" What the hell are we even doing!" Amy burst out suddenly. Dean jumped slightly, his hands slipping momentarily on the steering wheel. He glared at his sister in the rear view mirror, who was looking frustrated.
" What is your problem now?" He demanded. Sam sighed, ignoring them both. For the past week or so they had been driving around randomly, with nothing to do or concentrate on. The frustration of not having anything to do, on top of the fact that they still had no idea where their father was, was causing the youngest and oldest Winchester siblings to argue constantly with each other.
" Dean, come on!" Amy said in exasperation." We've been driving around for a week and we've found fuck all to do!"
" You don't think I don't know this?" Dean asked, his tone angry. He spotted a diner by the side of the road and pulled over so that he could continue the argument properly." I've been picking up newspapers from every place possible, for gods sake!"
" Yeah, but you haven't read them, have you?" Amy challenged him." You just glance at them and then drive off. Don't deny it, I've seen you do it!"
" That's not true!"
" Is too!"
" Is not!"
" We're all trying to find a job," Sam interrupted, as he always did when Amy and Dean's arguments reached 3 year old level, as he liked to think of it." But it'll be much easier if you two stop biting each others heads off!"
Dean and Amy glared at each other before they both stormed out of the impala, heading for the diner. Sam groaned, before he went after them. When he entered the diner he saw that Amy and Dean were sitting with their backs to each other, Dean reading a newspaper, Amy drawing random patterns on the table. He sat down opposite them.
" So..." Sam said awkwardly, breaking the silence.
" What?" Amy and Dean both snapped, at the same time. Sam held up his hands in surrender. He found it was best to keep quiet at times like this. The waitress came over, which caused Dean to look up from his paper and grin. The waitress smiled back.
" Is there anything I can get you?" she asked, obviously flirting. Amy rolled her eyes. The constant flow of flirtatious waitresses pissed her off at the best of times.
" Don't bother, he has herpes," she snapped at her.
" Oh, umm-" the waitress went red and, obviously at loss as to what to say, walked away as fast as possible. Dean rounded on his sister, his expression extremely unamused.
" Oh, that was mature," he snapped angrily.
" I never said it was meant to be."
" Hahaha, your just so fucking funny, aren't you?" Dean growled, stomping heavily on her foot under the table. Amy gave a sharp gasp of pain, letting out a stream of swear words under her breath that she knew her brother's would kill her for even thinking. Sam frowned at this exchange, wondering how much longer he would have to endure the ongoing battle between oldest and youngest.
" Found anything?" he asked Dean, breaking the seething silence once again. To his surprise, Dean nodded and pointed to a section in the paper he was reading.
" Lake Manitoc, Wisconsin," Dean said. Amy looked round, her anger forgotten for a moment." Sophie Carlton, aged 18, walks into the lake and doesn't walk out again."
" Maybe she just couldn't swim?" Amy suggested, frowning." Drownings happen all the time, Dean."
" Let me finish," Dean said." Sophie's the third Manitoc drowning this year, and check this out-the authorities dredged the lake, and there was nothing, not even the slightest sign anything had happened."
Amy snatched the paper from him, ignoring the glare she got as she did this. She scanned the article, chewing her lip thoughtfully. Then, her eyes widened.
" What the fu-" she caught herself as Sam cleared his throat." Fu-udge. Yep, that's what I meant."
" Sure, squirt," Sam said, rolling his eyes." What's wrong?"
" Don't call me squirt," Amy snapped, before frowning and placing the paper in front of her, so that her brothers could read it.
" They had a funeral," she said. Dean frowned as well, then shrugged.
" And?"
" And? It's frickin' wierd, that's what!" Amy exclaimed. Dean shrugged again, shaking his head.
" Not really," he said." They probably wanted closure or something like that."
" Closure?" Sam snorted. Both of his siblings turned to stare at him, almost identical expressions of confusion. Sam almost laughed.
" What's got your panties in a twist, huh?" Amy asked. Sam folded his arms, scowling at Dean, pointedly. Dean rolled his eyes.
" What have I done now?"
" People don't just go missing, Dean," Sam said." People just stop looking for them."
" Oh, Sam..." Amy groaned, burying her head in her arms, waiting for the inevitable explosion.
" What exactly are you trying to say, Sammy?" Dean demanded." Come on, spit it out!"
" The trail for Dad is getting colder every day!" Sam said loudly, almost shouting. Amy heard Dean's chair scrape beside her, indicating that he had stood up. Amy groaned again, knowing that this was probably going to get ugly.
" Exactly, Sam, so what do you suggest we do in the time being?" Dean asked, his tone royally pissed off." Play hairdresser's with Amy?"
" Hey!" Amy's head shot up off the table. She pointed at Dean angrily." There is no way I am letting you anywhere near my hair!"
" What? No! Oh for-" Dean sighed." Amy, I was being sarcastic."
" Yeah, I know, but I still would never-"
" Amy!"
" Fine, fine!"
Amy buried her head in her arms again. Dean and Sam rolled their eyes at her, before continuing their argument.
" Answer the question, Sammy, I'm interested in hearing your answer," Dean said. Sam stood up as well, making Amy groan again.
" Oh, I don't know," Sam said, mock thoughtful." Something? Anything?"
" That's it!" Dean shouted. The waitress from earlier looked over to their table in alarm. Dean saw this and grudgingly lowered his voice." I am sick of your attitude, Sam! It's like you don't think that I want to find Dad as much as you do!"
" No, Dean, I didn't-"
" Me," Dean pointed to himself." And Amy have been with him every single day for the past few years, and-"
" Hey! You leave me out of this!" Amy said angrily. Dean and Sam scowled at her for interrupting again.
" If you don't want to be involved go somewhere else," Dean said. Amy glared at him, then at Sam, pointedly.
" Amy, for once I agree with Dean," Sam said, slightly apologetic.
" Fine, you know what, fine!" Amy shouted, pulling her chair away from the table, startling the poor waitress again." But, I would just like to say that I want to find Dad too, you know! You both always seem to conveniently forget that fact! Dean, you need to stop this stupid 'Oh, Amy is my sister, suddenly she can't possibly handle this kind of thing, that she's been handling for the past two years, now that Sam is back', attitude, because it's getting really old, really fast-"
" Amy, I know that you-" Dean began, but he was cut off by the furious look on her face.
" And you!" Amy pointed at Sam, who recoiled slightly from her anger." Dean's right! We've been with Dad for the past two years, and you've been-been-"
" Attending pep rallies?" Dean suggested.
" Yes! Thank you!" Amy turned back to Sam again." You've just not been here, so don't get started on the whole 'we're being unreasonable' thing, because it's really pissing me off!"
" O.K!" Sam said quickly, before she could start yelling again." I'm sorry!"
Amy nodded in approval, then turned and stormed out of the diner. Sam and Dean sat in silence for a few minutes. They could argue for hours and still not resolve their argument, but a few angry words from their sister could silence them within seconds.
' Dad would be proud,' Dean thought, and grinned suddenly.
" You do realize what just happened, right?" He asked Sam. Sam frowned and shrugged.
" What?"
" Dude, we totally got told off by our little sister!" Dean laughed. Sam stared at him for a minute, before he began to laugh too.
" Look, Dean, I'm sorry about, you know-" Sam started but Dean groaned.
" Oh my god, seriously, no more damn chick flick moments!" He said. Sam rolled his eyes, taking this as apology accepted.
" But it's fine," Dean said after a while." Now, we're gonna leave this diner, get back on the road and kill as many bad things as we can, O.K?"
" Just like old times," Sam said, sighing slightly. Dean nodded, and headed out of the diner.
Amy was waiting for them, noting with relief that they seemed to not be arguing. Dean was out first, and quickly grabbed Amy by the arm and pulled her round the other side of the car.
" What the-DEAN!" Amy shouted. Dean rolled his eyes.
" Calm down, Amy," he told her. She scowled, and folded her arms.
" What do you want?"
Dean sighed, and pulled her into a hug. Amy yelped in surprise, before hugging him back. Though she would never admit it, it was nice, though mostly because it was a rarity.
" O.K..." Amy said when he had let her go." Who are you, and what the hell have you done with Dean Winchester?"
Dean rolled his eyes again." I just wanted to apologize. I've been a real jerk lately, and I'm sorry."
Amy nodded, trying to hide her surprise. Dean Winchester, apologizing?
" O.K, thanks," Amy said, after a while. Then, she grinned." Does this mean I-"
" No, Amy, this does not mean that you can drive my car."
" Damn."
" Are we ready to go?" Sam asked. Dean nodded, getting into the impala.
" Yep, it should take about two hours to get to Lake Manitoc," Dean said." You ready?"
" Yeah," Sam said, grinning.
" FUCK YEAH!"
" Amy, language!"
" Fuck you..."
" I heard that!"
Sam grinned. Everything seemed to be back to normal for the time being.
The three Winchester's drove two hours solid, arriving in Manitoc at about the time that Dean had predicted. They sat in the car, staring out at the town. It seemed like a normal town, but they always did. It wouldn't do to let their guard down even for a few minutes.
" What are we gonna do?" Amy asked, undoing her seatbelt and leaning forward so that the top half of her body was between her brothers.
" Visit her family," Sam said immediately. Dean raised an eyebrow at him.
" Well, you've got this all figured out then," he said. Amy laughed at him.
" Aww, is Dean jealous of einstein?" Amy asked him, smirking. Dean and Sam both scowled at her, before bursting into a tirade of objections.
" I am not jealous!"
" Don't call me einstein!"
Amy laughed at them, and looked at Sam.
" Well?" she asked.
" I've got the address, Dean," he looked at the eldest Winchester. Dean thought for a minute, before starting the engine.
" What's the address, Sammy?" he questioned. Sam told him the address quickly, obviously eager to be able to do some actual hunting as opposed to sitting around in a car with only Amy and Dean for company. He loved them, but they got on his nerves.
Dean pulled up outside the house, and Amy quickly leaned forward again.
" So, what are we going to be?" Amy asked.
" U.S Wildlife Service," Sam said immediately. Dean nodded in agreement, getting out of the car. Amy followed, drawing level with him swiftly. Dean looked at his siblings, making sure they were ready, before he knocked on the door. A man answered quite quickly.
" You Will Carlton?" Dean asked. Will nodded.
" Yeah, that's me," he answered.
" I'm Agent Ford," Dean said." This is my colleague Agent Hamlin, and our intern, Miss Green."
" Where are you from?" Will asked.
" U.S Wildlife Service, sir," Amy told him. Will looked all of them up and down.
" What do you want?" he asked eventually.
" We need you to tell us what happened to Sophie," Dean said seriously. Will frowned, looking pained, before he sighed and nodded.
" You'll need to see the lake," he said." Come on, it's out the back."
The Winchester's exchanged glances, before following him, to a vast lake. Amy studied it, frowning. It looked so calm. But, then again, Amy knew that looks could be deceiving.
" What happened here?" Sam pressed.
" She was about a hundred yards out, give or take," Will said." And then, she just got dragged down."
" What, just like that?" Dean asked, eyebrow raised. Will nodded.
" Yep."
" Are you sure she didn't-well-drown?" Amy asked him. Will looked at her, shaking his head adamantly.
" No way," he said firmly." Sophie was a varsity swimmer. She near enough grew up in this lake. And she was always safe in it. Nothing had ever happened before...well, she was always safe."
" Always?" Amy asked.
" Always," Will repeated, his tone deadly serious. Amy didn't blame him for this. She sympathized more than she would ever admit. She looked at Sam, and saw that he was deep in thought, frowning at the lake.
" There were no signs of distress?" he asked, looking away from the lake and back at Will. Will frowned at him.
" Like?" he questioned.
" Like splashing?" Sam elaborated." Maybe even shouting? Some sign...?"
" None," Will looked very distressed again." That's what is so-just wrong about this, apart from the fact that Sophie's...gone."
Sam looked thoughtful again. It annoyed Amy when he did this. She sometimes wished that she could read his mind and know what the hell he was thinking about. It was easier with Dean because, well, she was more like him than Sam. She hated to admit it, but she was.
" What about shadows? Any shadows in the water? Did you see anything break the surface?" Sam questioned.
" No, nothing like that," Will shook his head.
" She was probably too far out," Amy reasoned, looking at Will for confirmation of this. He nodded in reply.
" O.K," Dean said, processing this information." What about tracks? You see any strange tracks leading from the water?"
" No, nothing like that at all," Will told him. He looked suspicious about these questions, and then suddenly looked worried." Do you think something is out there, in the lake?"
" We're not sure at this moment in time," Sam said.
" We'll tell you when we've found something," Dean promised, looking around. Amy looked with him, spotting a man sitting on the dock, staring out into the lake.
" Can we talk to your father?" she asked suddenly. Will was obviously caught off guard because he took a while to answer.
" Look, if you don't mind Miss, he didn't see anything, and I'd prefer it if he's left alone," Will said sadly." He's been through a lot, since Sophie...disappeared. It hit him really hard. I don't want..."
" You don't want to upset him unnecessarily," Amy said, nodding." It's fine."
She saw Sam open his mouth, and shot him a warning glare when Will turned his back on her. Sam shut his mouth quickly.
" Thank you for your time," Dean said, walking away from the lake. Amy glanced at the lake once more, before she followed him, waiting until they were out of earshot before starting to talk.
" Well, shit," she said, as an evaluation of the situation. Dean was too busy thinking to warn her about her language. They reached the impala, but didn't get back inside it. They stood in silence, each thinking about what the hell they were dealing with.
" I have no idea," Dean said after a while.
" Same here," Amy groaned, frustrated." Sammy? Surely you got some idea?"
Sam frowned, before shaking his head. He looked at his brother and sister, who were both staring at him, expressions of mild disbelief on their faces.
" What?" he asked, confused.
" Well, colour me stunned," Dean said, his tone one of mock horror." Sammy Winchester doesn't have a clue."
Sam scowled at him.
" Shut up, jerk," he snapped. Dean smirked at him, opening the impala door.
" Sure...bitch," he replied. Amy snorted at this. He looked at her in the rear view mirror, frowning." What?"
" You, Dean Winchester, shut up? Yeah, when hell freezes over," Amy said sceptically. Dean glared at her.
" You can't talk, Amelia," Dean retorted, using the name that he knew his sister hated. He started the car, but not before he heard Amy screaming at him.
" MY NAME IS AMY! MY NAME HAS NEVER BEEN AMELIA! STOP CALLING ME THAT!"
" Fine, squirt," Dean grinned smugly, knowing that he had won. Even Sam couldn't contain his laughter. Amy slumped back in her seat, glaring daggers at both of them.
" I hate you," she muttered." Both of you."
" Hey!" Sam protested, holding up his hands." What did I do?"
" You laughed!" Amy said in an accusatory tone.
" You did Sammy," Dean said solemnly." Shame on you."
" Yeah, shame on me," Sam said, fighting the urge to laugh again.
" You-you-" Amy tried to think of a worse enough insult to describe both of them." You-smell funny."
She failed miserably.
The three Winchesters sat in silence for a minute, before they all burst out laughing.
' This is the old Amy and Dean,' Sam thought, grinning to himself.
" Anyway," Sam said, after they had all calmed down." I've thought about it, and I think we should talk to the police about Sophie's disappearance. Try and get a report."
" And once again, Einstein pulls through," Amy said, clapping. Sam opened his mouth to protest, but Dean cut him off.
" Sammy, with all due respect, you are Einstein, whether you like it or not," Dean told him." Just try and think of it as a compliment, O.K?"
" Whatever," Sam said, rolling his eyes." The police station's here, by the way, look."
Amy spotted the station when Sam pointed to it. It was fairly small looking, not the biggest she had seen before by a long shot. They got out of the impala and entered the police station.
" Hi," Dean said to an officer. The officer turned to look at him." We're here with the Wildlife Service, and we would like to ask a few questions about Sophie Carlton, if that's O.K with you?"
" Yeah, sure, just come this way," the officer said. The three Winchester's followed him to his office, where they sat down opposite him.
" Now, I'm just a little confused Agent..."
" Ford," Dean told him.
" Right, and your partners?" the officer turned to Sam and Amy.
" Agent Hamlin, sir," Sam said, and gestured to Amy." And this is Miss Green, our intern."
" O.K," the officer nodded, before continuing." Look, Agent Ford, Agent Hamlin, Miss Green, I'm sorry, but I don't see why the U.S Wildlife Service should be bothered about an accidental drowning."
" Are you certain that it was accidental?" Amy asked him. The officer frowned at her.
" Meaning what?" he asked her curiously.
" Well, Will Carlton saw something grab his sister," Amy told him. The officer frowned again, obviously confused.
" Look, we dredged that lake, alright?" the officer said, sighing.
" And there was nothing there?" Dean asked politely. Amy glanced at him, confused. They already knew that they hadn't found anything from the newspaper, so why was he asking? Then it hit her. They might tell members of the U.S Wildlife Service things that they wouldn't necessarily tell the press.
" There are no indigenous carnivores in that lake, I promise you," the officer said. Amy studied his expression, and couldn't detect any indication that he might be lying." Certainly nothing big enough to drag a human being to the bottom unless, of course it was the Loch Ness Monster."
The officer laughed at his own joke. The Winchester siblings exchanged uncomfortable glances.
" Oh, yeah," Dean laughed shiftily.
" Right," Sam said uneasily.
" Loch Ness Monster," Amy shook her head." No way."
" Yeah..." the officer frowned at them all, probably thinking that they were all slightly insane." Look, Will Carlton was traumatized, and when people are in that kind of mindset, their minds play tricks. And, as I said, we even ran a sonar sweep of that lake, and there was absolutely nothing there."
" Yeah, but you've got to admit, it's suspicious," Sam pressed him." I mean Sophie's the third body this year, isn't she?"
" I know," the officer said darkly." These are people from my town. I cared about them."
He sighed and took on a relieved tone.
" But it won't be a problem for long," he said. Amy frowned at him.
" What do you mean?" she asked. The officer raised an eyebrow at her.
" The dam, of course," he replied, suddenly suspicious." Shouldn't you guys know that?"
Dean glanced sideways at Amy.
" Err..." she said." Yeah, of course, the dam."
" It's...err...sprung a leak," Dean said quickly. The officer nodded, apparently satisfied. Amy gave an inward sigh of relief.
" Yeah, it's falling apart," he sighed." But the feds won't give us a grant to repair it, so they've decided to open the spillway. In another six months there won't be much of a lake left. There won't be much of a town left either, come to think of it. But of course, you already know this."
" Yeah, of course we do," Sam said quickly, nodding. Amy nodded as well, shooting Dean a look when he didn't.
" Right," Dean confirmed after Sam had stepped on his foot. Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door. Amy looked up as she heard the door open slightly. A woman stood in the doorway, looking slightly embarrassed, staring at the three Winchesters, who were all staring at her.
" Oh, I'm sorry," she said quickly." I'll come back later."
" No, it's fine," the officer assured her." Agent Ford, Agent Hamlin, Miss Green, my daughter."
" It's a pleasure to meet you..." Dean trailed off as he shook her hand. Amy and Sam were slower to stand up. Amy could see instantly that Dean had on his 'I like this woman' face. She mentally groaned.
" Oh, Andrea!" she said, smiling." Andrea Bar."
" Agent Ford," Dean smiled. Amy and Sam exchanged despairing looks. They both stepped forward to shake her hand.
" Agent Hamlin," Sam told her, his tone very formal.
" Miss Green," Amy said, just as formal.
" Andrea, they're from the U.S Wildlife Service," the officer told her." They're here about the lake."
" Oh," Andrea said, nodding. Amy had already lost interest in her, and was instead looking at the young boy that had just walked into the room. He was very pale, and looked a little ill. Dean also noticed him, and put on his best friendly face. It made him look a little scary, in Amy's opinion.
" Oh, hey there buddy," he said to the kid. The kid just blinked at him and walked away. Amy fought the urge to roll her eyes. Instead, she turned to the officer curiously.
" If you don't mind me asking, what's his name?" she asked, indicating the kid.
" Oh, Lucas," the officer told her. Sam glanced back at the kid, who was just outside of the office, staring at nothing in particular.
" Is he O.K?" Sam asked, sounding concerned. The officer shifted slightly in his chair.
" My Grandson has been through quite a lot," he said eventually." But, then again, we all have."
" O.K," Sam nodded, holding out his hand. The officer took it." Thank you very much for your time."
" Sure," the officer said." If there's anything else I can do for you, please just say."
" Will do," Dean said, nodding. He stood in though for a minute." Actually, there is something you could do, if it's O.K?"
The officer looked at him curiously," Yes?"
" Could you point us in the direction of a reasonably priced hotel?" Dean asked. If she was totally honest with herself, Amy hadn't thought about accommodation at all. She had been too caught up in the job.
" Yeah, sure," the officer said." There's one two blocks south."
" It's called Lakefront Motel," Andrea clarified, smiling at Dean. He grinned back at her. Amy wanted very badly to step on his foot. Sam looked at her, a worried look on his face. They both knew that it was only a matter of time before Dean began properly hitting on the woman in front of her father.
" Two blocks away, huh?" Dean said." Do you mind showing us?"
" You need me too walk you two blocks?" Andrea asked, eyebrow raised, obviously not buying it. Dean wasn't discouraged, however.
" If it's not to much trouble," he said.
' I could kill him! Amy thought angrily, whilst keeping a fake smile on her face, wishing and wishing that she would refuse. Maybe kick him in the balls, but she wasn't going to get her hopes up.
" No, I'm actually heading that way anyway," Andrea smiled.
" Great!" Dean said enthusiastically, leaving the office. Andrea stayed behind to talk to her father for a bit. When they were out of earshot, Sam and Amy rounded on their older brother. Dean noticed them both scowling at him.
" What?" he asked, quite bravely under the circumstances. Amy sighed, placing her hand on his shoulder.
" Dean, you're my brother, and I love you and all," she said." But you are a horny asshole."
And with that she turned and left. Dean stared after her, confused.
" What's with her?" He asked Sam. Sam rolled his eyes.
" Maybe she disapproves of you flirting with a woman in the middle of a job?" Sam's tone was dripping with his own disapproval.
" What, so I'm not allowed to have any fun?" Dean demanded. Sam just gave him a look before following Amy. Dean groaned in annoyance.
' Stupid siblings,' he thought.
Amy and Sam hung around outside the station, waiting for Dean to come out with his latest crush, as Amy thought of Andrea as. She didn't have anything against Andrea, she seemed perfectly nice, but it was just Dean and his overactive hormones.
" I bet you twenty dollars he says 'Kids are the best'," Amy said. Sam just rolled his eyes.
" No, Amy," he replied.
" Ten dollars?" Amy pressed. Sam looked at her for a second, before sighing.
" Fine," he said." If it will shut you up."
" Oh, if only that were possible, Sammy," Amy said, shaking her head. Sam rolled his eyes at her again, and pointed inside the station.
" They're coming out, let's get going," he muttered to her. Dean and Andrea joined them a few seconds later, and they all walked in slightly awkward silence.
" So..." Dean began." Cute kid."
Amy inwardly groaned and sped up.
" Yeah, thanks," Andrea said. Sam joined Amy a few seconds after this, grimacing at her.
" So, kids are the best, huh?" Dean said. Amy grinned widely and looked at Sam.
" Pay up," she said quietly, holding out her hand. Sam scowled at her, and shook his head.
" Later," he told her. Amy frowned in annoyance.
" It's here," Andrea said, stopping." Like I said. You must be hard with your sense of direction, Agent."
" Well, what can I say?" Dean said, shrugging. Andrea then smiled, a little smugly.
" Never being able to find your way to a decent pick up line," Andrea said, winking." Well, see you."
She walked away. Dean just stood there, gawping. Amy fought hard not to laugh. She looked at Sam, who was smirking slightly.
" So," Sam said as Dean turned to face them." You just love kids, do you?"
" Shut up," Dean growled, stomping off towards the Lakefront. Amy caught up with him, a huge smirk on her face.
" You know, Dean, I believe you," she said." I mean, after all, you do know millions of kids, don't you? Oh, no, wait, you don't. You hate kids. How could I forget?"
" I do not hate kids!" Dean argued.
" Dean, you are fooling no-one but yourself."
" I don't hate kids!"
" You just keep telling yourself that, Doctor Love."
They continued to bicker all the way up to their room. Sam just ignored them, setting up his laptop and doing some more research.
" Dean, just face it, you hate kids," Amy said, in conclusion to their arguement. Dean opened his mouth to protest, but she just shook her head at him and walked over to Sam, smiling in triumph.
" Whatcha doing Sammy?" Amy asked him.
" Doing some research," he replied, moving the laptop so Amy could see it better. Dean came over, still scowling at Amy for winning the argument
" Found anything?" Dean asked. Sam nodded, indicating the text on the screen.
" So, there's been three drownings this year, right?" Sam said. His siblings nodded." Well, there's been six others, spread out over the last thirty five years."
" Let me guess, all were mysteriously nowhere to be found," Dean stated. Sam nodded in confirmation.
" Jesus, three in one year," Amy said, coming to a realization." Guys, it's picking up it's pace."
" What?" Dean asked. His expression was stumped." So, we've got some crazy Loch Ness monster on the binge?"
" Yeah," Sam said uncertainly. Amy looked at him, detecting this.
" What're you thinking about, Sammy?" she questioned. Sam leaned back in his chair, frowning.
" Sam?" Dean asked.
" This whole lake monster deal is just-" Sam paused, thinking of the right words." Bugging me."
" Bugging you?" Dean was obviously confused.
" Dean, think about it," Sam said. Amy could tell that he was in full Einstein mode now, and fought the urge to grin at him." You've been joking about the Loch Ness Monster, but Hundreds of people have claimed to have seen it."
" Yeah, you're point Sam?" Dean asked. Sam rolled his eyes and looked imploringly at Amy. Amy suddenly cottoned on to what he was trying to say.
" Dean, there haven't been any eyewitness accounts of this one!" Amy said loudly. Dean was now looking hopelessly lost.
" What, so it's not as big as Nessy?" he asked. Amy groaned impatiently and smacked him over the head.
" Hey!" he protested. Then, he looked at Sam and nodded." Oh, I get it now. Nobody knows what's down there because nobody survives to talk about it."
" Yeah, which makes it a whole lot more dangerous," Sam sighed, scrolling the page down. Dean studied the screen, and suddenly pointed to a name.
" There, that name," Dean frowned." Where have I heard that name before...?"
" Christopher Bar," Amy read." The victim in May."
She read on and her stomach turned.
" Andrea's husband," she said, and pointed to the screen." Lucas saw his Dad drown."
" What!" Sam exclaimed, reading the paragraph." According to this his Dad took him swimming, and when he got dragged down, Lucas was standing on a floating wooden platform."
He looked at Amy and Dean," Looks like we have an eyewitness after all."
Amy felt an overwhelming flood of sympathy towards Lucas and Andrea.
" That poor kid," she said, staring at the laptop screen." No wonder he looked so ill."
" Seeing a parent die isn't just something you get over," Dean said darkly. Amy looked down at the floor, feeling her eyes prick. The feeling passed instantly. When she looked up, Sam and Dean had on determined looks.
" Let's get this son of a bitch," Dean said, heading out the door. Sam stood as well, looking closely at Amy's expression.
" You alright?" he asked, concerned. Amy nodded, forcing a smile. Sam sighed and drew her into a hug. She didn't resist him.
" You don't need to be like Dad all the time, Amy," he said." You're sixteen."
" I do, Sammy," Amy said, pulling away.
" Amy..."
" Don't, Sam," Amy said, holding up a hand." Please?"
Sam sighed and nodded. Dean reappeared in the doorway.
" Are we getting this son of a bitch or what?" He snapped." Hurry up."
Amy sighed and darted out the door, Sam following her. They got in the impala.
" So, where are we going?" Amy asked.
" I overheard Andrea saying that she was taking the kid to the park," Dean replied." We're gonna try and talk to him, O.K?"
" Yeah," Sam said, glancing in the mirror at Amy. Dean saw his concerned look, but told himself to ask him about it later. They arrived at the park, and Sam spotted Andrea watching her kid. He signaled the other two to walk over to her.
" Can we join you?" Sam asked her politely. She smiled and nodded.
" Sure, I'm just here with Lucas," she said. Dean grinned at her.
" Oh, cool," he said. Amy gave him a warning look, and he sighed." Do you mind if we have a quick word with him?"
Andrea thought for a while, before shaking her head.
" I guess so," she said. Dean thanked her and began walking over to Lucas. Amy quickly followed him, ignoring Sam's attempts to get her to stay with him an Andrea. Dean gave her a look when she drew level with him, but said nothing.
" Hey, Lucas," Dean said." You mind if I join you?"
Lucas said nothing. Amy sighed, and sat down on his other side.
" You alright, kid?" she asked. Lucas just glanced at her, before turning his attention back to his drawing. Amy looked at Dean over his head, shrugging. Dean rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to Lucas.
" Hey, soldiers!" Dean said, picking one up." You know, I used to love these when I was your age."
He made some shooting noises that made Amy roll her eyes.
" Really?" She asked, raising her eyebrow. Dean shrugged, and picked up one of Lucas's crayons instead.
" Crayons more your thing, huh?" he asked." That's cool, chicks dig artists."
" He's seven," Amy hissed." You don't say things like that too a seven year old!"
" You try then!" Dean hissed back. Amy went silent. She didn't really get on well with little kids. She didn't know what the hell to do with them.
" Hey, these drawings are pretty cool," she noticed, picking one up." You really like drawing, huh?"
Lucas said nothing. Amy sighed and shifted her position on the ground.
" I used to like drawing, you know," she continued." Was never any good at it, mind. Stick figures were about my limit. My brothers weren't much better, though, so it was O.K."
Amy could see that she wasn't getting anywhere. She looked over at Dean again, who was looking at her with a raised eyebrow.
" Help!" She mouthed. Dean rolled his eyes.
" Lucas, you don't want to talk, do you?" Dean asked. Lucas still said nothing, but Amy knew that it was true.
" That's O.K, you know, you don't have to talk," Amy said." You can just..."
She tried to think of the right words. Then, she had an idea.
" Drawing's good for you, isn't Lucas?" She said." It's kinda comforting. Well, if you won't tell anybody what happened to your...Dad, you could draw it, right?"
Dean caught her eye and nodded, grinning at her.
" Look, Lucas," Dean said, helping Amy out." I know it's hard to lose a parent. Even worse to watch it happen. But you're not alone, Lucas. We can help you. All of us, even him, over there," Dean pointed to Sam." So, I know you don't want to talk, but if you want us to help, you could draw us a picture, of what happened. Is that O.K?"
The kid just drew. Amy looked at him, and stood up.
" Come on, he wants to be alone," she said. Dean nodded, also getting up.
" See you Lucas," Amy said, waving.
" Bye, kid," Dean said. They both walked to where Sam was talking to Andrea.
" Was he O.K?" Andrea asked as soon as she saw them." You know, he hasn't said a word since the-accident."
" Yeah," Dean said. He sounded very serious and sincere." We heard about that. We're very sorry for your loss."
" Thanks," Andrea said. Sam looked at Lucas.
" What are the doctors saying?" he asked.
" They say it's a kind of post-traumatic stress," Andrea replied.
" I'm sorry, it must be hard," Sam said sympathetically.
" Yeah, we moved in with my Dad, he's been a great help," Andrea said sadly." It's just, when I look at him, I just try and imagine how it must have been like..."
" Don't worry, kids are stronger than they seem," Dean said.
" Absolutely," Amy agreed. Andrea sighed, uncertain.
" He just used to be full of life, you know," she said." But now, he just sits there, with those soldiers, drawing those pictures."
She stared at her child, fixing a warm smile on her face when he suddenly walked over.
" Hey, sweetie, what you got there?" She asked. Lucas glanced at her, before he walked over to Dean. He held out a picture to him.
" Thanks Lucas," Dean said, smiling. He slipped the picture into his pocket before Amy could see what it was, and turned to Sam.
" We should get going," he said. Sam nodded, and thanked Andrea for her time. Amy looked at Lucas one last time before they left, drawing again. She sighed, and followed her brothers back to the car.
" I'm going to head out, alright?" Sam said." Do some research."
" Yeah, sure," Dean said. Sam looked at Amy.
" Want to come with me?" He asked. She sighed and shook her head.
" I'll sit this one out, Sam," she said, sitting down on her bed. He nodded and headed out the door. Dean stared at Amy for a minute, before sitting down next to her.
" Hey, squirt," he said. Amy frowned at him.
" What do you want?" She asked suspiciously. Dean shrugged, stretching.
" Just making conversation," he said innocently. Amy nodded, staring at her lap.
" Now you mention it, I do wanna know what was going on before we left for the park," Dean said. Amy looked at him, shrugging.
" Hugging?" She asked, confused.
" Amy, what were you talking about?"
" Nothing, just hugging!" Amy said quickly." Honestly!"
Dean narrowed his eyes at her.
" Yeah, right," he said, but didn't ask any more questions.
After about an hour, Sam came barging into the room.
" Well, we can rule out Nessie," he said immediately." I just drove past the Carltons; Will Carlton is dead."
" What!" Amy exclaimed, jumping up from her bed. Dean looked livid.
" How?" He asked.
" He drowned," Sam said." In the sink.
There was silence as Amy and Dean digested this information.
" Fuck...me," Amy said.
" Amy, language," Dean said off handedly, pacing." It can't be a creature. You were right, Sam, we're dealing with something else."
" I've never heard of any spirit that drowns people in sinks, but maybe that's just me," Amy said, frustrated. She hated being in the dark. Sam also began pacing.
" What do you think?" He asked." Water wraith? Demon?"
" Something that controls water," Dean said. Amy frowned.
" I have no idea," she admitted. Sam suddenly stopped.
" The lake," he said." All the attacks were from the same water source."
" Which explains why it's on the binge!" Amy said, finally understanding." That lake is gonna be drained in a few months."
" So, whatever this thing is, it's running out of time to do what it needs to do," Dean said, nodding. The Winchester's all smiled. Finally, they were getting somewhere. Then, suddenly, Sam looked horrified.
" If it can get through the pipes, this is going to happen again," he said." There are going to be more deaths."
" Then we need to stop it before it kills again," Amy said." But there's just one problem, have no idea who-"
" No, there isn't a problem," Sam cut in. Amy scowled at him, but let it go. They were on a roll." It's after Bill Carlton."
" Well, yeah, it took his kids," Dean said." But, if it's after Carlton, why did it go after Andrea's husband?"
" Yeah, well, it turns out that Lucas's Dad was Bill Carlton's godson," Sam told him. Amy stood up and threw the door open.
" We're going to pay Mr Carlton a visit," she said firmly. Dean grinned at Sam.
" She's learning," he said proudly. They made their way as fast as they could to the impala. Dean was off before Amy had secured her seatbelt. The Winchester's got to the lake in no time. When they reached the lake, the man was in the same place as last time, sitting on the dock.
" I know he's sad, but he's also a little disturbing," Amy whispered. Dean nodded in agreement.
" Yeah, I know what you mean," he replied. Sam had gone on ahead, and was getting started when Amy and Dean reached the end of the dock.
" Mr Carlton, we would like to ask-" Sam had started, but Mr Carlton cut him off.
" I don't care who you are, I don't care what you want, leave me alone," he said. Amy raised an eyebrow at this.
" Mr Carlton, your son said he saw something in this lake," she said." Have you? Have you ever seen anything in the water, that you couldn't tell anyone about, hmm?"
" Mr Carlton, we think there may be a connection to you and your family," Dean said. Mr Carlton looked at them, tears in his eyes.
" My children are dead," he said, sobbing." It's worse than death. You have no-just go. Please."
" Thanky-" Sam began, but Amy pulled him away.
" Don't, Sam," she said, her face paler than usual." Lets just go."
" What do you think, Dean?" Sam asked. Dean looked at the poor man sitting on the dock and sighed.
" The poor guy's been through hell, Sam," he said. Amy nodded in agreement. They all walked to the impala in silence. Amy paused and looked back at Bill Carlton, a strange look on her face.
" Amy?" Dean asked, noticing. She blinked and turned around again.
" We have to find Dad," she said, her jaw tight and determined. Dean sighed and put his hand on her shoulder.
" We will, squirt," he said. Amy nodded, and they began walking again. Dean put his hand in his pocket, then jumped. He pulled out a piece of paper.
" Lucas's drawing, how could I have forgotten?" Dean asked himself, unfolding it. Amy stared at it.
" Sam has to see this," she said. Dean nodded, and they both ran to catch up with him. Dean thrust the picture under Sam's nose.
" Looks like Bill Carlton isn't the only one who knows something," Dean said, indicating the drawing, which was of the Carlton's house.
" We have to talk to him again," Sam said immediately. The three Winchester's jumped into the car and drove to Andrea's father's house, which Sam found the address of. Dean knocked on the door, and Andrea answered.
" Hello, what can I do for you?" She asked.
" Could we see Lucas again, please?" Dean asked. Andrea deliberated for a minute.
" I don't think it's a good idea," she said eventually.
" Just for a few minutes?" Dean tried again. Andrea sighed.
" He won't say anything," she said despairingly.
" Look, we think there may be more deaths coming," Amy explained." And...we think there's something out there."
" What?" Andrea asked." Something out there? My husband, Bill Carlton's kids, they drowned. And that's it."
" If that's what you really believe, we'll go," Dean said." But please, if you think there's even a slight chance something could be going on, let us see Lucas."
Andrea bit her lip, then nodded.
" A few minutes," she said.
" Thank you," Sam said. Dean walked over to Lucas, who was sitting on the floor, surrounded by toys. Amy followed him, feeling nervous, not knowing what to say.
" Hey Lucas," Dean said, smiling." I just dropped by to thank you for your picture."
Lucas just drew. Amy looked at his picture. It was of a person in water. She sighed, taking a deep breath.
" Lucas?" She asked." How did you draw Dean's picture? How did you know? Do you want to tell us?"
Lucas said nothing.
" Lucas, we need your help," Dean said." I know you're scared. You have a reason to be. You saw something that no kid should ever have to see. I had to see it to, you know. I saw my Mother die, me and my brother Sam. Amy, my sister, was to young to remember it, but she knows what happened. I was really scared too, and I didn't want to talk. But, I realized after a while, my Mum wouldn't have wanted me to stop talking. She would have wanted me to be brave, so I was. And I think your Dad would want you to be brave to."
" So, can you help us?" Amy asked." Lucas?"
Lucas looked at her, and thrust a picture into her hand.
" Thanks kid," Dean said. They both stood up, and walked over to Sam and Andrea.
" Thank you," Amy said to Andrea. Andrea nodded, the ghost of a smile on her face. The Winchester's left the house, and got back into the impala.
" Let's see it," Dean said, holding out his hand. Amy handed him Lucas's picture, and leaned forward to get a better look. Dean unfolded it, and stared at it. It was of a white church, and a yellow house. There was a red bike resting on the front wall of the house.
" Andrea said that he never drew like that until his Dad died," Sam commented, taking the picture from Dean." I've been thinking about it. I've heard of people going through post traumatic stress and becoming more sensitive to premonition and psychic tendencies."
" Psychic tendencies," Amy said, sounding strange. Dean looked at her, noting that she had gone pale again. Amy noticed his look and quickly dropped back onto her seat." I mean, yeah, I suppose it's possible."
" Sure," Dean said, thinking." Hey, do you think it's possible that whatever's out there, Lucas is tapping into it somehow?"
" Yeah, I suppose," Sam sounded uncertain." But he's seven, Dean. Not exactly the most reliable-"
" Sam, you over think way to much," Amy interrupted him." If you've got a better lead, please, share with the world, because I damn well can't think of one."
" She's got a point," Dean said in agreement, nodding. Sam sighed, holding up his hands.
" Fine," he said." Looks like we've got a house to find."
" Yeah, a yellow two-story in this county," Dean said, a little sarcastically." This should be easy.
" Well, yeah," Amy said unexpectedly. Dean and Sam turned around to look at her, incredulous looks on their faces. She rolled her eyes." Oh, I forgot, there must be a thousand yellow two-stories with white churches next to them. Silly me."
" Well, look at the new Einstein," Dean said, grinning. Amy scowled at him.
" No. No way," she said firmly." That is Sammy's nickname, not mine."
" Oh, sorry squirt," Dean smirked, starting the car. Amy opened her mouth to protest.
" You walked into that one, Amy, admit it," Sam said, stopping her before she could speak. Amy opened her mouth to try again, but closed it and nodded in defeat.
" Damn you," she muttered. There was silence in the car, and then suddenly, Sam spoke.
" Dean?"
" Yeah?" Dean asked, his eyes on the road.
" You never told me about that stuff with-you know, the stuff about-" Sam started, but Dean cut in.
" Yeah, I know," he said shortly.
" It was kind of..." Sam tried to think of the right words. Amy decided to help him out.
" Un-Deanlike?" She suggested.
" Yeah," Sam agreed. Dean rolled his eyes.
" Nice to know what you guys expect of me," he said.
" You're welcome," Amy said, looking out the window.
" Thanks," Dean said, sarcastically." Oh, hold on, I think I see the place."
He slowed to a halt. Sure enough, they were now next to a yellow two-story building with a white church next to it. They got out, and walked up to the house. Dean knocked on the door, and a woman in her fifties, Amy reckoned, answered it.
" Hi, is it alright if we have a word?" Dean asked politely. She smiled at the Winchester's.
" Sure," she said, letting them in.
" We're sorry to bother you, ma'am," Sam said, stepping inside." But does a little boy live here? Maybe rides a red bike?"
" No, I'm afraid Peter's been gone for thirty five years," she said sadly." The police had no idea what happened, he just disappeared."
Sam nodded, looking around. Amy smiled comfortingly at the lady.
" I'm very sorry," she said. The lady nodded.
" Thank you," she said to Amy." It's just, losing him was...worse than dying."
Amy looked at Dean and Sam. They nodded, having noticed the connection between her and Bill Carlton's words.
" Did he disappear from this house?" Dean asked.
" No, he was supposed to ride his bike home after school, but...well, he never showed up," the lady said, tears in her eyes. Dean nodded, also looking around, like Sam.
" Hey, look," Sam muttered to Amy. Amy looked where he was pointing. Toy soldiers.
Amy looked at Dean, who was looking at a photograph. He stared at it, and then turned around quickly.
" Thanks for your time," he said, before darting out the door. Sam and Amy rushed after him, leaving the lady looking confused.
" Dean, what the hell!" Amy demanded. Dean didn't answer at first, just jumping into the car and starting the engine. It was only when they had driven off, he answered.
" I know who's next!" He shouted.
" Who!" Amy demanded. Dean just sped up. Soon, they were pulling up at a familiar house.
" Bill Carlton?" Sam guessed, jumping out the car with Dean and Amy." You think all this is somehow connected to Bill Carlton?"
" Of course it is!" Dean said, running to the lake, his brother and sister in tow." He sure seems to be hiding something!"
" And all of his children, and his loved ones, are being killed," Sam said, nodding. Then, his eyes widened and he grabbed Dean, pulling him around." Hey, you don't think that Bill could have killed Peter?"
" That makes sense," Dean said." After all, Peter would would revenge."
" I know I would," Amy murmured darkly, but neither of her brothers semed to hear her. They were running again. Amy quickly overtook them, and rounded the corner to the lake just in time to see Bill Carlton heading out into the lake in a small boat.
" Mr Carlton!" She shouted at him." BILL CARLTON!"
He didn't seem to have heard her. Amy ran out onto the dock, her brothers following her.
" Get out of the water!" Amy screamed at him. Suddenly, she slipped on the wet dock and tumbled towards the water.
" AMY!" Dean shouted. He grabbed her just in time. She clung to his arm, shaken. Dean's expression was thunderous.
" Be careful! Fucking hell Amy!" Dean hissed at her.
" Dean, Bill!" Amy shouted. Sam and Dean began yelling at the old man, but he ignored them.
" Turn the boat around!" Sam yelled.
" Come back! Mr Carlton, you're in danger!" Dean shouted.
" Listen to-SHIT!" Amy swore.
Amy and her brothers watched as Bill Carlton was thrown from his boat. The boat capsized, and sank.
" NO!" Amy screamed in anger. Sam grabbed her shoulder quickly.
" Calm down," he said. Amy took a deep breath, and looked at her brothers, who were both glaring at the spot where Bill Carlton had gone down. Only then did she hear the sound of sirens.
" Cops," Dean groaned." Just what we fucking need."
The Winchester's turned around, in perfect sync. The officer, Andrea's father, was walking towards them.
" You'd better come with me, Agents," he said, in a tone that suggested that it was a very good idea if no-one argued. Dean nodded quickly.
The Winchesters followed the police cars too the station. Amy got out of the car first, and glanced at Dean, whos hand clenched on the steering wheel momentarily before he got out the car. They entered the station behind Andrea's father. To Amy's surprise, Andrea was there too.
" Sam! Dean! Amy!" Andrea exclaimed, also surprised." What on earth are you doing down here?"
" Oh, on first name terms are we?" The officer asked, his tone dangerous. He turned to his daughter." Why are you here?"
" I-I bought you dinner," Andrea said, taken aback by his tone and look. He nodded, and gestured to the Winchesters.
" Sorry Andrea," he said." But I really don't have the time."
" Oh," Andrea said. She seemed to deliberate." Dad?"
" Yeah?" The officer grunted.
" Is what I heard about Bill Carlton true?" She asked him, sounding worried." Did something happen at the lake?"
" Right now," her father growled, looking at the Winchester's accusingly." I don't know what the truth is. But I think at the moment it's better if you and Lucas go back home."
Amy looked around, and sure enough saw Lucas, frozen. He looked paler than ever. Amy gulped, and went to look away, but suddenly the younger kid looked at her. He walked over, past her, and too Dean. He looked Dean in the eye, and grabbed his arm, making a whimpering sound. Andrea looked worried at this, and Dean looked concerned.
" Lucas? What's wrong?" Dean asked. Lucas whimpered again, and Dean frowned." Hey, it's O.K kid, it's alright."
" Come on Lucas, let's go home," Andrea said, taking Lucas's hand and prying him away from Dean." I'm sorry about that."
" No, it's fine," Dean assured her. Amy stared as Lucas and Andrea left, wondering what Lucas had been worried about. She was brought sharply back to reality when Andrea's father spoke in an angry tone.
" So, let me get this straight, Agent Hamlin," he said. Amy quickly realized that Sam must have told him what had happened." You saw something, but you don't know what, send Bill Carlton, who, incidentally, is a very good swimmer, flying into the lake, and you didn't see him surface for even one second. Is that it?"
" Yes," Sam said, nodding. The officer looked at the other Winchesters.
" And you're going with that, are you?" He asked.
" Yep," Dean said.
" Absolutely," Amy said. The officer shook his head.
" And you expect me too believe this?" He asked." Even though I've sonar-sweeped that entire lake, and found squat?"
" Yes, we do," Sam confirmed.
" And that what you're describing is impossible?"
" Yes," Sam said. Dean nodded.
" And you're not really from the U.S Wildlife Service?"
There was silence from the Winchester's.
" Ahh," Dean said, uncomfortably.
" Didn't think so," the officer said, smirking a little." Because, you see, I figured that I'd check with them, just to be on the safe side, and guess what I found out? You don't exist, according to them."
" Well," Amy said, inventing wildly." You see, the thing is..."
" We can explain that..." Dean also began inventing wildly. Sam rolled his eyes, knowing that their cover was blown and that trying to think of an explanation would probably get them into even more trouble.
" Save it for someone who'll believe it," Andrea's father said, cutting Dean off." The only reason you three are still breathing free air is that one of Bill's neighbours saw him steer his boat out just before you did."
" So, whoever you people are," he looked at them." You have two options. I can arrest you for impersonating government officials and hold you as material witnesses to Bill Carlton's disappearance, or we can chalk this all up to a bad day, you get into your car, you put this town in your rear-view mirror, and you don't ever darken my doorstep again. Now, are you going to leave, or should I go and get some handcuffs?"
Amy opened her mouth to retort, but Sam stepped on her foot.
" Door number two sounds good," he told the officer. The officer nodded.
" That's the one I'd pick if I were you," he told them." Now get your asses outta here before I change my mind."
Dean nodded, turning and walking out the door. Amy also turned, but not before she'd shot a death glare at the officer's back. All was silent as the Winchester's got in the impala, and drove off. Amy could tell that Dean was furious. So was she.
" Right," Amy said." What the hell are we gonna do now?"
" We're gonna leave this town before we get arrested," Sam replied as the impala turned. There was silence before Sam noticed something was odd.
" Uh, Dean," he said." Interstate's the other way."
" I'm aware," Dean replied.
" Uh, then why are we-"
" Sammy, if we bailed every time we got in trouble with cops there would be hundreds of unfinished jobs, and lots more people dying because of it," Amy told him.
" She's right Sammy," Dean said in agreement. Sam sighed.
" Look, I really think this job is over," Sam said, trying to persuade Dean to stop.
" We don't know that," Dean replied.
" If Bill really killed Peter Sweeney, then Peter got his revenge," Sam reasoned." We all saw it happen. The spirit should be at rest now. Case closed, job over."
" Alright Sam," Dean said, still driving determinedly." Let's say that we leave, and this spirit isn't finished. Let's say that we missed something. Then what? How many more people are gonna die, Sammy?"
" Dean, why would you think that?" Sam asked. Amy and Dean answered him at the same time.
" Because Lucas was terrified."
Sam was silent. Then, he spoke.
" Is that what this is about? Lucas?" Sam asked.
" I need to know he's going to be O.K," Dean said.
" Sam, if this kid gets hurt, it's going to be our fault, because we missed something," Amy said." Can't you see that?"
" Well, yeah, I can," Sam sighed, seeing their point." But, you two? You're hardly a couple of Supernannies."
" What's that supposed to mean?" Dean demanded. Sam rolled his eyes.
" Just that you've never really shown an interest in kids," Sam explained." And you too, Amy. I didn't think you liked kids."
Amy just sighed, and shrugged. Sam realized that this was the only explanation he was going to get. Dean pulled up at the house, and was out the car before the other two. He was already ringing the bell when Sam and Amy reached the door.
" Dean, it's pretty late, are you sure about this?" Sam asked dubiously. There was silence. Dean was about to press the bell again, when the door flew open. Lucas stood there, looking terrified.
" Lucas?" Amy asked. The kid looked like he was going to faint. Without a word, he reached forward and grabbed a fistful of her jacket, pulling her inside. Dean and Sam ran in after her and Lucas, up the stairs, and too the landing.
" Lucas, what's going on?" Dean asked. Lucas pointed to a room. Murky brown water was beginning to leak underneath the crack, and Amy could hear a muffled screaming.
" Andrea!" Amy shouted, understanding. She disentangled herself from Lucas, handing him to Sam and throwing herself at the door hard. It buckled a little, but didn't go down. She was about to kick it when Dean stepped in, busting the door down with one kick. Amy and Dean rushed inside the bathroom, sprinting across the room towards Andrea. Her head was in the tub, and she was drowning in the same murky brown water that had been leaking under the door. Amy and Dean grabbed her shoulders, pulling as hard as they could. Suddenly, whatever was drowning Andrea let go and she and the two Winchesters flew backwards, onto the sopping wet floor. Andrea sobbed into Dean's shirt.
" Oh god, oh god, oh god," she moaned, terrified. Amy and Dean helped her out of the bathroom, and downstairs. Sam brought Lucas downstairs as well. He stared at his mother for a minute, before walking off too his crayons.
" It'll be fine," Amy reassured Andrea. The woman shook her head, still sobbing and shaking.
" No," she moaned." I'm going crazy! I'm going crazy! Oh, god, no-"
" Andrea, what happened?" Sam asked gently." How did it get you?"
" It?" She asked. Dean nodded.
" Yes, it," he told her." Now, can you tell us what happened to you?"
" I heard a voice, well, I think I heard it, I don't know!" Andrea said, panicking.
" Calm down," Sam said." What did the voice say?"
" It said, 'come play with me'," Andrea said." And then I-"
She didn't finish. She stood up, and began pacing. Then, she rounded on the Winchesters.
" What the hell is happening?" She demanded. Dean sighed, reaching into his pocket. Amy watched as he pulled out a photo, and handed it too her.
" We don't know the whole story yet, but you could help," Dean told her." Do you recognize the kids in this picture?"
Amy realized that it was the photograph that Dean had found at Peter's mother's house. The one that had spurred him to drive to Bill Carlton's house, just before Bill had been taken.
" No, I-wait!" Andrea peered closer at the photo." That's my Dad!"
" What?" Sam asked, in surprise.
" Yes, look," Andrea thrust the picture at him. She pointed to a boy that must have been about twelve." I recognize him from his old scout photos."
Amy frowned at the photograph, the pieces beginning to come together.
" Dean, Sam, I don't think Chris Bar's drowning had anything to do with Bill Carlton," she said.
" It must have been connected to Andrea's Dad," Dean nodded. Sam lowered the photograph and looked at his brother and sister.
" They must have both been involved with Peter," Sam said." Do you think they both did it? Together?"
" It's possible," Dean said, sighing. Andrea was looking at them, anger on her features for the first time.
" What the hell does this have to do with Chris?" She demanded." What are you talking about?"
" Andrea, we think Chris's death might be connected to something that your father and Bill may have done thirty five years ago," Sam explained. Andrea was clearly confused. Amy's attention drifted as she began asking questions. Amy looked around the room, her gaze settling on Lucas, who was staring detachedly out the window.
" Lucas, you O.K?" She asked him. Lucas walked over to them, and stopped in front of Dean he grabbed Dean's hand and pulled him towards the door.
" Lucas, what's going on?" Dean asked. Lucas didn't answer, just led him outside the door. Amy, Sam and Andrea followed quickly.
" Lucas, sweetheart, what's wrong?" Andrea knelt down, but Lucas was staring straight down at the ground. Dean seemed to understand what Lucas was trying to tell them, because he handed Lucas over too Andrea quickly.
" Andrea, you two go back inside the house, O.K?" Dean said." You too, Amy."
" What!" Amy protested." Come on, I'm sixteen!"
" Fine, I don't have time to argue," Dean said, frowning." If you're gonna stay, be useful, go with Sam and get some shovels."
" Come on," Sam said to Amy, before she could snap back. Amy fetched three shovels with him, still fuming that Dean had tried to send her inside. She decided to yell at him about it after everything was over.
" Start digging," Dean ordered. The three siblings dug at the earth, until there was a dull thud. Amy spotted a flash of red in the dull brown of the soil.
" Come on, pull it out!" Dean said. Sam and Amy grabbed the object and pulled it free of the soil.
" Peter's bike," Sam said, amazed. And it was, a red bike. Amy opened her mouth to comment, but heard the click of a gun being coked behind them.
" Who the hell are you?"
The Winchesters turned. Andrea's father was there, pointing his gun at them. He expression darkened when he saw who it was.
" Put the gun down," Sam said.
" You're hardly in a position to be giving orders," he said. Amy glared at him.
" Neither are you, frankly," she said, pointing to the bike." Look what we found."
He looked at the bike in shock, then fear.
" How did you find it?" He asked.
" You ever kill anyone?" Dean demanded.
" I-"
" You have, haven't you?" Dean stepped forward." Peter. You and Bill, right? Drowned him in the lake, buried his bike, hoped that no-one would ever find out."
" You're mad," Andrea's Dad said angrily.
" No I'm not!" Dean snarled." You killed Peter Sweeney thirty five years ago!"
" What?"
Amy saw Andrea running towards them, her face shocked. Dean glanced at her, before continuing.
" And now you've got a seriously pissed spirit," Dean finished." Congratulations."
" It's not going to stop," Sam said, stepping forward a little." It's not going to stop until all of your love ones are dead and gone. That means Andrea and Lucas. Do you really want that?"
" You're talking like crazy people," Andrea's father said, shaking his head." There's no such thing as spirits."
" Oh yeah?" Amy asked." Then, tell me, what do you think happened to Bill Carlton?"
" You seem like a nice young lady, Miss," the officer said. Amy stiffened instantly." It's a shame you've got caught up in this insanity that these two have cooked up."
" We're her brothers!" Dean shouted angrily.
" We haven't dragged her into anything," Sam said, scowling.
" Dad, is it true?" Andrea asked." Did you really kill someone?"
" Don't listen to them, Andrea, they're all insane," her Dad growled. Dean stepped forward again.
" Look, none of us really give a crap what you think of us," Dean snapped.
" Seconded," Amy said, raising her hand.
" But if we're gonna bring down this spirit, we need to find the remains, salt them, and burn them into dust, alright?" Dean said." And only you can tell us where you dumped his body, so you can shoot us and watch as Andrea and Lucas die, or you can help us."
Amy looked at the old man with his gun, and saw a flicker of guilt in his eyes. She groaned, and put her hand to her head.
" Please tell me I'm wrong, and you didn't just dump him in the lake," Amy said, already knowing the answer.
" I-" Andrea's Dad shook his head." No! I'm not listening to this crap!"
" Dad-" he turned to Andrea." Tell me the truth. Please?"
" Andrea, we didn't mean it to happen!" He suddenly shouted, dropping his gun." Bill and I were at the lake. Peter was the smallest one. We always bullied him, but this time…well, it got rough. We were holding his head under the water, but we never thought he would drown! Oh Andrea, we were kids. We were so scared! We freaked and just let the body go, and it just sank! It was a mistake, I know it was, but to say that it has anything to do with Chris, Bill-it's crazy! Insanity!"
" I've been called worse," Amy said, shrugging. Dean and Sam stared at the officer, identical looks of fierce concentration on their faces throughout his confession.
" Right," Dean said, coming back too reality." First thing, we need to get away from this lake, it's dangerous out here."
Amy nodded in agreement, and began to walk away from the lake. She looked glanced back at the water, and saw something which made her furious and terrified at the same time.
Lucas was walking towards the lake.
" LUCAS! GET AWAY FROM THE LAKE!" Amy screamed, breaking into a run.
" AMY!" Dean shouted, also breaking into a run.
" AMY, DON'T TOUCH THE WATER!" Sam yelled at her. Amy didn't hear them. She reach Lucas, just as he was reaching towards the water. It happened in slow motion. Amy heard the voice, the child's voice, that said 'come play with me'. And then Lucas was flipped into the water.
" NO! LUCAS!" Amy screamed. Without thinking, without waiting for her brothers instructions, Amy dove into the water, after Lucas.
" NO!" Sam shouted, seeing Amy disappear into the lake. Dean's eyes were wide with terror.
" GET IN AFTER HER!" Dean shouted to Sam. Sam didn't need any encouragement. He dived into the water, after Lucas and his sister.
" Andrea, stay on the dock, we'll get him!" Dean shouted at Andrea, who was frozen, and deathly pale.
" Lucas, no..." she moaned. Dean gave her a pitying look, before jumping into the water.
Amy dived down as far as she could, before going up for air. She surfaced the same time as Sam, who swam over too her.
" Get back on the dock," he said, his eyes pleading. Amy shook her head at him.
" No, Sam," she said, determined. Before he could say another word, she was under the water again. Sam sighed, resigned, before also diving. Amy peered through the murky water, but couldn't see anything other than Dean, and Sam, next to her. Then, she saw a pair of legs near the bank. She surfaced, curious.
" Peter, please," Andrea's father was wading out, his face pleading, tears running down his face." Not Lucas, please, take me. TAKE ME!"
" Daddy!" Andrea pleaded, tears also falling down her cheeks. She had fallen and was sitting on the dock, sobbing." Come back, come back, come back..."
" Peter, please, it's not the childs fault," Andrea's Dad continued to plead.
" No! Get back on the-" Dean was cut short when a little boy appeared at the surface. Suddenly, Andrea's Dad was gone.
" NO!" Andrea screamed. Amy dived again, more determined than ever to find Lucas. She still couldn't see anything. She surfaced, furious. Why hadn't Peter given Lucas back?
" Come on," she muttered, about to dive again when Dean surfaced.
" I've got him," Dean said, relieved." He's alright, I've got him."
" Thank god!" Amy shouted. Sam surfaced next to her, and quickly grabbed her elbow, dragging her to the dock.
" Come on, let's get out of here," Sam muttered.
" Best thing I've heard all day," Amy said, climbing back up onto the dock. Sam smiled at her, and helped Dean and Lucas back onto the dock.
Lucas was talking again. In fact, he wouldn't stop. He chattered away to Dean, Amy and Sam constantly, about anything and everything until they left for the hotel. Amy found it hilarious.
" Everything packed up, squirt?" Dean asked as Amy closed the trunk the next morning.
" Yep," she said. He grinned at her and ruffled her hair.
" Dean!" She whined." Sixteen, not six!"
" You'll always be six to me, Amelia," he laughed. Amy scowled at him, and pushed him so hard that he fell on his ass. There was laughter from behind them, and Amy turned to see Sam, Lucas and Andrea watching them.
" Once again, you get beaten up by your little sister," Sam smirked.
" Shut up," Dean grumbled, getting up.
" Can I give it to them?" Lucas asked Andrea, excited.
" Sure," Andrea grinned. Lucas ran over to them, and handed them a tray of sandwiches.
" I made them myself," he said proudly. Dean grinned, at him.
" Cheers," he said. Lucas grinned and helped him put the sandwiches in the trunk.
" Well, I guess it's goodbye," Andrea said.
" I guess," Amy said. Then, without warning, Andrea hugged her. Amy staggered back, her eyes wide.
" Err, thanks," she said, nonplussed. Andrea let go of her, smiling.
" Thankyou," she said." For everything."
Amy smiled back, getting over her initial shock. She walked over too Lucas and Dean.
"All right, if you're gonna be talking now, this is a very important phrase, so I want you to repeat it one more time," Dean was saying seriously. Amy wondered what on earth he was teaching the poor kid.
" Zeppelin rules!" Lucas shouted. Dean grinned, whilst Amy rolled her eyes.
" That's right!" Dean said." Up top!"
Lucas high fived him.
" Right, you take care of your Mom now, alright?" Dean said, his tone serious again.
" Sure," Lucas said, grinning. He walked back over to Andrea.
" I remember when you taught me that," Amy said.
" I did?" Dean asked, closing the trunk.
" Yes, several times, so I wouldn't forget," Amy sighed. Dean shrugged at her.
" I guess that does sound like me," he admitted. Andrea walked over to them, and suddenly kissed Dean.
" Thanks, Dean," she smiled. Dean nodded, going slightly red, obviously taken by surprise. Amy cracked up silently behind him.
" Err, yeah, anytime," he said. Andrea nodded, and walked back over to Lucas.
" Are we leaving or not?" Sam asked.
" Yeah, sure," Dean said, staring at Andrea. Amy snapped her fingers in his face and he came back to reality." Yeah, come on Sammy, move your ass, we're losing daylight here!"
He got into the impala quickly. Amy and Sam grinned at each other, and both got in the car. They drove away, and Andrea and Lucas waved until they were out of sight.
" I think that went well," Amy said, closing her eyes." And now I'm going to get some sleep whilst Snores-a-lot is still awake."
" I don't snore!" Dean protested. Sam laughed at his expression.
" I wasn't talking about you," Amy said, grinning. Sam's laughter vanished instantly.
" Told you, Sammy," Dean smirked. Sam rolled his eyes.
" Whatever," he said." Dean and Andrea..."
" Sitting in a tree..." Amy continued, her grin widening.
" K-I-S-S-I-N-G," Sam finished.
" I hate you both," Dean groaned.
" No, you don't," Amy said.
" Fine, you're right," Dean sighed." I really don't."
There was silence.
" You gotta admit, though, you are both complete and utter-"
" Eyes on the road Dean."
Dean glared at his brother whilst his sister busted up laughing in the back seat.
All was well with the Winchester siblings.
For now.