favorite song."

I rose my eyebrows, highly surprised by this. "Your kidding?..your mom used to sing the beetles?."

Dean gave me a look. "Yeah, so?...let me guess yours sang something lame like twinkle twinkle little star?" He smirked and drained the coffee he had got from the local vendor on the way here as he leaned back in his chair.

Ouch. Little did this idiot know, that I had no idea who my biological mother was. Maybe my face showed it, I don't know, but Sam suddenly kicked his brother under the table.

"Dean..."

"Auw!...the hell is that for?!" He looked at his brother with a heated glare, before rubbing his ankle.

I waved it off. "Forget it, it's fine. I actually don't know my parents. I've Been in the foster system since I was about five. Not that it's your business." My tone was clipped, as I tried to keep myself as less emotional as possible and not let on how much it bothered me.

"I'm sorry, that's gotta suck." Sam shot me a sympathetic look.

Dean cleared his throat and played with his empty coffee cup. Finally he dragged his eyes to me and I saw he genuinely looked sorry.

"I'm sorry too..I didn't know. That's a tough break." He nodded sincerely.

"Life sucks, but we make do, right?" I smiled bitterly and then climbed off the table slowly, as I saw a man looking to be late fortys maybe, walk by the window next. He wore a dark brown leather jacket over what looked to be dark blue shirt. His thick dark hair was messy styled and even from the four feet away, I saw greying at the edges.

Dean and Sam spotted him too, and I couldn't help but notice how they bolted to there feet right away. Ok ,so Sam did a bit more slowly and even I sensed something about his behavior , but wasn't sure what. Reaching the door first, Dean opened it quickly.

"Dad,..ok your here, what's going on? Did you know Zoey here was going to be attacked?"

Sam stood where he was. "What I want to know is..why did you want to meet her, we can barely get a hold of you, but suddenly you want to talk to a girl you don't even know or met?" He looked at me suddenly. "Zoey, this is our dad, John Winchester."

I cleared my throat softly. "Hi..I'm Zoey. But i guess you already knew that. No offense but id like some answers too, because I'm not sure how much more I can deal with today."

The man looked at them briefly, but his eyes were mainly trained on me. You know how in books you always read how all the color drains from a characters face? Well I've never seen this before in my life and personally? I've always just assumed it's an extreme exaggeration. Na uh. This guy's face, literally, seem to get more pale until he resembled a sheet of paper. His chin trembled and his hand wiped over his grey and brown scruff, his fingers trembling. The dark hazel eyes of this man looked at me from head to toe, then back up again, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. I would have been creeped out, but just like Dean and Sam, something about him made me feel not threatened.

"Mary's eyes.." I heard him barely whisper as he took a step closer and his hand gently lifted my chin. His eyes burned into mine so hard, I felt like he was searching my very soul.

"Whoa, hey..what are you doing!" I finally found the sense to yelp and I backed away, stumbling into the long study table I had been on.

"Dad!" Dean's voice raised trying to get his attention and gently pulled him back from me. "What's going on here, what do you mean she had mom's eyes? Do we know this girl?"

Sam leaned against the table and crossed his arms looking deep in though, as i snapped my eyes to Dean and then him. Finally his eyebrows rose and a very odd expression came across his features.

"Hold on...Dean don't you remember, we used to play with a little girl, her name was Zoey too. But she's not..." His voice trailed off and he looked uncomfortable

Dean looked at him and I saw his forehead wrinkle. "Well..the name does ring a bell, but dude, focus! Zoey you've never seen our dad before right?"

I moved around the table, edging further way before sighing in exasperation. "What?..of course not.. and I don't remember ever playing with any little boys either."

John stepped forward again and this time I saw his eyes glossed with tears and I found myself being crushed in his arms. I froze as i realized he wasn't hurting me, but hugging me. Very hard I might add. I even felt his shoulders shake and I could only stand there frozen in utter confusion.

"It's you...my little Zoey. I can't believe it!..I had thought you were dead." He managed to get out in a deep husky voice.

Sam stepped forward. "Dad, what the hell is going on?..Why are you hugging her?" He asked slowly, yet managing to look startled at the same time.

"I'd love to know that myself!" I said finally starting to wiggle from him. But before I did. I breathed in and caught the scent of old spice colongne mixed with a faint cigar smell. I had smelled that before! It hit me like a ton of bricks as he man pulled away looking at me.

"You smell like old spice..and cigars" I found myself saying a bit quietly

John finally turned to the boys and rubbed his face with both hands. The color had returned, yet he still had a haunted look in his eyes.

"Alright...alright everyone please. I know this is alot to take in. Do you boy's remember a playmate, named Zoey?" I saw Dean and Sam nod and I furrowed my brow. What in the hell was going on?!

"I don't want you boys to hate me, and God help me, ill never forgive myself but..she wasn't a playmate. Zoey was-IS...your sister." His voice caught and he looked over at me again.

I burst out laughing suddenly. "Are you freakin people on something?..first i'm being saved from a vengeful spirit and now..suddenly im your what, long lost sister or something?"

Dean looked stunned and slowly shook his head. "Dad come off it. No offense sir, i respect you, you know do. But come on. You mean to tell me this girl here is supposed to be our sister?"

Sam suddenly spoke up and as I looked at him, I saw his face was pale looked me over and I was getting annoyed at being looked at like some experiment.

"But dad no , this doesn't...that Zoey had this weird star shaped birthmark, remember?"

John looked at me slowly and said quietly. "But you do, don't you? On your shoulder."

I was already starting for the door. Enough of this. I was beginning to think this whole day had been some bizzar dream. Ok sure, both Sam and Dean seemed familiar to me and I even got a good same vibe off this John guy. So what? I had yanked open the door,but when they said that. I froze, feeling the air literally leave my lungs to where i felt I could not breath. A chill went so hard down my spine, that i almost leaned against the wall. How?!...I was sure none of them had seen it. Slowly, I turned around and faced them. I reached up and lowered my jacket and shirt down to expose part of my shoulder,where a star shaped birthmark was. No bigger than my thumbnail. They all looked at it, stunned.

I felt my chest rise and fall faster, and my heart thump like crazy. "Someone had better tell me what the hell is going on. There is no way you could have known this was here!" My voice rose as I fixed my shirt.

The guy named John walked over and gently touch my shoulder. "I knew for the same reason as I did the day you were born. I;m your father. I know this is alot to take in, you clearly don't remember anything. But..you also have a star necklace, don't you?"

I stared at him, this time not flinching as he touched my shoulder. I let out a soft gasp as my hand reached under my shirt. Slowly I brought out the sterling silver star, colorful tiny gems decorated the center of it. I felt sick, yet at the same time, excited. As if some piece of my whole life was fitting into place.

"I'll be dammed." I heard Dean breath out from beside me.

"But I don't...how can..." I couldn't even form the words. I saw John take his wallet out and pull out a small picture from the folds.

He watched me carefully, then the necklace. "Your mother gave that to you when you were only two years old." He swallowed hard and then pulled a picture our of his wallet. I took it slowly and the second my eyes landed on it, I almost felt faint. This was it! How many times did I dream this? A little girl around four, eager to get in front of the two older boys, so that the camera didn't miss me. The same faces I had seen in my dream, were identical to the photo. The little girl had a braid, jet black. Sure enough my star necklace was seen on her neck, shining in the sunlight.

"Oh my God." I finally managed to form words. "I knew...I knew I was adopted, but um...I just never knew where I came from."

"Dad, what the hell!" Dean finally stepped in as he saw the picture as well and as I slowly looked up at him, I saw turmoil and anger in his eyes. Sams too. "I remember that night she went missing, we...we asked where she was every single day. You told us she was just a friend but that we had to move alot, we had to leave. Even though..i kept saying over and over that no dad, she is our sister!" He wiped his face and had to turn away.

Sam's nostrils flared and I saw him run his hands through his tousled locks.

"After she was taken at Bobby's...every day I told you that we needed to hunt, find what took her but you never listened. I should have known. Dean and I never had friends as kids, how did you make us believe that bullshit?" he demanded, not quite yelling but close, after he too looked at the picture.

John must of said something, but I vaguely noticed the family sqabbling. A few people paused to look in on us, through the windows, but I didn't care. The name Bobby was sending off alarms in my brain and I found myself sitting down hard in the chair. My brain was buzzing and I had no idea what was going on anymore.

"Bobby...he had a dog named rumsfeld?" i barely recognized my own quiet voice, that sounded scared even to my own ears. I pulled my foot on the chair and then pulled my knee toward my body, resting my head on the palm of my head. I felt dazed.

They all turned to me again.

"You remember rumsfeld?" Dean ask with hesitance.

I threw my hands up. "I don't know!...ok? I just don't know. One minute I'm being chased by a ghost, then go through all this crazy crap, and now?...your all telling me im your long lost sister. This is insane...I can't..im sorry" I bolted up and headed for the door.

"Zoey no! , please just wait" Sam called after me, reaching to take my arm.

"No! Please just go away." I yanked my arm away, tears burning my eyes.

I ran. Salty tears burned and distorted my vision as I raced toward the elevators. Once I was on the ground floor, I ran, dodging people as I burst into the frosty air for what seemed like the one thousand time that day. I didn't stop until I saw my dorm again. I had to breath by then, so I collapsed down on the edge of the fountain. A sob escaped my lips and I covered my face as tears gushed down my cheeks. i can't remember ever crying like this, not once. My body shook with sobs as I kept my face buried in my hands. The hell if anyone saw me cry! I didn't care right then. It was too much. Don't get me wrong, like most orphaned kids I wanted desperately to know where I came from. I didn't expect it to happen like this though. I wasn't even sure if any of it was true. Then again I hadn't thought ghost were real either, and yet today I nearly was killed by one. Not only that, but i had seen myself in that picture. How could I argue with proof like that? He knew about the necklace and birthmark too. Already my brain was hurting, yet...maybe that was why i seemed to get weird feelings around they were memories trying to come back. Exhaustion...that had to be it, right?

"Oh my God!...Zoey? are you alright? I thought you had left."

I looked up to see Sasha staring down at me in concern. Oh God. How was I going to explain everything to her? I wanted to sleep and after the spirit, my room was the last place I wanted to go.

I sniffed, running a hand through my hair. "Not really. I'm just...so tired."

Thankfully she didn't ask any questions. I felt her pull my body to its feet and even let her lead me back to our room. I gazed around unsure as we stepped inside but it looked pretty normal. I hastily threw my bed sheets on my bed, changed into sleepwear, and fell in the bed. I sensed my roommate wanting to ask many questions, but she just didn't. I was never more grateful for that. The last thing I remember is her face peering over at me in concern, before my eyes closed and I passed into a deep slumber.

---

John's heart was heavy watching Zoey run away from them. All he wanted to do was run after her, protect her. At the very least she was safer now than she had been this morning. After all these years, he had finally got to hold his little girl in his arms. He knew were she was and he would talk to her again, but right now he had his boys to deal with. They were angry, scared,confused, and more than likely feeling cheated and betrayed. He couldn't blame them. Wiping his face he said quietly but sternly

"Follow me back to the motel, iv checked into a room. I'll answer any questions you have." Not leaving any room for argument, he turned and left.

Once back at the motel, he barely getting a foot inside the door before they both started in raging at him, even Dean, the one he counted on to not talk back and be the good soldier. He made coffee first in the small hotel pot they had. Only once it was done did he offer them some and then sat down heavily on the bed, sipping his own hot brew.

"Enough is enough! why?...why did you tell us she was just some random playmate dad?" Sam raged as he yanked his coat off, and throwing it on the bed with force.

Dean silently glared at his dad, after slamming the door closed behind them. Reaching out, he pulled a chair toward him from the small plastic table and gripped the back of it while waiting for an answer. His jaw was set hard, as he recalled the memories he had gotten over the last several years. The raven haired child who always wanted to be the first inside every diner they went too, then making him chase her. It had been her. What an idiot had he been! Both of them.

John sighed, setting his cup down. "I never imagined having to have this conversation with you boys. Because I thought your sister was dead. That night at Bobby's..it was terrible. You have to understand, your mother had just died a year earlier. All of you were dealing with that, so was I...then your sister got taken and...it was too much. your mothers death nearly killed me, I was sure losing Zoey would too. I summoned demons like crazy, no one knew anything. You boys..you were scared and confused. Everyday you ask me where she was, if she died like mommy did, why didn't I try to find her." John felt his throat close and tears mist his eyes. The seasoned hunter wiped at them swiftly and sighed.

"Being your dad, I couldn't take it. Seeing you go through the heartbreak of your mom was bad enough. Now your sister?..So I just drilled it into your heads everyday that Zoey was just some random girl you were friends with. I told you that her parents had to eventually move and so did we, it just wasn't possible for her to be around. It was hard and to this day I question weather it was the right choice. I suppose eventually you both believed me. I'm so sorry..."

Dean was silently fuming and shoved the chair away with vigor. He rarely questioned an order from there father, but this time it was too much. Even worse he knew he mostly blamed himself. He and Sam should have been smarter than that.

"Oh that's great dad, lie to Sam and me. What you did was basically brain wash us to forget about her. I get it ok?.. you were protecting us, but this is our frekain sister!"

Sam began pacing in front of the bed, his nostrils flaring as they always did when he was upset or downright furious. The late evening sun was setting, casting a glow on the mundane brown walls of the hotel and illuminating his tall figure.

"So what, dad? How did you finally find out she's alive an why didn't you tell us. Have you known all along?"

John sigh. "Yeah Dean, I suppose I did. It killed me to do it, and in some ways i wish i could take it back. Sam..." he looked at his youngest son. "I didn't know until this morning she was alive, no. I went to Missouri the day after she went missing. Waether demons took her or some phycho, I wanted to know. She helped me for an entire year, but didn't find anything. Until this morning when I got an urgent call. She somehow had a vision of her, told me where to look and that she was in danger. I couldn't get here in time so I called you boys..i was just so relieved and shaken up. I had found my little girl, your sister. I knew this morning that id have to tell you both. Mybe you two would recognize her, I really don't know. That's the truth." He dragged his eyes up to them both, having been avoiding there glares. He knew he deserved every bit of anger and resentment they tossed his way. Still, it didn't make it easier.

Dean just shook his head slowly. It had always been his mission to be on top of things. So many wasted years when he could of helped search for her, if not with his dad then go out on his own. Not only that, but he tried to fathom the fact the girl he had just spent all day with, was his own flesh and blood and he had no idea.

"I'm going to find her." He announced coldly as he started for the door.

Sam looked up from rubbing his forehead as he tried taking it all in. "Dean wait. You saw how spooked she looked, what are we going do barge in and force her to believe us?"

John stood up wearily. "Your brothers right. It's late, Dean. Zoey looked exhausted and you can imagine this is a lot for her, not just with being attacked but learning about our world, and then..her finding out were her family..deep down I guarantee you, she knows it's true. Let her rest for the night, ok?..believe me I want nothing more than to take her in my arms, make sure she's been ok all this time but.. let her sleep and have space. We'll talk to her tomorrow."

Neither of them argued, thankfully, and he excused himself to go to his truck. Once inside he drove around for hours just going over everything and clearing his head. Afterward he found a visator parking lot at the university, if nothing else so he could make sure she was safe and nothing else happened. After years of mourning her, and worrying himself sick, he wasn't about to lose her again. He vowed if he ever found her, he would keep her safe at all cost, something he nearly failed at today. If nothing else, he owed Mary that.

---

I wasn't always an early riser. In fact, my routine was to sleep until noon if I could get away with it. This particular morning, however, I felt like I had the world's worst hangover. Not from drinking, but more of an emotional lag. Physical too. My shoulder and leg still had bruises from being slammed into Sam and being tossed around by a spirit. A chuckle escaped me as I climbed from the shower and began to dry off. God, what had my life become? It had turned into some some bizarre horror movie overnight. Part of me wanted to demand a blood test, just to make sure I was who they thought I was. The other part? I couldn't deny the girl in the photo was me, and even more creepy was the fact I had dreamed about those same little boy's even before I had seen that picture. I buried my face in the towel, feeling so overwhelmed I wanted to scream. Literally since the moment i had went into the system, I wanted a family. My real family. I had honestly lost count of the times, that I watched as kids got adopted into homes, seen the happy smiles. The love. How badly I had wanted that. Now here it was..my family. The same one I had been taken from as a child. I should have been thrilled, part of me was longing for that.. But I was also curious and so confused. Had fate brought them to me, or had a ghost?

A loud knock startled me from my thoughts. "Zoe, you ok in there?"

"Yeah, im coming out." I called. I dropped my towel, quickly getting dressed in pair of skinny jeans and a long sleeve lavender colored shirt.

Once back in the room, I ignored my roommates curious look as I slipped my socks and combat boots on. I knew she was worried, after having came upon me sobbing out in the courtyard.

"Your still leaving?..what happened, yesterday, Zoe? When I came back everyone said there was some phycho on our floor." She brushed her blonde hair over her shoulder,watching me nervously.

I couldn't help but smile. She wasn't fair off. "It was nothing, just uh some guys pulling a prank is all. And yeah i am, I just needed a good night's rest is all." I finished lacing my boots and stood up grabbing my backpack and large duffel bag once more. I quickly hugged her, knowing deep down that this time? I wouldn't be coming back.

---

I left the room without a word and made my way out of the building. There were only two motels in town and all I could do was guess that of they had to choose a motel. it would be close to campus, right? Once I was on the bus, I quickly went over what I was going to say in my head. Did they even want to get to know me, or maybe they didn't. I only knew I wanted answers. Where was my mom, what had happened the night I went missing and went into social services? I hated not remembering. Pine Bluff Inn. I watched the sign as we came upon it and I quickly got off. My gaze went to the parking lot, even though I had no idea what they drove. I didn't wait long. As my eyes adjusted to the early morning light, I saw Sam step out of the room and go grab something from the car. The very UGLY old fashioned car. I sighed in relief, just glad I had guessed the right motel. Once he was back inside, I checked my watch. It was only after eight in the morning. Taking a deep breath, I shivered in the freezing January air and finally headed to the door knocking firmly two times.

I heard shuffling and voices before the door was yanked open quickly. Sam stood there and for a second blinked down at me. Finally his eyes registered me and his mouth opened in what I can only guess was surprise.

"Zoey..hi!...hey, come on in." He pulled the door open wider. "How did you know we were here?"

"Um ,well, there's sorta only two motels in town so I just took a guess." I stepped inside and looked around the small motel room. I looked to my left at the tacky blue chipped table that all motels seemed to have. On top was littered with weapons, everything from pistols, to sawed off shotguns and long blades and yet I didn't feel entirely uneasy seeing them for some reason. Men's clothes were scattered on the ugly burnt orange colored bed sheets as well.

Sam took my bags from me, setting them on the bed. "Nice guessing. How did you get here though? The campus is at least three miles, and it's freezing."

I smiled and loosened my scarf. "What, you assume I have no car?"

Sam chuckled. "Do you? I know I couldn't afford one when I was in college."

I shook my head, before sitting down on the wobbly chair next to the window. "Nope I don't, I took the bus. Is um... your- I mean our dad here? Or Dean?"

Sam peeked out the window for a second as if looking for something. He was nervous too, it was obvious. "Yeah dad's just out on a coffee run, Dean's in the shower. DEAN! Zoey's here." he called over his shoulder.

"Oh wow." I said, suddenly looking uncomfortable as something occured to me. "Is this what having brother's is like, he's not going to come out in a towel is he?" My gaze went to the bathroom door nervously.

Sam laughed and scratched the back of his head. "I don't think you need to worry about that. Hey, I know this is...I just mean, I can't imagine how you feel right now. Dean, dad and me, it's weird for us too."

I didn't get a chance to respond as the bathroom door opened, steam billowing out and luckily Dean was dressed in Jeans and a grey t-shirt. Running a towel through his hair, he paused and looked right at me.

"Your here?...talk about weird, we were just about to come to you." He tossed the towel down on the bed, before grabbing his watch from his bag. I watched as he fastened it to his wrist, his gaze never leaving mine. "How you doing?"

"I'm not too sure." I admitted truthfully with a shrug. "I got up about an hour ago, couldn't sleep after sleeping like a baby alst night..I just knew I had to come here. If I really was taken from you all, if your my family, then I need to know why and what happened. Everything. Ok?"

Dean pursed his lips and finally nodded, before dropping down on the bed. "The thing is Zoey, we don't know much more than you. We need to wait for dad."

As if on cue the door opened, and I turned to see John walk inside with bag of what smelled like fresh donuts and hot coffee. My stomach grumbled right away and it was then I remembered I had eaten since early yesterday afternoon. He sat it down and his face seemed to soften seeing me. Setting the coffee down he reached and touched my shoulder.

"I knew you'd be here. I don't know how you found us kid, but im glad. I know your here for answers aren't you?" He asked as she shed his coat and laied it across the back of the chair. He offered me a coffee and I carefully took it, nodding my thanks. It was black with no sugar what so ever so I just took a tiny sip to be polite.

"Let's start form the beginning." John said getting comfortable on the bed. Dean and Sam pulled the other two chair from beside me, and positioned them so they could see me. I set my cup down, feeling my heartbeat about to accelerate. Here we go.

The next hour was the most..ok ,what's the word I'm looking for here? Oh yeah, mind blowing. I was told everything. How our parents met and fell in love, how he never knew Mary was a hunter. Up until she got pregnant with my brothers and finally me. All the things leading up to her horrible death and I gotta tell you, hearing that for some reason made me want to cry. I had seen just how powerful and terrifying a ghost could be, I couldn't fathom seeing a real life demon. Now I would never get chance to know her for sure. I couldn't help but glance at Dean when John said he carried me from the burning house. I almost smiled trying to get used to the idea of having two big protective brothers. What frustrated me most was that I couldn't remember any of it. Obviously this was a great family who had been through hell. Finally John told me that because of this demon he dedicated his life and Sam and Deans to tracking down this demon and killing it as revenge for our mother. The pieces began to fit into place and now it made sense why these two traveled so much and why they helped people who had to deal with these things. Finally he got up to the night I was taken and I cringed uncomfortably.

"You three were staying with Bobby, just for a couple of days." John remarked with a sigh and set his cup down.

I swallowed hard, trying to process everything he had been telling me. "And Bobby..he's also a hunter and family friend right, one of the ones you used to leave us with?"

"That's right. All I know is when I got a frantic call from Bobby I barely remember the drive back there. When I got there, the upstairs was a brothers were scared crazy, so was Bobby. But you...you were gone." His voice caught some

Sam ran a hand through his hair and scooted his chair a bit closer. "Zoey, do you remember anything at all of that night?"

I closed my eyes, before leaning back in the chair and crossing my arms. "You know, it's weird...since yesterday, iv had bits and pieces of my memory come back. At least that's what I think has been happening. it's how I know you really must be my family..I just remember being scared, there was thunder..something grabbed me. I felt like someone was watching me, and I told.." I stopped and gasped suddenly, sitting straight up. "Dean!...I was trying to tell you and I think you came?. Your shirt, I remember it because it was black and..I think it had batman on the front?" I looked at him unsure, feeling stunned that i was remembering this now.

Dean's face seemed to lose some color and he wiped his face, before muttering. "Son of a bitch...my bat man shirt, yeah. I loved that thing and I was wearing it that night. I only remember I came running but I..told you it had to of been rumsfeld, to go back to sleep. Sam, weren't you downstairs?"

Sam nodded, looking as stunned as me. "I was, yeah. Bobby wasn't the best cook so I was starving. I remember trying to sneak past Bobby to get to the fridge. Finally i gave up and went back upstairs. I hadn't even got to the room yet and i heard glass breaking..Zoey you were screaming, Dean nearly ran into me in the hallway and by the time we got to the room, it was like you vanished. That's about all I remember, that and dad coming back and..both furious and scared to death looking."

I saw Dean clench his jaw. "Too bad she doesn't know the truth, huh dad?"

"What?" I asked immediately, as I finally opened my eyes trying to drag up memories from that night. "What truth?"

John sighed, then shot Dean a look before rubbed his hands togather. "It doesn't matter right now Zoey."

I shook my head, before brushing my braid over my shoulder. "Oooook. I remember just as much as Dean and Sam, but nothing else, I don't know who it was. I just need to know something..did you even look for me?" I asked softly, starting to feel my walls crumbling and my defenses slowly coming down. Even my eyes felt moist and I had to blink rapidly.

I saw his dark hazel eyes fill with tears and he looked away rom me, and then slowly back before scooting forward and he took my hand.

His eyes seemed to pierce mine. "Of course!..sweetheart I looked for you for months. I was out of my mind. I was angry that Bobby had let this happen while I was gone, I was angry with your brothers, the world in general. I was still dealing with your mother..I didn't go to the police right away, I was sure a demon took you, we found sulfur all in the room. I spent months summoning all demons I knew, trying to track every lead. I even went to Missouri, this phychic I knew. It's how she found you yesterday."

I swallowed down the giant lump that seemed to form in my throat."But not...the cops?"

His chin trembled. "Looking back?..I wish I had done it. It was stupid not too, but how could cops help find you when they knew nothing of the evil really out there?..I still don't know how you got from a demon to the foster system. Do you?"

"No, Im sorry." I stated softly, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees.

Sam cleared his throat. "I've been wondering about that, but it makes sense. No one knew she was missing, aside to us. So she wouldn't be in missing persons system and no one would know who to contact or get her back too.."

I sighed and rubbed my face. '"I wish I had the answers for you all, I do. I don't remember anything, just being..taken out of the room. This is just freaking me out really." I let out a shaky laugh. "So..this is what your all going to do? Spend the rest of your lifes hunting down this demon? It won't bring mom back though. will it?"

Dean slowly shook his head. "No, it won't Zoey. But we can't let that son of a bitch win either. We've been doing this a long time. It's pretty much all we know. But now things have changed, your back with us."

John leaned closer and put his hand on my knee. "I think what Dean's trying to say..is that none of us want to lose you- not again. But your also an adult, I'd like nothing more than for you to join your brothers, be part of this family again. Where you belong. But im also conflicted with wanting to keep you safe. Ultimately, it's up to you to choose how you fit in our life, even if..you don't want too." He admitted with a sad look coming across his face.

"Dad, of course she wants too!" Sam interjected suddenly looking from him and then to me his brows knitted.

"Zoey, your not going to make us say goodbye to you again,. right?" Dean asked rising to his feet.

I gulped some, shaking my head. I was never so torn in my life. I had no where else, to go, not really. These guys were my family. The way I had found out wasn't ideal, but did that matter? Was this going to be my life, hunting demons and ghost? Finally I got to my feet. I quickly grabbed my bags and turned to face them.

"I'm sorry..I just..need time. This is all too much." I bit my lip hard and before anyone could stop me, I bolted out of there.

---

John was packing his bag several hours later, after getting a call from a contact. This war was far from over and as much as it killed him, he had to leave and take care of business. His boy's were arguing, even though Zoey had left out of there over two hours ago.

"We get in the car and find her Sam, how hard is that to get!" His eldest son's voice reverberated in the room above Sam's.

Even from there he could see Sam's nostrils flaring, a classic sign he was frustrated and upset.

"Look, don't make me the bad guy Dean, I want her back here with us, I do. But she's twenty years old! We can't cuff her and drag her like a dammed little kid. Besides She could be anywhere by now.."

"Yeah so? We drive through this town until we find her. Hell, go back and ask her roommate if we have too."

Sam grunted something under his breath before putting his hands on his hips. "Look man, let her cool off, ok? Then we try to find her, talk to her all calm. Look at what she just heard, her entire life story and half of it or less she doesn't even remember..I can't begin to imagine how overwhelmed she is right now."

John walked over, his voice was calm yet stern.. "Boy's enough...now listen to me...I've got to go. This war with this demon is far from over and iv just got a lead. I want you to stay here as long as it takes. You find her, hear me? find a way to convince her she's better off with us, but don't make her, you understand? I want it to be her choice."

Sam gawked at him. "Your not serious..dad you can't just go! Zoey, she-"

John cut him off. "She will be fine, you two will make sure of that."

Dean stared at his dad. Part of him, the good soldier and the other part couldn't believe he wanted to split now of all times. "Dad..I get it, we wanna find the yellow eyed son of a bitch too, but we just Zoey. Sam and me just now remembered she's our baby sister..don't you think she needs not just Sam and me, but you? Don't you want to get to know her at all again?"

The seasoned hunter swallowed hard. The battle was waging inside him. He needed revenge like he needed air, to see this thing through and get retribution for Mary. Yet the urge to stay and get to know his daughter was just as powerful.

"Of course I do Dean, and when we get this thing, when it's all over? There's going to be plenty of time for that. I promise. Right now id rather she be with the two of you, so you can keep her safe. Trust me Zoey needs you guys right now, she's scared and alone. She's too stubborn to admit it. I'll be in touch and when you find her? you let me know right away you hear me?" With that he grabbed his large weapon bag and then his clothes one and headed out of there. Even as he pulled away he felt a single hot tear roll down his face, glad he got out of there before his boys could see him. It was crucial they see him as strong, he had to be. Emotions weren't a weakness he could afford, not until this was all over.

---

Have you ever had one of those moments where you realize what an idiot you were? I have. I was having it right then. I shivered as slushy cold water began to seep through my combat boots. If nothing else i was glad I had worn these and not my converse sneakers. I could of went back to the dorms, but after the past twenty four hours, I knew there was no way I could go back and live normally. Shouldn't the bus stop of been here by now? I scanned and looked around, not seeing anyone at first. I groaned before checking my watch. I had left the motel room over two hours ago. I cupped my hand above my eyes, looking around. I recognized the self car wash down the block and the 711 gas station next to it. That meant the bus stop was about two blocks over. How the hell had I missed that?! Of course the answer was easy, I had been in my own little world. Try as I might, I couldn't stop picturing my mother burning on the ceiling. Trying to drag up any memories I could and also debating weather or not I wanted to be on the road with my brothers; hunting down a demon that could easily get us killed. I so needed a shrink right now. How could life change so much in just one day?

"You lost?'

I froze and spun around so quick, I nearly slipped on a patch of ice. Three guys, looking to be a little older were walking out from the 711 store. One look at the bottle of jack Daniels told me they were trouble. Drunk Trouble. One was spiky haired and blonde with a nose ring. The second dark haired with snake tattoo on his arm, and the third stockier with brown hair and shaven head. Gah. Why me?

"Not at all. Just headed to the bus stop." I said quickly as I turned and began walking away fast.

Alot of good that did. One of the creeps caught up and grabbed my arm, jerking me around to face him. My bags fell to the ground and I gasp in pain. The idiot was strong. I wrestled my arm free feeling panic and anger rise in me.

"Let go of me you creep!"

Snake guy came closer, his hand caressed my back, "Shh easy now girly, no need to be rude. It's not everyday we see a pretty girl around here. Come on back to our place, it's right on the next street." He tilted his head to the left and I made a face. His breath reeked of booze.

I glared at the three of them. First a nasty spirit attacks me, now some drunk losers? I growl and finish yanking my arm free. "Look, i've had the worst two days of my life, so the three of you back off, now!"

"I don't think so, come here!" The spiky blonde snarled, as he advanced on me. He was so close I could see his nose ring shining in the sun

I couldn't believe this! Sure I had taken kickboxing lessons all last year, but in this case I wasn't sure if i had a chance. There were three of them and one of me. I stumbled back and luckily he was drunk and off balance. He , slipping on some ice and that's when I kicked him hard in the face, using my right leg for leverage. He howled and fell against his friend. Both went down hard.

Holy toledo, had that really worked?. "See you!" I yelled, forgetting all about my bags and took off running as fast as I could. I slipped along the way but managed to keep my balance. Seconds later, I screamed feeling someone slam into me. I fell hard on the icy pavement, banging my knee and landing on my stomach as my breath was knocked out of me.

Once I managed to suck in air I began screaming."No get off!...HELP!...Get off of me you bastard!" i screamed ,. feeling icey slush and tiny rocks cut into my cheek as I heard the two other goons join there friend. I clawed at the ground, thrashing like crazy.

"Not so fast sweetie, make us feel good? Then we might let you go." he climbed off then yanked me to my feet. He held my arms and his two goons attempted to grab my legs. I coughed hard, finally able to breath better.

"Your sick!..get off!" I screamed, still slightly breathless and i watched as one of then let go one one of my legs to undo his belt. They started pulling me into an alleyway. I knew what they wanted, but i wasn't about to become a rape statistic.

The dark haired one looked disgustingly amused, even as I struggled to kick him "That's right baby, sick for you. Liam get her shirt! Looks like she's got a nice rack on her." His nasty, boozy breath washed over me as I felt him press me into the wall and undo my jeans.

Now I was panicking. I screamed at the tops of my lungs before managing to get one arm free, and wasting no time, I swung with all my might, giving the nose ring prick a good left hook. His head flew back and he stumbled. I guess kickboxing lessons had paid loosened there grip and it was then I heard screech of tires out on the street. I got my leg loose enough to knee the slimy brunette in the stomach. I blinked back tears as the third came at me then, looking pissed. I shoved him hard and I started to run but the guy I punched had recovered and grabbed my jacket.

"Drop dead!" I shrieked, shaking now as tears leaked from my eyes. I struggled in his grasp, but he was too strong.

"Hey!" A deep voice thundered, seemingly out of nowhere. I heard footsteps and I turned to see Dean and Sam.

A very and I mean very pissed off Dean and Sam. I let out a gasp, feeling my legs turn to jelly. I was never so happy to see anyone in my life.

"What do you two dicks want?..hey listen once were done tapping that we'll let you two have a piece of her, deal?" The guy holding me snarled with a smirk as his buddys joined us.

Dean stepped forward, eyes flashing and i saw jaw his jaw muscles flex. Sam was right behind him and I saw one hand reaching for his gun.. "It's pretty simple douchebag, you let our sister go and I won't have to kill your sorry ass."

I saw a sudden flash to my left, I averted my eyes and it was then i realized the sun was reflecting off a knife in the nose rings guys belt.

"Guys...he's got a knife." I said shakily nodding to the guy as the other idiot gripped me tighter.

"It's going to be ok Zoe." Sam assured me quietly. I nodded but said nothing.

The next thing I knew, The shaved brunette dodged at Sam and I could only watch in awe as my brother easily grabbed the guys hand with the knife, twisting it behind his back and then shoved him into the wall.

"You dick!" The guy holding me growled. He shoved me aside into a giant dumpster, and I had to break my fall with my hands and even still the front of my head banged against it. I grunted and pushed myself to my knees, watching Dean kick the guy in the groin, then slammed his head into the wall. I heard a loud crack and gasp as blood ran down his head. The final blow came when Dean punched him so hard, his body turned around a full circle before collapsing to the ground. I had only seen that in movies!

The last goon head began to look scared, realizing he was outnumbered and started to run. My knee throbbed, as did my head but I stumbled to my feet anyways and struck out, kicking him in the kneecap, making him fall to the ground. Once he was down, I kicked him hard in the face. Dean grabbed him up and shoved him hard toward his buddies who could barely walk.

"Get the hell out of here!" Dean growled, pulling out his gun and pointing it warningly at them. That was all it took before they all ran off like scared babies. I glared hatefully after them.

I was now leaning against the wall, shaking like a leaf. My shirt was soiled with snow and dirt and half soaking wet. The knees of my jeans were torn and my knee was bleeding. Bending over, I put my hands on my knees, tears flowing down my cheeks as a sob seemed to burst from my throat.

"Zoe!" Sam rushed to me and I felt his arm go around me. I leaned into him, sobbing into his shirt. "Hey it's ok, it's over. Are you ok?"

I heard Dean come on my other side, then the soft touch of his hand moving some hair behind my ear. His voice came out strained and emotional. "Did they...hurt you?"

I manged to calm myself long enough to pull away from Sam and wipe my cheeks. I glanced down, seeing my button undone and my zipper still down on my jeans. I shakily fastened and zipped myself up.

I fought to stop crying and control my voice. "N..no...They um...they tried but you guys got here in time. How did you know where I was?" I leaned my head back on the cool brick wall, trying to compose myself.

Dean frowned and looked toward the street and then back to me. "We didn't, we just figured you might be heading for the bus stop since you were yesterday. We were driving to the one about a block from here when we saw those douche bags. We recognized your bag too. You sure your ok?" he looked me over. "Your bleeding, what the hell did they do Zoey?" His voice was gentle and yet held an edge as if he wanted nothing more than to beat the hell out of them again.

I nodded, wiping fresh tears off my cheeks. "I think so. It's ok, they...I fell skinning my knees is all."

Sam sighed and gently guided me away from the wall. "Im sorry, I wish we had gotten here sooner. Zoey come back with us, ok? At least for now to get yourself cleaned up. Deal?"

I turned to face them both, hugging my arms to myself. I nodded slowly before finally giving in and telling them what I wanted to hours ago.

"Im ready...I need to talk to you anyways. Can we please go now?..Im so cold." I said quietly. Luckily they didn't ask too many questions, just led me to the car.

---

I was never more thankful to get back to the warm crummy motel in my life. Sam made me some hot cocoa and I sipped it gratefully, downing the entire cup in under two minutes. I cleaned up in there bathroom as best I could and finally I settled down to talk to them. Basically i told them everything. I touched briefly on some of my past in foster homes, but I didn't go into great details. It wasn't entirely easy but I told them how I felt and about my trust issues I had. They had to be patient with me and I made sure they understood that. Overall I could tell they were thrilled I decided to stay. Despite the horrible past few hours, I was pretty happy with my decision too. They knew I was exhausted, but they explained that it would not be easy and how dangerous it was. In other words, the ghost from yesterday was a picnic compared to what was coming. I knew one thing. I was ready. I had my family now and I had something worth fighting for. Hours later The sun was just going down but my eyes wouldn't stay open. As I fought to stay awake, It occured to me that John- I mean dad, wasn't here. I wanted to ask why, but I was already slumping in the hard plastic chair, my head going to the side. There voices came at me but sounded muffled as I slipped further into unconsciousness. The last sensation I remembered was either Dean or Sam's hand on my shoulder. Those few seconds before I fell asleep were the safest I had felt in..well ever. It was warm and welcoming and I allowed it to envelope me fully.

---

I was used to the sound of sneakers and college kids yapping as they nosily went down the hall every morning. Oh and of course my roommates very annoying snoring. This morning was different. I was disoriented before I even opened my eyes. Sunlight shone through the window and stung my eyes. I blinked them open even wider slowly and gazed around. The sound of highway traffic and the squeak maids carts on the pavement was new to me. Not to mention i was becoming more aware that I hurt all over. My shoulder and knees were sore, as was my stomach from the creeps attacking me. I sat up slowly and it was then I embarrassingly realized one of them put me in the bed. My boots were off and on the floor. I glanced over seeing the bed empty. There was a cot along the wall but it too was empty. Surely they hadn't left right? I looked over and saw the bags there and relaxed some. This was going to take getting used too, waking up with brothers. I felt bad one of them had to sleep on a cot because of me so i made a mental note to talk with them about it. I tossed back the covers and slowly got up. I immediately grabbed some fresh clothes from my bag and headed for the bathroom. I was dying for a hot shower. After being in the cold so much the past few days I was worried I was going to be a human popsicle forever.

Let me tell you right now, nothing and I mean nothing was as luxurious as the steaming hot water at that moment! I actually emitted a groan, letting myself enjoy it loosening my sore muscles for several minutes. Only when it started getting lukewarm did I hurry and shampoo my hair and lather myself up. I had no idea how long I actually stayed in there but after awhile I vaguely heard sound of a door and voices. I shut the shower off and got out, starting to dry off. I tugged on my favorite pair of stone wash jeans, worn in the knee but they still felt good. Over that, once I had my bra on, I tugged on my soft knitted grey and black fitted sweater. My star necklace I had took off to shower, so I fastened it back on. I smiled as I did meaning of it made it even more special to me now. I stepped out, brushing my damp hair.

"Oh hey, there you guys are." i smiled some, still feeling awkward around them.

Sam looked over giving me a warm smile and held a bag up. The smell drifting from it was amazing.

"You feeling better? You were out like a light all evening and night."

I touched my stomach hearing it growl loudly. "Yeah I slept like a log..im sorry if you or Dean slept on the cot, you um..could have put me there. I'm just sore but good. Please tell me that's food?" I eyed the bag hopefully.

Dean flopped down at the table and laughed but he was watching me in concern. "Well Sammy boy had the cot, but don't worry about it ok? You've been through alot these last few days. Anyways we totally got food. But uh.. we had no idea what you liked so we got you the same thing as us." He flipped open the lid inhaling deeply.

Sam rolled his eyes as he handed my food to me. "In other words cholesterol in a box."

"Bring it on! I'm so hungry I don't care. I'll pay you back too." I made a beeline for the container Sam held to me and eagerly opened it. I was soon wolfing down a cheese omelette, english muffin that I slathered with butter and jam and sausage links. Food had never tasted so good. Even though i didn't look up as I ate, I sensed them watching me in awe from time to time. Only once I washed everything down with orange juice did they get my attention.

"Alright,now that you've eaten, there jsut one more thing that you have to do and if you don't agree then this wont work Zoey." Dean said seriously and looked at Sam who nodded in agreement.

I wiped my mouth with the napkin and watched them a bit nervous. "Yeah?..."

"Train." Sam simply said as if it were obvious.

"You mean to do what you guys do?"

Dean nodded. "Exactly. There's no way in hell you can hunt with us unless you know how to defend yourself. That means teaching you to shoot firearms, how to use crossbows, daggers and even self defense."

Sam chuckled suddenly as he saw my expression. Finally, he pushed his food container away. "Not only that but learning the textbook stuff, all creatures, demons, and monsters and how to defend yourself against each one and even kill them. That's where I come in. The plan is to stick around here for at least a month, maybe more to teach you as much as we can. Are you willing to learn? Because it's not going to be easy."

I watched them and slowly smiled, feeling excited and yet determined tingles go through me. This was it. My new life. And I was ready to embrace it. I was ready to fight.

"I'm more than ready. I've never been more ready for anything in my life."