Chapter Two

Stake Out

Illyria came into the living room with some pillows and blankets. "Okay guys, make yourselves comfortable. Feel free to raid the fridge and watch TV. Nothing really happens until about midnight," Illyria explained as she put the pillows and blankets on the sofa.

"Thanks, we really appreciate it," Sam said kindly.

"Don't mention it. Are you sure you don't want to stay in a room? I do have five others," Illyria questioned.

"Na, the living room if perfect. Easier for us to get outside if we have to," Dean answered.

Illyria smiled, "Of course."

"So, Illyria, how do you know so much about the mermaid?" Sam questioned.

Illyria sat down on the sofa. Dean took a seat in the white armchair and Sam sat next to Illyria.

"I see her every night. I study her. The first time I saw the, demon I guess you would call it, I freaked out. If my dogs hadn't gone berserk, giving her the chance to escape she might have been destroyed. She went under the water before he could get any closer to her. I thought it would come here for me, but it just disappeared," Illyria's voice was shaking with fear. Tears started welling in her eyes.

Dean got up and sat on the other side of Illyria. "Hey, it's okay. Everything is gonna be fine. Don't be afraid," Dean said soothingly.

"How do you know? How could you possibly know that everything's gonna be okay?" Illyria asked as she started to cry.

"Well, uh. You see Illyria, my brother and I aren't really interested in a house," Sam started to explain.

Illyria was confused, "What are you saying? Who are you guys?"

"The truth is, we're demon hunters. We heard about this mermaid and decided to check it out. We just had to be sure it wasn't an evil sea creature. But I guess it's a good thing we're here. Looks like the mermaid is the one that needs help," Dean finished explaining.

"Demon hunters, really?" Illyria asked, she was starting to calm down.

Sam nodded, "Yeah, it's kind of a, family business."

Illyria wiped her cheeks, "Why didn't you just tell me this? Why did you make up that story?"

"We don't usually give away our secret. Mostly it's to protect us and the people we're

trying to help. We're sorry we didn't tell you right away," Sam answered.

Dean put a hand on her shoulder, "Yeah, it wasn't anything personal. We just want you to be safe."

Illyria hesitated, then sighed, "Well, thank you for telling me the truth. And thank you for staying the night."

"Thanks for letting us into your home," Sam returned.

"Anything to help her. I would hate for something to happen to her," Illyria declared.

"We won't let anything happen to her or you. You can trust us," Dean said and rubbed Illyria's shoulder.

"Well. I'm gonna go up to bed," Illyria said and headed for the stairs.

"Okay, good night. And don't worry, everything is gonna be fine," Dean smiled trying to keep her nerves at ease.

"Goodnight boys," Illyria said sweetly and she and her dogs went up the stairs.

"She's a sweet girl," Dean whispered.

"I think she likes you man," Sam replied and looked out the window.

Dean sighed, "There's something strange about her though. I'm not sure what it is, I can't put my finger on it."

"I'm sure you're just imagining things. What time is it anyway?" Sam asked.

"Uh, 11:59," Dean replied.

"One minute until the moment of truth," Sam stated.

Dean laughed, "This is kinda cool. I wonder what she'll look like. I bet she's hot."

"Dean, you're impossible," Sam sighed and rolled his eyes.

"What?! I'm just sayin," Dean defended himself.

Sam turned back to the window. He looked out towards the ocean. Out on the rocks , just off the shore, there was a figure of a woman. She was sitting on the largest rock. Sam looked closer. That's when he noticed she had a shiny fish tail.

"Dean," Sam whispered.

"Yeah Sam," Dean answered.

"She's real," Sam gasped.

Dean got up and walked over to the window. He looked out towards the rocks. She was beautiful. From what he could see anyway. But then something caught Dean's attention. Out of the corner of his eye, Dean saw a dark figure. It was walking towards the shore, in the direction of the mermaid.

"Sammy, we've got trouble. The demon is after her. Come on, we gotta save her!" Dean exclaimed.

They grabbed their weapons and ran outside. They sprinted down the backyard. The demon was too close to her. He had his hand stretched towards her. There was a strange golden light emanating from his hand. He was sucking the life force from the mermaid. She became limp and rolled off the rock and into the crashing waves. Before the demon could finish Sam sprayed him with a bottle of holy water. Then he quickly exercised the demon.

Dean ran into the water and dove into the ocean. He grabbed the mermaid and brought her to the surface before the undertow could drag her lifeless body out to sea. He dragged the girl onto the shore. Sam destroyed the demon, once he was destroyed the mermaid's life force was restored. Dean couldn't believe his eyes.

"Is she okay?" Sam asked as he jogged over to Dean.

"Yeah, she's okay," Dean said softly. He had a look of confusion on his face.

"What's wrong?" Sam asked.

"Dude, it's Illyria," Dean answered and scooped her into his arms.

"It can't be," Sam said doubtfully.

Dean turned to Sam exposing the mermaid's face. It was Illyria, she was the mermaid.

"Lets get her inside," Sam suggested and ran back towards the house.

"And do what with her? She's a mermaid, she needs water man!" Dean shouted.

"I've got an idea! Bring her up to the master bath," Sam yelled over his shoulder and ran into the house.

"The tub, okay. I hope you know what you're talking about Sammy," Dean mumbled as he carried Illyria up to the house.

He hurried up the backyard and into the house with Illyria securely cradled in his arms. He went up the stairs as quickly and carefully as possible. He reached the top of the stairs, but he didn't know which way the master bedroom was.

"Sam! Sam, where are you?" Dean shouted.

"Over here!" Sam yelled as he poked his head out of a bedroom.

Dean hurried down the hallway and entered the bedroom. He crossed the room and walked into the large master bathroom.

"Dude, this tub looks like it could fit ten people in it," Dean exclaimed.

"Just put her in the tub please. I filled it with warm water and sea salt," Sam insisted.

"Smart boy," Dean said as he gently slid Illyria into the tub.

Sam sat on the edge of the large marble tub, "Why didn't she tell us?"

"We won't know until she wakes up. But that explains why I had a weird feeling about her," Dean replied and sat on the edge next to Sam.

They sat on the tub's ledge and watched Illyria. She was still unconscious, but alive. That's all that mattered, at the moment.

Thanks to everyone who's reading. Thank you for leaving reviews. I hope you like it so far, Chp 3 up soon