Sam and Dean arrive in Castle Rock, Colorado and come face to face with Jack Palmer, who doesn't seem the least bit happy to see the two of them. Meanwhile, Kara is shown the VIP treatment, but is there something a little sinister about the hospitable welcome?
April fished for the phone in the console of her Honda. She was sitting at a stop light and anxiously tapped her finger on the steering wheel. She still had not heard from Kara, despite leaving at least 10 voice mails. This was not like her.
She heard a horn blare and she looked in the rear view mirror, than glanced at the light that had turned green. She shifted into driver and pulled over into the parking lot, hitting her friends number. "Kara! Last chance to answer me! This makes message number eleven, I'm coming over." Kara only lived in the next town over, an easy 40 minute drive. She would feel silly if she drove over there and she was just fine. But that would at least help April sleep at night.
When she pulled up to the curb, she saw Kara's blue Jeep parked in the driveway,two newspapers blocked the back tire, letting April know her friend hadn't left the house in at least a day and a half. Prickles dotted her scalp and traveled all the way down her spine. She could feel something was not right.
For as long as she knew Kara, her friend was a neat freak. The slightest mess sent her into a tizzy. The papers lying in the driveway was a very bad sign.
She stepped out of the sedan and put her hand on the white picket fence gate. She could hear the familiar squeak as she used to push it open.
April's hand went to her chest, where a simple pendent lay. It was a strange symbol, a pentagram surrounded by sunbeams. Her father had given it to her right before he died. Told her to always wear it, that it wold protect herr. She could almost see the panic in her father's eyes. Like he knew something was going to happen. Two days later, he collapsed int he kitchen. Her strong rock, the man she leaned on and the one who made her feel safe, was taken down by a massive heart attack.
She ran her finger along the charm, feeling the smooth spots where she had rubbed it raw. When ever she was nervous, upset or deep in thought, she moved her fingers across it.
She walked up on the porch and knocked on the glass door and waited. No answer. So, she tried the doorbell. She finally took the doorknob and turned it, unlocked. Which was weird. Kara always made sure the door was locked, even if she was home.
She held her breath and pushed the door open, feeling the coldness of the house run up her spine. Kara must have left a window open somewhere in the house. April was sure she could see her breath plume out in front of her.
She walked down the hallway, noticing something on the tile. The house was too dark and she couldn't make it out. When she switched on the light, her hands flew to her mouth.
As her feet hit the landing, she saw broken glass along the hallway. Several photos had been knocked to the ground, a table and lamp lay broken. A struggle had happened.
She felt her head began to spin and she had to hold onto the wall because the room pitched forward. She wasn't sure if it was her, or the room was actually moving. It was hard to tell. She used the wall for the brace and made her way down to where her friend slept. Her hands shook as she moved them along the wall, not wanting to look inside that room. Her curiosity, how ever, got the best of her.
When she came to the bedroom door, it was hanging off the hinges and a metallic smell came to her nose. She couldn't pin point just what that smell was, but it was very strong. She turned her body and slid into the room and paused.
The source of the metallic smell was evident as she walked further into the room. Blood. So much blood. It was splashed on the walls, pooled on the floor,
Kara's cell phone was lying on the floor and it was flipped open, the screen cracked. This was the reason why she wasn't answering April's calls. Blood was around the bed and a bat lay in the corner of the room, the metallic end covered in blood. It looked like Kara was trying to make a phone call as she was being attacked..by what?
April put a shaky hand to her mouth as she flipped open her phone and found the one number of the person that could possibly help her. She turned her back to the blood and put the phone to her ear. She let out a breath as the rough voice answered on the third ring.
"Jack..it's me...A..April...it's Kara..she'..she's missing."
She listened to the instructions that Jack was giving her. She knew the line of work that Jack was in, the only one that knew his secret. Jack trusted her with this information, because her father was also in the same line of work. Keeping this from Kara, was proving to be a fatal mistake. She broke off as a sob stuck in her throat, preventing her from continuing. With a shaky hand, she pressed the end button. She leaned back on the bed and began to sob.
She was in a castle. This had to be some weird and twisted dream that she was just not waking up for. Kara was convinced she was still lying on her bedroom floor, knocked out from the bump on the head. How in the hell could she wake up from this?
As much as she wanted to believe she was in fact in Never Land snoozing it up, her sense were too hyper aware of everything around her. She could feel the coldness of the concrete walls as she was drug by her hand. The heat from the torches warmed her skin and dank, musty smell of the hallway tickled her nose. No, much to her horror, this was in fact real.
Kara fought with all her might as she was drug down towards a wooden double door, her feet planted firmly into the concrete. As much as she struggled, the tighter Logan's grip felt on her wrist, making her cry out in pain. She knew that once she was pushed into that room, horrible things would happen to her.
Logan grew tired of her sobbing and pleading for him to stop and let her go. He threw her over her shoulder and carried her the rest of the way into the room.
He walked over to a four poster king sized bed and threw her on the mattress. Kara cried out in pain as her shoulder screamed at that protest. She was certain she had a dislocated shoulder.
"You don't know how lucky you are," Logan hissed as he pinned her arms above her head, his face just an inch from hers. She gagged at the metallic smell coming from his breath. When he grinned at her with those sharp teeth showing, she turned her head and squeezed her eyes shut. "Most of the girls that come waltzing through her, are never invited to our masters chambers." He smiled as he ran his hand along her collar bone, to the neckline of her tank top and skated over her right breast. He chuckled as she bucked underneath him. "I like your fight."
"S...stop p..please," Kara stammered as he kissed the side of her temple. "D..don't hurt me."
"I'm not gonna hurt you sugar,"He purred as he kissed her cheek, "I just want a little taste of that sweet nectar." He moved his face where her neck met her collar bone, his lips over her pounding pulse point. "Hmmm...you smell so good." He placed his lips over the pounding flesh and opened his mouth.
Kara let out a scream as she felt his teeth sink into her tender flesh and felt her precious blood pour into his mouth. She tried to fight him, but his grip tightened on her wrists as he sucked greedily, the room filled with the sucking sound. She felt dizzy and light headed and she was certain this was the end. She was going to die.
"Enough!"
The deep voice boomed off the concrete walls and Logan pulled from Kara's neck. His mouth was covered in blood and he smiled as he wiped it with the back of his hand. "Just having a little taste."
Kara let out a scream as Logan was yanked off of her and thrown up against the wall. Alexsander placed his forearm into Logan's throat and sneered at him, his teeth pointed. "I told you she would be mine. No one touches her but me got it?"
Logan coughed as Alexsander tighten his grip and he nodded. He let out a wheezing breath as he moved from the wall and slammed the door shut.
Alexsander turned to face Kara who was now sitting up, her back up against the iron head board, her knees hugged to her chest by her arms. Blood trickled down her neck, staining her blond hair. He cocked his head and smiled at her. "I'm so sorry about that. Logan..needs to learn some manners." He walked towards her and noticed she cowered further into the rails. "No need to be afraid." He extended his hand and his face turned into a frown when she flinched. His dark eyes seemed to grow even darker as he reached for his hand. "Come with me."
"No...no.." Kara was pulled off the bed as Alexsander took hold of her hand and moved her onto her feet. She winced at the sharp pain in her shoulder.
His face grew into confusion as he heard her cry out and tilted his head at her. "You are hurt." He reached out his hand to her face, making Kara flinch. His hand covered her cheek and she was shocked at how warm he felt. Weren't vampires supposed to be cold and dead? "I'm sorry they were so rough with you." His dark eyes locked onto Kara's green ones and she felt a shiver run through her body. His finger traced down the skin of her throat and gingerly touched the bite wound.
Despite the monster this man was, he was very handsome.
With his long dark hair and his olive toned skin, Kara pegged him to be from the Mediterranean. And that voice of his, was so deep, it seemed to shake the rafters from above. "W..what are you going to do with me?" Her voice trembled as she was led to another room that was located in the bedroom.
"Don't worry my love," He pushed open the door and when Kara stepped inside, the smell of lavender hit her nose. The source of the thick perfume was a claw foot bath tub that was sitting in the middle of the bathroom. Tendrils of steam rose from the water and Kara felt dizzy as the fragrance wafted towards her.
She felt him come up behind her and place his arms around her small waist, resting on her hips. His breath was near her ear and Kara closed her eyes, the thick perfume making her light headed. She felt his lips nibble her neck and she froze.
Alexsander felt her tremble in his hands as he kissed his neck. He kissed the shell of her ear and rested his mouth next to it. "We aren't the bad guys that everyone makes us out to be Kara." He purred as he ran his hand up her arm to the strap of her tank top.
Kara's eyes fluttered open as she felt her head fall back onto his muscular chest. She felt the strap of her tank top slid down her arm as his lips kissed her shoulder. She wanted him to stop, but for some reason, the words would never come to her. A part of her didn't want him to stop and that scared her.
She let out a whimper as the tank top slid over her head, her shoulder screaming in protest. He purred against her ear as he moved her hair to the side and began to kiss her neck.
"You are a goddess."
Kara closed her eyes, expecting him to grope her, but she was thrown off when she felt his body move from hers. Her hands flew up to cover her bare breasts and she craned her neck behind her to see that he had taken a step back from her. His dark eyes slid down her bare back, to the curve of her hips and her skirt covered ass. She could see the lust that darkened his eyes and despite her revulsion, she felt butterflies take flight in her stomach.
"Please...take your time. I will have dinner brought up to your room."
When the door clicked shut, Kara took her fingers and slid the hem of her skirt over her hips, hooked it in her feet and tossed it somewhere in the corner, she didn't care where it landed.
The water was warm and as she sank into the water, she let out a sigh. As the sun set, the room was washed in the light of a dozen candles that were placed along the tiny bathroom. Between the heavy fragrance laden with lavender and the candles, Kara leaned her head back on the ceramic tub and closed her eyes. For the first time in her life, she felt peace.
On a deserted stretch of US 40, the Impala sped towards the small town of Castle rock. For the good part of the journey, the only sound in the car was the soft rock coming from the stereo.
Dean had been quiet, trying to mull over what Sam had told him, not sure he wanted to believe it. It had been many years since he heard the last name Palmer. He chewed the side of his lip as he shifted in the seat, one hand draped over the steering wheel as he drove.
"OK, so, let me get this straight." Sam looked up from the map to see Dean looking at him, then back to the road. "Mom was friends with Grace Palmer, who is..uh..was Kara's mom."
"Yeah...when mom...uh..died," Sam thoughtfully scratched the back of his head, a trait he had picked up from his father. "Grace and Jack decided to move out of Kansas to Castle Rock. I guess Grace took mom's death pretty hard. From what Bobby tells us, they were pretty close."
"So," Dean gripped his hand tight on the steering wheel. "What does this have to do with us then?"
"All Bobby said was that Jack Palmer called him up, asking for dad. Wouldn't say why. So, we are meeting him."
Dean sighed and rubbed his hand over the stubble on his jaw, feeling uncomfortable. One thing he hated most in this world, was meeting angry dads. "Fan freakin tastic," Dean grumbled as he pulled the visor down to block the rising sun.
Jack's POV
The tall, dark hair man walked into the diner, his jaw squared and his mouth twisted into a frown. The bell clanged above his head, but he ignored it as he strolled to the farthest booth in the diner. It was ducked in the back between the bathroom and the kitchen, a perfect vantage spot.
Jack Palmer slid into the red leather seats, facing the door. He had the upper hand on who ever walked into the diner. He let out a sigh, straitened his black jacket and leaned back in booth, the leather squeaking under his jeans.
"Would you like a menu Jack?"
Jack moved his eyes off the door to see the waitress with the plump waistline and frizzy black hair. His mouth twisted into a smile, crinkled just underneath his dark eyes. He reached for the ceramic mug and flipped it over. "Just coffee for now Doris."
Doris took the pot and filled the mug and looked at Jack. "Meeting someone?"
"Yes."
Doris plopped two menus down in front of him. "Well..if you change your mind."
Jack waved her off with a finger and lifted the mug to his lips. As he was about to take a sip, he noticed sunlight glint off a windshield and blind his eyes for just a second. When Jack blinked a few times, a classic black Chevy slowly pulled into the space next to his rusted out Ford.
The cup stood frozen, just an inch from his lips. His hands trembled with his anger, the hot liquid sloshing out of the lip of the cup and onto his thumb. Jack did not notice the burn on his hand, instead, his focus was on the black car. The door opened and two occupants got out of the car.
Deans POV
The rumble of the Impala echoed off the parking lot and found a space between an old rusty Ford and a red sedan. The engine shut off and Dean sighed as he looked at the small diner.
It was nothing special, your typical small town diner. Open was lit up in red neon and several diners could be seen through the glass.
Dean placed is elbow on the window and rubbed his upper lip, wrestling with his inner demons. This was a past that he hoped wouldn't bite him in the ass, but yet, here they were.
"So, uh...we gonna go in or not?" Sam looked from the diner to see his brother's gaze was focused, his jaw muscles clenched back and forth. His brother was agitated about something. "Dean?"
Dean had been in his own thoughts when Sam spoke. He had been thinking back to the last time that he had seen Jack Palmer and it had not ended well. He snapped his head to look at his brother and realized that Sam was looking at him. He cleared his throat and reached for the handle. "Let's get this over with."
Dean climbed out of the car and looked over roof to see Sam giving him a concerned look. "Dean..is there something you're not telling me?"
Dean tore his gaze away from his brother to see that Jack had walked out of the diner and stood on the porch, his arms over his massive chest. "No."
Sam watched his brothers face as he stared down Jack Palmer. The looks each of them was giving each other was not one of friendship.
Jack's POV
He sat his mug on the counter and slowly moved out of the booth. His hand slid inside his jacket to where an inner pocket lay. He felt the metal handle of his gun as he walked through the diner. The bell clanged loudly above his head as his boots stepped onto the wooden porch. He watched as the two young men stared at each other across the roof of the car, deep in conversation.
This gave Jack the upper hand. While they were deep in thought, he studied the two men.
The driver of the car was the first one Jack eyed. He was wearing a leather jacket that was worn in several spots and several sized too large. His dark hair was cropped short, the ends sticking up at the front. He was very tall and muscular.
The second was a few inches taller than the driver with long, shaggy brown hair. When they both turned to look at Jack he could see the resemblance right away.
"I believe I called John Winchester." Jack's deep voice boomed across the parking lot.
The driver turned his body towards Jack and he got a glimpse of gun tucked inside the leather jacket. Jack quickly slid his hand into his own jacket and pulled out his piece and pointed it at the driver. "Stay right there, don't make another move."
Dean stopped right before he got to the steps and threw his hands into the air. "Woah..Mr. Palmer...pu..put the gun down."
Sam watched the tension mount between Dean and Jack. He had to diffuse the situation the best he could. He stepped in between Dean and Jack with his hands raised. "Jack.."
"Sam," Dean hissed get out of the way."
"Dean," Sam turned to look at his brother then back to Jack. "Mr. Palmer..."
Jack's gun pointed to the ground, but he kept his tight hold on it. "Jack."
"Jack. I don't know if you remember or not, but our mom," Sam pointed to his chest and turned to point at Dean. When he turned back around, Jack had loosened his grip on the gun. "Was friends with your wife, Grace. I'm Sam and this is my brother Dean"
Jack stared at the two young men and his features softened just a bit at the mention of his wife's name. "Your Sam and Dean...but..but April called your father."
"Our father is dead sir," Dean finally put his hands down and stepped around Sam.
Jack snapped his emotions down and put on a hard face at the mention of John Winchester. "So..you two are the ones that going to find my Kara."
"We'll do our best." Sam smiled at Jack, hoping to diffuse the ticking bomb that was about to go off between Jack and Dean. "Do you know anything about how she went missing."
"April. Call April." He reached into his jacket and took out a slip of paper and handed it down to Sam. "I have a few hunter buddies that I'm going to go talk to. Contact April. She..uh..knows a little more about Kara than I do these days." He opened his jacket and slid his gun back into its hiding space.
