Chapter 2

Sheridan, Montana

It was a quiet night and it seemed that everyone was asleep in the town… all six hundred of them. The only exceptions were the night owls and the local police. The neighborhoods were relatively quiet. In fact the mayor always claimed that Sheridan was a nice quiet town and it was especially for people passing through and being tourists and the like.

The Thompson farm was one of the larger ones catering to the cattle trade and was a fair piece from the main part of town. It truly was the epitome of quiet. That certainly was the case when Randy Thompson went to go check on the stock and made sure that they were fed. Usually it was a job he did it on his own or with the hired hand Hickory. This time though he was with his twelve year old son and pride and joy Nathaniel or Nate for short. Well both his boys were his pride and joy. Nate was the one who was into the higher education and learning.

Part of the reason he wanted his boy with him was to talk to him. It was not a big secret in the family that Nate had been hanging out with the wrong crowd, namely the kid named Roman at the high school, and they had been busted recently for relatively minor things. Randy couldn't get it. The boy was smart and he had good grades. Was it an acting up phase or one of those things the shrinks claimed it was?

Nate was shoveling up the beds for the cows and doing a fairly good job of it. He had been taught how to do it when he was young, since he was nine and he rotated with Hickory and his younger brother Nikki who was a farmer/cowboy through and through. Though lately he had been excused because of his homework and his education was an important thing. At least he wasn't pressured like he had heard of some of those baby Einsteins. His parents let him choose what he wanted to do in terms of his academics. He shoveled another load of hay for the next bed.

"Nate."

"Yessir?" Nate didn't stop what he was doing but he was listening in full to his father.

"I got a call from one of your teachers this afternoon."

"Who? Ms. Lyle?" Nate smoothed out the bed. His movements with the hay rake punctuated his words. He really didn't care.

"Doesn't matter," Randy said. "What does matter is that it concerns your behavior. What were you thinking doing something like that?" He looked at his son and waited for him to answer. He would wait all night if he had to.

"I didn't do it," Nate replied. He finished the stall he was doing and put the hay rake up. "I didn't. Someone else did." He didn't look at his father since he didn't really see the point in all of this. It wasn't like the truth would set anyone free.

"They said that you were there."

Nate sighed as he turned to face his dad. He ran a hand through his short light brown locks and replied, "It was gym class. Of course I was there. I just didn't do it. Barry is my gym partner. Why would I go and do something like that?"

"And what about the incident in the cafeteria?"

Nate gave a slight roll of his eyes. "Like I told Principal Keller, Mike tried to trip me. It wasn't my fault that their idea of a meatloaf special landed on the front of star quarterback and captain of the football team," he replied with a slight hint of sarcasm. "If anything I did him a favor."

"Nate," Randy replied in a firm tone. "What about the trouble caused in the classroom?"

"That was only one prank with the stupid lab rat Oscar. Penny Miller is a superficial…" Nate stopped himself from calling her a bitch. The parents had a thing about vulgar language. Well they didn't have to go to a school where the reason they picked on you was the fact that you were smart and wore glasses. Never mind the fact that you were just as strong and buff as the guys on the football team. "She deserved it for what she said to Missy."

Randy sighed. He had heard different accounts from certain people but the principal had been consistent with Nate's actions and his account. Weber's boy, the quarterback was known to be a bully. There had been multiple complaints but nothing was done about it because the boy was expected to take the team to the championship. "That doesn't mean that you retaliate with stupid stuff. You wanna go to college and get into that engineering thing?"

"Biological engineering," Nate corrected.

Randy felt like an idiot but he was proud of his son. He continued, "Alright, well if you want to do that, you can't be doing this. No school is going to give a scholarship to discipline cases."

"Dad, I'm not even in high school yet. I may be in one high school class and that makes life hell." Nate paced a little to assuage his agitation from getting worse. "The kids my grade level think me to be a nerd and the high school sees me as a freak and no one believes that I didn't do anything," he added trying not to shout.

"I believe you son…"

"No one does," Nate interrupted. Feeling frustrated enough, he scoffed slightly and turned and walked out of the barn. He took off towards the wooded forest that led to the mountains.

Randy took off after Nate. He knew his son was frustrated and upset. He and his wife wanted to make sure he had every opportunity available to him. Nikki, his younger brother was content with staying and returning to the farm. Nate was different and they wanted to give it to him. Now he was beginning to doubt the wisdom of that.

Nate was only twelve years old and had the potential to be a prodigy. They didn't push but let him make the choice. Randy was beginning to think that Nate felt he made a mistake. They certainly didn't take into account the social aspect of school life. Yet Nate was pretty mature for a twelve year old but that may not be enough.

Randy hoped that Nate hadn't run off into the woods. He was waylaid by Nikki who came out of the house to ask, "Dad, Mom was wondering what was taking so long?"

Randy replied, "Nothing wrong Nikki. Your brother just had a bad day."

"He run off again?" Nikki looked at his father with a questioning look.

"I'll find him."

"Let me help Dad. I know where Nate likes to go," Nikki insisted.

Randy thought it wasn't necessary but Nikki had those begging eyes he used when he wanted something. "Alright but tell your mother." He gave a slight smile. He just couldn't say no to his youngest and he suspected that no one else could. It would take someone of strong stuff to resist the eyes Nikki gave and knew he had power behind.

Nikki went off to obey and when he came back he had flashlights. He handed one off to Randy and the two set off after Nate. Nikki led the way insisting they were going the right way. He picked the way into the woods calling his brother's name, "Nate?"

They were well into the woods and there was no sign of Nate. Nikki was shouting for his brother and it was punctuated periodically by Randy calling for his eldest. He began to get worried that Nate might be in trouble and it was probably serious to the point that Nate might not be able to call for help. That put a panic into him but he couldn't scare Nikki.

They continued to look for Nate when Nikki tripped over something. It was pretty dark even with the flashlight and the moon that was bright and full and had an unusual hue to it. Randy flashed his light and saw that it was Nate's jacket. Something was wrong if he lost his jacket. Even though it was a warm spring, there were still some cold nights given the elevation. He picked it up and hollered out, "Nate!"

There was a rustle in the brush and Randy paused. Something was out there or someone. He could hear it moving. The first thing to do was to get Nikki out of there. He looked in the direction of the noise and said calmly, "Nikki, I need you to go back to the house. Run as fast as you can."

Nikki had heard the noise too. He became very nervous and scared. He trembled and didn't move right away.

"Run, Nikki. Now!"

Nikki obeyed that time and took off running back towards the house. He held fast onto his flashlight since everything looked different at night. He thought he heard steps and crashing behind him. His dad was running too. Whatever it was, it had to be nasty so he dug for an extra spurt of energy after falling to his knees and jumping back up.

Marjorie Thompson opened the screen door on the porch wiping her hands. Her husband and youngest had gone after her eldest since he decided to blow off his frustration. She knew that at that point anything said would have driven him off. Randy was not the most eloquent of speakers but he was fair. He would have listened to what Nate had to say and maybe would have suggested a family discussion about what to do if Nate wanted to ease up on his academic load. The choice would be his. It always was. As she stepped out to see if her husband and sons came back, she felt something was off; that something didn't sit right.

Far off she could hear shouts. She stepped off the porch and started towards the sound. She was maybe a few feet from the house when she saw Nikki running at top speed and screaming that something was after him and Randy. Marjorie called out to Nikki as he ran into her arms, "Nikki, what happened? Where's your father and Nate?"

Nikki was so scared that he almost ignored her. He managed to get out, "Monster Mom!"

Marjorie was confused and then upset. She wondered if Nate was teasing his little brother again and telling him outlandish stories about monsters in the woods. He usually did and Nikki would come running to her or Randy and asking if what Nate said was real. Nate would try to act all innocent but it never worked since he would admit it and say that it was a joke. She wondered if that was the reason for the behavior issues at school.

She didn't have time to think about it because the unmistakable form of Randy came out and he was shouting, "Get in the house Marjorie! Run!"

Something huge bounded out of the forest. It looked human but it was moving too fast. It was chasing Randy. It was instinct to grab Nikki and run into the house. Marjorie knew the flimsy door wouldn't hold back whatever it was but she did have something that might help. Telling Nikki to go up to his room and lock the door, she grabbed the rifle that was kept in the downstairs closet and made ready to shoot.

She got to the door just in time to see whatever it was get the jump on Randy. He was screaming loudly and she could tell something bad was happening. She got the rifle up just as the thing plunged its hand into Randy's chest. It was so fast but she reacted. She fired off a shot at the thing. It must have been off because it missed. It did distract the thing though.

Marjorie felt paralyzing fear shoot up her spine the minute the man like thing looked at her. It got up and started moving like it was going to charge. She didn't give in to the fear however and fired off another shot. It must have missed because the thing started to pick up speed. She had one more shot before it charged into the house. She took careful aim even though the target was moving and squeezed the trigger.

It must have hit since the thing cried out in pain and Marjorie saw the thing go down. She was ready to fire another shot and did so but that one landed nearby. It was enough though to convince the thing to head back towards the woods. It took off like a bullet and charged back into the woods. For Marjorie the adrenaline died and she realized that the thing killed her husband. The tears began to erupt as she dropped the gun and ran out to her husband crying and screaming for Hickory the farmhand or anybody to get help.

The highway was pitch black outside and the only lights that seemed to cut through the darkness were the headlights of the Impala as she purred along. Angela kept a steady pace even though she was certain that Dean would say that she was being a girl going at that speed. In her mind, she owed it to the old girl for the excessive speeding she had put her through earlier. As she told Dean, "I owe Impa an apology."

Sam of course gave a slight eye roll at that but it was halfhearted. He appreciated the Impala since it was pretty much the one consistency in his life. It was like home. The big bonus was that the car was made in an era where big was better and considering that she and Sam were freakishly huge, it was a godsend.

So they were driving along through Montana seeking out an old shaman from the Blackfoot tribe. It was a lead that had been a source of luck and Sam was insisting on trying. Rumor had it that this particular shaman knew a thing or two about deals made by man and demons. It was a small and probably feeble hope but worth the effort.

The logic in Angela's mind though argued that it was fruitless; pointless since they were operating on a rumor. It was foolish to put hope into a rumor that may prove to be worth nothing. However the heart said other things and it was the switch to thinking with the heart and this desire to try no matter how small the success that had them on the road. It was a rather liberating experience and reminded Angela when she actually had something that close to her worth fighting for. That and she had other reasons that she could admit she was glad to share with someone who didn't make fun of her over it; not that Dean was ever that callous.

At the thought, Angela glanced in the rearview mirror to look at the backseat. Dean was fast asleep after she insisted that if they wanted to keep going, she could do night driving while they sleep. It ended with her implying that she was smoother at the wheel than Dean and for Dean to give up the keys after the pit stop at a no name roadside diner. In the end she proved herself right with the driving part since she hadn't had complaints from either brother.

Looking at Dean, Angela could tell he was in a deep sleep. He wasn't going to wake unless he felt his big brother senses go off like out of control fire alarms. It was a good thing since she knew he had trouble sleeping after the incident with the dream root. She also suspected that he was sleeping well because Setna was curled up on his stomach and his right, which was pinned sort of by the seat, was curled right by the fur ball giving evidence that he had been petting the beast.

Smiling at the sight, Angela focused her attention on the road and then glanced at Sam. She thought he looked uncomfortable but he was sound asleep in the front seat. Of course the head against the glass and his open mouth fogging up the window was not a good indicator that he was comfortable. For a moment Angela considered pulling over and adjusting Sam's position so he didn't look like he was trying to suffocate himself but axed that since she might end up waking him up and he would deny that he was uncomfortable… stubborn bastard and she couldn't help but smile at that.

It was a quiet drive since the country station she had the radio on was playing the slow ballads that could put people to sleep. Another complaint from Dean so she cranked it up and started singing the song the radio was playing with the country twang and all. Sam was the lightweight and dropped off and Dean held on a bit longer but in the end succumbed to her music choices. The radio was turned down to low and they ambled forward. It was a nice night to think even though she had been doing that a lot lately.

Suddenly her phone rang. Automatically, she put the hands free device in her right ear and answered, "Hello?"

The voice on the other end had her smiling. She immediately switched from English to Greek and began chattering away. "I didn't expect to hear from you ever. How are you Lycan?"

As anyone can expect. The family is good. It has not been the same since…

Angela made a slight hum in the back of her throat. She hadn't bothered to check on that since she was not privy to that and she had been reluctant to have anything to do with the gods. Maybe that contributed to the fact that she was nonresponsive to their summons. She replied, "He's still your brother and you can't help it. Just like I can't help but blame myself for how things turned out."

It was his choice angeloúdi. You did what you didn't have to do by letting him live. For that I am grateful.

"Always the gentle giant," Angela replied. "I hate to ask but why did you call me? It's not like I give this number to just anyone."

An old seadog learned how to use this infernal cell phone thing and gave it to me. The reason I am calling angeloúdi is because there is a problem.

"There always is," Angela replied with a slight roll of her eyes. "Go on."

I did not tell you this when we last saw each other but I have a son and he is missing. He has been for some time now and his mother, Lilah is worried. She asked me to ask you to help.

"I can't just pick up and leave and go to Greece. I have responsibilities here," Angela replied.

He is there. He was sent to school there some place called Sheridan in Montana.

"And I'm supposed to believe it is coincidence that I am driving through that state right now," Angela replied with the teasing sarcasm thick in her voice. She knew that Lycan wouldn't pick up on it. He could be a stiff serious fellow even though he was gentle in nature.

I would not ask if I didn't think you could.

Angela sighed. That was the truth. Somehow it seemed that she would never be without a job to do. She found them or they dropped in her lap. That's how things rolled with her. "I know. So what exactly happened?"

Things were going fine at the school he was placed at. Then he called saying that a new teacher was at the school and he was a little… I'm not sure what he meant but he sounded worried. Then he didn't come home to the apartment he was staying at and now we have heard nothing.

"Sounds like a kidnapping and considering what Lilah is and what you are… it doesn't surprise me."

There were also rumors of the madness disease outbreak in that area.

Angela narrowed her eyes slightly as she made an adjustment. "Any hints of the were-people in that area?"

That is the thing. The area has never shown anything which is why we sent Roman there. I would ask your Centurion for more accurate information but they said that there was nothing to worry about.

"Well they have been wrong before. I'll bring it up with my friends. I can't make promises that we'll help but I can make the promise that I can help." Angela made the distinction clear. She had an idea something was going on and given the sensitive nature of the situation, she would give the boys the choice. If they wanted to continue on, she would just have them drop her off at Sheridan and pick her up after they followed their lead.

Thank you.

"Hey, I owe you," Angela replied. She then said the traditional Greek departure that was a part of Lycan's family and hung up. She marveled that Lilah and Lycan were married and obvious for fifteen years. It was good since some happiness was needed for the people whose lives she meddled in at some point.

"Someone you know?"

Angela glanced over to see Sam awake though he looked a little sleepy. She could torture herself wondering how long he had been eavesdropping on her conversation but she wasn't. It wasn't like he knew Greek unless he picked up the habit from doing pre-law. She replied, "It was Lycan."

"Oh. Playing catch up?"

"Yes and no," Angela replied. "He was asking me for a favor."

Sam pondered her response. He had woken up in the middle of her conversation to hear her talking. At first he thought she was talking to herself in one of the numerous languages she knew how to speak but then he noticed the hands free set she kept. It was the subject of exasperation for Dean especially when they got into a wrestling match and she was having a conversation with Bobby or Akira. It had been funny though since her concentration hadn't broke.

The way how she said Lycan was asking her for a favor meant that she would tell them full score or give a summary and say she had to do this on her own. She did warn them that she may get those calls time to time but so far she included them in everything. "You going to go off on your own?" He was unaware that he sounded like a hurt child that was going to lose his favorite toy.

Angela heard the dejected tone in his voice. It did feel mean to abandon Sam especially after the Mystery Spot incident. He remembered everything that happened all one hundred and some odd Tuesdays in a row as well as the first Wednesday after that. She remembered too but a bit differently; like someone had put blinkers on which was part of the reason why she 'tortured' herself with that in her dreams. She couldn't do that to Sam and she was just as determined to save Dean from the pit. She replied, "Only if you and Dean don't want to do it."

"What makes you think we wouldn't?"

"Because we have an appointment to keep with the shaman," she replied as she made the turn towards the highway that would take them to Sheridan.

Sam gave a slight crooked smile. She was doing it again; telling them to do what they had to do and she would do the job alone. He knew she only suggested it because even though he had his lesson handed to him by the Trickster, he still wasn't going to give it up. Yet he wasn't going to leave her alone and for sure Dean wouldn't. "It can wait."

Angela glanced at Sam and saw the ghost of a smile. She returned it and turned her eyes back to the road. She explained, "A case may have been dropped literally in our laps. Possibly werewolf activity." She glanced a bit nervously at Sam.

"Okay. So Lycan knows about them?"

"The favor he asked of me was to check for something specific and it is related to werewolves," Angela replied, not sure how much to tell him in his groggy state. She intended to be discreet about Roman. "It requires a bit of explanation."

Sam knew what that meant. He could wait a few more hours. "Okay."

Angela looked at Sam and said, "Don't worry about it. I'll tell you both everything and you guys can decide. Why don't you go back to sleep?"

"You are bossy."

"Don't even go there Sam," she replied with a chuckle.

A/N: Werewolves oh my and Lycan has a few surprises too. Now a new case has dropped in their laps. Stay tuned for next time on Red Moon Rising...