The Huntress

Chapter 2

Janie led the brothers through her house and into the small kitchen in the back. Her house was nothing special but it told you everything you could ever want to know about her. It was small yet comfortable, it had this lived in quality that you only get in older homes, if Sam and Dean had to guess they would probably tell you the house was built in the 50's and they wouldn't be wrong. It had touches of home scattered everywhere; family pictures, heirlooms mounted on the walls and carefully placed in cabinets, and one thing that just seemed to keep popping up. There upon the mantle above the fireplace lay a 1963 Model 70 Winchester rifle, beside the rifle there was a photograph printed in black and white of a younger man posing with the rifle. This to the brothers seemed like a kind of tribute to perhaps Janie's father, but like the rest of the living room it was a tribute to family.

Once in the kitchen Janie offered both brothers something to drink Sam politely declined while Dean took advantage of her new found hospitality and asked if she had any coffee as he had skipped that step of his morning routine while at the motel. Shortly after she joined them at the table in the back corner with a mug in each hand, it seemed as though she too had skipped her coffee that morning.

"Thanks, by the way I'm Eric Carravello and this is Paul Eisen"

"No problem" turning towards Sam or as she knew him Paul she then said "So what is it you two want to know exactly?"

Dean thought it might be best to let Sam do the talking for now seeing as he had already put his foot in his mouth once today and he really didn't want to have to find out just how good of a shot Janie was.

"Well if you could start off by telling us what happened the day you sister and her daughter disappeared that'd be great."

"Well it was in the night. I had just put my niece Christine down for bed, and my sister was getting ready to go to bed herself..." she paused for a moment, the memories had come flooding in all at once, she regained her composer and continued "Then I took Gus out for a walk, like I do every night and when I came back they were just gone. No note, no broken down doors, all their stuff was still here, the door wasn't even unlocked when I got back. I mean it's like whoever or whatever took them walked right through the front door like some kind of magic trick. Is that even possible?"

Just as Janie had finished speaking Gus had started padding at the back door and Janie opened the door to let him in. He faithfully followed her back to her seat and sat by her feet without even blinking at the strangers in his home. Not something you would expect from a full grown Rottweiler.

Sam looked over at Dean with the most subtle 'I told you so' look before saying "It does sound pretty weird"

"You guys must think I'm crazy" her tone of voice changed and Gus began to stir at her feet ready to protect his master from any harm that might have caused her sudden change in emotion. He may have been quiet when he entered but one thing was clear mess his family and Gus would attack.

Dean finally spoke "Not at all, listen in our line of work we've met and seen crazy and your just fine, don't worry about it."

She smiled at that and Dean caught a glimpse before it faded away. She wasn't looking at either Dean or Sam but at the table they were sitting at. Dean thought that it was beautiful and he knew that it was his words of comfort that had brought the smile to her lips.

They stayed at the house for a while longer asking Janie more questions some about her sister and some about what she could remember from when her brother was taken. She explained all that she could to the brothers while Sam took down the important things in a note book that he had brought with him to help the image of reporters be more believable. As they were getting ready to leave Dean couldn't help himself any longer, her just had to inquire about the camaro that was sitting outside.

"The camaro outside, is that yours?"

Janie looked at him confused at first due to the sudden change in questions but then answered; "Yeah I've always loved old muscle cars and ever since I was 16 I'd wanted a camaro, so as a graduation gift my father gave me a black 1969 camaro."

"That's one hell of a gift."

Sam was still writing down a few things while the two spoke about the cars parked outside of the house, he hadn't really been paying attention for a while now until he realised that the room was quiet and Dean and Janie gone.

"What the hell?"

Sam packed up his things and walked to the front door of the house, when he got there both Janie and Dean were leaning on the impala still talking.

"You know, for someone who was pointing a gun at me only a few hours ago-"

"Oh I'm sorry about that. I've just been on edge since my sister, I don't take chances anymore I mean first it was my brother and now my sister and her niece I'm just scared that I might be next."

"Hey, I get it 'm just glad you didn't shoot me."

They both laughed, and Sam just stood in the door frame watching the scene before him. He was just about to say something when Dean saw him.

"Paul, you finally decided to join us."

"Yeah" he smiled "I figured you guys would be out here."

"Anyways, Janie it was nice to meet you and if you think of anything or even if you want to talk more about cars here's my number." Dean gave Janie a piece of paper with his number one it and gave her what he would consider his most charming smile

"Thanks Eric."

With that Janie headed back to her front door while Sam and Dean got into the impala. Sam waved good bye as Dean pulled out of the drive way and onto the street. Sam gave Dean a look, just one simple look before he spoke.

"You like her don't you Dean?"