AN: Just a warning ahead of time. A lot of my chapters will be formatted as journal entries. Those'll be really short. I'll also update when I can, but I make no promises.

Kai

Disclaimer: I obviously do not own. I'm not that sadistic.

Thursday, June 4: 12:00 PM

Sam drove in silence next to me, his eyes stoically fixed on the road ahead. His mind was clearly on the demon that was possessing me. She must have been important to him, this Ruby, or at least a useful ally. After all, he was brooding about it. The way he was acting though, it was more like a man with withdrawal.

To be honest, the brooding was kinda hot. His face was slightly rugged with stubble and his hair was slightly unkempt in that way that people who need a hair cut have, but there was no denying how incredibly attractive he was. His family must have great genes.

Focus, Elizabeth, I thought to myself. Stop ogling the hot guy and focus on the case, or at least getting your stuff back. I really have an issue with priorities, don't I?

I shook my head and turned to my current traveling partner and asked, "How long until we get there?"

His head turned to me quickly, as if he'd forgotten I was there. Maybe not drugs, then, just preoccupied?

"Um, about three hours, why?" he asked in that strange distracted way. His head was tilted to the side cutely. It reminded me of a puppy.

Remember, focus, I told myself again.

"'cause I'm gettin' kinda hungry and it's around lunch time. Wanna stop for a bite t' eat?" I replied instead. Thanking to god that my mouth and brain weren't directly connected, I sank deeper into the seat. Situations around me already got weird enough as it was, I didn't need to be the one to make them weirder.

"Where do you want to stop?" Sam asked, glancing at the signs advertising restaurants. He clearly had no opinion. Probably wasn't hungry.

"I dunno. Anyplace'll do, really." I told him. He nodded in response and quickly pulled off to a roadside diner, much like the ones that I frequented. Did hunters have like an MO, or something? We all seem to act the same, isn't that weird?

I hopped out of the car and strode purposefully into the diner, Sam trailing behind me.

As we sat down in an empty booth, I noticed that he was a little spaced out.

"Hey, you okay?" I inquired gently. He eyes snapped to me and then he shook his head a little.

"Yeah, I've just been here before." He responded, before taking a deep breath and picking up a menu. I shrugged and copied.

When the waitress came, it was one of those young stereotypical country girls and asked for our order. She gave Sam a disdainful once over before turning to me with a commiserating smile.

"What can I get for ya, darlin'?" she asked with a wink to me. Okay, not so typical country girl. I graced her with a smile anyway and ordered. Then she turned to Sam with a grimace.

I doubted he even noticed the lack luster attention he was getting as he ordered his coffee. He was so focused with looking at his hands that he barely noticed when his coffee came, either.

"So," I started out of nowhere, curiosity getting the better of me, "how much sleep have you had in the last week?" He finally looked up, startled by my line of questioning.

"Uh, I don't know. Why?"

"Well," I began slowly, "I could use some help on this hunt, but you look like you've'nt got any sleep for the last week. Trust me, I know what I'm talking 'bout." His face displayed his surprise.

"You want me to help you with a hunt?"

"Yeah, why?" I was curious about his incredulity. Why would he think I wouldn't ask?

"Well, because most hunters don't exactly trust other hunters, especially ones you just met." Wow, he can be snarky. I like that in a guy. God, focus, will you!

"Ah, but I'm not like other hunters, an' sometimes trustin' a stranger's your best option." I told him with absolute certainty and a smile. He seemed completely baffled by my honesty so I continued. "'sides, you look like you can handle yourself in a fight." I gave him a considering look. "So, d'ya wanna help?"

He stared at me for a moment in complete confusion. Then he gave me a weird look and nodded his head. What was that look? It was almost relief but also kinda pained?

"So what are we dealing with?" He asked after a moment. I grinned brightly at him.

"I'm glad you asked!"

Monday, May 1: Strange case of unexplainable deaths. Chicago residents are dying prematurely of mysterious causes. Wish me luck!

Tuesday, May 2: Talked w/ the coroner. Vics all various ages, races, social classes, etc. 1st vic had what Doc described as a "short-out." A surge of electricity to the brain, not from an outside source. Died instantly, but eyes are weird. 2nd vic died of a sudden onset of a host of incredibly dangerous but curable diseases. Doc said they usually take 2 weeks to become fatal but he went to the hospital 3 days before he died + had a clean bill of health. 3rd vic died of blood loss w/ no punctures or marks of any kind. Talking to the police tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Wednesday, May 3: Officer Mcklerney told me about what they found. Very detailed man. He said he came upon the 1st vic sitting at a library computer near closing time. Said her Twitter was open on screen and when he went to touch her he got shocked. He said he thought that was weird b/c she was wearing rubber-soled shoes. 2nd vic was found in a closing coffee shop, phone in hand, Facebook open. 4th vic with his laptop. Cyber-demon? Spirit? Pattern? Reason? Wish me luck!

Thursday, May 4: I've decided that I need more info. I got nothing new today. I know they all used social media but other than that, nada. I'm gonna attempt an astral projection and try to find something else. Shouldn't take more than a few hours. Wish me luck!